#7 Best Cloud Backup for iPhone (better than icloud)

iPhones have become indispensable in our daily lives, serving as our primary communication devices, entertainment hubs, and even our mobile offices.

With so much crucial data stored on these devices – from precious photos and videos to important contacts and documents – the need for a reliable backup solution is paramount.

While iCloud might seem like the obvious choice for iPhone users, it falls short in terms of privacy and security.

This is where third-party cloud backup services come in, offering a range of features and benefits that cater to various needs and preferences.  

This blog post delves into the seven best cloud backup options for iPhones in 2025, providing a comprehensive analysis of their features, pricing, pros, and cons.

We’ll also explore the importance of backing up your iPhone data and provide guidance on choosing the best solution for your specific needs.

Key Takeaways

Before we dive into the details, here are some key takeaways from expert analysis :  

• IDrive emerges as the best overall iPhone backup software, offering a comprehensive suite of features and strong security at a competitive price. Its only major drawback is the lack of a monthly payment option.
• Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is the top choice for security-conscious users, thanks to its flexible server locations, advanced ransomware protection, and robust encryption.
• BigMIND Home is an excellent option for photo enthusiasts, as it boasts impressive photo management capabilities powered by AI.

Why You Shouldn’t Rely on iCloud Backup

iCloud, Apple’s native cloud storage service, offers a convenient way to back up your iPhone data.

It seamlessly integrates with iOS, allowing you to back up contacts, messages, photos, videos, and even your purchase history from Apple services.

However, iCloud has raised concerns regarding data privacy.

Unlike some of its competitors that offer zero-knowledge encryption, iCloud does not guarantee the complete privacy of your data.

This means that Apple holds the keys to decrypt your information, potentially granting them access to your files.  

Furthermore, iCloud has limitations on what it backs up.

While it includes most essential data, it doesn’t back up notes stored in iCloud, photos, if you have iCloud Photos, turned on, messages synced with iCloud, data stored in other cloud services (like Gmail and Exchange mail), Apple Mail data, Apple Pay information and settings, Face ID or Touch ID settings, iCloud Music Library and App Store content, and offline maps.  

As an alternative, you can combine iCloud and iTunes for a more comprehensive backup strategy.

This approach combines the convenience of iCloud with the storage capacity of iTunes, ensuring that your data is secure and accessible in multiple ways.

Either way, be aware of the storage limitations and flexibility of both options.  

What Makes the Best iPhone Backup Services?

When evaluating cloud backup services for your iPhone, several factors warrant consideration:

• iOS Compatibility: The service should seamlessly integrate with iOS, allowing for effortless backup and restoration of your iPhone data. This ensures a smooth and user-friendly experience.
• Security and Privacy: Strong encryption is crucial to safeguard your data from unauthorized access. Zero-knowledge encryption is the gold standard, as it ensures that only you hold the decryption keys, preventing even the service provider from accessing your files.
• Storage Capacity: Choose a service with sufficient storage capacity to accommodate your current and future needs. Consider your current data usage and anticipated growth when selecting a storage plan.
• Features: Look for features that enhance the backup experience and provide added value. Automatic backups eliminate the need for manual intervention, while file versioning allows you to recover previous versions of your files. The ability to back up external drives provides added flexibility for managing your data.
• Pricing: Evaluate the pricing plans and choose one that aligns with your budget and storage requirements. Consider the value offered for the price, including the features, storage capacity, and security measures.
• User Reviews: Consider the experiences of other users to gain insights into the service’s reliability and customer support. User reviews can provide valuable perspectives on the service’s strengths and weaknesses.

Security and Privacy Comparison:

The level of security and privacy offered by each service varies significantly.

IDrive and Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office stand out with their strong encryption and focus on data protection. IDrive offers zero-knowledge encryption, ensuring the complete privacy of your data.

Acronis also takes security seriously, with features like end-to-end cryptography and a secure data storage infrastructure.

BigMIND Home, while offering decent security measures, lacks private encryption, which might be a concern for privacy-conscious users.

Jottacloud also lacks private encryption, despite its focus on privacy. Google Drive and iCloud have raised some privacy concerns due to their data handling practices.

Dropbox offers robust security features, including encryption in transit and at rest, but it’s essential to consider their paid plans for enhanced security measures.  

The 7 Best Cloud Backup Services for iPhone

1. IDrive

IDrive is a top contender in the cloud backup arena, offering a compelling combination of features, security, and affordability.

It supports unlimited devices, allowing you to back up all your computers and mobile devices under a single account.

IDrive’s continuous data protection feature ensures real-time backups of any changes to your files, minimizing the risk of data loss. It also allows you to back up photos from your Facebook and Instagram accounts, including tagged photos.  

Cost: 100GB – 5TB $2.95/month  

Storage Capacity: 100GB – 100TB  

Key Features:

• Continuous data protection (CDP)  
• iDrive Express for fast, offline data transfer  
• File syncing and sharing  

Pros:

• Feature-rich  
• Unlimited devices  
• Good value  
• Fast upload speeds  

Cons:

• No unlimited storage option  
• Limited Linux support  
• Complete disk image backup only for Windows  
• Based in the United States, raising some privacy concerns  

User Reviews: IDrive generally receives positive user reviews, with many considering it one of the best cloud storage services available. However, some users have reported issues with customer service and unauthorized charges.  

What Makes IDrive Stand Out: IDrive’s support for unlimited devices makes it an excellent choice for users with multiple computers and mobile devices.

2. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, formerly known as Acronis True Image, is a robust cloud backup solution that goes beyond basic backup and sync functionality.

This one offers advanced security features, including ransomware protection and active disk cloning, ensuring the safety and integrity of your data.

Acronis also provides flexible server locations, giving you more control over where your data is stored.

But get this, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is designed for home users, while Acronis Cyber Protect offers more features and is better suited for managing multiple computers and servers.  

Cost: 500GB of storage, plus one computer disk image for $89.99 per year  

Storage Capacity: 50GB – 5TB  

Key Features:

• Full image backups  
• Ransomware protection  
• Active disk cloning  
• Try and Decide tool for testing software and settings  

Pros:

• Lots of features  
• Strong security  
• Good value  

Cons:

• Expensive  
• Complicated pricing scheme  
• Can be resource-heavy  

User Reviews: Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office generally receives positive user reviews, with many praising its comprehensive features and security capabilities. However, some users have noted that the software can be resource-intensive.  

What Makes Acronis Stand Out: Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office’s advanced security features, including ransomware protection and active disk cloning, make it a top choice for users who prioritize data protection.

3. BigMIND Home

BigMIND Home, offered by Zoolz, distinguishes itself with its user-friendly interface and powerful photo management tools.

It leverages AI to organize and categorize your photos, making it easier to locate and manage your visual memories.

BigMIND Home also allows you to stream videos directly from your storage, eliminating the need to download them to your device.

And you get different storage types, including Hot, Cold, Media, and Hybrid+.  

Cost: 100GB of storage for $35.88 per year  

Storage Capacity: 100GB – 1TB  

Key Features:

• AI-powered photo management  
• Facial recognition for easy photo organization  
• Hybrid backups  

Pros:

• Easy to use  
• Great photo management  

Cons:

• Expensive  
• No private encryption  
• Limited storage space  

User Reviews: BigMIND Home receives positive user reviews, with many highlighting its ease of use and AI-powered photo management features. Although some users have expressed concerns about its high cost and lack of private encryption.  

What Makes BigMIND Home Stand Out: BigMIND Home’s AI-powered photo management tools, including facial recognition, make it an excellent choice for users with extensive photo libraries.

4. Jottacloud

Jottacloud is a cloud backup service that caters to photographers and multimedia enthusiasts.

You get unlimited storage, which means you can back up your entire photo and video library without worrying about running out of space.

Jottacloud also provides tools for organizing media files, making it easier to manage your growing collection. It was named the fastest cloud storage service by Cloudwards in February 2024.  

Cost: Unlimited backup for $9.12 per month  

Storage Capacity: Unlimited  

Key Features:

• Unlimited storage  
• AI photo search  
• Focus on photo management and sharing  

Pros:

• Unlimited backup  
• Great for photos  
• Fast  

Cons:

• No private encryption  
• Capped speed once storage exceeds 5TB  

User Reviews: Jottacloud receives positive user reviews, with many praising its unlimited storage and focus on photo management. However, some users have pointed out its lack of private encryption.  

What Makes Jottacloud Stand Out: Jottacloud’s unlimited storage and focus on photo management make it an ideal solution for photographers and users with large photo and video libraries.

5. Google Drive

While not strictly a cloud backup service, Google Drive offers features that make it a viable option for backing up your iPhone.

Its integration with Google Photos provides a seamless experience for managing your photos and videos, automatically organizing them by date and location. Google Drive also offers competitive pricing and generous free storage. It also boasts a zero-trust architecture for enhanced security.  

Cost: $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year for 100GB  

Storage Capacity: 15GB – 30TB  

Key Features:

• Integration with Google Photos  
• AI-powered search  
• Collaboration tools  

Pros:

• Excellent photo management  
• Reasonable prices  
• Incredibly well-designed iOS apps  

Cons:

• Massive privacy concerns  
• Limited storage  
• Limitations on file sizes and potential issues with copyright violations or malicious code detection  

User Reviews: Google Drive generally receives positive user reviews, with many praising its ease of use, collaboration features, and integration with other Google services. Some users though have expressed concerns about its privacy policies and limited storage space on the free plan.  

What Makes Google Drive Stand Out: Google Drive’s seamless integration with Google Photos and its competitive pricing make it an attractive option for budget-conscious users.

6. iCloud

iCloud is Apple’s built-in cloud storage service, offering a convenient way to back up your iPhone data.

It seamlessly integrates with iOS, allowing you to back up contacts, messages, photos, videos, and even your purchase history from Apple services.

iCloud also offers features like Shared Photo Library and iCloud Drive, making it easy to share and access your data across all your Apple devices. It also includes HomeKit Secure Video for storing and viewing encrypted video from your home security cameras.  

Cost: 5GB free, then from $0.99/month for 50GB to $59.99/month for 12TB  

Storage Capacity: 5GB – 12TB  

Key Features:

• Seamless iOS integration  
• Shared Photo Library  
• iCloud Drive  

Pros:

• Easy to use  
• Reliable  
• Affordable  

Cons:

• Limited storage space  
• Not compatible with Android  
• Potential for data loss if data is out of sync  

User Reviews: iCloud receives mixed user reviews. While many appreciate its seamless integration with Apple devices and ease of use, some have expressed concerns about its limited storage space.  

What Makes iCloud Stand Out: iCloud’s seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem makes it the most convenient option for Apple users.

7. Dropbox

Dropbox is a popular cloud storage service that offers a user-friendly interface and robust features.

It allows you to back up files and folders from your computer and access them from any device.

And you also get features like file versioning, smart sync, and document scanning, making it a versatile tool for managing your data.

When you move or delete a file in your Dropbox folder or on the web, Dropbox will confirm that this is the action you want to take, helping to prevent accidental data loss.  

Cost: Plus: $11.99/month for 2TB, Professional: $19.99/month for 3TB, Family: $16.58/month for 2TB  

Storage Capacity: 2GB – Unlimited  

Key Features:

• File versioning  
• Smart sync  
• Document scanning  

Pros:

• Easy to use  
• Reliable  
• Secure  

Cons:

• Expensive compared to some competitors  
• Limited storage on the free plan  

User Reviews: Dropbox generally receives positive user reviews, with many praising its ease of use, reliability, and security features. Some users have noted that the paid plans can be expensive, and the free plan offers limited storage.  

What Makes Dropbox Stand Out: Dropbox’s user-friendly interface and cross-platform compatibility make it a versatile option for individuals and families. It’s also a suitable option for students, with features like offline access for uninterrupted studying.  

Read also: Best Cloud Backup For Lifetime (#6 Providers)

Comparing Best Cloud Backup for iPhone

Feature	IDrive	Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office	BigMIND Home	Jottacloud	Google Drive	iCloud	Dropbox
Cost	100GB – 5TB $2.95/month	500GB for $89.99/year	100GB for $35.88/year	Unlimited for $9.12/month	100GB for $1.99/month	5GB free, then from $0.99/month	Plus: $11.99/month for 2TB
Storage Capacity	100GB – 100TB	50GB – 5TB	100GB – 1TB	Unlimited	15GB – 30TB	5GB – 12TB	2GB – Unlimited
Key Features	Continuous data protection, iDrive Express, file syncing and sharing	Full image backups, ransomware protection, active disk cloning	AI-powered photo management, video streaming, hybrid backups	Unlimited storage, photo organization tools, fast transfer speeds	Integration with Google Photos, competitive pricing, generous free storage	Seamless iOS integration, Shared Photo Library, iCloud Drive	File versioning, smart sync, document scanning
Security & Privacy	Zero-knowledge encryption	End-to-end cryptography, secure data centers	No private encryption	No private encryption	Zero-trust architecture	Basic encryption	Encryption in transit and at rest
Pros	Feature-rich, unlimited devices, good value	Lots of features, strong security, good value	Easy to use, great photo management	Unlimited storage, great for photos, fast	Excellent photo management, reasonable prices	Easy to use, reliable, affordable	Easy to use, reliable, secure
Cons	No unlimited storage, expensive, limited Linux support	Expensive, complicated pricing, can be resource-heavy	Expensive, no private encryption, limited storage space	No private encryption, capped speed after 5TB	Privacy concerns, limited storage	Limited storage space, not compatible with Android	Expensive, limited storage on free plan
User Reviews	Generally positive, some concerns about customer service and charges	Generally positive, some concerns about resource usage	Positive, some concerns about cost and lack of private encryption	Positive, some concerns about lack of private encryption and limited options	Generally positive, some concerns about privacy and limited free storage	Mixed, some concerns about limited storage and privacy	Generally positive, some concerns about cost and limited free storage

How to Choose the Best Cloud Backup for iPhone

Choosing the best cloud backup for your iPhone depends on your individual needs and priorities. Consider the following:

• Storage Needs: How much storage space do you require? If you have a large photo and video library, consider a service with unlimited storage like Jottacloud or a high storage capacity like IDrive.
• Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a cloud backup service? If you’re on a tight budget, Google Drive or iCloud offer competitive pricing. For more features and storage, consider IDrive or Acronis.
• Security and Privacy: How important is data privacy to you? If you’re concerned about the security of your data, choose a service with zero-knowledge encryption like IDrive.
• Features: What features are essential to you? If you need continuous data protection, IDrive is a good option. If you prioritize photo management, consider BigMIND Home.

Here are some recommendations for different user profiles:

• Budget-conscious users: Google Drive or iCloud
• Security-conscious users: IDrive or Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office
• Users with large photo libraries: Jottacloud or BigMIND Home
• Users with multiple devices: IDrive
• Students: Dropbox

The Importance of Backing Up Your iPhone Data

Backing up your iPhone data is crucial for several reasons:

• Data Loss Prevention: Accidents happen. iPhones can be lost, stolen, or damaged. A backup ensures that you don’t lose your precious data in such events.
• Device Upgrades: When upgrading to a new iPhone, a backup makes it easy to transfer all your data and settings to your new device.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing that your data is safely backed up provides peace of mind, allowing you to use your iPhone without worrying about data loss.

Conclusion

Protecting your valuable iPhone data should be a top priority.

While iCloud offers a convenient backup solution, its limitations in terms of privacy and security might make you consider alternative options.

The seven cloud backup services for iPhone discussed in this blog post offer a range of features and benefits to cater to various needs and preferences.

Don’t wait for an unfortunate event to realize the importance of backups – choose a service and back up your data today!

Read also:

• #13 Best Cloud Backup Services for Android
• #5 Best Cloud Backup for Multiple Computers
• #6 Best Cloud Backup Synology NAS (Reviewed)