NAS vs cloud backup: which do you actually need?

A NAS and a cloud backup solve different halves of the same problem. Here’s which you need — honestly, most people want both.

People ask “NAS or cloud?” as if it’s either/or. It usually isn’t.

They do different jobs

• A NAS is fast, local, and yours — a backup target in your house, plus a private cloud. But it’s in the same building as your computer, so a fire, flood or burglary could take both.
• Cloud backup is offsite and automatic — safe from anything that happens at home — but slower to restore big amounts and it’s a subscription.

The honest answer

For most people, the best setup is a NAS and a cloud backup — that’s literally the 3-2-1 rule.

Start with whichever fits now: a cloud backup is the fastest way to be safe today; add a NAS when you want fast local restores and a private cloud. Together they cover you against almost anything.