Best Cloud Backup Software for Small Businesses in 2026

The best cloud backup software for small businesses is not necessarily the tool with the longest feature list. It is the one that matches the data your company cannot afford to lose. A company with five laptops has different needs from a business running a file server, NAS, accounting database, or Microsoft 365 environment. That is why the best cloud backup software for small businesses depends on the workloads in use. The best option is the one that actually covers your important data, keeps useful restore points, and lets your team recover without guesswork.

For a small team that mainly needs to protect employee laptops and desktops, Backblaze Business Computer Backup is a strong starting point. If your setup includes servers, NAS devices, or a mix of business workloads, compare IDrive Business. For endpoint backup with recently expanded options for servers, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace, consider CrashPlan. If you want backup combined with cybersecurity and device management, look at Acronis Cyber Protect. If your main concern is Microsoft 365 data, Microsoft 365 Backup is a focused option to evaluate alongside endpoint backup.

This comparison of cloud backup software for small businesses explains what the services do, where their limits matter, and how to evaluate them with a real recovery test. Product features, plan names, and prices change, so confirm current details with each vendor before purchasing.

Best cloud backup software for small businesses: quick comparison

What cloud backup does—and what it does not do

Cloud backup creates a recoverable copy of selected data and stores it in a remote service. The backup may run continuously or on a schedule. If a laptop fails, an employee deletes a folder, or a file becomes corrupted, an administrator or user can restore an earlier copy. The exact recovery process depends on the product and the data source.

Backup is different from ordinary file synchronization. Sync keeps files consistent across devices. If a user deletes a synced file, or ransomware encrypts it and that change syncs, the deletion or altered version may spread to the other devices. Many sync services have recycle bins and version history, which can help, but their purpose and recovery controls differ from a separate backup service. A business should check that it has an independent, retained copy that can be restored after account compromise or a mistake.

Cloud backup also does not automatically mean that every company system is protected. A service may cover files on employee computers but exclude network shares, NAS devices, databases, virtual machines, email, or cloud collaboration services. Some products offer separate modules or plans for these workloads. A business needs to make a list of the data it depends on and map each item to a product feature before treating a subscription as a complete backup plan.

Think of backup in three parts:

1. The source: the computer, server, SaaS account, or shared drive where the original data lives.
2. The backup copy: the versioned data held by the backup provider or in a separate storage destination.
3. The restore path: the steps, permissions, and time required to put the data back where people can use it.

A service that performs the first two parts but has a confusing or slow restore process may not meet a business’s recovery needs. That is why testing a restore is part of selecting software, not a task to postpone until a crisis.

1. Backblaze Business Computer Backup: best for simple endpoint coverage

Backblaze Business Computer Backup is a practical choice when the main goal is protecting employee laptops and desktop computers without managing a complicated backup system. Backblaze describes its business product as endpoint backup for Mac and Windows computers. Its business page lists unlimited endpoint backup, central groups and administration, deployment options, restore controls, and one-year version history.

That focus makes it a good fit for a small office, remote team, or creative business where important work is stored on staff computers. A manager can organize endpoints by team or location and retain administrative control over access and recovery. This can matter when a laptop is lost, damaged, or assigned to a departing employee.

The simplicity has boundaries. Backblaze’s computer backup documentation says network-mounted drives, NAS devices, remotely mounted computers, and shared volumes are excluded from Computer Backup. The company points customers to its B2 Cloud Storage product for network-drive backup. That means a business with a NAS should not assume the endpoint product silently covers it. It should confirm which service and setup are needed for network data.

Version history is another detail to confirm. Backblaze’s business product page lists one-year version history, while its general computer backup documentation describes 30 days by default with an option to enable extended history. Businesses should review the current business account configuration and ensure the retention setting they need is active. One year of history is useful for some incidents, but it may not satisfy a longer legal or regulatory retention requirement.

Consider the day-to-day workload as well. An endpoint backup tool is designed to preserve user files; it is not automatically a full disaster-recovery system for every server, application, or business service. A business that needs bare-metal recovery, application-aware database backups, or a complete virtual-machine restore should validate those capabilities separately.

Choose Backblaze if: most critical data sits on employee Macs or PCs, you want a straightforward deployment, and your NAS or server requirements are limited or covered by a separate product.

Look elsewhere or add another tool if: your company depends on NAS storage, server images, databases, or cloud applications that the endpoint plan does not cover.

2. IDrive Business: best for mixed devices and servers

IDrive Business is worth comparing when a company needs more than laptop backup. IDrive lists business support for multiple computers and servers, including workloads such as Microsoft SQL Server, on-premises Exchange Server, VMware, Hyper-V, Oracle, Linux servers, and NAS devices. The company also describes centralized management, sub-accounts, and physical data transfer options for large backup or recovery jobs.

This broader workload range can help a small business that has grown beyond a few employee laptops. For example, a professional-services firm might need to protect staff computers, a local server holding shared documents, and a NAS used for working files. A single administrative view may make it easier to see whether backups are active across these systems, although the business still needs to check the exact plan and configuration for each workload.

The main purchasing decision is storage capacity. IDrive’s business plans use storage tiers, so estimate the full backup set before choosing a plan. Include the data already on each device, expected growth, and any versions retained over time. A compressed or incremental backup can reduce transferred data, but it does not eliminate the need to estimate capacity. Ask whether exceeding the plan limit leads to charges, blocked backups, or a required upgrade, and check current terms directly with the provider.

IDrive also has separate cloud-application backup services. The word “business” does not mean that every SaaS service is automatically included in every standard backup plan. If you need Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Box, Salesforce, or another cloud app protected, identify the separate product, seats, and storage model required. Confirm what objects can be restored—such as mail, files, calendars, or full accounts—and how long the backup history is kept.

For network storage, distinguish between backing up the NAS device itself and backing up files that happen to be visible on a computer. The NAS model, operating system, and supported integration can affect setup. A trial should include a realistic test of the NAS data source, not just a quick test from a Windows laptop.

IDrive lists 256-bit AES encryption in transit and at rest and a user-defined private encryption key option for some services. A private key can add control, but it also creates a responsibility: if a business loses the key, it may lose the ability to restore its own data. Write down how the key is stored, who can access it, and what happens if the person who set it up leaves.

Choose IDrive Business if: you need to protect a variety of computers, servers, databases, or NAS devices and can size the plan to your data.

Look elsewhere or add another tool if: you need an unlimited-storage endpoint plan, do not want to manage storage tiers, or require a SaaS workload that is not included in the selected subscription.

3. CrashPlan: best for endpoint and cloud-app coverage

CrashPlan’s small-business offering has broadened beyond endpoint backup. The company now lists backup and recovery for endpoints, Windows and Linux servers, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace. Its small-business materials describe automatic backup, version recovery, and restoration to a new device or location. CrashPlan also advertises a free trial for testing setup, management, and recovery before purchase.

This expanded scope can make CrashPlan interesting for companies that want to manage endpoint and selected cloud-app protection from one vendor. A small organization may have documents on laptops, shared cloud files, and email that employees rely on every day. Having a separate backup copy for each of those sources can reduce dependence on a single device or SaaS account’s built-in recovery features.

The important phrase is “options for.” Each source may have a distinct plan, license, or configuration. Confirm the number of users or devices covered, what data is included, how often backups run, and whether the product supports the restore level your company expects. For SaaS data, ask whether the backup can restore an individual item, a folder, or a complete account; verify what happens to permissions and metadata during recovery.

CrashPlan emphasizes version history and point-in-time restore. That can be useful after accidental edits or ransomware, but the team should understand the retention policy and how to choose a known-good version. More history is not a substitute for security: protect the backup administrator’s account, restrict who can delete backups, and make sure the recovery process remains available if the main identity provider is unavailable.

Because the service covers different workloads, the trial should test each one that matters. Back up a sample endpoint folder, a server directory, and a small set of Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace data if those modules are part of the intended setup. Then restore each sample to a separate location. A single successful laptop restore does not prove that an email or shared-drive restore will work the same way.

Choose CrashPlan if: you want endpoint protection and may also need backup for servers, Microsoft 365, or Google Workspace under the company’s available business plans.

Look elsewhere or add another tool if: you need specific infrastructure recovery, a regulated retention feature, or a particular SaaS restore capability that the selected CrashPlan plan does not offer.

4. Acronis Cyber Protect: best when backup and security belong together

Acronis Cyber Protect combines backup with cybersecurity and management features. Its small-business materials describe secure backup, proactive cybersecurity, and IT management. Depending on the edition and enabled services, Acronis documentation describes features such as malware protection, vulnerability assessments, continuous data protection, and backup to local or cloud storage.

This combination may appeal to a business that wants to coordinate data protection with endpoint security and device administration. A small IT provider or an owner managing several devices may prefer a single console and common policies. Continuous data protection for selected files or applications can be useful when a business needs more frequent recovery points than a daily schedule offers.

The tradeoff is that a broad platform requires more careful configuration. A small company that only wants copies of office documents may not need every security or management module. The business should compare editions, determine what storage is included, identify which features depend on a service provider or add-on, and estimate the monthly or annual cost at its actual device count.

Acronis offers different product lines and deployment models, so do not treat “Acronis” as one identical plan. The small-business product page and the provider-oriented Cyber Protect Cloud platform may have different packaging. Confirm whether the offer is intended for direct small-business purchase or an MSP relationship. If a managed service provider supplies the subscription, clarify which party monitors failed backups and handles restores.

Ransomware recovery also deserves a practical test. Ask how the software identifies a clean restore point, whether anti-malware scanning applies during recovery, and how backups are protected from deletion or encryption by an administrator account. Security features can reduce risk, but they do not remove the need for separate account controls and tested recovery procedures.

Choose Acronis if: the business wants a broader platform that combines backup, cybersecurity, and device management, and has someone who can configure and monitor it.

Look elsewhere or add another tool if: your needs are limited to simple endpoint file backup and the additional modules would increase cost or management work without clear value.

5. Microsoft 365 Backup: best as a focused Microsoft 365 layer

Microsoft 365 Backup is designed for Microsoft 365 data, including SharePoint sites, OneDrive accounts, and Exchange Online mailboxes. Microsoft’s documentation describes backup policies, recovery windows, and restore options for those workloads. It is therefore relevant to a company that relies heavily on Microsoft 365 and wants a dedicated backup and recovery path for that environment.

It is not a full endpoint backup product. It does not protect a Windows laptop’s local desktop folder unless that data is covered by a separate endpoint or file-backup process. It also does not by itself protect a NAS, Linux server, Google Workspace tenant, or every third-party application in a business. A company may use Microsoft 365 Backup alongside a separate tool for employee devices and other systems.

When comparing a Microsoft 365 backup option, decide what “recovery” means for your team. Recovering a whole SharePoint site is different from finding one deleted document or restoring a mailbox item. Confirm the supported recovery points, retention configuration, administrator permissions, and billing model. Microsoft’s documentation describes configurable recovery windows, so the organization should set a policy that matches its risk and retention needs.

A second copy can also help reduce reliance on one administrative boundary. If an attacker compromises a tenant administrator account, the company should know whether its backup controls remain protected and how it can restore data safely. Review identity security, multifactor authentication, least-privilege access, and restore permissions as part of deployment.

Choose Microsoft 365 Backup if: Microsoft 365 is a critical data source and you want focused protection for Exchange Online, OneDrive, and SharePoint.

Pair it with another backup service if: you also need laptop, server, NAS, Google Workspace, or other application coverage.

How to choose the best cloud backup software for small businesses

To choose the best cloud backup software for small businesses, start with an inventory, not a vendor demo. Write down where important data is stored and who needs to restore it. Include at least these categories:

• Employee laptops and desktops
• Shared folders and network drives
• NAS devices and file servers
• Databases and business applications
• Virtual machines or cloud-hosted servers
• Email and collaboration data
• Accounting, payroll, customer-management, and design tools
• Data owned by contractors or departing employees

For each source, record its approximate size, how quickly it changes, how long it must be retained, and how soon it must be restored after a problem. A two-person consulting business may be able to wait overnight for a full restore. An online retailer may lose sales every hour its inventory or order system is unavailable.

Then define two simple recovery targets:

• Recovery point objective (RPO): How much recent work can the business afford to lose? If the answer is four hours, a daily backup may leave too large a gap.
• Recovery time objective (RTO): How quickly must the business be working again? Restoring a few documents is different from rebuilding a server or recovering a full cloud tenant.

These targets do not need to be formal or technical to be useful. Ask the owner, operations lead, and staff what they could tolerate. If the business has compliance obligations or customer contracts, check those requirements before setting a retention period.

Next, compare the tools against the inventory. Do not select a product because it has a familiar brand or an attractive introductory offer. Select it because it covers the business’s real sources and has a restore path the team can use.

How much should a small business spend?

There is no reliable single price that applies to every small-business backup setup. Vendors change rates, run promotions, and package features differently. Some charge per computer, some by user, some by storage tier, and some combine a base subscription with capacity or add-on fees. The total can also depend on whether the business buys directly or through an MSP.

A better estimate begins with the number of protected endpoints and the total data volume. Add servers, NAS devices, SaaS users, longer retention, and any premium recovery features. If the company has a large archive or frequent file changes, ask how those affect storage use and billing. For a tiered plan, determine what happens when the account exceeds its capacity. For a per-device plan, count seasonal workers and shared machines as well as full-time employees.

Compare the expected cost over at least one year, and check renewal pricing rather than only the first term. Consider administration time too. A low-cost tool that requires hours of manual checks every week may cost more in staff time than a slightly higher-priced service with usable alerts and centralized management.

Before purchasing, ask the provider for a written quote that identifies:

• Number of users and devices covered
• Storage allowance and overage treatment
• Retention and version history
• SaaS, server, database, and NAS modules
• Restore fees or physical media costs, if any
• Support availability and escalation process
• Renewal price and cancellation terms

A quote makes it easier to compare like with like. It also prevents a common mistake: comparing an endpoint-only price from one vendor with an all-workload package from another.

Security and administration checklist

Backup is part of a security plan, but a backup account can itself become a target. If an attacker can delete the backup or change its retention policy, a copy in the cloud may not be enough. Review the administrative controls alongside the storage and restore features.

At a minimum, consider the following:

Protect the administrator account

Use multifactor authentication and unique credentials for backup administrators. Do not share a single password among staff. Keep at least two authorized administrators, but limit their permissions to what they need. If a provider supports single sign-on, confirm how administrators can sign in if the identity provider is unavailable.

Separate routine access from deletion rights

Staff who restore a file should not necessarily be able to delete all backups. Check whether roles separate backup monitoring, routine restore, retention changes, and account deletion. The fewer people who can remove protected data, the smaller the chance that a mistake or compromised account destroys recovery options.

Understand encryption and key ownership

Ask how data is encrypted during transfer and while stored. If a private encryption key is offered, decide who owns it, how it is stored, and how it will be handed over if the employee who configured the system leaves. Strong encryption is useful only if authorized people can still recover the data.

Protect retention settings

Set retention to match how far back the company may need to recover. Do not assume the default is long enough. Check whether an administrator can shorten retention or permanently delete a backup, and whether the service offers a lock, legal hold, or other safeguard for selected workloads.

Keep an offline or separate copy where it matters

Cloud backup protects against many local incidents, but a business with high-impact data may want an additional copy with a separate access boundary. CISA’s ransomware guidance recommends keeping backups and regularly testing backup procedures. The appropriate design depends on the company’s risk and recovery requirements.

Monitor for failed backups

A backup that stopped running quietly is no help during a crisis. Configure notifications to reach someone who will act on them. Review failures promptly, especially after a device is replaced, an account is disabled, or a storage location changes.

A practical rollout plan for a small team

Name a primary backup owner and a backup contact. Make an inventory of critical data, then map each source to a product, schedule, retention policy, and restore process. Pilot the setup on a few representative devices before deploying it across the company.

During the pilot, confirm that the expected folders are included, that the first backup completes, and that alerts reach someone who can act. Restore a few files to a separate location. Once the deployment is stable, check for failed devices, new employees, departed employees, storage growth, and policy changes at least monthly. Schedule a fuller recovery test every quarter.

How to test a backup before trusting it

A successful status indicator only proves that a process reported success. It does not prove that the correct files were selected or that the business can recover them. A useful test should answer three questions: Is the data present? Can the team restore the needed version? Can work resume in an acceptable time?

Use a small test plan:

1. Create a folder with a few sample files on a protected computer.
2. Allow the backup to complete, then confirm the folder appears in the backup console.
3. Change one file and delete another.
4. Restore the original version and the deleted file to a new location.
5. Confirm the restored files open and contain the expected content.
6. If relevant, repeat the test for an email, shared-drive item, NAS folder, or server file.
7. Record how long each step took and who had permission to perform it.

Do not test by overwriting the only live copy of an important file. Restore to a separate folder or test device first. For larger systems, coordinate with the person responsible for the application so that a restore does not affect live data.

A business should also decide what to do if the usual administrator is unavailable. Store the recovery instructions and account recovery process somewhere accessible to authorized staff, but protect them from general access. If a private encryption key is used, make sure the recovery plan accounts for it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Treating sync as a complete backup

A cloud drive can synchronize changes across devices, but sync alone may not provide the independent, long-retained backup a business needs. Check the service’s recycle bin, version history, and account recovery controls; then decide whether an additional backup copy is required.

Assuming every file on a computer is included

Some endpoint products focus on user-generated files and exclude system files, application data, mounted network drives, or certain file types. Read the supported-data documentation and test folders that matter to your workflow.

Forgetting cloud applications

A business may back up laptops while leaving email, shared documents, and cloud CRM data to the vendor’s default retention features. Make a list of cloud services and confirm the backup plan for each one. Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace backup may be separate from endpoint coverage.

Choosing retention without considering the incident

Short retention may be enough to recover a recent accidental deletion, but not enough if a problem is discovered weeks later. Consider how long it could take to notice corruption, malicious changes, or a compromised account.

Never restoring a file

The time to discover a confusing restore screen is during a test, not during an emergency. A short test now can identify missing permissions, unclear steps, and gaps in coverage.

Giving too many people full control

More administrators increase the chance of accidental changes or compromised credentials. Give staff only the permissions required for their role and restrict backup deletion or retention changes.

Ignoring employees who leave

When a staff member leaves, the business may need to preserve files and transfer access. Decide who can access that employee’s backup and how long it will be retained before the account is deactivated.

Buying for features the business will not use

A platform with security, endpoint management, and disaster recovery may be valuable to a company that needs those tools. It may be unnecessary complexity for a small team that only wants dependable file backup. Match the plan to the actual operating model.

Comparing introductory prices only

An introductory rate may not represent the cost of the second year or the full number of devices. Include renewals, storage limits, add-ons, and administrative time in the comparison.

Which of the best cloud backup software for small businesses fits your setup?

• Remote team with mostly laptops: Compare Backblaze Business Computer Backup and CrashPlan. Confirm how shared cloud data and any local server or NAS will be protected.
• Design or media studio: Check file-size support, external-drive rules, bandwidth, version history, and how large restores are delivered. Test with a typical project folder.
• Company with a server or NAS: Compare IDrive Business, CrashPlan’s server options, and Acronis for the exact operating system and applications in use. Verify whether you get file-level recovery, system recovery, or both.
• Microsoft 365 organization: Evaluate Microsoft 365 Backup or a third-party SaaS backup for Exchange Online, OneDrive, and SharePoint. Keep endpoint protection in the plan too.
• Google Workspace organization: Confirm which data types the selected plan protects, backup frequency, retention, and granular restore. CrashPlan now lists Google Workspace coverage among its small-business options.
• Small team without IT staff: Favor clear alerts, simple restore steps, and responsive support, then confirm the product covers all critical sources.
• Regulated or contract-bound business: Verify retention, access controls, audit requirements, and legal-hold features against the exact subscription. A vendor’s general compliance statements do not by themselves establish that your business meets its obligations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best cloud backup software for small businesses?

For laptop-focused cloud backup software, start by comparing Backblaze Business Computer Backup and CrashPlan. If you rely on servers or NAS, include IDrive Business or a product with explicit support for those systems. Choose based on workload coverage and restore testing.

Is cloud storage the same as cloud backup?

No. Sync keeps files available across devices, while backup keeps recoverable copies. Check deleted-file retention, version history, and administrative recovery controls before treating sync as a backup plan.

Should a business back up Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?

Evaluate these as separate data sources. Check native recovery options and whether an independent backup is needed for the business’s retention and restore requirements.

How often should business data be backed up?

Set the schedule based on how much recent work the business can afford to lose. Active data may need more frequent backups than a rarely changed archive. Test that the schedule works without disrupting staff.

Will backup protect a business from ransomware?

A separate, versioned backup can help recovery, but it does not prevent an attack. Protect backup credentials, restrict deletion rights, retain clean versions, and test the restore process.

Is unlimited backup always better?

Not necessarily. An unlimited endpoint plan may exclude NAS, servers, or cloud applications. A storage-tier plan may cover those workloads more directly. Compare full scope and cost.

Should a business keep a local backup too?

A local or offline copy can provide another recovery path and may speed up large restores. Choose the setup based on recovery targets, data volume, and risk.

How do we know if backups are working?

Review alerts and device status, confirm expected folders are present, and periodically restore files. Test each important workload type, not only one laptop.

What should happen when an employee leaves?

Decide who can access that employee’s backup, how long it will be retained, and whether files must be transferred. Include these steps in offboarding.

Final recommendation

For small businesses comparing the best cloud backup software, start with Backblaze Business Computer Backup and CrashPlan for laptop and desktop protection. Choose IDrive Business when servers, databases, or NAS devices are central to the setup. Choose Acronis Cyber Protect if you want integrated security and management features and have someone who can configure them. Consider Microsoft 365 Backup as a focused layer for Exchange Online, OneDrive, and SharePoint rather than as a complete backup system for every company device.

Before committing, list your important data, confirm each workload is covered, review storage and retention terms, and run a trial restore. The right service is the one that protects the systems your business actually uses and gives your team a recovery process it can follow under pressure.