07 January 2025  —  Acronis

What is the best laptop backup software available in the cybersecurity market today?

Acronis
Acronis True Image
formerly Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office

In our increasingly digital world, your laptop is more than just a device — it's a vault of memories, a workspace and a lifeline to your personal and professional life. Imagine losing years of photos, critical work documents or important research in an instant. This nightmare scenario is precisely why laptop backup software isn't just a luxury — it's an absolute necessity. 

In this guide, we walk you through the different options and highlight why Acronis True Image is the tool you need for laptop backups. 

What is a laptop backup software? 

Laptop backup software is your digital safety net — a sophisticated tool that creates copies of your entire laptop, including your critically important files. It protects them from potential loss due to:  

  • Hardware failure 
  • Theft 
  • Accidental deletion 
  • Malware attacks 
  • Natural disasters 
  • System crashes 

It's like having a time machine for your digital life, enabling you to recover files and restore your system to a previous, stable state with minimal disruption. 

The importance of choosing the right backup software 

In a world where our digital lives hold countless irreplaceable memories and crucial documents, choosing the right backup software isn't just a technical decision — it's about protecting your life's story. Every day, thousands of people lose precious photos, important work files, and personal documents to crashes, cyberattacks, and simple accidents. The right backup software acts as your digital safety net, ensuring that even in worst-case scenarios, your data remains secure and recoverable. But with so many options available, making the wrong choice could leave you vulnerable when disaster strikes. The wrong choice could mean permanent loss of: 

  • Irreplaceable data 
  • Cherished family photos 
  • Your professional portfolio 
  • Sensitive and critical personal documents 
  • Years’ worth of academic research 
  • Critical business presentations 

Statistics reveal that: 

  • 140,000 hard drives crash in the United States every week. 
  • 30% of people have never backed up their computer. 
  • 113 smartphones are lost or stolen every minute globally. 

Key features to look for in your next laptop backup software 

Your laptop is more than just a device — it's your digital command center, holding everything from precious family photos to crucial work documents. When it comes to protecting these invaluable digital assets, not all backup software is created equal. Making the right choice means understanding which features truly matter for your specific needs and which are just fancy extras.

Today's threat landscape demands more than just simple file copying; it requires a comprehensive solution that can handle everything from ransomware protection to instant recovery.

1. Comprehensive backup options 

  • Full system backup 
  • Incremental and differential backup 
  • File and folder selection 

2. Restore options 

  • Selective file restoration 
  • Cross-platform recovery 

3. Performance and efficiency 

  • Minimal system resource usage 
  • Fast backup and recovery speeds 
  • Compression and encryption 

4. Security features 

  • End-to-end encryption 
  • Ransomware protection 
  • Two-factor authentication 

5. Compatibility 

  • Support for Windows, Mac and mobile devices 
  • Multiple device support 
  • Cloud and local backup integration 

Cloud backup vs. local backup — understanding the differences 

The choice between local and cloud backup isn't just about storage —– it's about finding the perfect balance between accessibility, security, and peace of mind. While both approaches serve the same ultimate purpose of protecting your personal data, each of them comes with their own unique advantages and potential drawbacks.

Understanding these differences is crucial for building a backup strategy that truly fits your needs, whether you're protecting family photos or crucial business documents. 

Local backup 

Pros: 

  • Complete control over data 
  • No recurring subscription costs 
  • Faster restoration 
  • No internet dependency 

Cons: 

  • Physical damage risk 
  • Limited storage 
  • Manual management required 

Cloud backup 

Pros: 

  • Off-site storage 
  • Automatic synchronization 
  • Accessible from anywhere 
  • Scalable storage 

Cons: 

  • Monthly subscription costs 
  • Dependent on internet speed 
  • Potential privacy concerns 
  • Ongoing expenses 

Comparison between the leading backup softwares in the market

Navigating the crowded backup software market can feel like walking through a maze of technical jargon and marketing promises. With each provider claiming to offer the best protection for your digital life, how do you cut through the noise to find the solution that truly meets your needs?

The right choice depends on understanding not just what each software promises, but how it delivers on those promises in real-world scenarios. Let's dive into an honest comparison of the market leaders. 

Acronis True Image 

  • Integrated antivirus and malware protection, to protect your personal data as well as your computer. 
  • Comprehensive backup solutions with flexible backup options. 
  • Advanced security features, including integrated ransomware and malware protection. 
  • Cross-platform support that works on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. 
  • Affordable pricing, with different plans for different needs. 

Backblaze 

  • Simple, unlimited cloud backup 
  • Affordable pricing 
  • Automatic backup 

Carbonite 

  • Automatic cloud backup 
  • File versioning 
  • External drive support 

iDrive 

  • Multidevice backup 
  • Extensive storage options 
  • Competitive pricing 

Google Drive / OneDrive 

  • Cloud file synchronization 
  • Limited backup features 
  • Good for basic file storage 

For a more detailed comparison visit: https://www.acronis.com/en-us/products/true-image/comparison/  

Why Acronis True Image stands out?

We just covered some different backup solutions, and Acronis True Image emerges as a unique blend of comprehensive protection and user-friendly design. While other solutions focus solely on backup, Acronis True Image takes a holistic approach to protecting your digital life.

It's not just about storing copies of your files — it's about creating an impenetrable shield around your entire digital world, from family photos to sensitive documents. 

Benefits 

All-in-one protection 

  • Backup 
  • Ransomware protection 
  • Malware defense 
  • System recovery 

Advanced technology 

  • Blockchain-based backup certification 
  • Minimal system performance impact 

Specific use cases 

For students 

  • Protect academic research 
  • Backup assignments and projects 
  • Secure personal documents 
  • Quick system recovery 

For business professionals 

  • Protect sensitive business documents 
  • Ensure business continuity 
  • Secure precious information 
  • Minimal downtime during system issues 

For creative professionals 

  • Preserve large media files 
  • Protect portfolio and work samples 
  • Version control for creative projects 
  • Secure intellectual property 

Setting up automatic backups with Acronis True Image 

In our fast-paced digital lives, remembering to manually back up your data is like trying to remember to water plants during a busy work week —– something's bound to slip through the cracks. Setting up automatic backups with Acronis True Image eliminates this risk by providing continuous protection. Think of it as having a personal digital guardian that never sleeps, ensuring your memories and important files are always protected against unexpected disasters. 

Step-by-step guide 

  1. Install Acronis True Image from here 
  2. Create your backup and select what you want to backup.
  3. Choose your backup destination.
  4. Click on settings to set up the backup schedule: Daily, Weekly, Monthly or Custom.
  5. Configure more advanced settings. 

Navigating file loss: Your recovery strategy 

A backup without a solid recovery strategy is like having a spare tire without knowing how to change it — it’s ultimately useless when you need it most. While many focus on the backup process itself, having a clear, tested recovery plan is equally crucial for protecting your digital life.

Think of your recovery strategy as your insurance policy — you hope you'll never need it, but when disaster strikes, you'll be grateful you took the time to prepare and test it. 

Immediate steps 

  • Use Acronis True Image for recovery 
  • Select appropriate backup 
  • Restore files or the whole system 

Best practices for ensuring data security 

  • Use strong encryption 
  • Enable two-factor authentication 
  • Regularly update your backup software 
  • Use multiple backup locations 
  • Monitor backup logs 

Platform-specific considerations 

Windows backup 

  • More backup software options 
  • Wider hardware compatibility 
  • Native backup tools available 

Mac backup 

  • Time Machine integration 
  • More streamlined backup processes 
  • Limited third-party options 

Best practices for laptop backup 

Your laptop carries your digital life — from precious family photos to crucial work documents — making proper backup not optional, but essential. Yet many users treat backup as an afterthought, only realizing its importance after a crash or cyberattack has claimed their irreplaceable data.

Creating an effective laptop backup strategy isn't just about copying files; it's about developing a comprehensive approach that protects against all types of data loss scenarios. Below you find some best practices for how to do tha

1. Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule 

  • 3 copies of data 
  • 2 different storage media 
  • 1 off-site backup
  • Read more about it, here.

2. Regular maintenance 

  • Check backup integrity 
  • Test restoration process 
  • Update backup software 
  • Monitor storage space 

3. Continuous learning 

  • Stay informed about new technologies 
  • Understand emerging threats 
  • Adopt a backup strategy 

Conclusion 

Choosing the right laptop backup software is more than a technical decision — it's about protecting your digital life. Acronis True Image offers a comprehensive, user-friendly solution that goes beyond traditional backup as it also provides integrated protection against ransomware, malware and identity theft.* 

Key takeaways 

  • Backup is not optional 
  • Choose comprehensive protection 
  • Regularly update and test backups 
  • Invest in robust software 
  • Prioritize data security 

Final recommendation 

Don't wait for a disaster to strike. Download Acronis True Image today and start your digital protection. Your future self will thank you. 

* Identity Protection is only available in the U.S. for Advanced and Premium subscriptions. 

Acronis
Fact approved by SME
Christopher Hartman
Corporate Editor
Christopher Hartman, Corporate Editor, Acronis, has over 20 years of experience in publishing and technology firms. Among his other writings, he’s authored three books on high-tech topics. He oversees the Acronis Style Guide, and edits all company content to ensure consistency and accuracy.

About Acronis

A Swiss company founded in Singapore in 2003, Acronis has 15 offices worldwide and employees in 50+ countries. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is available in 26 languages in 150 countries and is used by over 20,000 service providers to protect over 750,000 businesses.