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I checked the Dropbox, but I don't see why a service of "storing something on some servers" has to be bound to "you must install this app which you have no control of to use the service."

The only answer I see is "they want to do something nefarious." Otherwise there would be a simple web interface for people for which that is enough. Or even a simple html based API.

Is Tarsnap better?

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(1) Dropbox has a web interface where you can upload and download files. It's pretty easy to use.

(2) Their app adds a huge value, in that it automatically uploads any changes to files in your local Dropbox folder. It is convenience, and hardly nefarious. Everything that can be done to make backups easier and more automatic is a good thing, IMHO.

If you don't want the automation, then yes, another solution is probably better.

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