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File Storage · head to head

Barracuda Backup vs IDrive e2

Barracuda Backup logo

Barracuda Backup

File Storage

Complete backup solution with built-in ransomware protection

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IDrive e2 logo

IDrive e2

File Storage

Low cost S3-compatible object storage with egress included up to a multiple of what you store

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only IDrive e2 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Barracuda Backup requires subscription commitment per terabyte of data; IDrive e2 the included egress is capped as a multiple of stored data, so a small bucket that serves a lot of traffic exhausts the allowance quickly and the economics stop looking cheap exactly where a CDN backed store would still be free.
  • They diverge on capability: Barracuda Backup covers Unlimited cloud storage, IDrive e2 covers S3-compatible endpoints.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Barracuda Backup and IDrive e2 actually diverge.

Attributes where Barracuda Backup and IDrive e2 differ
AttributeBarracuda BackupIDrive e2
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionPer terabyte per month
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux, macOS, VMware, Hyper-VWeb, API
Founded2003Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Barracuda Backup

  • Unlimited cloud storage
  • LiveBoot instant recovery
  • Instant replacement
  • Ransomware protection
  • Deduplication
  • Site-to-site replication
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

Only in IDrive e2

  • S3-compatible endpoints
  • Included egress allowance
  • Object lock
  • Versioning
  • Regional endpoints
  • Cross region replication

What people use each for

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

Barracuda Backup

  • Enterprise data protection across physical and virtual environmentsnot IDrive e2
  • Ransomware recovery and data resiliencenot IDrive e2
  • Multi-location backup and replicationnot IDrive e2
  • Compliance reporting for regulated industriesnot IDrive e2

IDrive e2

  • The offsite copy in a three two one backup chain driven by Veeam, restic or a NAS backup clientnot Barracuda Backup
  • Replacing an S3 bucket whose cost is dominated by storage rather than by requestsnot Barracuda Backup
  • Small teams who want predictable monthly object storage billing with no request line itemsnot Barracuda Backup
  • Archiving media or logs that must stay accessible without a retrieval delaynot Barracuda Backup

Where each one falls short

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

Barracuda Backup

  • Requires subscription commitment per terabyte of data
  • Complex appliance-based architecture

IDrive e2

  • The included egress is capped as a multiple of stored data, so a small bucket that serves a lot of traffic exhausts the allowance quickly and the economics stop looking cheap exactly where a CDN backed store would still be free.
  • The region list is short compared with the hyperscalers, so data residency requirements outside the main markets are hard to satisfy and multi region designs have fewer options.
  • S3 compatibility covers the common calls but not the long tail, so software that relies on less common features can fail in ways that are hard to diagnose against a provider with thin public documentation.
  • Support is organised around a consumer and small business backup product rather than a platform engineering organisation, so escalating a storage layer problem takes longer than it would with a specialist provider.
  • IDrive publishes far less about the underlying architecture, durability engineering and incident history than its competitors, so due diligence on the storage layer is largely taking the vendor at its word.

Pricing, plan by plan

Barracuda Backup

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Barracuda Backup review.

IDrive e2

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 10 GB stored
    • S3 API access
    • Egress within the included allowance
  • Pay as you go$4/month
    • Roughly 4 USD per terabyte stored per month
    • Egress included up to a multiple of stored data
    • No per operation charge on standard usage

Which should you pick?

Choose Barracuda Backup if

  • You need unlimited cloud storage.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, macOS, VMware, Hyper-V.
  • You also want liveboot instant recovery.
Barracuda Backup review

Choose IDrive e2 if

  • You need s3-compatible endpoints.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want included egress allowance.
IDrive e2 review

Questions people ask

Is Barracuda Backup or IDrive e2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Barracuda Backup starts at On request and IDrive e2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Barracuda Backup or IDrive e2?
IDrive e2 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Barracuda Backup and Free for IDrive e2.
Does Barracuda Backup or IDrive e2 run on more platforms?
Barracuda Backup runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, VMware, Hyper-V. IDrive e2 runs on Web, API.
Can I use IDrive e2 for free?
Yes. IDrive e2 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Barracuda Backup starts at On request.
What is Barracuda Backup best used for?
Barracuda Backup is most often used for enterprise data protection across physical and virtual environments, ransomware recovery and data resilience, multi-location backup and replication, compliance reporting for regulated industries. Of those, enterprise data protection across physical and virtual environments and ransomware recovery and data resilience are not what IDrive e2 is typically brought in for.
What can Barracuda Backup do that IDrive e2 cannot?
Barracuda Backup covers Unlimited cloud storage, LiveBoot instant recovery, Instant replacement, Ransomware protection. IDrive e2 covers S3-compatible endpoints, Included egress allowance, Object lock, Versioning.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Barracuda Backup: How is Barracuda Backup licensed?

Barracuda uses a 'capacity-based, all-inclusive subscription model' based on a 'per-terabyte subscription model'. You 'pay for only what you need to protect today'.

Source
IDrive e2: Is the egress genuinely free?

It is included up to an allowance tied to how much you store, not unlimited. Read heavy workloads on a small bucket will exceed it.

Barracuda Backup: What is included in the subscription cost?

The subscription covers appliance hardware, software, support, Barracuda Cloud Storage, and Barracuda's Instant Replacement service with no hidden fees mentioned.

Source
IDrive e2: Does it work with Veeam and restic?

Yes, both treat it as a standard S3 endpoint, and object lock is supported for immutable backup chains.

Barracuda Backup: Can I add more storage later without replacing equipment?

Yes. You can 'easily add extra TBs as your needs expand' without replacing hardware or shipping new appliances.

Source
IDrive e2: Is there a minimum retention period?

No fixed minimum retention charge on standard storage, which is a real difference from providers that bill ninety days on early deletion.

Barracuda Backup: Does Barracuda offer a free trial?

Yes, Free Trials are available. However, specific trial duration is not detailed on the pricing page. Use the Build and Price tool or contact sales for trial details.

Source
IDrive e2: How does it compare with Backblaze B2?

The rates are close. B2 is the better documented and more widely integrated service; e2 is cheaper at list and has a different egress allowance model.

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