SOS Online Backup User Reviews
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"Very easy product to download and configure."
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Easy to use. Reliable back execution. Simple, consistent reporting. Excellent customer service post sale.
Cons
None found yet.
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"Simple Reliable Safe Secure Back-UP"
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Multiple computers at no extra charge.
Simple to use.
Inexpensive with huge amounts of storage
Automatic, Quick and Responsive.
Works with both Mac and WindowsCons
It's NOT free :)
I does keep every file forever, may need to be vigilante to delete unwanted large files, else you will continue to increase the amount of space needed. In my case, it seems like it will take nearly forever to use the space I purchased, so not a problem ... it is more affordable for multiple computers and large amounts of storage.Summary
Overall a fantastic product. Previously I was using USB drives to accomplish this task in particular for my business. But at least for me, it slowed the computer considerable with USB drives and then I had a USB drive fail ... lucky the original data was still on the hard disk. SOS Backup has redundant servers so this would be impossible to have occur. Very reasonably priced, but make sure you purchase the long term deals, they are much much less expensive.
I think several of the poor reviews here were written by folks that either did not have the latest software or did not read the instructions for use. It is VERY easy to backup any file you want and not to back up what you do not want. I surely will renew my subscription when it comes due, it eases my mind to know that my data is safe and secure.
Updated on Mar 4, 2012 -
"Very happy with the service."
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Excellent customer service. Easy interface.
Cons
Of course, I would prefer to get tons of storage space, but what I do get is sufficient.
Summary
The best of the bunch as far as I am concerned.
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"Works well,fast, consistent. Good online support"
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Easy to install.
Starts up with a message after PC starts, giving me time to pause it if I need to do something in a hurry.
Shows progress and what is backed up.
Simple email report as option.
On-line support was very helpful in solving a problem, able to take control of pc and work issue fast.
Can stop it and save backup done til then.Cons
Hard to see how much space is actually used in backup. Have to refresh system.
Slows pc down while transferring (but not impossible).
Error msg: wish I could copy and past it for online support, have to retype it.Summary
Good solid product. Makes me more comfortable with possibility of loss/destruction of my laptop.
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"A very good online backup solution"
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Know your data is safe and off site with the added benefit of being able to access it from anyplace using pc or android phone. This is not drop box or sugarsynch but a robust backup solution that maintains current and historical versions of all your important files.
Cons
First backup takes a long time (nature of the beast) but if anything happens to the local PC-based database (which you cannot backup) you have to repeat the entire (for me 4 day) process all over again.
Also, they are weak on exception handling. I routinely get notification that some files did not backup but even though they supplied an additional utility I frequently cannot determine what file was missed and why.Summary
At this price point it is an excellent value. I recommend SOS and will be using it for a long time.
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"Full featured backup software. No problems here"
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Like the ease of the backup process. Has a lot to offer for my pc backup and my wife can use the same account for her mac.
Cons
There seems to be a lot of other features, but I don't need all of them at this point.
Summary
For me, it worked quite fast and I was happy that my backup started immediately. Having one solution for my pc and my wifes mac and our phones is perfect. Haven't tried the facebook backup yet but will give it a try
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"Not very good"
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Easily and mindlessly backs up everything on a regular basis... remote access to files works fine so far.
Cons
- Buggy, lousy, Windows XP-grade software/UI.
- Almost nil control during backup process.
- Poor control over what gets backed up. My account backs up all "Movies" in my iTunes folder, INCLUDING RENTALS. No fun to have your back up running for a day and half to back up an HD rental you don't want on your account.
- The software really kills my computers performance when it's running.Summary
Finally, they basically offered to pay me to do a review (2 weeks free, or something). I didn't at the time, but I am now because this service is annoying me and I signed up for a 2yr contract, which is a shame. When I signed up for this service, it was partly on the basis of all the glowing reviews I read online. Those reviews don't even slightly jibe with the reality of the service, and now I know why.
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"I'm very impressed with this backup service!"
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
I love the fact that all versions of your files are backed up and kept forever, no matter how many times you revise that file. Other online backup services don't do this: they either overwrite the backed up file with the new version or they keep a limited number of versions in the archives. I also like the daily emails I get notifying me that the backup is finished - gives me peace of mind.
I signed up for SOS less than a month ago & I needed to restore a file a few days ago: locating it "in the cloud" was a pretty straightforward process and I was able to restore it to my computer with no problem at all.
I also like the fact that you can back up as many as 5 computers for one low price - as soon as we get our other computers backed up, we'll be cancelling our Carbonite account. :-)Cons
It would be nice if the customer service people would be 24/7 instead of 24/5.
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"Frustrating and disappointing."
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Simple. Easy to start up. Almost mindless.
Cons
Where do I start? The system does not allow the user to control the backup process in any depth at all. It often takes over at times when I don't want it to. I tried to manage the times and the types of files I would like backed up, but it was virtually impossible. The system is just not robust. Also, for $80 per month, I can only back up a fraction of my machine. This product is not for powerusers or professionals. It would be fine for casual computing and people who don't want to spend time getting to know how to manage their backups. The support is minimal.
Summary
I do not recommend this product for people who have a lot of data and some amount of tech-savvy. There are better products.
I forgot to mention that I was told by one customer service rep I could not use my Mac to get my PC files, and was told I could get them, 500 MB at a time, and they would have to arrange FTP access for me to get my files. Then the CSR never responded. I will never rely on a PC magazine review again. The reviewer probably never had to restore their files or never used the system in depth. A MESS OF A PRODUCT. I hate it.
Updated on Feb 11, 2012
Updated on Feb 11, 2012I forgot to mention that I was told by one customer service rep I could not use my Mac to get my PC files, and was told I could get them, 500 MB at a time, and they would have to arrange FTP access for me to get my files. Then the CSR never responded. I will never rely on a PC magazine review again. The reviewer probably never had to restore their files or never used the system in depth. A MESS OF A PRODUCT. I hate it. -
"Are you feeling lucky?"
Version: SOS Online Backup 5.0
Pros
Simple interface
Cons
extremely slow backups
admin website is very slow
buggy software
unreliable on some systems
no refunds when dissatisfied with productSummary
Note to the management of SOSOnlineBackup: The measure of customer service is how you respond when things go wrong, not when everything is great!
I needed a reliable backup solution and after reading the PC Mag review, I thought SOSOnlineBackup was it - boy was I wrong. While it did work fine on my web-server and another workstation, it flat out refused to work on my Server 2008 system. The first version I installed would only backup a single folder - the folder in program files where the SOSOnlineBackup application was installed! I worked with tech support on this issue for awhile and finally they told me it was because I was trying to backup the entire drive. This made no sense to me, but I thought "ok, I'll just backup certain data folders". They gave me a new version to install (5.0) and did some work on their end so I could start over. This version would not let log in at all - I got a strange .NET error and they could not figure it out. (Remote Desktop session #2). I then reverted back to the original version that would at least let me get past the login screen. Ok, so then I tried again, but the problem was that I needed to pause the backup during work hours because of the drain on our bandwidth. After about a week it finally reported that it was done and I assumed my incremental backups would finish in the evenings. I never, ever came into the office after that first initial backup and saw that it was done - it was always running and I had to pause it. When I looked at the files on the website many of them appeared to be 0K or 1K files, when I could stand waiting long enough for the screen to refresh. Many days, the backup would just show an error number as it had failed during the night. By this point I didn't trust the software at all and I just wanted a refund. They refused to give me a refund despite the fact that I had spent at least 8-10 with the software and 2 different remote-desktop sessions with techs to try to get it to work. I finally just told them to keep my money and good riddance. I went out and bought a 6TB NAS with backup software and could not be happier.
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