Consumer cloud solutions like iCloud or Dropbox are convenient for syncing files but can be limited (and risky) for real backups, given that deleting a file locally also removes it from the cloud. Fortunately, there’s a lesser-known option: using business-class cloud services as flexible, scalable online storage. These services often implement the S3 protocol or other open standards (SFTP, WebDAV, SMB), allowing you to pair them with your preferred Mac backup tool for fully custom, cost-effective offsite backups.
Why an S3-Compatible Service?
Greater Control & True Offsite Backups
Ordinary consumer clouds synchronise changes instantly. By contrast, S3-based or similarly open-protocol services store data more independently—if you delete a file locally, it stays safely on the remote server until you explicitly remove it. Many also support advanced versioning, letting you retrieve older file versions.
Pay-Per-Gigabyte Plans
While iCloud or Google Drive jump from small to large storage tiers, business object storage typically charges you only for actual usage, often measuring capacity in increments (GB or TB) with partial usage calculations. Many also incorporate “free ingress” (uploads) and a “fair-use” approach to downloads, so your normal backup activity doesn’t incur surprise costs.
Support for Independent Backup Tools
Rather than forcing you into a proprietary app, S3-based storage works with software like Arq, ChronoSync, Duplicati, or GoodSync—some of which are specifically designed to encrypt, version, and schedule backups. If you want an easy Finder mount, tools like Mountain Duck or CloudMounter let you treat S3 as a local volume. Other protocols like SFTP or WebDAV can also be used with almost any backup app.
Recommended Mac Backup Software
- Arq (Commercial): Focused on offsite backups, with integrated encryption and scheduled snapshots.
- ChronoSync (Commercial): A more general syncing tool for Mac, also suitable for versioned backups.
- Duplicati (Open Source): Free, web-based UI with S3 support, though setup is more involved.
- GoodSync (Commercial): Flexible file sync and backup, supports S3, FTP, SMB, and more.
- BorgBackup (Open Source) with Vorta: More advanced, using SSH for encryption and deduplicated backups—very reliable but command-line oriented.
Notable S3 and Similar Providers
- Backblaze B2: Known for straightforward pricing and a pay-as-you-go model. Good for monthly backups, with free uploads and limited free downloads.
- BorgBase: Tailored to BorgBackup but also works over SFTP. Small to medium plans for up to 2 TB; additional capacity can be added.
- Hetzner Storage Box: European-based, uses SFTP/SMB/WebDAV rather than S3. Very affordable and perfect for simpler backups.
- Hetzner Object Storage: Offers S3 for advanced usage, more flexible scaling than Storage Box but with a more complex pricing structure.
- IDrive e2: Highly competitive annual rates (roughly $59/year for 1 TB). A good budget pick for large archives.
- Poli Systems: Swiss-based S3 with fully included traffic, good for privacy, though pricier than many.
- rsync.net: SSH-based “Unix philosophy” service. Ideal for BorgBackup, restic, or direct rsync.
- Storj: A decentralised S3-like platform with free ingress but always-charged egress. Very cheap if you rarely download.
- Wasabi: Straightforward “hot storage” with fair-use egress. Perfect for big backups with occasional retrievals.
How to Get Started: S3 Setup on macOS
- Create a Bucket & User
On the provider’s dashboard, make a dedicated user credential (Access Key + Secret Key) and a new bucket. - Link Your Backup Software
In apps like Arq or ChronoSync, pick the new bucket as your destination. Enter the access credentials. - Encryption & Versioning
Activate server-side versioning if available. Use end-to-end encryption in your backup tool for extra safety.
That’s it—you’ve set up a flexible, pay-as-you-go remote backup. Tools like Mountain Duck let you map this bucket to Finder for easy drag-and-drop if you want.
Conclusion
S3-compatible storage offers an appealing alternative to typical “consumer” cloud plans, letting you use whichever backup software and cost structure best fits your requirements. Whether you pick a budget-friendly 1 TB plan at Hetzner or a hefty multi-terabyte IDrive e2 subscription, you can keep your Mac’s data safe offsite with granular control. If you want plain-languaged set-up and usage, a dedicated online backup service might suffice. But if you crave more freedom—multiple devices, advanced encryption, or advanced scheduling—these object storage solutions make for a powerful Mac backup strategy.