In today’s digital age, everyone has at least one story about how they dropped their computer/phone/tablet and lost all of their photos or important documents. Sure, it’s expensive to replace a device, but our data is irreplaceable. That is if you don’t regularly update and backup your devices.
Common backup devices like external hard drives are slowly becoming a technology of the past, as cloud storage becomes more and more popular for keeping your information in a safe place.
One of the best backup applications in 2021 is IDrive. Our IDrive review will cover everything there is to know, from what it does, how much it costs, what the competition is, and how you can use all its features.
What Makes IDrive Stand Out?
IDrive is an outstanding online and automated backup solution for your data storage needs. Opposing competitors, IDrive allows you to sync unlimited devices and updates and stores data in real-time across all devices.
Since most of us living in the modern world have and use more than one device, this feature, along with its use of private encryption keys, makes IDrive one of the best cloud storage applications in the market right now, not to mention secure.
Pros
- Variety of customizations
- Easy to use
- Web-based data retrieval
- Multiple device backup
- Free basic plan
- Private encryption key
Cons
- Does not have unlimited storage
- Slow backup and download speed
- No monthly payment option
What is IDrive?
IDrive is an automated online backup application that offers cloud storage and remote access services for an unlimited number of devices under one account. It is a product of Pro Softnet Corporation, which was founded in 1995 in Calabasas, California.
IDrive users can use a single account to sync their files and folders among unlimited devices. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
IDrive customers can choose between three different pricing plans: Basic Free, IDrive Personal, and IDrive Business.
In the next section of our iDrive review, we will break down every pricing option and feature the product has to offer.
IDrive Pricing Plans
IDrive comes with a free plan, a personal plan, and a business plan. The free plan includes basic features and a small amount of storage, while the personal and the business plan include many services and much larger storage limits.
To find out which of the plans you can take the most advantage of, it is important to familiarize yourself with the IDrive cost and what each plan offers.
Free Basic Plan
The free plan is perfect if you’re looking for a simple online storage cloud with no extra features. It provides 5GB of storage and doesn’t require a credit card number. This free basic plan isn’t time-limited, allowing you to use it as long as you want without needing to upgrade.
IDrive Personal Plan
The personal plan is created for a single user, and it can be used to store data from an unlimited amount of devices. Considering that IDrive is not the cheapest cloud storage on the market, customers receive a significant discount with the first purchase.
The two personal plan options vary based on space limitations. Features include backup (multiple device backup, continuous data backup, open files, and network drive backup, external hard drives backup), remote access, and real-time syncing between all devices.
Personal 5 TB Plan
- one year: $69.50
- two years: $139.00
Personal 10 TB Plan
- one year: $99.50
- two years: $199.00
IDrive Business Plan
The business plan is the only plan that allows the users to pay for a monthly subscription. Company reviews of IDrive confirm that the Business plan is worth the purchase for business owners who have many devices and need regular backup and online storage.
Working remotely and sharing files among employees has never been simpler. Employees can create unlimited accounts and use IDrive on unlimited computers and servers.
The Business plan includes continuous backup for all users, devices, servers, backup for NAS and external drive, IDrive cloud storage with single sign-on, sync, dedicated customer support, and business compliance.
Here are some of the prices for the Business plans:
Business 250 GB
- one year: $99.50
- two years: $199.00
Business 500 GB
- one year: $199.50
- two years: $399.00
Business 1.25 TB
- one year: $799.50
- two years: $1,599.00
More space options of 2.5 TB, 5 TB, and 12.5 TB are available for additional costs.
IDrive Features
IDrive offers a competitive amount of features with its pay-option plans. While other similar applications may provide unlimited storage space, IDrive’s defining feature is that it offers online backup services for all of your devices and even syncs them together for you.
IDrive is designed as an automated online backup application, but users can choose to manually or automatically backup all devices in their households. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android and can be downloaded as an app on a PC or mobile.
Multiple Device Backup
The multi-device backup feature accommodates the reality that most of us have multiple devices with all different kinds of important data stored on them. IDrive allows all of these devices to be held on the IDrive cloud, making them accessible from anywhere and from any linked device.
Real-Time Online File Sync
Storing files on IDrive is like storing files on an external hard drive, apart from one difference: Real-Time syncing. Many of us may have an external hard drive, but we still need to take the time to transfer files to the device. With IDrive connected to all of your devices; documents, photos, and whatever else you may have are automatically uploaded to the IDrive cloud storage.
You can find all stored data from all devices once you log into your IDrive account. IDrive notices minor file changes and ensures that their latest version is always backed up on your account. This way, you can always access the latest data on any device, either through the browser or directly via the desktop or mobile app.
Server Cloud Backup
Companies that have purchased a Business plan can enjoy the server backup features.
The IDrive online backup ensures data protection for servers like MS SQL, MS Exchange, MS SharePoint, Linux, VMware, Oracle, Hyper-V. In case of a server crash, customers can quickly restore the latest server state thanks to the Clone Computer backup.
IDrive Express™
IDrive Express™ is a temporary storage device sent to customers to speed up the transfer process of their files to the cloud. Transferring large amounts of data can sometimes take up to 60 days on a regular network. IDrive offers a temporary solution for important transfers, guaranteeing 5-10 days backup time.
End-To-End IDrive Encryption
IDrive takes customers’ data safety very seriously. To ensure that all files and folders stay secure, IDrive encrypts them with the 256-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption. This particular type of encryption is impossible to hack.
To keep data away from hackers and snoops, the 256-bit AES encryption requires a key. Users can choose between a default encryption key generated from IDrive, or a private encryption key, which needs to be set and kept safe from the user.
IDrive reviews from customers confirm that IDrive is the safest online backup solution on the market, mainly because they don’t record any of the private encryption keys made by you. This privacy measure ensures that no one can gain access to your data unless you give out your keys, of course.
The Dashboard
Being able to view and manage your count easily is an important feature, especially when it comes to storage organization. The next feature on our IDrive review list is The Dashboard. Here you can generate backup reports and have an overview of personal and group backup information, add and manage users and groups, block and delete them, and check the reports for the backup status’.
The dashboard also lets you manage the schedule of backups, restore files and folders, view logs, and modify application settings. It is the perfect tool for admins and IT managers or personal users wanting to check the status of their files.
True Archiving
Contrary to many cloud backup services, IDrive’s true archiving feature keeps all backed-up files safe, even the ones you have already deleted from the device. The files will remain on your account until you choose to delete them manually. This feature can be beneficial if you accidentally lose or delete files from your device. With a simple login to your account, you can retrieve all deleted data.
IDrive vs. Carbonite
Both IDrive and Carbonite offer online cloud storage services; however, like so many other backup platforms out there, Carbonite provides unlimited storage, but with only one device. IDrive’s unique approach to multi-device sync storage sets it apart from its competitor.
IDrive’s true archiving service ensures that you can access old files and photos that were accidentally deleted or misplaced for up to 30 days before being permanently removed from the cloud. While Carbonite also has an archiving feature, it admits it only works on the desktop PC version of their product. As a result, Carbonite reviews from Mac Users tend to be pretty low.
Apart from security, IDrive leads against Carbonite on most levels, exceeding the expectations of customers and offering more detailed and helpful services with faster upload times, mobile applications, and file-sharing options.
Customer Support
Having issues with computer backup services can be stressful, especially if there isn’t responsive and helpful customer support. IDrive has some of the best online backup support and is prepared to help. Simple answers and how-to articles with thorough video and step-by-step instructions can be found in the company’s extensive FAQs.
If you cannot find the answer you’re looking for, they also provide an easily accessible contact form where you can send a personal email.
To talk to an agent directly, you can contact the hotline. The technical support is available from Monday to Friday, from 6 AM to 11:30 PM PST. (Pacific Standard Time), and the billing and sales departments are available from Monday to Friday, from 6 AM to 6 PM PST.
iDrive Reviews Summary
IDrive has shown itself to be the leader in online cloud storage applications. Their unique approach to services makes beautiful sense, addressing the reality that most users will need multiple devices to be stored, synced, and accessible. By allowing pay options according to storage space rather than devices, IDrive sets itself apart from its competitors by enabling customers to truly choose what they need.
People Also Ask
IDrive is a good solution for backing up your hard drive and safely storing your data online. By creating a single user, you can sync your data between unlimited devices. IDrive is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android customers’ expectations and comes with a downloadable desktop and mobile app.
Even if it may be slightly slow and doesn’t offer unlimited storage, it is very safe to use, thanks to the private encryption key. There are plenty of pricing plans to choose from, and the simple interface makes it relatively easy to use.
IDrive is one of the safest online storage solutions because it uses the industry-standard 256-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption. This type of encryption is currently impossible to penetrate and probably will be for the foreseeable future.
One of the reasons users prefer to use IDrive is because of the use of private encryption keys. Users create their own personalized keys, and IDrive doesn’t store this information anywhere on their server, making it secure against a third party accessing your data (unless you give your keys away).
IDrive is an automated backup application used for storing data such as folders, photographs, and documents in a virtual cloud storage space. These features prevent file loss in the unfortunate case of losing a device or your device getting broken or stolen.
With a single-user subscription, you can store files and sync them among unlimited devices, making this application stand out from competing brands. The backup can be scheduled to run in real or specific time and includes a manual backup option. All you need to do is log into your account with any website browser to access the data.
The annual prices for IDrive can vary depending on which plan the user chooses. The lowest cost per year is the personal 5 TB plan- $69.99. For 10 TB, the yearly price stands at $99.50. The first purchase usually gets a considerable discount since there is no monthly payment option.
The lowest cost of the annual Business plan is $99.50. It includes 250 GB. For 500 GB, customers would pay $199.50 per year, whereas, with the 1.25 TB plan, they would pay $499.50.
For more storage with the Business plan options, check out the Pricing section of our review.
The answer to what’s better is a matter of preference in this case. Carbonite and IDrive aim to deliver a similar service through two different means. Carbonite delivers unlimited storage to its customers through the use of only one device. While IDrive provides limited storage to their customers through the use of unlimited devices.
Especially for businesses, or those who work on multiple platforms regularly, IDrive is definitely a good choice, allowing you to seamlessly backup your work, no matter what device you are using it on.
While it is a bit confusing, IDrive is not an Apple product. Apple’s products’ names begin with an “i,” so it is understandable why this may push people into thinking that it’s an Apple product. Apple has its own cloud storage solution- the iCloud.
It is compatible with iOS, Mac, Windows but not Android. On the other hand, IDrive works as cloud storage but can also back up your hard drive. IDrive is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
IDrive is a simple software to navigate. If you want to locate and view your stored files on IDrive, you need to first log in to your IDrive web account. Then you need to right-click the file or folder and select IDrive > Web access. From here, you will be redirected to your account, where you can access the file or folder.
The main difference between Dropbox and IDrive is that Dropbox is an online storage cloud that allows you to share files between devices, whereas IDrive is a cloud storage and an online backup solution. Online backup and online storage both store content remotely, and they let you securely store your files in case your device gets lost, broken, or stolen.
Both Dropbox and IDrive are compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux and have desktop versions making the syncing process easier.
Based on this IDrive review, it’s safe to say that iDrive will protect your files, backup your hard drive, and let you access them easily from pretty much anywhere.
