Reviewed: Top 10 NAS Backup Software in 2024

October 24, 2023,

NAS backup software is a crucial tool for securely storing and protecting data by creating backups from various devices like computers, laptops, smartphones, or tablets to a NAS device. NAS devices connect to your network, providing accessible storage for multiple devices.

This guide will explain why NAS backup software is so crucial. We will examine what it does, why it’s necessary, and how to pick the best backup software for NAS. We’ll also check out some popular NAS backup software options to help you make informed choices.

What is NAS Backup Software?

NAS backup software allows users to manage and create data backups from their devices to a NAS device. This safeguarding measure involves making duplicate copies of data and ensuring recovery options for data loss, theft, corruption, or ransomware attacks.

Why You Need NAS Backup Software:

NAS backup software is essential for safeguarding data against potential risks, like important documents, precious photos, or critical emails. The NAS backup software uses different methods to back up your data, such as saving it on your computer, in other places far away, or the cloud. These measures ensure a robust defence against unexpected situations.

Choosing the best backup software for Synology NAS becomes crucial when looking to protect devices like Synology NAS. This strategic selection enhances data security, aligning seamlessly with the unique requirements and challenges posed by Synology NAS devices.

Uses for NAS: From Centralized Storage to Business Backup 0Systems

01 NAS as Data Storage:

Centralise Files: Centralise files, pictures, videos, and music from different devices in one place. This action consolidates data from multiple devices and provides an easy place to get all your data.
Share Data Easily: Grant specific access to files or folders for family, friends, or colleagues. This collaborative feature ensures seamless sharing without compromising security.
Stream Media: Enjoy a seamless library of music and movies across multiple devices. Transform your NAS into a personal media server for uninterrupted entertainment.
Backup Devices: Ensure additional security by regularly backing up computers, laptops, and tablets to the NAS. This action safeguards against data loss and allows for easy recovery.

02 NAS as Media Archive:

Preserve Memories: Save essential pictures, videos, and home movies in electronic form for future generations. Transform your NAS into a digital archive that keeps your special memories for many years.
Organise Collections: Create customised libraries for music, movies, and TV shows with easy search and sorting. This organisational feature enhances accessibility and makes navigating your media archive a breeze.
Stream to Any Device: Share media through streaming apps or directly from the NAS to friends and family. Enjoy the flexibility of accessing your media archive on various devices.
Build a Home Theater: Use a TV to watch all your movies from home. Use a NAS system in the home theatre to enhance home entertainment capabilities.

03 NAS as Own Cloud Storage:

Access Anywhere: Securely access data from any internet-connected device. Turn your NAS into your cloud, ensuring your data is within reach whenever and wherever you need it.
Sync Across Devices: Make sure files on all your devices are the same by automatically changing them. If you’re working on a file or fixing an image, alterations go smoothly from all linked gadgets.
Real-time Collaboration: Work with your work friends or classmates on the same papers and show them simultaneously. Improve work results by using tools that let you team up immediately.
Eliminate Subscription Fees: Use your storage without paying for cloud services each month. Eliminate recurring subscription fees but still keep your data under control.

04 NAS Business Backup Systems:

Protect Critical Data: Safely store business documents, financial records, and client information. Leverage your NAS as a secure repository for critical business data.
Disaster Recovery: Speed up fixing computer systems that fail or lose data by quickly returning them to a previous state. Reduce business stop time and keep things going smoothly with good plans for dealing with disasters.
Compliance: Ensure data security through local storage. Follow the rules about protecting personal information. Meet legal standards while keeping important company information secret.
Scalable Storage: Make it easy to add more storage as your business keeps growing. Adapt to evolving business requirements without affecting data accuracy

Pros and Cons of NAS Backup:

Pros of NAS Backup:

Local Control: Manage your data without having to use cloud storage services. Use only the information in English that most people know instead of multiple long words and complex terms used for experts or professional purposes. Keep all your data safe from others.
Flexibility: Pick out the best software, hardware and amount of storage space you need. Adjust your storage system for backing up to match what you need.
Scalability: Easily expand storage capacity to accommodate growing data requirements. Adapt your NAS backup system to changing data dynamics without significant disruptions.
Performance: Faster data transfer speeds compared to cloud backup solutions. Experience efficient and quick backup processes, especially with large datasets.
Security: Enhance protection by encrypting your data. Implement robust security measures to safeguard sensitive information.

Cons of NAS Backup:

Initial Cost: Requires an upfront investment in NAS hardware and software. Prepare for an initial expenditure to set up an effective NAS backup system.
Maintenance: Responsibility for system maintenance and updates lies with the user. Regularly update and maintain your NAS backup system for optimal performance.
Power Dependence: Backup operations rely on the NAS being powered on and accessible. Ensure consistent power availability for uninterrupted backup processes.
Disaster Recovery: Getting backups at a separate place is essential to ensure you’re safe from significant physical accidents. Implement offsite backup for disaster recovery to protect yourself from problems caused by disasters in the office.

The Importance of Choosing the Right NAS Devices:

Selecting the suitable NAS device ensures your backup system runs smoothly and protects your data effectively. Consider these factors:

Performance: Opt for a NAS with ample processing power and RAM for efficient backup tasks. Choose hardware that can handle the demands of your backup system.
Storage Capacity: Choose a NAS with sufficient space for current and future data needs. Assess your data growth projections to ensure scalability.
Networking Capabilities: Select a NAS with appropriate network ports and speeds for backup traffic. Align network capabilities with your data transfer requirements.
Software Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with the chosen backup software—Prioritise seamless integration between hardware and software for optimal performance.
Security Features: To enhance security, prioritise NAS devices with robust features such as encryption and access control.
Safeguard your data against potential threats with advanced security features.

Interfaces to the NAS Backup System:

Web Interface: Manage backups through a user-friendly web interface from any browser. Conveniently access and control your backup system remotely.
Mobile App: Access files and manage backups on the go with a dedicated mobile app. Stay connected and in control, even when away from your primary devices.
Desktop Software: Schedule backups, monitor activity, and restore files using a dedicated desktop application. Enjoy a comprehensive desktop experience for efficient backup management.
Command-Line Interface: Advanced users can directly control and automate backup tasks through the command line. Tailor your backup system to specific needs with advanced command-line functionality.

How to Create a Backup from a NAS:

Choose Backup Software: Select built-in or third-party backup software compatible with your NAS. Explore various options to find the software that best aligns with your backup needs.
Select Backup Sources: Select the folders or files to save as a backup. Make your backup plan focus on the essential data you need by considering what is most important to you.
Set Up a Backup Schedule: Set the time of backups (like each day, every week). Set up a plan that keeps your data safe and makes the system work well.
Choose Backup Destination: Select where backups will be stored (another NAS, external drive, cloud)—Optimise storage locations based on your recovery strategy and available resources.
Run the Backup: Initiate the backup process and monitor progress. Stay vigilant during the backup process to address any issues promptly.

NAS Backup Strategies:

3-2-1 Rule: Maintain three copies of data on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite for complete protection. Adhere to industry-standard practices for robust data backup.
Local and Cloud Backups: Use local NAS and cloud storage for extra emergency copies. Create a detailed plan to protect your data locally and in faraway places. This plan should cover both local and remote backup needs.
Incremental Backups: Save only files that changed since the last backup. Taking this action saves both time and room for storage. Make a backup plan that decreases extra copies of information.
Versioning: Keep multiple file versions for restoration purposes. Ensure the availability of historical file versions to facilitate data recovery.

How to Choose the Best NAS Backup Software Solution:

Selecting the right backup software NAS depends on compatibility, features, performance, ease of use, support, and pricing. The software should seamlessly integrate with the NAS device and the devices requiring backup. Essential elements contain scheduling, incremental backups, encryption, compression, deduplication, versioning, and efficient restoration capabilities.

Performance considerations involve minimal impact on network bandwidth and system resources. Additionally, user-friendly interfaces, comprehensive documentation, reliable support, and transparent pricing models contribute to a robust NAS backup solution.

If you want a Synology or QNAP NAS device, check out our latest review on the best NAS Synology DS723+ vs QNAP TS-233.

10 Best NAS Backup Software:

Securing data from potential loss, corruption, or theft is essential, and NAS backup solutions play an important role in achieving this. NAS devices, integral to your network by providing shared storage for multiple devices, significantly benefit from backup solutions that ensure the safe storage of data in alternative locations, such as a cloud service, a local drive, or another NAS device.

Various types of NAS backup solutions exist within the market, each possessing unique features, advantages, and limitations. We will have a look at the 10 of the most renowned NAS backup solutions as follows:

Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage:

Backblaze B2 offers unlimited storage for NAS backup for $0.005 per GB per month. It supports various NAS devices, including Synology NAS backup software, QNAP, Drobo, and FreeNAS.

Backblaze B2 provides features such as versioning, encryption, and lifecycle management. Users can utilise Backblaze’s software or third-party tools for NAS data backup.

IDrive:

IDrive offers 5 TB of storage for NAS backup at $69.65 per year. Compatible with NAS devices like Synology, QNAP NAS Backup software, Netgear, and Asustor, IDrive supports incremental backup, encryption, and file sharing. Users can employ IDrive’s web interface or desktop app for seamless NAS data backup.

MEGA:

MEGA offers 15 GB of free storage and up to 16 TB of paid storage for NAS backup. Compatible with NAS devices such as Synology, QNAP, and WD My Cloud, MEGA provides features like end-to-end encryption, file syncing, and collaboration. Users can back NAS data through MEGA’s web interface or desktop app.

Google Drive:

Google Drive provides 15 GB of free storage and up to 2 TB of storage with various paid plans, and it allows for file syncing, sharing, and editing. Users can recover NAS data through Google Drive’s web interface or desktop app. Refer to our comprehensive review on Google Drive for further information.

Veeam NAS Backup:

Veeam NAS Backup allow users to safeguard NAS data by enabling backups to another NAS device, a local drive, or a cloud service. Veeam NAS Backup is compatible with various NAS devices, including Synology, QNAP, Netgear, and Dell EMC.

Veeam NAS Backup includes essential features like incremental backup, compression, encryption, and deduplication. Users can seamlessly perform NAS data backup using Veeam’s user-friendly interface or the efficient command-line interface.

ElephantDrive:

ElephantDrive offers 1 TB of storage for NAS backup at $10 monthly. Compatible with NAS devices like Synology, QNAP, Netgear, and Drobo, ElephantDrive provides versioning, encryption, and file-sharing features. Users can employ ElephantDrive’s web interface or desktop app for seamless NAS data backup.

C2 Storage:

C2 Storage emerges as a specialised cloud storage service crafted for Synology NAS devices. It provides a generous 1 TB of storage for NAS backup, priced at $69.99 annually. The service contains essential features, including encryption, deduplication, and disaster recovery. Using Synology’s Hyper Backup app makes the NAS data backup seamless.

Amazon S3 Glacier Storage:

Amazon S3 Glacier Storage offers cost-effective storage for long-term NAS backup, charging $0.004 per GB per month for storage and additional fees for retrieval and requests. Compatible with NAS devices like Synology, QNAP, Netgear, and Drobo, Amazon S3 Glacier Storage supports features such as encryption, durability, and compliance. Users can utilise Amazon’s software or third-party tools for NAS data backup.

Wasabi Cloud NAS:

Wasabi Cloud NAS offers unlimited storage for NAS backup at $8.99 per TB per month. Compatible with NAS devices like Synology, QNAP, Netgear, and Drobo, Wasabi Cloud NAS supports features such as encryption, durability, and performance. Users can achieve NAS data backup using Wasabi’s software or third-party tools.

Livedrive:

Livedrive offers 5 TB of storage for NAS backup at $7 monthly. Compatible with NAS devices like Synology, QNAP, Netgear, and WD My Cloud. Livedrive provides features such as encryption, file syncing, and file sharing. Users can utilise Livedrive’s web interface or desktop app for seamless NAS data backup.

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate NAS backup software is a critical decision that significantly influences the security and accessibility of your data. The ideal software choice depends on your unique requirements, budget considerations, and technical proficiency.

Whether you’re an individual user aiming to secure personal files or a business that safeguards critical data, NAS backup software suits your needs. Remember that data management extends beyond mere storage; it’s about ensuring secure storage. Armed with the right NAS backup software, you can attain precisely that.