Backblaze Versus iDrive Cloud Backup Solutions

[JoelBC]

A brief update. I am continuing to dial in both Arq and IDrive but am leaning towards Arq although it is more work to setup than IDrive and possibly more expensive. The reason being that I feel that Arq has a more intuitive interface, provides me with more control / flexibility and the ability backup multiple devices is not of value to me. happy to hear opposing views!

I have the following nits with respect to Arq and would appreciate any solutions people have as Arq technical support is not great.

1. Activity Log Deletion: While there is not a method for deleting Activity Logs that I can find, this would be a great feature to add for a number of reasons including i) as old backups are discarded / roll off there is no need for the old activity log ii) as the selected backup files change, there is no need for activity logs that no longer apply iii) when backup fails (i.e., no internet service) there is no need for the activity log once the user has fixed the fail reason and iv) more.

I tried turning off Full Disk Access, rebooting my MBP, deleting the old activity logs, rebooting MBP, turning on Full Diskand rebooting my MBP but this failed; the activity logs still appeared in the Arq application window.

If anyone knows how to delete old Activity Logs please let me know.

2. Activity Log Viewing: While the activity log can be viewed via Library/Application Support/Arq/Logs/Backup it would be nice to be able to view click a button in the Application and have them open in a text window.

I have a few nits with respect to IDrive and would appreciate any solutions people have as IDrive technical support is horrible.

1. Activity Logs Not Helpful: Activity logs provide two views; 1 is a summary view that lacks any useful information when a backup fails, 1 is detailed view that list every file that was processed making it near impossible to find the offending files that failed.

2. Confusing Hierarchy: Teh file seclusion process is poor as the folders hierarchy in the selection window differ from that in macOS, this is strange.

Thanks to all!

 

[TheMadCow]

Understood.

IMO, a personal NAS set up well is probably MORE secure than big brand clouds because the big ones have the far larger prize potential for hackers. Hack a major cloud provider and they can seek millions in ransom. Hack Average Joe's personal cloud on a NAS and Joe probably couldn't/wouldn't pay even hundreds.

What backup service are you using that doesn't encrypt the backup? I'd switch immediately.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

My own Synology NAS, with Time Machine service activated and thus auto-backups to it every hour.

I also back up to two DAS drives, one DAS at home and one stored offsite to be swapped with the other regularly (every about 4 weeks in my case). Thus, I could endure any scenario that takes out both the NAS and the DAS at home and still recover nearly all of my data up to as much as 4 weeks old at worst).

Latest new file creations are also actively synched between desktop & laptop, so the 4 weeks "worst case" doesn't really apply unless it takes out dual Macs at the same time.

Synology NAS was easy to set up (execute a wizard), completely within my control, $0 subscription, and "just works." Since it has a RAID system in place, a drive can conk without losing all and while the replacement drive is integrated, the NAS still functions normally. Expansion of storage is as easy as adding a new or bigger drive, which also comes with $0/month subscription rate thereafter.

It also offers many other benefits such as faster shared storage at home, whole home DVR for all AppleTVs, whole home security, whole home media backup and server, etc.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

I am looking at cloud backup options primarily for my MBP.

I am trying to decide between Backblaze and iDrive.

In reading about the two it appears that:

1. Backblaze is easier to use and has unlimited storage but lacks disk imaging and zero-knowledge security (i.e., to recover data the user needs to send Backblaze their PEK); whereas
2. iDrive is harder to setup and potentially more costly (no unlimited storage) but does include an unlimited number of devices (not a major issue for me), disk imaging and zero-knowledge security.

I would appreciate comments / suggestions / thoughts on the two.

Thank you.

I've been using backblaze for years with my Synology nas which is where all our timemachine backups go too in the house. It has worked great for what we need.

 

[JoelBC]

I've been using backblaze for years with my Synology nas which is where all our timemachine backups go too in the house. It has worked great for what we need.

@Berries-A-Million Appreciate the input. If it were between Backblaze and IDrive base on the added research that I have done, I would opt fro IDrive as it is more robust as well as offers better security. Not thrilled about the need to send Backblaze your PEK in the event of a need to restore.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

@Berries-A-Million Appreciate the input. If it were between Backblaze and IDrive base on the added research that I have done, I would opt fro IDrive as it is more robust as well as offers better security. Not thrilled about the need to send Backblaze your PEK in the event of a need to restore.

Well the cost was a big factor for me. I've got 10 TB of stuff and Idrive when I looked was very high. I don't mind the pek. Enterprise storages do the same for encrypted data.

 

[JoelBC]

Well the cost was a big factor for me. I've got 10 TB of stuff and Idrive when I looked was very high. I don't mind the pek. Enterprise storages do the same for encrypted data.

Yikes, that is a lot of data, I understand your cost concern.

Yes, I hear you on the PEK but in my case -- as I have far less data than you -- why dow it if you don't have to?

 

[Berries-A-Million]

Yikes, that is a lot of data, I understand your cost concern.

Yes, I hear you on the PEK but in my case -- as I have far less data than you -- why dow it if you don't have to?

Hmmm guess it depends. I'd like an easier way to restore the data if I had too. But the cloud is my last resort. I have a 12tb external drive on the Synology that it backs up too as well. That's the first one. If the house burned down backblaze would be it.

 

[JoelBC]

Agreed, I have an 8 TB SSD DAS that has both CCC and TimeMachine backups on it and would be my first source. It is also very fast as I have a contrarian view that I want my backup drive to me fast because when you need to restore something, it needs to be fast, the anxious minutes seem like days.

Arq cloud backups / IDrive will be backup should my house burn down as well, that is the only purpose.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

Agreed, I have an 8 TB SSD DAS that has both CCC and TimeMachine backups on it and would be my first source. It is also very fast as I have a contrarian view that I want my backup drive to me fast because when you need to restore something, it needs to be fast, the anxious minutes seem like days.

Arq cloud backups / IDrive will be backup should my house burn down as well, that is the only purpose.

Might want to check this out.

Backblaze vs Synology C2 vs iDrive - Best NAS Backup

What is the best backup plan for your NAS? I have thoroughly tested out Backblaze, Synology C2 and iDrive over the last few months to see which is the better option.

www.petematheson.com

 

[HDFan]

Might want to check this out.

He doesn't mention BackBlazes' unlimited backup plan which costs almost 7x less than what he quoted.

 

[JoelBC]

Pulling us a bit more on track to my OP...

I have the following nits with respect to Arq and would appreciate any solutions people have as Arq technical support is not great.

1. Activity Log Deletion: While there is not a method for deleting Activity Logs that I can find, this would be a great feature to add for a number of reasons including i) as old backups are discarded / roll off there is no need for the old activity log ii) as the selected backup files change, there is no need for activity logs that no longer apply iii) when backup fails (i.e., no internet service) there is no need for the activity log once the user has fixed the fail reason and iv) more.

I tried turning off Full Disk Access, rebooting my MBP, deleting the old activity logs, rebooting MBP, turning on Full Diskand rebooting my MBP but this failed; the activity logs still appeared in the Arq application window.

If anyone knows how to delete old Activity Logs from being listed in the Arq application please let me know.

2. Activity Log Viewing: While the activity log can be viewed via Library/Application Support/Arq/Logs/Backup it would be nice to be able to view click a button in the Application and have them open in a text window.

I have a few nits with respect to IDrive and would appreciate any solutions people have as IDrive technical support is horrible.

1. Activity Logs Not Helpful: Activity logs provide two views; 1 is a summary view that lacks any useful information when a backup fails, 1 is detailed view that list every file that was processed making it near impossible to find the offending files that failed.

If anyone knows how to identify the files that failed the backup please let me know/

2. Confusing Hierarchy: The file selection process is poor as the folders hierarchy in the selection window differ from that in macOS, this is strange.

Thanks to all!

 

[JoelBC]

Hi All!

Although there are a few outstanding items to resolve (as noted in the above post), I thought I would share my final landing point with you and invite others to comments.

Arq: Arq will be backup approach / software of choice in that i) it is, at least for me, the easiest to understand and use (i.e., the log reports are understandable, the manual is helpful, the settings are easy to follow, etc.) ii) it is the most configurable iii) it is the only solution (among the 3) that has the ability to backup the Library folder and the System folder (i.e., the allowable files) and in this regard provides the most security iv) is zero knowledge security and v) it simply works!

Cost wise -- through the premium subscription -- it is reasonable and, after added testing, fast enough.

Backblaze: Backblaze has unlimited disk space, is easy to configure and is cost effective. I decided against it because I could not backup the Library folder or the System folder (i.e., the allowable files) for which there is no override (the manual is very clear on this). This was an important feature for me because in the event of a fire / water damage / etc. I want a full backup (i.e., more than just my data files) so that I can use Migration Assistant to rebuild my laptop. Just my preference.


IDrive: IDrive has unlimited device, is easy to configure and is cost effective. I decided against it because i) I could not backup System folder (i.e., the allowable files) for which there is no override and ii) the logs are difficult to use (i.e., the summary log contains too little detail while the detailed log has so much information that it is nearly impossible to identify the files that failed).

The importance of backup up the System folder is as noted for Backblaze though admittedly it is less of an issue here because here because the Library folder can be backed up.

The log issue is real. The logs indicated that three or four files were failing but it took a very long to identify / find the files so that I could investigate why. This is an area where Arq excels, the blog file is crystal clear and identifies the files that fails and nothing else (unlike IDrive which lists every file, whether it fails or not)!

***​

I welcome comments from others!

 

[JoelBC]

Quick shoutout to Arq!

I upgraded to Sonoma and as a result there were some additional files for which backups were prohibited as seen in BOTH Finder and CCC.

The Arq log made it very easy to identify these files.

The Arq file selector made it very easy to exclude these files!

Thus Arq is now backing up exactly what is needed with no omissions and no errors!

Very easy and very good!

 

[JoelBC]

Hi All!

Apologies for bringing this back to life but I did not know where else to post this. Hoping @gilby101 , @Weaselboy and others who have been so helpful in teh past can help out once again.

I have noticed that before October 24, 2023 my Arq backups were taking anywhere from 0.75 hours to 2.00 hours to run while on and after October 24, 2023 the very same Arq backups are taking between 8.00 hours and 12.00 hours to run!

I have changed nothing on my setup (i.e.. modem is the same (as is are the speediest results), backup set is the same, backup location (Arq Premium with Backup Location = Finland) is the same, etc.).

Please help me get back to where my previous speeds as this is one of the reasons I chose Arq!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Hi All!

Apologies for bringing this back to life but I did not know where else to post this. Hoping @gilby101 , @Weaselboy and others who have been so helpful in teh past can help out once again.

I have noticed that before October 24, 2023 my Arq backups were taking anywhere from 0.75 hours to 2.00 hours to run while on and after October 24, 2023 the very same Arq backups are taking between 8.00 hours and 12.00 hours to run!

I have changed nothing on my setup (i.e.. modem is the same (as is are the speediest results), backup set is the same, backup location (Arq Finland) is the same, etc.).

Please help me get back to where my previous speeds as this is one of the reasons I chose Arq!

Try changing the backup location.

 

[JoelBC]

Try changing the backup location.

@Apple_Robert Appreciated, can / will try that any se what happens.

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[JoelBC]

I logged into my Arq account and it does not appear as though the Arq Server location can be changed without deleting the current setup and starting all over again. This is a lot of work especially should the speed not improve.

Two questions:

1. Does anyone know of a way / workaround for changing the Arq Premium back server location?

2. Does anyone have any other ideas for restoring the backup speed to its previous performance levels?

Thank you.

 

[JoelBC]

Apologies for the somewhat lengthly post but here goes!

As a start, I am still waiting for Arq support to come back with an answer as to why the backup times have increased so dramatically.

As an attempt to determine whether the problem is server related I decided to back up the exact same data using Arq 7 to Backblaze (i.e., as an apples t apples comparison).

I am not sure that I have configured Backblaze properly and would appreciate some help:


1. I do not understand all the settings when creating a bucket (i.e., bucket settings, lifestyle settings, etc.)? Please help me understand these settings (ad their sub-settings) to ensure that I have a proper setup.

2. I do not understand how / where to find the backup files as the "Browse Files" is confusing; for example, where in the below image can I find / see the files that are backed up (see attached file)?

3. When setting up Arq 7 to backup to Backblaze I am asked whether I want to use an encryption key. Is this necessary / recommended given that Arq 7's settings automatically use an encryption key (see attached file)? What encryption key is used, i) the one I created when settings up Arq 7 to backup to Backblaze ii) the one specified / used in Arq 7's settings or iii) both? And, if both, does tho slow teh backup process and is this necessary?

4. With respect to Arq 7 backups with Backblaze, I am currently not doing / using an immutable backup. Would it be better to do an immutable backup and, if yes, then why?



Thanks in advance!