Some programs also offer the ability to back up to the cloud. The most important feature we looked for is the ability to create a backup image that can be stored on a local drive (typically USB or network storage). It's worth noting that backups can fail for a variety of reasons, usually at the worst possible time, so we've given extra marks to companies that offer easily accessible support options. That means ease of use is paramount.Īll the products we've included here have a good reputation, as evidenced by comments on public forums and reviews from trusted sources. Our focus in this guide is on backup software for home and small business environments, where there's no IT staff and no managed network. Getting all the bells and whistles you think you need, especially if you have multiple devices to protect, can run up a pretty hefty bill. Those that offer a free version try (sometimes very aggressively) to upsell you to one of their paid plans, which typically come in multiple tiers, in home and commercial versions, and with varying discounts for longer subscription terms and multiple licenses. We were even more surprised by the sheer number and complexity of purchase and subscription options for those products. You might be startled by just how many third-party backup products there are to choose from. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader.

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Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping.

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