Best Reviewed
Online Backup Services
- Best online backup service MozyHome *Est. $6
- Full-featured online backup SOS Online Backup *Est. $80
- Local and online backup service CrashPlan+ *Est. $50
- Best file synchronization service Dropbox *Est. $0
Get info about new reports and updates
- Inexpensive
- Very easy to use
- Unobtrusive backup process
- Clear file markings
- Initial backup can be slow
- No free version available
- Few customization options
- Must add larger files manually
Carbonite earns a number of recommendations and awards from experts, who say it's easy to use and a great choice for simple online backup. Carbonite offers unlimited storage starting at about $55 per year, and it installs a software program onto your computer that automatically backs up new or changed files. The program works when your computer is idle so there is less drag on system performance. Reviewers say the backup process is unobtrusive, although several experts note that the initial backup can be very slow if you have a lot of data. The file marking system gets especially high marks because it provides an easy way to check a file's status. Each file and folder on your computer receives a small green dot in the corner if it's backed up; a yellow dot indicates the backup is pending, and no dot means the file is not backed up. Carbonite is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
In the latest round of reviews, most experts prefer MozyHome (*Est. $6 per month for 50 GB), however that predates a pricing change that eliminated the popular unlimited storage plans with Mozy. On the other hand, Mozy's latest update adds an improved interface, faster uploads and local backups in addition to online storage. Carbonite has also released a new version with some technical improvements, but reviewers have not weighed in on those.
Carbonite is reviewed by a number of sources, but the best details come from NotebookReview.com and MacFormat. These sources conduct comparative tests, which make it easy to see how Carbonite stacks up against the competition. Laptop Magazine, PC Pro and Expert Reviews also have lengthy analysis accompanied by ratings.
Our Sources
1. Mac Format
MacFormat magazine, which is available online at TechRadar.com, evaluates six online backup services, including Carbonite. Carbonite gets a generally positive review, although it scores lower on several criteria than some of its primary competitors.
Review: 6 reliable online backup services for your Mac, Ian Betteridge, March 20, 2010
NotebookReview.com ranks Carbonite second in its group test of five online backup services. Charles Jeffries says it's worth a recommendation, but he doesn't like that some files (including anything over 4 GB) must be added manually.
Review: Carbonite Online Backup Review 2010, Charles P. Jeffries, Aug. 24, 2010
3. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Carbonite earns 3.5 stars out of 5 from Dana Wollman at Laptop Magazine. She says the automatic backup process is simple, but manually selecting and restoring files can be complicated.
Review: Carbonite, Dana Wollman, April 26, 2010
4. PC Pro
Carbonite receives a Recommended award from PC Pro. While Stuart Andrews says Carbonite lacks some features found in other online backup services, he finds it the easiest to use. He would like to see more robust file versioning.
Review: Carbonite Online Backup Review, Stuart Andrews, Aug. 17, 2010
Carbonite earns 4 stars out of 5 from Expert Reviews. David Ludlow says it's very easy to back up your files using Carbonite, but -- like other reviewers -- he's annoyed that the system leaves out some file types. He would also like to back up more than one computer per account.
Review: Carbonite Online Backup Review, David Ludlow, Oct. 8, 2010
Carbonite comes in at No. 6 on this list of the top 10 online backup services. Providers are all rated on backup features, remote access, security, ease of use and tech support, so it is easy to compare them. However, there's no way to be certain if this review is based on testing or on features, or if it is current despite its 2011 date.
Review: 2011 Online Data Backup Review Comparisons, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
Online Backup Services Runners Up:
4 picks including: Laptop Magazine, PC Pro…
4 picks including: Laptop Magazine, The Wall Street Journal…
2 picks including: PC Pro…
1 pick by top review sites.