Today, everything from family photos to essential work documents lives on our devices, and having a reliable backup plan is a no-brainer.
I’ve learned how devastating it can be to lose precious files, whether due to a sudden hard drive failure, a sneaky malware attack, or that dreaded accidental delete button. With the constant threats of cyber attacks, hardware breakdowns, and those all-too-familiar unintentional file deletions, choosing the best backup software is essential. That’s why I took it upon myself to dive deep into the world of backup software to find out what works, what doesn’t, and what’s truly worth your time and money.
But let’s be honest: finding the right one can feel like navigating a maze of confusing options, quirky interfaces, and hidden costs. I’ve looked at how easy backup software solutions are, how quickly they back up your stuff, and whether they’re worth the price tag. Along the way, I’ve discovered what people love (hello, automatic cloud backups!) and what drives them up the wall (like sluggish speeds or overly complicated setups).
In this article, I’ll walk you through the best backup software solutions I’ve tested. Whether you’re a casual user looking to safeguard your memories or a business owner needing a reliable way to protect your operations, I’ll break down the pros and cons of each option. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which backup software is right for you and why it’s an investment you won’t regret.
*According to G2 Grid Reports, these backup software solutions are top-rated in their category. Pricing for these products is available upon request, except for those for which I’ve already included the details.
From my experience, backup software is an absolute lifesaver when protecting your data. It creates and stores copies of everything you need—individual files, entire folders, or even your whole system—so you’re covered if something goes wrong, like a hardware failure, a cyberattack, or even an accidental deletion (been there, done that). I’ve found that the best backup systems use compression to save storage space and encryption to keep your data secure.
I collaborated with IT professionals and everyday users, diving into how backup software performs in real-world situations: what it excels at, where it falls short, and whether it’s worth the investment. Using artificial intelligence, I analyzed hundreds of product reviews on G2 to uncover users’ needs, frustrations, and must-have features. G2’s Grid Reports helped me compare these tools' usability, features, and overall value. After extensive research and hands-on testing, I’ve compiled this detailed list of the best backup software.
I appreciate how modern backup software makes life easier with incremental backups, which only save the changes since the last backup, and versioning, so I can restore older files if needed. I also appreciate cloud integration as it allows me to store backups offsite for added safety. And with automated scheduling, I never have to worry about forgetting to back up my data—it’s always taken care of. It’s one of those things you set up once, and then you wonder how you ever managed without it.
I considered the following factors when evaluating the best backup software solutions.
Over the past few weeks, I tried 25+ backup software solutions to see how they measure up to key criteria. I evaluated their backup types, compression, encryption, scalability, and ability to meet RPO and RTO requirements. I checked for seamless integration with various systems, tested automation and restore processes, and assessed user interfaces for ease of use. Finally, I reviewed support responsiveness, identifying the tools that truly deliver on their promises.
To be included in the best backup software category, a product must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
When I first started using Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, I wasn’t sure if one platform could truly handle backup, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity all in one place. Turns out, it can and pretty impressively, too. Let me walk you through my experience with it.
The setup process was straightforward, even though I expected to get bogged down in configuration. The interface is clean and intuitive, but I’ll admit there’s a bit of a learning curve, given the sheer number of features it offers. It supports over 20 platforms, including Microsoft SQL clusters, Oracle DB, and SAP HANA—a huge plus if you manage diverse IT systems as our team does.
What stands out is the real-time ransomware protection. I love how AI-driven detection algorithms are surprisingly effective at spotting and neutralizing threats before they become a problem. I was also impressed by how the platform includes anti-malware, antivirus, and URL filtering to protect your endpoints from harmful websites and suspicious downloads.
I also love Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud’s continuous data protection, which means changes are captured in real-time, so even if disaster strikes, I’m never more than a few moments behind. Cloud integration works seamlessly, and I can back up directly to the Acronis cloud or on-premises storage. Restorations are fast and straightforward, no longer hunting for specific files or dealing with compatibility issues. Plus, it lets me restore entire systems or specific files with ease.
I also like how Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud offers a single dashboard to help you control it all: backups, antivirus, endpoint monitoring, and even patch management. It’s super convenient, especially when managing multiple devices. There’s also a handy feature for generating detailed reports, which simplifies auditing and troubleshooting.
But, as much as I love it, it’s not without quirks. The first full backup takes forever, especially if dealing with terabytes of data. Incremental backups are much faster, but that initial one can test your patience.
I’ve also noticed a slight performance hit during backups or antivirus scans, especially on older machines or systems already under heavy workloads.
Agent management could also use some improvement. Sometimes, updates don’t go through automatically, so I’ve had to step in and handle them manually. While useful, it’s a bit of a hassle, and the patch management tool doesn’t quite measure up to standalone patching solutions. It often requires extra effort to get everything running smoothly.
One of my biggest pain points has been the documentation and support. The guides feel too sparse for a platform packed with many features. The learning curve is steep, and when I’ve hit a snag, the wait for support to respond has been longer than I’d like.
If you work in a mixed-tech environment, you might encounter integration issues. The platform doesn’t play as nicely as I’d hoped with third-party tools like Oracle or SAP, and mobile device support is almost non-existent. This limitation could be if your team relies on BYOD or mobile endpoints.
Even the powerful user interface can sometimes feel overwhelming. Navigating features and tabs can become a chore, especially when managing multiple tenants or clients. And let’s not forget the slow speeds when restoring large datasets from the cloud. I’ve even had some restoration time out, which was incredibly frustrating.
“Access control of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is not well explained in the technical documents & it is very complex. Customer support is quick but does not provide the exact solution for the issue they only provide the doc link for reference.”
- Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Review, Rohan P.
Preparing for patch management? Discover why patch management is crucial and how it benefits you by fixing bugs, resolving errors, and addressing vulnerabilities through updates that add or modify code in existing software.
If you’ve ever wrestled with backup solutions, you know the struggle: confusing setups, slow restores, or worse, gaps in functionality that leave you scrambling when something goes wrong. That’s why I gave NinjaOne’s backup solution a shot.
One of the first things I noticed about NinjaOne is how everything comes together in a single pane of glass. The backup solution isn’t just an add-on. It’s deeply integrated with their broader remote monitoring and management platform. I can manage backups, monitor endpoints, run patches, and even create support tickets without leaving the dashboard.
NinjaOne supports both file/folder backups and full image-level backups. This flexibility means I can back up critical documents while capturing full system states. I especially appreciate the ease of managing cloud-based backups. The cloud solution is secure, reliable, and doesn’t require separate tools or agents—it’s all handled by the NinjaOne agent already deployed on devices.
I’m a huge fan of automation, and NinjaOne doesn’t disappoint here. With built-in scripting support for PowerShell, Bash, and other languages, I’ve been able to create custom workflows for recurring tasks. For example, I’ve scripted policies to automatically back up certain directories at specific times while excluding non-critical files to save storage space. It’s like having a personal assistant for backups.
I also love the proactive alerts. Whenever a backup fails, storage nears capacity, or an endpoint goes offline, I get immediate notifications. This has helped me catch issues early, often before they escalate. The ability to monitor all backup statuses from a single dashboard makes it easy to spot trends, like recurring failures on specific devices.
While NinjaOne handles Windows environments like a pro and has decent macOS support, Linux feels like an afterthought. This is a significant limitation for organizations relying heavily on Linux servers.
If you’re looking for SQL or Exchange-level backups, NinjaOne isn’t there yet. It doesn’t have the advanced database-level backup capabilities offered by tools like Veeam or Acronis. This can be a dealbreaker if you’re managing complex enterprise systems.
I’ve tested NinjaOne on virtual machines running VMware ESXi and Hyper-V, and while it works, the restore speeds for data-heavy servers are noticeably slow. This isn’t ideal if you’re working with large datasets or need rapid recovery.
The reporting tools, while functional, are a bit limited in customization. I can generate basic backup reports, but if I need in-depth analytics or custom metrics for stakeholders, I often wish for more robust options.
“When deployed to an AVD, it installs everything as a server product instead of a desktop product. While it is true that most virtual desktop systems run on a server base, the client/desktop portion for the end-user is running as a Windows Pro computer, and we require the Ninja agent, update agent, and add-on software (such as TeamViewer) to behave as such.
So far, we have not had that required client experience, and Ninja does not have a solution, despite acknowledging our findings. AVD is very common now, so having it not recognize and connect properly as a desktop rather than a server is slightly problematic. For standalone computers, it is great.”
- NinjaOne Review, Glen P.
If you're looking for a backup solution that simplifies data protection, Druva Data Security Cloud is worth considering. Having used it, I can share some insights into its features and performance.
I love how Druva offers a fully managed, 100% SaaS platform that provides air-gapped and immutable backups across cloud, on-premises, and edge environments. This ensures that your data is secure and recoverable from various threats.
I was also impressed by the centralized dashboard that allowed us to manage data protection policies and activities across all workloads, including SaaS applications like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Google Workspace, as well as endpoints and hybrid workloads.
I appreciate Druva's cloud-native architecture, which lets you handle massive data volumes. The platform's microservices-based design ensures efficient backup and recovery handling across multiple regions.
I also like how Druva Data Security Cloud protects data at every layer with a zero-trust security model. Features like envelope encryption make data accessible only to authorized users, and the platform complies with industry standards, including SOC2, PCI DSS, and FedRAMP.
I also like the AI-driven Unusual Data Activity (UDA) detection and threat-hunting capabilities, which facilitate early identification of potential threats and enhance the platform's cyber response and recovery features.
While Druva handles regular backups efficiently, I've noticed that backing up large data sets can sometimes impact system performance, leading to slower operations during the backup process.
The management console, though comprehensive, can feel overwhelming due to the abundance of features and options. I’d love to see a more streamlined and intuitive interface, especially for those new to the platform.
From my experience, Druva’s pricing is pretty competitive, but I’ve noticed that the costs can add up quickly if you have massive storage needs. I had to examine my data requirements closely and consider how their consumption-based pricing model fit into my budget.
When it comes to integrations, I did run into some challenges. Getting Druva to work smoothly with a few third-party tools and applications took extra effort and support. If you’re considering it, I recommend checking how compatible it is with your current systems before diving in—it’ll save you some headaches later.
“The cost can get out of hand if you misconfigure your policies to keep copies of backups you may not need. Understanding how storage consumption can be monitored and how that can translate to your costs is essential.”
- Druva Data Security Cloud Review, Rob I.
Want to prevent data loss due to illegal access? Learn the common data security threats and best practices to avoid becoming the next headline.
After diving deeper into IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2, I’ve gathered some insights that might help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
I love that IDrive e2 is S3 compatible, which means it plays well with various third-party tools like Cyberduck, MSP360, and Duplicati. This compatibility made it easier for me to integrate IDrive into my existing workflows without a hitch.
I also like how IDrive e2 boasts eleven 9s of data durability, achieved through 3x replication and data redundancy. This setup ensures my data is safe, even if the hardware fails. Plus, the platform offers encryption for data in transit and at rest, which gives me peace of mind knowing my information is secure.
The straightforward pricing model, without hidden data ingress or egress fees, is a relief. I can access, upload, and download my data without worrying about unexpected costs, simplifying budgeting.
While the initial backup process was relatively quick, subsequent uploads, especially large files, could be faster. This slowdown can be frustrating when I’m trying to back up significant amounts of data promptly.
Accessing and managing backups via the mobile app is convenient, but I’ve encountered occasional connectivity issues. There have been times when the app struggled to connect, which can be inconvenient when I need to retrieve files on the go.
Setting up multi-backup solutions, like combining cloud and local backups, wasn’t as intuitive as I’d hoped. Navigating the settings took some time, and I had to ensure everything was configured correctly.
"It doesn’t offer unlimited storage plan options, and its backup versioning can be inaccurate at times. On Linux, it only supports a command-line interface, which I find quite frustrating."
- IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2d Review, Chaitanya D.
After diving deeper into the technical aspects of the Veeam Data Platform and reflecting on my personal experience, I can share some detailed insights that might help you better understand its capabilities.
I like how the platform is built on a modular architecture, which is pretty scalable and can be tailored to various environments. At its core, there's the Veeam Backup Server, a Windows-based machine that orchestrates all backup, restore, and replication tasks. Then, you have the Backup Proxy, which handles the heavy lifting by retrieving data from the source and transferring it to the backup repository, effectively offloading tasks from the main server.
The Backup Repository is where all your backup files, VM copies, and metadata reside. The Backup Enterprise Manager offers a centralized web interface for larger setups, making management across multiple backup servers straightforward. I also appreciate the Standalone Console, which lets you manage the backup server remotely without needing to remote desktop into the server.
Depending on your needs, you can choose from forward incremental-forever, forward incremental, and reverse incremental backups. There's also the option for active full and synthetic full backups.
One feature I particularly appreciate is the Instant VM Recovery, which allows you to start a VM directly from a backup file. This means minimal downtime in case of failures. Additionally, the platform supports granular recovery, so you can restore individual items from applications like Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint, Active Directory, SQL Server, and Oracle Databases.
I was also impressed by Veeam's storage-agnostic nature and seamless integration with systems like Cisco HyperFlex, EMC VNX, HP 3PAR, Nimble, NetApp, IBM, and Lenovo Storage V Series. This integration allows us to use storage snapshots as a backup and recovery source, enhancing efficiency.
The Scale-Out Backup Repository feature lets us create a scalable backup repository from various storage devices, simplifying storage management. Built-in data deduplication and compression reduce backup file sizes and data traffic, which I found great for saving storage space and improving transfer speeds. A built-in WAN acceleration feature also reduces the bandwidth required for transferring backups and replicas over wide-area networks.
If you want all the advanced features, the licensing can get expensive—especially if you’re scaling up. It’s a significant investment, and while it’s worth it for what you get, it’s something to consider if you’re on a tight budget.
For larger deployments, I’ve found limitations in the Scale-Out Backup Repository (it caps at three nodes unless you upgrade). It’s fine for smaller setups, but it can feel restrictive once you’re operating at scale.
Another pain point is compatibility. While it excels in VMware environments, venturing outside of that can be rocky. Configurations for non-VMware setups sometimes require workarounds or more effort than I’d like.
Finally, licensing can feel overly complicated, especially if you manage clusters or mixed environments. It’s not a deal-breaker but adds an extra layer of management overhead.
“The only small problem is that the licenses can be quite pricey, especially when you have to protect many machines. Besides, the monitoring feature through Veeam One is not free, and therefore, we need two licenses which seems like an extra switch.”
- Veeam Data Platform Review, Emily K.
Cove Data Protection makes life easier regarding data backup and recovery solutions.
The first thing that wowed me was Cove’s block-level, incremental backups. Instead of backing up the entire system every time (which eats bandwidth and time), it only captures changes. This is a game-changer for efficiency, especially for large datasets.
Another standout feature is the cloud-first architecture. Unlike traditional solutions that rely heavily on local storage, Cove leverages the cloud for storage and recovery. It supports direct-to-cloud backups, so I don’t have to manage or maintain local hardware. The backups are encrypted with AES-256, so I know my data is secure.
The recovery testing feature is a lifesaver. Cove automates the process by verifying the integrity of your backups and generating detailed reports. These reports are perfect for showing clients that their data is protected and recoverable. And speaking of recovery, the speed is phenomenal. I’ve restored hundreds of gigabytes to a bare-metal device in just a few hours, a lifesaver during critical downtime.
Managing everything through Cove’s centralized portal is a breeze. It lets me handle backups for servers, workstations, and Office 365 accounts in one place. The portal provides multi-tenant support, perfect for IT professionals managing multiple clients. The customization options for backup frequency and retention policies ensure I can control how data is stored and for how long.
Another highlight is their disaster recovery capabilities. With bare-metal restores and virtualization-ready backups, Cove ensures you’re prepared for anything. I also appreciate how they prioritize performance with their WAN-optimized data transfer—backups are fast, and bandwidth usage is minimal.
Now, let’s talk about where Cove could step up its game.
First, there’s no offline restore option, which can be frustrating in environments with limited internet access. While they’ve promised the ability to export Office 365 backups locally or to another tenant, it’s still in development.
User management is another weak point. The predefined roles are okay for smaller teams, but they lack the flexibility I’d like for assigning granular permissions in larger organizations. Restoring SharePoint or OneDrive data to a new location isn’t as seamless as it should be. Having to log in as the client for certain administrative actions feels like a workaround rather than a feature.
“The only problem with the system is the unlimited licensing. If you exceed the number of licenses, you must pay a balancing bill without discounts.”
- Cove Data Protection Review, Lorenzo M.
Want to protect your data from ransomware? Learn how ransomware works and how to protect your network from it.
When I accidentally deleted a batch of important files, panic set in. I’d heard good things about EaseUS Data Recovery, so I tried it.
This backup software is incredibly easy to use. The interface is clean and straightforward, making it perfect for someone like me who’s not a tech guru. You start with two main options: Quick Scan and Deep Scan. The Quick Scan gives you fast results, perfect for recent deletions. The Deep Scan, while slower, amazed me with its ability to find files from months ago. It even recovered files from a drive I thought was beyond saving.
The software supports recovery from any storage device: HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, memory cards, and digital cameras. One time, I used it to pull data from a corrupted external hard drive—something I thought was impossible. It works with all major file systems, including NTFS, FAT, exFAT, HFS+, and EXT.
Another standout feature is the ability to recover over 1,000 file types. Whether it’s documents, videos, images, audio, or even emails, this software can handle them. What’s more, you get a file preview feature before restoring. This saved me so much time—I could check if the file was intact before committing to recovery.
One thing that impressed me was the RAW recovery mode. It digs deep into your storage to recover files from severely damaged drives, even if the system is broken. This feature saved me when dealing with a corrupted SD card from my camera.
EaseUS also supports BitLocker-encrypted drive recovery, a huge bonus for anyone storing sensitive data. And it’s not just for casual users—there’s also RAID recovery support for more complex setups. For those who love the nitty-gritty, the backup software allows you to scan by specific file types, saving time and effort.
The recovery algorithms are seriously advanced, which explains its success rate. The software runs on both Windows and macOS, making it versatile and accessible for everyone.
The free version lets you recover up to 2GB of data, which isn’t much if you’re dealing with large files. I ended up upgrading to the paid version, which, while not cheap, was well worth it.
Another thing to note: the Deep Scan can be slow if you’re scanning large drives. My 1TB external drive took hours, but to be fair, it unearthed files I thought were gone for good. And while it does an excellent job overall, occasionally, some files listed as recoverable weren’t usable. It’s frustrating, but thankfully, this was rare.
“I dislike a few aspects of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Firstly, the cost for the full version can be quite high, which may not be justifiable for occasional users. Additionally, the scanning process can be slow, especially for larger drives, making it time-consuming to retrieve data.”
- EaseUS Data Recovery Review, Ajesh S.
Let me share my hands-on experience with the Datto Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) solution. This all-in-one platform is designed to keep your data safe and your business running smoothly, but like any tech, it has its highs and lows.
First, the setup is a breeze. I didn’t need to be an IT wizard to get things running. It’s got this clean, intuitive interface that makes configuration easy, and I could back up my systems in no time. What stands out for me is how it uses Inverse Chain Technology. Unlike traditional systems, it creates independent recovery points, so I’m not stuck worrying about a failed incremental backup breaking the chain.
Another favorite feature? Instant virtualization. If a server fails, I can spin up a virtualized version of my backup locally on the SIRIS device or in Datto’s Cloud. I’ve had to do this once during a critical downtime, and honestly, being able to recover and keep things running without a hitch was a lifesaver.
The ransomware detection feature is also brilliant. It automatically scans backups for suspicious changes and alerts me if something looks off. When ransomware attacked one of our endpoints, I returned everything to a clean backup, and we were back in business within minutes.
Storage can be tricky. Datto recommends sizing the appliance two to three times the total used disk space of all protected systems. I went with the S5-4 model, which has 4TB of usable storage, but I underestimated how quickly it would fill up with frequent backups and large datasets. If you’re considering it, do yourself a favor and plan for more storage than you need.
The pricing? It’s on the high side. Our appliance started around $1,000, before factoring in upgrades or the ongoing cost of cloud storage. While the features justify the price, smaller businesses might feel the pinch.
Support, while available 24/7/365, can be hit or miss. I’ve had times when they were lightning-fast and others when I waited hours for a response. Having a dedicated account rep helped smooth out some of those bumps, but it’s something to remember.
“The cost is the only reason I don't have SIRIS devices in every client's location. But even in the cases where we aren't using SIRIS, Datto has other systems that are more cost-efficient.”
- Datto BCDR Review, Ben L.
Managing backups and data recovery can be tedious, but with Rubrik, it feels refreshingly different.
Rubrik uses this incremental-forever approach for backups, which essentially means that after the first full backup, it only captures changes going forward. This has saved me a ton of storage space and bandwidth. Another standout is their rapid parallel ingest feature, which makes even large-scale backups feel lightning-fast.
The point-in-time restore capability was a lifesaver when I’ve had to restore files. It allows me to rewind and recover to any moment without hassle. For physical servers, Rubrik supports both full image and file-level recovery, which adds flexibility.
One of the reasons I went with Rubrik was its deep integration with cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. I’ve been able to archive data directly into S3 buckets on AWS, and setting up disaster recovery workflows in Azure was surprisingly simple. The multi-cloud support has also made migrating workloads between platforms a breeze. Plus, Rubrik uses deduplication and compression for cloud archives, so I’m not burning through storage unnecessarily.
The HTML5-based interface is clean, intuitive, and responsive. Whether on my laptop or a mobile device, the interface scales beautifully. I appreciate how easy it is to create SLA policies. Just define the retention, backup frequency, and replication targets, and Rubrik takes care of the rest.
I also appreciate how Rubrik doesn’t mess around with security. It uses end-to-end encryption—both in transit and at rest. Its immutable backups mean even if someone tries to tamper with them, they can’t be altered or deleted.
While Rubrik’s support team is knowledgeable, I’ve experienced delays, especially for non-critical issues. This can be frustrating when you’re trying to resolve something quickly. For regions like APAC, timelines for support could use some improvement.
Rubrik’s reporting features are adequate but not exceptional. The default reports are somewhat rigid, and creating custom reports isn’t as straightforward as I’d like. For instance, breaking down metrics by department or SLA compliance requires manual effort.
Although Rubrik excels in standard recovery tasks, handling highly complex or niche recovery scenarios sometimes requires manual intervention, which can slow things down.
While the platform ensures backups are intact, I’d love more robust, built-in testing tools for disaster recovery simulations. This would make periodic validation of my recovery strategies much easier.
“The licensing model for all the features is very complicated. For a new custome, it is very hard to understand what features are included as part of the base purchase.”
- Rubrik Review, Burhan A.
Based on my testing, the best PC backup software is Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, NinjaOne, Druva Data Security Cloud, and IDrive Online Backup with Object Storage e2.
Here’s how backup software works:
The most efficient backup type depends on your needs and resources. Here's a quick breakdown:
Explore the options below for long-term backup storage:
The best free backup software for Windows 10 and 11 includes EaseUS for comprehensive backup options, AOMEI Backupper Standard for system and disk cloning, and Duplicati for secure, cloud-based encrypted backups. These tools are user-friendly and provide essential features like full, incremental, and differential backups.
IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2, Acronis Cyber Protect, and Veeam Data Platform are the best free backup software solutions.
After testing the best backup software, I’ve realized there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It all depends on what you need. Got tons of data that’s growing fast? Look for something scalable that won’t choke under pressure. If downtime isn’t an option, prioritize speed—how quickly you can restore data matters. Security’s a no-brainer too; ensure the software has strong encryption and protection against ransomware. On a tight budget? Open-source options might be your best bet.
Also, consider how well it plays with your existing systems: compatibility is key. And don’t forget about support; if something goes wrong, you’ll want a reliable team to help. In the end, the best backup software is the one that fits your needs and keeps your data safe without giving you a headache.
Learn how continuous data protection helps you keep an up-to-date copy of your information and protect data in case of disasters.
I live and breathe emails.
by Washija Kazim
When I first stepped into Sam Esparza’s sound design class at Scottsdale Community College, I...
by Sudipto Paul
My life took a cinematic turn in 2013.
by Sudipto Paul