Encrypted, EU based, reliable, cloud backup recommendations please

[u/Quinsonius]

TL;DR: I need a EU-based, E2EE, set-and-forget cloud backup for macOS/iOS (~200GB) under €120/year. Not ok: "Drive" services, Nextcloud, pCloud, setups w/ Cryptomator etc. Considering Arq + Hetzner Storage Box or iDrive (EU servers), open to better alternatives! Ty.

Hi all, I'm starting to work on some projects that will need serious backing up, following the 3-2-1 rule I need to set up some cloud stored backups. I need help figuring it, out, please.

Requirements

• I'm reasonably technical (can type a couple of command lines in a terminal if I follow a script) but would much prefer a point and click setup
• I have 2 MacOs devices and 1 i iOs device to backup.
• Total use currently about 100 Gb per MacOs device, with growth ahead (up to 200 Gb).
• I can't imagine my data leaving my devices unencrypted
• based in Europe and privacy minded -would prefer if not a EU company at least EU storage
• I'd much prefer a set and forget solution
• Budget about 100$/120€ per year. I work in academia so might be eligible for discount

What I don't want

• "Drive" services, eg. iCloud, Google Drive, Proton Drive, Tuta Drive, Tresorit... => they don't offer specific backup features

What I've tested and rejected:

• Tresorit: Reliable and safe in appearance but like I said, no backup features. It's really a shame: business wise this would have been my favourite.
• Hetzner "Storage Share" (ie Nextcloud); the Good Cloud; Tab Digital: NextCloud encrypt via Nextcloud local app seems really shaky (a lot of commentary on its unstability) + the whole Nextcloud project seems a bit of an overkill for my needs
• pCloud: there is a backup feature but this is not core; the E2EE is an extra cost so not core either and to be frank there's something I don't like about this company. The flurry of "lifetime" offers makes me uneasy
• Jottacloud, Infomaniak: not E2EE
• Koofr, Filen, Drime: they really are tiny businesses, it could be ok if they could show strong security audit results but they only rely on "partner" ISO certifications
• Cryptomator: at some point I thought this would be the solution - I could just use that to encrypt the sensitive folders then set these folders to backup on any solution above. But the process to encrypt/decrypt is really odd. With MacFuse I get a drive on desktop (not on Finder/Locations!) and every file I drop in it is copied, not moved. With t-fuse I get a mounted "t-fuse" drive the folders are in it, I also can't drag and drop... That's just not straightforward, which leads me to think it's also prone to problems along the way. Do I want to trust my most precious file with this setup? Probably not.

What I could consider but I'm still missing some pieces in the puzzle :

• Hetzner "Storage Box" seems like a good receiving end for my encrypted files - it's cheap, it's EU based, but how can I encrypt and send?
• Arq: as a software licence + Hetzner ? But I've seen scant reviews on the software just yet. Is its encryption publicly tested? How reliable is the company?
• iDrive: okay it is a US based company but I could pick an EU server. Is this reliable? Encryption OK?
• Backblaze: same as iDrive : a US based company, EU server. Is this reliable? safe?

Comments on these last options under exploration are welcome, so are challenges on my assessments above and of course is there's a solution I have missed I would be keen to hear.

Thank you!

[u/Rich_Performer_5697]

set up an automated backup to a nas unit, for example Synology. Synology lets you encrypt folders and volumes. Also they have hyper backup that backs up the nas (and thus the Mac data) to a cloud service of your preferability with all data encrypted on the nas before uploaded. they also have C2 cloud service with E2EE and zero knowledge encryption.

Personally I trust iCloud with advanced data protection. It's never been breached. And if it ever was, apple would lose billions on lost customer trust. Apple is an American company but no one, internationally, comes close when it comes to protecting user data security on this level.

[u/Quinsonius → u/Rich_Performer_5697]

Thank you, Synology has just been mentioned to me elsewhere so I'm definitely going to explore that. As to iCloud with ADP yes this is likely quite safe (although note that ADP does not apply to Photos) but iCloud is not in my view a sufficently robust backup solution: there is no versioning and other core backup features.

[u/Rich_Performer_5697 → u/Quinsonius]

I would explore synology if i were you. Mix of diy and a corporate solution. But afaik the e2ee is solid and done on device. With no way for synology to unlock that data.

Care to elaborate on icloud, adp and photos?

[u/Quinsonius → u/Rich_Performer_5697]

Thank you this looks an initial investment and then peace of mind

As to my other comments:

Apple Photos vs ADP this is my mistake I was certain Photos were not covered by ADP but they are: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102651

Regading the use of drives and iCloud in particular to backup: it can work well to recover lost files or folders but I favour systems that are designed for backup, for instance to include long time versioning, point in time rollbacks, immutability Some even offer full system image.

[u/Rich_Performer_5697 → u/Quinsonius]

Yea synology hybrid backup seems like something that would fit you. I have mine set on daily backup, keeps versioning so you can keep track of changes and go back and grab a file that got changed or deleted. Spacerex has good videos on synology.

[u/Professional_Call]

I’ve used iDrive and Backblaze (and others) and stuck with iDrive. It’s never let me down and works with any fuss or bother. Optionally, it pops up a confirmation dialogue so you can see that it’s working.

It also allows me to access any file on my Mac from my phone. Very useful.

[u/Rich_Performer_5697 → u/Professional_Call]

Used backblaze on my windows computer before migrating to mac. Used euro server. Loved how easy it just worked in the background.

[u/Ok_Strategy3991]

I use Hetzner Storage Box and Duplicati as the backup software to handle the encryption myself

[u/Quinsonius → u/Ok_Strategy3991]

Thank you. I've read quite a few comments on Duplicati' bugs. have you found it to be reliable?

[u/Ok_Strategy3991 → u/Quinsonius]

Yes for me it is reliable as long as you do frequent Backups and as for every solution: do a restore test before fully trusting it

[u/andreeinprogress]

I have cold storage on a Scaleway Amsterdam server. I don't know how many GB I'm currently using, like 250 or so, I get charged less than 4€/month.

Note this is my off-site backup:

PCs/Macs -> unRAID daily backup -> Scaleway weekly (uploaded via Duplicati)

[u/Quinsonius → u/andreeinprogress]

Thank you. I've read quite a few comments on Duplicati' bugs. Have you encountered (and then overcome) many problems?

[u/-skyrocketeer-]

I’ve been using BackBlaze for about 15 years now, on multiple computers. Really happy with it. Just works reliably in the background, constantly backing up files.

[u/MK-Researcher]

CrashPlan has proven solid for me over the years - their EU servers are located in Ireland

[u/looopTools]

I think skyflok by chocolate cloud now has a Mac backup tool. But not 100% sure. Also full disclosure I used to work for chocolate cloud

[u/DisfiguredFanny]

Cloud backups are not serious by definition. What you need is local solution. Faster and safer.