Software · head to head
CloudAlly vs Apple Time Machine
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CloudAlly pricing not transparently displayed; requires customer inquiry; 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
- They diverge on capability: CloudAlly covers Automated daily backup, Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CloudAlly and Apple Time Machine actually diverge.
| Attribute | CloudAlly | Apple Time Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Platforms | Web, Cloud | Mac |
| Founded | 2011 | 1976 |
Identical on both: starting price (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 CloudAlly
- Automated daily backup
- Point-in-time recovery
- Cross-account restore
- Archive export
- Activity logs
- Multi-admin support
- Microsoft 365
- Google Workspace
Only in Apple Time Machine
- Automatic backup
- Hourly snapshots
- Visual restore interface
- Network backup
- Encryption
- System restore
- macOS
- AirPort Time Capsule
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CloudAlly
- Data protectionnot Apple Time Machine
- Disaster recoverynot Apple Time Machine
- Business continuitynot Apple Time Machine
- Ransomware protectionnot Apple Time Machine
- Compliancenot Apple Time Machine
Apple Time Machine
- Automatic versioned local backups of a Mac to an external drivenot CloudAlly
- Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot CloudAlly
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CloudAlly
- Pricing not transparently displayed; requires customer inquiry
- Limited visibility into data center locations for compliance-sensitive organizations
- Transition to OpenText Cybersecurity branding may cause confusion
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
Pricing, plan by plan
CloudAlly
Free- CloudAlly Backup$3/month
- Daily backup
- Point-in-time restore
- Unlimited storage
Apple Time Machine
Free- Built-inFree
- Automatic backup
- Visual restore
- Network backup
Which should you pick?
Choose CloudAlly if
- You need automated daily backup.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Cloud.
- You also want point-in-time recovery.
Choose Apple Time Machine if
- You need automatic backup.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Mac.
- You also want hourly snapshots.
Questions people ask
- Is CloudAlly or Apple Time Machine better?
- Neither clearly leads. CloudAlly starts at Free and Apple Time Machine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CloudAlly or Apple Time Machine?
- CloudAlly starts at Free and Apple Time Machine at Free.
- Does CloudAlly or Apple Time Machine run on more platforms?
- CloudAlly runs on Web, Cloud. Apple Time Machine runs on Mac.
- Can I use CloudAlly for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is CloudAlly best used for?
- CloudAlly is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Apple Time Machine is typically brought in for.
- What can CloudAlly do that Apple Time Machine cannot?
- CloudAlly covers Automated daily backup, Point-in-time recovery, Cross-account restore, Archive export. Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
CloudAlly: What cloud applications can CloudAlly backup?
CloudAlly backs up Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, SharePoint/OneDrive, Salesforce, Box, and Dropbox with daily automated backups and unlimited retention.
SourceCloudAlly: How is CloudAlly data encrypted and stored?
CloudAlly stores backups on AWS servers with 128-bit SSL encryption and AES 256-bit encryption, maintaining compliance certifications including ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR.
SourceCloudAlly: What recovery options does CloudAlly provide?
CloudAlly offers granular point-in-time recovery with unlimited retention, allowing three-click recovery of deleted files, and point-in-time restore capabilities for ransomware protection.
Source