Although Disk Drill is a premier solution that works in most settings, you might find that the best Mac backup software is one of the other downloads on this list. Whether you use free backup software for Mac or paid solutions, these tools are suitable Time Machine alternatives to consider. Android Backup Software for Mac #1: Android File Transfer (Free) Android File Transfer is a less-known app developed by Google. The main purpose is to make Android device management much easier on a Mac. Paragon Backup & Recovery Free is available for Windows 10, 8.1, 8, and 7. Free Backup Software for Mac. Time Machine backs all files, apps, music, photos, emails, and documents, etc. It is a built-in app on MacOS which when turned on, automatically backs up your Mac and performs hourly, daily, and weekly backups of your files in an external drive.
OS X is a robust and secure operating system. However, this does not prevent you from accidentally deleting some important file or that your hard drive fails the day you least think. In order to anticipate future problems, the simplest and most effective step is to use top free backup software for MAC to make backup copies. So, whatever happens with your computer, you will always have a copy of your important files and data.
By default, OS X already has a tool to make backup copies on your Mac. It is called Time Machine free backup software for MAC and makes copies of your data every certain period of time. The only requirement is to use an external drive or a separate partition that OS X uses. However, you may prefer more complete or more functional solutions.
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In this article I will tell you about the list of best free backup tools for Mac and also explains all the features of these MAC free backup software.
1. ChronoSync:
One of the best alternatives to Time Machine to make a backup in macOS is ChronoSync. It is a veteran program that has been improving and adding functions over time, which stands out for having two great advantages: it completes the backups in a very fast way and also has destinations in the cloud to save the backup, for example Google Cloud Storage or Amazon S3.
In addition to making a full backup of the hard drive, ChronoSync offers you the possibility to perform other tasks, including making a backup of one or more folders, synchronizing two computers or directories or making a copy of the Home folder. You can configure automated actions in an easy and fast way, so you can make sure you have an updated copy.
Its use is very simple: from the Setup section you can select the task you would like to perform, mark the source and destination volume, adjust the preferences of each case and wait until the process is completed.
2. Carbon Copy Cloner:
The second recommendation of disk drill backup software is Carbon Copy Cloner, a veteran application that has managed to improve over the years. It fulfills three basic functions:
- Clone: This application makes an exact copy of your hard drive and saves it in another unit to restore it in case of conflict or loss of data. When restoring, the disk will remain as it was after the last cloning. It takes up space, but it’s worth it if you want the copy / restore process to be fast and affect the entire hard drive.
- Copy: The usual backup, copying only the new files in successive tasks, without repeating identical files.
- Schedule: Copies can be manual or automatically. The options are plentiful: at a specific time of day, when you connect the storage device of the copy, turning off the Mac at the end.
3. Superduper
The case of SuperDuper is similar to the previous one. You choose the unit to copy, the destination unit and the type of backup and go ahead with it. You can make a complete copy or a clone that will start as if it were the original. By default, it’s free backup software for MAC
iBackup
If you want to be more meticulous, you can count on iBackup, free for personal or educational use. Unlike Carbon or SuperDuper, with this tool you choose which folders and elements to copy and which ones do not. For example, if you only want to copy your photos, videos and songs, why include also the applications and files of the system? As in the previous cases, the process can be manual or scheduled.
4. Online backups
The above four MAC free backup software correspond to the classic backup utility. But on the other hand, services have emerged on the Internet that, through a Desktop client, copy your important files and store them in an online space. Unlike Dropbox or Google Drive, you can choose between several folders to copy. These are some examples:
CrashPlan
Free by default, but paid if you want online storage. You choose the folders to be copied and they will be uploaded automatically in real time and protected by secure encryption.
iDrive
It offers free 5 GB of online storage, more even than Dropbox. The idea is to select the folders to be copied and when you make changes to them, they will be reflected by uploading the files corresponding to your space on the Internet. As advantages, it highlights the possibility of accessing your data from various computers and even from iOS and Android devices. The latest version even allows you to share specific files through social networks or email.
Choosing a service or another depends on whether you prefer to save your backups on Mac, using an external disk or a partition of the internal disk, or save them on the Internet. Personally, I have an external disk dedicated to backup copies, which I do once a month. Online storage I use for specific documents that I use on several computers.
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
Mac Backup App
#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:
Free Backup Software For Mac
- 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
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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.