Backblaze vs IDrive
The two best answers to "I just want my computer backed up": radical simplicity against maximum features per dollar.
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Backblaze Personal Backup
Unlimited backup for one computer. That is the whole pitch.
IDrive
The most backup per dollar, by a comfortable margin.
| Feature | Backblaze Personal Backup | IDrive |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Price | From $8.25/mo | From $6.99/mo |
| Renews at | n/a | $119.88/yr |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Best for | One-computer households | Backing up everything you own |
| Category | True backup | True backup |
| Provider | Backblaze | IDrive Inc. |
| Visit Backblaze Personal Backup | Visit IDrive |
Our verdict
IDrive wins for households with multiple devices. 5 TB across unlimited computers, phones, and external drives for less than $70 in year one, plus disk-image backup and physical drive shipping. Backblaze wins for the one-computer life. Truly unlimited data with zero configuration, the closest thing to a backup you cannot get wrong.
The decision tree is short: more than one machine to protect, take IDrive; exactly one machine and no patience for settings, take Backblaze. Both beat having no backup by an infinite margin.
“The simplest honest backup on the market. One computer, everything on it, unlimited data, set and forget. No storage math, no file picking. If decision fatigue is why you still have no backup, install Backblaze today and be done.”Editorial team, on Backblaze Personal Backup
“The value champion of true backup: 5 TB for under $70 in year one, covering unlimited devices, with disk-image backup and even physical data shipment. The interface shows its age, but no one else does this much backup per dollar.”Editorial team, on IDrive
Frequently asked questions
Is IDrive better than Backblaze?
For most households, yes. IDrive covers unlimited computers, phones and external drives with 5 TB, and adds disk-image backup and physical drive shipping. Backblaze wins one case, and it is a common one. Exactly one computer, truly unlimited data and zero configuration, the closest thing to a backup you cannot get wrong. More than one machine to protect, take IDrive.
Which is cheaper, Backblaze or IDrive?
IDrive in year one, Backblaze after that if you only own one computer. IDrive Personal 5 TB costs about $83.92 for the first year and renews at $119.88 a year. Backblaze Personal Backup is $99 a year flat, with no introductory rate to fall off. US dollars, annual billing, prices last checked August 2026 for our Price Index.
Does Backblaze back up my phone and my external hard drive?
External drives yes, phones no. Backblaze includes attached external drives in its unlimited plan, but there is no mobile backup and one license covers exactly one machine. IDrive is the opposite. Unlimited PCs, Macs, phones and external drives under a single account, keeping up to 30 versions of every file.
How do I restore a huge backup without waiting days for the download?
Both will mail you a hard drive, so this one is close to a tie. IDrive Express ships a physical drive for large restores, free once a year on the Personal plan. Backblaze can send a drive too and refunds the cost when you return it. If restore speed after a total loss decides your choice, neither leaves you stranded.