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Software · head to head

Hetzner Cloud vs IDrive

Hetzner Cloud logo

Hetzner Cloud

Software

Affordable cloud servers in Europe

From
Free
Rated
-
IDrive logo

IDrive

Software

Affordable online backup with multiple device support

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hetzner Cloud cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable; IDrive the advertised annual rates are first year introductory prices, with standard pricing applying from the second year onward
  • They diverge on capability: Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, IDrive covers Multiple device backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hetzner Cloud and IDrive actually diverge.

Attributes where Hetzner Cloud and IDrive differ
AttributeHetzner CloudIDrive
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliWindows, Mac, Linux, Web
Founded19971995

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Hetzner Cloud

  • Cloud servers
  • Block storage
  • Object storage
  • Load balancers
  • Networks
  • Firewalls
  • Floating IPs
  • Backups

Only in IDrive

  • Multiple device backup
  • True archiving
  • Continuous protection
  • IDrive Express
  • Snapshots
  • File sharing
  • iOS
  • Android

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Hetzner Cloud

  • Low-cost virtual servers for development and testingnot IDrive
  • European hosting with data held in Germany or Finlandnot IDrive
  • Workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic mattersnot IDrive
  • Self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalersnot IDrive

IDrive

  • Online backup for computers, servers and mobile devicesnot Hetzner Cloud
  • Backing up multiple machines under one accountnot Hetzner Cloud

Where each one falls short

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

Hetzner Cloud

  • Cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
  • The shared-resource tiers are positioned for variable usage and development rather than sustained production workloads
  • Regions are limited to Germany, Finland, the United States and Singapore, so latency to other markets is a real constraint
  • The uptime guarantee is 99.9 percent, below what the large hyperscalers offer on comparable services
  • Support is 24/7 by email, without a phone channel

IDrive

  • The advertised annual rates are first year introductory prices, with standard pricing applying from the second year onward
  • The two year offer discounts only the first year, so the second year reverts to the full rate
  • Team plans tie user and computer counts to the storage tier, so 10 TB means exactly 10 computers
  • Business storage costs far more per terabyte than Personal, at $719.88 a year for 1.25 TB against $143.88 for 5 TB

Pricing, plan by plan

Hetzner Cloud

Free
  • CX11$3.29/month
    • 1 vCPU
    • 1GB RAM
    • 25GB SSD
  • CX21$6.59/month
    • 2 vCPU
    • 4GB RAM
    • 40GB SSD

IDrive

Free
  • Personal$4/month
    • 5TB storage
    • Unlimited devices
    • IDrive Express

Which should you pick?

Choose Hetzner Cloud if

  • You need cloud servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli.
  • You also want block storage.

Choose IDrive if

  • You need multiple device backup.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Web.
  • You also want true archiving.

Questions people ask

Is Hetzner Cloud or IDrive better?
Neither clearly leads. Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and IDrive at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hetzner Cloud or IDrive?
Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and IDrive at Free.
Does Hetzner Cloud or IDrive run on more platforms?
Hetzner Cloud runs on Web, Api, Cli. IDrive runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Web.
Can I use Hetzner Cloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hetzner Cloud best used for?
Hetzner Cloud is most often used for low-cost virtual servers for development and testing, european hosting with data held in germany or finland, workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic matters, self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalers. Of those, low-cost virtual servers for development and testing and european hosting with data held in germany or finland are not what IDrive is typically brought in for.
What can Hetzner Cloud do that IDrive cannot?
Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Block storage, Object storage, Load balancers. IDrive covers Multiple device backup, True archiving, Continuous protection, IDrive Express. Both handle Web support.

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