Quick Overview
- 1#1: Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office - Provides comprehensive disk imaging, file backup, cloud storage, and cybersecurity for complete laptop protection.
- 2#2: Macrium Reflect - Creates reliable full system images and incremental backups for fast laptop recovery and cloning.
- 3#3: IDrive - Backs up unlimited devices including laptops to 5TB of secure cloud storage with versioning and sharing.
- 4#4: Backblaze - Offers unlimited automatic cloud backup for a single laptop with easy restore options.
- 5#5: EaseUS Todo Backup - Simplifies file, partition, and full system backups for laptops with scheduling and cloning features.
- 6#6: AOMEI Backupper - Free disk imaging, cloning, and file sync tool optimized for Windows laptops with universal restore.
- 7#7: Carbonite - Delivers automatic unlimited cloud backup with continuous file protection and external drive support for laptops.
- 8#8: GoodSync - Enables real-time two-way sync and backup of laptop files to local, NAS, or cloud destinations.
- 9#9: Duplicati - Open-source encrypted backup software that supports cloud storage for secure laptop data protection.
- 10#10: Arq - Deduplicated incremental backups to any cloud storage service for efficient Mac and Windows laptop archiving.
We evaluated tools based on core capabilities like backup speed, encryption, and recovery efficiency, alongside usability, compatibility, and overall value to ensure they deliver consistent, high-performance protection for modern laptops.
Comparison Table
This comparison table helps identify the right laptop backup software, featuring tools like Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, Macrium Reflect, and more. It outlines key features, strengths, and ideal use cases to guide readers in making an informed choice.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Provides comprehensive disk imaging, file backup, cloud storage, and cybersecurity for complete laptop protection. | other | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Macrium Reflect Creates reliable full system images and incremental backups for fast laptop recovery and cloning. | other | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | IDrive Backs up unlimited devices including laptops to 5TB of secure cloud storage with versioning and sharing. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Backblaze Offers unlimited automatic cloud backup for a single laptop with easy restore options. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | EaseUS Todo Backup Simplifies file, partition, and full system backups for laptops with scheduling and cloning features. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | AOMEI Backupper Free disk imaging, cloning, and file sync tool optimized for Windows laptops with universal restore. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 7 | Carbonite Delivers automatic unlimited cloud backup with continuous file protection and external drive support for laptops. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | GoodSync Enables real-time two-way sync and backup of laptop files to local, NAS, or cloud destinations. | other | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Duplicati Open-source encrypted backup software that supports cloud storage for secure laptop data protection. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Arq Deduplicated incremental backups to any cloud storage service for efficient Mac and Windows laptop archiving. | other | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
Provides comprehensive disk imaging, file backup, cloud storage, and cybersecurity for complete laptop protection.
Creates reliable full system images and incremental backups for fast laptop recovery and cloning.
Backs up unlimited devices including laptops to 5TB of secure cloud storage with versioning and sharing.
Offers unlimited automatic cloud backup for a single laptop with easy restore options.
Simplifies file, partition, and full system backups for laptops with scheduling and cloning features.
Free disk imaging, cloning, and file sync tool optimized for Windows laptops with universal restore.
Delivers automatic unlimited cloud backup with continuous file protection and external drive support for laptops.
Enables real-time two-way sync and backup of laptop files to local, NAS, or cloud destinations.
Open-source encrypted backup software that supports cloud storage for secure laptop data protection.
Deduplicated incremental backups to any cloud storage service for efficient Mac and Windows laptop archiving.
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office
otherProvides comprehensive disk imaging, file backup, cloud storage, and cybersecurity for complete laptop protection.
AI-powered Active Protection that automatically detects and blocks ransomware attacks before they encrypt backups
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a comprehensive cybersecurity and backup solution tailored for home users and small offices, offering robust laptop backup capabilities including full disk imaging, file/folder backups, and continuous data protection to mobile devices. It goes beyond traditional backups with integrated anti-malware, ransomware protection, and vulnerability assessments, ensuring data safety from both loss and cyber threats. The software supports local, NAS, and Acronis Cloud storage with efficient incremental backups and one-click recovery.
Pros
- All-in-one backup and cyber protection with real-time threat detection
- Fast incremental backups and full image recovery for laptops
- Flexible storage options including unlimited cloud scalability
Cons
- Subscription-only model with no perpetual license
- Higher CPU usage during active scans and backups
- Steeper learning curve for advanced cyber features
Best For
Home office professionals and families needing integrated backup with advanced ransomware and malware protection for laptops.
Pricing
Starts at $49.99/year for 250GB cloud storage (1 device); scales to $99.99/year for 1TB or $49.99/year per device for multi-device plans.
Macrium Reflect
otherCreates reliable full system images and incremental backups for fast laptop recovery and cloning.
ReDeploy: Seamlessly restores backups to dissimilar hardware configurations
Macrium Reflect is a robust disk imaging and cloning software primarily for Windows, enabling users to create full, incremental, and differential backups of entire systems or specific partitions. It excels in disaster recovery with bootable rescue media and supports rapid restores even to dissimilar hardware via its ReDeploy feature. For laptop users, it provides reliable protection against hardware failures, malware, and data loss, with options for scheduling and offsite storage.
Pros
- Exceptionally reliable imaging and cloning with incremental backups
- Bootable rescue media for easy off-system recovery
- Strong value with a capable free edition
Cons
- Windows-only, no macOS or Linux support
- Interface has a learning curve for complete novices
- Limited native cloud integration compared to competitors
Best For
Windows laptop users seeking professional-grade disk imaging and disaster recovery without ongoing subscription costs.
Pricing
Free edition for basic imaging; Home edition $69.95 lifetime license per PC; higher tiers for workstations/servers.
IDrive
otherBacks up unlimited devices including laptops to 5TB of secure cloud storage with versioning and sharing.
Unlimited device support on a single account
IDrive is a robust cloud backup service designed for laptops and unlimited devices, offering continuous data protection, file versioning, and full disk image backups for easy recovery. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and NAS devices with military-grade encryption and fast incremental backups. The service excels in multi-device environments, making it suitable for personal and small business laptop backup needs.
Pros
- Unlimited devices backed up on a single account
- Advanced versioning with up to 30 file versions and long-term retention
- Private encryption key option for zero-knowledge security
Cons
- User interface feels somewhat dated and cluttered
- Initial backup can be slow on large datasets
- Free tier limited to 10GB with basic features
Best For
Users with multiple laptops and devices seeking affordable, unlimited cloud backups with strong recovery options.
Pricing
Personal plans start at $79.50/year for 5TB (unlimited devices), $99.50/year for 10TB; business plans from $12.50/user/year for 10TB.
Backblaze
otherOffers unlimited automatic cloud backup for a single laptop with easy restore options.
Unlimited cloud backup storage for a flat monthly fee per device
Backblaze Personal Backup is a cloud-based service designed for automatic, continuous backups of entire laptops and desktops across Windows and macOS. It secures all user data, including files, photos, music, and even applications, to offsite servers with military-grade encryption and 30 days of version history. Users can restore data via downloads, mailed USB drives, or local restores, making it a reliable set-it-and-forget-it solution for protecting against data loss from hardware failure, theft, or ransomware.
Pros
- Unlimited storage per computer eliminates capacity worries
- Automatic, continuous backups run unobtrusively in the background
- Strong value with flat-rate pricing and reliable restore options
Cons
- Restore times can be slow for large datasets without expedited shipping
- Lacks advanced features like file syncing or selective sharing found in competitors
- One license per computer, no multi-device bundles
Best For
Users seeking simple, unlimited automated backups for a single laptop without managing storage limits or complex setups.
Pricing
$7/month or $70/year per computer for unlimited backup storage
EaseUS Todo Backup
otherSimplifies file, partition, and full system backups for laptops with scheduling and cloning features.
One-click system clone for seamless laptop hardware upgrades or SSD migrations
EaseUS Todo Backup is a robust Windows-focused backup software that enables full system imaging, disk/partition backups, file/folder synchronization, and drive cloning for laptops. It supports scheduled, incremental, and differential backups to optimize storage and time, along with a bootable WinPE recovery environment for disaster recovery. The tool integrates cloud backup options and offers straightforward restoration processes, making it suitable for personal and small business laptop users.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick setup
- Comprehensive backup types including system imaging and cloning
- Reliable bootable recovery media for offline restores
Cons
- Free version lacks advanced features like incremental backups
- Frequent prompts to upgrade to paid plans
- Limited to Windows, no native Mac or Linux support
Best For
Windows laptop users who want a simple, reliable tool for system backups and drive cloning without complex configurations.
Pricing
Free edition available with basics; Home annual license $39.95, Workstation $69.95/year.
AOMEI Backupper
otherFree disk imaging, cloning, and file sync tool optimized for Windows laptops with universal restore.
Universal Restore, enabling seamless backup restoration to different hardware configurations
AOMEI Backupper is a versatile Windows backup software that provides full system, disk, partition, and file backups, along with cloning and restoration tools essential for laptop data protection. It supports incremental and differential backups, scheduling, compression, encryption, and universal restore to dissimilar hardware. Ideal for laptops, it offers portable editions and bootable media creation for offline backups and recovery.
Pros
- Robust free version with core backup and restore functions
- Intuitive wizard-based interface suitable for beginners
- Excellent cloning and universal restore for hardware changes common in laptops
Cons
- Windows-only, no macOS or Linux support
- Advanced features like real-time sync locked behind paid tiers
- Installer may bundle unwanted third-party software
Best For
Windows laptop users seeking reliable, cost-effective backups without advanced enterprise needs.
Pricing
Free edition available; paid versions start at $49.95 one-time for Standard, up to $179.95 for Technician perpetual licenses.
Carbonite
otherDelivers automatic unlimited cloud backup with continuous file protection and external drive support for laptops.
Unlimited cloud storage with continuous, automatic backups requiring no manual intervention
Carbonite is a cloud backup service that provides automatic, continuous backups of files from laptops and desktops to secure offsite storage. It supports unlimited data backup on personal plans, covering documents, photos, music, and emails across Windows and Mac systems. While it excels at file-level recovery and mobile access, it does not include full system imaging or application reinstallation.
Pros
- Unlimited backup storage on core plans
- Automatic and continuous file syncing
- Easy file access and restore from any device
Cons
- Lacks full disk imaging for complete system recovery
- Initial backups can be slow for large data sets
- Excludes videos over 4GB and system files in basic plans
Best For
Individuals or small teams seeking simple, hands-off file backups for laptops without needing full system restore capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $99/year (or $6/month billed annually) for Basic plan on one computer with unlimited storage; higher tiers like Plus ($129/year) add external drive support.
GoodSync
otherEnables real-time two-way sync and backup of laptop files to local, NAS, or cloud destinations.
Block-level synchronization that only transfers changed file parts for ultra-fast, efficient backups
GoodSync is a powerful file synchronization and backup software designed for laptops, enabling automated syncing and backups to local drives, NAS, external storage, and cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and S3. It supports real-time two-way sync, versioning to prevent data loss, and block-level transfers for efficiency. While not a full disk imaging tool, it excels at file-level backups with strong conflict resolution and encryption.
Pros
- Real-time two-way synchronization with automatic conflict resolution
- Broad compatibility with cloud, NAS, and remote protocols
- Version history and ransomware protection via versioning
Cons
- Dated interface with a learning curve for beginners
- Pricing scales up quickly for multiple devices
- Limited to file-level backups, no full disk imaging
Best For
Advanced users and IT pros needing flexible, automated file sync and backups across diverse storage targets.
Pricing
Free version with limits; Personal $19.90/year, Standard $49.90/year per device, lifetime options from $49.90-$99.90 per device.
Duplicati
otherOpen-source encrypted backup software that supports cloud storage for secure laptop data protection.
Block-level deduplication and zero-knowledge encryption across virtually any cloud storage provider
Duplicati is a free, open-source backup software designed for backing up laptops and other devices to local storage or numerous cloud providers like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and more. It employs advanced features such as client-side encryption, deduplication, compression, and incremental backups to ensure secure and efficient data protection. The tool offers a web-based interface for scheduling, monitoring, and restoring backups across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
Pros
- Strong client-side encryption and deduplication for efficient, secure backups
- Supports a wide range of local and cloud storage backends
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits
Cons
- Web interface can feel clunky and has a steeper learning curve for beginners
- Lacks real-time continuous backup or file syncing capabilities
- Occasional bugs and slower restore speeds reported by users
Best For
Tech-savvy laptop users seeking a customizable, cost-free backup solution with robust encryption and flexibility across storage providers.
Pricing
100% free (open-source, no paid tiers or subscriptions).
Arq
otherDeduplicated incremental backups to any cloud storage service for efficient Mac and Windows laptop archiving.
Backup to virtually any S3-compatible cloud storage using your own account for maximum flexibility and privacy
Arq is a powerful backup software for Mac and Windows laptops that enables users to back up files to local drives, NAS devices, or any S3-compatible cloud storage like Backblaze B2, Wasabi, or AWS S3. It emphasizes efficiency with client-side deduplication, compression, and AES-256 encryption, ensuring secure and space-optimized backups. Incremental forever backups allow restoring any file version from any date without full restores.
Pros
- Extremely efficient deduplication and compression saves storage costs
- Client-side encryption with no vendor access to data
- One-time purchase model with broad destination support
Cons
- Setup requires configuring your own storage destinations
- Interface feels dated and less intuitive for beginners
- No included cloud storage or automatic offsite options
Best For
Tech-savvy laptop users who want full control over backups to their preferred cloud storage without subscriptions.
Pricing
One-time fee of $50 per computer (Mac or Windows); free updates for 2 years, then discounted renewals.
Conclusion
Selecting the ideal laptop backup software hinges on individual needs, but the reviewed tools offer exceptional reliability. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office tops the list, combining disk imaging, cloud storage, and cybersecurity for holistic protection. Macrium Reflect and IDrive are strong alternatives, with Macrium excelling in fast system recovery and cloning, and IDrive providing unlimited device support and secure cloud storage. Ultimately, the best choice aligns with specific workflow requirements but ensures peace of mind for data safety.
Take the first step in securing your laptop data—try Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office to experience comprehensive backup and protection tailored to your needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison