--- title: Full comparison of Acronis vs Time Machine for personal use description: Don't compromise on personal cyber security. Explore our comparison of Acronis vs Time Machine to select the optimal solution for protecting your digital world. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/products/true-image/comparison/acronis-vs-timemachine/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- # Full comparison of Acronis vs Time Machine for personal use Now with boosted security From **€49.99** per year [Buy now](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/true-image/purchasing/?utm_webteam=product-header) [Try now](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/true-image/trial/?utm_webteam=product-header) ## Macs: Powerful devices that need powerful backup and comprehensive protection The Mac is an incredibly powerful device, providing the perfect workstation to "Think Different." Apple promises to protect your apps, music, photos and documents with Time Machine. While Time Machine is an easy-to-use backup and recovery solution, that is cleanly integrated with your Mac, it has limitations. It provides basic backup capabilities but lacks the flexibility and comprehensive backup and security options necessary to protect your entire digital life. ![Image 2: Acronis True Image Introduces Identity Protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/eaa830e00663048990552d572176bcb6.png) Acronis True Image Introduces Identity Protection 1:39 [Acronis True Image Introduces Identity Protection (1:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8TNnt1EIR0) ## Acronis True Image vs Time Machine | | Acronis True Image | Time Machine | | --- | --- | --- | | Type of software | Complete cyber protection | Local backup | | Protects | 1, 3 or 5 PCs/Macs and an unlimited number of mobile devices | 1 Mac | | Supported operating systems | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | macOS | | Data protection: backup, cloning and recovery | | File and folder backup (Protect files and folders from data loss in case of accidents or cyber attacks.) | ✅ | ✅ | | Image backup (Protect an entire PC/Mac or specific discs including OS, registry, drivers, apps, user's data and system areas hidden from the user allowing for easy recovery.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Disk cloning (Make a replica of your system while it’s in use. The easiest way to migrate all of your data – OS, files, applications, and settings – to a larger or faster disk.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Cloud sync and share * (Sync files across different machines and the Cloud and have access to your data anywhere anytime.) | ✅ | ❌ | | True continuous backup (Backup your files and data in real time as changes are made to them.) | ✅ | Limited | | Backup scheduling (Be in complete control of your backup schedule. Use calendar date and time or an event such as attaching a USB drive to trigger your backup.) | ✅ | ✅ | | Backup versioning (Have ultimate control of how many backup verision and for how long you would like to preserve.) | ✅ | Limited | | All-in-one recovery drive (Acronis Survival Kit) (Restore your system and data even if the operating system does not boot, using a single recovery toolkit.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Recover to similar or dissimilar hardware * (Restore a complete operating system backup to a dissimilar hardware (e.g. new hard drive).) | ✅ | ❌ | | Cloud storage (Backup to remote Cloud location to protect your data from physical damage. Easily access, restore, and recover your data from anywhere.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Microsoft 365 backup, including Outlook.com and OneDrive (Back up your Office 365 mailbox and OneDrive directly to the Acronis Cloud allowing for full account restoration in case of a disaster.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Mobile backups (Back up mobile data to your PC, Mac, and NAS automatically when connected to your Wi-Fi network.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Privacy features | | Anti-ransomware and cryptojacking * protection (Detect and stop crypto miners and ransomware from infecting your files, apps, and systems in real-time.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Vulnerability assessments (Identify the security weaknesses in your operating system and the apps you rely on.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Videoconference app protection * (Keep your data and privacy away from cyber attacks when videoconferencing via Zoom, Cisco Webex, or Microsoft Teams.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Real-time anti-malware protection (Block even never-seen-before threats – by checking every file you interact with in real-time.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Antivirus scans (Ensure threats aren’t lurking on your computer by scanning for malware whenever you want.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Web filtering * (Block malicious URLs the moment you try to visit them.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Backups encrypted with user-defined passwords (Create encrypted backups for each family member or colleague that are protected by their own custom password.) | ✅ | ✅ | | Identity Protection ** (Safeguard personal information, such as social security numbers, and financial details to prevent identity theft.) | ✅ | ❌ | | Easy management | | User-friendly cyber protection dashboard (Monitor everything at a glance, including your backup activity, data statistics, and cybersecurity metrics for all your devices.) | ✅ | Basic | | Control backup-on-battery (Set a minimum power level for backups, or completely block backups when on battery power.) | ✅ | Only for macOS | | Back up on preferred Wi-Fi (Back up to the cloud when you know it’s safe by selecting the Wi-Fi network.) | ✅ | ✅ | * Windows only. ** Only available in the U.S. for Advanced and Premium subscriptions. [![Image 3](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/aadbaf079ed3109ec512a9b9a5eb45dc.png) 100% Detection Rate and 0 False Alarms in independent tests](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-true-image-excels-in-av-test-certification-unmatched-protection-and-usability/) [![Image 4](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/4d5333d1ea505ec644f498b4b7d3593d.png) Best Windows backup software, PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/407021/best-windows-backup-software.html) [![Image 5](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/2f919f77b7afbe9e3386eef3a49b2135.png) Cybersecurity Excellence Awards Winner](https://cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com/candidates/acronis-cyber-protect-home-office/) [![Image 6](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/03fe5f638ee1ac6a581ecdd72554c749.png) Editors' Choice, PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/393356/acronis-true-image-review.html) [![Image 7](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/0d56ed0fe1ba43c51e1c0d7f180c1e1b.png) OPSWAT Anti-malware Platinum certification](https://www.opswat.com/blog/opswat-access-control-certification-oaccp-update-for-july-2021) [![Image 8](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/b2ce59307620ff669b7f1b88612fdd1c.png) TIME's Best Cloud Backup Services](https://time.com/4738916/best-cloud-backup-services/) ## Three ways in which Acronis True Image outperforms Time Machine 1. Protect all your devices with one account: Macs, PCs and mobile phones In the digital age, our lives are increasingly intertwined with a variety of digital devices, and it's common for a family to own different types. All these different devices need comprehensive, unified protection. You capture precious moments in pictures and videos, download your favorite music and movies, create important work files for projects, and customize applications to suit your needs. All these digital assets hold significant value and deserve robust protection to ensure their security and longevity. Acronis True Image offers cross-platform compatibility, providing comprehensive backup solutions for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS users. It enables users to back up data from multiple operating systems and even manage these backups remotely from a single web-based interface. This flexibility is complemented by the Acronis Cloud, which offers secure, unified and off-site storage, ensuring that backups are not only accessible from any device with internet access, but also safe from local hardware failures. On the other hand, while Time Machine provides a seamless and user-friendly backup experience within the Apple ecosystem, it lacks the multi-OS support and cloud integration capabilities that make Acronis True Image a more comprehensive solution for users with diverse backup and cyber protection needs. ![Image 9: Protect not only individual files](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/334f7a4af9208904c4bc6ff12716bdd1.png) ### System failures and crashes In the events of ransomware attack, hardware failure or sudden system crash, image backups enable you to restore the entire system, including the operating system, applications, and settings, ensuring a swift recovery to a functional state. ### Hardware upgrades or replacements If you just are planning to upgrade or replace your hardware components, Acronis’ Disk Cloning tool simplifies the migration process. You can restore the system image to the new hardware, ensuring a seamless transition with no downtime. ### Operating system corruption In case your operating system becomes corrupted, or device is rendered unbootable Acronis’ Survival Kit comes to rescue. You can boot your device and restore the entire system to a clean and stable state in one go. 2. How can you safeguard your most valuable data based on your needs? Every machine is unique, and every user has their own preferences. Acronis gives you backup options to ensure personalized data protection. * With Acronis, you can back up your entire machine; it is even capable of backing up boot files. This means you can recover your files and applications even if your machine does not boot. * Not every backup needs to contain the image of your entire machine. You may also choose to selectively back up disks, files or folders. If you are a Microsoft 365 user, you can back up your Microsoft data using Acronis' Online Dashboard. * You may extend data protection to your mobile phones by backing up an unlimited number of devices. * Choose to backup to Acronis Cloud or to your personal detachable and NAS devices. * Schedule your backups and let Acronis automatically update your precious data daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. * The security of your backups can be enhanced with military grade encryption. ![Image 10: Protect not only individual files](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/fc606bc5dac8316a59c82cfbf0c583e7.png) 3. Integrated cyber protection Backup and recovery offer crucial reactive protection against modern-day threats. However, as essential as they are, relying solely on these measures does not guarantee comprehensive protection. To fortify your defense strategy, proactive measures, such as robust antivirus and anti-ransomware must be in place. The classical approach of employing a combination of standalone protection tools for backup, anti-malware, patch management, configuration management and others is both complex and inefficient. Acronis offers a well-rounded approach that integrates reactive and proactive elements in a single interface. ![Image 11: Protect not only individual files](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/9b4829e70941670f2ca24a6ebff4459d.png) ### Anti-ransomware and cryptojacking protection Safeguard your files, apps, and systems by detecting and stopping ransomware before they affect. Automatically restore any affected files from backups. ### Real-time protection Keep your device and backup files safe from malicious activities in real time with AI-enhanced protection. Block even never-seen-before threats by checking every file you access or interact with. ### Web filtering Stay protected from potentially harmful websites and untrusted web resources that often distribute malware and use the so called "drive-by download" method of infection. ### Videoconference app protection Protect your web conferencing sessions on Zoom, Cisco Webex Meetings and Microsoft Teams from code injections and other suspicious operations by attackers. ### Identity Protection ** Safeguard personal information such as social security numbers, financial details and much more, to prevent identity theft. ### Antivirus scan Ensure threats aren’t lurking on your computer by scanning for malware whenever required. ### Vulnerability assessment Ensure all your installed applications are up to date and have no vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. ## Choose the Acronis True Image plan that meets your needs Essentials Local backup and anti-ransomware protection One-year subscription €49.99/year For 1 computer Cloud is not available Buy now * Flexible backups Protect an entire system — including OS, registry, drivers, apps, user data, and hidden files — allowing for easy recovery. * Active disk cloning Make a replica of your system while it’s in use. Enable painless migration of all system data to a larger or faster disk. * Quick recovery / Universal restore Restore your system and data even if the operating system does not boot, using a single recovery toolkit. * Ransomware protection Secure your critical data, apps, and systems against cutting-edge cyberthreats. * FREE UPGRADES to the most recent product version * Phone, email and chat support * Available for Windows and macOS Most popular Advanced Local and cloud backup and security One-year subscription €72.99/year For 1 computer 250 GB Buy now * Flexible backups Protect an entire system — including OS, registry, drivers, apps, user data, and hidden files — allowing for easy recovery. * Active disk cloning Make a replica of your system while it’s in use. Enable painless migration of all system data to a larger or faster disk. * Quick recovery / Universal restore Restore your system and data even if the operating system does not boot, using a single recovery toolkit. * Ransomware protection Secure your critical data, apps, and systems against cutting-edge cyberthreats. * Identity Protection Protect your identity and personal information, such as social security numbers, financial details and more to prevent identity theft. * Block viruses and malware Block even never-seen-before threats – by checking every file you interact with in real-time. * Cloud backup and features Access your account and retrieve files or folders from your Acronis Cloud backup — anywhere, anytime. * Automatic replication of data in the cloud Automatically replicate local backups to the Acronis Cloud, ensuring you always have an off-site copy available for recovery. * Microsoft 365 backups Back up your Microsoft 365 mailbox and OneDrive directly to the Acronis Cloud allowing for full account restoration in case of a disaster. * FREE UPGRADES to the most recent product version * Phone, email and chat support * Available for Windows and macOS Premium Up to 10 TB of cloud and local backup and security One-year subscription €124.99/year For 1 computer 1 TB for free Buy now * Flexible backups Protect an entire system — including OS, registry, drivers, apps, user data, and hidden files — allowing for easy recovery. * Active disk cloning Make a replica of your system while it’s in use. Enable painless migration of all system data to a larger or faster disk. * Quick recovery / Universal restore Restore your system and data even if the operating system does not boot, using a single recovery toolkit. * Ransomware protection Secure your critical data, apps, and systems against cutting-edge cyberthreats. * Identity Protection Protect your identity and personal information, such as social security numbers, financial details and more to prevent identity theft. * Block viruses and malware Block even never-seen-before threats – by checking every file you interact with in real-time. * Cloud backup and features Access your account and retrieve files or folders from your Acronis Cloud backup — anywhere, anytime. * Automatic replication of data in the cloud Automatically replicate local backups to the Acronis Cloud, ensuring you always have an off-site copy available for recovery. * Microsoft 365 backups Back up your Microsoft 365 mailbox and OneDrive directly to the Acronis Cloud allowing for full account restoration in case of a disaster. * Blockchain certification of files Confirm data authenticity with blockchain technology. * Electronic signatures on files Capture electronic signatures from multiple parties and record them in a blockchain ledger. * Ability to add up to 10 TB of cloud storage Expand your cloud storage as your data grows. * FREE UPGRADES to the most recent product version * Priority phone, email and chat support * Available for Windows and macOS **Give the gift of cyber protection** [Get Acronis True Image as a gift](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/lp/personal/gift/) **Need more details?** [Compare our products in depth](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/products/true-image/comparison/) ## What the experts say [![Image 12: Case study](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/3dc0b756d6b8386ea3560e65065bf142.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/renowned-composer-william-goldstein-relies-on-acronis-true-image-to-protect-his-valuable-music-files/) Case study ### [Renowned composer William Goldstein relies on Acronis True Image to protect his valuable music files](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/renowned-composer-william-goldstein-relies-on-acronis-true-image-to-protect-his-valuable-music-files/) “The backups I make with Acronis True Image are part of my life. They make it possible for me to access my work and be able to get back to it.” **William Goldstein** Grammy-nominated composer, pianist and recording artist [Read case study](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/renowned-composer-william-goldstein-relies-on-acronis-true-image-to-protect-his-valuable-music-files/) [![Image 13: Case study](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/a3eeb966eded0c71ac0aa3eb76db75e6.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/case-study-eli-yablonovitch/) Case study ### [Acronis True Image has saved my career on numerous occasions](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/case-study-eli-yablonovitch/) “I was hit by a ransomware attack and a gentleman told me on the phone that I should pay a certain amount of money to get my data back. But in the back of my head, I knew that I had the ace card as I had Acronis True Image.” **Eli Yablonovitch** Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at UC Berkeley [Read case study](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/case-study-eli-yablonovitch/) ## Trustpilot reviews Acronis solutions are trusted by thousands worldwide ## Want to learn more? Read the latest news and articles on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 14: Best antivirus for Windows 11: Guide to choosing the right software](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/ce9cf68c9a85a1451d89cb2d9af58ff1.png) [Best antivirus for Windows 11: Guide to choosing the right software](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/best-antivirus-for-windows-11/) Discover the best antivirus software for Windows 11 that provide robust protection against threats. Read our expert picks to secure your device today. **03 April 2026**18 min read ![Image 15: How to protect sensitive data: A practical guide for individuals](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/b3a43006404113df2bac98461f8952bf.png) [How to protect sensitive data: A practical guide for individuals](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/how-to-protect-sensitive-data/) Acronis True Image is a personal backup and cybersecurity software designed to help individuals protect sensitive data through encrypted backups, ransomware protection, and reliable recovery options. Instead of manually copying files or relying solely on cloud folders, you can automate secure backups of your entire system or selected files. For U.S. customers with Advanced or Premium subscriptions, it also includes Identity P **20 March 2026**12 min read ![Image 16: How to scan for malware?](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/d7369abadbb9827f721d6c9ca26ce15f.png) [How to scan for malware?](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/how-to-scan-for-malware/) Learn how to scan for malware step by step with this comprehensive guide to keep your devices protected. Get the best antimalware from Acronis True Image. **21 January 2026**10 min read