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A buyer of a backup service asks whether the service limits storage, whether the price is shown in euros, whether files can be accessed only with one's own encryption key and whether the service can be tried before paying. These decide 50 points out of 100.
Score shows how the company does on our comparison criteria, on a 0–100 scale. Rankings cannot be bought.
Basic metrics · 76.4
+ Unlimited storage for one computer at a fixed price of 99 $/year, with no file size or type restrictions
Basic metrics: 76.4, rank 3 · ▲ 2 places
Basic metrics · 76.8
+ Unlimited storage space on all three tiers, prices shown openly
Basic metrics: 76.8, rank 2 · no change
– Own encryption key or password: The product page states 256-bit encryption, but not an own encryption key or password.
Basic metrics · 72.1
+ Unlimited cloud backup storage at a fixed monthly or annual price
Basic metrics: 72.1, rank 4 · ▲ 1 place
– Own encryption key or password: The front page mentions transfer encryption and two-factor authentication, but not an own encryption key or password.
Basic metrics · 70.5
+ Combines backup and cybersecurity (malware protection) in the same software
Basic metrics: 70.5, rank 5 · ▲ 1 place
– Free trial: On the purchase page, the 30-day trial is linked only to the security features, not to backup.
Basic metrics · 81.8
+ Storage space is priced clearly by the terabyte (5-100 TB) and one subscription covers several devices
Basic metrics: 81.8, rank 1 · ▼ 4 places
– Free trial: The pricing page and features page only state a free 10 GB basic tier; the length of the trial period is not stated.
Basic metrics · 56.4
+ Clear freemium model: 20 GB free and paid 500 GB / 5 TB tiers with prices on the front page
Basic metrics: 56.4, rank 6 · no change
Weights are fixed. All companies are measured on the same scale. Read the full methodology.
| Buying motive | What is measured | Scale | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited storage space QUESTIONDo I have to choose which files fit in the backup? | Whether the service's own page states that backing up a single computer is unlimited. | Unlimited = 100 points, storage limit = 0. | 20 p |
| Price in euros QUESTIONCan I see the price in euros without an exchange rate? | In which currency the service's own page shows the price by default. | In euros = 100 points, in another currency = 0. | 8 p |
| Own encryption key or password QUESTIONCan I encrypt the backup so that the service itself cannot access it? | Does the service's own page mention its own encryption key, password or zero-knowledge encryption. | Yes = 100 points, no mention = 0. | 12 p |
| Free trial QUESTIONCan I try the service before I pay? | Length of the free trial in days. | 30 days or more = 100 points, 0 days = 0, in between directly proportional. | 10 p |
| Basic metrics | Digital quality, transparency, reachability and AI quality score | Basic metrics × 0.5 | 50 p |
We scored 6 cloud backup services used in Finland on 20 metrics. The key question: are the price and storage space revealed before ordering, how far back does version history go, and are the encryption and the country where your data is stored disclosed?
A cloud backup service automatically copies a computer's files to the internet so that they can be restored if the device breaks, is stolen or after a ransomware attack. Services differ in whether the price and storage space are visible before ordering, how far the version history reaches, how the data is encrypted and in which country it is stored. We compared services aimed at consumers from the point of view of transparency.
Subscription price and amount of storage shown publicly without logging in (20), amount of storage and price clearly itemised (unlimited or per terabyte) (15), file version retention time or version history stated (15), restore methods and restore time stated (online, app, disk delivery) (15), encryption and its level stated (AES, end-to-end, own key) (15), data storage location or country stated (10), operating company or owner stated on the site (10)
Transparency is 30% of the basic metrics, i.e. 15% of the total points · these metrics make up its 100 points · the full formula and the other pillars
How to read the comparison correctly: Half of the points come from buyer's questions, i.e. things the buyer finds out before deciding. The other half measures how openly the company publishes its prices, terms and contact details. Clear differences in points indicate a genuine difference: one tells you the price immediately, another only after logging in. Close scores should not be read as a ranking order, because every measurement has a margin of variation. The measurement accuracy and the full calculation formula are open in the methodology.
Customer experience is brought into the assessment separately. We also collect customer feedback and customer experiences about companies through separate surveys. The survey results will be added to the overall assessment later.
The lowest price does not tell you the storage space. Some services offer unlimited storage for one computer (Backblaze, Carbonite, Livedrive), others sell space by the terabyte (IDrive, Acronis, Degoo). Always compare the price relative to the amount of data to be backed up and the number of devices, not just the starting price.
Data location determines EU data protection. Most of the measured services store data outside the EU, in the United States or the United Kingdom. If you back up personal data, check the country where the data is stored before taking the service into use; it is stated for each service to the extent that the service reports it itself.
Version history and restore are the core of a backup. In case of ransomware or an accidentally deleted file, what matters is how many earlier versions and for how long the service keeps the files, and how quickly and in what way the data can be restored. These are itemised for each service.
Every company is measured with the same public formula: half of the points come from buyer's questions and half from basic metrics, which have four pillars: technical quality, transparency, reachability and AI quality score. Ranking cannot be bought, and you can see the origin of each point on the company's profile. Read the full methodology →
A backup service automatically copies a computer's files in the background and focuses on restoration when the device breaks or data is destroyed. A cloud storage service (such as Dropbox or iCloud) is primarily for file synchronisation and sharing. Some services do both, but their emphasis and version history differ.
A common recommendation is 3-2-1: three copies of the data, on two different storage media, one of which is in a different location. Cloud backup takes care of that one off-site copy, but it is worth keeping a local backup alongside it, for example on an external drive.
Version history means that the service keeps several earlier versions of a file. If a file is damaged, overwritten by accident or encrypted by ransomware, you can restore an earlier intact version. The longer the period for which versions are kept, the better protected you are.
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