SugarSync

Many experts say file syncing services are the new face of online backup, and SugarSync earns a number of recommendations from reviewers. SugarSync offers more than online backup -- it also syncs files across multiple computers, so if you are working on a file at home, the changes will also be saved on your work computer or laptop. It also offers access to your data from any Internet-enabled computer or smartphone, including iPhone, BlackBerry and Android phones. Reviewers are impressed with these features, and they rave about SugarSync's multimedia functionality. For example, if your music files are backed up with SugarSync, you can stream your music online from any computer or mobile device. You can also share photo albums or other files directly from your personalized SugarSync website.

While such features can be very useful, they increase the cost over basic online backup services. Plans at SugarSync start at $50 a year for 30 GB and go up from there. You can get 50 GB of storage for $6 a month with Mozy, with a free month thrown in for those that subscribe for one year. Mozy can't match some of SugarSync's fancy features, but if you only need basic online backup, it's still probably a better deal despite a recent price hike.

We found the best review of SugarSync at PC Pro, where reviewer Stuart Andrews tests and rates a number of online backup services. Expert Reviews (U.K.) also has a detailed and test-based review. While we focus on the most recent reviews, older evaluations at PCMag.com Laptop Magazine and PC World are still worth a read, just keep in mind that some details may have changed.