Best Cloud Backup for PC in 2026: Top 6 Services for Windows Users
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We evaluated six leading cloud backup services for Windows PCs based on storage capacity, pricing models, security features, and disaster recovery capabilities. This ranking is specifically for PC users seeking reliable off-site data protection, ranging from budget-conscious individuals to those requiring enterprise-grade ransomware protection.
How we ranked these
At a glance
| # | Product | Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IDrive | 9.2 | $99.50/year for 5TB | Users needing multi-device protection, disaster recovery, and the best value for high-capacity backups |
| 2 | Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office | 8.8 | $49.99/year | Security-priority users requiring ransomware protection and full-image backups |
| 3 | Backblaze | 8.5 | $9/month or $99/year | Users prioritizing unlimited storage and simplicity over advanced feature sets |
| 4 | pCloud | 8.2 | Lifetime plans available (up to 10TB Fam | Budget-conscious users wanting to stop paying monthly fees for online storage |
| 5 | Proton Drive | 7.9 | — | Privacy-focused users prioritizing encryption and long-term version history |
| 6 | Internxt | 7.5 | 1TB Lifetime plan for $300 | Privacy-focused users valuing open-source code and post-quantum encryption |
IDrive
$99.50/year for 5TB 9.2- Offers snapshot-based disaster recovery to restore entire systems to a specific point in time
- Provides hybrid backup functionality combining cloud storage with local backup to external drives
- Supports unlimited devices including mobile, NAS, and external drives under a single subscription
- Delivers the lowest cost per terabyte at $1.16/TB for its 5TB plan
- Initial uploads for large data sets can take several days to complete
- Interface is dense with more settings than casual users typically require
- First-year pricing resets for new signups, potentially increasing long-term costs
Best for: Users needing multi-device protection, disaster recovery, and the best value for high-capacity backups
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Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office
$49.99/year 8.8- Includes active anti-ransomware protection alongside backup services
- Supports full-image backups for complete system restoration
- Identified as the most secure option in the category for Windows users
- Pricing scales by tier, potentially becoming expensive for high-capacity needs
- Lacks the broad multi-device ecosystem support found in competitors like IDrive
Best for: Security-priority users requiring ransomware protection and full-image backups
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Backblaze
$9/month or $99/year 8.5- Provides unlimited storage without capacity limits for a flat rate
- Offers set-and-forget simplicity ideal for users avoiding management overhead
- Annual plan at $99/year matches the cost of IDrive's 5TB plan but with no cap
- Limited feature set compared to competitors with advanced recovery options
- Lacks explicit integrations with Office 365 or Google Workspace noted in other services
Best for: Users prioritizing unlimited storage and simplicity over advanced feature sets
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pCloud
Lifetime plans available (up to 10TB Fam 8.2- Offers extremely affordable lifetime plans, eliminating recurring monthly fees
- Integrates with Windows Explorer as a virtual drive letter for seamless access
- Provides multi-device sync and mirroring capabilities
- Lacks explicit disaster recovery or snapshot-based restoration features
- No stated anti-ransomware protection or active security monitoring
Best for: Budget-conscious users wanting to stop paying monthly fees for online storage
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Proton Drive
7.9- Features zero-knowledge encryption for enhanced privacy
- Offers up to 10 years of version history on paid plans
- Delivers stable sync performance for consistent file availability
- Lacks explicit disaster recovery or system imaging capabilities
- Pricing isn't published publicly — you have to ask for a quote
Best for: Privacy-focused users prioritizing encryption and long-term version history
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Internxt
1TB Lifetime plan for $300 7.5- Uses open-source code for transparency and auditability
- Implements post-quantum encryption for future-proof security
- Offers the cheapest per-terabyte lifetime option at $300 for 1TB
- Lifetime plan cost of $300 for 1TB is higher than IDrive's $1.16/TB annual rate
- Lacks explicit disaster recovery or hybrid backup capabilities
Best for: Privacy-focused users valuing open-source code and post-quantum encryption
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How to choose
If you need over 5TB, choose Backblaze's unlimited storage at $99/year; for 5TB or less, IDrive's $99.50/year plan offers better cost efficiency at $1.16/TB.
For active anti-ransomware protection, select Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office at $49.99/year; for zero-knowledge encryption, choose Proton Drive.
If you want to eliminate monthly fees, pCloud's lifetime plans are the primary option; otherwise, IDrive's $0.25/month effective rate for 5TB is the most economical recurring plan.
Only IDrive offers snapshot-based disaster recovery to restore entire systems to a specific point in time; if this is critical, it is the sole choice.
Our verdict
IDrive is the best overall cloud backup for PC in 2026, offering the best value at $1.16/TB with unique disaster recovery and hybrid backup capabilities. Acronis is the top pick for security-critical users needing anti-ransomware protection.
Frequently asked questions
Which cloud backup service offers the lowest cost per terabyte?
IDrive offers the lowest cost per terabyte at $1.16/TB for its 5TB plan priced at $99.50/year.
Is there a cloud backup service with unlimited storage?
Yes, Backblaze offers unlimited storage for $9/month or $99/year, making it the only service in this ranking with no capacity limits.
Which service provides active anti-ransomware protection?
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office includes active anti-ransomware protection alongside its full-image backup capabilities.
Can I avoid monthly fees with a lifetime plan?
Yes, pCloud offers lifetime plans up to 10TB for the Family tier, and Internxt offers a 1TB lifetime plan for $300.
