Software · head to head
Apple Time Machine vs SysCloud
SysCloud
Software
Backup and security 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; SysCloud does not backup all Google Workspace data, such as Google Chat information
- They diverge on capability: Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, SysCloud covers Automated backup.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Time Machine and SysCloud actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Time Machine | SysCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $4/month |
| Pricing model | free | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Mac | Web, Cloud |
| Founded | 1976 | 2013 |
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 SysCloud
- Automated backup
- Ransomware protection
- Cross-user restore
- Data migration
- DLP
- Compliance archiving
- 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 SysCloud
- Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot SysCloud
SysCloud
- 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
SysCloud
- Does not backup all Google Workspace data, such as Google Chat information
- Can be slow with live data and large datasets
- Difficult user interface for non-technical users
- Limited backup frequency and capped storage on some plans
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Time Machine
Free- Built-inFree
- Automatic backup
- Visual restore
- Network backup
SysCloud
$4/month- Custom Plans$4/month per user
- Starts at $4 per user per month
- Discounts for yearly plans
- Bulk purchase discounts
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 SysCloud if
- You need automated backup.
- You work on Web, Cloud.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Time Machine or SysCloud better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Time Machine starts at Free and SysCloud 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 SysCloud?
- Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Time Machine and $4/month for SysCloud.
- Does Apple Time Machine or SysCloud run on more platforms?
- Apple Time Machine runs on Mac. SysCloud runs on Web, Cloud.
- Can I use Apple Time Machine for free?
- Yes. Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SysCloud 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 SysCloud is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Time Machine do that SysCloud cannot?
- Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup. SysCloud covers Automated backup, Ransomware protection, Cross-user restore, Data migration.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
SysCloud: What applications does SysCloud backup?
SysCloud backs up Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Google Classroom, Slack, HubSpot, QuickBooks Online, Salesforce, Box, and Xero with automated daily backups.
SourceSysCloud: Does SysCloud have a free trial?
Yes, SysCloud offers a 30-day free trial to evaluate the platform before committing to a paid plan.
SourceSysCloud: What is SysCloud's uptime guarantee?
SysCloud operates on AWS infrastructure with 99.99% availability, running backups 365 days per year.
SourceSysCloud: How does SysCloud detect ransomware?
SysCloud can identify files encrypted by ransomware and restore a safe version, helping protect against data loss from ransomware attacks.
Source