The Best Online Backup for Mac

Apple's Mac logoOnline backup services almost always support Windows.  But what about Mac?  Mac represents nearly 10% of the global market share for desktop, laptop, and netbook computers.  That’s a lot of data that needs to be backed up.  Luckily, more online backup companies are developing their software to support Mac computers.

Mac users have traditionally used Time Machine to backup their data, but this has limitations.  Any disaster that affects your computer can usually affect your external backup drive, as well.  This leaves your data vulnerable to fire, theft, and other mishaps.

With an online backup service, your data is backed up effortlessly and automatically to a secure, offsite location.

Here is a list of what I think are the best online backup services for Mac:

1. Backblaze

Backblaze is a fast, unlimited online backup service that works on Mac.  Some of the people working on Backblaze are even ex-Apple employees.  The software was designed from the ground up as a native Mac application using Apple’s Xcode.

Backblaze on Mac

Backblaze is easy to use and will backup your data automatically in the background, so you don’t even have to think about it.

Cost: $5/month
Space: Unlimited

2. CrashPlan

CrashPlan is an unlimited online backup service that can also backup to your local hard drive.  It works on Mac, although not naively.  It uses the Java Runtime Environment which comes packaged with the CrashPlan software.

Cost: $5.99/month
Space: Unlimited

P.S. If you’re not sure whether you should choose CrashPlan or Backblaze, you can check out my comparison of the two.  They’re both excellent.

3. IDrive

IDrive is an online backup service that can backup your Mac computer, as well as mobile devices.  This means you can backup your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and any other computers all on the same account.  IDrive can even backup your Time Machine drive.

Cost: $44.62/year (about $4/month). $14.88 for the first year!  Limited-time offer for BackupReview readers.
Space: 1 TB

4. SpiderOak

SpiderOak is an online backup service that focuses on privacy.  It lets you store, sync, and share files while using a “zero knowledge” encryption policy.  This puts you in control of the encryption keys that protect your data.  It works on Mac OSX 10.6 and above.

Cost: $12/month
Space: 1 TB

5. SOS Online Backup

SOS Online Backup recently started offering an unlimited amount of storage space, and it works on Mac as well.  Like IDrive, it can backup your iPhone and other mobile devices at no extra charge.

Cost: $20.99/month
Space: 500 GB

6. Livedrive

Livedrive works on Mac OS X 10.6.3 and above.  It supports HFS volumes only, however.  UFS volumes are not supported.  There are some other limitations when using Livedrive on Mac, as well.

Cost: $8/month
Space: Unlimited

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund is the founder and editor-in-chief of BackupReview.com. He enjoys attending music festivals, whitewater kayaking on the American River, and board game nights in his free time.

Geoff Akerlund