CrashPlan vs Backblaze: Practical Guide to Today’s Plans

CrashPlan and Backblaze are two of the most popular unlimited cloud backup services, but they take very different approaches to pricing, security, and who they serve. This guide compares their current plans, features, and limitations so you can decide which one fits your backup needs.

Background: How These Two Services Evolved

CrashPlan started in 2007 as a consumer backup tool, but in 2017 it discontinued its home plans to focus entirely on business customers. Today, CrashPlan offers a single business-focused product with per-device pricing, unlimited data, and advanced administrative controls. Backblaze, founded in 2007, has always kept a simple consumer plan: one price for unlimited backup on a single computer, plus a separate Business Backup product that covers multiple machines. Understanding this history matters because it explains why CrashPlan has no consumer tier anymore and why Backblaze’s consumer plan is so straightforward.

Current Plans and Pricing

Both services advertise unlimited storage, but the pricing structure differs significantly. As of this writing, Backblaze’s consumer plan costs a flat annual fee (around $99 per year, or about $9 per month if billed monthly) and covers one computer with unlimited data. Backblaze Business Backup costs about $70 per computer per year, with a minimum of one computer, and includes a web admin console. CrashPlan, on the other hand, is sold per device at roughly $10 per month per device when billed annually, with volume discounts starting at 10 devices. There is no free tier on either service, though both offer a 14-day free trial. If you need to back up an external drive, both include that at no extra cost, but the drive must be connected regularly.

How the Backup Process Works

Both CrashPlan and Backblaze run continuously in the background, scanning your system for new and changed files. They use a technique called continuous data protection, which means that as soon as you save a file, the backup client uploads the change. The initial backup can take days or weeks depending on your upload speed and data volume, so both services offer the option to seed your backup by shipping a hard drive. Backblaze charges a refundable fee for the drive (you get it back when you return the drive), while CrashPlan provides a similar service for business customers. After the initial upload, both services keep a version history: Backblaze keeps files for 30 days (or up to 1 year if you pay extra for extended version history), while CrashPlan retains deleted files indefinitely unless you set a shorter retention policy.

Security and Privacy Features

Security is a major differentiator. Backblaze encrypts your data during transfer and at rest, but by default it holds the encryption keys—meaning Backblaze could technically access your files if compelled by law enforcement. You can set a private encryption key (a personal passphrase) that Backblaze does not store, but then you must remember that passphrase; if you lose it, your data is unrecoverable. CrashPlan also encrypts with a key that you can manage, and it offers a feature called “key escrow� for business admins to recover passwords. For most users, either approach is secure, but privacy purists may prefer the option to control the key.

Restore Options and Speed

Restoring your data is where you notice the biggest practical difference. Backblaze offers three restore methods: download a zip file (up to 500 GB per request), use the mobile app to download individual files, or have a USB drive or external hard drive shipped to you (up to 8 TB for a refundable fee). CrashPlan also allows download restores, but it does not offer a physical drive shipping option; you must download everything over the internet. For large restores, this can be slow and may hit bandwidth caps. Both services throttle uploads to avoid saturating your connection, but downloads can be faster depending on your ISP. If you have a multi-terabyte backup and no fast internet, Backblaze’s drive shipping is a clear advantage.

Choosing Between CrashPlan and Backblaze

Your choice comes down to three factors: number of devices, need for admin control, and restore convenience.

• Single computer, simple needs: Backblaze’s consumer plan is cheaper and easier.
• Multiple computers or servers: CrashPlan’s per-device pricing may be comparable, but its admin console is designed for IT teams.
• Physical restore: Backblaze is the only one that will mail you a drive.
• Version retention: CrashPlan keeps deleted files forever by default; Backblaze’s 30-day default may be too short for some.
• Security key control: If you want to hold the encryption key, both offer that, but Backblaze’s consumer plan makes it a bit more obscure.

If you are a business with a dedicated IT person, CrashPlan’s features like user management and compliance reporting are worth the extra cost. If you are an individual or a small team without IT support, Backblaze is more user-friendly and offers the restore drive option.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that both services are identical because they offer “unlimited� backup. In reality, CrashPlan excludes certain file types like virtual machine images and databases unless you adjust settings, while Backblaze excludes operating system files and applications. Neither backs up your entire system image; they only back up user files. Another issue: both services require that you keep the backup client running and that your computer is connected to the internet periodically. If you go longer than the retention period without connecting, files can be purged from the backup. Also, external drives must be connected at least once every 30 days (Backblaze) or according to your CrashPlan policy to avoid deletion. Finally, some users confuse these services with cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive—they are not syncing services; they are backup services, meaning changes are mirrored, not versioned like a sync folder.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If neither CrashPlan nor Backblaze fits, consider other unlimited backup services like IDrive or Acronis. IDrive offers 5 TB for a low annual price and supports multiple devices, but it is not truly unlimited. Acronis True Image includes backup plus antivirus, but it is more expensive. For those who prefer a one-time purchase, local backup to an external drive with software like Macrium Reflect is an option, though it lacks offsite protection. Also, some users combine a free tool like rclone with a cloud storage provider, but that requires technical skill and does not include versioning by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I back up an external drive with CrashPlan or Backblaze? Yes, both allow external drives as long as they are connected to your computer. Backblaze requires the drive to be connected at least once every 30 days to retain the backup; CrashPlan lets you set a longer interval.

What happens if I stop paying? Your backup becomes inaccessible immediately. Backblaze deletes your data after a few days if you do not renew; CrashPlan gives you a grace period of about 30 days. You can still download your files during that time.

Do these services work on both Windows and Mac? Yes, both support Windows and macOS. CrashPlan also supports Linux, while Backblaze does not have a Linux client.

Can I restore a file from a year ago? Backblaze’s default plan only keeps files for 30 days, but you can purchase extended version history for up to 1 year. CrashPlan keeps files indefinitely by default, so a year-old file is available.

Which is faster for initial backup? Neither is faster; both are limited by your upload speed. However, you can adjust bandwidth throttling in both clients to speed up the process, but that may slow down your internet.

Is it safe to store sensitive files? Both use AES-256 encryption. For maximum security, set a private encryption key with Backblaze or manage your own key with CrashPlan. Just remember that if you lose the key, your data is unrecoverable.

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