Latest Cloud Backup Costs: A Deep Dive into Pricing

Cloud backup has emerged as a critical solution, offering scalability, reliability, and peace of mind.

However, the abundance of providers and pricing models can make choosing the right cloud backup service a perplexing task.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of cloud backup costs in 2025, guiding you through the intricacies of pricing structures, additional expenses, and user experiences to empower you to make informed decisions.

Research Methodology

To provide accurate and insightful information, we conducted thorough research by:

1. Identifying Top Providers: We compiled a list of leading cloud backup providers, including AWS, Azure, GCP, Backblaze, and Wasabi, based on industry recognition and market share.
2. Gathering Pricing Data: We meticulously examined the pricing information for each provider, focusing on the cost of storing 1 TB of data for a year. This involved analyzing their websites, official documentation, and pricing calculators.
3. Analyzing Reviews: We delved into user reviews and expert analyses from reputable sources like Gartner, TrustRadius, and Cloudwards to gain insights into the strengths, weaknesses, and user experiences associated with each provider.

Understanding Cloud Backup Pricing

AWS

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a diverse range of cloud backup solutions with varying pricing structures.

• AWS Backup: This service provides a centralized console for managing backups across different AWS services, including EC2, RDS, DynamoDB, EFS, and Storage Gateway. Pricing for AWS Backup involves a combination of storage fees, restore fees, and data transfer fees.  
• Amazon S3: Simple Storage Service (S3) offers scalable object storage with different storage classes designed for various access patterns. The most commonly used classes for backup are:
  • S3 Standard: Ideal for frequently accessed data, costing $282.60 per year for 1 TB.  
  • S3 Glacier: Designed for long-term archival with infrequent access, costing $6.91 per year for 1 TB.  
  • S3 Glacier Deep Archive: The lowest-cost option for rarely accessed data.  

AWS also offers a Free Tier for new users, providing a limited amount of free usage for various services, including S3 storage and data transfer.  

Azure

Microsoft Azure provides Azure Backup and Blob Storage for comprehensive data protection.

• Azure Backup: This service offers backup for on-premises servers, Azure VMs, SQL Server on Azure VMs, SAP HANA on Azure VMs, and more. Pricing for Azure Backup includes a fixed fee per protected instance and storage consumption charges.  
• Azure Blob Storage: This object storage service offers different access tiers to optimize costs based on data access frequency:
  • Hot Access Tier: Suitable for frequently accessed data.  
  • Cool Access Tier: Ideal for infrequently accessed data.  
  • Archive Access Tier: Best for rarely accessed data.  

GCP

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers Cloud Storage and Backup and DR for robust data protection.

• Cloud Storage: This object storage service provides different storage classes with varying costs and access characteristics:
  • Standard Storage: Ideal for frequently accessed data, costing $282.60 per year for 1 TB (regional) or $204 per year (multi-region).  
  • Nearline Storage: Suitable for data accessed less frequently, costing $122.88 per year for 1 TB.  
  • Coldline Storage: Designed for data accessed infrequently, costing $84 per year for 1 TB.  
  • Archive Storage: The most cost-effective option for rarely accessed data, costing $21.12 per year for 1 TB.  
• Backup and DR: This service provides backup and disaster recovery for VMs, databases, and file systems.

GCP offers sustained use discounts for predictable workloads, automatically reducing costs for virtual machine instances that run for a significant portion of the billing month. Additionally, GCP provides a free tier for e2-micro Compute Engine instances, allowing users to try out the platform without incurring charges.  

Backblaze

Backblaze specializes in unlimited cloud backup with a focus on simplicity and affordability.

• Personal Backup: Offers unlimited backup for one computer, including external drives, for $99 per year.  
• Business Backup: Provides unlimited backup for an unlimited number of computers within a business, starting at $99 per year.  
• B2 Cloud Storage: A pay-as-you-go cloud storage service with a flat rate of $72 per year for 1 TB.  
• B2 Reserve: A cloud storage service with reserved capacity, offering cost savings for predictable storage needs.  

Wasabi

Wasabi focuses on hot cloud storage with competitive pricing and no egress fees.

• Hot Cloud Storage: Offers a flat rate of $83.88 per year for 1 TB of storage.  

Wasabi’s pricing stands out due to its lack of egress fees and API request charges, making it a cost-effective option for data backup.

However, a minimum storage duration applies.  

Pricing Comparison Table

Additional Costs

While the base storage fees provide a starting point, several other factors can significantly impact your overall cloud backup expenses:

• Egress Fees: These are charges for transferring data out of the cloud provider’s network. AWS egress fees vary based on the source and destination regions, with costs ranging from $0.02 to $0.181 per GB. Azure egress fees also vary by region and data volume, with the first 100 GB free and subsequent charges decreasing with higher usage. GCP egress fees depend on the source and destination locations, with costs ranging from $0.08 to $0.23 per GB for intercontinental transfers. Backblaze and Wasabi offer free egress within certain limits.  
• API Requests: Some providers charge for API requests, which can accumulate depending on the frequency of interactions with the service. For example, AWS charges for certain S3 API requests, while Wasabi offers free API requests.  
• Data Retrieval Fees: GCP charges for retrieving data from certain storage classes like Nearline, Coldline, and Archive. Retrieval fees for Nearline, Coldline, and Archive storage are $0.01, $0.02, and $0.05 per GB, respectively.  
• Minimum Storage Duration: Some providers, like Wasabi, have minimum storage duration requirements. Wasabi requires a minimum storage duration of 90 days, which can affect costs if you need short-term storage.  
• Backup Features: Advanced features like encryption, versioning, and disaster recovery may come with additional costs. For example, Backblaze charges $0.006 per GB per version for file versions older than one year. Azure Backup offers different pricing tiers based on the features included, such as backup frequency and retention policies.  

It’s crucial to carefully evaluate these additional costs and factor them into your decision-making process.

Reviews and Comparisons

User reviews and expert analyses provide valuable perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of different cloud backup providers. Here’s a summary of some key findings:

• AWS Backup: Users appreciate the comprehensive features, support for various AWS services, and centralized management. However, some find it expensive and complex, with one user stating, “As some other AWS services, this one doesn’t give you much insight about how much it will cost.”  
• Azure Backup: Users value the ease of use, integration with other Microsoft services, and security features. However, some note limitations in the UI and reporting tools, with one user suggesting, “A backup schedule calendar would be cool.”  
• GCP Backup and DR: Users highlight the scalability, affordability, and integration with other GCP services. However, some mention a learning curve and potential for high costs with certain services. One user praised GCP’s cost-effectiveness, stating, “During our beta testing, Google Cloud Platform proves highly affordable and saves us money.”  
• Backblaze: Users love the unlimited storage, simple pricing, and user-friendly interface. However, some point out limitations in versioning and mobile backups. One user commented, “The only available plan is for one device. To back up several gadgets, you’ll have to purchase a plan for each.”  
• Wasabi: Users appreciate the competitive pricing, no egress fees, and S3 compatibility. However, some find the dashboard lacking in detail, with one user wishing for “a more detailed dashboard, especially in terms of the technical details.”  

These reviews highlight the importance of considering your specific needs and priorities when choosing a cloud backup provider.

Recommendations

Selecting the optimal cloud backup provider requires careful consideration of your unique requirements and preferences. Here are some recommendations based on different priorities:

• Budget-conscious users: Backblaze offers unlimited storage at a low cost, making it an excellent value. Wasabi is another strong contender with competitive pricing and no egress fees.
• Scalability and integration: AWS, Azure, and GCP offer comprehensive solutions that integrate well with their respective ecosystems.
• Simplicity and ease of use: Backblaze prioritizes user-friendliness, making it suitable for those seeking a straightforward backup solution.
• Specific needs: Consider providers with specialized features like advanced security, versioning, or disaster recovery. For example, if you require robust security features, Azure Backup with its multiple layers of security and compliance certifications might be a good choice.  

Ultimately, the cheapest cloud backup solution isn’t always the best. Consider your data access needs, storage duration requirements, and budget to choose the provider that offers the optimal balance of cost and performance.

Conclusion

Cloud backup pricing is a multifaceted landscape with various factors to consider.

You can make informed decisions that align with your budget and requirements by understanding the pricing models, additional costs, and user feedback.

Remember to evaluate your specific needs, prioritize essential features, and compare providers to find the best fit for your cloud backup strategy.