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Apple Time Machine vs Comet Backup

Apple Time Machine logo

Apple Time Machine

Software

Built-in backup for every Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Comet Backup logo

Comet Backup

Software

White-label backup software for service providers

From
$49/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Comet Backup endpoint costs starting at $2 per endpoint per month on top of base plan
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Comet Backup covers White-label branding.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Time Machine and Comet Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Time Machine and Comet Backup differ
AttributeApple Time MachineComet Backup
Starting priceFree$49/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded19762017

Identical on both: 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 Comet Backup

  • White-label branding
  • Bring your own storage
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Chunking deduplication
  • Delta compression
  • Multi-tenant
  • AWS S3
  • Azure

Both cover

  • Mac support

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 Comet Backup
  • Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Comet Backup

Comet Backup

  • MSP backup and disaster recovery solutionsnot Apple Time Machine
  • Cloud-to-cloud backup automationnot Apple Time Machine
  • Ransomware protection with immutable storagenot Apple Time Machine

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

Comet Backup

  • Endpoint costs starting at $2 per endpoint per month on top of base plan
  • Storage costs vary based on destination, adding to overall expenses

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Time Machine

Free
  • Built-inFree
    • Automatic backup
    • Visual restore
    • Network backup

Comet Backup

$49/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Comet Backup 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.
Apple Time Machine review

Choose Comet Backup if

  • You need white-label branding.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want bring your own storage.
Comet Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Time Machine or Comet Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Time Machine starts at Free and Comet Backup at $49/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Time Machine or Comet Backup?
Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Time Machine and $49/month for Comet Backup.
Does Apple Time Machine or Comet Backup run on more platforms?
Apple Time Machine runs on Mac. Comet Backup runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Apple Time Machine for free?
Yes. Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Comet Backup starts at $49/month.
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 Comet Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Time Machine do that Comet Backup cannot?
Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup. Comet Backup covers White-label branding, Bring your own storage, End-to-end encryption, Chunking deduplication. Both handle Mac support.
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