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Dell EMC NetWorker vs Apple Time Machine

Dell EMC NetWorker logo

Dell EMC NetWorker

Software

Unified data protection for the enterprise

From
$80/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Time Machine logo

Apple Time Machine

Software

Built-in backup for every Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Dell EMC NetWorker the Internet Archive's capture of Dell's NetWorker page on 9 December 2023 confirmed the product is sold only through direct enterprise sales engagement, with no price figure published on the page.; 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: Dell EMC NetWorker covers ProtectPoint integration, Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dell EMC NetWorker and Apple Time Machine actually diverge.

Attributes where Dell EMC NetWorker and Apple Time Machine differ
AttributeDell EMC NetWorkerApple Time Machine
Starting price$80/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux, WebMac
Founded19841976

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 Dell EMC NetWorker

  • ProtectPoint integration
  • Instant access
  • Cloud tiering
  • Federated deduplication
  • Block-based backup
  • Virtual synthetic full
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

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.

Dell EMC NetWorker

  • 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 Dell EMC NetWorker
  • Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Dell EMC NetWorker

Where each one falls short

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

Dell EMC NetWorker

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Dell's NetWorker page on 9 December 2023 confirmed the product is sold only through direct enterprise sales engagement, with no price figure published on the page.

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

Dell EMC NetWorker

$80/month
  • NetWorker$80/month
    • ProtectPoint
    • Instant access
    • Cloud tiering

Apple Time Machine

Free
  • Built-inFree
    • Automatic backup
    • Visual restore
    • Network backup

Which should you pick?

Choose Dell EMC NetWorker if

  • You need protectpoint integration.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want instant access.
Dell EMC NetWorker review

Choose Apple Time Machine if

  • You need automatic backup.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want hourly snapshots.
Apple Time Machine review

Questions people ask

Is Dell EMC NetWorker or Apple Time Machine better?
Neither clearly leads. Dell EMC NetWorker starts at $80/month and Apple Time Machine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dell EMC NetWorker or Apple Time Machine?
Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $80/month for Dell EMC NetWorker and Free for Apple Time Machine.
Does Dell EMC NetWorker or Apple Time Machine run on more platforms?
Dell EMC NetWorker runs on Windows, Linux, Web. Apple Time Machine runs on Mac.
Can I use Apple Time Machine for free?
Yes. Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Dell EMC NetWorker starts at $80/month.
What is Dell EMC NetWorker best used for?
Dell EMC NetWorker 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 Dell EMC NetWorker do that Apple Time Machine cannot?
Dell EMC NetWorker covers ProtectPoint integration, Instant access, Cloud tiering, Federated deduplication. Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup.
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