Best Carbonite Alternatives for Small Business Cloud Backup

For small businesses, the top Carbonite alternative is Backblaze Business because it offers unlimited, straightforward per-device backup at a flat rate, includes version history and a 30-day file recovery window, and provides a simple, reliable restore process via web download or physical drive. It suits teams that want predictable pricing and minimal setup without sacrificing essential features.

What to Look For

When evaluating cloud backup for a small business, focus on these criteria:

• Unlimited or generous storage: Look for plans that don’t charge per GB, as data grows quickly. Unlimited per-device or pooled storage is ideal.
• Versioning and retention: You need the ability to restore older versions of files or recover deleted files. Check the retention period (e.g., 30 days, 1 year, or forever).
• Restore speed and method: Test how you can download files—whether through a web interface, desktop app, or physical drive shipment. For large data, a hard drive restore option is critical.
• Security and encryption: Ensure data is encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256). Look for options to manage your own encryption keys for extra control.
• Ease of administration: A central dashboard to manage users, monitor backups, and set policies is essential for small IT teams.
• Compatibility: The service must support your operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and file types, including open files and databases.
• Pricing model: Compare per-device vs. per-user vs. per-TB pricing. Watch for hidden fees like minimum user counts or extra charges for restores.

Top Alternatives to Carbonite

Backblaze Business

Strengths: Unlimited backup per computer at a flat rate ($70/year per device or $9/month per device). Includes 30-day version history (extendable to 1 year for a fee), 256-bit AES encryption, and a simple web interface. Restores can be done via zip download or a physical USB drive shipped to you (with a refundable deposit).

Trade-offs: No server backup support—only desktops and laptops. No virtual machine (VM) or NAS backup. The mobile app is limited to viewing and downloading files, not backing up.

Who it suits: Small businesses with mainly laptops and desktops, needing a cost-effective, no-frills solution with unlimited storage. Ideal if you want to avoid capacity planning.

Acronis Cyber Protect (formerly Acronis Backup)

Strengths: Offers full-image backups (bare-metal restore), file-level backup, and support for physical, virtual, and cloud environments. Includes anti-ransomware protection and AI-based threat detection. Flexible retention policies and a robust recovery console.

Trade-offs: More complex to set up and manage. Pricing is per workload (per device/VM) and can be higher than simple file backup services. The full feature set may be overkill for basic needs.

Who it suits: Businesses that need comprehensive backup and disaster recovery, including servers and VMs, and want integrated cybersecurity features. Good for IT-managed environments.

IDrive

Strengths: Backs up unlimited devices on a single account (with storage caps). Offers file versioning (up to 30 versions), snapshot history, and a very competitive price per TB. Supports PC, Mac, servers, NAS, and mobile devices. Includes a sync feature and can back up to your own cloud storage (e.g., AWS S3) as an option.

Trade-offs: Storage is capped (e.g., 5TB or 10TB plans), not unlimited. Restores are limited to a certain number of files per day on lower plans. The interface can feel dated.

Who it suits: Small businesses with multiple devices (including servers) but moderate data volumes (under 10TB). Good if you want to back up many machines under one license.

CrashPlan for Small Business

Strengths: Unlimited backup per device, with a flat per-device fee. Excellent for laptops and desktops, including remote workers. Offers 30-day versioning (up to 1 year with add-on). Simple, reliable deployment and a user-friendly web console. Supports file locking and open file backup.

Trade-offs: No server or NAS backup. No bare-metal restore. The mobile app is limited. The service is designed primarily for endpoint backup, not full infrastructure.

Who it suits: Small businesses with a mobile workforce that need a simple, unlimited solution for laptops and desktops. Good for those who want a no-nonsense, set-and-forget backup.

MSP360 (formerly CloudBerry) Backup

Strengths: A backup software that works with your own cloud storage (AWS S3, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, Azure, Google Cloud). Offers granular control over backup plans, encryption, and retention. Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and NAS. Can do image-based backups and file-level backups. Very flexible.

Trade-offs: Requires you to manage your own cloud storage account, which adds complexity. Cost is per-device (software) plus storage costs (which can vary). No built-in cloud storage—you must purchase it separately.

Who it suits: Businesses that already use a cloud provider or want to keep data in a specific region. Ideal for IT-savvy teams that want full control over backup jobs and storage costs.

Wasabi (with a backup tool)

Strengths: Wasabi is a cloud storage service that offers low-cost, S3-compatible storage with no egress fees. When paired with a backup tool like MSP360 or Veeam, you get a powerful, cost-effective solution. It is fast and reliable, and you can store unlimited data for a flat per-TB price.

Trade-offs: Wasabi itself is not a backup solution—it’s just storage. You need to purchase and configure a separate backup tool. No versioning built-in (you must configure it in the tool). Minimum storage duration of 90 days may apply.

Who it suits: Businesses that want to control costs and have IT expertise to set up a custom backup stack. Good for those who need to store large amounts of data and want to avoid egress fees when restoring.

How to Choose

Start by assessing your data volume and growth. If you have under 1TB, IDrive or Wasabi with a tool might be cost-effective. If you have unlimited growth potential, Backblaze or CrashPlan (per-device) may be better.

Consider your recovery needs. If you need to restore an entire server or VM, Acronis or MSP360 with image-based backup is essential. If you only need to recover files, a simple file backup like Backblaze or CrashPlan suffices.

Think about your IT resources. If you have no dedicated IT staff, choose a managed service like Backblaze or CrashPlan with minimal configuration. If you have IT expertise, MSP360 with your own storage gives more control.

Budget is a major factor. Per-device pricing (Backblaze, CrashPlan) is predictable but can get expensive if you have many devices. Per-TB pricing (IDrive, Wasabi) is better for large data but may have hidden costs like minimum user counts or egress fees.

Common trade-offs: Unlimited storage often means no server support (Backblaze, CrashPlan). Full-image backup usually costs more and requires more management (Acronis, MSP360). Low-cost storage may require a separate tool (Wasabi).

Finally, test the restore process. Sign up for a trial, back up a few files, and perform a restore to ensure it meets your speed and usability expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I back up an external drive with these services?

Yes, most services like Backblaze, IDrive, and CrashPlan allow you to back up external drives connected to your computer. However, some may have size limits or require the drive to be connected during backup. Check the specific service’s policy.

How long does it take to restore a large amount of data?

Restore speed depends on your internet connection and the service’s download limits. For large restores (over 1TB), consider using a physical drive shipment option (Backblaze, IDrive) to avoid days of downloading.

Are these services secure for sensitive business data?

All recommended services use AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS in transit. Some offer client-side encryption keys (MSP360, Acronis) so only you can decrypt data. Always enable two-factor authentication for your backup account.

What happens if I delete a file locally? Can I still recover it?

Yes, if the file is within the retention period (e.g., 30 days), you can restore it from the cloud. After that, it may be purged. Services like IDrive keep up to 30 versions, while Backblaze offers 30-day version history by default.

Do these services back up open files or databases?

Most do. Backblaze and CrashPlan use volume shadow copy (Windows) to back up open files. For databases like SQL or Exchange, you need application-aware backup, which Acronis and MSP360 offer. Others may not guarantee consistency.

Can I use these services to back up a server or NAS?

Only some. Backblaze and CrashPlan do not support servers. IDrive supports servers (Windows, Linux) and some NAS devices. Acronis and MSP360 support a wide range of servers and NAS. Check the specific model.

Bottom Line

For most small businesses, Backblaze Business is the best overall alternative to Carbonite due to its unlimited storage, flat pricing, and simplicity. If you need server or VM backup, choose Acronis Cyber Protect for its comprehensive features. For those on a tight budget with multiple devices, IDrive offers good value. And if you have IT expertise and want to leverage low-cost cloud storage, MSP360 with Wasabi is a powerful combo. Evaluate your data size, restore needs, and IT resources to make the final call.

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