Capsule Backup vs Backblaze
Backblaze backs up your files for less per computer. Capsule Backup backs up your entire Mac — natively, with Time Machine, on unlimited devices.
| Feature |
Capsule Backup
|
Backblaze
|
|---|---|---|
| Native Time Machine integration | Yes | No |
| No software to install | Yes | No |
| Full OS restore (Migration Assistant) | Yes | No |
| Unlimited devices per plan | Yes | No |
| No egress or restore fees | Yes | No |
| SMB3 encrypted transport | Yes | No |
| IP whitelisting (beta) + VPN included | Yes | No |
| Choose your data region (EU/US) | Yes | At account creation only |
| Unlimited storage | No | Yes |
| File version history | Unlimited (Time Machine) | 1 year (paid add-on) |
| Starting price | $12/mo for 1 TB | $9/mo per computer |
Competitor prices as of September 2026.
Why Choose Capsule Backup Over Backblaze?
Native Time Machine — No Agent Required
Backblaze requires installing a proprietary background agent that continuously scans your disk. Capsule Backup uses macOS Time Machine over SMB3 — no third-party software, no background processes, no compatibility issues after macOS updates.
Full System Restore in One Step
With Backblaze, restoring means downloading individual files from a web dashboard or waiting for a USB drive to ship. Capsule Backup lets you restore your entire Mac — apps, settings, accounts, everything — via Migration Assistant, just like a local Time Machine backup.
Unlimited Devices, One Plan
Backblaze charges per computer — each Mac needs its own license. Capsule Backup plans include unlimited devices, so you can back up your MacBook, iMac, and Mac Mini all on a single plan with shared storage.
Backblaze Is Cheaper Per Computer — Here's the Trade-Off
Let's be honest about price. For a single Mac, BackBlaze Personal at $99 a year with truly unlimited storage is hard to beat on raw cost — Capsule Backup's 1 TB plan is $12/month, or $132 a year with annual billing (one month free). If your one Mac holds more than 5 TB and you want everything backed up regardless of size, Backblaze is the simplest answer, provided you accept the file-only restore trade-off.
The math flips as soon as you have more than one Mac. Backblaze prices per computer: two Macs cost $198 a year, four cost $396. Capsule Backup's single subscription covers unlimited Macs — one 1 TB plan protects a whole household of Macs for less than two Backblaze licenses, with native Time Machine and system-level restore included.
And price isn't the whole story. Backblaze requires a proprietary agent, does not integrate with Time Machine, caps file version history at one year unless you pay for an add-on, and restores files — not your system. When disaster strikes, you reinstall macOS and rebuild your setup by hand. With Capsule Backup, you point Migration Assistant at your backup and get your entire Mac back. The cheapest backup is the one you can actually restore from — for the full picture, see our Backblaze alternative page and our 2026 cloud backup cost comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Backblaze cheaper than Capsule Backup?
For a single Mac, yes. BackBlaze Personal is $99 per year with unlimited storage per computer, while Capsule Backup's 1 TB plan is $12/month ($132/year with annual billing — one month free). But Backblaze charges per computer: two Macs cost $198 a year, four Macs $396. Capsule Backup covers unlimited Macs on one subscription, so from two Macs on, Capsule is the lower-cost option among Time-Machine-capable services.
Can I restore my entire Mac from Backblaze?
No. Backblaze restores files, not systems. After a disaster you reinstall macOS, re-download your apps, and reconfigure everything manually, then retrieve your files from the web dashboard or a shipped USB drive. Capsule Backup is a real Time Machine destination, so you restore your entire Mac — apps, settings, accounts, and files — in one step with Migration Assistant.
Does Capsule Backup charge egress or restore fees?
No. Capsule Backup pricing is a flat monthly fee for the storage tier you select, with unlimited devices, no egress fees, no restore fees, and no surcharge for restoring large amounts of data. Backblaze offers file downloads from its website and a restore-by-mail USB drive service that involves a deposit.
How do I switch from Backblaze to Capsule Backup?
Sign up for Capsule Backup, add the SMB3 volume to your Mac, and select it as your Time Machine destination. Your first backup will be a full snapshot. You can keep Backblaze running in parallel until you're confident everything is backed up, then uninstall the Backblaze agent.
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Capsule Backup is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc. or Backblaze, Inc. Time Machine, macOS, Finder, and Migration Assistant are trademarks of Apple Inc. Backblaze is a trademark of Backblaze, Inc. Pricing is based on publicly available information and may change — verify on each provider's official site.
"I switched from BackBlaze because I wanted real Time Machine backups in the cloud. Capsule just works — I mounted the drive and forgot about it."