Quick Overview
- 1#1: Macrium Reflect - Creates reliable full disk images, clones drives, and enables bare-metal restores for Windows systems.
- 2#2: Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office - Delivers comprehensive system backups with ransomware protection, cloud integration, and fast recovery.
- 3#3: AOMEI Backupper - Provides disk, partition, and system backups with cloning, universal restore, and scheduling features.
- 4#4: EaseUS Todo Backup - Offers simple system imaging, file backups, and disaster recovery with bootable media support.
- 5#5: MiniTool ShadowMaker - Free tool for system backups, disk cloning, file sync, and PXE boot recovery environments.
- 6#6: Paragon Backup & Recovery - Supports adaptive imaging, P2V/V2P conversions, and incremental backups for complete system protection.
- 7#7: O&O DiskImage - Generates exact drive images and scripts for automated backups with direct restore capabilities.
- 8#8: Veeam Agent for Windows - Free agent-based backup for Windows endpoints with encryption, compression, and recovery options.
- 9#9: Duplicati - Open-source client for encrypted, incremental backups to local, cloud, or remote storage.
- 10#10: Rescuezilla - Graphical interface for Clonezilla enabling easy disk imaging and cloning from bootable USB.
We prioritized tools based on feature depth (including imaging, cloning, and ransomware protection), ease of use, and overall value, ensuring a balanced selection of reliable, high-quality solutions that meet both casual and advanced user requirements.
Comparison Table
Compare top system backup software, including Macrium Reflect, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, AOMEI Backupper, EaseUS Todo Backup, MiniTool ShadowMaker, and more. This table highlights key features, user experience, and compatibility to guide readers toward the best tool for their data protection needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Macrium Reflect Creates reliable full disk images, clones drives, and enables bare-metal restores for Windows systems. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 2 | Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Delivers comprehensive system backups with ransomware protection, cloud integration, and fast recovery. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | AOMEI Backupper Provides disk, partition, and system backups with cloning, universal restore, and scheduling features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | EaseUS Todo Backup Offers simple system imaging, file backups, and disaster recovery with bootable media support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | MiniTool ShadowMaker Free tool for system backups, disk cloning, file sync, and PXE boot recovery environments. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | Paragon Backup & Recovery Supports adaptive imaging, P2V/V2P conversions, and incremental backups for complete system protection. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | O&O DiskImage Generates exact drive images and scripts for automated backups with direct restore capabilities. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 8 | Veeam Agent for Windows Free agent-based backup for Windows endpoints with encryption, compression, and recovery options. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 9 | Duplicati Open-source client for encrypted, incremental backups to local, cloud, or remote storage. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Rescuezilla Graphical interface for Clonezilla enabling easy disk imaging and cloning from bootable USB. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
Creates reliable full disk images, clones drives, and enables bare-metal restores for Windows systems.
Delivers comprehensive system backups with ransomware protection, cloud integration, and fast recovery.
Provides disk, partition, and system backups with cloning, universal restore, and scheduling features.
Offers simple system imaging, file backups, and disaster recovery with bootable media support.
Free tool for system backups, disk cloning, file sync, and PXE boot recovery environments.
Supports adaptive imaging, P2V/V2P conversions, and incremental backups for complete system protection.
Generates exact drive images and scripts for automated backups with direct restore capabilities.
Free agent-based backup for Windows endpoints with encryption, compression, and recovery options.
Open-source client for encrypted, incremental backups to local, cloud, or remote storage.
Graphical interface for Clonezilla enabling easy disk imaging and cloning from bootable USB.
Macrium Reflect
specializedCreates reliable full disk images, clones drives, and enables bare-metal restores for Windows systems.
viBoot for instant virtualization of backups as bootable VMs without full restoration
Macrium Reflect is a premier disk imaging and backup solution for Windows, enabling users to create exact replicas of entire systems, drives, or partitions for reliable disaster recovery. It supports full, incremental, and differential backups with compression, encryption, and deduplication for efficient storage. The software also offers disk cloning, file/folder backups, and powerful scheduling, making it ideal for protecting against hardware failures, ransomware, and data loss.
Pros
- Exceptionally reliable imaging with fast incremental backups and deduplication
- Bootable rescue media with WinPE support for hardware-independent restores
- Intuitive wizard-based interface and robust scheduling options
Cons
- Limited to Windows platforms only
- Free edition lacks file/folder backups and some advanced features
- Initial setup of rescue media requires downloading additional components
Best For
IT professionals and advanced users needing enterprise-grade system backup, cloning, and rapid recovery solutions.
Pricing
Free edition available; Home ($69.95 one-time), Workstation ($130 one-time), Server editions from $349 one-time with optional support.
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office
enterpriseDelivers comprehensive system backups with ransomware protection, cloud integration, and fast recovery.
AI-driven anti-ransomware protection that detects attacks in real-time and creates secure backups during the incident
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is an all-in-one backup and cybersecurity solution tailored for home users and small offices, providing full disk imaging, file-level backups, and continuous data protection to safeguard systems against data loss. It supports local, NAS, external drive, and Acronis Cloud storage destinations with features like incremental backups and blockchain-based verification for authenticity. Beyond traditional backups, it integrates AI-powered anti-malware, anti-ransomware protection, and vulnerability assessments to defend against cyber threats in real-time.
Pros
- Comprehensive system imaging and universal restore capabilities
- Integrated cybersecurity features like active ransomware counteraction
- Flexible backup destinations including cloud with efficient incremental updates
Cons
- Subscription model without perpetual license option
- Resource-intensive during scans and backups on lower-end hardware
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Home office users and individuals seeking robust system backups with built-in cyber protection against ransomware and malware.
Pricing
Annual subscription starting at $59.99 for 500GB cloud storage, $99.99 for unlimited cloud, with optional perpetual licenses around $149.
AOMEI Backupper
specializedProvides disk, partition, and system backups with cloning, universal restore, and scheduling features.
Universal Restore, enabling seamless system backup restoration to dissimilar hardware
AOMEI Backupper is a robust Windows backup and restore software that excels in creating full system images, disk clones, and partition backups with support for incremental and differential methods. It offers advanced features like Universal Restore for booting backups on dissimilar hardware, real-time file sync, and bootable media creation for offline recovery. Suitable for home users and small businesses, it provides reliable data protection against hardware failures and ransomware.
Pros
- Comprehensive backup types including system, disk, and file-level with scheduling
- Universal Restore for hardware-independent recovery
- Bootable WinPE media and P2V conversion support
Cons
- Free version lacks advanced features like Universal Restore
- Interface feels slightly dated compared to competitors
- Slower backup speeds on large drives in some tests
Best For
Windows home users and small businesses needing affordable, reliable system imaging and recovery without enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Free edition; Standard $49.95 one-time (1 PC), Professional $59.95 one-time (1 PC), higher tiers for unlimited PCs up to $199.
EaseUS Todo Backup
specializedOffers simple system imaging, file backups, and disaster recovery with bootable media support.
One-click system clone for seamless drive upgrades and replacements
EaseUS Todo Backup is a versatile Windows backup software designed for creating full system images, disk/partition backups, and file/folder backups to protect against data loss. It supports incremental and differential backups, scheduling, cloning for drive upgrades, and recovery via bootable WinPE media. Ideal for both personal and small business use, it offers cloud integration and ransomware protection in paid versions.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-based interface simplifies backups for beginners
- Reliable full system imaging and bare-metal restore capabilities
- Supports disk cloning for easy HDD to SSD migrations
Cons
- Free version lacks advanced features like incremental backups
- Backup speeds are slower than some competitors like Macrium Reflect
- Frequent upsells and bundled software during installation
Best For
Home users and small businesses seeking straightforward system backup and cloning without advanced IT expertise.
Pricing
Free version available with limits; Home edition $39.95/year or $59.95 lifetime; Workstation/Server tiers from $69.95/year.
MiniTool ShadowMaker
specializedFree tool for system backups, disk cloning, file sync, and PXE boot recovery environments.
Bootable WinPE rescue media for seamless recovery from non-booting systems
MiniTool ShadowMaker is a Windows-focused backup and recovery tool that creates full system images, disk/partition backups, and file/folder synchronizations. It supports incremental and differential backups for efficiency, scheduling for automation, and disk cloning for hardware upgrades. Additionally, it includes a bootable WinPE environment for offline restores and recovery from boot failures.
Pros
- Intuitive, wizard-based interface simplifies backups
- Reliable system imaging with support for dissimilar hardware restore
- Fully functional free edition with scheduling and cloning
Cons
- Limited to Windows platforms only
- Advanced features like encryption and cloud backup require Pro upgrade
- No built-in support for network destinations in free version
Best For
Home users and small businesses needing reliable, easy-to-use system backups on Windows without complex enterprise requirements.
Pricing
Free edition available; Pro annual license starts at $59 for one PC, lifetime at $129, with multi-PC and technician editions higher.
Paragon Backup & Recovery
enterpriseSupports adaptive imaging, P2V/V2P conversions, and incremental backups for complete system protection.
Adaptive Restore technology for seamless recovery to dissimilar hardware
Paragon Backup & Recovery is a robust disk imaging and backup solution designed for Windows users, enabling full system backups, incremental and differential backups, and reliable data recovery. It includes advanced tools for partition management, scheduling, encryption, and creating bootable recovery media. The software excels in scenarios requiring precise sector-level imaging and restoration to dissimilar hardware.
Pros
- Comprehensive backup types including full, incremental, and differential
- Bootable WinPE-based recovery environments
- Strong encryption, compression, and scheduling options
Cons
- Dated and cluttered user interface
- Free version limited in advanced features
- Slower backup speeds in large-scale tests
Best For
IT professionals and advanced users needing precise disk imaging and hardware-agnostic recovery.
Pricing
Free edition available; paid editions start at $49.95 one-time for Standard, up to $99.95 for Ultimate.
O&O DiskImage
specializedGenerates exact drive images and scripts for automated backups with direct restore capabilities.
DirectClone for real-time drive cloning without intermediate files
O&O DiskImage is a robust Windows-based disk imaging and backup solution that creates exact replicas of entire drives, partitions, or systems for reliable data protection and recovery. It supports full, incremental, and differential backups with compression and encryption options, along with direct cloning capabilities for migrating systems to new hardware. The software also generates bootable rescue media based on Windows PE, facilitating bare-metal restores even from unbootable states.
Pros
- Reliable exact disk imaging and cloning
- Incremental/differential backups with strong compression
- Bootable Windows PE rescue media for easy recovery
Cons
- Dated interface that feels clunky
- Windows-only, no cross-platform support
- Free version lacks automation and advanced scheduling
Best For
Windows power users needing affordable, one-time purchase disk imaging for system backups and cloning.
Pricing
Free edition available; Professional €59.90 one-time purchase; Workstation €99.90 one-time purchase.
Veeam Agent for Windows
enterpriseFree agent-based backup for Windows endpoints with encryption, compression, and recovery options.
Direct-to-cloud backups without a central server or gateway appliance
Veeam Agent for Windows is a powerful backup solution for protecting Windows workstations, laptops, and physical servers with full system imaging, file-level, and volume backups. It supports storage to local disks, NAS, network shares, or directly to cloud services like AWS S3, Azure Blob, and Veeam Cloud Connect. The software provides advanced recovery options including bare-metal restore via bootable WinPE media and integration with Veeam Backup & Replication for centralized management.
Pros
- Comprehensive backup types with verification and ransomware protection
- Free edition for basic use with no expiration
- Fast bare-metal recovery to dissimilar hardware
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-IT users
- Advanced features locked behind paid licenses
- Higher resource usage during full system backups
Best For
IT teams in small to medium businesses managing fleets of Windows endpoints and servers needing robust physical backup and recovery.
Pricing
Free community edition; Workstation subscription starts at $12/year per endpoint; Server editions from $400/year perpetual or subscription-based.
Duplicati
specializedOpen-source client for encrypted, incremental backups to local, cloud, or remote storage.
Client-side deduplication that minimizes storage across incremental backups
Duplicati is a free, open-source backup tool designed for backing up files and folders to local drives, network shares, or numerous cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and S3-compatible storage. It features client-side deduplication, strong AES-256 encryption, and incremental backups to efficiently manage storage and security. While cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux), it excels in file-level backups but lacks native full-system imaging or bare-metal restore capabilities typical of dedicated system backup software.
Pros
- Free and open-source with no usage limits
- Excellent deduplication and AES-256 encryption
- Supports 20+ cloud and remote storage backends
Cons
- Complex web-based interface with steep learning curve
- File-level backups only; no full disk imaging or bootable restores
- Backup speeds can be slow due to deduplication processing
Best For
Tech-savvy users needing secure, deduplicated file backups to cloud storage on a budget.
Pricing
Completely free (open-source, no paid tiers).
Rescuezilla
otherGraphical interface for Clonezilla enabling easy disk imaging and cloning from bootable USB.
User-friendly graphical interface built on Clonezilla's proven engine, making advanced disk imaging accessible to non-experts
Rescuezilla is a free, open-source live bootable tool based on Clonezilla, designed for disk imaging, cloning, and system backups with a user-friendly graphical interface. It enables users to create full disk or partition images, restore systems from backups, and perform bare-metal recoveries without installing software on the host machine. Ideal for disaster recovery, it supports a wide range of filesystems including NTFS, ext4, and HFS+ across Windows, Linux, and macOS environments.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no hidden costs
- Intuitive GUI simplifies complex imaging tasks
- Reliable full disk/partition cloning and imaging for bare-metal recovery
Cons
- Requires booting from a USB drive, not an installed application
- Lacks incremental or differential backups (full images only)
- No built-in scheduling or automation for regular backups
Best For
Budget-conscious users or IT admins needing straightforward, reliable system imaging and disaster recovery without ongoing costs.
Pricing
100% free (open-source, no paid tiers or subscriptions).
Conclusion
The top three system backup software offer distinct strengths, with Macrium Reflect leading as the best choice for its reliable full disk images and bare-metal restores. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office follows, providing comprehensive backups with ransomware protection and cloud integration, while AOMEI Backupper impresses with scheduling and cloning features, catering to diverse user needs. Each tool excels in areas that matter most, ensuring users can find their ideal solution for safeguarding systems.
No matter your priorities—reliability, protection, or flexibility—Macrium Reflect stands out as the top option; take action today to secure your data with the best in the field.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
