At a Glance
Our Rating
Rating: 
Price:
- IDrive Basic: $Free
- IDrive Pro for Personal Use: $4.95/month, $49.50/year.
- IDrive Pro for Business: Starts at $9.95/month, $99.50/year.
Pros:
- Drag-and-drop file restore feature.
- Backup set search capability.
- Mapped drive support.
- Phone support for paid users.
- Ability to pause and then re-start the upload of files.
Cons:
- Confusing interface.
- No wizard to help.
- Backup space not unlimited. Overuse charged at $0.50 USD/GB/Month.
Sign Up
Full Review
IDrive is an online backup service that is getting a few mixed reviews. Overall, the entire system is wonderful for backing up your files, however, many believe the interface is a bit hard to use in the beginning until you get use to using it. Once a user learns the interface it is a wonderful and much needed part tool for any person.
IDrive offers a few features that other online backup services do not offer such as a unique feature known as “sync” function that will allow you to erase old files from their online archive so you will always have up to date folders without the old files getting in the way when you wish to restore your files.
The interface may look a bit confusing, however, it is really unique in that it offers a drag and drop feature that many online backup services do not.
There are three different versions that individuals can choose including a free version that allows up to 2GB of storage, a pro version with unlimited space for $4.95, and a business version for 50GB for $9.95 per month or $99.95 per year. For those that wish phone support the paid versions are the way to go as the free version does not offer phone support.
Downloading and installing the IDrive software is simple like the rest. You can choose to use the default encryption key or use your own key; however, if you use your own encryption key, you will be the only one with this secure key. IDrive does not keep this information, if you lose the key you are out of luck on retrieving your files.
The interface as stated before is a bit tricky. You will see a three-pane window and two folder trees of your hard drive. There is no wizard with the IDrive to suggest what folders or files you should backup as well as no recommendation as to when you should backup your files. You can find a Wizard menu choice, which offers the option of choosing e-mail, music, my documents, so on, and so forth.
Honestly, after learning how to use the interface the backup service is quite nice to use and is easy. IDrive offers drag and drop file restore, web based viewing of the backup logs, and backup set searching.
All the backup data that a user uploads is encrypted for security reasons while recommending a private encryption key to ensure that no one including employees of IDrive will be able to access your files.
The location of the server is secure with features such as raised floors, temperature controls, and other physical features to ensure an up time of 24/7, so all users will have access to their files at any given time.
12 Comments
With IDrive I found what I was looking for. it’s not really “unlimited”, but 150 GB for personal users are enough. My hdd don’t reach that capacity. So, it’s perfect.
I found IDrive for Mac much easier to use than the Mozy (my othere choice) software. With Mozy I wasn’t able to select regular folders like “Documents” “Movies” and “images”
For this reason, I decided for IDrive.
These are my first impressions, I will deeply test and review 3 online backup service on my blog. Bye!
@pluginguy Thanks for your review on IDrive I am sure it will help others.
I am test driving now IDrive and Crashplan. (dissappointed Memopal user)
IDrive is faster, small memory footprint, but has confusing UI; limited storage.
Crsahplan is slower for backup and restore (Crashplan Central), takes ~50MB RAM, unlimited storage, and allows you to backup to other computers.
Otherwise – quite compararble.
Any other inputs re both services?
This is a PIECE OF JUNK. 3 weeks of UNRESPONSIVE and MISLEADING support, 2 reinstalls (per their instructions) and one “update” ended with a phone call in which “Jason” told me “WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FOR $5?”
BUGGY and UNHELPFUL INTERFACE—– “Backup Set Size” is never accurate once you change ANY selection of files. The program stops regularly due to “connection problems” (Note- I have NO OTHER connection problems on my Comcast account). The thing takes HOURS to work through confirming all of the files it has previously backed up BEFORE it starts backing up new files (then stops – see above). Picks files to back up seemingly at random. Since this software takes so long to back things up, you never know what has been backed up and what has not. Long periods (tens of minutes) of seemingly no activity. Tech Support says “it is really doing things while you see nothing”, but they can’t say what.
SLOWER THAN MOLASSES—– 3 weeks of forcing this thing to continuously back up (set schedule to restart 1 hour after it stops due to a “connection problem”) and it is doing LESS THAN 1GB a DAY. So if you have 100 GB to back up you better be ready to wait a HALF YEAR to get a full backup. I monitor my incoming and outgoing data, and after the software finally works through the previously backed up files, it sends a 5 second burst of data at 2mbps (my upload speed is reliably 3mbps) then WAITS 30 to 40 seconds before the next one! THIS APPEARS TO BE PURPOSEFULLY THROTTLING DOWN the data rate. So the whole idea they provide 150GB is a JOKE.
This is JUNK, MISLEADING, and BUGGY garbage. Support is useless and without any idea what they are doing. ZERO STARS if I could give it.
Sorry to hear you are having trouble with IDrive. I know the clients that I have worked with that we installed IDrive with have not had any major problems.
Why? Because my experience with this customer-unfriendly company and their incredibly bad software and service was so bad I made sure to post everywhere I could find a review! That’s why. Attacking the poster instead of the substance of the post is a low cynical ploy usually used by SHILLS FOR THE COMPANY being reviewed.
I am at SpiderOak now. SpiderOak‘s uploads are LITERALLY TEN TIMES THE SPEED of IDrive. I have 66GB fully baked up, with multi-machine backup, full sync, and web access. The software has not had a single glitch in 2 months now. The software interface works flawlessly on the Mac. Oh, and when they had a software update they were the MOST communicative company I have ever seen with a full explanation of the update.
Yes, I placed my LEGITIMATE criticism of IDrive on a few sites. So f’ing what? Their Mac client sucks so bad they should pull it, but they continue to sell garbage to people hoping (I guess) that most are too stupid to change providers.
Well … I test drove CrashPlan: was slow, and I was not happy with their tech support (waited 3-4 weeks for help, they apologized, but it does not really help me).
Eventually – signed up with IDrive, and I am VERY happy:
1. IDrive is SUPERFAST – backed up 20GB in less than 2 days, and I have just a plain broadband connection
2. Their 24×7 technical support via chat was very helpful in the 2 times I needed assistance; they even remoted to my machine to find the mistake I made. I appreciate good, always available technical support.
3. I tested restore – and it was superfast too.
4. It does well mapped drives (which not officially supported with CrashPlan)
So far – happy camper. Can certainly recommend IDrive. UI is a bit confusing, though, but you cannot win them all
IMO, way better than Memopal, and even than CrashPlan.
re the one that bashed IDrive – what you using that you are so happy with?
Had the identical experience as Warren’s previous post.
The support is joke, they waste your time and never really get anywhere. My impression beyond Warren’s accurate listing of the issues, is the company really doesn’t care. When cancelling, I too spoke to Justin, who was like, whatever, you want to cancel, here you go. it seems that maybe they are doing so well, clients don’t matter.
If I can somehow help someone not use their frustrating and non-caring service, this posting would have been worth it.
I moved to SpiderOak. 100GB for $10/mo. Mac software worked great. Uploads were fast compared to ALL others I tried (20GB per 24 hours). SpiderOak Interface is a little clunky but easy to understand and use. Offers Sync and web access to your files. Lie hte fact that your data is ENCRYPTED at SpiderOak so only you have access. Highly recommend Mac users try SpiderOak.
One other thing about SpiderOak- they let you backup and Sync with an unlimited set of computers.
regarding Warrens comments above, how come he has posted the exact comments line-4-line in the pcmag article as well under a different name!
I am not using any of the “home” type online backups. I currently use Amazon S3 with Superflexible File Synchronizer and except for the cost factor associated with S3, have none of the many issues experienced by so many people. I am looking into getting a cheaper alternative for photos/videos and staying with S3 for critical business files.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2284391,00.asp
My wife’s laptop HD crashed and died 2 weeks ago. Within days we got a new HD (was still under warranty), and I was able to restore all 30GB including outlook PST, and all of her files within less than 12 hours (!!!) from IDrive.
IDrive is GREAT and PROVEN service. Fast backup and faster restore, what could you ask for more?
Their UI and online help is less than ideal; again used online chat – and got a good response within minutes.
I am going to extend the service now to all family data in the house. Worth the $$ for our peace of mind.