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Backup · head to head

Apple Time Machine vs HPE StoreOnce

Apple Time Machine logo

Apple Time Machine

Backup

Built-in backup for every Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HPE StoreOnce logo

HPE StoreOnce

Backup

Disk-based backup with built-in deduplication

From
$5000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, HPE StoreOnce covers StoreOnce Catalyst.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Time Machine and HPE StoreOnce differ
AttributeApple Time MachineHPE StoreOnce
Starting priceFree$5000/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacLinux, Web
Founded19762015

Identical on both: 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
  • System restore
  • macOS
  • AirPort Time Capsule
  • NAS devices

Only in HPE StoreOnce

  • StoreOnce Catalyst
  • Cloud bank storage
  • Instant recovery
  • Federated deduplication
  • Replication
  • Veeam
  • Commvault
  • Veritas

Both cover

  • Encryption

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 HPE StoreOnce
  • Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot HPE StoreOnce

HPE StoreOnce

  • Data protectionnot Apple Time Machine
  • Disaster recoverynot Apple Time Machine
  • Business continuitynot Apple Time Machine
  • Ransomware protectionnot Apple Time Machine
  • Compliancenot 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

HPE StoreOnce

Nothing recorded yet. See the HPE StoreOnce review.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Time Machine

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

HPE StoreOnce

$5000/one-time
  • StoreOnce Appliance$5000/one-time
    • Catalyst deduplication
    • Cloud bank
    • Instant recovery

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 HPE StoreOnce if

  • You need storeonce catalyst.
  • You work on Linux, Web.
  • You also want cloud bank storage.
HPE StoreOnce review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Time Machine or HPE StoreOnce better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Time Machine starts at Free and HPE StoreOnce at $5000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Time Machine or HPE StoreOnce?
Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Time Machine and $5000/one-time for HPE StoreOnce.
Does Apple Time Machine or HPE StoreOnce run on more platforms?
Apple Time Machine runs on Mac. HPE StoreOnce runs on Linux, Web.
Can I use Apple Time Machine for free?
Yes. Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HPE StoreOnce starts at $5000/one-time.
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 HPE StoreOnce is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Time Machine do that HPE StoreOnce cannot?
Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup. HPE StoreOnce covers StoreOnce Catalyst, Cloud bank storage, Instant recovery, Federated deduplication. Both handle Encryption.

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
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
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
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Related pages

More on Apple Time Machine

More on HPE StoreOnce

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