Software · head to head
Apple Time Machine vs Spanning Backup
Spanning Backup
Software
SaaS backup for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
- From
- $4/month
- Rated
- -
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; Spanning Backup cloud-only deployment; no on-premise or self-hosted options available
- They diverge on capability: Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Time Machine and Spanning Backup actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Time Machine | Spanning Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $4/month |
| Pricing model | free | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Mac | Cloud SaaS |
| Founded | 1976 | 2010 |
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 Spanning Backup
- Automated daily backup
- Point-in-time restore
- Cross-user restore
- eDiscovery
- Unlimited storage
- Admin delegation
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft 365
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 Spanning Backup
- Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Spanning Backup
Spanning Backup
- Cloud-to-cloud backup and disaster recovery for Microsoft 365 applicationsnot Apple Time Machine
- Data protection and compliance management for Google Workspace and Salesforcenot 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
Spanning Backup
- Cloud-only deployment; no on-premise or self-hosted options available
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Time Machine
Free- Built-inFree
- Automatic backup
- Visual restore
- Network backup
Spanning Backup
$4/month- Spanning Backup$4/month
- Daily backup
- Point-in-time restore
- Unlimited storage
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.
Choose Spanning Backup if
- You need automated daily backup.
- You work on Cloud SaaS.
- You also want point-in-time restore.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Time Machine or Spanning Backup better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Time Machine starts at Free and Spanning Backup at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Time Machine or Spanning Backup?
- Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Time Machine and $4/month for Spanning Backup.
- Does Apple Time Machine or Spanning Backup run on more platforms?
- Apple Time Machine runs on Mac. Spanning Backup runs on Cloud SaaS.
- Can I use Apple Time Machine for free?
- Yes. Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Spanning Backup starts at $4/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 Spanning Backup is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Time Machine do that Spanning Backup cannot?
- Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup. Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Point-in-time restore, Cross-user restore, eDiscovery.