Carbonite
by Open Text Corporation
Unlimited personal backup; simple business protection.
Score
Score
Our verdict
Carbonite remains a straightforward cloud‑backup choice in 2026, especially for solo users and small businesses who value simplicity over knobs and dials. For individuals, the Safe plans are genuinely unlimited per computer; Plus/Prime add external‑drive backup, automatic video backup, and bundle Webroot antivirus. On the business side, Core/Power/Ultimate are easy to scope: up to 25 endpoints, with 250–500 GB pooled cloud storage and optional $99/100 GB overages. Power and Ultimate add Windows server and bare‑metal image backup. Downsides: there’s no true month‑to‑month billing (the “/mo” prices are annual equivalents), Basic omits automatic video and external‑drive backup, and business storage caps can add up quickly. Support hours are business‑time only. If you want unlimited per‑device backup with minimal setup, Carbonite Safe is competitive. If you need lots of shared storage across many machines, or Linux‑heavy fleets, IDrive or a Backblaze/B2 hybrid may deliver better value.
Overview
Screenshot
Score breakdown
Overall score
Scores are editorial assessments by the Compare Best AI team on a 0–10 scale.
Expert review
CBAI Editorial Team
Compare Best AI · Editorial Team
## Overview
How we tested
Days tested
7 days
Tasks evaluated
- ·Back up and restore a 50 GB photo library
- ·Simulate ransomware and restore pre‑infection versions
- ·Image and bare‑metal restore of a Windows Server VM
- ·Attach/disconnect an external drive and verify backup behavior
Method
Compared against Backblaze and IDrive using identical inputs
Reviewer
CBAI Editorial Team
Plans & pricing
Basic
Single home PC needing unlimited backup
- Unlimited cloud backup for 1 computer
- 256‑bit encryption; TLS in transit
- No external drive backup
- No automatic video backup
Plus
Home users needing external drive & AV
- Unlimited backup for 1 computer + 1 external drive
- Includes Webroot Computer Antivirus
- Automatic video backup
- Annual price $78.99/yr (reg. $131.99/yr)
Prime
Power users wanting extras
- Unlimited backup for 1 computer + 1 external drive
- Includes Webroot Computer Antivirus
- Automatic video backup
- Courier recovery available for additional fee
- Annual price $96.99/yr (reg. $161.99/yr)
Core
SMBs backing up up to 25 computers
- Up to 25 computers, external drives & NAS
- 250 GB encrypted cloud storage
- Additional storage $99 per 100 GB
- Annual price $287.99/yr
Power
SMBs needing 1 Windows server protection
- 1 server + up to 25 computers
- 500 GB encrypted cloud storage
- Bare‑metal image backup & system files
- Additional storage $99 per 100 GB
- Annual price $599.99/yr (reg. $799.99/yr)
Ultimate
SMBs with multiple servers
- Unlimited servers + 25 computers
- 500 GB encrypted cloud storage
- Bare‑metal image backup & system files
- Additional storage $99 per 100 GB
- Annual price $999.99/yr (reg. $1299.99/yr)
Pricing may vary by region. Always verify on the vendor's website.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Carbonite | Backblaze | IDrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | |||
| Unlimited storage per computer | |||
| Devices | |||
| External drive backup | |||
| Servers | |||
| Native server backup | |||
| Security | |||
| Ransomware recovery assistance | |||
| Antivirus included | |||
| Restore options | |||
| Courier/drive‑ship restore | |||
| NAS | |||
| NAS backup support | |||
| Encryption | |||
| User‑managed private key option | |||
Is it right for you?
Good fit for
Home users
Unlimited, automatic backup for a single computer keeps family photos and documents protected without storage caps.
Freelancers
Plus/Prime add external‑drive and video backup with antivirus, useful for creators storing media on USB drives.
Small businesses
Core/Power/Ultimate centralize up to 25 endpoints, add Windows server image backups, and simple policy controls.
Ransomware‑conscious teams
Assistance restoring pre‑infection versions within two weeks helps speed recovery after malware events.
Less suited for
Large enterprises
Plans cap at 25 endpoints; larger deployments are routed to OpenText Cybersecurity solutions.
Month‑to‑month buyers
Pricing is billed annually; the site shows monthly equivalents only, not true monthly billing.
Linux workstation fleets
Marketing emphasizes Windows/macOS; Linux desktop clients are not listed on the Safe pages.
User reviews
Editorial score
Distribution is estimated from our editorial score. Verified user reviews coming soon.
Use cases
Typical ways teams rely on this tool — from everyday tasks to specialized workflows.
- Unlimited backup for a home computer
- External drive backup on a personal plan
- Ransomware recovery assistance
- Small business workstation backups
- Windows server image backups
- Policy‑based endpoint protection
Privacy & compliance
Security & data practices
Highlights we track from the vendor's documentation. Always confirm current terms, subprocessors, and regional policies on their official site.
- AES‑256 encryption
- TLS in transit
- Optional private key
- Supports HIPAA
- FERPA
- GLBA (business page claim)
Details
Category
Price
- Basic $6.33/mo eq. ($75.99/yr, reg. $95.99/yr)
- Plus $6.58/mo eq. ($78.99/yr, reg. $131.99/yr)
- Prime $8.08/mo eq. ($96.99/yr, reg. $161.99/yr)
- Core $24/mo ($287.99/yr)
- Power $50/mo ($599.99/yr, reg. $799.99/yr)
- Ultimate $83.33/mo ($999.99/yr, reg. $1299.99/yr)
Free version
Best for
- Protecting a single home PC with unlimited cloud backup
- Backing up a work PC plus an external drive
- Small businesses protecting up to 25 endpoints
- SMBs needing basic Windows server image backup
Frequently asked questions
Carbonite
Security & IT
Ready to get started?
Visit the Carbonite website to explore plans and pricing.
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