Summary:

In this review of OpenDrive, I checked out what kind of features their Unlimited Personal backup service had to offer.

Pros:

• unlimited storage space
• compatible with Windows and Mac
• easy to use online interface
• external hard drive backup included

Cons:

• no mobile backup
• support hours limited
• prices are high

Overall Score:  74.5/100

Though OpenDrive has a fair amount of features, their over the top pricing is way above what most companies are charging right now for similar services.

To get OpenDrive, sign up here: OpenDrive Backup

To see the highest rated Online Backup Service that scored a 93/100, go here: IDrive Online Backup

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The smartest thing you can do to protect your files and photos is to back up your computers and mobile devices.

In a day and age where it’s more common to have a tablet sitting on your coffee table than a photo album, we stand to lose a lot from computer viruses and device thefts.

Unless you have those files stored in a cloud, they’re gone forever.

Online backup services provide you with storage space to make sure that nothing is ever truly lost if your device suffers damage or falls into the wrong hands.

These services provide you with software to back up everything from you external hard drives to your smartphones, protecting your data and your personal information.

With so many options out there though, where do you start? The answer is here.

I’ll show you what to look for with these services, and explain how some of the more technical features work. Then we’ll take a look at what OpenDrive has to offer their customers.

Will OpenDrive Work on My Operating System?

We’ll start off with a simple process of elimination.
Take a look at which operating systems their software is compatible with (keeping in mind that you may be able to use it on more than one device).

Most programs are at least compatible with Windows and Mac, while others also work with Linux systems.

OpenDrive’s software isn’t compatible with Linux, but it will work on both Windows and Mac systems, so you can use it on either without having to adjust any settings on your system.

Mobile Options

Mobile apps are great for managing your account on the go. There are three basic things to look for when it comes to a backup service’s mobile options:

1. File syncing and sharing
2. Account management
3. Mobile device backup

With OpenDrive, they have apps for both iOS and Android devices that allow you to sync and share files, as well as manage your account on the go.

The only limitation is that you can’t back up your mobile devices with their service, so if this is something that is important to you, you’ll need to look into some other options.

Rating:  3.5/5 – No mobile device backup

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What Kind of Features Does OpenDrive Have?

These basic features have to do with how you can use the backup service.

These features factor a lot into what you can store, so make sure to look into each one before you pull the trigger on a purchase.

Feature #1: Storage Space

This feature needs little introduction, but it’s no doubt one of the most important parts of any online backup service.

A service plan with too little storage space can result in some hefty overage fees, so make sure you have plenty of room.

Most companies offer in the range of 500 GB, though more and more are offering unlimited space now.

With OpenDrive, there are no limits to how much you can store, so there are no worries about hitting a limit and racking up fees.

OpenDrive’s personal backup plan comes with unlimited storage space, but the nice thing is that you can also create a custom plan and downsize a bit if you don’t need a ton of room.

Rating:  5/5 – Unlimited space, if you need it

Feature #2:  File Size/Type Restrictions

Does the company you’re looking at restrict the size or types of files you can store?

If they do, it’s not likely they’re going to come out and tell you, so make sure to read through your user agreement carefully for any restrictions they have on files that can be stored with them.

With OpenDrive, your backed up files are never limited by size or type, so you can upload anything at any time to their servers.

Rating:  5/5 – No file restrictions

Feature #3:  File Recovery

If you’ve ever accidentally deleted a file, this is a feature you’re going to like. With file recovery, backup services give you a certain period of time to get deleted files back.

Though some companies offer unlimited file recovery, it is more common that this grace period is about 30 days.

With OpenDrive, you get way more – 90 days from the time you move your files to the trash, so there’s plenty of time to change your mind.

Rating:  5/5 – 90 day recovery period

Feature #4:  File Versioning

Much like file recovery, file versioning allows you to swoop in and recover files, only this one lets you get back previous versions of files that have since been modified or edited.

Just how many versions you have access to can vary a lot, but typically between 10 and 30 versions is the norm, although many are now offering unlimited versioning as well.

With OpenDrive, you get 99 file versions available all the time, so yea, not a bad deal at all.

Rating:  4.5/5 – 99 file versions available

Feature #5:  Continuous Backup

Gone are the days when you had to manually select files and add them to a clunky external hard drive.

With continuous backup, your software handles it for you, automatically backing up every file that is added or updated to your system.

Most software also includes a scheduling tool, in case you don’t want the program constantly running in the background.

OpenDrive has both automatic backup and the option to schedule and select files to be uploaded, so you have options as to how often you want the software running.

Rating:  5/5 – Automatic backups

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Feature #6:  External Hard Drive Backup

Speaking of those bulky hard drives, if you still have one laying around that’s full of old photos, a lot of backup services will actually let you back those up too, for no additional fee.

That’s right, you can back up your backups now.

OpenDrive includes external hard drive backup with their Personal Unlimited plan, so you can keep all of those files safe and secure on their servers.

Rating:  5/5 – External hard drive backup included

Feature #7:  File Sync

This feature syncs up all of your backed up files with all of your devices, so you can literally access them anytime, anywhere.

It’s incredibly convenient, and a great tool for professionals that need to have access to business files on the go.

Like most other backup services, OpenDrive gives their customers access to all of their files with their mobile apps and file syncing, so your cloud travels with you in an easy to use app.

Rating:  5/5 – Take your files anywhere

Feature #8:  File Sharing

Like file syncing, file sharing allows you to take your files anywhere, but also share them with other users in a setting that’s a bit more private than social media.

Typically by using a link or e-mail, you can give others access to files and photos in your account. You’re in control, and your privacy is protected.

With OpenDrive you can share your files easily between friends, family, and coworkers, without having to worry about the whole world having access.

Rating:  5/5 – Secure file sharing

Feature #9: Throttle Controls (Bandwidth)

This is a really cool feature that has become a staple with most backup software.

While small amounts of file backups aren’t going to slow down your connection too much, if you have frequent or large file dumps, these processes can eat up a lot of bandwidth and limit what you can do while they take place.

With throttle controls, you decide how much of your internet connection the backup process takes up, and can either optimize it for a speedy upload, or system performance.

With OpenDrive, you can make sure that your file backups don’t take over your system, and run other programs simultaneously without issues.

Rating:  5/5 – You control the bandwidth usage

Feature #10: Free Trial

The best way to really know whether or not you’re going to like a backup service is by using a free trial. What’s really great is, just about everybody offers one now.

Take advantage of this and really give their program a workout.

Most companies offer 30 day trials with all of the features, but with OpenDrive, you actually get an unlimited window of time to use their product, with a storage space limit of 5 GB instead.

Rating:  5/5 – Never ending free trial

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How Secure Is It?

Most of the trepidation people have with online backup services stems from security concerns, and for good reason.

There have been a lot of stories in the news recently about servers being hacked and sensitive personal information falling into the wrong hands.

Here are a few ways to make sure that whoever you choose makes your privacy a priority.

Feature #1:  Geo Redundancy Backup

This feature is more about protecting your files from being lost in the event of a disaster than it is about them being stolen, but it’s nonetheless important.

As many people use online backup services to free up memory on their devices, they delete the originals, leaving it up to the companies to protect their files from being permanently lost.

So what happens if the servers are damaged?

To prevent the worst from happening, some companies spring for multiple data centers in what is called geo redundancy backup.

Basically, your files are actually stored at multiple locations, so if one data center goes down, your files are still safe.

This isn’t a very common feature, and unfortunately, it’s not something OpenDrive has either.

Rating:  0/5 – Only one data center

Feature #2: Data encryption

Most companies go this extra mile to protect your files by encrypting them on their way to their servers, and for the duration of their storage.

Most commonly, they either use 128 or 256 bit encryption to do it. While 128 bit is definitely strong and secure, 256 is a bit tougher, and is actually used by the US military too.

OpenDrive uses 128 bit encryption to protect your files as they’re uploaded and for the duration of their storage on their servers. It’s pretty secure, but it’s just not as good as it gets.

Rating:  2.5/5 – Not the strongest encryption

Feature #3: User-Owned Encryption Key

If you’re worried about storing your files with a company, you can take your security levels up a notch by creating a user-owned encryption key.

Most typically, backup services encrypt your information and have the means of decrypting it. By creating your own key, you and only you have access to those files.

With OpenDrive, you have the option of creating your own encryption key, and keeping your files truly private.

Just keep in mind that if you ever lose this key, they have no way of recovering it, and your data is lost.

Rating:  5/5 – Custom encryption key option

Feature #4: Server Ownership and Third Party Involvement

This one is pretty important to me, because it can really impact who has access to your data.

Privacy policies and user agreements can be worded pretty sketchily to say the least, and the more companies that are involved with storing your data, the more complicated it gets.

If they don’t specify it on their website, be sure to ask them if they own their data centers, and if they handle all of their encryption in-house.

OpenDrive doesn’t outsource any of their data storage or encryption, so you never have to worry about who has access to your files and information.

Rating:  5/5 – No third party involvement

Feature #5: Remote Wipe

This feature isn’t so much for backup security, but it’s a great way to protect your personal information if your device is ever stolen.

Basically, if you someone nabs your computer, you can use remote wipe to erase everything off of it, so they don’t have any of your personal information.

Of course, it’s probably all backed up too, so you never really truly lose it – win-win.

This isn’t the most common feature, and it’s typically seen as more of an extra. OpenDrive doesn’t have remote wipe, or any other theft protection features with their online backup service.

Rating:  0/5 – No remote wipe

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Is it Easy to Use?

Not everybody has used an online backup service before, so it’s important that whichever one you wind up with is easy enough to use without needing help from support right from the start.

A clean, user-friendly interface with accessible features and easy to adjust options are absolutely key.

I signed up for a free trial with OpenDrive to see how their software compared.

As it turns out, their backup service doesn’t actually require you to download or install a program on your device – it’s all done on a module on their website.

Everything was pretty easy to use and navigate, and their system seems to perform really well. Settings are easy to adjust, and visually everything is just very easy to find and understand.

Though OpenDrive doesn’t quite work the way most other backup services do, it’s a great one for beginners to try.

Rating:  5/5 – As easy as it gets

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What If I Need Help?

If you’re paying your hard-earned money for something, in my opinion, it had better come with some seriously superb customer service.

Great support shows that a company really values your business, and doesn’t leave you high and dry when you need help.

Here are a few things to look at when you’re trying to see how reliable their customer support is going to be.

24/7 Support?

First of all, you need to know that they’re going to be prompt, and if they’re available 24/7, then chances are good.

Not many companies have 24/7 support, so if they do, take note – it’s not something you’re going to see very often.

OpenDrive has pretty limited support hours.

They’re only available Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST, so if you need help over the weekend, you’re going to be in for a bit of a wait.

Rating:  0/5 – Limited support hours

Channels

Ideally, you want to be able to reach the company you get service with in as many ways as possible.

A lot of companies offer live options in addition to e-mail support – usually either live chat or phone support.

At the very least, you want to make sure they have at least one instant way of getting in touch with them.

OpenDrive has you covered, with e-mail and phone support to get you taken care of as fast as possible, barring service requests outside of their normal business hours.

Rating:  4/5 – Phone and e-mail support

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How Much Does OpenDrive Cost?

With so many options available for online backup services now, prices are super competitive, and every day a better deal rolls out.

There are a few different ways these service plans can be priced, but for the most part packages tend to run about $5 a month for month to month plans, and $50 for annual packages.

OpenDrive is definitely one of the most expensive backup services I’ve ever seen, even with so many unlimited features.

Their monthly rates and annual packages are way overpriced, at over double the industry average. Sure they’re good, but they’re not that good.

Rating:  0/5 – Overpriced plans

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Conclusion

Okay, so we definitely covered a lot of ground there, but hopefully you have a better idea of what’s out there for backup services, and which features matter the most to you.

Let’s wrap things up with a recap of OpenDrive’s backup service.

The good:

• compatible with most systems
• apps for Android and iOS
• unlimited storage space
• no file size or type restrictions
• 99 versions available for files
• automatic backup with scheduling tool
• bandwidth throttle controls
• unlimited free trial
• external hard drive backup
• file syncing
• file sharing
• simple online backup module
• 90 day file recovery
• optional user-owned encryption key
• no third party involvement
• live chat and e-mail support

The not so good:

• not compatible with Linux
• no mobile backup
• only one data center (no geo redundancy)
• not the strongest encryption
• no remote wipe feature
• limited support availability
• expensive compared to similar products

Overall Score:  74.5/100

Honestly, it’s a shame that the price isn’t better on OpenDrive.

Though it’s a bit primitive as far as appearance goes, their backup function is sound, and their Personal Unlimited plan has all of the makings of a great comprehensive backup service.

That price though – there’s just no getting around it, there are plenty of comparable services out there for half the cost.

To get OpenDrive, sign up here: OpenDrive Backup

To see the highest rated Online Backup Service that scored a 93/100, go here: IDrive Online Backup