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What is iDrive?
IDrive is a cloud backup software, which has been on the market since 2007. It offers a wide range of features, including the backup process, file sharing, cloud sync, and more. The service also effectively protects data against intentional espionage and accidental loss. The pricing plans are reasonable, and there's even a free plan. However, IDrive does not offer unlimited plans.
iDrive is suitable for individuals, small and large businesses looking for easy, effective, and affordable solutions to back up their data to the cloud. In a nutshell, it's one of the best backup software out there.
However, is iDrive the right choice for you?
Our iDrive review will help you find out.
Features
iDrive has exceptional features. It checks all the boxes when it comes to functionality. It is a cloud backup solution that is ideal for individual use and for business purposes. It even includes sync and sharing features that not only help it compete with backup services but also with best cloud storage services, like Dropbox.
So how does iDrive work? It works by offering a wide variety of features that allow you to easily back up, protect, and restore your data.
File backup and restore
iDrive can back up files to iDrive cloud storage or to another device, such as another computer, smartphone, or external hard drive. You can even back up disk images and, as with other top-notch cloud backup solutions, you can specify exactly which folders you want to back up. By default, everything in your Desktop, Music, Documents, and Pictures folders will automatically be selected for backup.
There are also plenty of scheduling options, including real-time backup of files under 0.5 GB using the continuous backup option. You can name your backups and choose whether they will be done daily or only at specific times.
Manual backups can be done at any time by clicking “Back Up Now” in the Backup section or by checking the “Start backup immediately” box in the Scheduler tab. Like all the best online storage providers, IDrive has a multitude of notification options and even allows you to continue automatic backups that you missed as soon as the application loads the next time the system boots up.
We mentioned earlier that iDrive makes up to 30 copies of your backed up files. This versioning system is called Snapshots, and it's beneficial for businesses that have been targeted by malware or ransomware attacks. Each backup is time-stamped, so it's easy to know which one you need. That said, remember that storage is not unlimited and that keeping a large number of online backups can quickly fill your storage quota.
The best cloud storage programs handle this problem with a file cleaning feature. The IDrive one is called Archive Cleanup. This handy tool creates an exact correspondence of your local files in selected directories, so that when you delete them locally, they also disappear from cloud storage. Archive Cleanup can be done manually, or you can let IDrive take care of it automatically using the Periodic Cleaning feature.
If you choose the automatic option, be sure to carefully consider what IDrive plans to remove. Files that exceed a percentage of your total backup size will not be deleted, and this limit can be set manually, starting with 5% of your total backup size.
Synchronizing and sharing
This online cloud storage is notable in particular for the inclusion of the synchronization and sharing function, which is not generally offered by its competitors.
It is possible to create a sync folder that allows content to be automatically synchronized between devices. It helps to double the storage space in an efficient manner since filling up the folder does not consume backup storage. This indicates that the iDrive can be used as an alternative to iCloud, Google Drive and other such services in addition to its online backup function.
You can set up the iDrive sync folder in a few simple steps, and once that's done, you can transfer the folder to anywhere you want and enable selective sync, if you don't need certain files.
You can also activate the sharing function from the iDrive web client option. This is not included in the desktop extension, but the web client is simple to use and offers a comprehensive overview of all devices. You just need to select a particular item from the web client and right-click to share a folder or file. You can then add the email address of the person you want to share this file or folder with. You can even set access privileges for this person, for example by allowing them to edit or view the file.
iDrive Express
A favorite among iDrive reviewers.
iDrive Express helps to quickly feed the online account with a large amount of data. It moves data through a physical storage device that is sent to you by iDrive. It can be directly connected to the system, and data is then transferred using the local backup function. After that, the device is sent back to IDrive, and the data is uploaded and transferred to your cloud account.
The data is fully encrypted throughout this process and is therefore secure.
iDrive speed
When we did the tests for this IDrive review, we knew that speed was a vital part of the online backup service. Unfortunately, iDrive doesn't get a good score here because its speed is slow even on faster connections.
Typically, downloading and transferring a 3.5 GB folder containing text, videos, and photos will take about five minutes to download and about half an hour to transfer with a high-speed connection. In reality, it can take around 15 minutes to download and 45 minutes to an hour to transfer. It took IDrive about an hour to download and over two hours to download.
IDrive's download speed was about as expected, but the download took longer. If IDrive compressed the files first, then the download time would be significantly reduced. In the event that the connection falls during the backup, IDrive may have difficulty reconnecting and continuing with the backup.
IDrive security and privacy
Another crucial question to ask when choosing online backup storage - is iDrive secure?
Fortunately, iDrive uses 256-bit AES encryption using a key defined by the service or using a private key that the user creates. Data remains encrypted throughout transmission and even when stored on servers. They continue to be encrypted until you restore them to your system. IDrive even supports two-factor authentication, which is based on email, to access its mobile and web applications.
IDrive's privacy policy states that it collects users' personal data (such as address, payment information, and name) and records sessions (such as device name, browser type, IP address, session time and date, and download packet size). However, this information is only used to administer and improve its service, communicate more effectively with users, and personalize their experience.
While IDrive's security is great, it's critical for users to know that the service is required to eliminate encryption from folders and files before presenting them to law enforcement if required by law. Why? Because the service is located in California and must follow US laws.
Mobile app
iDrive offers Mac OS and Windows desktop applications, as well as iOS and Android mobile applications. These applications are the most popular and are also fully supported by an end-to-end encryption system. This ensures total security of your data.
Data can be backed up from mobile devices via iOS and Android apps. For iOS devices, they include calendars, videos, photos, and contacts, while for Android devices, they can also back up call history, text messages, music, and other files saved on the phone.
You can also back up servers using IDrive through the “server backup” function. There is also an option to download files to a specific folder or restore them to their original location.
When we tested the app for our iDrive review, we found it to be very effective.
Customer support
Many reviewers of iDrive complained that support was difficult to reach and slow to respond. The answers provided were not very helpful. It took hours for the support team to get back to you.
However, from a positive perspective, the iDrive FAQ section is exceptionally informative. It answers hundreds of questions in detail. It also includes various video tutorials for common tasks and activities that users may find useful.
Pricing
There are three main plans offered by iDrive. Let's take a look at it:
Basic plan (free)
This plan is free and offers 5GB. You don't have to enter your credit card details to get started, and it never expires. However, it offers very limited features.
iDrive Personal
The personal plan has two options:
- 5TH - $59.62
- 10TB - 74.62
iDrive Business
Business plans have six options:
- 250GB - 74.62
- 500GB - $149.62
- 1.25GB - $374.62
- 2.5TB - $599.62
- 5TH - $1124.62
- 12.5TB - $2249.62
Commercial plans offer additional features over personal plans, including priority support, multiple user management, and server backups. In addition, the iDrive service only offers a monthly payment in professional plans:
- 1.25 TB - $49.95/month
- 2.5TB - $79.95/month
- 5TB - $149.95/month
- 12.5TB - $299.95/month
- 25TB - $589.95/month
- 50TB - $1159.95/month
FAQs
What is iDrive for?
iDrive is a cloud backup service that allows you to back up all the data on your devices and your computer. It's the easiest way to back up offsite.
Does iDrive slow down your computer?
While IDrive itself may be slow, its desktop application won't slow down your computer. You may experience a slower Internet connection while there is a backup or restore process in progress, just as you would expect when uploading files up or down.
Final Verdict
Our research for this IDrive review proved one thing — it is indeed one of the best cloud storage services available. It is loaded with features for cloud storage and cloud backup and offers excellent security and privacy. The download and upload speed has not been very good, even with good connections.
The iDrive plans are reasonably priced for the storage you get, but they don't offer unlimited plans. However, this may not be a big deal for many since the service already offers massive storage space on the majority of its plans.
