Introduction
Online backup services have become increasingly popular in recent years as a convenient way to protect important data. While cheap or even free options may seem appealing, they can come with significant downsides. In this article, I will discuss some of the major pitfalls of cheap online backup services that users should be aware of.
Limited Storage Space
One of the defining features of cheap online backup is limited storage space. Free services may only provide 2-5GB, while inexpensive plans often max out at around 50GB. This is likely not enough to fully back up all your important files, photos, and other data. I once signed up for a free plan with only 5GB of space. I quickly filled that up with just my most important documents and photos, without even backing up my entire computer.
For perspective, modern smartphones can easily store 32GB or more of data. Heavy media users with photos, videos, and music collections will require hundreds of GB, if not 1TB or more of backup space. Make sure to understand storage limitations before choosing a cheap backup provider.
Slow Upload Speeds
Online backups work by uploading your data to cloud servers on the internet. Cheap plans often have throttled upload speeds that can make initial backups extremely slow.
My first backup to a low-cost provider took over a week on my mediocre home internet connection. Incremental backups of changed files can also get throttled and take days to complete. This can significantly reduce the convenience and practicality of cheap online backup solutions.
Paying a little more for unthrottled speeds ensures backups complete reliably and quickly. Faster uploads also make restores and recovery much quicker when needed. Slow speeds can lead to prematurely cancelling backups that seem to take forever.
Minimal Feature Set
More expensive online backup services offer a robust feature set including:
- File versioning and history
- Archiving for compliance needs
- Additional security and encryption
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Backup scheduling and automation
With cheap providers, you will likely get only the bare minimum functionality. For example, only backing up file changes incrementally rather than maintaining a history. And mobile apps may be clunky or nonexistent. Make sure the features you need are provided before choosing based on cost alone.
Questionable Reliability
Perhaps most critically, cheaper online backup providers may be less reliable than more reputable services. Stories abound online of backup files mysteriously disappearing from budget providers. Or of companies going bankrupt and shutting down without notice, taking users’ backup data with them.
I personally experienced data loss with a discount provider when a handful of my files were mysteriously missing from the cloud server.
While cost savings may be tempting, it’s important to research a provider’s reputation and track record before trusting them with your essential data. Relying solely on price can leave you vulnerable.
Hard to Recover Data
A key benefit of online backup is the ability to recover data in case of emergency, such as a computer crash or ransomware attack. But cheap providers often make data recovery difficult or complex for several reasons:
- No user-friendly desktop restore tools
- Tedious manual online restore process
- Extremely slow recovery speeds due to throttling
- Limited customer service to help with questions
Ideally, data recovery should be simple and fast in a crisis scenario. Paying more for quality providers is advisable to ensure your backup is there when you urgently need it.
Limited Device and App Support
Reputable backup providers offer applications to backup many devices like Windows PCs, Macs, Linux, Android, iPhone, tablets, and more. Cheap services may support only one or two platforms, limiting their usefulness for comprehensive backup.
For example, a cheap provider may only offer Windows and Mac apps, but no way to backup an iPhone. For full cross-device backup, choose a service that supports all your machines. Limited platform support results in major gaps in backup coverage.
Other Limitations
Cheap online backup often comes with other restrictions that can become problematic:
- File type limits (e.g. no video backup)
- Specific folder restrictions
- Small file size limits that rule out larger videos and projects
- Limited or difficult-to-use restore options
Be sure to read the fine print to look for any limitations that may interfere with your ability to fully backup and restore the data you need. Paying a little more lifts many restrictions.
Conclusion
While dirt-cheap or free online backup services are appealing, they come with substantial drawbacks for critical data protection. Limitations like storage space, speed, features, reliability, and platform support must be considered. For robust backup that you can truly rely on when needed, choosing a quality provider is highly advisable, even at a higher price. Take the time to understand the pitfalls outlined here before selecting a backup service based on cost alone. A small additional investment upfront can spare you from huge headaches down the road.
