
Backblaze offers a free tier with 10 GB of storage, which is a great starting point for small projects or testing the service.
The free tier allows for 30 days of version history, which is more than most free cloud storage services.
Backblaze's free tier is a great option for small projects or testing the service, but it's essential to consider the storage limitations.
With 10 GB of storage, you can store up to 5,000 files, which is a decent amount for small projects or testing the service.
For your interest: Is Amazon S3 Free
Features and Capabilities
Backblaze offers a range of backup options, including continuous, incremental, image-based, and external drive backup.
With Backblaze, you can back up an unlimited number of devices, and the service includes features like speed throttling and block-level file copying to ensure efficient backups.
Here's a breakdown of some of the key backup options:
The service also offers a 15-day free trial, so you can try it out before committing to a paid plan.
Capabilities

Backblaze offers a wide range of backup features, including unlimited backup and unlimited devices. This means you can store as much data as you need without worrying about running out of space.
You can also schedule your backups with their backup scheduler, ensuring your files are always up to date. Continuous backup and incremental backup options are also available, allowing you to customize your backup strategy to suit your needs.
One of the standout features of Backblaze is its ability to perform image-based backups, which can be a lifesaver in case of a disaster. They also offer external drive backup, NAS backup, and server backup options, giving you flexibility in how you store your data.
If you have a lot of devices to backup, you'll appreciate the unlimited devices feature, which allows you to add as many devices as you need. Speed throttling is also available, which can help prevent your backups from interfering with your internet usage.
Worth a look: Free Web Backup

Backblaze's restore process is also straightforward, with options for courier recovery service and browser access. They also offer mobile app access, making it easy to manage your backups on the go.
Here are some of the key backup options available with Backblaze:
- Backup
- Backup Scheduler
- Continuous Backup
- Incremental Backup
- Image-Based Backup
- External Drive Backup
- NAS Backup
- Server Backup
- Hybrid Backup
- Mobile Device Backup
- Unlimited Backup
- Unlimited Devices
Deleted files are retained for 30 days, giving you a bit of breathing room in case you need to recover something. Backblaze also offers private encryption, at-rest encryption, and in-transit encryption, ensuring your data is secure both in transit and at rest.
File Versioning
File versioning is a powerful feature that allows you to control how your files are stored and managed in Backblaze B2. You can modify the file versioning policy of each bucket by clicking the "lifecycle settings" link in the bucket.
The default file versioning policy is to keep all versions of a file, but you can change this to suit your needs. You can choose to keep only the last version of a file, or set custom rules to keep prior versions for a specified number of days.
Creating custom lifecycle rules requires three fields: file path name, days till hide, and days till delete. If you leave the file path name blank, you could inadvertently delete all the files in a bucket.
The days till hide rule hides a file for a specified number of days, giving you time to review or recover it if needed. Similarly, entering a number in the days till deleted field will automatically delete a file or files when the day limit is reached.
Readers also liked: Free Website Hosting with Custom Domain
Cloud Storage for Business
Cloud storage for business is a game-changer for organizations of all sizes. It allows employees to access and share files from anywhere, making remote work a breeze.
Scalability is one of the biggest benefits of cloud storage. With a cloud storage provider, you can scale up or down quickly, without having to secure up-front costs.
Accessibility is another major advantage. Data stored in the cloud can be accessed by multiple people in your organization, making it perfect for remote teams.
Cloud storage providers typically offer a pay-as-you-go model, which means you only pay for what you use. This can save your business a significant amount of money in the long run.
Most cloud storage providers implement robust security measures to protect your data, including encryption and access controls. This gives you peace of mind knowing your data is safe.
Automated backup and disaster recovery options come standard with most cloud storage solutions. This ensures your data is safe from hardware failure, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
API Transactions
Backblaze B2 offers free transactions for uploading data into your account, as well as for bandwidth used during uploads.
Class A transactions, which include uploads and deleting files, are completely free. This is great news for anyone who needs to store a lot of data, as it can add up quickly.
Class B and Class C transactions, on the other hand, incur a cost. Class B transactions include downloading, creating buckets, and creating keys or copying files, and cost $0.004 per 10,000 transactions once you exceed 2,500 in a day.
After 2,500 transactions, you'll pay $0.004 per 10,000 Class B transactions. This means if you have 25,001 transactions, you'll pay for the extra 3,001.
Related reading: Backblaze Plans
Pricing and Plans
Backblaze offers an affordable pricing structure with clear options for monthly, annual, and two-year plans. There's no free plan, but you can try Backblaze for 15 days free of charge.
Each computer costs $9 per month to back up, with annual and biennial plans offering a discount. A year costs $99, representing a $9 savings, and it costs $189 for two years, representing a $27 savings.
Backblaze B2 has a free account with 10GB of storage, and the daily download bandwidth is 1GB. You also get 2,500 class B transactions connected to downloads and 2,500 class C transactions.
Storing data on Backblaze B2 costs $0.005 per GB per month, which is free while under 10GB. The daily download cost is $0.01 per GB, remaining free as long as you stay under 1GB per day.
If you need more storage, you can opt for Backblaze B2 Reserve, which offers bundles starting at 20TB for $1,560 annually.
A fresh viewpoint: 10gb Google Drive
Pricing and Plans
Backblaze offers excellent value with its clear pricing structure.
The company doesn't have a free plan, but you can try it out for 15 days with a free trial.
Backblaze's personal plan costs $9 per month to back up one computer, with a year costing $99 and two years costing $189.
The business plan is essentially the same as the personal plan, with each computer or workstation needing a separate license to back up data.
Backblaze B2 has a free account with 10GB of storage, including 1GB of daily download bandwidth and 2,500 class B and C transactions.
Storing data on Backblaze B2 costs $0.005 per GB per month, which is free while under 10GB.
The daily download cost is $0.01 per GB, and it remains free as long as you stay under 1GB per day.
You can use Backblaze B2's data mail service to transfer large amounts of data, with pricing tied to upload or download size.
For your interest: Backblaze Download
For uploads using Fireball, the cost is $550 for up to 96TB, and downloads up to 8TB on a USB cost $189.
Backblaze B2 Reserve offers more predictability, with bundles starting at 20TB for $1,560 annually.
Storage costs $0.005 per GB per month, which is a pay-as-you-go model.
You can opt for a reserve plan if you want a set price for your storage needs.
A fresh viewpoint: Backblaze B2 Cost
Linode Object Storage Pricing
Linode offers a competitive pricing plan for object storage. Linode charges $5 per month for 250 GB of storage with 1 TB of outbound data transfers and up to 50 million objects per cluster.
You can get extra storage for a low cost, with pricing starting at $0.02 per GB.
Linode's pricing is comparable to other popular object storage providers, making it a great option for businesses and individuals alike.
With Linode's object storage, you can store a large number of files without breaking the bank, with the option to scale up as needed.
A fresh viewpoint: Linode Free Trial
Comparison and Alternatives
Backblaze B2 offers a secure service for low prices, but there's no shortage of competition for IaaS services. Other options to consider include Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure, which are among the biggest IaaS services.
These alternatives offer a range of features and pricing plans, but Backblaze B2 stands out for its low prices.
Here's an interesting read: Azure Free Services
Cloudwards Choice
Backblaze is a reliable cloud backup service that you can set up and forget about, knowing your data is safely backed up. Jason, an expert in cloud storage, is a fan of its simplicity and optional private encryption.
One of the things I like about Backblaze is that its plans are among the most affordable options out there. However, it's not for everyone, especially those who crave more control and customization over their backups.
Backblaze B2 is a great option for backing up data in an IaaS service, offering a web interface that's accessible from any operating system. This makes it a great choice for those who need to access their backups from multiple devices.
If you're not located in the U.S. or Europe, you might experience slower speeds with Backblaze. This is because it has limited servers outside of these regions.
IDrive: Quick Comparison
IDrive lets you back up multiple devices with one account, including mobile devices and other options besides your computer.
One of the key differences between IDrive and Backblaze is the ability to back up multiple devices with one account.
IDrive offers this feature, which is a big plus for users with multiple devices to back up.
IDrive is a natural comparison to Backblaze, as both are online backup providers that offer cloud storage services.
Expand your knowledge: Is One Drive the Same as Google Drive
IaaS Comparison
Backblaze B2 is a secure IaaS service that offers low prices, but it's not the only option.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a well-established IaaS service that competes with Backblaze B2.
There's no shortage of competition for IaaS services, and companies like Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure offer similar services.
Backblaze B2 competes with these big players, but it's worth considering the options.
Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure are popular choices, but they may not offer the same level of security as Backblaze B2.
Ultimately, the choice of IaaS service depends on your specific needs and budget.
Explore further: What Is Backblaze B2
About Amazon S3
Amazon S3 is a highly scalable solution that offers various storage capacities.
It's a go-to choice for dependable storage for a variety of data types, making it a popular choice among developers, businesses, and individuals.
Amazon S3 is designed for application hosting, data backup, and archiving.
Its scalability makes it suitable for storing large amounts of data, from small startups to large enterprises.
Amazon S3 is a part of Amazon Web Services, which is a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services.
Expand your knowledge: Backblaze vs S3
Migrating Files Between Amazon S3
If you're considering Amazon S3, but want to explore alternatives, you're not alone. Many people are drawn to its robust features, but may want to consider other options.
You can easily migrate files between Amazon S3 and Backblaze B2 using MultCloud, a comprehensive multiple cloud storage manager. With MultCloud, you can manage files online and move them between clouds with ease.
To get started, simply sign up for a free MultCloud account and log in. Then, add Amazon S3 and Backblaze B2 as clouds, and select Cloud Transfer to move files between them.
See what others are reading: Amazon Ebs vs Instance Store
Here are some key features to keep in mind when using MultCloud for file migration:
- Delete all source files after transfer is complete to free up space in Backblaze B2.
- Configure email notifications to stay informed about your transfer progress.
- Filter certain files using file extensions to ensure only the files you want are transferred.
- Schedule regular transfers to run daily, weekly, or monthly.
By using MultCloud, you can move files between Amazon S3 and Backblaze B2 effortlessly, and even enjoy premium features like high-speed transfers and filters with a subscription.
Backup Pros Cons
Backblaze offers unlimited backup space, which means you can store as many files as you need without worrying about running out of room.
Their user interface is incredibly simple, making it easy to set up and use the service.
The prices are also very affordable, especially considering the amount of storage you get.
Good security and privacy features are built into the service, giving you peace of mind.
Here are some key pros and cons to consider:
- Pros: Unlimited backup space, simplified user experience, affordable prices, good security and privacy
Usage and Setup
To get started with Backblaze, create an account on the Backblaze B2 cloud storage website. You can choose your data region from a dropdown menu.
Creating a bucket is the next step, and you can do this by following the bucket setup instructions. This will involve uploading your files into the bucket.
You can browse your files by clicking the "browse files" link on the left side of the page, where you'll see options for upload, download, new folder, delete or snapshot.
Here are the basic steps to set up a Backblaze account:
- Go to Backblaze and create an account.
- Log in to your account and create a bucket.
- Browse your files and upload them into the bucket.
To access your uploaded files from your own domain, say yes when asked and enter the domain or subdomain you want to use. This will differ region to region, but the friendly URL will be used instead of the S3 URL prefixed with your bucket name.
Readers also liked: Free Website and Domain
How to Use
To get started with Backblaze B2, you'll need to create an account, which can be done by navigating to Backblaze B2 cloud storage and filling out the necessary information. You can choose your data region from a dropdown menu.
To log in to your account, simply enter your credentials and you'll receive a short tutorial that will show you around the interface. This tutorial is a great way to get familiar with the platform.

To create a bucket, click on the "create bucket" button and give it a name. You can then upload your files into this bucket by clicking on the "upload" button.
You can browse your files by clicking on the "browse files" link on the left side of the page. This will show you all your files and give you options to upload, download, create a new folder, delete, or snapshot.
To use the command-line tool, you'll need to download the B2 CLI Tool for your operating system. For Apple computers, you'll need to download Homebrew first. Once you have the terminal open and connected to Backblaze B2, you can enter "b2" for a list of all the available commands.
Here's a list of the basic steps to get started with Backblaze B2:
- Create an account on Backblaze B2
- Log in to your account and complete the tutorial
- Create a bucket and upload your files
- Browse your files and use the available options
- Use the command-line tool to gain greater control over your account
You can also use the mobile app to access your Backblaze B2 account. To do this, open the app store on your device and search for "Backblaze". Download the app and log in to your account to see your buckets and files.
If this caught your attention, see: Azure Free Account Creation
Prerequisites
To set up a Backblaze account, you'll need to sign up and follow the bucket setup instructions from my previous post.
You'll need to create a bucket and set up an API key, which is equally relevant for any other application.
To access uploaded files from your own domain, say yes when prompted and enter the domain or subdomain you want to use, such as files.example.com or assets.example.com.
Remember what you set, as you'll need it for the next step.
The friendly URL you'll use will be different depending on the region, but it will be in the format of https://f003.backblazeb2.com/file/testbits.
Recommended read: Do I Have to Use Onedrive
Security and Support
Backblaze B2 is safe, but knowing how to use its security features is key to keeping your data protected.
Backblaze uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption during file transfers, safeguarding your data from man-in-the-middle attacks.
You can choose from two server-side encryption options: SSE-B2 and SSE-C. Both use AES 256-bit encryption, but SSE-C allows you to manage your own encrypted key for added security.
If you want to configure customer-managed encryption keys, you'll need to use the command-line tool and follow the SSE-C procedure when creating a bucket.
Backblaze also offers live chat support, but it's more of a sales tool than proper help, and it's not open-ended.
Security and Privacy
Backblaze B2 is safe, but knowing its security features is key to keeping your data safe.
You can choose from two encryption options: SSE-B2 and SSE-C. Both use AES 256-bit encryption to protect data stored on Backblaze B2's servers.
SSE-B2 uses Backblaze-managed keys, meaning your data isn't protected by private encryption. This is in contrast to SSE-C, which allows you to manage unique encrypted keys, adding zero-knowledge encryption.
Backblaze manages the encryption process when uploading, but only after you provide the correct key. This is an important distinction to understand when choosing between the two options.
Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption protects your data during file transfers, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks that attempt to intercept your data transfer by impersonating your intended recipient.
To configure customer-managed encryption keys, you'll need to use the command-line tool and follow the SSE-C procedure. This is not available through the web interface.
Support Options: Speed & Quality
Backblaze offers a decent support system, but it's not perfect. You can find answers to common questions on their "docs" page or a larger help page with information for all their products.

If you can't find what you're looking for, you can email the support team and expect a response within 24 hours on business days. This is a reasonable turnaround time, and the response to our inquiry was informative and helpful.
However, if you need more extensive help, you'll need to be a paying customer. Backblaze offers three tiers of paid customer assistance, including phone support, but you'll need to contact sales to get a quote.
One thing to note is that their chatbot is more of a sales tool than a proper help system. It can guide you to the correct area, but it's not open-ended, and the responses are predetermined.
In terms of speed, Backblaze's support team is generally responsive. However, if you're looking for faster support, you might want to consider other options.
Here's a breakdown of Backblaze's support options:
Keep in mind that these response times are estimates, and the actual time it takes to get help may vary.
Analysis and Evaluation
Backblaze's free tier is a great way to get started with cloud backup, but it's essential to understand its limitations. Backblaze doesn't offer advanced features like some other cloud backup services, which is intentional, as CEO Gleb Budman explains.
One of the main drawbacks of Backblaze is the lack of customization. Jason, an expert in cloud storage and online backup software, notes that Backblaze is not for everyone, especially those who like having greater control over and customization for their backups.
Backblaze's ease of use is one of its strongest points. You can back up your data in just a few clicks, making it a great option for those who want a hassle-free experience.
Here are some key features of Backblaze's free tier:
Backblaze's robust blogging presence is also worth noting. Its blog posts are often the most likely search result when looking for information on the service.
The Backblaze bug hunt program is another interesting feature. While Backblaze used to run it in-house, it now outsources it to a third-party company called Bugcrowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Backblaze free?
No, Backblaze is not entirely free, but it does offer free storage up to 10GB and free egress for average storage usage. However, overage is billed at $0.01 per GB.
Is Backblaze backup really unlimited?
Yes, Backblaze Backup is truly unlimited, with no data caps or extra charges for large backups. The only limitation is your internet upload speed to our data center.
What is the minimum storage time for Backblaze?
No minimum storage time is required with Backblaze, allowing you to store your data for as long as you need without extra fees
Featured Images: pexels.com