Software Alternatives & Startups

Backblaze VS Rclone

Compare Backblaze VS Rclone and see what are their differences

Backblaze

Backblaze's remote backup automatically backs up your data to our secure datacenter.

Rating
0 reviews
Rclone

rsync for cloud storage.

Rating
5.0 · 2 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Rclone seems to be a lot more popular than Backblaze. While we know about 636 links to Rclone, we've tracked only 43 mentions of Backblaze.

social mentions
43 vs 636
Cloud Storage popularity
46% vs 54%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Backblaze
Rclone
Website backblaze.com rclone.org
Pricing
Open source
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United Kingdom
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Backblaze 6 features
Rclone 6 features
  • Unlimited Storage
    Backblaze offers unlimited storage for a fixed price, making it an excellent option for users with large amounts of data.
  • Simple Pricing
    Backblaze has a straightforward pricing model without hidden fees, simplifying budgeting for cloud storage.
  • Automatic Backups
    Backblaze provides automatic, continuous backups, ensuring that your data is consistently backed up without manual intervention.
  • Ease of Use
    The interface and setup process are user-friendly, making it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge.
  • Rapid Restore
    Backblaze offers multiple restore options, including via hard drive delivery, which can significantly speed up the process of data recovery.
  • Highly Secure
    Using AES 256-bit encryption and optional private encryption keys, Backblaze places a strong emphasis on data security.

Possible disadvantages

  • No File Sync
    Unlike some competitors, Backblaze does not offer file syncing capabilities, limiting its usefulness for collaborative or cross-device work.
  • Initial Backup Speed
    The initial backup process can be slow, especially for users with large amounts of data and slower internet connections.
  • Limited Versioning
    Backblaze retains versions of files for 30 days only, which might be insufficient for some users who need longer-term versioning.
  • No Linux Support
    Backblaze does not support Linux operating systems, which can be a deal-breaker for users who rely on this platform.
  • Geographical Limitations
    Backblaze’s data centers are predominantly located in the United States, which might pose latency issues for international users.
  • Versatility
    Rclone supports a wide range of cloud storage providers such as Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox, OneDrive, and many others, making it a versatile tool for synchronization and backup.
  • Command-Line Interface
    Rclone offers a powerful command-line interface which provides advanced users detailed control over their synchronization and backup operations.
  • Cross-Platform
    Rclone is cross-platform and can be used on Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions, offering flexibility in different environments.
  • Encryption
    Rclone supports encryption for both files and directory names, ensuring that data is secure while being transferred or stored.
  • Scriptability
    Being a command-line tool, Rclone can be easily included in scripts and automated workflows, which is beneficial for repetitive tasks.
  • Open Source
    Rclone is open-source software, meaning it's free to use, and the source code is available for review and contribution, promoting transparency and community-driven development.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Rclone's command-line interface may be intimidating and difficult for beginners to learn and use effectively.
  • Lack of GUI
    Rclone lacks a graphical user interface (GUI), which could be a limitation for users who prefer or need a more visual interaction with their backup and synchronization tasks.
  • Limited Support
    While Rclone has a supportive community, it lacks formal customer support, which might be an issue for enterprise users needing prompt troubleshooting.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running complex synchronization tasks, especially involving large volumes of data, can be resource-intensive in terms of both CPU and memory.
  • Configuration Complexity
    The setup and configuration of Rclone can be complicated, requiring users to manually configure remote storage connections through text files or command-line prompts.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Backblaze
Rclone

No analysis of Backblaze yet.

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Rclone is a robust and reliable tool for anyone needing to manage or transfer files across multiple cloud storage services. Its reputation within the tech community is strong due to its continuous updates, active user community, and extensive documentation. While it may have a steep learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with command-line interfaces, the benefits in terms of functionality and flexibility are substantial.

Why this product is good

  • Rclone is highly regarded for its versatility and efficiency in managing cloud storage. It is an open-source command-line tool that supports a vast array of cloud storage providers such as Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox, and many others. Rclone enables users to sync files and directories, manage file transfers, and perform a variety of operations across different cloud services seamlessly. Its ability to handle large data sets, perform bandwidth management, and encrypt data makes it a powerful tool for both individuals and businesses. Additionally, its scripting capabilities allow for automation and integration into larger workflows, making it a favored choice for tech-savvy users and IT professionals.

Recommended for

    Rclone is recommended for IT professionals, cloud administrators, developers, and tech enthusiasts who need a powerful tool for handling cloud storage tasks. It's particularly suitable for users who have experience with command-line tools and who need to manage large-scale data transfers across multiple cloud environments efficiently.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Backblaze 3 videos + Add
Rclone 2 videos + Add

Backblaze Review - I ALMOST LOST IT ALL!

More videos

  • - BackBlaze Backup Review and Tutorial 2020
  • - The Ultimate Cloud Storage Backup Option - Backblaze

What is Rclone?

More videos

  • - Getting started with Rclone in Windows (GDrive & Crypt Remotes)

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Backblaze
Rclone
46% 46%
54% 54%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Backblaze and Rclone. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Backblaze no reviews yet
Rclone 5.0 · 2 reviews

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  • Rated 5/5 by cloudslinker
    SaaSHub review
    · May 2024
  • 15 Best Rclone Alternatives 2022
    rigorousthemes.com · Apr 2022

    With Cryptomator, what you get is a simple digital protection tool. Rclone syncs your files to cloud storage, while Cryptomator syncs and locks your files to cloud storage. Cryptomator gives you access to your files...

  • Awesome peice of software for Rclone
    SaaSHub review
    · Jan 2020

    I was looking for a GUI for rclone and found one. I am so happy for this software it has made working with rclone so much easier, and so far it has worked PERFECT. I love it!!!

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Backblaze 43 mentions
Rclone 636 mentions
  • Tech Stack Lessons from scaling 20x in a year
    Last year we used Backblaze for blob storage. It was cheap and reliable. The problem wasn't technical, it was purely political and a question of positioning. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • The Tech Stack of a Cloud Computing Startup
    Redis handles caching to keep things quick, and we stash blobs like Backups (encrypted at rest of course) in Backblaze for cheap, dependable object storage. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • What is this red exclamation mark in my Mac preferences view?
    I've been seeing this red exclamation mark in my Backblaze preferences view on my Mac. When I click it, it only takes me to my account view on backblaze.com. Obviously, it's intended to indicate that something isn't right, but I get no... Source: over 3 years ago

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  • Why we built Yaesm, and how I use it for backups
    This makes the system powerful and easy to extend: new drivers can connect to the existing pipelines by implementing compatible capabilities. We plan to add support for rclone, bcachefs, pigz, and age next. - Source: dev.to / 8 days ago
  • Dropbox CEO Drew Houston to step down
    While there isn't a proper Linux client, if you find yourself on a Linux box and need to sync to or from iCloud, rclone[1] works great. Just putting this out there in the hope that it might help someone. It's also (ironically given TFA)... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Tar: A slop-free alternative to rsync
    Hello, as always: imho (!) tar is great, and well kown - but not particularly for "incremental backups over the net" ... This is what rsync is/was for. Idk ... Whatever the problem is with rsync, but apparently thats none of my business... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago

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Alternatives to Backblaze and Rclone

When comparing Backblaze and Rclone, you can also consider the following products.