# Computer to computer backup service **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 22, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374 "2017-08-22T16:12:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/1 "2017-08-22T16:12:32Z")
Just got an email from Crashplan saying that they are ending their “Home” backup service, which includes backing up from one computer to another. I have extra hard disk space, so I back up my laptop and several of my relatives files to my home server. Is there another solution someone can recommend for this? The backup server is running Windows 10. The client computers are running Windows and Mac OS. Ideally something that’s free, or at least a one-time purchase. ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/2 "2017-08-22T16:17:58Z")
Take a look at [syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) maybe. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/3 "2017-08-22T17:11:55Z")
**Moderator Action** Moving to IMHO (from GQ) at the request of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/4 "2017-08-22T19:45:14Z")
I am in the same boat, looking for a decent replacement backup service - either online or local, though I prefer something that would do both, like CrashPlan. Not impressed with most of the options I’ve looked at - either they’re ridiculously expensive, very space limited, or poorly reviewed. I guess I can just set up Cygwin and rsync, but I thought there might be something more elegant, and offsite backups are worth paying a BIT for… ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/5 "2017-08-22T19:58:59Z")
I use MozyHome to backup my computer to their servers and, while I don’t use this feature, their website says, “Mozy 2xProtect automatically backs up files locally to an external drive in addition to the Mozy Tritanium Cloud for double protection of your data.” I don’t know if that is what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/6 "2017-08-22T20:03:06Z")
Here is a Wikipedia summary of online backup services: > **[Comparison of online backup services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_online_backup_services)** > > This is a comparison of online backup services. > Online backup is a special kind of online storage service; however, various products that are designed for file storage may not have features or characteristics that others designed for backup have. Online Backup usually requires a backup client program. A browser-only online storage service is usually not considered a valid online backup service. > Online folder sync services can be used for backup purposes. However, some Online Folder Sync servi... ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/7 "2017-08-22T21:04:01Z")
And here is a Slashdot discussion of this same issue: > **[Ask Slashdot: What Are Some Cloud Backup Solutions That You Recommend? -...](https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/17/08/22/1647242/ask-slashdot-what-are-some-cloud-backup-solutions-that-you-recommend)** > > New submitter OneHundredAndTen writes: After having used the services of CrashPlan for my backups for a few years now, I have just learned that CrashPlan is exiting the home backup business. Although this won't be happening for another 14 months,... ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/8 "2017-08-23T14:47:46Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I use MozyHome to backup my computer to their servers and, while I don’t use this feature, their website says, “Mozy 2xProtect automatically backs up files locally to an external drive in addition to the Mozy Tritanium Cloud for double protection of your data.” > > I don’t know if that is what you’re looking for. Mozy’s pricing is insane compared to CrashPlan’s. $10 a month for a measly 125 GB? CrashPlan and at least a few of its competitors will give you unlimited or at least 1 TB for less than that. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/9 "2017-08-23T15:07:59Z")
I am leaning toward Backblaze for online, but I don’t think it will let me do a local backup as well. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/10 "2017-08-23T17:02:23Z")
The computer bods at my work recommended Dropbox. I loaded it onto my 3 home computers (running Windows Xp / Vista / Windows 10) and saved my data. it worked perfectly (all 3 could see the files and updates were automatic.) One computer crashed soon after (it was 7 years old…) and I made a full recovery onto the replacement. 🆒 Whatever method you use (memory stick, cloud storage etc.), always back up! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/11 "2017-08-23T19:09:37Z")
> [@glee](#): > > The computer bods at my work recommended Dropbox. > > I loaded it onto my 3 home computers (running Windows Xp / Vista / Windows 10) and saved my data. > it worked perfectly (all 3 could see the files and updates were automatic.) > > One computer crashed soon after (it was 7 years old…) and I made a full recovery onto the replacement. 🆒 > > Whatever method you use (memory stick, cloud storage etc.), always back up! 😉 Would be double what I’m paying now… ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/12 "2017-08-23T19:15:45Z")
After reading a lot of reviews yesterday, I’m leaning towards either: - going with CrashPlan’s business plan, or - iDrive; here’s an example review: [IDrive Review 2023 [Backup Features, Speed & Pricing]](https://www.cloudwards.net/review/idrive/) Up until now, CrashPlan has met my needs (though not fond of the Java requirement) AND has been very well reviewed for years. I don’t harbor any ill-will towards them, and they are giving me plenty of notice (including extending my Home account 2 months). The BackBlaze reviews from people who actually needed to restore were not glowing. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/13 "2017-08-24T14:25:01Z")
I suppose if I am willing to double what I am paying, CrashPlan business is the best option. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/14 "2017-08-24T18:02:25Z")
I’m not opposed to paying (some) more, but CrashPlan Business doesn’t allow the computer-to-computer backup that I’m using heavily. I probably have to use separate services for the local backups and the cloud ones, so I might as well just shop around for whatever cloud backup is best and figure out something else for the others. Which is too bad, since I really liked that all those backup locations and things were contained in one service. Screwing around with multiple backup services is not my idea of a fun time. So far I haven’t found any single other service that has all these features. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-to-computer-backup-service/794374/15 "2017-08-25T13:43:53Z")
I have also been using CrashPLan but not computer-to-computer. PC Magazine did a recent review and it looks like they like IDrive pretty well. It looks like they offer a local storage backup (i.e., external drive on the same computer), but not to another computer. > **[The Best Backup Software and Services for 2023](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-backup-services?test_uuid=00yyZwi7Jhwj42oJG5A1uwg&test_variant=b)** > > Protect your computers and mobile devices from data loss via ransomware, hard drive failure, natural disasters, and anything else. Our top-rated backup services make it easy to perform online and local backups.