Carbonite Review

Our Rating:

www.carbonite.com

Share

Pros

• Simple system for verifying which files are backed up
• One low price ($55/year) for unlimited personal or business accounts
• Live Chat and phone support are both available weekdays during normal business hours
• Free trail with no credit card required

Read the full review...

 

Cons

• Does not support networked or mapped drives
• When performing backup, system omits videos by default
• Phone support lines are often busy and support emails often tell you only to "reinstall the software"

 

Complete Review

Carbonite's backup system is geared toward the home user with its simplistic installation and operation. Set up is straightforward, and when you backup your files, Carbonite clearly marks which files have been backed up and which have not.

Also, everything is automatic. You set your preferences and Carbonite takes care of the rest in the background while you work; with no slowing of your connection or interruption of your work either. As the NY Times says

It's the easiest online backup software to use... in fact, to not use, since it's completely automatic.

Carbonite is also very affordable. At $55/yr for unlimited storage you're paying about $1 per week for your data to be secure. This is true for both home and business accounts, although businesses can't back up networked files which could be a problem in some situations.

Security is also a huge bonus of using Carbonite, and an essential component of any online backup provider. Carbonite's datacenter in Massachussettes is located in state-of-the-art facilities with temperature-controlled rooms, backup generators, restricted personnel access, and other features to protect the security and integrity of all the data stored there. Carbonite also adheres to the European Safe Harbor principals, further guaranteeing the safe and secure storage of information held there.

For additional security you can choose to keep your encryption key, but you have to make sure it is kept safe; your data can't be retrieved without it. Carbonite does give you the option of keeping the key with them, but this isn't as secure an option as keeping it yourself.

In the end it seems many feel the same way PC Magazine did when they said Carbonite "is the cheapest, simplest and most reliable service out there." It may not carry all the bells and whistles of other online backup options, but it delivers what it promises and is affordable, secure and simple to use.

Update: Friday, March 13, 2009
Carbonite just announced a web interface for accessing files. What this means is no matter where you are, if you have access to the Internet and a web browser, you can download your backed up files. One step closer to collaboration & document sharing.