MozyHome Unlimited

*Est. $5 per month for unlimited storage

Reviewed September 2009

Good value
Easy to set up initially
Mac OS compatible
Unobtrusive backups

Requires separate software
Complex settings
Limited file versioning
Awkward file restoring

Where to Buy

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Our Analysis

MozyHome Unlimited gets high marks from reviewers. MozyHome is a basic online backup service, but it's flexible, highly customizable and easy to set up. For $5 a month, you get unlimited storage -- a low price for unlimited storage. Although you have to install software to use it, the program takes advantage of system idle time to back up your files. Mac and PC versions are available. While some reviewers like Mozy's customization settings, some say they are too confusing for the average user. File restoration can be awkward, and any file you delete from your hard drive disappears from Mozy's servers after 30 days. Multiple reviewers acknowledge that Carbonite (*Est. $55 a year for unlimited storage) is easier to use than MozyHome, but it offers fewer customization options.

We found several reviews of MozyHome Unlimited. The most comprehensive are from Computer Shopper (U.K.), MacUser (U.K.) and ArsTechnica.com, though the latter is a bit older. Slate gives a cursory evaluation with some helpful insights.

Where To Buy

Our Sources

1. Computer Shopper (UK)

MozyHome gets a Best Buy award from Ben Pitt, who calls it an "excellent value." Pitt has noticed an improvement in backup and restoration speeds from when he last tested it.

Review: Labs: Online backup, Ben Pitt, July 2009

2. MacUser

Mozy gets only an average review from Tom Gorham at British edition of Mac User. He notes that the initial backup is quite slow, but he acknowledges that subsequent backups go faster.

Review: MozyHome, Tom Gorham, Feb. 2009

3. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org doesn't subject online backup services to its normal testing process, but editors have specific recommendations about Mozy and its main rival, Carbonite.

Review: Backup systems, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Not Dated

4. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

Michael Muchmore writes a detailed review on his experiences with MozyHome Unlimited. He says it's a great value and gives users more control of the backup process than its competitors. He agrees with other reviewers that configuring the program is unnecessarily complicated.

Review: MozyHome Online Backup, Michael Muchmore, April 16, 2008

5. Arstechnica.com

Although it is not a current source, this comparative review of online backup services -- including MozyHome Unlimited -- is worth reading. Particularly insightful is Joel Hruska's observation that restoring a file from MozyHome Unlimited is significantly faster than MozyHome Free. Otherwise, he agrees with other reviewers that Mozy is a great value.

Review: Online Backup Solutions: A Review, Joel Hruska, July 16, 2007

6. Slate.com

Farhad Manjoo's comparison of MozyHome Unlimited and Carbonite isn't very detailed, but it's based on hands-on testing. His review focuses on backup and restoration speed, which he complains is slow on both services. Still, he chooses MozyHome Unlimited because it's a good value.

Review: The Dog Ate My Hard Drive, Farhad Manjoo, Dec. 2, 2008