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Software · head to head

Backblaze vs Nextcloud

Backblaze logo

Backblaze

Software

Unlimited cloud backup at an affordable price

From
$9/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nextcloud logo

Nextcloud

Software

Self-hosted file sync, sharing and collaboration platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Nextcloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Backblaze personal Backup is $99 a year billed annually, with no monthly option; Nextcloud requires self-hosted deployment on organisation-controlled infrastructure; no managed cloud option provided by Nextcloud

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Backblaze and Nextcloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Backblaze and Nextcloud differ
AttributeBackblazeNextcloud
Starting price$9/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, WebSelf-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API
Founded2007Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Backblaze

  • Unlimited backup
  • Continuous backup
  • Version history
  • Private encryption key
  • Restore by mail
  • Mobile apps
  • macOS
  • Windows

Only in Nextcloud

Nothing recorded that Backblaze does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Backblaze

  • Unlimited backup of a personal computer and external drivesnot Nextcloud
  • Restoring files from anywhere through the webnot Nextcloud
  • Mailed hard drive restore for large recoveriesnot Nextcloud
  • Private encryption key control for sensitive datanot Nextcloud

Nextcloud

  • Government and public sector organisations with data sovereignty requirementsnot Backblaze
  • Enterprises replacing Dropbox or Box for cost reduction and data controlnot Backblaze
  • Education institutions providing secure file collaborationnot Backblaze
  • Healthcare and finance sectors requiring on-premises deployment for compliancenot Backblaze
  • Hybrid work environments where teams synchronise documents and communicatenot Backblaze
  • Digital asset management and media collaboration workflowsnot Backblaze

Where each one falls short

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

Backblaze

  • Personal Backup is $99 a year billed annually, with no monthly option
  • Web restores are capped at 500GB per request
  • Forever version history is a Business tier add-on rather than included
  • Administrative controls and SSO are Business features
  • Backs up user data from a computer and attached drives, so NAS and server backup are not covered by the personal plan

Nextcloud

  • Requires self-hosted deployment on organisation-controlled infrastructure; no managed cloud option provided by Nextcloud
  • Operational overhead: organisations must apply security patches, manage backups, configure SSL certificates, and handle system administration
  • Scalability challenges at very large user counts (10,000+); requires careful database and storage tuning
  • Mobile clients lack some features of web interface (scripting, advanced admin functions); feature parity varies across platforms
  • Integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace is limited; Nextcloud does not replace Exchange or Gmail directly

Pricing, plan by plan

Backblaze

$9/month
  • Personal Backup$9/month
    • Unlimited storage for single computer
    • Unlimited version history
    • 30-day trial
  • B2 Cloud Storage$6/TB/month
    • S3-compatible storage
    • Pay-as-you-go model

Nextcloud

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • All core features: Files, Talk, Groupware, Office
    • Unlimited users and storage
    • Community forum support
  • Standard Enterprise$71.29/year
    • 2 business day response time
    • 1-year maintenance included
    • Email support during business hours
  • Premium Enterprise$104.99/year
    • 1 business day response time
    • 5+ year maintenance
    • Extended business hours support
  • Ultimate Enterprise$204.75/year
    • 1-24 hour response time options
    • 5+ year maintenance
    • 24/7 phone support with SLA guarantees

Which should you pick?

Choose Backblaze if

  • You need unlimited backup.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web.
  • You also want continuous backup.
Backblaze review

Choose Nextcloud if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Self-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API.
Nextcloud review

Questions people ask

Is Backblaze or Nextcloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Backblaze starts at $9/month and Nextcloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Backblaze or Nextcloud?
Nextcloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $9/month for Backblaze and Free for Nextcloud.
Does Backblaze or Nextcloud run on more platforms?
Backblaze runs on Windows, macOS, Web. Nextcloud runs on Self-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API.
Can I use Nextcloud for free?
Yes. Nextcloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Backblaze starts at $9/month.
What is Backblaze best used for?
Backblaze is most often used for unlimited backup of a personal computer and external drives, restoring files from anywhere through the web, mailed hard drive restore for large recoveries, private encryption key control for sensitive data. Of those, unlimited backup of a personal computer and external drives and restoring files from anywhere through the web are not what Nextcloud is typically brought in for.
What can Backblaze do that Nextcloud cannot?
Backblaze covers Unlimited backup, Continuous backup, Version history, Private encryption key.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Backblaze: What is the pricing for Backblaze Personal Backup?

Backblaze Personal Backup costs $9/month on monthly billing or $8.25/month when billed annually, providing unlimited storage for a single computer.

Source
Nextcloud: Is Nextcloud Community Edition free to use?

Yes. Nextcloud Community Edition is completely free and open-source under the AGPL-3.0 licence. There are no licensing fees, but organisations must host and maintain their own servers.

Source
Backblaze: What storage options does Backblaze B2 offer?

Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage is priced at $6/TB per month with a pay-as-you-go model, and is S3 compatible for flexible cloud storage.

Source
Nextcloud: Can I migrate from Dropbox or Google Drive to Nextcloud?

Yes. Nextcloud provides migration tools and documentation for importing files from competing platforms. Professional services are available through Nextcloud Enterprise for large-scale migrations.

Source
Backblaze: Does Backblaze support Linux systems?

No. Backblaze does not support Linux operating systems, limiting it to Windows, macOS, and web access only.

Source
Nextcloud: What video conferencing capabilities does Nextcloud Talk provide?

Nextcloud Talk provides end-to-end encrypted audio and video calls, group conferencing, screen sharing, call recording with transcription, live translation, and integration with external services (Slack, Teams, Matrix). Recordings are stored locally on the Nextcloud server.

Source
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Related pages

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