Definitive Best Back-up Software 2014

[Marshall Veteran]

Welcome to the Best Backup Software 2014 official thread. Use this as a reference for researching back-up software.

 

The previous years thread can be found here - Best Backup Software 2013

 

If your choice of Paid Antivirus is not listed, please choose Other and specify in the comments.

[Titoist]

I use Norton 360 and Windows Backup, as well as Manual.

[Max Norris]

May or may not be the best but I've always stuck with TrueImage for the Windows machines, works great for my setup, easymode recovery, lots of options, etc.  Hasn't failed me yet. 

[Brandon H Supervisor]

the only things i really back up are pictures & documents. I do that with a combination of dropbox and skydrive.

 

most of my music is in disk form (used in car) so i don't keep a very large digital music collection. besides that I don't use any apps that can't be easily reinstalled if needed :)

[4CxbqFxVnstmA Veteran]

As a Linux user, there are lots of options not mentioned here, but my favourite is a nifty program called rsync which I believe has ports for OSX and Windows. :)

[TPreston]

For business use I switched from Arcserve to SCDPM, The alternatives may be simpler but they are taking way way way to long to support new windows and sql server versions.

[DrJohnSmitherson]

If the pole meant SyncBack, then yes I use that. I use the free version to backup files to my other harddrives. I love it! Runs everyday at 9am!

[Marshall Veteran]

If the pole meant SyncBack, then yes I use that. I use the free version to backup files to my other harddrives. I love it! Runs everyday at 9am!

 

It says "Syncback"? :shiftyninja:

[DrJohnSmitherson]

It says "Syncback"? :shiftyninja:

Guess I was mistaken then :rofl:

[protocol7]

For backing up and syncing folders of files I use FreeFileSync. Works great.

 

But I really need to find a good freeware Windows backup solution that can make incremental system backups. On OS X I'm spoiled by Time Machine. It's simple and yet it works perfectly.

 

I know Acronis is popular (and I could use the free WD version) but I've heard bad stories about the reliability of the backups it makes. Plus I don't like any tool that installs it's own file system drivers. That can lead to BSODs in certain circumstances.

 

The Windows backup utility is useless as it requires making a full system image file every time.

[DConnell Member]

For the moment, I use Win 8.1 File History with external hard drives, with my most important files stored on both tower and laptop. I'm researching online backup but haven't found any cost effective enough for me for multiple machines.

[Arkos Reed]

EMC Avamar, definitive best of all

 

Whoops, probably not in your budget tho' :p

 

Marshall, FYI, Retrospect has been sold by EMC in 2010

[patseguin Global Moderator]

Acronis for me right now.

[briangw]

As a Linux user, there are lots of options not mentioned here, but my favourite is a nifty program called rsync which I believe has ports for OSX and Windows. :)

 

Second for RSync. As I'm relearning Linux, I really love what it offers!

[briangw]

EMC Avamar, definitive best of all

 

Whoops, probably not in your budget tho' :p

 

Marshall, FYI, Retrospect has been sold by EMC in 2010

 

We use EMC's Networker here in our business.

[Ambroos]

I use Dropbox for my documents and a RAID setup for large amounts of data I want to keep. Minimal setup, maximal efficiency and performance.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Symantec Backup Exec 2012 (at work).

[BoDEAN]

Macrium Reflect Professional v5

 

Also use SyncBack SE for daily sync of my files to my NAS

[Shadrack]

TimeMachine included in OS X.

I use Dropbox for my documents and a RAID setup for large amounts of data I want to keep. Minimal setup, maximal efficiency and performance.

 

Dropbox isn't a very good backup solution IMO.  Its a nice redundancy.

[macoman]

I use Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2's built on backup tool. Best tool I ever use. :)

[+Warwagon MVC]

Does trueImage actually do file to file backups like syncback? I can't seem to find it in the App. If not I think this needs to be broken down into the best Image backup application and the best File to file backup application.

[The Dark Knight]

Google Drive, Amazon Glacier and Clonezilla. :)

[COKid]

The Windows backup utility is useless as it requires making a full system image file every time.

 

Perhaps to you it is. I find it quite useful and have for years. I've yet to have one bad backup or restore. And the price can't be beat. ;)

[30075]

you don't see it mentioned a whole lot because they won't pay the sites that promote 'best of' lists, but i've been using Terabyte Unlimited's imaging products since early 2007.  They just work, & there's only been one version upgrade in that entire time that cost any money.  It's saved my bacon several times when disks failed.  It's image backup only, but you can extract files from images.  No frills, but what it does it does exceptionally well.

[Ambroos]

TimeMachine included in OS X.

 

Dropbox isn't a very good backup solution IMO.  Its a nice redundancy.

 

Isn't backup all about redundancy? Sure, if you delete things by accident and don't notice within 30 days you're screwed, but if you know what you're doing that shouldn't happen.

[g33kb0y]

EMC Avamar, definitive best of all

 

Whoops, probably not in your budget tho' :p

 

Marshall, FYI, Retrospect has been sold by EMC in 2010

 

Avamar here, too, for the last couple years (formerly Legato).  Even EMC reps will admit (after a few drinks) that the pricing is asinine. The system has been rock solid for us, but I can't say I care for the blackout window for dedup, or the awful reporting... or the client interface's java reliance. :) Great tech though.  For those curious, VMware's VDP gets its roots from avamar.