IDrive review
Updated October 17, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
IDrive centers on version history and one account for many devices rather than simple folder mirroring. It is a cloud backup service for individuals, teams and businesses, and it suits you when you want steady off-site copies across computers, phones, servers and network storage.
Key facts
- Best for
- One account backup for many home and work devices
- Free plan
- Yes (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- Usage limits
- 10 GB free Basic account (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- Tool type
- Cloud-storage (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- Compliance certifications
- SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- Legal entity
- IDrive Inc. (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- Audience
- Small business, Enterprise
- Pricing model
- Free plan
- Official website
- idrive.com
Pros and cons
Pros
- One account protects computers, phones, servers and network storage units
- Keeps many past versions of every backed-up file for easy rollback
- Point in time snapshots help you recover after ransomware incidents
- True Archiving keeps removed files until you decide to delete them
Cons
- Built around backup history rather than instant folder mirroring across devices
- Retained files stay put until you clear them, so you manage cleanup yourself
- Cloud copies depend on an internet link to off-site centers for backup and restore
Who it suits
- Small businesses comparing backup across many device types
- Households with computers, phones and external drives to protect
- Teams that want version history and point in time recovery
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want simple folder mirroring across devices
- Readers who want offline backup without internet use
What it does well
What it does well is gather many device types into one backup account. You can protect desktop and laptop computers, phones and tablets, servers, external drives and network storage units together. It keeps history instead of only showing current files, with earlier versions and snapshots that help you return to a date before damage. True Archiving means files that disappear from your computer remain in your account until you remove them yourself or run cleanup.
Protection against ransomware and loss
Backed up data is kept in remote data centres, so a second copy survives a failed drive, a stolen laptop or an encrypted network share. The service keeps up to 30 previous versions of each backed-up file, and a point-in-time view of the whole account lets a customer roll back to a date before an incident. The service carries SOC 2, GDPR and HIPAA compliance, which matters for organisations handling sensitive information.
Our full take
Cloud backup and storage for PCs, Macs and mobile devices in one account, with plans for home and business.
How IDrive compares
- 9.4 vs 9.3
- 9.4 vs 9.1
9.4 vs 8.7- 9.4 vs 9.2
- 9.4 vs 9.3
9.4 vs 9.4
9.4 vs 8.5
- 9.4 vs 9.2
- 9.4 vs 8.7
- 9.4 vs 8.0
- 9.4 vs 9.5
9.4 vs 9.4
9.4 vs 9.4- 9.4 vs 9.3
9.4 vs 9.1
9.4 vs 9.1
9.4 vs 9.1- 9.4 vs 9.0
9.4 vs 9.0- 9.4 vs 8.9
9.4 vs 8.99.4 vs 8.8
- 9.4 vs 8.7
9.4 vs 8.5
9.4 vs 8.5
9.4 vs 8.59.4 vs 8.5
9.4 vs 8.5
9.4 vs 8.0
9.4 vs 8.09.4 vs 8.0
Frequently asked questions
What does IDrive do?+
IDrive is a cloud backup service for home and business use. You copy data from computers, phones, servers and network storage units to secure off-site centers. You can then restore from that copy after failure, theft or ransomware.
Can one account cover many devices?+
One IDrive account can cover computers, mobile devices, servers, external drives and network storage units. You bring different device types together instead of keeping separate accounts for each one. Your whole protected setup stays linked in one place.
How is backup different from file sync?+
Cloud backup keeps file history while file sync mirrors the present across devices. IDrive keeps earlier versions of backed-up files plus a point in time view of your account. After unwanted changes you choose an earlier state and roll back.
What is the 3-2-1 backup idea?+
IDrive follows the idea of keeping three copies of data on two kinds of media with one copy off site. Your cloud copy lives away from your own hardware. It updates regularly, so you do not need to move drives to another building.
What does cloud backup protect that file sync does not?+
File sync mirrors changes across devices, so a deleted or encrypted file spreads to every copy almost at once. Cloud backup keeps history instead, with up to 30 previous versions of each backed-up file. Those older versions do not count against storage, so a file can be returned to an earlier state after a problem.
Which devices can be placed in one account?+
Desktop computers, laptops, phones and tablets, servers, external drives and network storage units can all sit in one account. Storage is counted across the account rather than per machine, so a household or team can protect several devices together under one plan.
Sources
- idrive.com checked October 17, 2026
Backs: Tool type, Compliance certifications, Description
“Cloud Backup and Storage solutions for home and business”
- idrive.com/pricing checked October 17, 2026
Backs: Free plan, Usage limits, Audience, Pricing model
“You can create a free 10 GB IDrive Basic account.”
- idrive.com/terms-and-conditions checked October 17, 2026
Backs: Legal entity
“Terms of Service govern your access and usage of the IDrive Services offered by IDrive Inc.”
Compiled from 3 source pages, checked October 17, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Price from.