Software · head to head
Borg Backup vs Windows Backup
Borg Backup
Software
Deduplicating archiver with compression and encryption
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Borg Backup linux, macOS and BSD only; Windows is not a supported platform; Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
- They diverge on capability: Borg Backup covers Content-defined chunking, Windows Backup covers File History.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Borg Backup and Windows Backup actually diverge.
| Attribute | Borg Backup | Windows Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Linux, Mac | Windows |
| Founded | 2015 | 1975 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 Borg Backup
- Content-defined chunking
- Deduplication
- Compression
- Authenticated encryption
- Pruning
- Mount archives
- SSH
- BorgBase
Only in Windows Backup
- File History
- System image backup
- OneDrive integration
- System restore points
- Reset this PC
- Recovery drive
- OneDrive
- Windows Server
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Borg Backup
- Deduplicated backups where daily full snapshots would otherwise be expensivenot Windows Backup
- Encrypted backup to a server you do not fully trust, since the server never sees plaintextnot Windows Backup
- Browsing previous versions by mounting an archive over FUSEnot Windows Backup
- Scripted server backups with no agent or daemon to runnot Windows Backup
Windows Backup
- Moving folders, settings and app list to a new Windows PCnot Borg Backup
- Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Borg Backup
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Borg Backup
- Linux, macOS and BSD only; Windows is not a supported platform
- Command-line only, with no graphical interface in the project itself
- Version 2.0 is still in beta, so production use means staying on the 1.4 line
- Restoring requires the Borg tooling, since archives are a deduplicated chunk store rather than plain files
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
Borg Backup
Free- FreeFree
- Deduplication
- Compression
- Encryption
Windows Backup
Free- Built-inFree
- File History
- System image
- OneDrive sync
Which should you pick?
Choose Borg Backup if
- You need content-defined chunking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Mac.
- You also want deduplication.
Choose Windows Backup if
- You need file history.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want system image backup.
Questions people ask
- Is Borg Backup or Windows Backup better?
- Neither clearly leads. Borg Backup starts at Free and Windows Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Borg Backup or Windows Backup?
- Borg Backup starts at Free and Windows Backup at Free.
- Does Borg Backup or Windows Backup run on more platforms?
- Borg Backup runs on Linux, Mac. Windows Backup runs on Windows.
- Can I use Borg Backup for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Borg Backup best used for?
- Borg Backup is most often used for deduplicated backups where daily full snapshots would otherwise be expensive, encrypted backup to a server you do not fully trust, since the server never sees plaintext, browsing previous versions by mounting an archive over fuse, scripted server backups with no agent or daemon to run. Of those, deduplicated backups where daily full snapshots would otherwise be expensive and encrypted backup to a server you do not fully trust, since the server never sees plaintext are not what Windows Backup is typically brought in for.
- What can Borg Backup do that Windows Backup cannot?
- Borg Backup covers Content-defined chunking, Deduplication, Compression, Authenticated encryption. Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points.