Online Backup: Keep Your Data at a Safe Distance (chart)
These services ensure that your important files are secure on their Web servers no matter what calamity may befall the PC situated in your home or office.
| SERVICE | PCW Rating | Pricing | Free trial | Browser-based access | Map as network drive | |
| 1 | IBackup | 78 Good | $10 per month or $100 per year for up to 5GB; $50 per month or $500 per year for 50GB; Enhanced and Workgroup plans also available | 15 days | Yes | Yes |
| Not quite as friendly as XDrive, but has the same low price and features as well as a more reliable backup client. | ||||||
| 2 | XDrive | 77 Good | $10 per month or $100 per year for up to 5GB; $300 per year for 50GB | 15 days | Yes | Yes |
| As cheap as a fee-based service gets. Features go way beyond backup, but the client software can be buggy. | ||||||
| 3 | AmberWave Communications FirstBackup | 77 Good | $4 per month (3-month minimum) or $39 per year for up to 50MB; $12 per month or $110 per year for 1GB; additional gigabytes cost $2.75 per month or $25 per year | 15 days | No | No |
| Superclean client and reliable, secure service. A good choice for businesses that want to avoid Web security hassles. | ||||||
| 4 | Acpana Data Deposit Box | 76 Good | $0.01 per megabyte to 1GB; $3 per gigabyte per month above 1GB | 30 days | Yes | No |
| A penny per MB is great for small amounts of storage. Client backs up during PC idle time. Excellent Web interface. | ||||||
| Beta, Not Rated | ElephantDrive | n/a | Free (500MB) | n/a | No | Not in beta |
| Promising beta with free storage, but it isn't ready for prime time. Currently requires Microsoft's .Net Framework. | ||||||
| Beta, Not Rated | Mozy | n/a | Free for up to 2GB; $20 per year for 5GB | n/a | Beta offers restore only | No |
| Easy to use; customers using the free plan receive a weekly newsletter. Note that service was in beta at testing. | ||||||
Ad Choices