Backblaze vs Carbonite
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Backblaze is a leading cloud storage and data backup provider known for its simple, reliable, and cost-effective solutions. It caters to both everyday consumers looking to safeguard personal computers and enterprises requiring scalable cloud storage. The platform offers automated continuous computer backup as well as S3-compatible cloud object storage through Backblaze B2, making it a popular alternative to traditional hyperscale cloud providers for developers and organizations alike.
Carbonite by OpenText is a robust cloud backup and data protection solution designed to safeguard critical files against accidental deletion, hardware failure, ransomware, and other common forms of data loss. It offers seamless background backups to ensure that personal documents and business assets remain secure without requiring manual intervention. Scaling from individual home users to enterprise-grade environments, Carbonite provides flexible recovery options ranging from simple file restoration to comprehensive server migration and disaster recovery. With centralized management tools and automated scheduling, organizations can maintain compliance and business continuity with minimal administrative overhead.
- Extremely cost-effective pricing compared to major competitors
- Simple setup with straightforward, user-friendly configuration
- Unlimited backup storage capacity for individual computer plans
- Robust S3 compatibility for B2 cloud storage developers
- Set-and-forget continuous automated backup functionality
- Strong encryption standards for data security
- Scalable plans suitable for both individuals and large enterprises
- Reliable protection against ransomware and data loss
- Computer backup client lacks advanced granular administrative policies
- No native Linux desktop client for the personal backup service
- Data egress fees apply, though they remain lower than industry averages
- Initial full backup of large datasets can take significant time depending on internet speeds
- Pricing can become expensive for high-capacity storage tiers
- Desktop client interface can occasionally feel outdated
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBackblaze offers cheaper, unlimited personal backup and S3‑compatible object storage with simple setup, while Carbonite provides richer ransomware protection and centralized admin tools at higher cost.
Key differences
- •Backblaze includes a free tier and unlimited personal backup; Carbonite has no free tier and charges per storage tier.
- •Carbonite adds built‑in ransomware detection and centralized admin dashboards; Backblaze lacks these enterprise‑grade controls.
- •Backblaze’s B2 storage is S3‑compatible for developers; Carbonite does not advertise S3 compatibility.
- •Backblaze provides a physical restore (hard‑drive shipment); Carbonite relies on cloud‑only restores.
- •Backblaze lacks a native Linux desktop client for personal backup; Carbonite’s client works on Windows and macOS only (no Linux mentioned).
Pricing & value
Backblaze is described as extremely cost‑effective with unlimited personal backup and lower egress fees; Carbonite is noted as potentially expensive for high‑capacity tiers.
Uptime & reliability
Backblaze guarantees 99.9% SLA; Carbonite’s uptime is not specified.
Performance
Carbonite offers hybrid local+cloud backup for faster recovery; Backblaze relies on cloud‑only restores (physical drive optional).
Developer experience
Backblaze B2 provides S3‑compatible APIs and native integration; Carbonite has no S3 compatibility mentioned.
Regions & compliance
Both list US and EU datacenter regions; no further compliance details provided.
Support
Carbonite offers centralized dashboards for admin management, implying stronger enterprise support; Backblaze’s support details not specified.
Lock‑in
Backblaze uses standard S3 protocols, easing migration; Carbonite uses proprietary backup flows.
Choose Backblaze if…
Individuals or developers needing cheap unlimited backup and S3‑compatible storage.
Choose Carbonite if…
Small businesses that need ransomware detection, admin dashboards, and hybrid local/cloud recovery.
Common questions
Which service is cheaper for large amounts of data?
Backblaze is described as extremely cost‑effective with lower egress fees; Carbonite can become expensive for high‑capacity tiers.
Do both services support Linux desktops?
Backblaze does not have a native Linux desktop client for personal backup; Carbonite’s client is only noted for Windows and macOS.
Can I use the storage as an S3 bucket for applications?
Yes, Backblaze B2 is S3‑compatible; Carbonite does not advertise S3 compatibility.