Alternatives to Carbonite
Set-and-forget consumer cloud backup
Carbonite ranks #11 of 12 in Backup software, with an Alt Score of 42. It is proprietary, sold by subscription from $6.33/month and available on Windows and macOS. 6 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Individuals, home users, and small businesses who want their computer's files backed up automatically without managing manual backups.
Continuous, automatic backup of documents, photos, music, and (on higher tiers) video to encrypted cloud storage. Plans range from basic file backup to options with external drive backup and video support. Data is protected with 256-bit encryption and can be restored after accidental deletion, hardware failure, or ransomware. Now operates as part of OpenText, with business plans supporting compliance needs like HIPAA and FERPA.
You install the Carbonite software on a Windows or Mac computer, and it runs in the background continuously uploading new and changed files to the cloud. If files are lost or a device fails, you restore them via a web browser or the mobile app.
Why people leave Carbonite
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How Carbonite compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Backup software checklist | Carbonite | Duplicati | Kopia | Duplicacy | Restic | Arq |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Incremental backups | ||||||
| E2E encryption | ||||||
| Deduplication | ||||||
| Cloud targets supported | ||||||
| Local / NAS targets | ||||||
| Scheduling | ||||||
| Versioning & retention policies | ||||||
| Restore granularity | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| Compression |
Every fact and feature listed for Carbonite is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
-
License Proprietary verified 2026-07-11
Copyright © 2025 Open Text Corporation. All rights reserved.
https://www.carbonite.com/personal/pricing/ -
Starts at $6.33/month verified 2026-07-11
$6.33/mo
https://www.carbonite.com/personal/backup/ -
Pricing model Subscription verified 2026-07-11
This pricing is applicable to new and all renewing subscriptions
https://www.carbonite.com/faqs/carbonite-safe-pricing-adjustment/ -
Platforms Windows, macOS verified 2026-07-11
Windows 7+ or OS X 10.10+
https://www.carbonite.com/personal/backup/ -
Status active verified 2026-07-11
Basic $95.99/yr* Plus $131.99/yr* Prime $161.99/yr*
https://www.carbonite.com/faqs/carbonite-safe-pricing-adjustment/ -
Incremental backups Yes verified 2026-07-11
By default, Carbonite backs up the first changes made to a file within 10 minutes of the file changing in each 24-hour period.
https://support.carbonite.com/articles/Personal-Windows-How-Carbonite-Backs-Up-Your-Files -
E2E encryption Partial verified 2026-07-11
The encryption key and password are not stored by Carbonite when managed locally.
https://support.carbonite.com/articles/Personal-Pro-Windows-Encryption-Key-Password -
Cloud targets supported Yes verified 2026-07-11
256-bit encryption to a secure cloud (in rest or transit)
https://www.carbonite.com/personal/backup/ -
Local / NAS targets No verified 2026-07-11
Automatic, encrypted cloud backup storage.
https://www.carbonite.com/personal/backup/ -
Scheduling Yes verified 2026-07-11
Carbonite will run continually in the background. Changes to your files are backed up within 10 minutes of the first change.
https://support.carbonite.com/articles/Personal-Windows-Scheduling-Your-Backup -
Open source No verified 2026-07-11
Copyright © 2025 Open Text Corporation. All rights reserved.
https://www.carbonite.com/personal/pricing/
FAQ
Yes. Kopia, Restic and Vorta have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Duplicati, Kopia and Restic — every license claim links its source.