Carbonite vs Hetzner Storage

Detailed side-by-side comparison

Carbonite

From $6/mo

Carbonite is a cloud backup solution focused on automated, continuous protection of files and systems with unlimited storage options. It's designed for both businesses and individuals who want a set-it-and-forget-it backup solution with strong encryption and multiple recovery methods including physical courier delivery.

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Hetzner Storage

From $3.81/mo

Hetzner Storage Box is a budget-friendly European cloud storage service that supports multiple access protocols including SFTP, WebDAV, and rsync. It's aimed at developers, small businesses, and tech-savvy users who need flexible, reliable storage with strong European privacy standards at competitive prices.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	Carbonite	Hetzner Storage
Storage Capacity	Unlimited cloud storage on most plans, making it ideal for users with growing data needs	Fixed capacity tiers up to 20TB with clear pricing per tier, requiring users to select appropriate storage size
Backup Automation	Automatic continuous backup runs in the background without user intervention, protecting files as they change	Requires manual configuration using tools like rsync, BorgBackup, or Restic for automated backups
Access Methods	Proprietary software with remote file access through Carbonite's interface and mobile apps	Multiple protocols (SFTP, SCP, WebDAV, Samba/CIFS, rsync) allowing flexible integration with various tools and systems
Data Encryption	Military-grade encryption automatically applied both in transit and at rest without user configuration	Encrypted data transfer supported, but encryption at rest must be implemented by the user before upload
Recovery Options	Multiple recovery methods including online restore, external drive backup, and physical courier delivery service	Automatic snapshots for point-in-time recovery, accessed through standard protocols or SSH management
Data Center Location	US-based data centers with global accessibility for users worldwide	European data centers only (Germany and Finland), offering strong GDPR compliance and EU privacy standards

Pricing Comparison

Carbonite starts at $6/mo with unlimited storage on most plans, while Hetzner Storage starts at $3.81/mo with fixed capacity tiers. Hetzner offers significantly better value for price-conscious users who can manage their own backup configurations, while Carbonite's higher price includes fully automated features and unlimited storage.

Verdict

Choose Carbonite if...

Choose Carbonite if you want a completely automated, user-friendly backup solution with unlimited storage, don't want to manage technical configurations, and need multiple recovery options including physical courier delivery. It's ideal for non-technical users and businesses prioritizing ease of use over cost.

Choose Hetzner Storage if...

Choose Hetzner Storage if you're technically capable of configuring your own backup solutions, want extremely competitive pricing for reliable European storage, need flexible protocol support for integration with existing tools, or require GDPR-compliant EU data centers. It's perfect for developers, system administrators, and cost-conscious users comfortable with command-line tools.

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Cloud Storage

Pros & Cons

Carbonite

Pros

+ Unlimited storage on most plans
+ Easy setup and automatic operation
+ Strong encryption and security features
+ Multiple recovery options including courier delivery

Cons

- Can be slow for initial backup of large data sets
- Limited version history compared to competitors
- Higher pricing compared to some alternatives

Hetzner Storage

Pros

+ Extremely competitive pricing compared to major cloud providers
+ Generous storage capacity options up to 20TB
+ Multiple protocol support for flexible integration
+ Reliable European data centers with strong privacy standards

Cons

- Limited to European data center locations only
- Basic feature set without advanced cloud storage capabilities
- No built-in encryption at rest (user must implement)