How much cloud backup storage do you need?
You need enough space for the files you choose to protect today, plus room for growth and, if you turn it on, older versions. Measure the folders you actually want backed up, not the whole disk, then add a margin. This guide shows how to do that in a few minutes and how storage-based plans fit the result.
The rule of thumb: size your Backup Set, not your disk
Most people do not need to back up everything on their computer. Windows and installed programs can be reinstalled, so the space they take up does not need cloud storage. What cannot be reinstalled is your own data: documents, photos, project folders, email archives and similar.
So the number you want is the combined size of the folders you would choose to protect. With Tornova that list is your Backup Set, and you decide what goes in it. If you are not sure what belongs there, read what to back up on a Windows PC first.
Step 1: measure what you want to protect
- List the folders you would protect
- Check the size of each one
- Add the sizes together
- Add room for growth
- Add room for versions if you use them
- Compare with the plan sizes
In File Explorer, right-click a folder and choose Properties to see its size. Check each folder on your list and add them up. The Storage page in Windows Settings shows how much space different kinds of files take, which helps if you are not sure where the space went. If you have several PCs, measure each one.
Be careful with two folders in particular. A photo library or a folder of video projects can be much larger than everything else put together. Downloads and temporary folders often hold files you do not need to keep. Deciding what to leave out is the quickest way to bring the number down.
Typical categories, and how they behave
You do not need a statistic to reason about this. File types fall into rough groups by how much space they take and how fast they grow.
Rough size behaviour of common file types
| Kind of data | Relative size | How it grows |
|---|
| Documents, spreadsheets, notes | Small | Slowly, unless they hold embedded images |
|---|
| Source code and project files | Small to medium | Steadily, though build folders can be large and are often not worth backing up |
|---|
| Email archives | Small to large | Steadily, and a single archive file can become very big |
|---|
| Photos | Medium to large | Fast if you import regularly, and RAW files are bigger than JPEGs |
|---|
| Video | Large | Very fast; a few projects can outweigh everything else |
|---|
| Databases and virtual machines | Large | Depends on use; often a single large file that changes often |
|---|
Use this to decide where to look first. If you have a large video library, the plan size is largely decided by that one folder.
Step 2: leave room for growth and versions
Your data grows. A reasonable approach is to add a margin to your measured total so that you are not at the limit on day one, and to review it once a year. If you expect a big change, such as a new camera or a big project, include it in the estimate.
Versions use storage too. Tornova versioning is optional and off by default. If you turn it on, you can keep 3, 10 or 50 versions, and the stored versions count against your plan. Files that change a lot and are large, such as databases, cost the most with many versions. File versions and Trash explained covers how to choose.
Deleted cloud data waits in Trash for one day before it is permanently deleted, so Trash briefly holds space as well. This matters most when you clear out a large folder and want the space back quickly.
How Tornova plans use storage
A Tornova plan is defined by storage, not by a number of devices. You choose 5, 10, 50 or 100 GB, and then a duration: monthly is always available, with 3-month, 6-month and 1-year options. If you need more than 100 GB, contact Tornova for a custom plan. There are no Basic, Plus or Pro tiers.
On a Personal account the storage is shared by all your Windows devices, so add the Backup Sets of every PC together when you estimate. The restore allowance included with a plan equals its backup storage. Current prices are on the pricing page, where you can also see the trial options.
- Backups after the first send only new and changed data, so later backups use less transfer than the first.
- Deduplication is device-scoped, so identical content on the same device is not stored repeatedly. Do not count on savings across different PCs.
- Tornova shows warnings at 90% and 95% of your storage so you can act before you reach the limit.
What happens if you run out
If the quota becomes full during a backup, Tornova stops additional backup work safely and reports it. It never deletes your existing backups to make room. You can then remove things you do not need from the Backup Set or from the cloud, or move to a larger plan.
A low-cost trial is a practical way to check your estimate: back up a representative folder, see how it behaves, and then choose a plan. Trial data carries over when you choose one.
Frequently asked questions
How many GB of cloud backup do I need for a home PC?
It depends on what you protect. Add up the folders you want backed up, such as documents and photos, and add a margin for growth. Video libraries are the usual reason the number gets large.
Do I need to back up my whole disk?
No. Windows and programs can be reinstalled, so most people protect only their own files. With Tornova you choose the files, folders or drives, and you are never forced to back up a whole device.
Do old versions count against my storage?
Yes. Tornova stored versions use your backup storage. Versioning is off by default and can be set to keep 3, 10 or 50 versions.
Can several of my computers share one plan?
On a Personal account, yes. The plan is defined by storage, and you can use it on all of your Windows devices.
What if I need more than 100 GB?
Contact Tornova for a custom storage plan. The self-serve plans go up to 100 GB.
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