Softwr

Backup & Disaster Recovery · head to head

Bacula Enterprise vs Windows Backup

Bacula Enterprise logo

Bacula Enterprise

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Open-source enterprise backup solution

From
$500/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Windows Backup has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bacula Enterprise pricing is not published; the vendor asks for a request rather than listing rates; Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • They diverge on capability: Bacula Enterprise covers Modular architecture, Windows Backup covers File History.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bacula Enterprise and Windows Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Bacula Enterprise and Windows Backup differ
AttributeBacula EnterpriseWindows Backup
Starting price$500/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux, WebWindows
Founded20091975

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

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 Bacula Enterprise

  • Modular architecture
  • Plugin framework
  • Deduplication
  • Cloud storage
  • Encryption
  • Automated recovery testing
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

Only in Windows Backup

  • File History
  • System image backup
  • OneDrive integration
  • System restore points
  • Reset this PC
  • Recovery drive
  • OneDrive
  • Windows Server

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bacula Enterprise

  • Enterprise backup across virtual machines, databases and containersnot Windows Backup
  • Multi-cloud and hybrid backup from one systemnot Windows Backup
  • Backup where licensing by data volume would be prohibitive, since Bacula does not charge by capacitynot Windows Backup
  • Long-retention archival for regulated environmentsnot Windows Backup

Windows Backup

  • Moving folders, settings and app list to a new Windows PCnot Bacula Enterprise
  • Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Bacula Enterprise

Where each one falls short

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

Bacula Enterprise

  • Pricing is not published; the vendor asks for a request rather than listing rates
  • The differences between Enterprise and the open source Community edition are not set out on the product pages, so what the licence buys is unclear until you talk to sales
  • Aimed at data centre and enterprise environments rather than small deployments

Windows Backup

  • Folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • It requires signing in with a Microsoft account rather than a local Windows account
  • Personalization preferences are not backed up if OneDrive storage is insufficient
  • OneDrive folder syncing through Windows Backup is not available for work or school accounts, and Windows does not remember apps for those accounts
  • Device settings sync for a work or school account only if the organization allows it

Pricing, plan by plan

Bacula Enterprise

$500/year
  • Bacula Enterprise$500/year
    • Unlimited data
    • Plugin support
    • Enterprise support

Windows Backup

Free
  • Built-inFree
    • File History
    • System image
    • OneDrive sync

Which should you pick?

Choose Bacula Enterprise if

  • You need modular architecture.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want plugin framework.
Bacula Enterprise review

Choose Windows Backup if

  • You need file history.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want system image backup.
Windows Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Bacula Enterprise or Windows Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Bacula Enterprise starts at $500/year and Windows Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bacula Enterprise or Windows Backup?
Windows Backup has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $500/year for Bacula Enterprise and Free for Windows Backup.
Does Bacula Enterprise or Windows Backup run on more platforms?
Bacula Enterprise runs on Windows, Linux, Web. Windows Backup runs on Windows.
Can I use Windows Backup for free?
Yes. Windows Backup has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bacula Enterprise starts at $500/year.
What is Bacula Enterprise best used for?
Bacula Enterprise is most often used for enterprise backup across virtual machines, databases and containers, multi-cloud and hybrid backup from one system, backup where licensing by data volume would be prohibitive, since bacula does not charge by capacity, long-retention archival for regulated environments. Of those, enterprise backup across virtual machines, databases and containers and multi-cloud and hybrid backup from one system are not what Windows Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Bacula Enterprise do that Windows Backup cannot?
Bacula Enterprise covers Modular architecture, Plugin framework, Deduplication, Cloud storage. Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Both handle Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Bacula Enterprise

More on Windows Backup

Keep looking

Other head to heads