Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Backblaze Business Computer Backup is a strong Carbonite alternative when you mainly need automatic backup for Mac and Windows computers, centralized administration, and unlimited backup per device. Compare Acronis Cyber Protect instead if you need local backup destinations or coverage for physical and virtual servers alongside cybersecurity features. Carbonite remains a useful baseline, but its professional tiers have stated storage caps and different server coverage. The right choice depends on what you need to protect, how much history you need to keep, and whether you can successfully restore the data—not on a universal ranking.
Which Carbonite alternative is the best fit for a small business?
For a fleet of Mac and Windows computers, Backblaze Business is the clearest alternative to evaluate first: its business offering describes automatic endpoint backup, centralized administration, unlimited storage per device, and one-year version history. For businesses with local backup destinations or physical and virtual servers, Acronis Cyber Protect is a more relevant comparison. Neither description alone establishes that a particular plan covers every machine, workload, retention need, or recovery scenario.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Carbonite’s professional tiers are a useful point of comparison because they publish computer, NAS, and server coverage alongside storage limits and prices. Compare the alternatives against your own device inventory and restore requirements before switching. Vendor pages provide only a partial apples-to-apples comparison, so confirm the selected plan’s entitlements and test a representative restore.
Quick comparison
| Service | Documented fit | Published details | Confirm before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbonite Professional | Businesses comparing a published tier structure for computers, NAS, and servers. | Core: up to 25 computers, external drives, and NAS; 250 GB. Power: one server, up to 25 computers, 500 GB. Ultimate: unlimited servers, up to 25 computers, 500 GB. The page lists 256-bit encryption at rest and in transit. | NAS compatibility, storage needs and added-storage cost, renewal price, retention, and recovery procedure. |
| Backblaze Business | Mac and Windows endpoint fleets prioritizing per-device unlimited backup and central administration. | Business Backup is listed at $99 per computer per year; the business page describes one-year version history and multiple-user management. | Protected device and drive scope, version-history needs, restore workflow, and required administrative controls. |
| Acronis Cyber Protect | Businesses comparing local or cloud destinations, physical or virtual server support, or backup bundled with cybersecurity features. | The small-business page describes per-device pricing and backups to Acronis Cloud, other cloud storage, or local destinations. It supports computers and physical and virtual servers. | Exact plan, price, storage allowance, supported systems, included security features, and total cost for all devices. |
These are vendor-described features, not independent test results. A feature listed on a product page is not proof that it is included in every plan or works with every system configuration.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
What should I compare before leaving Carbonite?
Start with the machines and data you actually need to recover, then compare storage, retention, administration, and recovery behavior. A service can look less expensive per computer but cost more for your environment if it requires extra capacity or a different plan for servers.
1. List the workloads and devices
Write down the number and type of computers, servers, external drives, and NAS devices to protect. Distinguish ordinary endpoint file backup from server backup and from SaaS data protection. The published details here establish endpoint and server capabilities for the named offerings, but they do not establish Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace coverage. Do not assume those cloud applications are included just because a vendor offers cloud backup.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Carbonite’s listed tiers distinguish server quantity: Power includes one server, while Ultimate lists unlimited servers; both list up to 25 computers. Core lists computers, external drives, and NAS, but no server allowance is shown in the page details summarized here. Backblaze’s business description is focused on Mac and Windows endpoints. Acronis describes computer and physical- and virtual-server support, but the particular supported systems and plan entitlements need confirmation.
2. Calculate the storage model, not just the headline price
Carbonite’s US professional page lists Core at $287.99 per year before a displayed 20% promotion, Power at $799.99 per year, and Ultimate at $1,299.99 per year. It lists $99 for each additional 100 GB increment. The same page advertises a 30-day trial. These are page-stated figures and offers, which can change; verify the live price, renewal amount, and applicable limits before purchase.
Backblaze’s official pricing page lists Business Backup at $99 per computer per year. Its business page describes unlimited backup per device, not a single shared storage pool. For a multi-computer fleet, calculate the annual computer cost from the actual count, then verify the included device scope and any administrative or retention requirements.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Acronis describes per-device pricing, but the small-business page details available here do not state a comparable price or storage allowance. Get a quote or current plan breakdown for the exact device mix rather than treating its pricing as equivalent to either Carbonite’s capped tiers or Backblaze’s per-computer listing.
3. Match retention to the way mistakes and incidents happen
Backup capacity is only part of the question. Check how long changed file versions remain available, how deleted files are treated, and whether the history period changes by plan or payment option. Backblaze’s business page includes one-year version history. The Carbonite and Acronis details summarized here do not establish comparable retention periods, so ask the vendor for the selected plan’s version and deletion-retention rules in writing.
Version history matters if a file is overwritten or encrypted and you need a clean earlier copy. It is different from simply having a backup job run: a recent copy may preserve a damaged or unwanted change unless you can select an earlier version. Confirm that the retention window covers the time it might take your team to notice a problem.
4. Check who can administer and restore
Backblaze describes centralized administration and multiple-user management with administrative controls. That is relevant when more than one person manages endpoints, but the exact roles and permissions available should be checked against your needs. For Carbonite and Acronis, the details cited here do not establish a role-by-role comparison. Confirm how administrators add and remove devices, assign access, and authorize restores.
For every service, identify who can access backup data and what encryption-key controls are available. Carbonite’s page states 256-bit encryption at rest and in transit; that statement does not by itself answer whether your business can control a private key or how account recovery works. The details here do not establish equivalent key-control specifics for the other services.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
5. Compare recovery, not only backup
Ask how a user retrieves individual files, how an administrator handles a larger recovery, and what happens when an endpoint or server must be replaced. Check whether the workflow depends on the original computer, whether there are recovery fees or shipping options, and what support is included. The details available for these offerings do not establish comparative restore speeds, recovery fees, or a measured recovery-time guarantee.
Carbonite’s page describes recovery support after ransomware within two weeks. Treat this as a vendor-stated support detail, not an independently audited outcome or a guarantee that a particular business will recover within that time. For any provider, ask what the commitment covers and what prerequisites apply.
How do the alternatives differ in practice?
The main distinction is the workload and storage model each service emphasizes. Backblaze’s published business details are most specific for endpoint backup; Carbonite publishes capped tiers with explicit computer and server counts; Acronis describes a broader mix of local/cloud destinations and computer/server workloads.
Backblaze Business: endpoint-first coverage
Backblaze is worth shortlisting when the protected fleet is primarily Mac and Windows computers and the business values a simple per-device storage model. Its business page describes automatic protection, centralized administration, unlimited backup per device, and one-year version history. The pricing page lists $99 per computer per year. Confirm which drives and devices are eligible, how the restore process works for your team, and whether the one-year history is sufficient for your retention policy.
This positioning does not establish that the service replaces a server backup product, a system-image recovery plan, or a dedicated SaaS backup service. If the business depends on those workloads, verify them separately rather than inferring coverage from endpoint backup.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Acronis Cyber Protect: local and cloud destinations with server support
Acronis describes backing up to Acronis Cloud, another cloud storage destination, or a local destination, and supporting computers, physical servers, and virtual servers. It also presents backup alongside cybersecurity capabilities. That combination makes it relevant if you want to assess local copies or broader machine coverage in the same product family.
The product page’s general description is not enough to determine your actual configuration. Confirm the plan’s devices, storage and destination allowances, operating-system support, included security components, and per-device cost. If using a local destination such as an external hard drive, treat it as an additional local copy—not a replacement for an off-site copy.
Carbonite Professional: capped tiers with specified server counts
Carbonite’s listed Professional plans make computer and server counts visible in the tier descriptions. Core lists up to 25 computers and 250 GB, plus external drives and NAS; Power lists one server, up to 25 computers, and 500 GB; Ultimate lists unlimited servers, up to 25 computers, and 500 GB. The page also lists $99 per additional 100 GB increment and 256-bit encryption at rest and in transit.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThat published structure can make Carbonite a practical baseline for evaluating whether an alternative gives you enough capacity and server coverage. It also means a business should not compare only the plan name or headline annual fee: calculate expected storage needs and determine how much additional capacity could cost.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should I test a replacement before switching?
Keep the existing backup available while validating the new service. A successful initial backup does not prove that a needed file or workload can be restored, and the product details above do not establish measured recovery performance.
Best Value
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
- Inventory the data. Record the computers, drives, NAS devices, and servers you need protected, plus the approximate data volume and any workloads that need a separate SaaS backup.
- Map requirements to a specific plan. Confirm device eligibility, storage limits, retention, administrative roles, encryption-key options, and current recurring and renewal costs with the vendor.
- Run a representative backup. Include files and systems that reflect real usage, not only a small sample of convenient documents. Check the service’s status or administration view to confirm expected devices are protected.
- Restore test data to a safe location. Retrieve representative files and, where relevant, a version that predates a change. Verify the restored contents and permissions before relying on the service.
- Test the failure scenario that matters. Ask the provider how a larger restore or a lost-computer/server recovery proceeds, what access is required, and whether any limits or fees apply.
- Switch only after validation. Keep access to the previous backup until the new service has completed the restore checks and the business has documented who is responsible for monitoring and recovery.
What are common mistakes when choosing a small-business backup service?
Most mismatches come from treating different kinds of coverage as interchangeable or buying from a headline feature without checking its boundaries.
- Assuming unlimited means everything is covered. Backblaze describes unlimited storage per device, but that does not establish coverage for every device type or workload. Verify eligible computers and drives.
- Assuming computer backup includes servers or SaaS. Endpoint, physical/virtual server, and SaaS protection are separate coverage questions. Confirm each one for the exact plan.
- Ignoring retention. A backup that keeps versions for less time than your business takes to discover a problem may not meet your recovery needs. Compare version and deleted-file retention, not merely backup frequency.
- Comparing prices with different units. Carbonite’s tiers have stated storage caps and extra-capacity pricing; Backblaze lists an annual per-computer price; Acronis describes per-device pricing without a comparable amount in the details cited here. Calculate cost using your actual device count and capacity.
- Relying on a marketing statement instead of a restore test. Vendor claims can help narrow options, but only a test using your own environment can show whether the workflow meets your requirements.
How can I make the shortlist?
Use the workload as the first filter, then eliminate services that fail your retention, administration, or recovery requirements.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Mostly Mac and Windows endpoints: compare Backblaze Business with Carbonite’s per-device economics and verify endpoint scope and retention.
- Servers, virtual machines, or local destinations: evaluate Acronis’s specific plan and compare it with Carbonite’s published server tiers; do not assume the broad product description settles plan-level coverage.
- Up to 25 computers with stated storage caps: use Carbonite Core, Power, and Ultimate as a baseline, checking the server count and expected additional-storage expense for the tier under consideration.
- Business applications hosted by a SaaS provider: obtain explicit confirmation of application backup coverage; the product details discussed here do not establish it.
Before committing, record the selected plan, retention period, protected machine list, administrator responsibilities, renewal cost, and a successful restore test. Prices and promotions can change, so verify current terms directly with the vendor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cloud backup replace file syncing?
No. File syncing is primarily designed to keep working copies aligned across devices, while backup is intended to provide recoverable copies and, depending on the service, earlier versions. A synced deletion or unwanted change can propagate, so verify that the backup product retains recoverable history.
Does the Carbonite ransomware recovery statement guarantee recovery within two weeks?
No such guarantee is established by the page detail: it describes recovery support after ransomware within two weeks. Ask Carbonite what the support statement covers, which plan it applies to, and what conditions or customer actions are required.
Can I use an external hard drive as my only backup?
A local drive can provide an additional copy, but it is not an off-site copy and may be unavailable in the same incident that affects the computer. Acronis describes local destinations, but a local destination should not be treated as a substitute for cloud or other off-site protection.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Should a small business back up Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace separately?
Confirm application-specific backup coverage directly rather than assuming computer backup includes data stored in hosted services. The product details summarized here do not establish coverage for either platform.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
