What Is the Best Free Backup Software? Think Twice Before You Start
Choosing the best backup software requires considering not only the quality of the backups, but also the interface and convenience of restoring them, as well as budget. To help with this decision, we've selected 8 popular backup software options and compared their features, pros, and cons, providing a comprehensive guide to assist in making an informed choice.
- 1. Windows File History
- 2. Qiling Backup - Powerful Backup & Clone Software
- 3. Macrium Reflect
- 4. Paragon Backup & Recovery
- 5. Cobian Backup
- 6. Acronis True Image
- 7. O&O Disk Image
- 8. FBackup
#1. File History of Windows - Safe Choice
File History is a free built-Windows File History is a backup feature introduced in Windows 8 that focuses on backing up files and folders, rather than the entire system. It's a simple tool that doesn't have many additional features, but can meet basic backup and restore needs. To use File History, you'll need an external hard drive to store your backups, as it won't be able to restore your system if it crashes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
1. Completely free 2. Easy operations, no advanced knowledge requires 3. Functions can cover daily backup demands |
1. No advanced backup option like incremental backup or differential backup 2. The backup only includes the Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop folders, as well as OneDrive files available offline on your PC, by default. |
#2. Qiling Backup - Powerful Backup & Clone Software
Qiling Backup is a free software that offers a balance between automatic and manual control for backing up and restoring files, folders, disks, OS, and emails. It allows customization of backup settings, such as encryption, scheduled backup times, and notifications.
With the paid version of Qiling Backup, you can enjoy advanced features such as cloning a hard drive to a smaller SSD or cloning an OS to a new SSD. Additionally, you can create a Smart Backup, which involves scheduling intelligent monitoring of specified files or folders every half an hour, and generating a new backup image if any changes are made within 30 minutes. This provides an extra layer of protection and convenience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
1. Free backup and restore 2. User-friendly interface 3. Supports back up files, disks, OS, Emails 4. Abundant backup options 5. Enable clone disk/partition and system |
1. Some features are paywalled |
#3. Macrium Reflect - Great Backup Software for Windows
Macrium Reflect is a free backup tool that offers both commercial and home editions, allowing users to choose the version that suits their needs. Its interface is similar to the Windows File Explorer, but may be difficult for some users to navigate and understand its features.
Macrium Reflect offers free disk backup and cloning, but charges for file and folder backup. It features a toolbar with options for creating bootable rescue media, changing backup settings, and backing up emails.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
1. Free back up and clone disks 2. Supports encrypt backup files 3. Allows users to manage VBScript, Powershell, and MS-DOS Batch files |
1. Complex user interface 2. Files backup is paid function 3. Some features require advanced knowledge |
#4. Paragon Backup & Recovery
Paragon Backup & Recovery features a core trio: backup schedule, disk space management, and version control. Its focus remains primarily on data backup, with a secondary emphasis on disk space management.
Paragon Backup & Recovery has a clearer and simpler UI compared to Macrium Reflect. The "create backup" button is easily visible, and an on-screen guide helps users create a backup. The program integrates backup schedule and password encryption options on the same page, allowing users to choose between scheduled backups or password protection in one step.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
1. Free backup and recovery features 2. The interface is simple and user-friendly 3. Clear guidance process 4. Enable users to back up one single file |
1. The installation package is a bit large 2. All disk management-related functions are paid functions |
#5. Cobian Backup
Testing Cobian Backup 11 has been a bit of a challenge, particularly when trying to initiate a task. While it's a useful tool, it may not be the most user-friendly option for those new to data backup, making it a less ideal choice for those seeking a simple and convenient solution.
Cobian Backup offers a range of features, including scheduled backups, encryption, and compression. It allows users to select specific files or folders to back up and choose the backup destination. While it may require some time to explore the software, it provides a comprehensive backup solution.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
1. Completely free backup software 2. Highly customizable |
1. The user interface is not friendly 2. No additional clone features 3. The operating instructions are not clear |
#6. Acronis True Image
Acronis True Image is a trusted backup tool with over 15 years of experience in the data backup industry, covering both data backup and disk cloning functions. It also offers cloud storage services, allowing users to back up files to the cloud and access them anywhere.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
1. Trusted industry leader 2. Has its own cloud service 3. Cooperate with many hard drive manufacturers |
1. No free backup function 2. Very expensive 3. Poor web and mobile experience |
#7. O&O Disk Image
O&O Disk Image is a software that allows users to back up both computer disks and files. Its user-friendly interface lists all its core features on the opening tab, making it easy for new users to get started and familiarize themselves with the software.
O&O Disk Image's user interface is similar to Windows File Explorer, with a tabbed layout that allows switching between different feature pages. Additionally, the software offers extra tools for checking image information, mounting/unmounting drives, and merging image files, making it a suitable choice for users with specific needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
1. Additional image and disk management features 2. Simple user interface |
1. No free version 2. No scheduled backup option 3. Unable to automatically delete old backup files |
#8. FBackup
FBackup, designed by Romanian company SOFTLAND, is a free backup software aimed at individual customers. The software features a simple interface and a detailed guide, making it easy to use and explore. Users can create a backup by selecting the "Where" (backup storage destination), "What" (backup content), "How" (backup type, full or mirror), and "When" (automatic backup schedule) options, allowing for customized backup settings. The software's main color is a light and lively orange.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
1. Completely free backup for personal/commercial users 2. Has a clear operation guide |
1. Lack of features in free version 2. No encryption, FTP backups, email notifications, and incremental backups |
Conclusion
If you don't need paid features like disk cloning or advanced smart backup, Qiling Backup, File History, Paragon Backup & Recovery, and FBackup are good options. They're powerful and have a simple, user-friendly interface, and if you're willing to pay, you can access additional features like cloning your OS to a new hard drive.
Macrium Reflect and Cobian Backup are also free backup software options, although they may require more time to learn how to use. In contrast, Acronis True Image and O&O Disk Image do not have a free version, but they have their own unique strengths, with Acronis True Image boasting powerful technical capabilities and O&O Disk Image offering innovative features for managing disk and image files.
These are all 8 backup software we'd like to introduce. Choose the one that suits you most, and start to back up and protect your data now!
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