Dropbox Backup vs. Backblaze in 2024: Which is Better?

Dropbox Backup vs. Backblaze: Which is better to store your data? This article will make a detailed comparison. After reading, you can find your answer. Let’s check it out!

By @Jonna Last Updated July 5, 2024
 

Backblaze vs. Dropbox's "Computer Backup": Do I Need Both?

Now Dropbox has a new feature they’re calling “Computer Backup,” where basically rather than needing to create a subset of your filesystem within a top-level Dropbox folder, you can just sync everything in your Documents, Downloads, and Desktop folders. So basically, I’m wondering if there’s any reason to keep using Backblaze if I’m already paying for Dropbox and start using their “Computer Backup".

- Question from Reddit

It is well known that Dropbox started out as a cloud sync software. Over the past several years, Dropbox has indeed been diversifying its services to other fields, and now Dropbox Backup pops out. But what is the difference between them? Dropbox Backup vs. Backblaze, which is better? Keep reading to get more details between Dropbox Backup and Backblaze.

An Overview of Backup and Sync

Dropbox vs. Backblaze, what's the difference? As I mentioned Dropbox originated as a synchronization service, primarily focused on enabling users to seamlessly synchronize and access their files and folders across different devices and platforms. Backblaze is a valuable product for backing up lots of data on one device and has a longer file version history. Backblaze vs. Dropbox equals backup vs. sync, which are two different things.

But when Dropbox Backup comes out, there is a doubt: Dropbox Backup is a classic backup product or an extension of Dropbox's core synchronization features. Dropbox sync vs. backup: What is the different point? A crucial difference between data backup and synchronization is data recovery.

When you choose to sync or file sharing, data recovery needs an internet connection. This process can be quite time-consuming. Additionally, there might be additional costs associated with storing the recovered data.
Conversely, data backup gives you the ability to swiftly locate and recover lost files and folders. It also often provides access to storage capacity for mass data recovery without spending supplementary expenses.

Backblaze vs. Dropbox Backup: Which One is Better?

According to users' comments, Dropbox Backup seems like an extension of its core synchronization features. So, does Dropbox Backup pop out as a functional, independent product - or is it more of an add-on they're offering to their sync functionality?

So it is advisable for users to carefully evaluate  backup computer to Dropbox and consider how well Dropbox Backup or Backblaze aligns with those needs before making a decision. Here are some detailed comparisons from various aspects such as price, Scheduled Backup, file version control, integration and collaboration, and compatibility, which are for your reference.

Price

Price is undoubtedly the first factor when I am going to purchase services, and I am sure so do you. For clear comparison' sake, I put several pictures.

About Dropbox Backup, there are two options – billed monthly and billed yearly. For billed monthly: Individual Basic (Free; 2 GB), Individual Plus ($9.99/month; 2TB), and Individual Professional ($16.58/month; 3TB). For billed yearly: Individual Basic (free; 2GB), Individual Plus ($11.99/month; 2TB), Individual Professional ($19.99/month; 3TB)

About Backblaze, there are two options – Personal Backup and Business Backup. Under the option of Personal Backup, three different ways you can choose – MONTHLY ($7), YEARLY($70), and EVERY TWO YEARS($130).

If you want to differentiate them more clearly, here let me give an example.

with a budget of just $10 per month designated for your backup plan, let's see what Dropbox can offer in this price range:

Year-long commitment - so no flexibility to cancel
2,000GB data cap
30-day version history

And here is what Backblaze can offer in this price range:

Monthly commitment - flexibility to cancel
No data cap
One-year version history

Scheduled Backup

For Backblaze, there is no need to worry because Backblaze backs up all your data by default. Backups happen automatically. You can also schedule a backup or only backup when you like.

For Dropbox scheduled backup, the official announcement is that: it automatically backs up important files on your devices and easily restores them. It also provides a scheduler to backup regularly.

File Version Control

For Dropbox Backup, Dropbox Basic, Plus, and Family Customers have 30 days of version control; Dropbox Professional, Dropbox One, and standard customers, have 180 days; Dropbox Advanced and Enterprise customers have 365 days.

By default, Backblaze keeps a 30-day version history of your files. you can pay an additional $2/month to enjoy a one-year version history. Moreover, you can choose to pay an additional $2/month plus $0.005/GB/month for forever version history.

Integration and Collaboration

Backblaze primarily concentrates on its core backup functionality and offers limited integration options. In contrast, Dropbox stands out with its extensive integration capabilities, such as collaboration with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. If collaboration and integration play a vital role in your plan, Dropbox emerges as the more favorable choice.

Compatibility

If you want to use Dropbox Backup, you have to note that you have to turn off other Backup services like iCloud and Google Drive. Obviously, Dropbox Backup is not compatible with other backup services at the same time. But Backblaze seamlessly integrates with whatever other services you're currently using.

Moreover, Dropbox allows backup multiple computer devices, while Backblaze can only back up one computer with one account.

Another Alternative Free Way to Backup Your Data

In a word, we have to pay money to use Dropbox Backup or Backblaze. And day by day, year by year, it's not a small number, since data storage is doubling about every four years. We have been bothered by those "running out of space" notifications urging us to upgrade our service, it seems that backup and sync is no longer available. Is there any way to backup data free? CBackup can do that I have tried.

CBackup is a free online cloud backup service that currently supports you to backup files to Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. Also, it offers CBackup Cloud, which comes with 10GB of free cloud backup space to store files. After backup, you can restore files quickly and freely.

And it can help you combine multiple Dropbox accounts to create a larger storage space. Let's see how to back up files to Dropbox using this free cloud backup tool!

1. Download the CBackup desktop app and sign up for a new account > log in.

Download CBackupWin 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

2. Choose Storage > add Dropbox and click Authorize Now to sign in to your Dropbox cloud account to complete the authorization.

3. Then click Backup on the left side > click Backup PC to Public Cloud to create a new backup task.

4. Select local files or folders you want to backup > choose Dropbox as your target location. Now click Start Backup.

Tip: If you want to enjoy a larger storage space, you should add at least two cloud drives to CBackup > click + Add Combined Cloud and tick cloud you want to combine and click Next > click the triangle button to change the order in which your backup files are to be stored > click Combine. Then, you can select Backup PC to Combined Cloud to enjoy it.

Conclusion

Dropbox Backup vs. Backblaze: Which is better? Now you may find the answer in this article, and according to that choose the most suitable one to backup your data. Don't forget there is a free way to backup your data - CBackup, it's worth a try!