Carbonite vs Backblaze
The two unlimited one-computer backups, separated by a decade of product philosophy.
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Carbonite Safe
Old-school unlimited backup with hand-holding support.
Backblaze Personal Backup
Unlimited backup for one computer. That is the whole pitch.
| Feature | Carbonite Safe | Backblaze Personal Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 3.9 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Price | From $8/mo | From $8.25/mo |
| Renews at | $95.99 | n/a |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Best for | Non-technical households | One-computer households |
| Category | True backup | True backup |
| Provider | OpenText | Backblaze |
| Visit Carbonite Safe | Visit Backblaze Personal Backup |
Our verdict
Backblaze wins for most people. Faster uploads, video files included automatically, external drives covered, and the same set-and-forget promise at a similar price. Carbonite answers with the most patient phone support in the category, which genuinely matters for the relative you set this up for. When disaster strikes, someone will walk them through the restore.
For the technically comfortable, Backblaze. For the family member who calls you about printer problems, Carbonite. And give their support number, not yours.
“The veteran set-and-forget backup with truly unlimited storage for one computer and the friendliest recovery support in the field. Slower uploads and fewer modern features than Backblaze at a similar price keep it in second place.”Editorial team, on Carbonite Safe
“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
Frequently asked questions
Carbonite or Backblaze: which should I install?
Backblaze for most people. It uploads faster, includes video files automatically, covers attached external drives and asks nothing of you after installation. Carbonite earns its place in one scenario: the relative you set this up for. Its support team walks non-technical users through a restore with real patience, at exactly the moment that matters.
Is Carbonite cheaper than Backblaze?
Marginally, and it stays that way. Neither uses an introductory rate. Carbonite Safe Basic is $95.99 a year, about $8.00 a month, and it renews at that same price. Backblaze Personal Backup is $99 a year flat, with no introductory rate to fall off. Both are unlimited for one computer. US dollars, annual billing, prices last checked August 2026.
Does Carbonite back up my videos and external drives automatically?
No on both counts, on the basic plan. Carbonite Safe Basic asks you to select video files manually and charges extra for external drive backup. Backblaze includes both in its standard unlimited plan with no configuration at all. If your photo and video library lives on an external disk, that single difference decides this comparison.
How far back can I recover a file with Backblaze?
30 days by default, extendable to one year or forever for a small fee. That upgrade is the one setting worth changing, because ransomware often sits unnoticed for weeks before anyone spots it. Carbonite runs continuous backup and has been doing so since 2005, now under OpenText, but Backblaze's extended version history is the more explicit protection.