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File Storage · head to head

Arq Backup vs Sync.com

Arq Backup logo

Arq Backup

File Storage

Mac and Windows backup to your own cloud storage

From
$50/year
Rated
-
Sync.com logo

Sync.com

File Storage

Cloud storage, backup and sharing with end-to-end encryption

From
$8/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Arq Backup runs on Mac and Windows only; Sync.com all Teams plans require a minimum of 3 users
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arq Backup and Sync.com actually diverge.

Attributes where Arq Backup and Sync.com differ
AttributeArq BackupSync.com
Starting price$50/year$8/month
PlatformsWindows, MacWeb
Founded2009Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (File Storage).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Arq Backup

  • Client-side encryption
  • Hourly backups
  • Network backup
  • Deduplication
  • Immutable backups
  • Budget controls
  • AWS S3
  • Google Cloud

Only in Sync.com

Nothing recorded that Arq Backup does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Arq Backup

  • Data protectionnot Sync.com
  • Disaster recoverynot Sync.com
  • Business continuitynot Sync.com
  • Ransomware protectionnot Sync.com
  • Compliancenot Sync.com

Sync.com

  • Sharing patient records between healthcare providers with HIPAA compliancenot Arq Backup
  • Managing confidential legal documents with encrypted folders and version historynot Arq Backup
  • Providing secure client portals for financial advisors sharing sensitive datanot Arq Backup
  • Maintaining GDPR-compliant file storage for European customer datanot Arq Backup
  • Enabling remote work access to sensitive files without third-party trackingnot Arq Backup

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Arq Backup

  • Runs on Mac and Windows only
  • Arq 7 is licensed per computer, and continuing to receive updates after the first year costs $25 per year per computer
  • Arq Premium covers up to 5 computers, so larger households or teams need more than one subscription
  • Arq Premium includes 1TB of storage and charges $0.0059 per GB per month beyond it

Sync.com

  • All Teams plans require a minimum of 3 users
  • The advertised low monthly rate (e.g. $4/month for Teams 1TB) is a promotional annual rate described as 50% off; the standard monthly price is $8/month without the promotion
  • Enterprise pricing for 100+ users is custom and requires contacting a dedicated account manager

Pricing, plan by plan

Arq Backup

$50/year
  • Arq Premium$50/year
    • 5 computers
    • Arq Cloud storage option
    • Email support

Sync.com

$8/month
  • Teams 1TB$8/month
    • 1 TB secure storage
    • Advanced sharing
    • Administrator account
  • Teams 2TB$12/month
    • 2 TB secure storage
    • Custom branding
    • Role-based access control
  • Teams 10TB$18/month
    • 10 TB secure storage
    • VIP support
    • 365-day history
  • Sync Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Custom storage limits
    • Custom branding
    • Role-based access control

Which should you pick?

Choose Arq Backup if

  • You need client-side encryption.
  • You work on Windows, Mac.
  • You also want hourly backups.

Choose Sync.com if

Nothing in the data separates Sync.com from Arq Backup on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Questions people ask

Is Arq Backup or Sync.com better?
Neither clearly leads. Arq Backup starts at $50/year and Sync.com at $8/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arq Backup or Sync.com?
Arq Backup starts at $50/year and Sync.com at $8/month.
Does Arq Backup or Sync.com run on more platforms?
Arq Backup runs on Windows, Mac. Sync.com runs on Web.
What is Arq Backup best used for?
Arq Backup is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Sync.com is typically brought in for.
What can Arq Backup do that Sync.com cannot?
Arq Backup covers Client-side encryption, Hourly backups, Network backup, Deduplication.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Arq Backup: What are the different licensing models for Arq?

Arq 7 is a perpetual license with a one-time purchase and 1 year of free updates, then $25/year for continued updates. Arq Premium is a subscription model covering up to 5 computers with 1TB of included cloud storage.

Source
Sync.com: What are the Sync.com team plan price differences?

Sync.com offers three main team tiers: Teams 1TB at $8/month per user (annual), Teams 2TB at $12/month per user (annual), and Teams 10TB at $18/month per user (annual). All require a minimum of 3 users. Higher tiers include enhanced features like custom branding, admin delegation, and longer file history.

Source
Arq Backup: Is there a trial period before purchasing Arq?

Yes, Arq 7 includes a 30-day free trial.

Source
Sync.com: Does Sync.com offer a free trial?

Yes, Sync.com offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. All plans also include a full 30-day money-back guarantee.

Source
Arq Backup: What are the storage costs beyond the included 1TB with Arq Premium?

Additional storage is billed at $0.0059/GB per month beyond the 1TB included with Arq Premium.

Source
Sync.com: What file history retention does Sync.com provide?

Sync.com Teams 1TB includes 180-day file history. Teams 2TB and Teams 10TB offer 365-day history. This history duration applies across all shared files and team folders.

Source
Arq Backup: Can I access my backup data directly or is it in a proprietary format?

Arq uses open and documented backup formats with transparent storage, allowing users direct access to encrypted backup data.

Source
Arq Backup: Are perpetual licenses from earlier Arq versions still compatible?

Yes, perpetual licenses from Arq 5 and earlier remain compatible with Arq 7.

Source
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