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Apple Time Machine vs Keepit

Apple Time Machine logo

Apple Time Machine

Software

Built-in backup for every Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Keepit logo

Keepit

Software

Independent cloud backup for SaaS workloads

From
$3/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; Keepit search functionality is very limited with restrictive search strings and poor filter options
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Keepit covers Vendor-independent storage.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Time Machine and Keepit differ
AttributeApple Time MachineKeepit
Starting priceFree$3/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacWeb
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 Keepit

  • Vendor-independent storage
  • Immutable backup
  • Blockchain verification
  • Unlimited retention
  • Granular restore
  • API access
  • Microsoft 365
  • Google Workspace

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

Keepit

  • 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

Keepit

  • Search functionality is very limited with restrictive search strings and poor filter options
  • Download speeds during restoration are slow, particularly for mailbox restorations
  • Console interface is complex and unintuitive, making file retrieval time-consuming
  • Limited support for advanced features like Power Automate flows and manual backup job initiation
  • Primarily targets SaaS applications and is not a single platform for on-premises workloads, VMs, or endpoint backup

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Time Machine

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

Keepit

$3/month
  • Keepit Business$3/month
    • Immutable backup
    • Unlimited retention
    • Blockchain verification

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 Keepit if

  • You need vendor-independent storage.
  • You also want immutable backup.
Keepit review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Time Machine or Keepit better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Time Machine starts at Free and Keepit at $3/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Time Machine or Keepit?
Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Time Machine and $3/month for Keepit.
Does Apple Time Machine or Keepit run on more platforms?
Apple Time Machine runs on Mac. Keepit runs on Web.
Can I use Apple Time Machine for free?
Yes. Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Keepit starts at $3/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 Keepit is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Time Machine do that Keepit cannot?
Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup. Keepit covers Vendor-independent storage, Immutable backup, Blockchain verification, Unlimited retention.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Keepit: What SaaS applications does Keepit protect?

Keepit provides backup for Microsoft 365 workloads (Teams, Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Groups, Public Folders), Microsoft Entra ID, Google, Salesforce, and 15 SaaS applications total as of 2026, with plans to add more.

Source
Keepit: How is Keepit priced?

Keepit uses custom pricing starting at $5 per seat monthly. Enterprise plans are custom quoted, with median annual contracts around $60,270. The pricing includes unlimited data storage.

Source
Keepit: Does Keepit guarantee immutability?

Yes, Keepit's architecture runs on secure, private infrastructure offering data immutability to prevent ransomware and accidental deletion.

Source
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Related pages

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