Jottacloud vs IDrive: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Jottacloud is built for unlimited-backup, while IDrive suits multi-device-backup. For most users Jottacloud is the stronger default, but IDrive can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Jottacloud versus IDrive comes down to which trade-offs you can live with. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Jottacloud | IDrive | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cloud Backup | Cloud Backup |
| What it's known for | Norwegian/EU backup with effectively unlimited storage (fair-use throttled) and strong privacy jurisdiction. | Backs up unlimited devices (PC, Mac, mobile, servers) into one account at a very low per-TB price, with disk-based courier recovery. |
| Pricing | Free 5GB; ~EUR 8.99/mo Unlimited Personal (1TB full speed then throttled); Home/Business tiers | Free 10GB; ~$79.50/yr 5TB Personal (first year often discounted under $5), higher Team/Business tiers |
| Best audience | EU/privacy-conscious users wanting large-volume photo and file backup at a flat price. | Households and small businesses with many devices wanting one affordable backup account. |
| Best for | unlimited-backup, eu-privacy | multi-device-backup, value |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Effectively unlimited Personal storage at a flat price. | One account backs up unlimited devices into a shared storage pool. |
| Main caveat | Upload speeds are throttled after 5TB on the unlimited plan. | Steep renewal increase after a heavily discounted first year. |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
Jottacloud key features
- Effectively unlimited storage on the Personal plan (fair-use throttled past 5TB)
- Norwegian/EU jurisdiction with company-owned servers in Norway
- Automatic photo and folder backup from computer and mobile
- File versioning and deleted-file recovery
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
Pricing tiers side by side
Jottacloud plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 0 | 5GB, permanent (also free 2-user business plan) |
| Personal Unlimited | ~$11.99/mo (~$119.90/yr) | unlimited, throttled past 5TB |
| Home 5TB | ~$11.25/mo | shareable with up to 5 people |
| Business | per-user | team tiers |
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 |
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 Jottacloud wins
Effectively unlimited EU backup from Norway-owned servers under strict privacy law.
- Effectively unlimited Personal storage at a flat price.
- Strong privacy jurisdiction with Norway-based, company-owned servers.
That makes it the stronger pick for eU/privacy-conscious users wanting large-volume photo and file backup at a flat price.
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.
Verdict: choose by fit
There is no single winner; it depends on where you sit.
- Choose Jottacloud if you fit its core audience — eU/privacy-conscious users wanting large-volume photo and file backup at a flat price.
- Choose IDrive if you fit its core audience — households and small businesses with many devices wanting one affordable backup account.
FAQ
Is Jottacloud better than IDrive?
Jottacloud 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 Jottacloud and IDrive?
Jottacloud is effectively unlimited EU backup from Norway-owned servers under strict privacy law. IDrive is backs up an unlimited number of devices into a single low-cost account, repeatedly PCMag Editors' Choice.
Which is cheaper, Jottacloud or IDrive?
Both Jottacloud and IDrive offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Jottacloud and IDrive: