- Free Online Backup For Mac
- Mac Backup Programs
- Free Backup Software Download
- Free Local Backup Software Mac Reviews
Jul 01, 2020 Overall, Time Machine is a good backup software for Mac, but after a period of time, the old backup data is replaced by the new data. In such cases, you can always delete unwanted backups from Time Machine on your Mac. So this software is the best suited for those who don’t have large data on their Mac systems. Jan 02, 2020 The best free backup software or online service balances good features with enough storage space to protect your valuable data. We've tested.
Articles • June 18, 2020
Apr 20, 2020 Backup types. Not all the backup apps come with multiple Mac backup types as you have seen above. Your backup app should be able to provide you multiple backup types. For example, with local backup, you are able to make copies of folders and files on an external HDD. This way, even when you lose the file on your computer, restoring it is very easy. Jan 17, 2020 Ideally, you should have both a local backup and an off-site or online backup to the cloud. A local backup is where you copy the data from your Mac to an external hard drive. Both copies are in the same place so you can easily access the data, keep it up-to-date, or restore it if you have to.
“We should treat personal electronic data with the same care and respect as weapons-grade plutonium – it is dangerous, long-lasting and once it has leaked there’s no getting it back.” – Cory Doctorow
Before we talk about Mac data backup, let’s have a word on Data Security and Apple.
Devices from Apple are famous for the data security they offer. With the introduction of T2 chips, Apple has emphasized this even further.
According to Apple, these T2 chips can offer 256-bit encryption to your SSD. But, to borrow Apple’s own words, “it also means that if the portion of the T2 chip containing your encryption keys becomes damaged, you might need to restore the content of your drive from a backup.”
So, Apple itself warns us about the possibility of data loss.
Now, you’re right: Apple devices don’t get corruption issues as often as Windows or Linux devices do. That’s one benefit of being in a closed ecosystem.
This, however, does not mean that you are safe from issues like power surge, hardware failure, display defects, and other software issues. That is, at any point in time, you may end up losing all your relevant data. And, starting again is not an option for everyone.
This is also why keeping a backup of your Mac makes a lot of sense!
What is a backup?
A backup is a copy of files on your device, stored in a more organized manner. Furthermore, you can quickly restore backups in the event of data loss, device corruption, or a voluntary factory reset.
In the simplest way possible, data backups provide peace of mind. That is, even if you lose all your data due to unforeseen events and circumstances, you still have a way-out.
Let me paint a realistic picture for you.
A few weeks back, my MacBook Pro faced an issue with the display panel. When I visited the Apple support center, they asked me to submit the device for inspection and repair. They also warned me that they might have to factory-reset the device as a part of the review.
Since I regularly take backups of my system, I was not scared by the second statement. But I’m sure that is not the case for many people. What we are trying to say is this: you cannot even foresee when you have to format your Mac.
So, a backup is the only shot you have at uninterrupted work.
Why take backups aka backup myths debunked
Apart from the fact that they are essential?
- Mac backups are easy
Unlike the popular belief, backups are quite straightforward, especially on Mac. Taking a backup of your Mac is a task that takes just a few minutes. You don’t have to be a Pro or macOS expert to do this. Nevertheless, you should have the right Mac backup tool at your disposal.
- Mac backups are not expensive
Many believe that taking a system backup is an expensive affair. That’s not entirely true. There are options to back up your Mac without spending a single penny. However, we always recommend keeping your data in an external drive, which costs a bit.
- Backups on Mac are flexible
People say backups are tough, because they don’t understand the various types of backup options out there. The collection is so rich that you can choose based on the backup type, source, destination, and your budget. For instance, you can have online incremental backups or a one-time local backup.
These are plenty of reasons to take a backup of your Mac if you have not so far.
Types of Backups: Based on Destination
Depending on where you are storing the backup files, we can categorize macOS backups.
- Local Backup
Local backups refer to backup documents that are stored on local devices like external hard drives. When it comes to Mac, you can even save the backup to a single USB drive. These backups are readily available for restoring without an internet connection. If you are using an external HDD, you’d need some cables, though.
On the bright side, you don’t need an internet connection, and this process is cheap. Even if you are buying a portable SSD, you can spend way less than $100. The problem is that it’s still hardware. Just like your Mac, the external drive may also crash.
There are so many options within local backups. We will discuss them later.
- Cloud Backup
As you can guess, these backups get stored in cloud storage spaces, which offer reliability and speed. While you don’t have to worry about cables, physical issues, and corruption, an internet connection is a necessity. You also have to pay a considerable amount of money as the subscription fee.
On the bright side, you can access the backup from almost any device. Suppose you are traveling, and your Mac decided to give up. Even in the event where you purchase a new device, you can restore all the backed-up info from the cloud.
The catch here is that you may pay anywhere from $50 to $1000 per year for these services.
- Cloud Sync
Cloud Sync is similar to cloud backup from many aspects, but there are some differences. Once set up, the cloud sync service will synchronize your Mac files with a web server. You can access these files from devices connected to the same account.
This is what you get through services like iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive. On the positive side, you may not have to spend money. The problem is that you will have to download files and folders to the new device individually.
In the free cloud sync services, you usually have limits. Upgrading to premium plans is an expensive affair.
Types of backups: based on backup pattern
Depending on the level of control and convenience, you can choose from these options.
- Full backup
This type of backup backs up everything on your computer, from documents to downloads and from apps to media files. If you have 80GB of data on your Mac, the size of the backup would also be 80GB. As you can guess, this type of backup takes a considerable amount of time and space.
Full Backups are great when you take backups less frequently.
- Incremental backup
As the name says, the changes in data will become part of the data. For instance, let’s consider a scenario where you take a full backup on Sunday. Now, when you enable incremental backup, the changes made on Sunday will become a part of Monday’s incremental backup.
Incremental Backups are great when your file storage undergoes constant change.
- Continuous backup
Continuous backup can save all the essential information from your Mac to another space while keeping all the changes. When you have enabled, the backup process happens automatically. That is, almost as soon as you make changes, they are updated on the backup files.
Continuous backup offers some of the most convenient options there.
- Bootable Clone
Bootable clone is almost like a full backup, but it’s a bit more expansive. When you create a bootable clone, you will be copying the entire hard drive of the Mac, including the OS. Because it’s bootable, you can use the drive to boot macOS and access your files/apps.
This is an excellent option if you are planning to get your Mac repaired/replaced.
You have to choose the right type of backups from the above mentioned options. Some of the backup options are advanced, and only professional scenarios would require them.
How to take local backups on Mac
Even when we narrow things down to local backup, you have so many options. Now, we will have a look at some of the most popular, reliable, and reasonable ways to create a local backup on Mac.
#1 Time Machine backups
Time Machine is the official backup software of macOS, built into the Operating System. You may have seen the Time Machine restore option while setting up your Mac for the first time. So, as it stands, Time Machine is the most native, affordable, and easy-to-use way to back up your Mac.
Time Machine can create full backups of your Mac in an effective manner. Whenever you connect the device to the Mac, it will back up local snapshots and other changes. On any day, you can get hourly backups for up to 24 hours, daily backups for up to a month, and weekly backups for up to several months.
Requirements: the only thing you need for a Time Machine backup is an external drive. This can be an HDD, SSD, or even a USB drive. Just keep in mind that Time Machine will erase the device and convert it into AFPS, Apple’s file system.
Process: Once you have connected the external drive, you can go to System Preferences and choose Time Machine from the menu. From the list, you have to select the external drive. Soon, after formatting the disk (if needed), Time Machine would start backing up your Mac. You can see real-time progress too.
Pros
- Time Machine is completely free to use
- You can explore previous versions of your disk
- External drives are quite inexpensive
- No monthly subscription fee/one-time payment
- Best performance
Cons
- Works with only local storage options
- External drives are also vulnerable to physical damage
- Disrupts existing files as drives need to be formatted
Time Machine comes built into macOS.
#2 Carbon Copy Cloner
Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) is a professional-grade backup software for Mac. This tool allows you to create multiple types of backups and clones of your Mac hard drive. You should consider this backup suite if you need extra control over the backup process.
As you can guess, Carbon Copy Cloner supports a variety of backup modes, including full backups and partial backups. You can also create bootable backups, which are very useful in the long-term scenario. It also brings Snapshot features that you see in Time Machine.
Requirements: You can use practically any drive as the source/destination of the backup process. Unlike the Time Machine scenario, Carbon Copy Cloner does not erase or repartition the destination drive. So, you can have backups without disrupting existing content.
Process: Thanks to the simple UI, using Carbon Copy Cloner to back up content from Mac is an easy task. As you can see, you can choose the source and destination drives from the given menu, along with what you’d like to copy. There is also an option to schedule the copying process.
Pros
- Advanced control over the backup process
- It can create bootable macOS backups as well
- Does not disrupt existing content, including backups
- Scheduling options are available
- Works with network-based drives
- Snapshot View is available
Cons
- Carbon Copy Cloner is premium
- Requires some experience to master the UI
- Limited to offline destinations/sources
Carbon Copy Cloner costs $39.99, but you can get a free trial for 30 days.
#3 SuperDuper
SuperDuper is an easy-to-use Mac backup and data recovery software. Compared to Time Machine, you get more features and control over the process. At the same time, the tool comes with a UI that is simpler than that of CCC.
Just like we did in CCC, you can control what you copy to the destination drive as well. There are options for a full backup, partial backup, and even bootable backup drives. The best part? SuperDuper works without an external drive as well.
Requirements: As we said, you don’t need any specific storage drive to use with SuperDuper. The software works magically when it comes to data backup. However, we recommend having a compatible drive so that you can use all the smart features.
Process: Using SuperDuper to back up your Mac device is an easy task. Using the drop-down menu on the main interface, you can choose both the target and destination drives. The app would tell you what happens even before you press the button
Pros
- Simple, easy-to-use UI
- Advanced backup control
- Supports bootable drives
- You can back up to non-external devices
- Advanced scheduling options
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Does not have backup management options
- Snapshot feature is limited
- Not suitable for advanced/network-level controls
SuperDuper is a paid tool, and it is available for $27.95.
How to take cloud backups on Mac
Given below are the tools/platforms you can use to save a cloud backup. In this case, though, you don’t need an external drive. However, a reliable and robust internet connection is necessary.
#1 Carbonite
Carbonite is probably the most user-friendly solution to create and manage cloud backups of your Mac. This subscription-based service presents an easy way to keep your entire Mac secure while offering features like encryption, remote file access, and even external drive support.
You need to understand that Carbonite does not offer complete backup. For instance, files bigger than 4GB won’t be uploaded automatically. However, restoring the data is an easy task. You can either download the data or even get the Hard Drive shipped to your address.
The problem with Carbonite and other cloud backup solutions is the price. In addition to the noticeably high subscription fee, you also have to bear the internet charges. You may have to pay extra for hard drive delivery features as well.
Carbonite is available for a monthly subscription starting at $6.00 when billed annually. But you also have to note that it has certain limitations. If you are looking for advanced control over the backup process and data, you may need something else.
#2 Backblaze
Backblaze is an affordable and lightweight cloud backup solution for macOS. The service is available for a low price of $60 per year, making it the most popular. What’s better, you ask? Backblaze provides unlimited storage on that plan.
As a Mac application, Backblaze provides near-native performance as well. More importantly, it does not put much strain on the resource consumption part. That is, you can keep using Backblaze even if you have multiple apps running.
Because there is no storage space limit, you can quickly deal with all sorts of your backup. Another advantage is that Backblaze can back up files of any size, unlike Carbonite, which has a 4GB limit. Blackblaze also offers several other features like worldwide hard drive delivery.
As we said, Backblaze for Mac is available for an affordable price of $60 per year. This amount is way lower when compared to the features and convenience you get. Unlimited storage and control make it a superb tool for everyone.
So, both these tools are dedicated cloud backup solutions for Mac. They don’t provide syncing-based features, which can be a let-down. This is why we have to consider cloud syncing solutions, as well.
How to enable cloud sync on Mac?
Now, we will have a look at a few options you have at enabling Cloud Sync on macOS. As we said, these are not complete backup solutions. However, if you badly want to skip paying for backup solutions, you can have a look here.
#1 iCloud
iCloud is the recommended (by Apple) cloud sync and backup solution for macOS and iOS devices. Because it’s a service from Apple, you get some advantages too. For instance, files you sync will be available on other Apple devices connected to your iCloud account.
More importantly, you can access all your files from any device, using the web-based interface. Also, since iCloud is built into macOS and Apple products, you can enjoy the best transfer speeds, upwards, and downwards. You also have an option to import all your data while setting up a Mac.
![Software Software](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126487071/629239934.jpg)
The problem is this. The free version of iCloud comes with only 5GB of storage. Upgrading to a premium plan can be an expensive affair for some. But you will have to pay one way or the other, you know.
#2 Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive
We know these are different services with different storage space options. However, generally, they work in the same way. That is, you have to set up a synchronization client on your Mac, and you can select which files will be available on the cloud.
Now, this isn’t the most convenient option for most people. Add to that the fact that most of these services have limits like 10GB and 15GB. Also, there is the problem of restoring. All you can do is download all those files individually.
Therefore, we won’t recommend any of these free platforms as a professional Mac backup solution. If you’re that hesitant to pay, though, you don’t have many options.
Note: Some smart backup management tools let you get the best of both worlds. That is, you can store your backups in cloud-based spaces like Amazon Cloud and Google Cloud. You should consider these tools if you are looking for advanced security and privacy.
The bottom line
We hope we could answer almost all the doubts you have about backups on Mac. Talking about our favorite option, we prefer going for a combination of iCloud and local backup. Earlier, we were using Time Machine, but we have also upgraded to some advanced software for the same purpose. At the end of the day, it is all about your convenience and all.
If you are asking for an honest opinion, you should be ready to pay for macOS data backup options. Spending some money as a subscription fee/one-time purchase is way better than losing all your data due to a system crash or other issues. And, regret is going to weigh more than the happiness you have by skipping $5 or $10 per month.
Utility • April 20, 2020
Data storage is very important and with a simple computer problem, you can lose all your data. This is why it is important to back up every piece of data that you are sure you need in the future.
The Time Machine was designed to help you back data on your Mac and has always come pre installed since 2006. While it is a great way to back up your data, many people consider it as old-fashioned and unreliable.
Fortunately, we have so many alternatives today and we would like to share our top eight with you.
Comparing the Time Machine to other Mac backup software
The reason for the comparison is to show you what the alternatives can do that the Time Machine can’t. Of course, you don’t have to take out the Time Machine completely, you can use an alternative as a complement.
The Time Machine automatically backs up files on your computer but it has several flaws and weak points. Examples of such weak points are its inability to work offsite, clone a hard drive, or create bootable backup.
Hence, we have put together this list to help you choose the best alternative to the Time Machine.
Quick Jump to…
Carbon Copy Cloner vs Time Machine
The question here is, what can the Carbon Copy Cloner do that the Time Machine can’t?
We have already established the fact that the Time Machine is efficient even though it has certain weak points. One such weak point is the inability to create a bootable backup. Carbon Copy Cloner, when compared to the Time Machine on this basis, is a better option.
What exactly does this mean? It means that if you are unlucky to encounter an issue while working on your system, you don’t lose your data. All you need to do is boot into the backup created by the Carbon Copy Cloner and continue your work. When you are less busy, you can spare some minutes to look into what caused the issue of your computer drive.
It is recommended to use an external hard drive alone with the Carbon Copy Cloner. The reason for this is that it gives you the opportunity to boot directly from the external HDD during emergencies. Note that the performance of the bootable backup is directly proportional to the speed of the external HDD.
We should also warn you at this point to avoid using an SD card or thumb drive for backup. The reason is simple and crystal clear, they don’t have enough storage capacity to function as backup devices.
Benefits of the Carbon Copy Cloner
- Support team assistance.
- Perfect for instant use.
- Schedule backups.
- Possesses more features than the Time Machine.
- Guide for easy setup is available.
- Works seamlessly with a good external hard drive.
Pricing: The Carbon Copy Cloner costs $39.99 inclusive of all applicable taxes.
SuperDuper vs Time Machine
Just like the Carbon Copy Cloner, the SuperDuper has a major advantage over the Time Machine. Wondering what it is? The advantage is that it allows you to create a bootable backup, which the Time Machine is incapable of.
A first glance at the SuperDuper and you are not likely to trust it as it comes with a retro design. Remember the OS X 10.3 background? Yes, with the brushed metal color, that’s it!
However, taking a leap beyond this veil to its capabilities, the SuperDuper is an amazing app. It can work on its own as well as act as a complement to the Time Machine.
You can actually create your bootable backup using the same drive dedicated to the Time Machine. This must be good news as you don’t need to spend extra to buy an external HDD. You can also duplicate your backup on another drive, whichever method you choose.
The beauty of the SuperDuper is you can create the backup on a disk partition or even an image file. When you activate the Smart Update feature, SuperDuper automatically checks for updates and copies them to the backup drive.
One of the major advantages of SuperDuper is that it is very quick and very easy to use. The explanations of each process are presented in plain English plus are it is not as expensive as the Carbon Copy Cloner or Backblaze.
Benefits of the SuperDuper
- Very quick and efficient.
- It does not need an external HDD.
- Very affordable.
- Easy to use and understand.
- Presents you with more features than the Time Machine.
- Retro design.
Pricing: The SuperDuper costs $27.95.
ChronoSync vs Time Machine
There is so much to love about ChronoSync by Econ Technologies. Comparing it to the Time Machine shows us its immense benefits at a glance. Just like the first two described above, the ChronoSync allows you to create bootable drives. That’s not all!
It is a versatile app which comes with several amazing features. One such feature is the fact that it allows you to synchronize files across computers or devices. This makes it easy to access files from remote locations, who wouldn’t love that?
What’s more? Restoring lost files is quite stressful using the Time Machine but with the ChronoSync, it’s a piece of cake.
Simply search for the file with the Finder feature, copy it, and paste it in the desired location. Better still, you can simply sync the files to your existing hard drive, it’s that simple.
It is possible to schedule backups to begin at a specific time regularly or each time a specific drive is connected. The app will only backup files that have experienced changes since the last backup took place.
One more thing, this app allows you to copy multiple files at the same time which quickens the process.
Benefits of the ChronoSync
- Creates bootable drives easily.
- Synchronizes computers and devices.
- Finding lost files is very easy and copying them is even easier.
- Very versatile app.
- Copies multiple files at the same time.
- A free trial is available.
- Perfect for remote use.
Pricing: The ChronoSync Express costs $24.99, or included in a Setapp subscription. For more power and flexibility, ChronoSync is available for only $49.99 (USD).
Get Backup Pro (v3) vs Time Machine
Without any iota of doubt, Get Backup Pro is the cheapest or rather most affordable on this list. Don’t mistake its affordability for inferiority as it is laden with several features and an amazing range of backup options.
Why is it seen as an alternative to the Time Machine? First of all, the fact that you have access to several backup types is simply amazing.
The different backup types include compressed and incremental file backups, folder synchronization, and bootable cloned backups.Looking at these, it is clear that this app helps to fix some of the major flaws of the Time Machine. For example, you can create bootable backups on other devices and clone your hard drive. All of these are impossible with the Time Machine.
What better way to describe the Get Backup Pro than saying it is the app that gives you almost everything? You can schedule syncs and backups and it supports network and external drives, including CDs and DVDs. It comes with several backup templates that help you import data from your photos, iTunes, mail, documents, and contacts.
Security has always been a challenge with backing up data but this app fixes this issue. It makes it possible for you to encrypt all backups so that you are assured of additional security.
Using this app is very easy and quick. But what is more amazing is that you can restore files to computers that don’t have the app.
Benefits of the Get Backup Pro
- Easy to use.
- More features than the Time Machine.
- Easy to restore files to remote computers without the app.
- Security encryption for all backups.
- Supports network and external drives.
- Backup templates are available.
Pricing: The Get Backup Pro (v6) costs $19.99, or included in a Setapp subscription.
Mac Backup Guru vs Time Machine
Just like the Get Backup Pro, the Mac Backup Guru comes with multiple options for back types. This is one of the major reasons why it is seen as a worthy alternative to the Time Machine.
Let’s begin with the fact that the Mac Backup Guru fixes the bootable disk challenge faced with the Time Machine. Besides this, it has three distinct backup types which are synchronization, direct cloning, and incremental snapshots.
You can actually create an image of your bootable disk using this app. This means you can either back up specific folders on your hard drive or the whole drive, your choice. What’s more?
You can keep your backup continually in sync with all the changes you make as you work. An alternative is that you can keep all incremental backups that didn’t overwrite the older backups along with the changes. This way, you can always retrieve older versions of the same work if you so desire.
Benefits of the Mac Backup Guru
- Very affordable.
- It comes with three backup types.
- Allows you to take an image of your bootable disk.
- It gives you the luxury of specifying what files or folders to backup.
- Allows you to revisit previously saved work before changes were made.
Pricing: The Mac Backup Guru costs $29.
Acronis True Image 2020 vs Time Machine
The Acronis True Image 2020 is just like the Mac Backup Pro with a feature that solves the Time Machine’s problem. It is the feature that allows you to clone your hard drive’s images. You even have access to online backup even though this comes with a more expensive package.
There is no doubt that this app is very efficient but the problem is that it is costly. It is even costlier than the Carbon Copy Cloner but not expensive as the Backblaze. Looking beyond the cost flaws, this is an app everyone that can afford it should own.
It makes backing up files very easy, especially with the fact that you can create bootable disks. You also have the luxury of sharing your backups with remote systems as long as they have the app. The only challenge with this is that it costs a little more to share the app across multiple computer systems.
Back to the advantages, it is possible to access and make use of the app via the intuitive dashboard. It also comes with an amazing feature known as the ‘Restore’ feature. This feature makes it possible to recover a whole drive very easily.
In addition to this, you have the option of selecting specific files that you want to backup or recover.
Benefits of the Acronis True Image 2020
- Easy to use.
- It can be used across several computer systems.
- Allows you to make an image of your bootable disk.
- Remote usage.
- Gives you the opportunity to choose files to backup.
Pricing: The Acronis True Image costs $49.99.
Backblaze vs Time Machine
Backblaze is one of the top alternatives to the Time Machine for several reasons. It is actually recognized the world over as having several features that make it stand out.
One such feature is the unlimited storage that comes with the streamlined service. This is an amazing feature which means you don’t have to spend extra on expanding your storage.
Like ChronoSync, Backblaze is very easy to set up and use. This backup app also updates itself automatically but if you can’t wait, updating it manually is very easy.
If you are a lover of speed, then this app is a plus as it gives you all the speed you need and more.
While there were several weak spots in previous versions, the current version 1.3.5 features several updates that have fixed the limitations. The interface is cleaner with allowance for increased downloads.
One of the standout features is the fact that it presents you with a single-sign-on Google support. It can work either as an alternative to the Time Machine or as a complement instead.
Benefits of Backblaze
- Unlimited backup.
- GDPR compliant.
- Sharing functionality.
- Simple streamlined experience.
- Decent privacy and security.
- Reasonable prices.
Pricing: The Backblaze offers monthly payments of $6 and yearly payments of $60 for personal use.
SmartBackup vs Time Machine
The first thing to note about SmartBackup is that it is a lightweight app. Despite its lightweight, it helps you backup several items to your external hard drive, unlike the Time Machine.
The process is quite fast since you have the luxury of transferring multiple items simultaneously to a specified destination folder. To avoid cumbering your bootable disk with unnecessary data, SmartBackup only backs up changed files leaving the unchanged ones behind.
One of the major advantages of this app is that backup updates are done very swiftly. Another major standout feature is that you have the luxury of cloning your system or bootable disk.
SmartBackup allows you to archive changed or deleted files by placing them in a specified folder when backing up. Much later, you can always check through different versions of the same file and pick out the one you need.
With the Spotlight Saved Search feature, you can define the files you intend to backup and what you think isn’t necessary. You can make use of iCal or Automator to preprogram backup operations.
Launching is very easy using the command-line mode which also allows you to include the app in scripts or launched items.
Free Online Backup For Mac
Benefits of SmartBackup
- High performance and rapid deployment.
- Lesser risks.
- Very affordable.
- Highly productive.
- Very efficient.
- Designed for comfort and convenience.
- Minimalist design.
Pricing: The SmartBackup is Free.
What do you need from a Mac backup software?
This is a very important question we need to answer else none of these alternatives is worth mentioning. The simple answer to this is to be able to back up your files properly. No one wants that feeling of insecurity or uncertainty about backup especially when you are working on an important project.
There are several features you should look out for before choosing a backup application. We have put together a list of some of these key features you should watch out for. They include:
Backup types
Not all the backup apps come with multiple Mac backup types as you have seen above. Your backup app should be able to provide you multiple backup types.
For example, with local backup, you are able to make copies of folders and files on an external HDD. This way, even when you lose the file on your computer, restoring it is very easy.
Disk images or bootable clones help you duplicate your whole hard drive. This allows you to boot from a backup drive when your hard drive has issues.
Finally, cloud backup functions exactly like local backup, only this time, data is stored online. This gives you insurance regardless of what happens to your physical location.
Syncing files
While syncing files is not considered as a true backup, it is a very helpful feature. It is great when you work using multiple devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Synchronizing your documents across all these devices makes it easy to work remotely.
It also means that if one of your devices is damaged, you can continue on another device and work on your data from any location. The only challenge with this is that when a file is deleted in one location, it is lost on all devices.
Interface
While reviewing the apps, one of the things we paid attention to was the interface which accounts for how easy it is for the user to navigate the app and also if the aesthetics are pleasing to the eyes. Let’s face it, backups can be time consuming and you don’t want an app that makes it difficult to accomplish.
In the case of SuperDuper, although it is not as colorful as Backblaze, it is still quite easy to navigate. Carbon Copy Cloner is also another app which leverages on its user interface to improve its functionality. At a glance, you can see the features of the app and easily access the preferred solution.
Ease of data restore
The point of a backup is to make it easy to retrieve data in the case of a loss. When selecting a preferred app, a key consideration should be whether it is easy to retrieve data when the time comes. Do you need to carry out 10 steps or two steps?
You can try experimenting first with the trial versions of an app by backing up certain data, deleting it then try to restore.
Backup types
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Does the app perform a file backup or disk cloning? Some apps on our list can do both while some only perform one of the actions.
Should I use file backup or cloning?
Mac Backup Programs
To help you know which one to use, it is important to distinguish between them by way of definition.
Free Backup Software Download
File backup means you create an image file used in backing up your data for easy recovery. Disk cloning, on the other hand, moves all the contents of your drive to an HDD. You should understand this better when you know how each of these processes works. File backup carries all the contents of the partition or disk you are backing up. This includes applications, folders, files, and the OS and you can store everything on a separate storage device.
Disk cloning on the other hand copies all the contents of the disk to a new disk which means both disks have the same content. With this, it is clear that disk cloning is only necessary when you need to move to a larger disk drive.
File backup or imaging will ensure that you get back to work faster in all circumstances. This is because it is very similar to creating a zip file, only this time, it is without the zip extension. Basically, file backup compresses the files and stores them away. The only challenge is that if your original drive fails, you need a new drive before you can restore your data.
Looking beyond this, we will always recommend file backup because it provides you more versatility. It is a more economical backup option and it allows you to save different versions of the same files or disk.
Free Local Backup Software Mac Reviews
Don’t lose your data, backup now
It can be quite cumbersome finding the perfect backup app to serve as an alternative to the Time Machine. We have shown you eight apps in this post as well as criteria to help you choose. Based on all the criteria provided, it is evident that the best alternative app is the Carbon Copy Cloner app.
It has an extremely useful archiving ability and it is very flexible too. Carbon Copy Cloner solves several challenges that are seen as the failures of the Time Machine.
The importance of backing up your data cannot be overemphasized and choosing the right app is even more important.