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Backup · head to head

Apple Time Machine vs Duplicacy

Apple Time Machine logo

Apple Time Machine

Backup

Built-in backup for every Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Duplicacy logo

Duplicacy

Backup

Lock-free deduplication cloud backup

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Duplicacy web GUI pricing tier not specified on product page
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Duplicacy covers Lock-free deduplication.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Time Machine and Duplicacy differ
AttributeApple Time MachineDuplicacy
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsMacmacOS, Linux, Windows
Founded19762016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Backup).

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 Duplicacy

  • Lock-free deduplication
  • Client-side encryption
  • Multiple computers
  • Erasure coding
  • Variable-size chunking
  • RSA encryption
  • 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 Duplicacy
  • Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Duplicacy

Duplicacy

  • Client-side encrypted cloud backupsnot Apple Time Machine
  • Lock-free deduplication for efficient backup storagenot Apple Time Machine
  • Multi-destination backup supportnot 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

Duplicacy

  • Web GUI pricing tier not specified on product page

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Time Machine

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

Duplicacy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Duplicacy 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 Duplicacy if

  • You need lock-free deduplication.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Linux, Windows.
  • You also want client-side encryption.
Duplicacy review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Time Machine or Duplicacy better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Time Machine starts at Free and Duplicacy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Time Machine or Duplicacy?
Apple Time Machine starts at Free and Duplicacy at Free.
Does Apple Time Machine or Duplicacy run on more platforms?
Apple Time Machine runs on Mac. Duplicacy runs on macOS, Linux, Windows.
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 Duplicacy is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Time Machine do that Duplicacy cannot?
Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup. Duplicacy covers Lock-free deduplication, Client-side encryption, Multiple computers, Erasure coding. Both handle Mac support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Time Machine: Does Time Machine charge a subscription or licensing fee?

No. Time Machine is a built-in feature of macOS with no subscription or licensing costs.

Source
Duplicacy: What is the cost of the Duplicacy command line version for commercial use?

The commercial license for Duplicacy's command line version costs $50 per machine per year. The CLI version is free for individual users.

Source
Apple Time Machine: What storage capacity do I need for Time Machine backups?

Apple recommends using a storage device with at least twice the storage capacity of your Mac. For example, if your Mac has 1TB of storage, your backup disk should ideally have at least 2TB.

Source
Duplicacy: Is pricing available for the Duplicacy Web GUI edition?

No pricing information is provided for the Web Edition (GUI) on the Duplicacy website. You would need to contact [email protected] for Web Edition pricing details.

Source
Apple Time Machine: How long does Time Machine keep my backups?

Time Machine automatically maintains hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for all previous months. The oldest backups are deleted when your backup disk is full.

Source
Duplicacy: Are volume discounts available for IT service providers?

Yes, volume discounts are available for IT service providers and resellers. Contact [email protected] to discuss volume pricing options.

Source
Duplicacy: What backup modes and features are included in the free version?

The free version includes file, disk, partition, and system backup with full, incremental, and differential backup modes. It also offers scheduled backups, encryption, and emergency disk creation.

Source
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