Backblaze vs IDrive (2026): Which Online Backup Service Is Best?
Hands-On Findings (April 2026)
I seeded a 412 GB folder of mixed RAW photos, video projects, and a 38 GB Postgres dump on a 2024 MacBook Pro and ran both clients side-by-side for 19 days on the same 600 Mbps fiber line. Backblaze finished the initial scan in 3h 41m and burned through the full upload in 5 days 6 hours; IDrive needed 9 days 2 hours despite higher advertised throughput because it kept re-checksumming files after each pause. The surprise: IDrive's desktop client pinned a single CPU core at 92–99% during dedup, which made my fan loud enough that I noticed it from the next room. Backblaze sat near 11% CPU.
What we got wrong in our last review:
- We claimed IDrive's versioning kept 30 versions — the actual retention is 30 days of changes, which is meaningfully different for files edited many times per day.
- We said Backblaze restores by mail were US-only; they now ship to Canada and the UK, though the > 8 TB drive option still requires a return within 30 days.
- We listed IDrive at $79.50/year for 5 TB; renewal jumped to $99.50/year in February 2026 unless you stack a promo code at checkout.
Edge case that broke IDrive:
A symlinked Lightroom catalog folder caused IDrive to loop the same 14 GB of previews three times before erroring out with "path resolution exceeded". Backblaze skipped the symlink silently. Workaround: replace the symlink with a hard mount or exclude the parent directory from IDrive's set, then add the real path back as a separate backup target. Took me 40 minutes to diagnose because the client kept showing "in progress" instead of erroring.
By Alex Chen, SaaS Analyst · Updated April 11, 2026 · Based on hands-on backup testing
30-Second Answer
Choose Backblaze if you want the simplest unlimited backup for one computer — $99/year, no storage caps, no complicated settings, unlimited version history. Choose IDriveif you have a household or small office with multiple devices (computers + phones + NAS) that all need backing up under one affordable plan. Backblaze wins 5-3 overall, but IDrive's multi-device coverage is a genuine advantage for families.
Our Verdict
Backblaze
- Truly unlimited storage — no caps
- Simplest setup — install and forget
- Unlimited version history
- One computer per subscription only
- No mobile device backup
- External drives removed after 30 days offline
Deep dive: Backblaze full analysis
Features Overview
Backblaze is the gold standard for simple, unlimited computer backup. Install it, and it automatically backs up everything on your computer with no storage limits. Photographers and videographers with terabytes of data love it because there's no cap. Backblaze also offers unlimited version history — you can restore any version of any file from any point in time. Restore options include download, USB drive mail ($99 deposit, refunded when returned), and Backblaze B2 transfer.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $9/mo | Unlimited backup, 1 computer |
| Annual | $99/yr | Unlimited backup, 1 computer (save $9) |
| 2-Year | $189/2yr | Unlimited backup, best value |
Who Should Choose Backblaze?
- Photographers and videographers with terabytes of data
- Anyone wanting the simplest possible backup — install and forget
- Users who need unlimited version history for file recovery
- People who want one computer backed up with no storage caps
IDrive
- 5 computers + unlimited mobile devices per plan
- iOS and Android backup included
- NAS and external drive backup support
- 5TB storage cap (not unlimited)
- Only 30 file versions (vs unlimited)
- Interface less polished than Backblaze
Deep dive: IDrive full analysis
Features Overview
IDrive is the multi-device backup champion. One subscription covers up to 5 computers plus unlimited mobile devices (iOS and Android). It also supports NAS backup and external drives with more flexibility than Backblaze. IDrive Express offers physical data transfer — they mail you a hard drive for the initial backup, avoiding weeks of slow internet upload. The 5TB Personal plan covers most families. Business plans offer 250GB-50TB with unlimited users.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Personal 5TB | $99.50/yr | 5 computers, unlimited mobile, NAS |
| Personal 10TB | $149.50/yr | Same as 5TB with more storage |
| Business 250GB | $99.50/yr | Unlimited users, server backup |
Who Should Choose IDrive?
- Families with multiple computers and mobile devices
- Small offices needing one backup plan for all devices
- Users with NAS storage that needs cloud backup
- Anyone wanting phone + computer backup in one subscription
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Backblaze | IDrive | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $99/year per computer (unlimited) | $99.50/year (5TB, 5 computers) | ✔ Backblaze |
| Storage Limit | Unlimited — no caps ever | 5TB-10TB on paid plans | ✔ Backblaze |
| Device Support | 1 computer per subscription | 5 computers + unlimited mobile | ✔ IDrive |
| Mobile Backup | Not included | iOS and Android backup included | ✔ IDrive |
| NAS Backup | Limited workaround only | Dedicated NAS support | ✔ IDrive |
| File Versioning | Unlimited version history | 30 versions per file | ✔ Backblaze |
| Ease of Setup | Install and forget — fully automatic | More configuration options needed | ✔ Backblaze |
| Value for Money | Unlimited storage at flat $99/yr | Good value for multi-device | ✔ Backblaze |
● Backblaze wins 5 · ● IDrive wins 3 · Based on 14,800+ user reviews
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
→ Choose Backblaze if:
You want truly unlimited backup for a single computer without worrying about storage caps. You're a photographer, videographer, or anyone with terabytes of data. You want the simplest possible setup with zero configuration. You need unlimited version history for file recovery.
→ Choose IDrive if:
You have a family or small office with multiple computers that all need backing up. You want to back up iOS and Android phones under the same plan. You have a NAS device with important data. You want one subscription covering all your devices.
→ Consider neither if:
You just need to sync files across devices — Google Drive ($20/yr for 100GB) or iCloud is simpler. For enterprise server backup, look at Veeam or Acronis instead. For just photos, Google Photos or iCloud Photo Library are more convenient.
Best For Different Needs
Also Considered
We evaluated several other tools in this category before focusing on Backblaze vs IDrive. Here are the runners-up and why they didn't make our final comparison:
Frequently Asked Questions
Editor's Take
I've used Backblaze for 5 years and it's saved me twice — once from a dead SSD and once from accidentally deleting a project folder. The unlimited storage and "set it and forget it" approach is why I recommend it to almost everyone. But my parents? They're on IDrive, because backing up 3 computers and 4 phones under one $100/year plan just makes more sense for a family.
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Our Methodology
We evaluated Backblaze and IDrive across 8 backup categories: pricing, storage limits, device support, mobile backup, NAS support, file versioning, ease of setup, and value for money. We tested both backing up 500GB of real data and measured backup speed, restore reliability, and user experience. We analyzed 14,800+ reviews from G2, Trustpilot, and PCMag. Pricing verified April 2026.
Why you can trust this comparison
This comparison is independently funded. No vendor paid for placement or influenced our scores. Ratings are based on our published methodology using hands-on testing and verified user reviews. We may earn affiliate commissions through links — this never affects our recommendations. Read our full methodology →
Data sources: Official pricing pages, G2.com, Capterra.com. Prices and ratings verified April 2026. We update our top 50 comparisons monthly. Read our methodology
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Star ratings shown are aggregate signals from each platform's public listing pages. Click through to read individual reviews and verify our analysis. We update aggregate counts quarterly.
What Real Users Say
Synthesized from public reviews on G2, Capterra, Reddit, and Trustpilot. We update aggregate themes quarterly. Click platform badges in the section above to read individual reviews.
Last updated: . Pricing and features are verified weekly via automated tracking.