Backblaze Personal Cloud Storage Review

Backblaze is a reliable and affordable cloud storage option that offers a generous 10GB of free storage, making it a great choice for those who want to try before they buy.

Backblaze is available on both Windows and macOS, allowing users to access their files from anywhere.

Backing up your files to an off-site cloud server is an easy, affordable, and safe way to make sure that your most important files are safe.

Backblaze is a great option for cloud storage, as it's the easiest to set up and use.

It's also quite affordable, making it a great choice for those on a budget.

To get started, simply download the Backblaze app from their website, create an account, and then let the app do its thing.

Backblaze Personal offers a range of features and capabilities that make it an attractive option for users.

Backup and Versioning

Backblaze Personal provides continuous backup and versioning, with a default versioning period of 30 days. This means that you can keep as many versions of a file as you want, and any file version that's more than a year old costs $0.006 per GB per version.

You can also schedule backups to run automatically, and choose from various backup options such as incremental and image-based backup.

File Sharing

Backblaze Personal allows you to share files from your backup with registered and unregistered users by creating a shareable link. However, this feature requires you to enable Backblaze B2 cloud storage, and there are no settings for links - you either share the link or delete it.

Security

Backblaze Personal offers robust security features, including private encryption, at-rest encryption, and in-transit encryption using AES 128-bit encryption protocol.

Support

Backblaze Personal offers 24/7 support, including live chat support, telephone support, and email support. You can also access the user forum and knowledgebase for help and guidance.

Here are some key features and capabilities of Backblaze Personal:

Backblaze Personal takes data security very seriously, encrypting files on your Mac using AES military-grade encryption with 128-bit keys before uploading them to their servers.

This encryption is applied not just to the files themselves, but also to the discs where they're stored on the Backblaze servers. Additionally, you can create your own private encryption key, which is the only way to decrypt your files - even Backblaze won't be able to access them without it.

Backblaze also keeps a record of file versions for 30 days, so if you've made changes to a document or file over time, you can easily access those previous versions.

The 30-day limit means that if you leave an external hard drive unplugged from your computer for more than a month, it will be deleted from Backblaze's system. However, the Backblaze team has considered extending this limit to 60 or 90 days to accommodate users who need more time to access their files.

You can enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account, and Backblaze uses SSL to protect transfers and AES 128-bit encryption to secure data at rest and in transit.

Backblaze keeps a copy of your files for 30 days, which means if you delete a file on your computer, it will also be removed from Backblaze's servers after a month.

This 30-day limit can be a problem if you leave an external hard drive unplugged from your computer for longer than a month, as Backblaze will delete it from their system.

The good news is that Backblaze keeps versions of your files during those 30 days, so if you've made changes to a file, you can access previous versions.

For example, if you've edited a text document over several days, Backblaze will have multiple versions of it, including the original and each subsequent edit.

To navigate to specific versions of a file or folder, you can choose the date range for files backed up when you're in the Restore view.

You can also extend the version history to 1 year for free, which is a great option if you need to recover deleted or older file versions.

Data security is a top priority for Backblaze, with a robust architecture and physical security measures in place. Their servers are protected by AES military-grade encryption with 128-bit keys, which is still very secure.

Backblaze encrypts your files on your Mac before uploading them to their servers, and then stores them on encrypted discs. This means your files are protected from unauthorized access, even if someone gains access to their servers.

To add an extra layer of security, you can create your own private encryption key, which is the only way to decrypt your files. This key should be stored securely, such as in a password manager like 1Password.

Here's a breakdown of Backblaze's encryption and security measures:

Backblaze also offers two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account. This can be enabled from the web interface, providing an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access.

Their data center stores files redundantly across 15 drives in a RAID6 configuration, ensuring that your data is safe even if one or two drives fail. This means you can have peace of mind knowing your files are protected and easily recoverable.

Backblaze offers a simple and automatic backup solution that runs in the background, backing up all your documents and files without requiring much thought.

You can restore your data through the web interface, mobile app, or by having Backblaze send you a USB drive with your files.

Backblaze provides 30 days of version history, which means that if you delete a file, you can still recover it within that timeframe. This feature is crucial for recovering deleted or older file versions.

You can extend the version history to 1 year for free by going to your account settings.

Backblaze keeps a copy of your files for 30 days, during which time it also keeps versions of your files. A text document with multiple versions will have those versions stored on Backblaze.

The three options for restoring files are using the web interface, having Backblaze send you a USB drive, or using the mobile app.

The web interface lists backed-up files, and you can select folders or files to restore, using search and filters to help.

Restoring a file doesn't "wipe out" your current data set; Backblaze keeps your data until you say otherwise.

To get your files from Backblaze to you, you can choose to have them put the files onto a USB flash drive (up to 128 GB for $99), an external Hard Drive (up to 3 TB for $189), or simply download a ZIP file (no cost to download).

Backblaze has a download helper app for better reliability of large download ZIP files.

Restoring a file is surprisingly simple: you log in to the Backblaze website, click on “View/Restore” files, enter your Private Encryption Key, and then choose what you want to recover.

The restore process is pretty straightforward, and even when you have a total system crash, you can select a flash drive or external hard drive restore that Backblaze will send to you.

Here are the options for receiving your restore:

Note: This list only includes the options for receiving your restore, and does not include other ways to restore your files.

Backblaze Personal's user experience is designed to be straightforward and hassle-free. The service allows users to easily upload files from their computers, with a simple drag-and-drop interface.

The upload process is also automated, so users don't have to worry about manually uploading files. This makes it easy to store and backup large files and folders.

Backblaze Personal also offers a mobile app, allowing users to access and manage their backups on-the-go. The app allows users to view their backups, restore files, and even access their files from other devices.

Backblaze performs well in terms of speed, with decently fast upload speeds during testing. Upload speeds averaged around 17 minutes and 8 seconds over two tests, with some initial sluggishness to start.

Text files seem to be uploaded faster than multimedia files, although this isn't a major concern for most users. I've personally found that continuous backups haven't made a noticeable impact on my computer's performance.

Downloads, on the other hand, are faster, with Backblaze reaching its max speed almost immediately and maintaining it throughout. This is likely due to the fact that Backblaze can upload and download files in the background, without interrupting your computer's usage.

Backblaze is incredibly easy to set up and use, automatically backing up everything without the need for manual adjustments or having to remember to do something.

The simplicity of Backblaze is crucial for many users, as it eliminates the risk of manual errors or forgotten backups. This is especially important for those who have experienced data loss in the past.

Backblaze's user-friendly interface allows for effortless backup management, making it a reliable choice for individuals and businesses alike.

The average user can expect to upload their files to the Backblaze data center within 2 weeks, depending on their internet connection speed. On a good connection, Backblaze will upload 50+ GB per day, while slower connections may only upload 5-10 GB per day.

Backblaze's pricing is also straightforward, with a monthly cost of $5 or an annual cost of $50 per computer.

Here are the key features of Backblaze's user-friendly interface:

However, it's worth noting that Backblaze has some limitations, including limited features, device limitations, and no mobile backups.

The Settings window in Backblaze is divided into multiple tabs, making it easy to find and adjust the settings you need.

You can access the Settings window directly from the main program window, also known as the control panel.

The Settings tab allows you to select the hard drives you want files to be backed up from, change the computer name, and set a temporary data drive.

The Performance tab displays performance information and options to enable/disable threading and throttling, and battery power backups.

The Schedule tab lets you set when backup jobs should be run, with the default being set to continuously, but you can change it to once per day or manual.

The Exclusions tab is where you manage folder and file type exclusions, and you can also set a maximum file size for backup files.

The Security tab is where you add a private encryption key for added security, which is then required to restore data backed up by Backblaze.

You can also view a list of files in the processing queue and statistics about the files selected for backup, as well as a list of files that could not be transferred and the reason why.

I recommend setting up a personal private encryption key to protect your data further, and you may also need to add or remove exclusions based on your specific needs.

Backblaze's pricing is incredibly affordable, with each computer costing $9 per month to back up.

The pricing structure is clear and upfront, with options for monthly, annual, and two-year plans. You can choose from a monthly plan, an annual plan that saves you $9, or a two-year plan that saves you $27.

Backblaze doesn't offer a free plan, but it does offer a 15-day free trial to try out the service. If you decide it's not for you, you can request a refund up to 30 days after purchasing.

You'll get one license for a single device, though you can purchase more licenses for additional computers. The business plan is essentially the same as the personal plan, with separate licenses required for each computer or workstation.

Backblaze's competitive edge lies in its simplicity and affordability, making it a great option for those who want a hassle-free online backup experience. CEO Gleb Budman intentionally kept advanced features out of the picture to focus on ease of use.

Backblaze's robust blogging presence means that its blog posts are often the top search results for information about the service. This is a testament to the company's commitment to transparency and customer support.

One notable feature that sets Backblaze apart from some other cloud backup services is its bug hunt program, which offers rewards for users who help identify and fix issues. However, it's worth noting that Backblaze now outsources this program to a third-party service called Bugcrowd.

Here's a quick comparison of Backblaze and IDrive:

Backblaze's simplicity and reliability make it a great choice for those who want a no-fuss online backup experience. However, it may not be the best option for those who want more advanced features or customization options.

Backblaze is a cloud backup service that's all about keeping things simple and affordable. It doesn't offer advanced features like some other services, which is a deliberate choice to stay competitive in the market.

One of the things that sets Backblaze apart is its robust blogging presence. In fact, its blog posts are often the most likely search result when looking for information about the service.

Backblaze has a bug hunt program that rewards users for finding bugs and issues with the service. This program is now outsourced to a third-party company called Bugcrowd.

Here are some key facts about Backblaze's features:

Some users might find Backblaze's lack of advanced features to be a drawback. However, its ease of use and simplicity make it a great option for those who just want to back up their data without a lot of fuss.

The service has received updates and changes over time, with the most recent update being in July 2024.

IDrive is a natural comparison to Backblaze, as both are online backup providers that offer cloud storage services. IDrive lets you back up multiple devices with one account, including mobile devices and other options besides your computer.

One of the biggest differences between the two services is that IDrive offers more flexibility in terms of device backup. IDrive also provides more options for backing up different types of data.

IDrive allows you to back up multiple devices with one account, which can be a big advantage for those with multiple devices to protect. This can be especially useful for people who have a lot of devices to keep track of.

IDrive offers more flexibility in terms of device backup, which can make it a better option for some users. However, it's worth noting that Backblaze has its own strengths, such as ease of use and affordability.

IDrive is a good choice for those who need to back up multiple devices, but Backblaze may be a better option for those who are looking for a more straightforward and affordable solution.

Getting started with Backblaze Personal is a breeze.

The first step is to create an account on the Backblaze website.

You can then download the setup file or opt for a trial, and start the installation process by double-clicking the file.

Depending on whether you created an account before or after downloading the software, the initial installation might vary slightly.

Getting started with Backblaze is a breeze, thanks to its easy-to-use installation process. The first step is to create an account on the Backblaze website and download the setup file.

You can also download the trial and set up an account during the installation process. Once you have the installation file, double-click it to start the installation process.

Depending on whether you created an account before downloading the software or after, your initial installation will be slightly different. Either way, it's still one of the easiest installations you can have.

After the installation is complete, you'll need to click the Backup Now button to start your initial backup. However, even if you don't click it, Backblaze will start your initial backup within an hour.

Backblaze works silently in the background, making it easy to use. It's a lightweight client that doesn't hog your computer's resources.

Setting up Backblaze is a breeze, and it defaults to backing up everything on your computer. You can also add external drives to the backup if you want to.

The default automatic setup provides continuous backup, which has been perfect for me. I've only had to select which drives to back up over the years.

Backblaze intelligently adjusts the bandwidth it uses to avoid clogging up your internet connection. This means it won't slow you down even on slower internet speeds.

Backblaze is designed to be invisible, working seamlessly in the background. It only interrupts you if something is actually wrong, like if one of your drives is offline and hasn't been backed up.

Backblaze is an affordable service that reliably backs up your data. It's easy to use and has gotten users out of tight spots more than once.

One of the main complaints about Backblaze is that it's not meant for advanced users. They might find its limitations frustrating.

Backblaze doesn't support attached drives, which can be a limitation for some users. This might be a deal-breaker for those with complex backup needs.

Large backups with Backblaze can be slow, so be prepared for that.