When deciding who to trust with your business data, you have to take many components into consideration. There are certain features you want to make sure are included in your software package, such as optimal security and simple restore options. In this article, we’re going to give you all the information you need to make a decision between some of the strongest contenders in backup for businesses.
First we’ll give you an overview of each provider and the business plans they offer. Then we’ll compare the features and services your business needs. Backblaze vs CrashPlan vs Nordic Backup: which online backup software is the best solution for your business?
Nordic Backup
Nordic Backup has been providing affordable and innovative backup solutions for more than a decade. Whether you’re a small business or an enterprise, Nordic Backup has comprehensive backup solutions that fit any business’s needs.
Nordic Backup offers businesses two options, each containing three plans you can choose from for more flexibility and customization. Here’s a breakdown of these cloud backup products.
Small Business
Basic
$249 per year
250 GB shared storage
Unlimited computers
Mac, Windows, Linux
HIPAA compliant
Local & external hard drives
NAS & network share backup
Unlimited previous file versions
Redundant, continuous, & automatic
Restore files from anywhere
Plus
$499 per year
500 GB shared storage
Includes all Basic features
Preferred
$999 per year
1 TB shared storage
Includes all Plus features
Business Pro
Basic
From $10 per month
Unlimited computers and servers
Metered storage
HIPAA compliant
Universal server OS support
Universal database backup
Exchange database and mail-level
VMware and Hyper-V backup
Universal bare metal restore
Restore files from anywhere
Plus
From $109 per month
- Includes all Basic features
Managed cloud recovery
Includes 6 months of cloud hosting
Preferred
From $308/month
- Includes all Plus features
Standby server in Nordic cloud
24/7 hosted copy of your server
Includes free managed cloud hosting
CrashPlan
CrashPlan is run by Code42, which has provided online cloud backup for more than five years for consumers and businesses. However, recently its focus has been on enterprises with the launch of SharePlan, a secure business file sharing and syncing solution.
The simplicity of CrashPlan Pro pricing makes it an intriguing backup solution for businesses. Keep in mind that each per-user contract is charged annually.
CrashPlan for Small Business
$10 per user per month ($120 per user per year)
Endpoint backup and restore
Unlimited storage
Unlimited file size and type
Unlimited versions
Ideal for businesses with 1 to 20 laptops/desktops
CrashPlan for Mid-size & Enterprise
$5 per user per month ($60 per user per year)
Endpoint backup and restore
Includes Code42 platform
Unlimited file size and type
Unlimited versions
SharePlan for Mid-size & Enterprise
$5 per user per month ($60 per user per year)
Secure, on-premises sync and share
Unlimited sharing
Unlimited file size and type
Includes Code42 platform
CrashPlan & SharePlan for Mid-size & Enterprise
$10 per user per month ($120 per user per year)
Endpoint backup and sync/share on a single platform
Unlimited sharing
Unlimited file size and type
Includes Code42 platform
*Pricing information based on CrashPlan website as of May 2015.
CrashPlan Pro is the backup provider’s business solution best for up to 200 computers. CrashPlan Proe is the enterprise plan built for larger companies, and it offers bonus features and various public/private cloud options. For more information about CrashPlan’s business backup features, click here.
Backblaze
Backblaze is a simple backup solution for businesses with enticing features such as deployment, function and affordable pricing. It’s one of the cheapest backup options for businesses that don’t need complex backup features.
Backblaze only offers one backup plan. For $50 per computer per year you receive unlimited data storage. Backblaze’s business plan requires a five computer minimum, so if your business has less than five computers you may want to consider a different backup solution. Backblaze also offers prepayment discounts for signing a contract.
5 computers = $250 per year
20 computers = $1,000 per year
For more information on Backblaze business features, click here.
*Pricing based on Backblaze website as of May 2015.
Comparisons
Ease of Use
For each backup software, you’ll need to create an account, download and install the software. Then it’ll begin scanning automatically for files to backup.
Nordic Backup is easy. All you do is order the software and you’ll be emailed a download link to download and install the software, which takes less than 10 minutes. Restoring files is just as simple. You open program, click the “Restore” button and follow the instructions. Nordic Backup also offers its users many detailed “User Guides” available right from the website, so you can follow step-by-step user-friendly guides to backup and restore your files if you need some assistance.
CrashPlan has made its software easier over the years for you to backup files. CrashPlan’s standard setting is to only backup your “Users” folder. If you’d like to backup other folders or external hard drives, you’ll have to select them. On the other hand, if you don’t want some file types to be backed up, you’ll need to specify this through advanced settings. You can also simply restore files from within the software, rather than on the web.
Backblaze will automatically scan all your files to backup. You’ll need to select any external hard drive separately though. It’s a very simple and easy process for users who aren’t tech savvy. For the restore process, you’ll need to browse through your files (or file versions) on the web and you’ll receive a link to download a .Zip file in your inbox. This process can take anywhere from several minutes to many hours.
Features
Each backup software offers the standard backup components you’ll need, including unlimited, offsite, automatic and continuous backup and compatibility with Mac and Windows. (CrashPlan and Nordic Backup are also compatible with Linux.)
It’s critical to note that neither CrashPlan nor Backblaze have database or system backup features. You can only backup files and folders. Especially with enterprise companies, this leaves a lot of bases uncovered. It’s safe to say that your business’s important data isn’t all kept on one user’s file system, so Nordic Backup is the only backup software you can trust to cover every base.
Security
Security is one of the most important features to look for in a business backup solution, especially if you plan to backup sensitive files such as client data, contracts, invoices or banking details.
CrashPlan, Backblaze and Nordic Backup all encrypt files before transferring them over SSL connection to data centers. You’ll also be able to set a private password to encrypt your data. CrashPlan uses a 448-bit data encryption and Backblaze uses a 128-bit data encryption key, stored with 2048-bit RSA encryption. Nordic Backup provides end-to-end encryption using the industry standard 256-bit AES encryption, which is widely considered to be unbreakable. Nordic Backup also stores data in several data centers on redundant servers with redundant storage systems. All these data centers have various access control levels, including guards, alarm systems, video surveillance, gated perimeters and locked server cabinets.
Steve Gibson of Security Now pointed out that Backblaze restores files on the website requiring your encryption key, which is seen as one downfall of the Backblaze restoration process.
