Arq Backup vs IDrive
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Arq Backup and IDrive.
Quick Verdict
4.0/5
Arq Backup
0 reviews
3.6/5
IDrive
0 reviews
Arq Backup is rated higher (4.0 vs 3.6). Arq Backup sends encrypted backups to your own S3, B2, Wasabi, or Google Drive. No subscription to Arq cloud — you own the destination. One-time purchase for macOS and Windows. IDrive is one of the longest-running online backup services. Supports PCs, Macs, iOS, Android, and servers. 5TB plans affordable. Snapshot retention and NAS backup support.
Arq Backup Mac and Windows backup to your own cloud | IDrive Online backup for computers, servers, and NAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.0 (0 reviews)✓ | 3.6 (0 reviews) |
| Pricing model | one-time purchase + optional subscription (Arq Premium is subscription) | freemium |
| Starting price | From $59.99/mo | Free tier available✓ |
| Best for | Mac and Windows users who want a one-time-purchase backup app sending encrypted, versioned backups to their own cloud or NAS storage | Households and small businesses with multi-terabyte data across several devices, servers, or NAS boxes who want one pooled, affordable backup subscription |
| Features | ||
| IPv6 | ||
| DDoS protection | ||
| Automated backups | ||
| Snapshots | ||
| Managed option | ||
| Bare metal | ||
| GPU available | ||
| S3-compatible | ||
| Hourly billing | ||
| Free tier | ✓ | |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | encryptedself hosted | free tiermobile app |
| Visit Arq Backup → | Visit IDrive → | |
Arq Backup
Pros
- + One-time $59.99 per-computer license with an optional, genuinely optional updates subscription
- + Backs up to storage you own — S3, B2, Wasabi, Google Drive, SFTP, NAS and other S3-compatible targets
- + End-to-end encryption with keys that never leave your machine
- + Open, documented backup format — restores do not depend on the vendor existing
Cons
- - macOS and Windows desktops only — no Linux or server agent
- - Destination storage, request and egress costs are separate and ongoing
- - File backup only: no disk imaging or bare-metal recovery
- - Small-company support with no published SLA
IDrive
Pros
- + Free 10 GB tier, no credit card required
- + NAS, server (SQL/Exchange/Oracle/VMware/Hyper-V), and SaaS backup under one pooled plan
- + Very competitive per-terabyte pricing on Personal and Team plans
- + SOC 2 Type 2 certified with AES-256 encryption and optional private-key encryption
- + Archiving, snapshots, and IDrive Express cover ransomware recovery and slow-link seeding
Cons
- - Interface feels dated and takes learning before it is comfortable
- - Initial upload speeds trail faster rivals; Express is the workaround
- - No published uptime SLA or data-center locations for the core product
- - Promotional annual pricing renews at higher list rates
- - No data-residency region choice for compliance-sensitive storage
Stay in the loop
Get weekly updates on the best new hosting and infrastructure providers, deals, and comparisons.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.