While the SugarSync vs. Carbonite debate is not exactly an age-old debate, it is still a worthy one. SugarSync and Carbonite are two online backup services that want your business. They each have specific features, storage space and pricing meant to entice you to subscribe. An overview of SugarSync and Carbonite can put you one step closer to choosing your online backup service.

Features

As we pointed out in our SugarSync review and Carbonite review, both are compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. Both offer standard backup features: file versioning, searching and archiving, mobile and remote access, and scheduled and automatic backups. Digging a little deeper, you will see that SugarSync takes the backup service a bit further than Carbonite.

SugarSync features file sharing (public and private), file syncing and sub-accounts. This makes it more than just a backup tool – it becomes an easy way to share files with others, a useful feature for small businesses. Carbonite does not offer these particular features, but it does have its own shining qualities in the area of storage and pricing.

Carbonite and SugarSync are equals in the area of customer support. Both services offer email, phone and live chat support. However, SugarSync charges $99.99 a year for their phone support. Carbonite does not charge for their standard phone support and if you want priority phone support, you only have to pay $19.95 a year.

Storage and Pricing

SugarSync has a free storage account that includes a generous 5GB of space. They also offer 30GB, 60GB, 100GB, and 250GB accounts. The 30GB account is $4.99/month or $49.99/year. The 60GB account is $9.99/month or $99.99/year. The 100GB account is $14.99/month or $149.99/year. The 250GB account is $24.99/month or $249.99/year. SugarSync maxes out their available storage space at 250GB, a key fact to keep in mind if your storage needs are quite large.

In comparison, Carbonite offers unlimited storage with three subscription options. For one year, the price is $59. For two years, the price is $109, and for three years, the price is $139. Since these low prices include unlimited amounts of storage, Carbonite outshines SugarSync in the paid subscription area. However, there are no free accounts with Carbonite.

Target User

When choosing either Carbonite or SugarSync, it is important to know if the services are well matched to your needs. Carbonite is clearly in the business of backing up systems. It is an ideal service for the average home user that wants only to backup important files. With unlimited space, you can backup as much or as little as you want.

SugarSync is geared toward users that need to access their files from multiple devices. The file sharing and syncing features make it a good choice for small businesses that need to share files with other users (as long as you don’t go over 250GB). Your final choice between Carbonite and SugarSync depends on what you want out of an online backup service. The SugarSync vs. Carbonite battle is one in which the clear winner is the service that best fits your needs.

Related posts:

1. Carbonite Launches Carbonite Blackberry App, Upgrades iPhone App
2. Carbonite Security Issues: Who Has Access To My Carbonite Backup?
3. Carbonite vs Dropbox: Key Points to Remember Before You Make a Choice
4. Mobile Access to Your Backed Up Files: Carbonite for iPhone
5. Carbonite Pro for Businesses Launched