IDrive Review: How to Make Money as an Affiliate

Disclosure: some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

What Is IDrive?

IDrive is a cloud backup service. It copies the files on your computers, phones, and servers to secure online storage, so you can get them back if something goes wrong.

Think of it as an insurance policy for your files. A laptop dies, a hard drive fails, or ransomware locks everything up. With IDrive, your files are still sitting safely in the cloud.

Here's the simple version of what you get:

• Backup for Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, and Android, all under one account
• Automatic backups that only upload what changed after the first full backup
• Up to 30 previous versions of each file, which don't count against your storage
• Snapshots that let you roll your whole account back to a date before a problem, like ransomware
• 256-bit AES encryption, with an optional private key that IDrive never stores
• Backup for external drives and Synology or QNAP NAS devices
• IDrive Express, which ships you a physical drive for big restores

Most people don't think about backup until they lose something important. Then it's the only thing they think about. That's why it sells.

How Does IDrive Work?

You install IDrive on each device, pick what you want to protect, and set a schedule. After that, it runs in the background. You don't have to remember to do anything.

For Users

1. Sign up for an account. There's a free Basic plan with 10 GB, no credit card needed.
2. Install the IDrive app on your computers and phones.
3. Choose the folders and files you want to back up.
4. Set a backup schedule, and let IDrive run on its own.
5. Restore a single file, an older version, or everything, whenever you need it.

For Affiliates

1. Sign up for the IDrive Referral Partner Program directly on IDrive's website (it's run in-house, not through a network).
2. Get your personal sign-up links for IDrive and IDrive BMR.
3. Send readers to those links from reviews, tutorials, comparisons, or your email list.
4. Earn a recurring commission for as long as your referrals keep paying.

That's it. No product to build, no support tickets to answer.

IDrive Pricing

IDrive charges by storage, not by device. That's a big deal. One Personal account can back up all of your computers and phones.

There are bigger Personal plans (up to 100 TB) and bigger Business plans too. Business plans cover unlimited users, plus servers, NAS devices, and things like Exchange and SQL.

One thing to know. The yearly and 2-year discounts only apply to the first year. After that, standard pricing kicks in. Be upfront about that with your readers.

The free IDrive Basic plan is a nice thing to point people to. It lets them try the app before paying anything.

Always check IDrive's pricing page for current numbers. Plans change.

Who Should Use IDrive?

Users

IDrive is a good fit if you:

• Have more than one computer or phone and want them all backed up in one place
• Run a small business and need to protect computers, servers, or a NAS
• Worry about ransomware and want a way to roll back to a clean copy
• Want strong encryption, with the option to hold your own private key

Affiliates

It's a good fit if you:

• Write about cybersecurity, privacy, or tech for everyday people
• Have an audience of small business owners, freelancers, or IT folks
• Want recurring income from a tool people rarely cancel once it's set up

Pros and Cons of IDrive

Pros

• One account covers unlimited devices on Personal plans
• Free 10 GB plan to try it, no credit card needed
• Snapshots and 30 file versions help you recover from ransomware or mistakes
• Private encryption key option for people who care about privacy
• Covers phones, NAS devices, and servers, not just computers
• Recurring 25% affiliate commission for the life of the account

Cons

• The first-year discount goes away at renewal, so the price goes up in year two
• No free trial listed on paid plans, just the small free plan
• It's backup, not file sync. People looking for a Dropbox-style tool may get confused.
• Affiliate payouts are quarterly, and quarters under $10 are forfeited
• Referrals that use a discount promo code don't earn you a commission
• The affiliate dashboard is IDrive's own, not a network like PartnerStack, so it's one more login to manage

IDrive vs Alternatives

Backup is just one part of staying safe online. If your readers care about security, my Bitdefender review covers antivirus, and my Aura review covers identity theft protection. These make great companion posts.

Writing for business owners? My EasyDMARC review covers email security, which pairs nicely with a business backup post.

Here's the short answer. If you want one account that protects all your devices, IDrive is one of the easiest ways to do it.

How to Make Money with IDrive as an Affiliate

This is where IDrive gets interesting.

The Commission

IDrive pays 25% recurring on the subscription revenue from customers you refer. The same 25% applies to IDrive BMR (their bare-metal backup appliance) referrals.

And it keeps going. IDrive says you earn commissions for the life of the account. It only stops if your referral cancels.

A few other details:

• The program is run in-house by IDrive, not on a network like PartnerStack or Impact
• Payouts are quarterly, within 30 days of the end of each quarter
• U.S. partners can get paid by PayPal, check, or eCheck. International partners get PayPal only.
• If you earn less than $10 in a quarter, that quarter's commission is forfeited
• Add-ons (like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace backup) don't earn commission
• Accounts created with a discount promo code don't count
• You need at least one new paid referral a year, or your partner account can be closed

IDrive doesn't list a cookie length. It does say free sign-ups through your link are tracked, so you can still earn if they upgrade later. One catch: the customer needs to click the link in their verification email, or the commission may not be paid.

Content Angles That Work

1. Tutorials. "How to back up your computer to the cloud" is a real problem people search for. Walk them through setting up IDrive, step by step.

2. Comparisons. People shopping for backup tools compare. Write IDrive vs Backblaze or IDrive vs Carbonite. Those readers are close to buying.

3. Problem posts. "How to protect your files from ransomware" or "how to back up your iPhone and PC in one place." Show how IDrive solves that one problem.

Keyword Ideas

• IDrive review
• IDrive pricing
• IDrive vs Backblaze
• Best cloud backup services
• How to back up multiple computers
• Cloud backup for small business

Comparison and "best of" posts tend to convert well, because the reader is already deciding.

Common Questions About IDrive

Is IDrive safe?
IDrive uses 256-bit AES encryption in transit and at rest. You can also set a private encryption key that IDrive never stores, so only you can unlock your files. Just don't lose that key.

Does IDrive have a free plan?
Yes. The Basic plan gives you 10 GB for free, with no credit card required.

How much does IDrive cost?
Personal 5 TB is $11.99 a month, or $6.99 a month billed yearly for the first year. Check their pricing page for the latest.

How much do IDrive affiliates earn?
25% recurring on subscription revenue for the life of the account, paid quarterly.

Is the IDrive affiliate program on PartnerStack?
No. IDrive runs its own Referral Partner Program. You sign up on IDrive's website.

Final Thoughts

IDrive does one job, and it does it well. It quietly backs up all your devices so you don't lose what matters.

Is it perfect? No. The price goes up after the first year, and the quarterly payouts with a $10 minimum take some patience.

But for families, freelancers, and small businesses with more than one device, it's an easy tool to recommend. And with 25% recurring commissions for the life of the account, it's a good one to have in your affiliate lineup.

Try IDrive free here.

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