SOS Online Backup Reviews

SOS Online Backup will protect and save all your documents, images, music and videos with the option to manually define custom file types to backup and protect. The service can run fully automatically without having to bug you after the setup is completed. You can check in on the backup process and a set of important elements by opting to receive email reports on the backups taken, so you can verify that the service is doing its job well. Through the software’s settings you can customize and optimize the backup’s schedule to run at times you select, with in-depth options to select at which times a backup may be performed. Bandwidth settings, security preferences and all other options are there in the SOS Online Backup client for you to update based on your needs and wishes.

SOS Online Backup can handle any file type, without limits. There are some default exclusions in SOS that will skip cache data, application files and other system files that aren’t necessary for backup. You can however modify these exclusions in your settings should you wish to do so. The system will adapt to slower and less stable Internet connections, and will pause and enable itself again when your connection or power go down. With lossless compression in place, the software’s consumption of your precious bandwidth is kept low.

The service puts a strong focus on backing up mobile devices, and has especially put much effort into making its software as Android-friendly as possible. All apps, music, pictures, documents and any other files stored on an Android device can be backed up automatically through the Android app. SOS for iOS devices can protect photos and contacts, but is restricted by Apple’s Digital Rights Management and cannot protect DRM-protected media files. Furthermore, backups of iPhone and iPad need to be performed manually due to Apple’s restrictions.

LiveProtect and forever save archive

The handy LiveProtect feature will allow you to enable continuous, real-time syncing on selected files. LiveProtect will watch all marked files and back the data up within seconds of the files being changed. Most common file types, including Microsoft Office documents can be backed-up and protected even if they are open and worked on to prevent any hiccups in storing the data. ForeverSave Archive is SOS Online Backup’s technology that ensures you can rapidly retrieve previous versions of files. The service holds on to every version of a file and will keep it archived forever, regardless of the amount of versions you have ever stored of it.

SOS Online Backup takes security very seriously, and includes a variety of unique security technologies to make sure its service meets the strictest security needs. The system employs unique-per-user 256-bit AES encryption prior to backup, and uses the same technique once all data have been transferred to the cloud. Optionally, you can choose to have SSL encryption set in preferences for transfer connections, and for the ultimate in safety and security go for UltraSafe MAX accounts. These accounts use a unique, user-defined encryption key that is never stored in the SOS cloud. This does however also mean that access cannot be restored if your account credentials are lost.

SOS runs eleven independent SAS 70 Type II audited data centers on five continents for ultimate geo-redundant storage. All facilities and all steps in the backup process are managed in-house, there are no other parties involved that could intercept your data. With video surveillance, access with security badges only and all other tight security measurements in place that you should expect from a premier cloud company, SOS Online Backup’s data warehouses are fitted with everything needed to guarantee full data protection. As if this wasn’t enough, SOS Online Backup performs a backup of your backup each night to entirely different hardware in order to completely minimize the risk of data loss.

All common desktop and mobile platforms are supported by SOS Online Backup. Simply download and install the application for your platform and you’ll have bulletproof protection across all your devices. Platforms catered for include Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 Pro, Windows Server 2003, Mac OS X 10.6 and up, Android, iOS, Linux volumes supported by network-mapping to a PC or Mac and others.

A unified web portal allows convenient access to all your backed up files, where you’ll be able to view files by type using filters for pictures, videos, music and documents. Not only can you manage and restore files and folders through your online account, you can also produce comprehensive reporting on your backup history and machine backup details for internal auditing and controls as part of your regulatory compliance requirements.

Everything about SOS Online Backup has been designed with the user in mind, in terms of ease of use and reducing complexity, yet giving you maximum data protection and peace of mind. Over the years, SOS Online Backup has been continuously optimized to require as little system resources as possible while running in the background. Automatic schedules can be set up to run hourly, daily, weekly or monthly. Backups of iOS devices are however an exception to this, as these backups require manual activation in order to run. The software’s settings allow you to set up a daily window to limit at what times of the day SOS Online Backup initiates backups and transfers data.

SOS Online Backup can automatically find and backup your most important files by going after specific file types, regardless of which folders the files are stored in on your device. It is also easy to set up additional custom file-types, specify exactly which files/folders to backup instead of/in addition to what SOS Online Backup already picks up.

SOS Online Backup offers plans for personal use, families or workgroup use and business or enterprise use. All plans offer incremental savings the longer you enroll, with up to eight months of free service when you opt for a payment every three years. There’s also a free 14-day trial account with 50GB storage and all features available with this service, which can be fully upgraded to a paid account at the end of the trial seamlessly. A 30-day money back guarantee exists for all paid plans should you wish to cancel your service risk-free even after this trial period.

Personal cloud

The Personal Cloud plan gives you unlimited cloud storage for the backups of one PC or Mac. This cheapest plan comes with all backup features and functionalities you could possibly need as a home user or small business owner. If you enroll for the longest plan, your costs can be as low as $3.58 a month, which works out at a very competitive $129.99 for three years. This is the equivalent of having eight months free when you compare it to the minimum one-year plan at $59.99. A two-year plan at $99.99 gives you a smaller saving, equivalent to four months free.

Family cloud

The Family Cloud plan provides unlimited cloud storage for the data of five PC’s and/or Macs. Opting for the longest plan makes your costs as low as $16.11 a month, which works out at $579.99 for three years. These savings are the equivalent of having eight months free when you compare it to the minimum one-year plan at $249.99. A two-year plan at $409.99 gives you a smaller saving, equivalent to four months free.

SOS business

With an SOS Business plan, you get centralized management, unlimited PC and Mac backup storage, unlimited Android and iPhone/iPad backup, ForeverSave Archive with restore options for an unlimited amount of versions of files, backup support for NAS and external storage, and even Bare Metal Imaging capabilities for Exchange/SQL servers. Prices depend on your specific IT infrastructure and setup, a quotation will be provided by SOS Online Backup and is negotiable, but you can expect similar discount schemes and rates equivalent to the two previous plans if you enroll for longer terms.

SOS Online Backup accepts all major payment methods including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal and Discover. Also look out for frequent online coupons, special offers and other savings, as these provide additional discounts over and above those that are already mentioned for longer enrollment such as three-year plans.

It’s hard to go wrong with this multiple times award winner and backup solution trusted by large corporates. Unlimited storage with multiple redundant data centers located in many locations throughout the world ensures maximum availability and risk reduction. Military strength security and encryption guarantees surveillance proof data protection, with various audits performed regularly for ultimate compliance with all data protection requirements. The file syncing and file versioning features are just two examples of self-developed technology used in this provider’s backup service, all available through handy software clients and apps for all relevant devices and operating systems. Priced at just $3.58 per month for a Personal Cloud account ideal for home use, this enterprise-level backup solution is accessible for just about every type of customer.