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Backup & Disaster Recovery · head to head

Apple Time Machine vs Micro Focus Data Protector

Apple Time Machine logo

Apple Time Machine

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Built-in backup for every Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Micro Focus Data Protector logo

Micro Focus Data Protector

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Enterprise backup for multi-platform environments

From
$75/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; Micro Focus Data Protector micro Focus Data Protector was rebranded to OpenText Data Protector following the OpenText acquisition of Micro Focus; the vendor's own product pages carry no published pricing at either name (Internet Archive capture, 10 January 2022, and live site check)
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Micro Focus Data Protector covers Zero downtime backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Time Machine and Micro Focus Data Protector actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Time Machine and Micro Focus Data Protector differ
AttributeApple Time MachineMicro Focus Data Protector
Starting priceFree$75/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacWindows, Linux, Web

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Backup & Disaster Recovery), founded (1976).

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 Micro Focus Data Protector

  • Zero downtime backup
  • Instant recovery
  • Application integration
  • Synthetic full backup
  • Granular recovery
  • Centralized management
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

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 Micro Focus Data Protector
  • Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Micro Focus Data Protector

Micro Focus Data Protector

  • 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

Micro Focus Data Protector

  • Micro Focus Data Protector was rebranded to OpenText Data Protector following the OpenText acquisition of Micro Focus; the vendor's own product pages carry no published pricing at either name (Internet Archive capture, 10 January 2022, and live site check)

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Time Machine

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

Micro Focus Data Protector

$75/month
  • Data Protector$75/month
    • Zero downtime backup
    • Instant recovery
    • Multi-platform

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 Micro Focus Data Protector if

  • You need zero downtime backup.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want instant recovery.
Micro Focus Data Protector review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Time Machine or Micro Focus Data Protector better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Time Machine starts at Free and Micro Focus Data Protector at $75/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Time Machine or Micro Focus Data Protector?
Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Time Machine and $75/month for Micro Focus Data Protector.
Does Apple Time Machine or Micro Focus Data Protector run on more platforms?
Apple Time Machine runs on Mac. Micro Focus Data Protector runs on Windows, 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. Micro Focus Data Protector starts at $75/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 Micro Focus Data Protector is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Time Machine do that Micro Focus Data Protector cannot?
Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup. Micro Focus Data Protector covers Zero downtime backup, Instant recovery, Application integration, Synthetic full backup.
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