--- title: Backblaze Computer Backup canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/backblaze/ category: Backup Software points: 25 rank: 9 of 9 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Backblaze Computer Backup Unlimited cloud backup of a PC's files and external drives for one flat price per computer. 25 points out of 100. #9 of 9 backup tools. Vendor: Backblaze, Inc.. Website: https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/personal - Personal Backup costs $99 a year or $9 a month per computer, with no storage limit [1][2]. - Version history is 30 days by default; one year is free to turn on, and Forever costs $0.006 per GB a month for files older than a year [3]. - It does not back up Windows itself or program folders, so it cannot restore a whole system [4]. - A USB drive of up to 8 TB with your files costs $279, refunded if you send it back within 30 days [5]. - An optional private encryption key means only you can unlock your backups [2]. Verdict: Backblaze suits people who want every personal file and connected external drive backed up to the cloud without setting anything up [2][4]. Storage is unlimited and one year of version history is free [2][3]. The catch: it backs up files only, not Windows or programs, and saves only to Backblaze's own cloud [4][2]. Best for: People who want hands-off, unlimited cloud backup of their files. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | What it backs up | Full system image | No | 0/8 | Backblaze does not back up the operating system or application folders [4]. | | What it backs up | File and folder backup | Yes | 4/4 | Backs up user files on the PC and connected external drives; default exclusions can be removed [4]. | | What it backs up | Incremental backups | Yes | 6/6 | It scans for new or changed files and backs up only those [6]. | | What it backs up | Scheduled backups | Yes | 4/4 | Backups run automatically and continuously as you work [2]. | | What it backs up | Bootable rescue media | No | 0/8 | No rescue media: the operating system is not in the backup [4]. | | Where backups go | Destinations | Vendor's own cloud | 5/20 | Backups go to Backblaze's cloud [2]. | | Safety and recovery | Encrypted backups | No | 0/7 | Backblaze documents AES-128 keys, not AES-256; an optional private key can be set [1][2]. | | Safety and recovery | Backups shielded from ransomware | Not published | 0/6 | Backblaze lists ransomware protection but does not say how backups are shielded [2]. | | Safety and recovery | Restore to different hardware | No | 0/6 | There is no system image to restore to new hardware [4]. | | Safety and recovery | Versions and retention rules | Yes | 6/6 | Choose 30 days, one year or Forever version history [3]. | | Price | Free edition | No | 0/10 | No free plan; only a free trial [1]. | | Price | First-year price, one PC | $99/yr | 0/8 | Personal Backup, $99 a year for one computer [1]. | | Price | One-time licence | No | 0/7 | Sold only as a monthly or yearly subscription [1][2]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Personal Backup, monthly | $9/month [2] | $9 | | Personal Backup, yearly | $99/year [1] | $8.25 | Forever version history adds $0.006 per GB a month for files older than one year [3]. A restore drive costs $279 and is refunded when returned within 30 days [5]. ## Strengths - Unlimited storage for one computer and its external drives [2][4]. - Backups run continuously and automatically after setup [2][6]. - One year of version history costs nothing extra [3]. - You can add a private encryption key that only you hold [2]. - Restores can come by web download or on a shipped USB drive, refunded when returned within 30 days [5]. ## Limits - No system image: the operating system and application folders are not backed up [4]. - Backups are stored in Backblaze's cloud; the product page lists no local or NAS destination [2]. - Encryption uses AES-128 keys, not AES-256 [1][2]. - There is no free plan, only a free trial [1]. - External drives must be connected and scanned at least once every 30 days to stay in the backup [4]. ## Sources 1. [Pricing | Backblaze Cloud Backup](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/pricing), Backblaze, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Unlimited Cloud Backup for Mac & PC](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/personal), Backblaze, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [File Retention Version History](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/features/extended-version-history), Backblaze, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [What Gets Backed Up? A Guide to Your Backblaze Online Backup](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/features/what-gets-backed-up), Backblaze, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Accelerated Backup and Recovery: Restoring Files from a Dead Computer](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/features/restore), Backblaze, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Windows Backup Software: Easy, Secure Online Backup](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/personal/windows-online-backup), Backblaze, accessed 2026-10-08