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
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Local and online backup service
- Local and online backup
- Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux
- Easy to use
- Bandwidth throttling can be complicated
Reviewers are mightily impressed with CrashPlan+, an online backup service that also backs up your files to an external hard drive and another computer. You can even back up your files to a friend's computer as long as he or she has a CrashPlan account. If you don't need to back up your files to CrashPlan's servers, local backup and back up to another computer are available for free as part of the basic CrashPlan client. Reviewers say that the subscription-based CrashPlan+ is a great value because you can back up your files in three separate locations, which provides better security than relying solely on an online provider. The interface is easy to use, reviews say. It's also easy to manually select your files if you don't want to back up automatically. Reviewers say CrashPlan makes it a little complicated to limit the bandwidth if you're doing something else on your computer, and some don't like that the free client contains ads. If you want the ability to sync your files across multiple computers, experts recommend Dropbox (Free for 2 GB).
The best reviews of CrashPlan and CrashPlan+ come from MacFormat (U.K.), which tests and compares six online backup services. Each service is rated and editors declare a winner. Other technology publications, including PC Advisor and the U.K. and U.S. editions of Macworld, have good single-product reviews. PCMag.com also has a recent single-product review that compares CrashPlan to other options.
Our Sources
1. Mac Format
Mac Format magazine, part of the TechRadar site, picks CrashPlan as the best choice among six online backup services tested. Ian Betteridge likes that you can back up your files locally and online, and he finds it a great value.
Review: 6 Reliable Online Backup Services for Your Mac, Ian Betteridge, March 20, 2010
The U.K. edition of Macworld gives an Editors' Choice award to CrashPlan online backup. Although it has a number of backup options, the CrashPlan interface isn't cluttered or complicated, according to Karl Hodge. He also says he thinks it's a good value.
Review: CrashPlan Review, Karl Hodge, March 22, 2010
PCMag.com is the first to weigh in on some recent updates to CrashPlan, including the ability to create multiple backup sets. Michael Muchmore finds lots to like, but also a few shortcomings compared to other solutions.
Review: CrashPlan 3.0, Michael Muchmore, Jan. 20, 2011
Glenn Fleishman tests seven online backup services, including CrashPlan, Mozy and Carbonite. CrashPlan is declared the test winner thanks to its easy-to-use interface and overall value.
Review: Online Backup Services, Glenn Fleishman, Sept. 7, 2009
5. PC Advisor
CrashPlan earns a Recommended award from PC Advisor. Andrew Harrison says he thinks CrashPlan stands out among its competitors thanks to its online and local backup, and he reports that it is easy to back up files to another computer.
Review: CrashPlan Review, Andrew Harrison, Jan.13, 2010
Amit Agarwal, the editor of the Digital Inspiration technology blog, tests six online backup services in this review. Of the six services, Agarwal says CrashPlan is "the backup service that has impressed me the most."
Review: Which Online Backup Service Should You Use?, Amit Agarwal, Aug.15, 2010
PC World doesn't rate CrashPlan, but Jon L. Jacobi has a brief editorial review. "CrashPlan is one of the friendliest backup programs I've ever used, from its basic appearance to the way it offers up options in a concise, logical manner," he writes.
Review: CrashPlan, Jon L. Jacobi
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