It is becoming more and more important and we are more aware of the need to keep our data safe, which is why more and more users are turning to backup or backup programs . The data we have on the computer is always susceptible to being inadvertently erased, so a timely backup can save us more than a headache. For this, today we are going to talk about backups and what are the best options.
What is the backup and how many types are there?
A backup is a backup that we make of physical or virtual files in their secondary place as an external hard drive or cloud for their conservation and later use in case of need.
These copies must be periodic and not punctual so that they do not lose their usefulness, since surely a one-year-old backup can be of little use to us, since many of your data will be unnecessary and more recent ones will be missing.
In general, there are four different types of backups, which we must choose based on our needs:
- Full backup : this is the option that we will choose if we need to do a full backup of all our equipment, reaching 100% of the available information, being the best option if we want to have everything fully protected. This type of copying requires more time and more space to complete.
- Differential backup : in this type of copy we will only include the files that have been changed since the last time we made the copy, so that the new files will be included. An ideal option if we already have a copy and we just want to update it with new data or modified files.
- Incremental backup: if we only want to make a copy of the files that have been modified since the last copy was made, this will be the option we must choose, being the fastest to make our backup.
- Mirror Backup: This backup mode is quite similar to full backup, with the exception that the files cannot be compressed, so in addition to being less secure, it will also take up more storage space.
Depending on the type of backup we are going to make, we must choose the correct software so that we always get the functionality we need.
In addition, it is important that the backup is always carried out when we are not going to use the equipment so that it does not interfere with its performance and proper functioning.
The best programs for backups
Acronis True Image
Acronis True Image is a program focused on both backup and cybersecurity. The software is developed for both Windows and Mac with which we will have several options to make our backup.
In this way, we will be able to choose which files and folders will be the ones to be copied to, so it is not necessary to do it in full.
We also have the option of searching for files among those stored in the cup and recovering only those that interest us, so that it is not necessary to restore the system completely.
In case of having a laptop we can avoid exhausting our battery, establishing a minimum charge level to make the copy or we can completely block it so that they can only be done when it is connected to the electrical network.
We can buy Acronis True Image from 49 euros with storage options from 250 GB to 1 TB. If we want to test it before, it is possible to download the free trial version for 30 days from here .
Aomei Backupper Standard
Aomei Backupper Standard , a program designed to create backup copies of our entire hard drives for Windows from XP to Windows 10.
It stands out for being a completely free tool, which, unlike other free applications, is free of advertising and unwanted software.
With this powerful program we can make copies of both individual files and fully encrypted partitions or hard drives. Similarly, we can easily restore it including the boot sectors.
It is also possible to easily clone partitions and entire hard drives. In addition, it incorporates a series of utilities that will serve to analyze and control the state of our hard drive.
Although we have said that it is a free application, it also has a paid version that starts from 44.99 euros. You can download the free or paid version from this link .
Cobian Backup
Cobian Backup is a program that will allow us to create backup copies either on a computer, a local network or from an FTP server, supporting SSL protection. It is available for Windows and stands out from other similar programs for consuming very few resources, being able to run in the background without us noticing.
With this application we can assign at all times when to run the backup. This can be for days, weeks, months, annually or for a time that we specify.
It supports both full, incremental and differential copies and has compression support for ZIP, Zip64 or SQX . Furthermore, we can protect our copies with a password for greater security of the stored data.
You can download Cobian Backup for free directly from here .
EaseUS Todo Backup Free
EaseUS Todo Backup Free is an efficient free tool with which to make backup copies that facilitates the programming and execution of our backups in an active way, even allowing cloning disks or partitions by sector.
This powerful software allows to create backup copies of individual files as well as partitions or system automatically. These files can be recovered both individually and completely.
If we are unfortunate that our system crashes or fails, we can restore it without having to reinstall it and keep it working as it was.
Despite the fact that EaseUs is a free program, it also has payment options for one year, two years or for life from 26.95 euros and that you can download from its website.
Paragon Backup & Recovery
Paragon Backup & Recovery is a full, differential or incremental backup program, so it provides a complete package to cover any of our backup needs, being compatible with both Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
This software has the advantage of being compatible with the new Apple File System (APFS) that we can modify from Windows. In addition, it allows us to back up virtual disks such as VMware, Hyper-V or VirtualBox. It also has the option of being mounted by virtual machines if we need it.
Its interface is very simple and intuitive. It is possible to make a backup just by choosing the complete disk, folder or computer that we want to save. We can even create restoration points in case we are only interested in restoring a specific part.
We can download Paragon Backup & Recovery for free from this link .
Macrium Reflect
Macrium Reflect is a great free option for creating backups, disk images, and cloning. It is compatible with all our important files, such as documents, photos, music or emails, being easily recoverable.
This will allow us, in addition to protecting our most precious data, update the hard drive or try other operating systems with peace of mind. Thus we will have safe and secure all our files. In addition, we can make copies both on local drives, on a network or via USB.
It also includes some useful additional functions . We will have protection against Ransomware infections, instant visualization of the images from the backup or a task scheduler compatible with Windows 10.
Macrium Reflect has the possibility to download a free version, as well as a 30-day trial edition that incorporates all its most advanced functions.
Duplicati
Duplicati is an open source program that is responsible for securely storing encrypted backup copies. These will be incremental and compressed based on all types of files, cloud storage services and remote file servers.
The application is completely cross-platform, so we can use it whether we have a Windows, Mac or Linux computer.
It stands out for its completely intuitive and easy to use user interface. We have a design based on web applications with which we can surely feel familiar. These will guide us through the entire process of creating our backup.
This tool is therefore adapted for all types of users, from the most novice to the most expert.
Duplicati is completely free so all we need to do is download the installation package from here to run and install it.
Bvckup 2
Bvckup 2 is a program that is responsible for making backups quickly, easily and with updates in real time. The objective of this tool is not to synchronize files or compress them, but rather to copy their content from one directory to another.
As it is exclusively a copy of specific data and directories, these can be updated at the time they undergo any change. Therefore, it is a very useful application if what we want is to create our backups on an external hard drive.
It also offers other functions such as the possibility of creating a duplicate of the backup from another location in addition. This is very helpful in case of mishaps during copying such as power outage or system failure.
Bvckup 2 is a paid application that we can purchase from $ 29.95 . It also has a trial version that we can download from this link .
Action Backup
Action Backup is arguably the best backup software for PC. Combining its simple and straightforward user interface with an impressive range of backup options, the program delivers a one-stop backup solution for any personal needs. Action Backup’s capabilities are not limited to classics: full, incremental and differential backups. In fact, with Action Backup you can create back up copies on local disks, external HDD/SSD storages, FTP servers, and even on other computers in the local network and on NAS storages. Choose between a direct copy and a compressed one thanks to the support of the zip64 format. Another powerful option is creating a full-functional image of the operating system disk to boot from. Want more? Copy locked files thanks to the VSS service (Volume Shadow Copy), initiate backup as a service, create reports and send them to email, automatically delete outdated backup copies, and much more. Download the latest version of the program using the link and enjoy increased security of your data thanks to Action Backup.