Comparison · Storage & Backup

Cloud backup and online storage for photos, projects and your computer compared

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An additional off-site copy can protect your photos and project files from loss through burglary, fire or a failed computer. Separate backups and sufficiently long version retention also help against accidental deletion and ransomware. This comparison covers selected cloud backup and online storage services for freelancers and creative professionals. The order is not a ranking. We compare provider information on data location, data processing agreements, encryption, versions, trash, NAS support and pricing models. The selection is a starting point that can be expanded; it does not claim to cover the entire market. Sources and retrieval dates are documented. The assessment is based solely on the linked sources.

Stefan Petri Selection, review and responsibility
Cloud Backup mit Laptop und Transferlinie 2
Created with AI

Features explained

Backup, sync, versioning, zero-knowledge: many terms sound similar but mean different things. Here are the most important ones in brief, so you can read the details in the table correctly.

B Backup
Backs up computers or folders automatically and restores them after data loss.
S Sync
Keeps folders identical across devices – not a replacement for a backup.
Sh Sharing
Shares files and galleries via link, with password and expiry.

Our selection

Order set by our editors according to these criteria, not a test.

  1. Hetzner Storage Box

    Backup

    Pure online storage as a backup target, located in Germany or Finland, accessed via SFTP, rsync, BorgBackup, WebDAV and SMB.

    Plan considered: BX21, 5 TB, monthly

    5 TB storage, up to 20 manual and 20 automatic snapshots, up to 100 sub-accounts, unlimited traffic

    Data location
    Germany or EU
    selectable · not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Not available
    Cancellation and term
    No minimum term, cancellation with immediate effect
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly)

    In use at TutKitWe've been using the 10 TB version ourselves for years, and it has never let us down. I especially find the ability to use snapshots for even greater security very convenient!

    Strengths

    • Storage location in Germany or Finland, your choice[4]
    • Data processing agreement under Art. 28 GDPR directly in your customer account, no signature required[4][6]

    Weaknesses

    • No web interface for managing files[10]
  2. HiDrive

    SyncBackupSharing

    Cloud storage from German data centres with a DPA, snapshots, sync software and optional protocol access for NAS.

    Plan considered: HiDrive Plus, 2 TB, monthly

    2 TB storage, 1 user

    Data location
    Germany (choice not confirmed)
    not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Paid add-on only
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly)

    Strengths

    • Data centres in Berlin and Karlsruhe, processing in Germany only[2]
    • Data processing agreement automatically included in new contracts, free of charge[2]

    Weaknesses

    • Protocol access and end-to-end encryption cost extra in the personal plans[1]
  3. pCloud

    SyncBackupSharing

    Cloud storage with an EU data region, 30 days of trash and versions, NAS access via WebDAV and rsync and subscription or lifetime plans.

    Plan considered: Premium Plus 2 TB, yearly

    2 TB storage, 4 TB traffic for shared links

    Data location
    EU or USA
    selectable · not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Paid add-on only
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly or yearly) · One-off purchase
    Also as lifetime/one-off purchase

    Strengths

    • EU data region (Luxembourg) selectable at sign-up[3][5]
    • Trash and file versions for 30 days on paid plans, up to 365 days with an add-on[11]

    Weaknesses

    • DPA availability not confirmed: pCloud considers an agreement unnecessary in its help article[6]
  4. Tresorit

    SyncSharing

    End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Switzerland with EU data centres, a DPA from Professional upwards and deleted files that remain restorable indefinitely.

    Plan considered: Professional, 4 TB, 1 user, monthly

    1 user, 4 TB encrypted storage, 100 file versions according to the help pages, maximum upload file size 10 GB

    Data location
    Data location EU / Germany / Switzerland / USA / worldwide or undisclosed
    not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Included by default
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly)

    Strengths

    • End-to-end and zero-knowledge encryption of files and metadata[9][10]
    • Data processing agreement for Professional, Business and Enterprise online via DocuSign[7]

    Weaknesses

    • No automatic one-way backup, only two-way sync[16]
  5. Backblaze Computer Backup

    Backup

    Automatic computer backup for Windows and Mac with unlimited storage per computer, EU region Amsterdam and up to one year of versions.

    Plan considered: Computer Backup, 1 computer, yearly

    Unlimited storage for one computer (Windows or Mac) including connected USB drives

    Data location
    EU or USA or worldwide or undisclosed
    selectable · not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Not available
    Number of devices
    1 computer per licence
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly or yearly or every 24 months)

    Strengths

    • Unlimited storage per computer, including connected USB drives[4][6]
    • Automatic, continuous backup as you work[4]

    Weaknesses

    • No backup of NAS, network drives or network shares[18]
  6. IDrive

    Backup

    Online backup for multiple computers, smartphones and external drives in one account, with full-system backup, 30 versions, trash and NAS add-on; data centres in the USA.

    Plan considered: IDrive Personal 5 TB, yearly

    5 TB storage, 1 user, multiple computers; extra fees apply if exceeded

    Data location
    USA (choice not confirmed)
    not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Optional at no extra cost
    Number of devices
    1 user, multiple computers and mobile devices
    Pricing model
    Subscription (yearly)

    Strengths

    • Multiple PCs, Macs, Linux computers and mobile devices in one account[9][3]
    • Backup of the entire system with complete machine restore[9]

    Weaknesses

    • Data centres in the USA[4]
  7. Internxt

    BackupSharing

    Zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage from Spain with folder backup, annual plans and lifetime plans; NAS and WebDAV only in the Ultimate plan.

    Plan considered: Premium, 2 TB, annual plan billed monthly

    2 TB encrypted storage; annual plan, billed monthly; maximum upload file size 50 GB

    Data location
    Location not confirmed
    not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Included by default
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly) · One-off purchase
    Also as lifetime/one-off purchase

    Strengths

    • Zero-knowledge encryption on your device, with AES-256 and a post-quantum scheme[1][6]
    • Provider based in Spain; exclusive storage in Europe is not confirmed[5][4]

    Weaknesses

    • Versions only for PDF, Word, Excel and CSV: Premium up to 10 MB, Ultimate up to 20 MB[9]
  8. MEGA

    SyncBackupSharing

    Zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage with 100 file versions, Rewind, trash up to 10 years and plans up to 20 TB; data centres in Japan, Canada and/or the EU.

    Plan considered: Pro Flexi, from 3 TB, monthly

    3 TB storage and transfer included; additional volume is charged per TB

    Data location
    EU / worldwide or undisclosed (choice not confirmed)
    not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Included by default
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly)

    Strengths

    • Zero-knowledge encryption: data only leaves the device encrypted[1]
    • 100 versions per file and Rewind up to 60 days on paid plans[1]

    Weaknesses

    • According to the terms, data is stored in Japan, Canada and/or the EU – not only in the EU[2]
  9. Proton Drive

    SyncSharing

    End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Switzerland with servers in Switzerland, Germany or Norway, a DPA as part of the terms and up to ten years of version history.

    Plan considered: Proton Duo, 2 TB, yearly

    2 TB end-to-end encrypted storage, up to 200 file versions; up to 2 users, bundle with further Proton services

    Data location
    Switzerland / Germany (choice not confirmed)
    not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Included by default
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly or yearly)

    Strengths

    • End-to-end encryption for all files, including file and folder names[3]
    • Own servers exclusively in Switzerland, Germany or Norway[3]

    Weaknesses

    • Only a command-line tool for Linux and NAS, no desktop app for Linux[7]
  10. kDrive

    SyncSharing

    Cloud storage from Infomaniak with data centres exclusively in Switzerland, a data processing agreement as part of the terms of use, WebDAV and NAS support, and a trash bin with up to 365 days.

    Plan considered: kDrive Solo, 3 TB, monthly

    1 user, 3 TB storage (not expandable), versions for 60 days or 100 versions

    Data location
    Switzerland (choice not confirmed)
    not confirmed for the plan considered
    End-to-end encryption
    Not available
    Pricing model
    Subscription (monthly)

    Strengths

    • Data exclusively in data centres in Switzerland, stored three times[2][4]
    • WebDAV plus Synology and QNAP sync in all kDrive plans[1][9]

    Weaknesses

    • No end-to-end encryption; vault with your own key only announced[3][2]

Comparison table

Cloud backup & online storage compared: features and pricing models
Feature Hetzner Storage BoxBX21, 5 TB, monthly In use at TutKit HiDriveHiDrive Plus, 2 TB, monthly pCloudPremium Plus 2 TB, yearly TresoritProfessional, 4 TB, 1 user, monthly Backblaze Computer BackupComputer Backup, 1 computer, yearly IDriveIDrive Personal 5 TB, yearly InternxtPremium, 2 TB, annual plan billed monthly MEGAPro Flexi, from 3 TB, monthly Proton DriveProton Duo, 2 TB, yearly kDrivekDrive Solo, 3 TB, monthly
Use Backup Sync, Backup, Sharing Sync, Backup, Sharing Sync, Sharing Backup Backup Backup, Sharing Sync, Backup, Sharing Sync, Sharing Sync, Sharing
Pricing model Subscription (monthly) Subscription (monthly) Subscription (monthly or yearly) · One-off purchase Subscription (monthly) Subscription (monthly or yearly or every 24 months) Subscription (yearly) Subscription (monthly) · One-off purchase Subscription (monthly) Subscription (monthly or yearly) Subscription (monthly)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters Germany, EU Germany EU, USA EU, Germany, Switzerland, USA, worldwide or undisclosed EU, USA, worldwide or undisclosed USA not published by the provider (Conflicting provider statements: older help article states EU only; current product page and terms also mention other locations or servers worldwide. Exclusive EU storage is not confirmed.) EU, worldwide or undisclosed Switzerland, Germany Switzerland
Company headquarters Germany Germany Switzerland Switzerland United States United States Spain Hungary Switzerland Switzerland
Location selectable Yes not stated Yes Partly Yes not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated
Location applies to this plan not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28) Yes Yes not published by the provider (Availability of a data processing agreement is not confirmed. pCloud considers a DPA unnecessary in its help article; this does not explicitly confirm or rule out provision of an agreement.) Partly Yes Yes Yes not published by the provider (No DPA found in the sources reviewed) Yes Yes
End-to-end encryption Not available Paid add-on only Paid add-on only Included by default Not available Optional at no extra cost Included by default Included by default Included by default Not available
Two-factor authentication Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes not stated Yes Yes
Version history Up to 20 manual and 20 automatic snapshots Snapshots at an adjustable frequency; not all automatic ones are kept permanently, manual ones are File versions and Rewind up to 30 days back; 365 days with a paid add-on 100 versions per file 30 days; 1 year at no extra cost; unlimited for an extra fee Up to 30 versions per file, plus snapshots for point-in-time recovery Up to 10 versions, 15 days; PDF, Word, Excel and CSV files only up to 10 MB 100 versions per file; Rewind up to 60 days Up to 200 versions per file, retention adjustable up to 10 years 60 days or 100 versions
Retention of deleted files not published by the provider (No trash described; recovery via snapshots) not published by the provider (Not described by the provider) 30 days; 365 days with a paid add-on No expiry unless permanently deleted; still uses storage Deleted files 30 days, optionally 1 year 30 days 14 days according to the pricing page (help pages: 15 days) Automatic emptying configurable from 7 days to 10 years Kept until you empty it; contents still use storage At least 30 days, adjustable up to 365 days
External drives and NAS Back up NAS and computers via SFTP, SCP, rsync, BorgBackup, Restic, Rclone, WebDAV, SMB or FTPS SFTP, WebDAV, SMB, rsync, SCP and Git (personal plans: add-on); Synology Hyper Backup via rsync, Cloud Sync via WebDAV; QNAP supported WebDAV, rsync, SFTP and SCP in all plans; WebDAV explicitly for Synology and QNAP, rsync recommended for large backups No direct NAS connection; a NAS can only be synced via a connected computer running the desktop app USB drives: reconnect every 30 days with 30-day history; with one-year history enabled, disconnected data stays up to 1 year. No NAS/network drive backup (separate B2). Synology and QNAP natively via Hyper Backup, Cloud Sync and HBS3 (paid add-on); alternatively the NAS as a mapped drive on a computer running IDrive Ultimate plan only: Synology and QNAP NAS via Docker, plus CLI, a local WebDAV server and Rclone Via the command-line tool MEGAcmd: WebDAV and FTP server, packages for QNAP and Synology No NAS app or WebDAV mentioned; for automation there is a command-line tool (CLI) for Linux, macOS and Windows WebDAV plus Synology and QNAP sync in all kDrive plans; with Synology Cloud Sync also upload-only to back up the NAS. Not in kSuite Free/Standard and my kSuite
Number of devices not stated not stated not stated not stated 1 computer per licence 1 user, multiple computers and mobile devices not stated not stated not stated not stated
Operating systems – Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web Windows, macOS Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web Windows, macOS, Linux, Web Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
Cancellation and term No minimum term, cancellation with immediate effect not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated
Provider Visit provider – Hetzner Storage Box. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab Visit provider – HiDrive. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab Visit provider – pCloud. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab affiliate link(affiliate link: TutKit earns a commission on purchases) Visit provider – Tresorit. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab Visit provider – Backblaze Computer Backup. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab Visit provider – IDrive. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab Visit provider – Internxt. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab Visit provider – MEGA. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab Visit provider – Proton Drive. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab Visit provider – kDrive. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

Hetzner Storage Box

BX21, 5 TB, monthly

Use
Backup
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
Germany, EU
Company headquarters
Germany
Location selectable
Yes
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
Yes
End-to-end encryption
Not available
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
Up to 20 manual and 20 automatic snapshots
Retention of deleted files
not published by the provider (No trash described; recovery via snapshots)
External drives and NAS
Back up NAS and computers via SFTP, SCP, rsync, BorgBackup, Restic, Rclone, WebDAV, SMB or FTPS
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
–
Cancellation and term
No minimum term, cancellation with immediate effect
Visit provider – Hetzner Storage Box. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

HiDrive

HiDrive Plus, 2 TB, monthly

Use
Sync, Backup, Sharing
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
Germany
Company headquarters
Germany
Location selectable
not stated
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
Yes
End-to-end encryption
Paid add-on only
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
Snapshots at an adjustable frequency; not all automatic ones are kept permanently, manual ones are
Retention of deleted files
not published by the provider (Not described by the provider)
External drives and NAS
SFTP, WebDAV, SMB, rsync, SCP and Git (personal plans: add-on); Synology Hyper Backup via rsync, Cloud Sync via WebDAV; QNAP supported
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – HiDrive. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

pCloud

Premium Plus 2 TB, yearly

Use
Sync, Backup, Sharing
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly or yearly) · One-off purchase
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
EU, USA
Company headquarters
Switzerland
Location selectable
Yes
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
not published by the provider (Availability of a data processing agreement is not confirmed. pCloud considers a DPA unnecessary in its help article; this does not explicitly confirm or rule out provision of an agreement.)
End-to-end encryption
Paid add-on only
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
File versions and Rewind up to 30 days back; 365 days with a paid add-on
Retention of deleted files
30 days; 365 days with a paid add-on
External drives and NAS
WebDAV, rsync, SFTP and SCP in all plans; WebDAV explicitly for Synology and QNAP, rsync recommended for large backups
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – pCloud. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab affiliate link(affiliate link: TutKit earns a commission on purchases)

Tresorit

Professional, 4 TB, 1 user, monthly

Use
Sync, Sharing
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
EU, Germany, Switzerland, USA, worldwide or undisclosed
Company headquarters
Switzerland
Location selectable
Partly
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
Partly
End-to-end encryption
Included by default
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
100 versions per file
Retention of deleted files
No expiry unless permanently deleted; still uses storage
External drives and NAS
No direct NAS connection; a NAS can only be synced via a connected computer running the desktop app
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – Tresorit. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

Backblaze Computer Backup

Computer Backup, 1 computer, yearly

Use
Backup
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly or yearly or every 24 months)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
EU, USA, worldwide or undisclosed
Company headquarters
United States
Location selectable
Yes
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
Yes
End-to-end encryption
Not available
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
30 days; 1 year at no extra cost; unlimited for an extra fee
Retention of deleted files
Deleted files 30 days, optionally 1 year
External drives and NAS
USB drives: reconnect every 30 days with 30-day history; with one-year history enabled, disconnected data stays up to 1 year. No NAS/network drive backup (separate B2).
Number of devices
1 computer per licence
Operating systems
Windows, macOS
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – Backblaze Computer Backup. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

IDrive

IDrive Personal 5 TB, yearly

Use
Backup
Pricing model
Subscription (yearly)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
USA
Company headquarters
United States
Location selectable
not stated
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
Yes
End-to-end encryption
Optional at no extra cost
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
Up to 30 versions per file, plus snapshots for point-in-time recovery
Retention of deleted files
30 days
External drives and NAS
Synology and QNAP natively via Hyper Backup, Cloud Sync and HBS3 (paid add-on); alternatively the NAS as a mapped drive on a computer running IDrive
Number of devices
1 user, multiple computers and mobile devices
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, Android
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – IDrive. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

Internxt

Premium, 2 TB, annual plan billed monthly

Use
Backup, Sharing
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly) · One-off purchase
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
not published by the provider (Conflicting provider statements: older help article states EU only; current product page and terms also mention other locations or servers worldwide. Exclusive EU storage is not confirmed.)
Company headquarters
Spain
Location selectable
not stated
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
Yes
End-to-end encryption
Included by default
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
Up to 10 versions, 15 days; PDF, Word, Excel and CSV files only up to 10 MB
Retention of deleted files
14 days according to the pricing page (help pages: 15 days)
External drives and NAS
Ultimate plan only: Synology and QNAP NAS via Docker, plus CLI, a local WebDAV server and Rclone
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – Internxt. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

MEGA

Pro Flexi, from 3 TB, monthly

Use
Sync, Backup, Sharing
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
EU, worldwide or undisclosed
Company headquarters
Hungary
Location selectable
not stated
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
not published by the provider (No DPA found in the sources reviewed)
End-to-end encryption
Included by default
Two-factor authentication
not stated
Version history
100 versions per file; Rewind up to 60 days
Retention of deleted files
Automatic emptying configurable from 7 days to 10 years
External drives and NAS
Via the command-line tool MEGAcmd: WebDAV and FTP server, packages for QNAP and Synology
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – MEGA. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

Proton Drive

Proton Duo, 2 TB, yearly

Use
Sync, Sharing
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly or yearly)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
Switzerland, Germany
Company headquarters
Switzerland
Location selectable
not stated
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
Yes
End-to-end encryption
Included by default
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
Up to 200 versions per file, retention adjustable up to 10 years
Retention of deleted files
Kept until you empty it; contents still use storage
External drives and NAS
No NAS app or WebDAV mentioned; for automation there is a command-line tool (CLI) for Linux, macOS and Windows
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – Proton Drive. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

kDrive

kDrive Solo, 3 TB, monthly

Use
Sync, Sharing
Pricing model
Subscription (monthly)
Data location Actual storage location, separate from headquarters
Switzerland
Company headquarters
Switzerland
Location selectable
not stated
Location applies to this plan
not stated
Data processing agreement (GDPR Art. 28)
Yes
End-to-end encryption
Not available
Two-factor authentication
Yes
Version history
60 days or 100 versions
Retention of deleted files
At least 30 days, adjustable up to 365 days
External drives and NAS
WebDAV plus Synology and QNAP sync in all kDrive plans; with Synology Cloud Sync also upload-only to back up the NAS. Not in kSuite Free/Standard and my kSuite
Number of devices
not stated
Operating systems
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
Cancellation and term
not stated
Visit provider – kDrive. Opens the provider’s website in a new tab

How we compare

  1. Where the information comes from

    All information is based on the providers' own pages: pricing and product pages, help articles, privacy policies and contract documents. Every detail has a source with a retrieval date. TutKit did not use the services itself for this overview; statements such as "suits …" are clearly worded as assessments.

  2. Status and prices

    The information reflects the retrieval date of each source. Prices and plans change frequently; the current information on the provider's website always applies. The order of the entries is not a ranking.

The editorial team sets the order. In descending weight, it is based on: suitability for the audience’s typical use, features as compared here, pricing model (such as a free version, one-off purchase or subscription), and data protection and server location.

Research and drafts are partly AI-assisted; every statement has been checked editorially against its source and is the responsibility of Stefan Petri.

How we are funded

These comparisons are funded by commissions from affiliate links (marked *). TutKit also sells its own courses on some programs; they are marked “TutKit’s own offer” and are not part of the selection. There are no paid placements on these pages.

Buying guide

Backup or sync – what do you need?

A sync service keeps a folder identical across several devices. If you delete a file on your laptop, it also disappears from the cloud. A backup, on the other hand, keeps copies and lets you restore older states. Many online storage services offer both, some only one of them. So check whether a service includes automatic computer backup or whether you need a separate program for that.

Data location and data processing agreement

If you store client data – such as portraits, contracts or project documents with names – you are the controller under the GDPR. You then need a data processing agreement with the provider (DPA under Art. 28 GDPR). Also check where the data is actually stored. Company headquarters and storage location are two different things; with some services you choose the region when you create your account.

Versions and trash

Versions protect you against overwriting and ransomware, the trash against accidental deletion. What matters is how far back both go. If you only notice a mistake after weeks, a short retention period won't help.

Encryption

Almost every service encrypts data in transit and at rest. The difference lies in who holds the key. With end-to-end encryption (often called "zero-knowledge"), the provider cannot read your files. The trade-off: if you lose your password or key, your data usually cannot be recovered.

NAS and external drives

If your archive lives on a NAS, you need a service the NAS can reach directly – for example via SFTP, WebDAV, rsync or a dedicated app for Synology and QNAP. Pure desktop programs often don't back up network drives.

Storage space and pricing model

Plan with your actual data volume and allow for growth: RAW files and video projects quickly fill several terabytes. Compare whether a plan charges by storage, by device or by user, whether you pay monthly, yearly or once, and which minimum term applies. You'll find current prices directly on each provider's website.

The 3-2-1 rule

A proven approach: three copies of your data, on two different storage media, one of them off-site. A cloud backup covers the off-site copy – it does not replace your local backup.

Terms

Backup

A safety copy that remains separate from the original. A good backup also keeps older states so you can go back after mistakes or attacks.

Sync (synchronisation)

Keeps folders identical across several devices. Changes and deletions are applied everywhere – which is why sync alone does not replace a backup.

Versioning

The service keeps earlier versions of a file. This lets you restore a file that was overwritten or encrypted by malware.

Trash

Deleted files first end up here and can be restored for a certain period. After that, they are gone for good.

End-to-end encryption (zero-knowledge)

Data is encrypted on your device before it is uploaded. Only you hold the key; the provider cannot read the content.

Data processing agreement (DPA)

Agreement under Art. 28 GDPR. It governs how a service provider processes personal data on your behalf.

NAS

Network attached storage: a network drive in your office or at home, for example from Synology or QNAP. For a cloud backup it needs a way out, for example SFTP, WebDAV, rsync or a dedicated app.

SFTP, WebDAV, rsync

Transfer methods that programs and NAS systems use to write files to storage. Which ones a service offers determines which software you can use for your backup.

Conclusion

The right service depends on what you want to back up or share. Hetzner Storage Box is an inexpensive technical option for a NAS and your own backup software. HiDrive offers German data centres and a data processing agreement; important features may cost extra. pCloud combines online storage, sharing and different payment terms, while encrypted folders and contract questions need separate consideration. Tresorit focuses on encrypted collaboration. Backblaze automatically backs up user data on one Windows or Mac computer, but does not create a complete system image. IDrive offers backup for multiple devices and NAS options. For Internxt, pay particular attention to file versioning restrictions and conflicting data location statements. MEGA pricing and contract information still require another check before approval.

These ten services cover different use cases; they do not form a ranking. Choose according to your needs, check current terms and perform a trial restore after setup.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sync service like a cloud folder already a backup?

Not automatically. A sync service also carries deletions and overwrites over to all devices. It only becomes a backup if it keeps older versions and deleted files long enough. How long that is for each service is shown in the table.

Do I need a data processing agreement as a freelancer?

As soon as you store personal data of your clients in the cloud – for example photos of people, addresses or contracts – the provider processes this data on your behalf. Art. 28 GDPR then requires a data processing agreement. Whether and how a service offers one is shown in the table under "DPA". If in doubt, clarify the details with your data protection advisor.

What does zero-knowledge encryption mean for me?

Your files are encrypted on your device, and only you hold the key. The provider cannot read the content. In return, it usually cannot help you if you lose your password or key. So keep both separately and safely, for example in a password manager.

How do I back up my NAS to the cloud?

Usually via your NAS's backup app, which can target a destination via SFTP, WebDAV, rsync or S3. Some services offer dedicated apps for Synology or QNAP. Desktop backup programs on your computer, by contrast, often don't include network drives. Which methods a service supports is listed under "External drives and NAS".

Why are there no prices here?

Prices and promotions change frequently. So that you don't see outdated amounts, the comparison names the pricing model – for example subscription, one-time purchase or billing per device – and refers you to the current prices on the provider's website.

What has changed

  • 12 Oct 2026 Comparison revised
  • 12 Oct 2026 Comparison revised

For providers

The editorial team selects the entries and decides on their order. Providers can report corrections; there is no entitlement to inclusion or to a particular position.

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