Cloud backup and storage compared
A second copy of your photos and files, kept somewhere other than your phone or computer.
Digital Life Check may earn a commission if you buy through some links. This does not affect the price you pay. How we make money
Before you pay for anything
Start with the backup built into your devices: iCloud Backup on an iPhone, Google backup on Android, Time Machine on a Mac, File History or Windows Backup on a PC. Then keep a second copy on an external drive or a separate backup service, because syncing on its own is not a backup. The products below are options for that second copy.
Cloud backup
| Product | Price | Devices | Key features | Best for | Partner plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IDrive Research-based | See current plans; check the full term and renewal price | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | Keeping a second copy of files and photos off your devices | See IDrive plans (opens in a new tab) |
Cloud storage
| Product | Price | Devices | Key features | Best for | Partner plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pCloudResearch-based | See current plans; check the full term and renewal price | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | Backing up photos and files from phones and computers | See pCloud plans (opens in a new tab) |
| Proton DriveResearch-based | See current plans; check the full term and renewal price | Not yet checked | Not yet checked | Keeping photos and files backed up privately | See Proton Drive plans (opens in a new tab) |
External drives
| Product | Price | Devices | Key features | Best for | Partner plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung T7 ShieldResearch-basedProvider specifications · checked | See current plans; check the full term and renewal price | USB 3.2 Gen 2; 1TB, 2TB and 4TB versions |
| A second copy of your photos that is not in the cloud | View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Guides to read first
- How to back up your phone and computer
A practical backup plan for your phone and computer: the built-in tools to turn on today, a second copy that isn't always connected, and a quick monthly check.
- The best way to back up family photos
Phone backup alone is not enough, because deleting a photo on one device deletes it everywhere. Here is a simple routine that keeps family photos safe.