Software · head to head
Apple Time Machine vs Bacula
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Apple Time Machine apple states the Time Machine backup disk should be used only for Time Machine backups and not for storing other files, unless you split it into a separate APFS volume; Bacula the community edition has no vendor support contract; bacula.org directs support and paid deployments toward the separate commercial Bacula Enterprise product instead.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Time Machine and Bacula actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Time Machine | Bacula |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | open-source |
| Platforms | Mac | Web |
| Founded | 1976 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Apple Time Machine
- Automatic backup
- Hourly snapshots
- Visual restore interface
- Network backup
- Encryption
- System restore
- macOS
- AirPort Time Capsule
Only in Bacula
Nothing recorded that Apple Time Machine does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apple Time Machine
- Automatic versioned local backups of a Mac to an external drivenot Bacula
- Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Bacula
Bacula
No use cases recorded yet. See the Bacula review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Apple Time Machine
- Apple states the Time Machine backup disk should be used only for Time Machine backups and not for storing other files, unless you split it into a separate APFS volume
- Apple recommends the Time Machine volume be twice the storage capacity of the Mac being backed up
- It requires an attached external storage device or network disk; there is no built-in cloud destination
- It backs up Macs only
Bacula
- The community edition has no vendor support contract; bacula.org directs support and paid deployments toward the separate commercial Bacula Enterprise product instead.
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Time Machine
Free- Built-inFree
- Automatic backup
- Visual restore
- Network backup
Bacula
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Bacula review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Apple Time Machine if
- You need automatic backup.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Mac.
- You also want hourly snapshots.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Time Machine or Bacula better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Time Machine starts at Free and Bacula at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Time Machine or Bacula?
- Apple Time Machine starts at Free and Bacula at Free.
- Does Apple Time Machine or Bacula run on more platforms?
- Apple Time Machine runs on Mac. Bacula runs on Web.
- Can I use Apple Time Machine for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Apple Time Machine best used for?
- Apple Time Machine is most often used for automatic versioned local backups of a mac to an external drive, restoring a mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup history. Of those, automatic versioned local backups of a mac to an external drive and restoring a mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup history are not what Bacula is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Time Machine do that Bacula cannot?
- Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup.