IDrive vs Carbonite: which should you choose?
Quick answer: IDrive is built for multi-device-backup, while Carbonite suits personal-backup. For most users Carbonite is the stronger default, but IDrive can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Both IDrive and Carbonite get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| IDrive | Carbonite | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cloud Backup | Cloud Backup |
| What it's known for | Backs up unlimited devices (PC, Mac, mobile, servers) into one account at a very low per-TB price, with disk-based courier recovery. | Set-and-forget unlimited automatic backup for a single computer, a long-standing consumer/SMB backup brand (OpenText). |
| Pricing | Free 10GB; ~$79.50/yr 5TB Personal (first year often discounted under $5), higher Team/Business tiers | ~$8.34/mo (~$99.99/yr) Safe Basic unlimited (1 computer); Plus/Prime and business tiers higher |
| Best audience | Households and small businesses with many devices wanting one affordable backup account. | Non-technical users wanting fully automatic, hands-off backup for one computer. |
| Best for | multi-device-backup, value | personal-backup, set-and-forget |
| Entry price | Free | ~$4.91-8.34/mo (~$99.99/yr) |
| Biggest strength | One account backs up unlimited devices into a shared storage pool. | Genuinely unlimited storage for one computer at a flat rate. |
| Main caveat | Steep renewal increase after a heavily discounted first year. | Basic plan excludes external drives and some video file types by default. |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
IDrive key features
- Unlimited devices (PC, Mac, Linux, mobile, servers) backed up into one account
- Disk image backup and file/folder backup in one app
- IDrive Express physical disk shipping for fast initial backup and recovery
- 30 versions of each file retained; 30-day immutable snapshots vs ransomware
Carbonite key features
- Automatic continuous backup with unlimited storage for one computer (personal)
- Set-and-forget scheduling with encryption in transit and at rest
- Courier recovery (physical disk) on the Prime tier
- External drive backup on Plus and Prime tiers
Pricing tiers side by side
IDrive plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 0 | 10GB permanent free plan |
| Personal 5TB | ~$69.95 first yr, ~$99.50/yr after | unlimited devices |
| Personal 10TB+ | higher tiers | up to 100TB available |
| Team / Business | separate pricing | per-user/server |
Carbonite plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Basic | ~$4.91-8.34/mo (~$99.99/yr) | unlimited, 1 computer, no external drives |
| Safe Plus | ~$6.99/mo (~$132/yr) | adds external drive backup |
| Safe Prime | ~$8.74/mo (~$162/yr) | adds courier recovery |
| Business | from ~$24/mo | multi-computer, tiered storage |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where IDrive wins
Backs up an unlimited number of devices into a single low-cost account, repeatedly PCMag Editors' Choice.
- One account backs up unlimited devices into a shared storage pool.
- Very low first-year cost per terabyte.
That makes it the stronger pick for households and small businesses with many devices wanting one affordable backup account.
Where Carbonite wins
Veteran set-and-forget unlimited backup for a single computer, now under OpenText.
- Genuinely unlimited storage for one computer at a flat rate.
- Simple, fully automatic set-and-forget operation.
That makes it the stronger pick for non-technical users wanting fully automatic, hands-off backup for one computer.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose IDrive if you fit its core audience — households and small businesses with many devices wanting one affordable backup account.
- Choose Carbonite if you fit its core audience — non-technical users wanting fully automatic, hands-off backup for one computer.
FAQ
Is IDrive better than Carbonite?
Carbonite is the stronger default for most users, but IDrive can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between IDrive and Carbonite?
IDrive is backs up an unlimited number of devices into a single low-cost account, repeatedly PCMag Editors' Choice. Carbonite is veteran set-and-forget unlimited backup for a single computer, now under OpenText.
Which is cheaper, IDrive or Carbonite?
Entry pricing differs: IDrive offers a free tier, while Carbonite starts at ~$4.91-8.34/mo (~$99.99/yr). Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for IDrive and Carbonite: