With the extensive variety of cloud storage services to select from, narrowing the list down to a handful of choice companies can be a difficult task. CrashPlan and Carbonite both offer comparable solutions for individuals and businesses.
Enhanced features and tools to help you manage and organize your content and data can be found with both companies. This review provides detailed information to help you decide which cloud storage company best meets your needs. The list includes service plan highlights and upgrade options.
Storage Space
Carbonite does not offer a free basic service to users as some cloud storage companies do. This is an added plus however as even their most basic subscription provides unlimited cloud storage and automatic backup. Carbonite has no restrictions as to the types of documents that can be stored and backed up. You can safely store your files and folders as well as music, videos, photos, and emails.
CrashPlan also offers their users an unlimited amount of storage space for all their content when they sign up for a subscription. There are no bandwidth caps or limits on file type or size plus you get multiple backup sets. Continuous backup automatically provides protection for your stored content to keep it safe. CrashPlan provides the option to select your own schedule for backup plus it offers pause backups.
Accessibility: Supported Devices and Platforms
Carbonite offers mobile apps that are compatible with both Android and iOS platforms. You can easily access and enjoy your favorite content while you are out and about or traveling on the road. Take some photos and safely back them up to the Carbonite cloud for secure storage and later access. Carbonite mobile also provides a feature called device protect, which will help pinpoint the location of your mobile device if you lose it or if it is stolen. The ringer function will also sound off if you misplace your phone.
CrashPlan offers mobile apps for Android, Apple, and Windows based phones. Users with Apple iPhones can use CrashPlan if their mobile device is running on iOS 7.0 or later. Android smartphone users need to have their device running on a version that is 2.2 and higher. CrashPlan for Windows smartphones need to have operating systems running at 7.5 to 8 and later to be compatible.
Encryption and Enhanced Security Features
Carbonite incorporates 128-bit Blowfish encryption to protect your data while it is on your own computer. During the process of transmitting your content to Carbonite, the data center utilizes a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) as an added level of protection to keep your content safe until it reaches the cloud. Once stored on the disk drives in the cloud, your content stays within its encrypted form. Backup procedures include generators and uninterruptable power supplies to provide added protection.
CrashPlan uses high-level encryption in addition to providing the option to have a private key to keep your content safe and secure. When your content is stored on your computer it is protected with 448-bit encryption. When you transfer your content to the online data center for storage, CrashPlan utilizes 128-bit encryption to secure your data during transmission. Selecting your own personal data key in addition to using your own unique password adds an extra layer of security.
Loss Prevention and Restoration Capabilities
Carbonite offers users the peace of mind that comes with restore and recovery. If your computer crashes and dies, is lost or stolen, or becomes damaged, Carbonite will come to the rescue and restore your content. When you access your account from another computer, the process is easy and quick and all you have to do is click on “Restore” to start the recovery process. This feature is also a wonder for those times that you may accidentally delete a file as Carbonite will recover the deleted content.
CrashPlan offers loss prevention and restoration for content on your external hard drive as well as for the data you have stored within their cloud. Any content you sync from other devices offsite is also covered. CrashPlan provides automatic backup in addition to the option of choosing your own scheduled times. Pause backup is available during those times when you may have low battery power. Other restore features include retained file versions, self-healing archives, and restoring deleted files.
Carbonite Subscription Plan Options
Carbonite offers three subscription plans that include Basic, Plus, and Prime. The Basic plan comes standard with unlimited cloud storage for one computer. The Basic plan provides users with automatic secure backup in the cloud and allows you to remotely access and share your content with others. The Plus plan adds backup for external hard drives in addition to mirror image backup for your computer.
Prime from Carbonite includes all the features of Basic and Plus in addition to some enhanced perks. You get automatic backup of all your videos along with courier recovery service, which will send a copy of your stored content directly to you if for some reason your system experiences downtime and you are unable to access your computer and your content.
CrashPlan Subscription Service Options
CrashPlan offers a free basic plan that provides backup of local hard drives plus other devices. The free plan does not offer storage in the cloud. Unlimited online cloud storage is available if you sign up for a subscription, which is affordable at only $5 per month for a 1-year individual plan. Upgrading from the free plan to a subscription does give you some nice features and perks such as continous backup in addition to being able to take advantage of mobile apps for your smartphones and tablets.
CrashPlan offers upgraded plans for companies and business enterprises in search of advanced features and tools. Subscriptions for this type of service plan will provide access to an admin dashboard that provides reporting and tracking capabilities. Other highlights include email alerts, a dynamic IP locator, and universal networking. File compression plus background verification and validation are additional perks. You can choose from scheduled or continuous backup plus you get remote client configuration.
Carbonite and CrashPlan Both Offer a Variety of Solutions
A great plate of features along with enhanced security plus loss prevention and restoration capabilities make both Carbonite and CrashPlan appealing to a wide range of users. Both companies offer a variety of subscription plans to meet the needs of individual users as well as businesses and corporations.
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