Best Cloud Backup for Mac in 2026: 5 Ranked Solutions
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We evaluated five cloud backup services for Mac based on storage capacity, encryption controls, restore speed, and configuration complexity. This ranking is for Mac users who need reliable offsite backups, ranging from hands-off whole-system protection to granular, project-level data management.
How we ranked these
At a glance
| # | Product | Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Backblaze Personal Backup | 9.2 | $99/year | Users needing hands-off, whole-Mac offsite backup with minimal configuration and large data volumes |
| 2 | iDrive | 8.7 | ~$70/year (first year) | Multi-device households with moderate storage needs per machine |
| 3 | Arq Backup | 8.1 | $49.99 one-time | Users who want to control encryption, pick their own S3 bucket, and manage version history |
| 4 | Tusk | 7.5 | — | Users needing project-level backup to S3 or Google Drive alongside local drives |
| 5 | Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office | 7.0 | — | Users requiring feature-rich, image-based backups with advanced scheduling |
Backblaze Personal Backup
$99/year 9.2- Unlimited storage capacity for one computer
- Zero-configuration whole-Mac backup requiring no folder selection
- Mailed USB hard drive restore option for large recoveries
- 30-day file version retention (extendable)
- External drives not connected for 31 days fall out of coverage
- Large restores (e.g., 400GB) over home internet take days
- Provider holds encryption key unless user adds a private key
Best for: Users needing hands-off, whole-Mac offsite backup with minimal configuration and large data volumes
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iDrive
~$70/year (first year) 8.7- Multi-device support (computers, phones, tablets) under one account
- Client-side encryption with a private key
- NAS backup via desktop client
- Advanced file sharing and syncing capabilities
- 5TB shared cap breaks for single machines with terabytes of data (e.g., 4TB of video)
- Not suitable for solo creatives with unlimited storage needs
- Renewal price jumps to ~$99.50/year
Best for: Multi-device households with moderate storage needs per machine
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Arq Backup
$49.99 one-time 8.1- Client-side encryption where the user holds the key
- Allows choice of cloud destination (e.g., S3 bucket)
- Excels at version history by keeping many past versions of changed files
- Perpetual license including one year of updates
- Requires manual folder selection (not zero-config)
- Premium plan caps storage at 1TB unless using own S3
- Arq Premium costs an additional $6/month for up to 5 devices
Best for: Users who want to control encryption, pick their own S3 bucket, and manage version history
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Tusk
7.5- Project-level backup that selects specific project folders
- Tracks where every file lives, even when drives are disconnected
- Backs up to S3 or Google Drive alongside local drives
- User chooses which folders on external drives to include
- Not a whole-Mac backup solution
- Requires folder selection (not zero-config)
- Pricing isn't published publicly — you have to ask for a quote
Best for: Users needing project-level backup to S3 or Google Drive alongside local drives
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Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office
7.0- Image-based backups for full system recovery
- Robust scheduling options for automated backups
- Feature-rich backup software with automation and control
- Lacks the granular file-level versioning controls of Arq or Backblaze
- Not optimized for simple, zero-config whole-Mac backup
- Pricing isn't published publicly — you have to ask for a quote
Best for: Users requiring feature-rich, image-based backups with advanced scheduling
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How to choose
Choose Backblaze or Acronis if you need hands-off whole-Mac protection without folder selection. Pick Arq or Tusk if you are willing to manually define which folders to back up for granular control.
Select Arq or iDrive if you require client-side encryption where you hold the private key. Backblaze holds the key by default unless you add a private key, which may be acceptable for simpler setups.
Backblaze is the only option offering unlimited storage for a single Mac. iDrive has a 5TB shared cap that breaks for terabyte-scale data, and Arq caps managed storage at 1TB unless you use your own S3 bucket.
Backblaze offers a mailed USB hard drive for large recoveries, avoiding days-long internet transfers. Other services rely on standard network restores, which are slower for large data volumes.
Our verdict
Backblaze Personal Backup is the top pick for Mac users needing hands-off, whole-system offsite backup with unlimited storage and minimal configuration. Arq Backup is the runner-up for users who prioritize client-side encryption key control and granular version history over zero-config simplicity.
Frequently asked questions
Which service offers the most storage for a single Mac?
Backblaze Personal Backup provides unlimited storage capacity for one computer, whereas iDrive caps shared storage at 5TB and Arq Premium limits it to 1TB unless using a personal S3 bucket.
Can I keep the encryption key myself?
Yes, with Arq Backup and iDrive, which both support client-side encryption where the user holds the private key. Backblaze holds the key unless the user adds a private key, while Tusk and Acronis do not specify key management details in the provided content.
Is there a zero-config option for backing up the entire Mac?
Backblaze Personal Backup is the only solution listed that requires no folder selection and automatically backs up the whole Mac. Arq, Tusk, and iDrive require manual folder selection or specific project configuration.
Which solution is best for managing version history of changed files?
Arq Backup excels at version history by keeping many past versions of changed files. Backblaze offers 30-day file version retention, while Acronis lacks the granular file-level versioning controls found in Arq or Backblaze.
