Quick Overview
- 1#1: Macrium Reflect - Creates reliable incremental disk images using forever incremental technology for efficient backups and fast restores.
- 2#2: Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office - Provides AI-enhanced incremental backups with ransomware protection, cloud storage, and full system imaging.
- 3#3: Duplicati - Open-source tool for encrypted, deduplicated incremental backups to local drives, NAS, or cloud services.
- 4#4: Veeam Agent for Windows - Delivers powerful incremental backups for physical machines with built-in deduplication and cloud integration.
- 5#5: AOMEI Backupper - Supports free incremental and differential backups for disks, partitions, and files with cloning capabilities.
- 6#6: EaseUS Todo Backup - Offers simple incremental backups for systems, files, and applications with scheduling and cloud sync.
- 7#7: BorgBackup - Command-line deduplicating backup program that efficiently handles incremental changes with compression and encryption.
- 8#8: Restic - Fast, secure backup tool with deduplication, encryption, and incremental snapshots to any backend storage.
- 9#9: Arq Backup - Performs client-side encrypted incremental backups directly to your choice of cloud storage providers.
- 10#10: GoodSync - Synchronizes files with version history tracking for effective incremental backups across devices and clouds.
Tools were selected and ranked based on key factors including backup efficiency, security features (encryption, ransomware protection), ease of use, and integration with diverse storage environments, ensuring alignment with varied user requirements for performance and value.
Comparison Table
Incremental backup software simplifies data protection by focusing on changed files, reducing storage needs and speeding up processes—vital for maintaining reliable data safety. This table compares leading tools like Macrium Reflect, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, Duplicati, Veeam Agent for Windows, and AOMEI Backupper, analyzing key features, performance, and practicality. Readers will discover how to choose the right software for their unique needs, balancing cost, compatibility, and functionality.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Macrium Reflect Creates reliable incremental disk images using forever incremental technology for efficient backups and fast restores. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Provides AI-enhanced incremental backups with ransomware protection, cloud storage, and full system imaging. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Duplicati Open-source tool for encrypted, deduplicated incremental backups to local drives, NAS, or cloud services. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | Veeam Agent for Windows Delivers powerful incremental backups for physical machines with built-in deduplication and cloud integration. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | AOMEI Backupper Supports free incremental and differential backups for disks, partitions, and files with cloning capabilities. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 6 | EaseUS Todo Backup Offers simple incremental backups for systems, files, and applications with scheduling and cloud sync. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | BorgBackup Command-line deduplicating backup program that efficiently handles incremental changes with compression and encryption. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 10/10 |
| 8 | Restic Fast, secure backup tool with deduplication, encryption, and incremental snapshots to any backend storage. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 9 | Arq Backup Performs client-side encrypted incremental backups directly to your choice of cloud storage providers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | GoodSync Synchronizes files with version history tracking for effective incremental backups across devices and clouds. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
Creates reliable incremental disk images using forever incremental technology for efficient backups and fast restores.
Provides AI-enhanced incremental backups with ransomware protection, cloud storage, and full system imaging.
Open-source tool for encrypted, deduplicated incremental backups to local drives, NAS, or cloud services.
Delivers powerful incremental backups for physical machines with built-in deduplication and cloud integration.
Supports free incremental and differential backups for disks, partitions, and files with cloning capabilities.
Offers simple incremental backups for systems, files, and applications with scheduling and cloud sync.
Command-line deduplicating backup program that efficiently handles incremental changes with compression and encryption.
Fast, secure backup tool with deduplication, encryption, and incremental snapshots to any backend storage.
Performs client-side encrypted incremental backups directly to your choice of cloud storage providers.
Synchronizes files with version history tracking for effective incremental backups across devices and clouds.
Macrium Reflect
enterpriseCreates reliable incremental disk images using forever incremental technology for efficient backups and fast restores.
Delta Incremental Backups with rapid restore from chained image files
Macrium Reflect is a leading disk imaging and backup software for Windows that supports full, differential, and incremental backups to protect data efficiently. It excels in incremental backups by capturing only changes since the last backup, reducing storage needs and backup times through advanced compression and deduplication. Users can schedule automated backups to local drives, NAS, or cloud storage, with robust restore options including bare-metal recovery via bootable rescue media.
Pros
- Superior incremental backup speed with delta compression technology
- Reliable bare-metal restore and bootable rescue media
- Strong scheduling, encryption, and multi-destination support
Cons
- Windows-only compatibility, no macOS or Linux support
- Free version lacks advanced scheduling and retention rules
- Interface feels slightly dated compared to modern competitors
Best For
IT professionals and power users requiring reliable, fast incremental backups for Windows servers and workstations.
Pricing
Free edition for basic use; Home ($69.95 one-time), Workstation ($289 one-time), Server editions from $559 one-time.
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office
enterpriseProvides AI-enhanced incremental backups with ransomware protection, cloud storage, and full system imaging.
AI-powered Active Protection that actively blocks ransomware attacks during backups, ensuring incremental data integrity
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is an all-in-one cybersecurity and data protection solution designed for home users and small offices, offering robust incremental backup capabilities alongside anti-malware, ransomware protection, and blockchain-based backup verification. It supports efficient incremental backups to local drives, NAS, or Acronis Cloud, allowing users to save time and storage by only backing up changes since the last backup. The software also includes advanced features like continuous data protection and vulnerability assessments, making it more than just a backup tool.
Pros
- Excellent incremental backup speeds with compression and deduplication
- Integrated cybersecurity features like ransomware protection enhance backup security
- Supports multiple destinations including cloud, local, and NAS with mobile app access
Cons
- Subscription-only model can be costly for basic backup needs
- Resource-intensive during scans and backups on lower-end hardware
- Overkill interface for users seeking simple incremental backups only
Best For
Home office professionals needing seamless incremental backups combined with comprehensive cyber protection for critical data.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $59.99/year for 250GB cloud storage (1 device), with higher tiers up to $99.99/year for unlimited storage and more devices.
Duplicati
otherOpen-source tool for encrypted, deduplicated incremental backups to local drives, NAS, or cloud services.
Block-level deduplication that intelligently identifies and stores only unique data chunks across incremental backups
Duplicati is a free, open-source backup software designed for creating secure, incremental backups with deduplication and strong AES-256 encryption. It supports a vast array of storage backends, including local drives, cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and remote protocols such as FTP, SSH, and WebDAV. The tool efficiently handles large datasets by only backing up changed blocks, making it ideal for ongoing data protection across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pros
- Powerful block-level deduplication and compression for efficient incremental backups
- Extensive support for cloud and remote storage backends
- Zero-cost, open-source with robust end-to-end encryption
Cons
- Web-based UI feels dated and can be unintuitive for beginners
- Higher memory usage during backups compared to lighter alternatives
- Restore process can be slower on large datasets
Best For
Tech-savvy individuals or small teams needing flexible, encrypted incremental backups to diverse storage targets without ongoing costs.
Pricing
Completely free and open-source with no paid tiers or subscriptions.
Veeam Agent for Windows
enterpriseDelivers powerful incremental backups for physical machines with built-in deduplication and cloud integration.
Forever forward incremental backup chains with synthetic fulls for optimal RPO and storage efficiency
Veeam Agent for Windows is a comprehensive backup solution for physical Windows desktops, laptops, and servers, specializing in full, incremental, and differential backups with changed block tracking (CBT) for efficiency. It enables backups to local disks, NAS, tape, and cloud storage like Azure, AWS, and S3-compatible services, with strong emphasis on ransomware protection and bare-metal recovery. The tool supports forever forward incremental chains with periodic active fulls, minimizing backup windows and storage growth.
Pros
- Highly efficient incremental backups via CBT and synthetic operations
- Robust bare-metal recovery and disaster recovery testing
- Broad destination support including cloud and Veeam ecosystem integration
Cons
- Subscription pricing for advanced features can add up
- Interface may overwhelm non-IT users
- Higher resource consumption during large backups
Best For
IT admins and SMBs managing physical Windows endpoints requiring reliable, enterprise-grade incremental backups.
Pricing
Free Community Edition for basic use; paid Workstation edition ~$19/year, Server editions from ~$49/year (subscription-based).
AOMEI Backupper
otherSupports free incremental and differential backups for disks, partitions, and files with cloning capabilities.
Universal Restore for deploying backups to dissimilar hardware without reconfiguration
AOMEI Backupper is a versatile Windows backup software that supports full, incremental, and differential backups for disks, partitions, files, and systems. It enables efficient incremental backups by capturing only changes since the last backup, reducing storage needs and backup time. Additional features include scheduling, compression, encryption, and universal restore for booting backups on dissimilar hardware.
Pros
- Reliable incremental backup support with compression and encryption
- Intuitive interface suitable for beginners and pros
- Free edition covers basic incremental backups effectively
Cons
- Limited to Windows platforms only
- Advanced features like command-line support require paid upgrade
- Installer may include bundled software
Best For
Windows users seeking an affordable, user-friendly tool for regular incremental backups of systems and files.
Pricing
Free edition available; paid Standard edition is $49.95 one-time purchase, Pro at $59.95.
EaseUS Todo Backup
specializedOffers simple incremental backups for systems, files, and applications with scheduling and cloud sync.
Smart incremental backup that versionizes changes and supports offsite cloud syncing for seamless recovery.
EaseUS Todo Backup is a versatile Windows backup software that supports full, incremental, and differential backups for files, partitions, systems, and disks. It enables automated scheduling, cloning, and restoration with options for local, NAS, or cloud storage integration. As an incremental backup solution, it efficiently captures only changes since the last backup, optimizing storage and speed for regular data protection.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with simple setup for incremental backups
- Supports multiple backup types including efficient incremental mode
- Affordable with a capable free version for basic needs
Cons
- Free version lacks advanced features like unlimited incremental schedules
- Occasional upsell prompts and minor performance lags on large datasets
- Limited advanced deduplication compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Home users and small businesses seeking straightforward incremental backups for systems and files without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free version; Home $39.95/year or $59.95 lifetime; Workstation $59.95/year or $99.95 lifetime.
BorgBackup
otherCommand-line deduplicating backup program that efficiently handles incremental changes with compression and encryption.
Content-defined chunking deduplication that uniquely minimizes storage for incremental backups across versions
BorgBackup is a powerful, deduplicating backup tool that creates efficient incremental archives by storing only unique data chunks across backups. It supports compression, client-side encryption, and authentication, making it suitable for secure, space-efficient backups over local or remote storage like SSH. Primarily command-line driven, it excels in handling large datasets with features like mountable archives and prune policies for managing retention.
Pros
- Exceptional deduplication and compression for massive space savings
- Strong security with AES-256 encryption and HMAC authentication
- Efficient incremental backups and flexible retention policies
Cons
- Command-line only with steep learning curve for beginners
- No native GUI (requires third-party frontends)
- Setup for remote backups requires SSH configuration
Best For
Sysadmins and advanced users needing secure, efficient backups for servers or large datasets via command line.
Pricing
Completely free and open-source (unlimited use).
Restic
otherFast, secure backup tool with deduplication, encryption, and incremental snapshots to any backend storage.
Content-defined deduplication combined with mandatory end-to-end encryption across diverse storage backends
Restic is a free, open-source backup program designed for fast, secure, and efficient incremental backups using content-defined chunking and deduplication to store only new or changed data. It supports a wide array of storage backends including local disks, SFTP, REST services like S3, Backblaze B2, and more, with built-in end-to-end encryption and data integrity checks. Backups are organized as atomic snapshots that can be mounted, browsed, and restored easily via command-line.
Pros
- Superior deduplication and compression for efficient incremental backups
- End-to-end encryption and data integrity verification by default
- Broad support for cloud and local storage backends
Cons
- Command-line only interface with no official GUI
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Requires external tools like cron for scheduling
Best For
Advanced users, sysadmins, and homelab enthusiasts comfortable with CLI who prioritize security and efficiency in backups.
Pricing
Completely free and open-source with no paid tiers.
Arq Backup
specializedPerforms client-side encrypted incremental backups directly to your choice of cloud storage providers.
Cross-computer deduplication to the same destination, dramatically reducing storage needs for multiple devices
Arq Backup is a robust incremental backup solution for macOS and Windows, enabling users to protect data with efficient block-level deduplication, compression, and client-side encryption to destinations like local drives, NAS, or cloud services such as S3, Backblaze B2, Google Cloud Storage, and more. It supports unlimited backup versions, sparse backups to skip unchanged files, and verifiable restores from open formats without vendor lock-in. Ideal for users seeking high efficiency and flexibility in backup management without subscriptions.
Pros
- Exceptional block-level deduplication and compression for minimal storage use, even across multiple machines
- Broad destination support including affordable object storage with client-side encryption
- Open backup format allows restores using standard tools, ensuring long-term accessibility
Cons
- User interface is functional but lacks polish compared to consumer-oriented apps
- Initial setup requires configuring destinations, which can be intimidating for beginners
- No built-in file sync or sharing features; focused purely on backups
Best For
Tech-savvy users and small businesses needing efficient, secure incremental backups to custom cloud storage without recurring fees.
Pricing
One-time purchase of $49.99 per computer for Arq 7 (Mac/Windows); no subscriptions or per-GB fees.
GoodSync
specializedSynchronizes files with version history tracking for effective incremental backups across devices and clouds.
Patented block-level synchronization that detects and transfers only changed data blocks within files for ultra-efficient incremental backups
GoodSync is a robust file synchronization and backup software that excels in incremental backups by using block-level differencing to transfer only changed data portions, minimizing bandwidth and time usage. It supports one-way backups, two-way syncs, and real-time monitoring across local drives, NAS, servers, and over 50 cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. Additional features include versioning with up to 1,000 file versions, encryption, and automated scheduling for reliable data protection.
Pros
- Highly efficient block-level incremental backups for large files
- Extensive compatibility with local, network, and cloud storage
- Strong versioning, encryption, and real-time sync capabilities
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered and complex for beginners
- Subscription-based pricing without perpetual license option
- Potential for sync conflicts in highly dynamic environments
Best For
Advanced users and IT professionals handling large-scale file synchronization and backups across diverse storage endpoints.
Pricing
Personal plans start at $19.95/year (1 job), $29.95/year (5 jobs), $49.95/year (unlimited); business from $7.50/user/month; free Quick Start version available.
Conclusion
Among the top incremental backup tools reviewed, Macrium Reflect claims the top spot, excelling with its forever incremental technology for efficient backups and fast restores. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office stands as a strong alternative, offering AI-enhanced backups and robust ransomware protection, while Duplicati impresses with its open-source, encrypted, and deduplicated approach. Each of the top three serves distinct needs, ensuring reliable protection for diverse users and scenarios.
Take the first step in securing your data—try Macrium Reflect today to experience its exceptional incremental backup capabilities for yourself.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison