Backblaze Personal is the closest individual match for CrashPlan’s unlimited-computer-backup idea: it covers one Mac or Windows computer with unlimited data and lists $99 per year on its current pricing page. Backblaze Business uses the same headline price per computer and adds one-year version history for Mac and Windows endpoints. Carbonite also advertises unlimited storage for one computer, while IDrive takes a different approach: storage-based plans that can cover multiple computers and mobile devices, plus a physical data-shipment option.
CrashPlan itself remains an active business endpoint service with Windows, macOS and Linux support, unlimited file versioning and, on its Small Business endpoint offer, 90-day deleted-file retention. The right replacement therefore depends on whether you need Linux, several devices under one account, long version history, external-drive coverage or simply unlimited space for one computer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What “unlimited cloud backup” actually means
“Unlimited” is not a single technical standard. A provider may mean unlimited data on one licensed computer, unlimited capacity per endpoint, or a plan with a large but fixed account quota. Device count, operating-system support, excluded locations, file-size rules, version history and restore policies can matter more than the storage headline.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Unlimited per computer: the service does not meter the amount of backed-up data on each covered computer, but you may pay separately for every computer.
- Unlimited for an account: one subscription can hold data from several devices without a stated storage ceiling; device and user limits still apply.
- Storage-based: you buy a quota such as a stated number of terabytes and may attach several computers or phones. This can be cheaper for many small devices but is not unlimited.
- Version and deletion limits: old versions or deleted files can expire even when active backup storage is unlimited.
Read the plan’s device, retention and restore terms together. A plan that is unlimited for one Windows computer is not automatically a replacement for a Linux workstation, a family of laptops or a business fleet.
#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.
At-a-glance comparison
| Service and plan | Supported systems stated in the cited material | Coverage model | Storage and history | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrashPlan endpoint products | Windows, macOS and Linux | Business endpoint subscriptions; tiers differ | Unlimited file versioning; Small Business endpoint page states 90-day deleted-file retention | Policies are product-specific; verify the exact subscription |
| Backblaze Personal | Mac and Windows | One individual computer | Unlimited data; 30-day default version/deleted-file window, with longer-retention options | Current pricing page lists $99/year; price and retention options can change |
| Backblaze Business | Mac and Windows | Unlimited backup per device; billed per computer | One-year version history included | Current page lists $99 per computer per year; not a Linux replacement based on the cited platform details |
| Carbonite plans | Check the current plan page for platform details | Unlimited cloud backup for one computer | External-drive backup varies by tier; other features vary by plan | Displayed prices and included features can change |
| IDrive | Plan supports multiple computers and mobile devices according to its comparison page | Storage-based quotas | Quota depends on the selected plan; provider describes a physical data-shipment option | Confirm quota, device rules, shipment availability and conditions; comparative claims are vendor marketing |
The figures and features above come from the providers’ current pages, accessed October 13, 2026 where a date is stated. Recheck every price and bundle immediately before subscribing.
Best choices by situation
Best direct personal replacement: Backblaze Personal
Backblaze Personal is designed for an individual Mac or Windows computer and advertises unlimited data. Its pricing page currently lists $99 per year. The Personal page describes continuous backup and a 30-day default window for old versions and deleted files, with options for longer retention. That combination makes it the simplest fit when you want one computer continuously protected without estimating a storage quota.
The trade-off is scope. The cited product material covers Mac and Windows, not Linux, and the subscription is centered on one computer. If you have several systems, calculate the annual cost per machine and compare it with a multi-device storage plan. If you routinely need files deleted more than 30 days ago, select and price the extended-retention option before your first backup rather than assuming the default window is permanent. See the provider’s Personal plan details and current pricing.
Recommended Free Tools
Best for a small business that wants longer included history: Backblaze Business
Backblaze Business lists $99 per computer per year, unlimited backup per device and one-year version history included. The cited business page supports Mac and Windows. One-year history is materially different from a 30-day default, especially when a corrupted or encrypted file is discovered months after the incident.
Because billing is per computer, multiply the listed amount by the number of endpoints and account for any taxes or optional services shown at checkout. This is an endpoint backup service, not evidence of Linux support; organizations with Linux machines should verify platform coverage before moving data. Details are on the Backblaze Business page.
Best when you need Linux and business endpoint controls: CrashPlan
CrashPlan has not disappeared. Its current product information describes backup and recovery for local endpoints and servers, with Windows, macOS and Linux support and unlimited file versioning. The Small Business endpoint page states that deleted files are retained for 90 days. Those details make it a continuing option for organizations whose deciding requirement is Linux coverage or extensive version history rather than a consumer-style one-computer plan.
Do not assume every CrashPlan subscription has identical limits. The provider lists multiple products and subscription tiers, and retention can vary. Check the exact endpoint offer, administrator features, user/device counts and restore terms in the product and subscription overview and the Small Business endpoint page.
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 #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.
Best for one computer with external-drive coverage: Carbonite, after checking the tier
Carbonite advertises unlimited cloud backup for one computer. External-drive backup and other capabilities vary by plan, so “unlimited” alone is not enough to select a tier. A user with an attached photo or video drive should confirm that the specific plan covers that drive, how continuously it is scanned and what happens when it is disconnected.
Carbonite’s displayed prices can change. Use the current plans page to verify platform support, external-drive eligibility, version retention, restore methods and the full renewal price before purchase.
Best for several computers or mobile devices when a quota is acceptable: IDrive
IDrive’s comparison describes storage-based plans that can back up multiple computers and mobile devices, plus a physical data-shipment option. This is a different value proposition from unlimited-per-computer services: you trade an explicit storage quota for broader device coverage. It can suit a household or small office with many modest-sized devices, but a large media library may consume the quota quickly.
Confirm the plan’s current capacity, device count, mobile operating systems, upload rules and the conditions for the physical shipment before relying on it for a migration. The comparison is provider-authored, so treat statements that one service is “better” as marketing rather than independent testing. See IDrive’s CrashPlan comparison.
How to choose an alternative without overpaying
- List every source device. Record Windows, macOS and Linux computers, phones and tablets, servers, and any external drives. Include machines that are powered on only occasionally.
- Measure the data that must be protected. Note used space, the largest files, expected yearly growth and whether a drive contains irreplaceable media. Unlimited storage does not remove upload-time or retention considerations.
- Set a recovery-history requirement. Decide whether you need to retrieve a file from last week, last quarter or last year. Compare the provider’s default and paid version/deleted-file windows, not just its capacity claim.
- Check operating-system support. Backblaze’s cited Personal and Business materials cover Mac and Windows. CrashPlan’s cited endpoint materials include Linux. Carbonite and IDrive require plan-level verification for the exact systems you use.
- Count billable devices. A $99 annual price can mean one computer (Personal), or $99 for each computer (Business). A storage-based plan may cover more devices but impose a quota.
- Examine restore logistics. Look for browser downloads, desktop restores, physical shipment, restore-size limits, fees and expected delivery times. A backup that cannot be restored conveniently is not a complete disaster-recovery plan.
- Review security and account recovery. Confirm encryption choices, where keys are managed, multi-factor authentication and the recovery process if the account password or second factor is lost.
- Price the renewal, not only the introductory term. Record the recurring annual or monthly amount, per-device billing and charges for extended history, extra drives or physical recovery.
Migration plan: moving away from CrashPlan safely
Do not cancel first and hope the new provider can reconstruct your history. A staged migration leaves the existing backup available while the replacement completes its initial upload.
- Inventory the CrashPlan set. Export or record protected folders, excluded paths, devices, retention settings and any custom schedules. Identify files that exist only in the backup.
- Check post-subscription retention. CrashPlan says that backups stop after a subscription ends and the account moves through stages that end in permanent deletion. The exact timing is described in its post-subscription retention article. Treat that deadline as a hard recovery date.
- Restore critical data before switching. Retrieve irreplaceable documents, credentials, project files and a representative sample of older versions. Open the restored files; do not verify only that a download completed.
- Install the replacement while CrashPlan remains active. Select the same source folders, then add any files that were previously excluded but now matter. Keep the computer awake and connected during the first upload.
- Protect external drives deliberately. Reconnect each drive, confirm it is recognized and check the provider’s drive rules. Some services require the drive to remain connected periodically to avoid removing it from the backup set.
- Compare counts and dates. Check the new service’s file count, last-backup time and largest folders against your inventory. Investigate exclusions, permission errors and files that are still uploading.
- Test a real restore. Restore a recent file, an older version and a deleted file where the plan supports them. Confirm filenames, metadata and file integrity.
- Cancel only after verification. Keep CrashPlan until the replacement has a current backup and the test restores pass. Then follow CrashPlan’s cancellation process and calendar the retention deadline instead of assuming the account disappears immediately.
Retention, deletion and version history
Version history protects against silent corruption, accidental overwrites and ransomware that is discovered late. The retention clock usually applies separately to old versions and deleted files. Ask these questions for every candidate:
- How many days or months are included by default?
- Does the clock start when a file changes, when it is deleted, or when the device last connects?
- Is longer history an option, and is it billed per computer or per account?
- Are externally mounted drives governed by a different rule?
- Can an administrator place a legal or compliance hold?
The cited examples show why this matters: Backblaze Personal lists a 30-day default window, Backblaze Business includes one year, and the CrashPlan Small Business endpoint page states 90-day deleted-file retention while advertising unlimited file versioning. These are not interchangeable guarantees; they belong to different products and should not be generalized across a vendor’s catalog.
Rank #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.
External drives and a second local copy
A cloud subscription should not be your only copy of a large media library or an active project. A separate external hard drive can provide a fast local restore when an accidental deletion affects many gigabytes, while the cloud copy protects against theft, fire and a failed local drive. Keep the local disk disconnected or offline when it is not being updated so malware cannot encrypt both copies.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Backblaze describes backing up connected external drives. Carbonite lists external-drive backup only on some tiers. Confirm the exact drive requirements, reconnection interval, file-system support and retention behavior in the plan documentation. An external drive is an accessory, not a device bundled with any of these subscriptions.
Restore planning: the questions that affect real recovery
How much data must come back?
For a few files, a web or desktop download may be sufficient. For a full computer rebuild, estimate the download time at your actual connection speed and account for the provider’s throttling or concurrency rules, if any are stated. A physical shipment option, such as the one IDrive describes, may be useful when a very large restore would take too long online; verify availability, geography, fees and return requirements for your plan.
What happens if the account password is lost?
Enable multi-factor authentication and store recovery codes offline. If a service offers customer-managed encryption keys, document where the key is kept and who can use it. A lost key can make an otherwise intact backup unrecoverable; do not enable a recovery mode you cannot administer.
Can you recover an older or deleted version?
Test this during the trial or early subscription period. Choose one recently deleted file and one older revision, then restore both to a separate folder. The result reveals whether the service preserves the metadata, directory structure and application-specific files your work requires.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Pricing and contract checks for 2026
The only dated prices in the cited material are Backblaze’s current listings accessed October 13, 2026: $99 per year for Personal and $99 per computer per year for Business. Those are recurring list prices shown by the provider, not a promise that taxes, promotions or future renewals will match. Carbonite’s page displays prices that can change, and IDrive’s storage plans vary by quota and promotion.
Before entering payment details, capture the checkout summary showing renewal frequency, number of computers, storage quota, retention add-ons, external-drive eligibility and restore charges. Set a calendar reminder for the renewal date. If you are replacing a business endpoint service, include administrator seats, reporting, support response and offboarding work in the total cost; a consumer per-computer price is not an apples-to-apples comparison.
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.
Decision checklist
- Choose Backblaze Personal when one Mac or Windows computer and unlimited data are the priority, and a 30-day default history is acceptable or can be extended.
- Choose Backblaze Business when Mac/Windows endpoints need one-year included version history and per-computer billing is acceptable.
- Stay with or evaluate CrashPlan endpoint when Linux support, business administration or extensive file versioning is essential; verify the exact tier’s retention and device rules.
- Choose Carbonite only after confirming that the selected one-computer tier includes the external drives and features you need.
- Choose IDrive when multiple computers and mobile devices matter more than unlimited storage, and its quota plus physical-shipment conditions fit your recovery plan.
The safest migration is the one that matches your actual devices and recovery history, completes a verified first backup and leaves the old account available until you have tested restores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which alternative supports Linux?
The cited CrashPlan endpoint materials explicitly support Windows, macOS and Linux. The cited Backblaze Personal and Business pages cover Mac and Windows, so they should not be treated as Linux replacements. Verify Linux support directly for any Carbonite or IDrive plan before subscribing.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows 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 reinstallIs $99 the total cost for several computers?
No. Backblaze Personal’s $99 annual listing is for its individual computer plan, while Backblaze Business lists $99 per computer per year. Multiply per-computer pricing by the number of covered machines and recheck the current checkout terms.
Will canceling CrashPlan delete my backups immediately?
CrashPlan says backups stop after the subscription ends and the account progresses through retention stages that end in permanent deletion. Check the provider’s current retention article and restore or migrate required data before cancellation.
Do all unlimited plans back up external hard drives?
No. Backblaze describes connected external-drive backup, while Carbonite says external-drive coverage varies by tier. Confirm the exact plan’s drive rules, reconnection requirements and retention before relying on it.
Is IDrive unlimited?
The cited IDrive comparison describes storage-based plans, not unlimited computer storage. Its appeal is coverage for multiple computers and mobile devices, with a provider-described physical data-shipment option. Confirm the current quota and device rules.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →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.
