timhoeck.com: Prevent a Disaster! A Remote Backup Service Showdown
Vincent
· 1 year ago
Wow. This is a really great post - thoughtful and complete reviews, helpful background information, and a nice set of images with each service.
I've only tried two of the services (ElephantDrive and Upline), but came to pretty similar conclusions. I continue to use ElephantDrive since it really has all the functionality I was looking for, but I agree it could use a face lift. Secret hint - after chatting with their support, I got a sneak peek at a Linux client (java-based).
Apparently I had a worse experience with Upline than you did - the service was basically unavailable the whole time I tried to engage it.
Nice work!
~Vincent
Shey
· 1 year ago
This is an awesome review Tim, thanks a bunch!
Will decide between Elephant Drive and Mozy
ajbatac
· 1 year ago
Hp Upline and ElephantDrive are new to me. This is a great list and review as well.
Nelson
· 1 year ago
You will find excellent reviews of online backup companies (including daily industry news) at this site:
awesome work Tim! This has my vote for best blog post of the year so far, seriously!!
mike andrew
· 1 year ago
IDrive would have been a good addition to your list of services reviewed.
It is possibly the third most popular online backup service.
timhoeck
· 1 year ago
I agree, Mike. IDrive <http://www.idrive.com/> is another possible choice. I did check it out, but found it missing some features I wanted (although to be fair, almost all of the services were missing one thing or another). They do have a 2GB free plan though if anyone wants to check them out.
Maurice
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the reviews. I wish I saw it earlier. I have been using SugarSync and also love it. They just got a way to revert back any file to previous versions this week and a way to avoid the confusion about deleted files you mention. Pretty awesome
wow goud
· 1 year ago
I've been using the SugarSync trial for a couple weeks now and it's definitely a big plus. The only downside is a lack of geo-located servers, which might result in slow backups for people connected overseas.
ERO
· 1 year ago
Tim - I tried to find your email address but to no avail. So I hope it is okay to post a comment here. We have a service offering that you might find solves most if not all of the problems you list above called SpiderOak (spideroak.com). And with the launch of our sync product in the next few months, I think people will find it a very complete solution. We offer a cross platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) central repository concept where users can backed up an unlimited number of machines and gain access to each from each as well as remotely via the web. At the very least, we would enjoy hearing your feedback. We offer 2 GB free and if you need more space please send an email to support@spideroak.com. Thank you in advance for your time.
Martin Wright
· 1 year ago
There are always discount codes for Mozy available at http://www.unlimitedbackup.net. Always check before you sign up to Mozy!
Thanks Martin
Jake
· 1 year ago
Tim, Very thoughtful review. I work at ElephantDrive and wanted to drop by and leave a quick note.
First, thank you for your interest in ElephantDrive and a thorough review. We appreciate user feedback tremendously and I have already sent your notes to our Engineering team.
As Vincent noted above, we are in the process of finishing up our Linux client. If anybody is interested in a sneak peak, please feel free to contact us.
I also want to add that as you have pointed out, we realize that syncing features are becoming more important for our users. As a result, we are currently working on implementing syncing features.
Thanks again for including us in your review. If you have any questions or additional feature requests please feel to write to us.
GT
· 1 year ago
I tried Mozy backup solution before, but truly my favorite is iDrive online backup service. They have a great web interface, fully secure and even have a continuous backup feature. Check out https://www.idrive.com/p=1stsentry
timhoeck
· 1 year ago
Thanks for all the comments, guys. I certainly appreciate there are other services out there, and I myself am still looking at a few.
I am still searching for the holy grail of backup, with syncing, sharing, cross platform compatibility and pricing aspects. In my opinion, SugarSync comes the closest, just missing on the pricing and sharing flexibility.
Feel free to continue to post alternates or any news of updates or enhancements for the listed services.
office30
· 1 year ago
Great review. I just signed up recently for the free 45 day intro for SugarSync - and it's scary!! Yes, it all SOUNDS good - but does it work?! Disappearing folders, installation problems, start-up problems, all seem to be the order of the day, and although I have two trouble tickets in I have yet to receive a reply!!! Not really the way to entice a new customer. Have a look around their forums - it's amazing the problems people have, and the lack of support....
Andre Keil
· 1 year ago
Hey Tim, excellent post. I am the Product Manager for NomaDesk, which I think would answer all of the needs you have in mind. We offer unlimited storage, bandwidth, and full "active" collaboration, all elegantly rolled up into the Windows interface. A big bonus: all your data is available offline too. Anyway, take a look for yourself - I hope you will find NomaDesk to be what you're looking for!
-Andre Keil
Wolfgang
· 1 year ago
Cool, Tim, thanks, your in-depth review is really helpful.
a.k.a.
· 1 year ago
Tim, this is PERFECT. You boiled the user's needs down to the essence here. Glad to find someone who thinks like me! I'd narrowed it down to ElephantDrive and one other -- KeepIt, but still wondered about SugarSync for the far-off day I finally get a PocketPC phone. You may also want to know that BackBlaze is unlimited for $5 a month -- just launched a day ago.
I would love to know the answer to four further questions:
1. What's the relative upload speed you see in services like these? Some services are much faster than others.
2. Are there any download bandwidth limitations? Once I park all my FLAC files online, can I download enough to burn a few CDs on any given day? Or will they cap my daily transfers?
3. How do they do on backups/syncs of Outlook inbox / Business Contact Manager? (Any tips for getting over this hurdle?)
4. How easy is it to back up an OS using these services? I guess this is more an MS than a SaaS problem, since the problem I've always had with CompletePC or ServerBackup is that the program won't recognize a VHD image once it's been moved to someplace other than its original location. (Help!)
If you have answers or help with any of this, would you be willing to reach me on email? Not sure how faithfully I ever watch posts, despite best intentions.
...We've both got the same laziness quotient. Actually, you can let yourself off the hook a bit: There's something in cog psychology called "channel factors". If you lead a horse to water, he's more likely to drink is the reasoning. If these services actually provided details on their websites (like a full help manual), then we'd all have chosen a service long ago, no?
Again, great work on this one. Hope to see more reviews in exactly this vein! Maybe a follow-up -- a month later, how're you faring on ElephantDrive? Would you switch to either of the above alternatives?
Regards, a.k.a.
whyinthehell
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Tim - this has been extremely helpful! My head's been swimming with the options out there, each with it's own pluses and minuses, so this is great.
Brian
· 1 year ago
My name is Brian Holbrook and I’m a Recruitment Manager for Intronis Technologies. Our product has been on the Top 5 for over a year now. I wanted to let all of the readers know that we just started offering 2GB free and a flat rate for each GB after that.
However, our biggest benefit is for Solution Providers. We have award winning programs for MSPs and IT Consultants looking to add another service for their clients. I invite all Solution Providers out there to visit the site, http://www.intronis.com, and take a look.
ffxi gil
· 1 year ago
Outstanding review,This is a really great.Thanks
Matt K. Olson
· 1 year ago
Let me update everyone...
On November 12 2008 Xdrive LLC part of AOL LLC sent out to Xdrive account holders an AOL Official Mail notifying them that the Xdrive service will be shutting down on January 12 2009. On December 12 2008 Xdrive LLC part of AOL LLC sent a second notice to Xdrive account holders.
Check your SPAM box if you don't see it in your Inbox especially if you have a non AOL email account.
Today is December 19th 2008 so that leaves Xdrive account holders 25 days to get their assets off of the Xdrive service. I would not recommend waiting until the last day. Get it done today...!
I recommend choosing ElephantDrive and to make transferring those digital assets over as easy as possible just click the link http://www.elephantdrive.com/m/ct.aspx?ici=267 ...this is the Xdrive to ElephantDrive migration page.
ElephantDrive is the only solution provider working in cooperation with Xdrive using their Open Xdrive API. While competitors of ElephantDrive may offer discounts on their subscription plans you'll have to do all the work of transferring your digital assets. ElephantDrive is committed to helping every Xdrive account holder make transitioning their digital assets seamless and transparent by using the Xdrive to ElephantDrive migration page.
ElephantDrive offers packages that are designed to protect the digital assets of individuals, SMBs, and large organizations.
Xdrive consumers with questions about transferring their digital assets over to ElephantDrive can check our Common Questions page.
Tim, you put a lot of time and effort into this. Much appreciated as the two most publicly known online backup solutions may not be the best after all. Great job!
All Comments
I've only tried two of the services (ElephantDrive and Upline), but came to pretty similar conclusions. I continue to use ElephantDrive since it really has all the functionality I was looking for, but I agree it could use a face lift. Secret hint - after chatting with their support, I got a sneak peek at a Linux client (java-based).
Apparently I had a worse experience with Upline than you did - the service was basically unavailable the whole time I tried to engage it.
Nice work!
~Vincent
Will decide between Elephant Drive and Mozy
http://www.BackupReview.info
It is possibly the third most popular online backup service.
did check it out, but found it missing some features I wanted (although to
be fair, almost all of the services were missing one thing or another). They
do have a 2GB free plan though if anyone wants to check them out.
The only downside is a lack of geo-located servers, which might result in slow backups for people connected overseas.
Thanks
Martin
Very thoughtful review. I work at ElephantDrive and wanted to drop by and leave a quick note.
First, thank you for your interest in ElephantDrive and a thorough review. We appreciate user feedback tremendously and I have already sent your notes to our Engineering team.
As Vincent noted above, we are in the process of finishing up our Linux client. If anybody is interested in a sneak peak, please feel free to contact us.
I also want to add that as you have pointed out, we realize that syncing features are becoming more important for our users. As a result, we are currently working on implementing syncing features.
Thanks again for including us in your review. If you have any questions or additional feature requests please feel to write to us.
I am still searching for the holy grail of backup, with syncing, sharing, cross platform compatibility and pricing aspects. In my opinion, SugarSync comes the closest, just missing on the pricing and sharing flexibility.
Feel free to continue to post alternates or any news of updates or enhancements for the listed services.
-Andre Keil
I would love to know the answer to four further questions:
1. What's the relative upload speed you see in services like these? Some services are much faster than others.
2. Are there any download bandwidth limitations? Once I park all my FLAC files online, can I download enough to burn a few CDs on any given day? Or will they cap my daily transfers?
3. How do they do on backups/syncs of Outlook inbox / Business Contact Manager? (Any tips for getting over this hurdle?)
4. How easy is it to back up an OS using these services? I guess this is more an MS than a SaaS problem, since the problem I've always had with CompletePC or ServerBackup is that the program won't recognize a VHD image once it's been moved to someplace other than its original location. (Help!)
If you have answers or help with any of this, would you be willing to reach me on email? Not sure how faithfully I ever watch posts, despite best intentions.
...We've both got the same laziness quotient. Actually, you can let yourself off the hook a bit: There's something in cog psychology called "channel factors". If you lead a horse to water, he's more likely to drink is the reasoning. If these services actually provided details on their websites (like a full help manual), then we'd all have chosen a service long ago, no?
Again, great work on this one. Hope to see more reviews in exactly this vein! Maybe a follow-up -- a month later, how're you faring on ElephantDrive? Would you switch to either of the above alternatives?
Regards,
a.k.a.
However, our biggest benefit is for Solution Providers. We have award winning programs for MSPs and IT Consultants looking to add another service for their clients. I invite all Solution Providers out there to visit the site, http://www.intronis.com, and take a look.
On November 12 2008 Xdrive LLC part of AOL LLC sent out to Xdrive account holders an AOL Official Mail notifying them that the Xdrive service will be shutting down on January 12 2009. On December 12 2008 Xdrive LLC part of AOL LLC sent a second notice to Xdrive account holders.
Check your SPAM box if you don't see it in your Inbox especially if you have a non AOL email account.
Today is December 19th 2008 so that leaves Xdrive account holders 25 days to get their assets off of the Xdrive service. I would not recommend waiting until the last day. Get it done today...!
I recommend choosing ElephantDrive and to make transferring those digital assets over as easy as possible just click the link http://www.elephantdrive.com/m/ct.aspx?ici=267 ...this is the Xdrive to ElephantDrive migration page.
ElephantDrive is the only solution provider working in cooperation with Xdrive using their Open Xdrive API. While competitors of ElephantDrive may offer discounts on their subscription plans you'll have to do all the work of transferring your digital assets. ElephantDrive is committed to helping every Xdrive account holder make transitioning their digital assets seamless and transparent by using the Xdrive to ElephantDrive migration page.
ElephantDrive offers packages that are designed to protect the digital assets of individuals, SMBs, and large organizations.
Xdrive consumers with questions about transferring their digital assets over to ElephantDrive can check our Common Questions page.
https://www.elephantdrive.com/online_backup/xdr...
Matt K. Olson
Consultant @ ElephantDrive