Backup Your Data Without: 7 Ways

This article answers the question: how can you back up your data without using a traditional external hard drive or USB stick? You have several reliable options, including cloud storage, network-attached storage (NAS), and even burning data to optical discs like Blu-ray. Below, we explain each method, how it works, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Formula

The calculator above estimates how long it takes to upload a backup to the cloud. The formula is:

Time (hours) = (Backup size in GB × 8 × 1024) / (Upload speed in Mbps × 60 × 60)

Where:

• Backup size (GB) – the total amount of data you want to back up, in gigabytes.
• Internet upload speed (Mbps) – your connection’s upload speed in megabits per second.
• 8 – converts gigabytes to gigabits (1 byte = 8 bits).
• 1024 – converts gigabytes to megabytes (for the unit conversion).
• 60 × 60 – converts seconds to hours.

The result is the minimum time in hours, assuming the upload runs at full speed with no interruptions.

Worked Example

Suppose you have 100 GB of data and an upload speed of 20 Mbps. Using the formula:

1. Convert GB to gigabits: 100 × 8 × 1024 = 819,200 megabits.
2. Divide by upload speed: 819,200 / 20 = 40,960 seconds.
3. Convert to hours: 40,960 / 3600 = 11.38 hours.

So a 100 GB backup at 20 Mbps takes about 11.4 hours. This matches the calculator’s output.

Why Go Without an External Drive?

External hard drives are the classic backup tool, but they have downsides: they can be lost, stolen, or fail. Also, if you travel or work on multiple devices, carrying a drive is inconvenient. Going without means using a method that is either remote (cloud), network-based (NAS), or uses media you already have (like DVDs). Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Cloud Storage Services

Cloud backup stores your files on remote servers operated by companies like Google, Microsoft, or Dropbox. You upload files through an app or browser, and the provider keeps them on their infrastructure. This is the most popular “without” method because it requires no extra hardware beyond your existing device.

Key points:

• Automatic syncing: Many services continuously sync a folder on your computer.
• Access anywhere: You can retrieve files from any device with internet.
• Cost: Free tiers usually offer 5–15 GB; larger storage requires a monthly subscription.
• Upload speed: Your internet upload speed determines how fast the first backup finishes.

One common misconception is that cloud storage is the same as cloud backup. Storage services (like Google Drive) are designed for file syncing and sharing, while dedicated backup services (like Backblaze) automatically back up your entire system. For a true backup, a dedicated service is often better because it keeps version history and can restore your whole system.

Network-Attached Storage (NAS)

A NAS is a small computer with hard drives that connects to your home network. You back up your devices to it over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and it acts like a private cloud. You can access it from anywhere if you configure remote access, but it stays under your control.

Advantages:

• No monthly fees: You pay once for the hardware and drives.
• Large capacity: You can install multiple drives with terabytes of space.
• Multiple devices: Back up PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets to one place.
• Built-in RAID: Many NAS units support RAID, which protects against drive failure.

Disadvantages: initial cost is higher, and you need some technical knowledge to set it up. Also, a NAS is still in your home, so if a fire or flood destroys it, you lose both your original data and the backup. A good practice is to have an off-site backup (like cloud) in addition to a NAS.

Optical Discs (DVD, Blu-ray)

Burning data to optical discs is a low-tech but effective method for archiving. You write files to a disc using your computer’s disc drive, and the disc can be stored in a safe place. This is useful for long-term archiving of photos, documents, or videos that you rarely change.

Important notes:

• Capacity: A standard DVD holds 4.7 GB; a single-layer Blu-ray holds 25 GB, dual-layer 50 GB.
• Longevity: Quality discs can last decades if stored properly (cool, dry, away from sunlight).
• Re-writability: Use write-once (R) discs for permanent archives; rewritable (RW) discs can be reused but may degrade faster.
• No compression: You must split large files across multiple discs.

This method is not practical for frequent backups because it’s slow and manual. But for a “set and forget” archive, it works well.

Peer-to-Peer and Private Cloud

Another option is to back up to a friend’s or family member’s computer over the internet using peer-to-peer backup software. You each agree to store a copy of the other’s data. This is free, but it requires trust and both parties must have reliable internet and enough storage.

Private cloud devices (like a personal cloud drive) are similar to a NAS but simpler. They are essentially a small drive that plugs into your router, and you access it via an app. It’s easier to set up than a full NAS but offers fewer features.

How to Choose the Right Method

Consider these factors:

• Amount of data: If you have over 1 TB, cloud free tiers won’t suffice; NAS or paid cloud is better.
• Budget: Cloud has monthly costs; NAS has upfront costs; discs are cheap but require time.
• Technical comfort: NAS requires some networking knowledge; cloud is easiest for beginners.
• Off-site need: If you want protection from theft/fire, cloud is best; NAS and discs are on-site.
• Access frequency: If you need to restore often, cloud or NAS is more convenient than discs.

Many people use a combination: a NAS for local backups and a cloud service for off-site protection. This is called the 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different media, with 1 copy off-site.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“Cloud backup is too slow.” The initial backup can take hours or days, but after that, incremental backups are fast. Use the calculator above to estimate your first upload.

“I have cloud storage, so I’m backed up.” Not necessarily. If you only sync a folder, and you accidentally delete a file, the deletion syncs too. Dedicated backup services keep versions so you can recover from mistakes.

“NAS is too complicated.” Modern NAS devices have user-friendly interfaces and can be set up in under an hour. But if you don’t want to learn, a cloud service is simpler.

“Discs are obsolete.” While less common, discs are still a valid archival medium, especially for photos and documents. They are immune to ransomware and don’t require internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the cheapest way to back up without an external drive?
A: The cheapest is often a cloud service’s free tier (5–15 GB) if your data fits. For larger amounts, a NAS has no monthly fee but costs more upfront. Discs are also cheap per gigabyte if you already have a burner.

Q: Can I back up my phone without a computer or drive?
A: Yes, most phones have built-in cloud backup (iCloud for iPhone, Google One for Android). You can also use a NAS app to back up photos and videos automatically over Wi-Fi.

Q: How long does a cloud backup take?
A: Use the calculator above. For example, 100 GB at 20 Mbps takes about 11 hours. At 100 Mbps, it takes about 2.3 hours. Your actual time may be longer due to network congestion.

Q: Is a NAS safe from ransomware?
A: Not automatically. If a NAS is on your network, ransomware can encrypt it too. Some NAS devices have snapshot features that let you roll back to a previous state. Always keep an off-site backup as well.

Q: Can I use a USB flash drive instead of an external hard drive?
A: Yes, a USB flash drive is a type of external drive, but it’s small and easy to lose. It’s fine for small amounts of data, but not ideal for full system backups due to limited capacity and durability.

Q: What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?
A: It means keep 3 copies of your data (1 original + 2 backups), on 2 different types of media (e.g., NAS and cloud), with 1 copy stored off-site. This protects against most failure scenarios.

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in t | Backup size | GB | 100 | 0 | 100000
in s | Internet upload speed | Mbps | 20 | 0.1 | 10000
out h | Cloud upload time | hours | t * 8 / s / 60 | 1