Backing up files is the number one thing that every computer user should do. Whether you have a small business or you just store a lot of files on your home system, a good backup plan means that you won’t lose what’s important to you. The best thing about backing up files today is that you don’t even have to buy an external drive or purchase any kind of disc. The only thing you will need to make sure your files are safe is a secure Internet connection.

Storing your files online through cloud storage is easy. Picking the right cloud storage provider, however, is a bit trickier. Lots of companies want you to choose their online storage option, but there are a few things to consider first. Most importantly, make sure that you can use a cloud storage site easily. If you have to mess around with a complex setup process every time you want to store a file, you’re likely to skip the whole thing altogether. It’s also important to find a storage site that is secure, which is why it’s best to stick with reputable sites like the ones listed below.

IDrive ($4.95/Month)

IDrive makes the top of this list for one very good reason: you can store files from up to five different computers with just one account. So, with that monthly membership fee, you can store any photos or files from any five computers on your network without paying a dollar more. On the flip side, IDrive won’t store some files from a Mac and others from a PC, which can be irritating if you have both a Mac and PC at home or in your office.

Norton Online Backup ($49.95)

Norton has long been a trusted name within the security business, so it’s no wonders that this company has decided to enter the online backup game. Norton’s offering is secure, fast, user-friendly, and you can store files from various systems using the same account. The great thing about Norton’s Online Backup is that you can use this program with both PCs and Macs.

KinectD ($2 Per GB)

KinectD has gained a lot of praise for being one of the best online backup options available. As with Norton’s Online Backup, you can use KinectD with various systems at once including Macs and PCs, but the real reason KinectD is so popular is that this online backup option is super easy to setup and use – and it also happens to be one of the most secure backup sites available.

How to Choose According to Price

As you’ve probably noticed, online storage options are all priced differently. Is it better to pay per month, a one-time deal, or by GB? This depends on how many files you want to back up and how often you will use an online backup option. For some, paying $50 once is a better idea than paying $4 per month. For others, paying per GB makes sense if only a few select files need to be backed up. To find the right option, consider how often you will use a backup service and how many files you have (and how large those files are).