Backblaze vs IDrive: Which Should You Buy?
Affiliate disclosure: some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our full disclosure.
Quick verdict
| You are… | Buy this |
|---|---|
| Looking for a set‑and‑forget off‑site backup of your NAS or single PC, and don’t mind paying a bit more for unlimited personal storage. | Backblaze (affiliate) |
| Want to protect many devices (PCs, Macs, phones) under one roof, need lots of space on a tight budget, and can tolerate slower restores. | IDrive (affiliate) |
Spec‑by‑spec comparison
| Feature | Backblaze (affiliate) | IDrive (affiliate) |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cloud Backup | Cloud Backup |
| Type | SAAS | SAAS |
| Price (per month) | $9/mo | $5/mo |
| Best for | Off‑site NAS/PC backup | Multi‑device backup |
| Pros | Unlimited personal, cheap B2 | Lots of storage, cheap |
| Cons | B2 egress costs | Slower restores |
1. Pricing & value
When you line up the monthly fees, IDrive wins on pure cost at $5 per month versus Backblaze’s $9. That price difference can add up quickly if you’re budgeting for a household with several devices. However, Backblaze’s “unlimited personal” promise means you never have to count gigabytes—once the subscription is active, every file on your primary machine (or attached NAS) rolls into the cloud without extra storage charges.
If you already know how much data you’ll be backing up and it fits comfortably within IDrive’s tiered plans, the lower price makes sense. But if you anticipate growth or just want a “set‑and‑forget” model where you never worry about hitting a cap, Backblaze’s unlimited offering may actually save money in the long run despite its higher monthly rate.
2. Device coverage & flexibility
IDrive markets itself as a multi‑device solution. It can back up PCs, Macs, iOS and Android phones—all from one dashboard. That makes it attractive for families or small offices where each member has several endpoints to protect. The trade‑off is slower restore speeds; pulling large files back down can feel sluggish during an emergency.
Backblaze, on the other hand, shines when you need a straightforward off‑site copy of a single PC or a NAS box. Its simplicity means fewer configuration steps and less chance of overlooking a device. For power users who already have local redundancy (e.g., RAID) and just want a remote vault for disaster recovery, Backblaze’s focused approach is ideal.
3. Hidden costs & performance
Both services are pure SaaS with no hidden hardware fees, but Backblaze does charge egress when you download data from its B2 object storage layer—something to keep in mind if you regularly retrieve large backups. For most home users who only restore occasionally, this cost rarely becomes a pain point.
With IDrive, the main performance concern is slower restores. If your internet connection isn’t blazing fast, pulling gigabytes of data can take time. That said, IDrive’s “lots of storage” promise means you’re unlikely to need additional tiers as your backup set expands.
Pros & cons
Backblaze (affiliate)
Pros
- Unlimited personal backup – no caps.
- Cheap B2 object storage for developers who need it.
- Simple setup geared toward off‑site NAS/PC protection.
Cons
- B2 egress costs can add up on frequent restores.
- Higher monthly price than IDrive.
IDrive (affiliate)
Pros
- Lots of storage available at a low price point.
- Handles many device types from one account.
- Overall cheap subscription cost.
Cons
- Slower restore speeds, especially for large files.
- Not truly unlimited; you must stay within the purchased quota.
Which should you buy?
If your primary goal is to back up one or two machines (or a NAS) and you value an “unlimited” safety net without worrying about storage caps, Backblaze is the clear choice. Its modest price premium buys peace of mind that every file will be stored for as long as you keep paying.
If you’re a family tech hub, a freelancer juggling a laptop, desktop, and mobile devices, or anyone who needs to protect many endpoints under one roof while staying on a tight budget, IDrive delivers the most bang‑for‑buck. Just be prepared for slower restores when disaster strikes; plan your recovery window accordingly.
In