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Arq Backup vs Spanning Backup

Arq Backup logo

Arq Backup

Software

Mac and Windows backup to your own cloud storage

From
$50/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spanning Backup logo

Spanning Backup

Software

SaaS backup for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Arq Backup runs on Mac and Windows only; Spanning Backup cloud-only deployment; no on-premise or self-hosted options available
  • They diverge on capability: Arq Backup covers Client-side encryption, Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arq Backup and Spanning Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Arq Backup and Spanning Backup differ
AttributeArq BackupSpanning Backup
Starting price$50/year$4/month
PlatformsWindows, MacCloud SaaS
Founded20092010

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Arq Backup

  • Client-side encryption
  • Hourly backups
  • Network backup
  • Deduplication
  • Immutable backups
  • Budget controls
  • AWS S3
  • Google Cloud

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.

Arq Backup

  • Data protectionnot Spanning Backup
  • Disaster recoverynot Spanning Backup
  • Business continuitynot Spanning Backup
  • Ransomware protectionnot Spanning Backup
  • Compliancenot Spanning Backup

Spanning Backup

  • Cloud-to-cloud backup and disaster recovery for Microsoft 365 applicationsnot Arq Backup
  • Data protection and compliance management for Google Workspace and Salesforcenot Arq Backup

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Arq Backup

  • Runs on Mac and Windows only
  • Arq 7 is licensed per computer, and continuing to receive updates after the first year costs $25 per year per computer
  • Arq Premium covers up to 5 computers, so larger households or teams need more than one subscription
  • Arq Premium includes 1TB of storage and charges $0.0059 per GB per month beyond it

Spanning Backup

  • Cloud-only deployment; no on-premise or self-hosted options available

Pricing, plan by plan

Arq Backup

$50/year
  • Arq Premium$50/year
    • 5 computers
    • Arq Cloud storage option
    • Email support

Spanning Backup

$4/month
  • Spanning Backup$4/month
    • Daily backup
    • Point-in-time restore
    • Unlimited storage

Which should you pick?

Choose Arq Backup if

  • You need client-side encryption.
  • You work on Windows, Mac.
  • You also want hourly backups.
Arq Backup review

Choose Spanning Backup if

  • You need automated daily backup.
  • You work on Cloud SaaS.
  • You also want point-in-time restore.
Spanning Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Arq Backup or Spanning Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Arq Backup starts at $50/year and Spanning Backup at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arq Backup or Spanning Backup?
Arq Backup starts at $50/year and Spanning Backup at $4/month.
Does Arq Backup or Spanning Backup run on more platforms?
Arq Backup runs on Windows, Mac. Spanning Backup runs on Cloud SaaS.
What is Arq Backup best used for?
Arq Backup is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Spanning Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Arq Backup do that Spanning Backup cannot?
Arq Backup covers Client-side encryption, Hourly backups, Network backup, Deduplication. Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Point-in-time restore, Cross-user restore, eDiscovery.
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Related pages

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