CrashPlan+: Reliable cloud backup and online storage

16.05.2012
With the upon us, you’ll need to come up with a new backup solution if this Apple service is your current backup method of choice. If you’re a fan of online, cloud-based backups, then CrashPlan is one to consider.

CodeFourtyTwo Software’s is an online backup program that backups all of your files over the Internet. Your data is stored on CrashPlan’s servers, and the program backs up multiple versions of your documents. You have a few different plans and price points to choose from, so it fits all sorts of needs. Want to backup your external backup drive? No problem—CrashPlan+ can do that, too.

The option to backup to multiple destinations means you will never be out of luck in case of a crash: if something happens to one backup location (like your MacBook), you’ll still have it on CrashPlan’s local server. You can easily restore it from another machine.

The version I tested here was CrashPlan+ Unlimited. (Read on for details of each CrashPlan+ package.) I synced backups between an iMac and CrashPlan Central, the software’s online backup location. I restored files to a MacBook Pro from CrashPlan Central, and also used the iOS app to access files.

The first step is figuring out which plan is the one for you. CrashPlan+ offers three basic plans: CrashPlan+ (starts at $1.50 per month for 10GB of online storage and one computer), CrashPlan+ Unlimited (starts at $3 per month for unlimited online storage and one computer), and CrashPlan+ Family Unlimited (starts at $6 a month for unlimited online storage between two to ten computers). Pick the one that best matches your storage needs, and then customize your payment plan. You can opt for a month-to-month payment plan, or yearlong subscriptions after that (pick between one and four years: four years gives you the best value). CrashPlan offers a free month-long trial if you’d like to try a plan out first before committing.