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By Vernon Roderick, Last updated: August 3, 2020
A lot of people constantly experience data loss. Considering how common this issue is, it’s only natural for you to stumble upon this problem as well.
However, you don’t have to be like everybody else. Instead of lying around waiting for disaster to strike, you can prepare yourself for it. What better way to prepare for data loss to create backups.
Below is a list of six free backup software for Mac that will help you come up with a plan on how you can counter data loss. Before that, there are some things you need to know first.
Part 1: Three Types of Free Backup Software for Mac
Although there are a lot of people that want to find the best free backup software for Mac, they are not knowledgeable of what backup software really is. There are generally three types of backup software. Here’s a look at their basic information:
- Cloud Storage. The one that can be considered the farthest from being a backup is cloud storage. As the name implies, it allows you to store your files on the cloud, and then get them out from another device. Simply put, you are storing files to secure them from data loss.
- Local Backup. A local backup, on the other hand, allows you to create a backup within the device that will be using that backup. That backup cannot be taken anywhere else.
- Bootable Backup. This is very similar to local backups. The only difference is that you can take this backup anywhere. It doesn’t necessarily have to be on the device where it came from.
Each of these types has its own strengths and weaknesses. In terms of security, cloud storage will be your best choice, since there is little to no chance of this from getting lost. A local backup has a higher risk of getting lost since it can only be stored on the device it came from. However, it is much easier to use when restoring files.
On the other hand, bootable backup has a lower risk but is more susceptible to encountering issues. Without further ado, let’s head to our first free backup software for Mac.
Part 2: Free Backup Software for Mac
#1 FoneDog Android Data Backup & Restore
The first entry is FoneDog Android Data Backup & Restore. As one might expect, it belongs to the bootable backup type. This is because it doesn’t create a local backup, though it can be used by all devices.
Android Data Backup & Restore is a product by the FoneDog group which specializes in creating backups from Android device.
Pros
Perhaps the greatest strength of the tool is its simplicity. The tool brings many benefits to its users. Here’s a look at the things that I liked the most:
- You will be guided throughout the backup and restore process.
- It is compatible with most devices including Mac, Windows PC, and more.
- You have full control over the contents of the backup and when and where you create it.
Cons
Perhaps it may already be too obvious, but the most inconvenient characteristic of this tool is the fact that it is exclusive to Android. As such, you can only create backups from Android devices.
iOS Data Backup and RestoreOne click to backup the whole iOS device to your computer.Allow to preview and restore any item from the backup to a device.Export what you want from the backup to your computer.No data loss on devices during the restore.iPhone Restore Won't Overwrite Your Data
#2 Time Machine
Time Machine is a built-in backup function of macOS Leopard or later. It’s very easy to use since there are guides about it across the internet. The steps are also very simple.
However, the main reason why it is one of the best free backup software for Mac is the fact that it was developed by Apple itself.
Pros
There are several things to like about Time Machine. Here’s a list of the features that you might find to be very helpful:
- You can preview the changes that will be made after a backup is used
- You can sync the software to one of Apple’s product, Apple Time Capsule
- It is specially built for macOS, making it the best backup tool for Mac
Cons
Since it is only a function of Apple, it’s only natural to spot some disadvantages when using the Time Machine feature:
- The creation of backups is automatic and you may not be notified in some cases
- You have no control over when the backups will be created
- Data from old backups will be overwritten by data from new backups
- You need an external drive
Overall, considering how it is a built-in function, there’s no wonder why there are some disadvantages. However, it can still prove to be one of the best free backup software for Macwhen used properly.
#3 iCloud
How do I backup my Mac software? Our very first entry that belongs to the cloud storage category is iCloud. As the name implies, it is a cloud storage service offered by Apple Inc.
While it may be considered cloud storage, it is often used as a backup tool by many experts, which is the reason why it got here in the first place.
Pros
Personally, iCloud is the best free backup software for Macthat belongs to the cloud storage category, and there are many reasons as to why:
- You can instantly migrate from one device to another, as long as you have internet
- There are some features such as Find My iPhone and Find My Friend that can help you with other tasks
- It is a built-in function on most Apple devices including Mac
Cons
The only thing that might bother you when using iCloud is that you are required to have the internet. Without it, you won’t even be able to use this feature.
Nevertheless, as long as you have the requirements, you’ll see why it is one of the best free backup software for Mac.
#4 iDrive
What is the best backup software for Mac?iDrive is similar to iCloud. It is also cloud storage that is available to Mac users. This time, however, it is also available on PC, though that might not be very helpful if you only have Mac.
Either way, it offers free storage space as well as a bigger storage space with a premium subscription. It’s pretty much the same as iCloud, so you can think of it as alternative free backup software for Mac.
Pros
Although it is highly similar to iCloud, there are some features that set it apart from others. The following are some examples of those features:
- The pricing for every gigabyte is cheaper than iCloud
- While the storage space for backups is limited, there is no limit to how many files you can restore
Cons
Of course, since iCloud has some cons, there will also be something that might bother you with iDrive:
- There are tons of ads with the free version
- The only paid plans are yearly
Overall, you can think of iDrive as a cheaper, though not necessarily inferior, version of iCloud which can still be considered a good free backup software for Mac.
#5 SuperDuper
SuperDuper is an application that was specially designed to created backups. It is a product by Shirt Pocket and is an alternative to Time Machine. There are some features that are not in Time Machine, but there are also features that are lacking.
Pros
It may not be as popular as our previous entries, but you’ll find why it is one of the best free backup software for Mac:
- You can choose to create partial or full backups
- You can create bootable clones of your hard drive as well as local backups for individual files
- The paid version is very superior to the free version, making it a bargain
Cons
Of course, it didn’t become very popular for a reason. Below are some of the following drawbacks of using SuperDuper:
- You cannot select files or folders to include on the backup
- The creation of backup as well as the restoration is comparatively slower than its competitors
- Most features are not available unless you pay for it
These are the disadvantages of SuperDuper, but these will be no more as long as you are able to pay for the premium version. Either way, you can use it as free backup software for Mac regardless of your situation.
#6 Get Backup
Our last entry is Get Backup from the BeLight Software group. As you might expect, the app has both a free version as well as a paid version.
It is available from the Mac App Store, so you don’t have to worry about its credibility. After all, an app needs to be legitimate to enter this store. Remember that the app from the official website and the one from the store might have some slight differences.
Pros
This app is your typical free backup software for Mac except for some features that distinguish it from other software:
- You can encrypt the backup data to increase the security
- You can customize the functions of the software, giving you full control over everything you need to do
- The paid version is much less expensive than most of its competitors
Cons
In contrast with the things that make the software great, you’ll find that it’s very bothersome to use Get Backup, especially if you are a beginner, and this is because of the following cons:
- There is no supporting website where you can get info about the software
- There’s no place where you can check the past activities of the tool
- You might miss out on some functions if you get the app from the App Store
Anyway, you can rest assured if you are knowledgeable of this type of tool. You won’t need help from the cloud support. Plus, you’ll know better than to get the app from the Store. In short, it’s a free backup software for Macworth trying out.
Part 3: Conclusion
There are a lot of unpredictable events on a computer, and one of them is data loss. Unfortunately, there’s no way of avoiding this phenomenon 100% of the time. There will always be a possibility, what you can do is have a contingency.
With these six free backup software for Mac, you should be able to live knowing that you won’t suffer as much as you will when you don’t have these tools.
08 September 2021
Mac users, like any computer owners, should make a habit of backing up the data on their computers. Yet many people don’t bother. According to Backblaze in a 2021 poll conducted in the US, one out of five Americans who own a computer have never performed a backup of their data. That’s 20% of the computer-owning population.
Just 11% of people back up their data once a day or more, which is shocking if you consider how much personal information people tend to store on their devices. This is up from last year, but the message is clear: people aren’t backing up often enough.
It should go without saying, but it’s incredibly important to back up your valuable files so you can restore them in the event of theft, data corruption or damage to your Mac. But what's the best way to do that and keep your data safe?
We looked at five of the best backup tools for Mac to find out.
The best backup software for Mac
- SuperDuper! for best all-round backups
- Carbon Copy Cloner for bootable recovery
- ChronoSync for ease of use
- Smart Backup for greatest value
- Disk Drill for recovering lost files
SuperDuper!In a world where the slightest mistake can lead to data loss, SuperDuper! is an essential app. It's easy enough for anybody with any level of computer skills to use. You just pick your source and destination drives and watch as it clones them flawlessly. No more lost photos or documents because of accidental deletions or formatting issues.
SuperDuper! includes a Smart Wake feature, which allows you to back up your Mac without turning on the screen. It does this by detecting when backups start and turns off displays so that no changes happen after initial backups are complete.
You can even choose what type of files you want backed up – for example, just music or certain applications.
The best part about it, though, is there are no monthly charges or subscriptions. You can back up and clone drives for free. And you only need to pay if you want to use advanced features like scheduling, Smart Update, sandboxes and scripting.
Pros: Packed full of features
Cons: Basic-looking user interface
Trial: None
Price: $27.95
Download: available here
Carbon Copy Cloner
No stranger to backing up data is Carbon Copy Cloner. The company immediately sets your mind at ease with its motto 'Casually Confront Catastrophe'. Carbon Copy Cloner is a simple cloning tool that backs up your internal hard drive at the bit level.
You can boot off the backup disk or clone and install a new drive with this application, which allows you to choose whichever files and folders you want to back up. This is great if you don’t want to waste too much time with your backups, allowing you to focus instead on the most important information on your Mac.
It features smart updates, backing up only what's changed since last time it checked. You can also schedule your backups and even pause a backup that’s in progress if you need to do something on your Mac while it’s busy.
Pros: Fast backups that can be booted if needed
Cons: There’s no free version available
Trial: Free 30-day trial.
Price: $39.99 for all computers within a household
Download:available here
ChronoSync
Rather than only being a backup tool, ChronoSync includes both backup and synchronization capabilities. It allows you to back up — including bootable backups — to almost any external device or service, including iPads, iPhones, Windows PCs, and some cloud services.
This means any changes that are made to certain files can be backed up as they’re detected. This has the positive effect of freeing up system resources, because your Mac isn’t left backing up files that haven't changed.
You can set up rules, manual exclusions, filters and much more, making this one of the most customizable backup tools available.
There’s also an entry-level version called ChronoSync Express. It doesn’t have the power of its more expensive sibling, but it’s still an excellent option for creating bootable backups.
ChronoSync is still under active development, and it’s been updated over 70 times since 2002. That’s good news, because it means the developer is likely to support the latest updates from Apple.
Pros: Mature product under active development, free updates for life
Cons: Not all users need this many features, pricing might be a little high for home users
Trial: 15-day free trial
Price: $49.99
Download: available here
SmartBackup
SmartBackup is a handy utility for macOS, which will help you sync and back up folders, files or volumes. SmartBackup features different configurations for multiple destinations as well as the ability to exclude some items from being backed up.
The software has built-in automation so it can operate on its own without your input. This feature also ensures safe backups in case of power loss at an unsociable time!
SmartBackup will optionally archive changed or deleted files in time-stamped folders. This feature includes a built-in search panel that'll show you multiple versions of the file, neatly organized into results for easy retrieval by date and time grouping. You can sync between internal and external hard drives, RAIDs (and other similar platforms), Xsan volumes, NAS devices — really anything macOS supports!
On macOS installations using HFS, it has an option to create bootable clones of startup disks as well. So if there’s ever any sort of catastrophe with your system disk's integrity, Smart Backup will come in handy.
The pricing is also very appealing: it’s completely free.
Free Backup Software For Mac
Pros: A good backup tool that costs nothing
Cons: Lacks some advanced features found elsewhere
Trial: Free
Price: Free
Download:available here
Disk Drill is different to the other tools we’ve looked at here. It’s not a backup utility. Instead, it’s a multi-platform recovery tool that gives you the ability to recover lost files, whether they’ve been removed from your system deliberately or accidentally.
Disk Drill is one of the most powerful data recovery tools on the market. The free version lets you scan your Mac or connected devices for deleted files that can be recovered, and then it uses its preview feature to show you which items are recoverable. But if you want them back, you’ll need to purchase a license.
Disk Drill also supports iOS and Android file recovery too, so even your mobile devices can be recovered in the event of an emergency.
Free Backup Storage Online
Pros: Great for recovering lost files
Cons: This is not a backup tool, it’s for recoveries only
Trial: Free version available, for scanning only
Price: $89 for Pro, $499 for Enterprise
Download: available here
What makes a good Mac backup app?
Looking at some of the best backups for Mac, here’s what we think are the most important features to look out for.
Backup Applications Mac
- Full disk cloning. If your backup software can clone your entire system disk to a bootable copy, then it could save your bacon one day.
- Scheduling features. Although you might want to do manual backups as well, scheduled, automatic backups will save you a lot of time and effort.
- Custom backups. Instead of full disk backups, sometimes you want to back up just the files and folders that are most important to you. Having custom backup features will enable you to do this.
The bottom line
Free Mac Backup Software 2019
The best backup software for macOS depends on your needs. SuperDuper! is great if you need a simple, easy-to-use solution to make an exact copy of your hard drive every time it's plugged in. ChronoSync has the ability to automate backups from multiple sources, so you never have to worry about forgetting to back up again.
Hard Drive Backup Software Mac
Carbon Copy Cloner is a more powerful app with tons of options for scheduling and even making encrypted copies of your hard drive. That’s great if you need something flexible enough to be run on a schedule but still need to customize what you back up. For a free option, SmartBackup has a lot to offer too, so it’s well worth considering.
Free Backup Virtual Machine
But if you just want to recover lost files, then Disk Drill could help you – particularly if you’re one of the many people who forget to back up.