CrashPlan vs Carbonite: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
CrashPlan
Endpoint backup solution for businesses with unlimited cloud storage, continuous file protection, and centralized admin for distributed teams.
Carbonite
Cloud backup solution for small businesses and individuals with automatic file protection, endpoint backup, and server recovery options.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | CrashPlan | Carbonite |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Remote-first companies protecting employee laptops and desktops without on-premise backup infrastructure | Non-technical small businesses that need simple cloud backup without managing complex infrastructure |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $6/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WINDOWS, MAC, LINUX | WEB, WINDOWS, MAC |
| Rating | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
CrashPlan
Pros
- Unlimited cloud storage per device means you never choose between which files to protect
- Continuous background backup catches every file change within minutes — no scheduled windows needed
- Cross-platform restore works between Mac, Windows, and Linux machines seamlessly
- Centralized admin console gives IT visibility into backup status across the entire device fleet
- Simple per-device pricing at $10/month is straightforward with no hidden storage or bandwidth fees
Cons
- Endpoint backup only — does not protect servers, VMs, databases, or SaaS application data
- No local backup option — everything must go to CrashPlan cloud, requiring reliable internet
- Initial backup of large datasets (500GB+) can take several days over standard broadband connections
- No disaster recovery orchestration, bare-metal restore, or VM replication capabilities
- Legal hold and unlimited versioning require the $15/device Professional plan
Carbonite
Pros
- Dead simple set-and-forget backup that non-technical users can install and manage without IT help
- Unlimited cloud storage on personal plans eliminates capacity planning headaches
- Continuous background protection catches new and changed files automatically without scheduled windows
- Self-service web portal for file restores reduces IT support tickets significantly
- Affordable entry price at $6/month makes cloud backup accessible for individuals and tiny businesses
Cons
- Initial backup is painfully slow—500GB can take a week or more with throttled upload speeds
- No seed drive shipping option to accelerate the first full backup like Backblaze offers
- Business products feel disjointed post-acquisition: three separate product lines with different consoles
- Disaster recovery capabilities are basic compared to Datto or Veeam—no instant virtualization
- Support quality has declined since the OpenText acquisition according to multiple customer reports
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| CrashPlan | subscription | $10/mo |
| Carbonite | subscription | $6/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose CrashPlan if...
Remote-first companies protecting employee laptops and desktops without on-premise backup infrastructure
Choose Carbonite if...
Non-technical small businesses that need simple cloud backup without managing complex infrastructure
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.