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Duplicacy vs Apple Time Machine

Duplicacy logo

Duplicacy

Software

Lock-free deduplication cloud backup

From
Free
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

  • Each has a real cost: Duplicacy web GUI pricing tier not specified on product 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: Duplicacy covers Lock-free deduplication, Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Duplicacy and Apple Time Machine actually diverge.

Attributes where Duplicacy and Apple Time Machine differ
AttributeDuplicacyApple Time Machine
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsmacOS, Linux, WindowsMac
Founded20161976

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 Duplicacy

  • Lock-free deduplication
  • Client-side encryption
  • Multiple computers
  • Erasure coding
  • Variable-size chunking
  • RSA encryption
  • AWS S3
  • Azure

Only in Apple Time Machine

  • Automatic backup
  • Hourly snapshots
  • Visual restore interface
  • Network backup
  • Encryption
  • System restore
  • macOS
  • AirPort Time Capsule

Both cover

  • Mac support

What people use each for

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

Duplicacy

  • Client-side encrypted cloud backupsnot Apple Time Machine
  • Lock-free deduplication for efficient backup storagenot Apple Time Machine
  • Multi-destination backup supportnot Apple Time Machine

Apple Time Machine

  • Automatic versioned local backups of a Mac to an external drivenot Duplicacy
  • Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Duplicacy

Where each one falls short

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

Duplicacy

  • Web GUI pricing tier not specified on product 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

Duplicacy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Duplicacy review.

Apple Time Machine

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Duplicacy if

  • You need lock-free deduplication.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Linux, Windows.
  • You also want client-side encryption.
Duplicacy 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 Duplicacy or Apple Time Machine better?
Neither clearly leads. Duplicacy 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, Duplicacy or Apple Time Machine?
Duplicacy starts at Free and Apple Time Machine at Free.
Does Duplicacy or Apple Time Machine run on more platforms?
Duplicacy runs on macOS, Linux, Windows. Apple Time Machine runs on Mac.
Can I use Duplicacy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Duplicacy best used for?
Duplicacy is most often used for client-side encrypted cloud backups, lock-free deduplication for efficient backup storage, multi-destination backup support. Of those, client-side encrypted cloud backups and lock-free deduplication for efficient backup storage are not what Apple Time Machine is typically brought in for.
What can Duplicacy do that Apple Time Machine cannot?
Duplicacy covers Lock-free deduplication, Client-side encryption, Multiple computers, Erasure coding. Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup. Both handle Mac support.
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