I use Time Machine for a local backup and use iCloud Photos for photos and use Carbonite for an online backup.
Syncing iCloud Photos takes a long time for the original sync but works well after that.
Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.
It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.
Also see: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support
And more information on syncing in:
Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support
and
Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support
and
Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support
