The Best Online Backup for Your NAS Devices

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Backing up your NASJust like your local drives, you’ll want to make sure your Network Attached Storage (NAS) is protected by backing it up to the cloud.

Many unlimited online backup services don’t support NAS devices due to the potential for abuse (e.g. backing up multiple computers on a network).  Fortunately, many fixed-quota backup services do you let you backup your NAS just like any other hard drive.

Here is a list of the best online backup services that support NAS devices:

 

1. IDrive

IDrive is an easy to use online backup service, and it supports NAS and network drives as well.  Click on Preferences > Advanced, then provide the details for the mapped network drive.  Authentication with a username and password is also supported.

Network drive backup in IDrive

Backing up network drives in IDrive.

IDrive is great for other devices, too.  It can backup your PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android – all on the same account.

Cost: $44.62/year (about $4/month). $14.88 for the first year!  Limited-time offer for BackupReview readers.
Space: 1 TB

2. SpiderOak

SpiderOak lets you backup a mounted NAS volume by selecting it in the Backup > Advanced tab.

Cost: $12/month
Space: 1 TB

3. SOS Online Backup

SOS Online Backup is another option.  In the Backup tab, click the “Setup Online Backup” button.  Then use the “Add Network connect” option to select files and folders from NAS devices.

Cost: $20.99/month
Space: 500 GB

4. Livedrive

Livedrive supports the backing up of NAS devices since 2011.  To do so, you’ll need to add the NAS to your account before you can add it in the software.  Login to the web portal (where you manage your account) and go to Account Settings.  From there, you can add the device, then back it up using the desktop software.  Business users don’t need to do the first step.

Cost: $8/month
Space: Unlimited

5. ElephantDrive

ElephantDrive comes pre-installed on a number of NAS devices.  Even if your device isn’t listed, you can still back it up from the desktop software.

Cost: $9.95/month
Space: 100 GB

6. Carbonite

Business plans only!  Carbonite can backup NAS devices if the Administrator or Billing Owner adds it to his/her account.

Carbonite detects changes on NAS devices slower than your computer.  With files on your computer, any changes are backed up immediately.  With NAS devices, changes are scanned for once per hour, and then backed up within 24 hours.  Just something to keep in mind.

Cost: $269.99/year (about $23/month)
Space: 250 GB

7. Mozy

Business plans only!  Mozy can backup your NAS if you’re on the Pro plan.  For a complete walkthrough check out their tutorial for PC and Mac users.

Cost: $19.99/month
Space: 50 GB

 

Note about CrashPlan: CrashPlan can backup mapped network drives if you’re comfortable working with batch files.  This is only recommended for advanced users though.

Update April 2016: Corrected pricing.

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund is the founder and editor-in-chief of BackupReview.com. He enjoys attending music festivals, whitewater kayaking on the American River, and board game nights in his free time.

Geoff Akerlund

@backupsoftware