Is Backblaze or IDrive better for personal backup?

Backblaze is better for unlimited computer backup at a simple flat price ($99/year per computer). IDrive is better when you need to back up multiple devices (phones, tablets, computers) under one plan, want to back up external drives, or need NAS backup — IDrive Personal covers 5 computers for $99.50/year.

Does Backblaze back up external drives?

Backblaze does back up external drives that are connected to your computer at the time of backup — but only if they are connected regularly. Permanently disconnected drives will be removed from the backup after 30 days. IDrive also backs up external drives and NAS devices, often with more flexible options.

Backblaze vs IDrive (2026): Which Online Backup Service Is Best?

By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 10, 2026

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Quick Answer

Backblaze wins for simplicity — unlimited backup for one computer at $99/year with no complicated settings. IDrive wins for multi-device households needing to back up multiple computers, mobile devices, and NAS storage under one affordable plan.

Backblaze

9.0/10

Best for single unlimited computer backup

IDrive

8.7/10

Best for multi-device households

Feature Comparison

Feature	Backblaze	IDrive
Pricing	$99/year per computer (unlimited)	$99.50/year (5TB, 5 computers)
Storage Limit	Unlimited	5TB-10TB on paid plans
Device Limit	1 computer per subscription	Up to 5 computers (Personal)
Mobile Backup	Not included	iOS and Android backup included
NAS Backup	Limited (external drive workaround)	Yes — dedicated NAS support
File Versioning	Unlimited version history	30 versions per file
Restore Options	Download or USB/drive mail	Download or physical drive mail
Best For	Single computer, unlimited data	Multi-device families and small offices

Which do you use?

Backblaze

IDrive

Who Should Choose What?

→ Choose Backblaze if:

You want truly unlimited backup for a single computer without worrying about storage caps. You're a photographer, videographer, or anyone with terabytes of data. You want the simplest possible setup with minimal configuration. You want unlimited version history.

→ Choose IDrive if:

You have a family or small office with multiple computers that all need backing up. You want to back up iOS and Android phones under the same plan. You have a NAS device with important data. You want one subscription covering all devices rather than per-computer pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Backblaze have a free plan?

Backblaze Personal Backup does not have a free plan, but it offers a 15-day free trial. Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage (object storage for developers) has a free tier with 10GB of storage. For personal computer backup, the paid plan at $99/year (or $9/month) is required after the trial ends.

How fast is IDrive for initial backup?

IDrive offers a physical data transfer service called IDrive Express — they mail you a hard drive, you copy your data to it and mail it back, and they upload it to your account. This avoids weeks of slow internet upload for large initial backups. Backblaze also offers a similar service. Initial cloud backup speed depends on your internet upload speed, which is often the bottleneck for both services.

Editor's Take

Real talk: I've seen teams waste months debating Backblaze vs Idrive. Both are good. Pick the one that feels right in the first 30 minutes of using it. Your gut is usually correct here.

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Last updated: April 10, 2026