Online backup comparison for 2026

What online backup is and who it is for

Online backup automatically copies files from your computer, phone, external drive, server or NAS to a provider’s data centre. If a laptop is stolen, a disk fails or ransomware encrypts your files, you can restore a clean copy rather than relying on whatever is left on the device.

It suits households with several devices, freelancers who cannot afford to lose client work, and small businesses running a server or NAS. A company may also need separate protection for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, since files stored in a cloud service are not necessarily covered by a recoverable backup.

Backup is different from syncing. Sync keeps the same files available across devices, which is useful for collaboration. But if you delete a synced file, that deletion may spread everywhere. A backup keeps separate copies and, depending on the plan, earlier versions that can be recovered after accidental changes or deletion.

A useful planning principle is the three-two-one rule: keep three copies of important data, on two types of media, with one copy off-site. Online backup can provide that off-site copy, but it should not be your only copy of irreplaceable files.

What to look for in an online backup plan

Storage, devices and covered data

Start with the amount of data you need to protect, not just the size of your computer’s drive. Include photos, work folders, external disks and any server or NAS data that matters. Check whether storage is pooled across devices or assigned per computer, and whether a plan has a device limit. A household plan may cover several computers, while a lower-priced option may protect only one.

Compare the price with the storage you can actually use. A large allowance is less helpful if important sources are excluded, or if extra storage moves you into a much more expensive tier. For a business, confirm that the service supports its operating systems and can back up the server, NAS or shared folders you rely on.

Version history and deleted-file retention

Version history lets you roll a file back to an earlier state, which matters when a document is overwritten or encrypted. Check how many versions are kept and for how long. Some plans retain deleted files only briefly or remove old versions after a retention limit, so a backup that appears complete today may no longer contain the copy you need later.

Look for clear retention terms, including what happens when you stop paying or exceed a storage limit. If you keep financial records, creative work or client files for a long time, choose a retention period that matches your obligations and habits, not just the default setting.

Encryption and access to your files

Check how data is encrypted while it is being transferred and while it is stored. End-to-end or zero-knowledge encryption can mean that the provider cannot read your backup, particularly when you control the private key. That improves privacy, but it also makes key management your responsibility. If you lose the key and there is no recovery method, the provider may be unable to restore your files.

Use a strong, unique password and keep recovery information somewhere separate from the devices being backed up. For a business, confirm who can manage the account and whether access can be handed over safely if an employee leaves.

Restore methods, speed and location

Check how you can restore data: through an application, a web interface or a shipped drive. Downloading is convenient for a small selection of files, but restoring a large archive over a slow connection can take a long time. A shipped drive may be useful for a full recovery, although shipping or restore fees can apply. Ask whether the service throttles transfers and whether there are limits on how often you can request a physical restore.

Initial upload speed matters too. A large backup can take days on a modest connection, especially if the computer sleeps or the service limits bandwidth. Check whether backups resume automatically and whether you can set them to run when your network is less busy. For privacy and compliance, review where the data is stored, how it can be transferred between regions, and what the provider says about GDPR if that regulation applies to you.

Business and cloud-app coverage

Small businesses should verify that a plan covers the systems that hold business data, not only employee laptops. Server and NAS support, central administration, reporting and separate user permissions can make ongoing management easier. If you use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, check that the service backs up the specific mail, files and shared data you need, and understand how those copies are restored. Cloud-provider retention and your own backup retention are not the same thing.

What online backup costs

The plans in the comparison range from $0.25 to $104.98, with an average introductory price of $20.00. Treat those figures as a starting point: a low entry price may cover only one computer or a limited amount of storage, while a larger plan may be better value once you include every device and data source.

Compare the introductory price with the renewal price before choosing. Promotions can make the initial term look inexpensive, then the renewal invoice may be higher. Check the full billing term, whether storage or device add-ons cost extra, and whether taxes, physical restore services or business features are priced separately. The price after the first year is especially worth checking if you plan to keep backups for the long term.

Pitfalls that can leave you without a usable backup

• Choosing storage instead of backup: Online storage is designed for access and sharing. It may not keep independent versions or protect you from a deletion that syncs across devices.
• Missing retention limits: A service may remove older versions or deleted files automatically. Make sure the retention period covers the time it could take you to notice a problem.
• Losing a private key: Strong privacy controls are useful only if you can preserve the key. Store it securely away from the devices and account it protects.
• Underestimating restore costs: A full recovery can involve bandwidth limits, shipping charges or paid restore requests. Read the restore terms before an emergency.
• Assuming every device is included: Some plans cover one computer, while phones, servers, external drives or NAS devices may require another plan or add-on.

Run a test restore before you depend on a service. Recover a few files to a separate location and check that they open correctly. This catches account, encryption and setup issues while your original files are still available.

How to use the comparison table

Use the filters above to narrow the list to the storage amount and device coverage you need. Then compare the details that determine whether a backup will be recoverable: version history, deleted-file retention, encryption, restore methods, supported systems and data location. If you need server, NAS or SaaS protection, treat that support as a requirement rather than an optional extra.

Sort by price only after checking what each plan includes. A low price per terabyte can be misleading if the plan has a strict device limit or charges for a full restore. Review the renewal terms alongside the introductory offer, and use our comparison methodology to understand how we assess and present plan information.

Online backup compared with related services

Online storage is a better fit when you mainly want to access files across devices, share folders or collaborate. It can complement backup, but syncing alone does not provide the same protection against a deletion or unwanted change spreading to every device.

Backups included with web hosting can help protect a website’s files and database. They usually cover the hosted site, not your computers, phones or business documents, so check the scope and restore process before treating them as a complete backup plan.