BackupGenie Reviews

It takes a lot of nerve to call your company a genie in what it provides, but BackupGenie is rightfully not shy about its online backup service working like magic. The software makes it easy to automate backups and storing them safely in the cloud. It automatically backs your data up in the cloud and makes sure that the cloud backup is in sync with the latest version of the file stored on your computer. Setting it up is a breeze, with more advanced settings conveniently available in case you want further control over the backup process. The service doesn’t require any further actions from you after the setup – once set up it ensures your data is available through the desktop client and your online control panel. From there you can also make files available to others for collaboration and convenient access from any device.

As far as just what type of data you’re able to securely back up using BackupGenie, you’re given relatively free reign. You have full control over which folders are backed up to their servers – no need to worry about private documents being released into space. All of the standard file types you’d expect to be supported are, such as music files, photos, and Word/.pdf documents. Of course, their EULA naturally prohibits the use of BackupGenie’s servers for the storage of illegally acquired files (think pirated .iso files, for example), but that’s to be expected – they’re a legit outfit after all.

Desktop client

The desktop client’s main screen has a comprehensive information center that lists all of the important information to let you know what time of day your computer will make a connection to their servers. It also helpfully lets you know how much storage space you have remaining, allowing you to ensure that you never end up running out of room for your most important files. You can also simply drag and drop extra files that you need to back up, without having to sync an entire folder. It really is as easy as dragging and dropping into the window.

It’s a relatively common worry that is prevalent amongst computer users considering taking the plunge head-on into cloud-based data storage that their files and data could not possibly be as safe as these so-called “skydrive” companies would claim. Although many people unfamiliar with cloud computing would be quick to dismiss its storage as akin to leaving an unattended USB stick out in the wild, the reality could not be further from the truth. BackupGenie takes the safety and security of the data you entrust them with very seriously indeed. Anything that you sync to your account will be stored on the company’s Google cloud storage servers housed in the same facilities as those run by search engine company itself, which are widely touted as the most stable and secure currently available.

Each and every iota of data is transferred to the cloud on a 256 bit AES-encrypted connection, guaranteeing that no less-than-savory parties are able to pry and peek at your private information. Once it’s been safely deposited into these Google-approved servers, it’s duplicated and duplicated again – that way, even if one copy should vanish, you’re still covered.

This is the twenty-first century, and not everybody chooses the same pieces of technology for their day-to-day needs. Fortunately, though, BackupGenie does not discriminate. The list of supported devices and operating systems proudly displayed on the main page is just about as comprehensive as anyone could ask for. All three major operating systems – Windows 7/8, Mac OSX, and Ubuntu Linux – are covered here, as are both Android and iOS mobile devices. Device support even extends to BlackBerry and, even more staggeringly, the Kindle Fire. Here, they’ve really gone all out to ensure that nobody feels left out. And if you would use an Internet-enabled device not supported with a native software client, you can still conveniently access the service through the mobile optimized online control panel accessible through BackupGenie.com.

Not only that, but all versions of the BackupGenie software are cross-platform compatible. Windows on your PC but an iPhone in your pocket? Not a problem. No hidden catches, no extra hoops to jump through, just pure unadulterated convenient file transfer. You can’t really say fairer than that, can you?

It should probably come as little surprise given the overwhelming list of positives already highlighted here that BackupGenie is an incredibly user-friendly piece of software, with a friendly and straightforward website to boot. Creating an account takes little more than ten seconds, as completing the initial registration requires nothing beyond your name, an e-mail address, and a password. There are no extensive EULAs tossed at you right off the bat, neither are there any direct requests for your credit card information. BackupGenie is happy to just let you ease your way in, one step at a time.

The program itself follows the same ideology. Its simplistic and uncluttered design means that you’ll have absolutely no misconceptions about what tools do what; not only will your data be completely safe, but you’ll also have complete control over what gets synced to BackupGenie’s servers and when.

Installation

Once BackupGenie’s software is downloaded and installed on your computer, getting your files backed up to the cloud servers is an incredibly simple process. There is little actual setup to speak of with the desktop application – simply run the installer and once it has worked its magic, you’re presented with a login screen. Input the username and password you used to register on their site, tell the program which folders you want to sync (there are some commonly-used defaults already selected for you) and then BackupGenie will take care of the rest for you. You need not fear a complex app design, either – BackupGenie’s incredibly simple user interface makes syncing your data to the cloud as easy as you like.

Finally, when you use the BackupGenie application to manage your synced files, you are given complete and flexible control over everything that it will do for you. A comprehensive settings tab means that you can fine-tune its syncing and storage capabilities to suit your every whim – you can adjust just about everything that the BackupGenie software handles for you.

Home Plan

BackupGenie offers three types of plans for their users, ranging in scope and scale depending on the nature of what you’re planning on using the account for. At one end of the spectrum is their Home plan, specially tailored for the casual day-to-day user. For a paltry $5.56 per month, you’ll be able to use their dedicated servers to store 6,000 documents, 10,000 photos, and 10,000 songs. That’s a whole lot of storage, of that there is no doubt, but what if you’re feeling just a little more intense than that? What if your data storage needs eclipse those amounts? Well, fear not, brave user, because the bright folks at BackupGenie thought about that too. Proudly proclaimed as its most popular plan, the Premium package offers the capacity to store 10,000 documents, 20,000 photos, and 15,000 songs. And how much does this marked improvement on the Home plan cost, I hear you ask? $8.34 per month. For almost bang-on $100 per year, you can use their high-end secure servers to store all of that important stuff – ideal for the more switched-on user who is using their BackupGenie account for data across a multitude of devices.

Unlimited Plan

For the true power users – those with so many files to organize and sync to the cloud that if their collections were transferred to physical media they would comfortably fill an entire house – BackupGenie has got you covered too. A mere monthly fee of $11.94 will allow you access to their Unlimited plan, which is pretty much exactly what you’d expect it to be. Unlimited documents. Unlimited photos. Unlimited songs. You can try as you might but you will never, ever fill your quota on this account. No longer must you find yourself shackled by the constraints of the storage space available on your home hard drive. If you’re running out of room, just send it to the cloud.

As far as payment options are concerned, the selection of accepted methods is as comprehensive as we might hope to find given the staggering breadth of choice on offer elsewhere on the site. All major credit and debit cards are accepted, as is American Express. For those of you more averse to putting it on plastic, PayPal is supported too. The only real fault to be found here is that they don’t accept Bitcoins just yet, and the money back guarantee being limited to 30 days. If this incredible range of plans and payment options hasn’t swayed you then they’re even kind enough to let you try it out with no commitments. Just head on over to their website and create your 14-day free trial account – you can get a taste of all of the great features on offer with absolutely no obligation to buy on your part.

In addition to offering a comprehensive range of backup and storage facilities, BackupGenie is equally well stocked in the customer service department. Their website contains a support center full-to-bursting with frequently asked questions that should comfortably clear up any issues you might be having with their service. If they’re not clear enough, then there is also a wide variety of video tutorials present in the support section, so you can watch someone else clear up your problems and simply do as they do. If you’re still having problems after that, then their live customer service chat is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for personal assistance.