Carbonite Safe remains a popular online backup solution, primarily due to its unlimited storage and Windows Explorer integration. However, there are some caveats to consider.
Carbonite Safe offers unlimited online backup with file versioning, retaining older versions of your files. This distinguishes it from a simple sync service. Data is encrypted, and you can manage your encryption key or entrust it to Carbonite.
Clean and intuitive interface
By default, Carbonite intelligently backs up common data locations like Documents, Pictures, and Music. You can also customize your backup selection. One downside is the lack of local backup options, which are generally faster and easier to restore. Another minor drawback is the limited online file viewing (primarily images) and the absence of online editing capabilities. Carbonite focuses on backup and storage, not online work.
Carbonite portal
Adding files and folders to your backup is straightforward, though slightly more cumbersome in Windows 11 due to changes in context menus. While right-clicking and selecting “Back this up” was simple in Windows 10, Windows 11 requires an extra step: right-click, select “Show More Options,” then choose “Back this up.”
Carbonite icons indicating backup status
Carbonite uses a unique system of dots on file and folder icons to indicate backup status: orange for pending and green for completed. However, this feature wasn’t consistently present during testing, possibly due to conflicts with other software.
Carbonite’s continuous data protection (CDP) has limitations. While the initial change to a file is backed up quickly, subsequent changes might not be saved for up to 24 hours. This can be problematic for frequently edited files. A daily backup option is available, and setting it for the end of your workday might be more reliable than relying on the “continuous” backup.
Carbonite online portal
Restoring data is simple, either through a virtual drive Carbonite installs or via the web interface. The virtual drive acts as a portal to your online data. However, the virtual drive’s visibility within Windows Explorer’s location tree was inconsistent during testing. You can also download data directly from the Carbonite website.
Carbonite context menu
While file versioning is available, accessing older versions requires an extra step through the context menu. Carbonite also offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, providing file access but not phone backup.
Performance during continuous backup was generally good, with no noticeable impact on system resources. However, the delayed backup of subsequent file changes remains a concern. Changes were reflected more quickly on the virtual drive than on the web interface, likely due to caching.
Virtual drive showing backup status
Carbonite offers several pricing tiers: Basic, Plus, and Prime. All plans offer unlimited storage, but the Basic plan lacks automatic video backup and external drive support. It also doesn’t support network locations or cloud-mounted drives.
Pricing plans
Carbonite Safe is a decent set-it-and-forget-it backup solution, particularly appealing for its unlimited storage. However, the limitations of its “continuous” backup and the lack of local backup options should be considered. While suitable for average users, those requiring real-time backup or local copies might need to explore alternative solutions.
