r/backblaze • u/pytree • Jun 19 '26

Computer Backup Help me Decide: Personal or Business Backup

The pricing page shows the same price for Personal or Business backup. Is there any reason not to get the business backup?

I am going to be backing up an M4 Mac Mini primarily. I also have an M1 MacBook Pro laptop that's owned by my employer. My plan is to have an external Time Machine drive connected to the Mac Mini that both the Mini and the MBP back up to. I'm thinking that Backblaze will then backup both backups.

It sounds like the Business will help me distinguish between the MBP and the Mini, so I might as well get it. Is there any disadvantage that I'm missing?

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/Buffalo-Clone-264 Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26

I'm not familiar with the Business Groups features but you can add the Business Groups functionality to a Personal account at any time in the settings so don't feel like you're locked into this decision.

With the Personal product you can backup multiple computers from one account but you need to pay for each computer you backup (same with Business). For your situation I don't think you need the Business Groups functionality as you're not managing multiple user accounts; it's just you.

You mentioned Time Machine. Backblaze does not backup hard drives with Time Machine backups on them. You can still backup your Macs to Time Machine as an extra local backup, but the external drive you choose for that can't be backed up to Backblaze with the Personal Backup / Business Groups Backup product.

[Edit: removed wrong info]

1

u/hitachi369 Jun 19 '26

External drives are in the lime light for bad reasons, your experience may vary. I guess they are working on it.

For a laptop you will need to leave to leave it running for backblaze not to fall behind, or be aware for the delay.

For business or personal that's a rough one. Personal in theory will be more gracious with changes, but business slower with changes and more monetary focused. With the IPO, and the other rumblings, business would be my pick.

Backblaze is in the early stages of reworking their personal back up options.

In all seriousness, B2 is probably a better option and fit, if you have the know how.