Backblaze vs IDrive: which computer backup service actually wins?
Both are backup-first (not shared drives). Backblaze runs unlimited on a flat $99/year. IDrive gives you 5 TB across multiple devices at a similar effective price. The choice usually comes down to how many machines you back up. Prices checked August 27, 2026.
The short answer
✓ Prices checked August 27, 2026
| Provider | Free | Entry paid | 2 TB class | Family | Encryption | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backblaze | None (backup product) | $99/yr unlimited backup | Unlimited (backup only) | Per computer | Private-key option (zero-knowledge) | Backup-only; not a shared drive |
| IDrive | 10 GB | $0.25/mo (100 GB Mini) | $9.99/mo (5 TB, yearly) | Team tiers same price | Private-key option (zero-knowledge) | Renewal jumps after first year; backup-first product |
When Backblaze wins
You back up one computer and you have a lot of data (100 GB up to several TB). Flat $99 a year for unlimited storage is the best per-dollar deal in personal backup, period. The client is simple, the restores work reliably, and there is nothing to configure. If it’s one machine, Backblaze is the default answer.
When IDrive wins
You want to back up multiple computers, phones, and external drives on one plan. IDrive’s 5 TB plan covers all of them at $9.99/month effective (yearly billing). Backblaze would charge $99/year per computer for the same coverage. IDrive also does regular cloud-storage-drive features like sync and sharing, which Backblaze does not.
Where they tie
Both offer private-key encryption (zero-knowledge) if you set it at signup. Both do continuous backup, external-drive backup, and physical shipment of a restore drive for large recoveries. Both are legitimately reliable at scale.
The bottom line
One computer: Backblaze at $99/year unlimited. Multiple computers + phones + externals: IDrive at $9.99/month for 5 TB shared. Both beat every general-purpose cloud drive (Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive) on backup, because backup is what they were built for.
Common questions
Is Backblaze really unlimited?
Yes, unlimited storage on one computer for $99/year. The catch is ‘per computer’, so you can’t put two machines on one plan. If you have a laptop and a desktop, you need two subscriptions, which is where IDrive’s shared-pool model starts to win the math.
Which one is better for large restores?
Both offer physical shipment of a restore drive for large data recoveries. Backblaze charges a refundable fee that’s returned when you send the drive back. IDrive charges an upfront fee for the drive. For downloads under a few hundred GB, both do direct-download restores that work fine.
Do they compete with cloud drives like Dropbox?
Not really. Backblaze and IDrive are backup-first: they copy your whole computer automatically and let you restore after a crash. Dropbox and iCloud are storage-first: you organize what goes in the cloud yourself. Some people need both.
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