Data Backup in 2024: Best Free & Paid Options [+Infographic]

We’ve all been there. At least once in our lives, we lose essential data stored on our electronic devices.

It makes no difference whether it’s due to a glitch, malware, or malfunction. Accumulating heaps of information on your computer and then losing it is terrible.

This is where data backups come in to save the day. A backup is a copy of a file safely tucked away in cloud storage or another device. Sounds great, doesn’t it? And yet, according to the statistics, around 21% of the general public have never used it.

That’s why we want to bring you up to speed on this topic. Here, our team will explain all about backups and data recovery and suggest excellent backup options you can use right now.

🖥️ 5 Reasons Why You Should Back Up Your Data

Let’s start with why creating data backups is a good idea. We can come up with a multitude of reasons, but here are the top 5:

1. Data loss prevention. No matter how expensive and state-of-the-art your device may be, it can’t protect you against everything. You could lose your computer, accidentally delete something, forget a password, or simply neglect to save the changes you made in your document. If you develop the habit of creating backups, you will be less affected by such errors and accidents.
2. Protection against computer damage. So many things can happen to our computers: power failures, malware, and natural disasters, just to name a few. None of it will destroy your files if you perform regular data backups.
3. Confidence in your data security. This new era of technology allowed us to “own” more information than ever. But it’s also made us very dependent – if technology lets us down, we get thrown off balance immediately. Save yourself from trouble by backing up your data.
4. Access to lost documents. You can sleep peacefully knowing that your files will never really be lost because there’s always another copy.
5. Saving time. If you’re a student, you will probably find this argument especially convincing. The prospect of having to rewrite a seemingly endless assignment is hardly anyone’s idea of fun. What should you do? That’s right, back it up!

What to Back Up as a Student

You may feel confident that your favorite device will never let you down, but as a student, it’s best to always err on the side of caution. Let’s see what should be your priority when it comes to doing backups.

📌 Study materials. This includes essays, research, various projects, reports, and your thesis or dissertation. Save the final versions and also make backups while working on your assignments. It’s also worth keeping the copies of the papers you’ve already handed in: they will help you in case of any misunderstanding with a teacher.

📌 Digital books and worksheets. It’s convenient to keep them all in one place, neatly divided into folders. This way, you’ll know where everything is and be able to access it quickly. Plus, you won’t have to worry about losing any of them.

📌 Photos and videos of memorable moments. Your precious memories are just as important as your academic work. Cloud services today can back up your media files without you having to control the process, so you won’t have to cry over lost photos from your last vacation.

📌 Sensitive information. If there’s anything you’d like to keep to yourself, you can create a copy or two and delete the original file from your primary device. This way, you’ll still have it, but it’ll be out of other people’s reach.

✨ Backing Up Your Data: Infographic

🆚 Local Backup vs. Cloud Backup

Now that you know what to back up and why, it’s time to find out how to do it.

There are two forms of backups: local and cloud. Here’s how they differ.

Local backups use hardware to store your information, meaning your files will be on a physical device that belongs to you. They come in different forms: HDD, SSD, NAS, and removable media.

• HDD, or Hard Disk Drives, are probably the most popular way to back up files. They’re convenient, don’t take up much space, and can be carried around easily.
• SSD, or Solid State Drives, are a more modern and advanced replacement for HDDs since they’re smaller, faster, and safer.
• NAS, or Network-Attached Storage, is, in simple terms, a hard drive attached to a network. You can access it remotely, and it’s possible to build up available storage by adding more hard drives.
• Removable media is a fancier name for USB memory sticks. While small and lightweight, they don’t have the same lifespan and level of protection as other forms of information backup.

A cloud backup is a backup located on a cloud server on the internet. It is safe, and you can choose between multiple services based on their price and offered features.

The main types of cloud services are:

• Cloud backup services, automatically back up the information from your computer at set intervals.
• Cloud storage services, to which you upload the files manually whenever and however you think is best.

Let’s compare the two backup forms and see which is more advantageous. Of course, this is only a general summary of their advantages and disadvantages. These parameters will vary for different devices and cloud servers.

	Local	Cloud
Offline availability	✔️	❌
Speed	✔️	❌
Cyberattacks protection	❌	✔️
Data security	✔️	✔️
Protection against physical damage	❌	✔️
Affordability	✔️	✔️

So, which form of backup should you choose? Well, we suggest using both to guarantee ultimate safety for your important data.

📁 Backup Types: How to Choose

The choice doesn’t end with cloud or local storage. Aside from these 2 forms, there are also various types of backups to choose from:

Full backup	This is when you back up all your files at once. It is something you will want to do if you’ve never made a copy of your files before. It may be a slow process, but it’s definitely worth it.
Incremental backup	It’s best to do incremental backups regularly once you’ve completed a full backup. It will copy new and modified files, adding only the necessary megabytes of information. It is also much faster than backing up all the files every time.
Differential backup	This will copy new and modified files each time it runs after the last full backup. So, if you’ve completed a full backup, created a new file, and later ran two differential backups, the new file will be stored twice.
Mirror backup	This option is similar to a full backup but only stores the latest versions of files. It means you will not have access to the different versions of your work.

💡 Pro tip

As a student, you may benefit from running a full backup first and then performing incremental backups to add new and modified files to your storage. It is the least time-consuming and most effective way to ensure the safety of your information.

☁️ Top Backup Options: Cloud Services

Cloud services are definitely worth a try when it comes to storing your files. They’re protected from cybercrime, safe from physical damage, and virtually bottomless. There are also many to choose from, and that’s what we will look at in the next section.

Top 5 Free Cloud Storage Services

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite tried-and-tested cloud services. What makes them undeniably attractive is that they’re free. They also offer paid premium accounts with additional options.

1. Google Drive ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This service offers one of the more generously sized storage options.

🗃️ Size	15GB of storage space.
✔️ Pros	15GB is enough to store lots of data. It’s very user-friendly. You can share files via a link or email. It’s possible to collaborate on the shared files, comment, and edit them. It is integrated with Google Workspace tools so that you can enjoy a seamless work process.
❌ Cons	This free storage is distributed between all the Google services. So, if you use Google Photos to store photographs from your phone, they will eat up the storage space quickly. It’s also difficult to collaborate with people who don’t have a Google account.

2. Dropbox ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Launched in 2007, Dropbox was the first cloud storage service of its kind, and it’s still going strong.

🗃️ Size	You start with 2GB of storage, but it’s possible to add additional space up to 18GB.
✔️ Pros	You can edit files directly in your Dropbox account using Microsoft Office Online. You may share the files with anyone, and they are available on many platforms.
❌ Cons	2GB seems a bit too little compared to other services.

3. MEGA ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Many believe this is one of the best services that offer excellent UI/UX.

🗃️ Size	You can get 20GB of storage for free!
✔️ Pros	Superb security is provided with the help of different methods, including the Zero-Knowledge end-to-end encryption, which means even MEGA itself cannot access your files. It allows you to make video and audio calls. The service is supported by many platforms and devices.
❌ Cons	Users aren’t very impressed by the speed. Customer support could be better.

4. MediaFire ⭐⭐⭐

This is one of the first cloud storage services that works on many platforms.

🗃️ Size	You receive up to 10GB of storage for free.
✔️ Pros	It provides unlimited bandwidth and downloads A useful one-time link feature prevents anyone who has a link to one of your files from sharing it with third parties.
❌ Cons	Unlimited bandwidth and downloads are achieved through ads which can be a bit annoying. It is also somewhat insufficient in terms of security.

5. OneDrive ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one is a Microsoft-owned cloud service.

🗃️ Size	OneDrive offers 5GB for free upon registration.
✔️ Pros	You can share files with friends who don’t have an account. There’s a desktop and smartphone app versions. If you prefer working in Microsoft Office, it is super convenient since you may use the online version directly in OneDrive. You can work on an assignment with your classmates without meeting in person.
❌ Cons	It doesn’t offer universal security against all possible problems. Additionally, Microsoft doesn’t have Zero-Knowledge encryption which means they can access your files if necessary.

Top 5 Paid Cloud Backup Services

We love free cloud services, but paid ones offer more storage space and additional features to ensure superb data protection. They are your go-to if you are ready to invest in the safety of your files.

We’ve put together a list of fantastic paid cloud backup services that will upload your files automatically:

1. IDrive ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Launched in 1995, this service has accumulated decades of experience to offer you a great product at a fair price.

💸 Price	It has a free 10GB plan. Paid storage varies from $4.95 per year for 100GB to $39.50 per year for 2TB.
🗃️ Size	Maximum storage is 2TB.
✔️ Pros	You may use it on the unlimited number of devices and conveniently sync files from your computer. Affordability is another advantage.
❌ Cons	There’s no unlimited backup plan. It may be a little complex for newbies.

2. SpiderOak One ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This service offers excellent security features.

💸 Price	Prices range from $6/month for 150GB to $29/month for 5TB.
🗃️ Size	5TB is the maximum storage size.
✔️ Pros	SpiderOak One uses end-to-end Zero-Knowledge encryption, which means it takes excellent care of your privacy. It works on an unlimited number of devices. You can share your files through self-destructing links. It will also store old versions of your files forever.
❌ Cons	It’s a bit pricey. It doesn’t offer unlimited storage.

3. Backblaze ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is one of the most popular cloud backup services, and rightly so.

💸 Price	You can choose only one plan: $7 per month, $70 per year, or $130 for 2 years.
🗃️ Size	The storage is unlimited.
✔️ Pros	Unlimited storage space is a great selling point. Monthly payments are available, which is uncommon for cloud backup services. Their desktop app is very user-friendly. There’s no speed limit.
❌ Cons	The only available plan is for one computer. To back up multiple devices, you’ll have to purchase a plan for each. You can only save old versions of your files from the previous month.

4. Acronis ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an experienced company that offers multiple features.

💸 Price	The basic one-year subscription for one computer will cost you $49.99. If you want Premium features, be ready to spend $124.99 per year for one computer.
🗃️ Size	It’s not unlimited, but you will get free gigabytes of cloud storage if you purchase the Advanced or Premium plan.
✔️ Pros	It’s fast and third-party-tool-friendly. Interestingly, you can even back up your Instagram and Facebook accounts. Desktop and smartphone apps are very convenient.
❌ Cons	It’s a great service, but it could be even better for the price tag. You won’t be able to store more than 20 versions of a file.

5. Carbonite ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Here’s another popular service that’s been around since 2005.

💸 Price	Home Backup offers three plans: Basic for $83.99 per year, Plus for $119.99 per year, and Prime for $149.99 per year. These are all for one computer only.
🗃️ Size	It offers unlimited backup.
✔️ Pros	You can back up your external HDD. The desktop version is very simple to use.
❌ Cons	It’s much slower compared to other services. There aren’t too many features.

💾 Best Local Storage Devices for Students

Cloud backup services may seem like an obvious choice for many reasons. But it doesn’t mean we should disregard local storage devices as they have undeniable benefits, such as convenience and extra protection.

Here are the best options for local storage devices that you can buy on Amazon right now:

1. Samsung 870 QVO SATA SSD 2TB ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Samsung’s Solid State Drive with up to 8TB of storage capacity.

💸 Price	$169.99
✔️ Pros	This SSD uses advanced technology that ensures compatibility with most devices. It works at high speed. The price is reasonable.
❌ Cons	The warranty lasts only 3 years.

2. SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Solid State Drive with 1050 MB/s read speed.

💸 Price	$109.99 to $129.99
✔️ Pros	It has a sturdy silicone case for extra protection and is water and dust-resistant. The warranty lasts for 5 years. It’s one of the fastest SSDs on the market. Your data is protected with hardware encryption.
❌ Cons	The USB Type-C port is unprotected.

3. Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB HDD ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A portable external hard drive with plenty of storage space.

💸 Price	$59.99
✔️ Pros	It’s easily portable. Its speed is impressive. Overall, a very convenient HDD.
❌ Cons	It’s compatible with Windows. Using it with Mac will require reformatting.

4. Seagate Portable 2TB HDD ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A USB external hard drive that can store 2TB worth of data.

💸 Price	$61.99
✔️ Pros	It works with both Windows and Mac. It doesn’t require any software to use. If you lose your data, a data recovery service will be available to you for a year.
❌ Cons	It’s on the slower side.

5. Samsung Bar Plus 128GB USB 3.1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An excellent and very stylish USB flash drive from Samsung.

💸 Price	$20.99
✔️ Pros	It has a great performance-to-price ratio. It is damage resistant and has a 5-year-warranty! It has a lanyard, so it’s hard to lose.
❌ Cons	If someone gets their hands on it, they won’t give it back to you because it’s that good.

6. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive 128GB USB ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A USB flash drive you can use with your computer, smartphone, and tablet.

💸 Price	$17.50
✔️ Pros	It has both USB-A and USB-C connectors which means it can be used with various devices without extra annoying cables.
❌ Cons	The maximum speed is only 150MBps.

🔮 3-2-1 Backup Strategy: Should You Use It?

This could come as a surprise to you, but there’s a strategy even for backups. And if you think about it, it makes total sense – backing up your precious data deserves careful planning.

One way to do it is the 3-2-1 strategy. If you haven’t heard about it, here’s what it is about:

It involves having 3 copies of a file on 2 different types of storage – for example, internal HDD and SSD – and 1 offsite copy as far away as possible so that a natural disaster cannot affect it.

This strategy makes perfect sense. You really can’t rely on having just one copy of a file. A physical device can be destroyed in a disaster, cloud storage may suffer from a cyberattack, and your HDD may be lost or damaged beyond repair.

You might be thinking that having three copies is foolproof protection. While it’s still better than one copy, cyber dangers such as ransomware attacks make us think outside the box and develop more advanced solutions.

Let us introduce the new 4-3-2 standard. It’s worth considering, especially for college students. You probably produce a massive number of papers, and losing any of them… well, you get it. It won’t be a good thing.

According to the 4-3-2 strategy, you make 4 copies of a file and store them on 3 different types of media and 2 offsite locations.

The 3 types of media can be your HDD at home, an MSP (Managed Services Provider that offers remote data backup,) and a cloud backup service.

We cannot overestimate the importance of backups. Data is a precious asset, and you don’t want to risk losing it. Taking all the necessary precautions will help you save your time and energy at college and later in life.

We wish you good luck with data protection! Don’t forget to tell us about your preferred backup methods in the comments below.

🔍 References

1. Backing Up Your Data is Smart, Easy and Sometimes Free: Connecticut College
2. Introduction to Data Management for Undergraduate Students: Data Backup: University of Illinois
3. 8 Fail-Safe Ways to Back Up Your Data: Creative Bloq
4. Data Backup in Depth: Concepts, Techniques, and Storage Technologies: Cloudian
5. What is a Data Backup?: Corel
6. Backup and Recovery of Data: The Essential Guide for Businesses
7. Cloud Backup Vs. Local Backup: Which Is Better?: Geekflare
8. The Best Online Cloud Backup Service: New York Times
9. Importance of Data Backup and Recovery: Rubrik
10. Why You Should Always Backup Your Data: Stellar
11. 3-2-1 Strategy for Backing Up Your Personal Data: University of Wisconsin-Madison