Backblaze Computer Backup vs Timeshift

Backblaze Computer Backup backs up computer files to cloud storage without storage limits or restrictions on file type or size. Native backup software is available for Mac and PC, and iOS and Android apps provide access to backed-up data. Files are encrypted before leaving the computer and remain encrypted in Backblaze data centers; users can choose an additional private encryption key. All accounts support two-factor verification through TOTP or SMS. Files can be restored through the web, mobile apps or a shipped hard drive, and individual backed-up files can be shared. The personal monthly option costs $9 per month for unlimited cloud backup for one computer. The yearly option is listed at $8.25 per month when paid annually, and the two-year option at $7.88 per month when paid bi-annually. A 15-day trial is available, but there is no free plan. Business features include multiple-user management and administrative controls, with deployment tools and SSO options for business and enterprise accounts.

Timeshift is a free Linux utility that creates incremental filesystem snapshots and restores a system to an earlier state. It offers rsync snapshots using hard links and BTRFS snapshots using built-in filesystem features. Scheduling can run hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or at boot, with configurable retention counts. Home-directory contents are excluded by default, because the tool focuses on system files and settings rather than personal data. Restores can run from the active system or another installation with Timeshift, including an Ubuntu Live CD or USB; a restore launched from the running system requires a reboot to finish. Listed supported configurations include normal, LUKS-encrypted, LVM2, BTRFS, GRUB2, and EFI setups, subject to constraints. BTRFS requires an Ubuntu-type layout with @ and @home subvolumes. Docker and other containerized systems are unsupported. Timeshift is maintained by Linux Mint within the XApp project, with installation instructions for Debian-based distributions, Fedora, Arch, and ALT Linux.