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Quest NetVault Backup vs Apple Time Machine

Quest NetVault Backup logo

Quest NetVault Backup

Software

Cross-platform enterprise backup solution

From
$50/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: Quest NetVault Backup as of a 15 December 2019 archived capture, Quest NetVault Backup pricing is available only on request, sold either by front-end storage capacity or by component, with component-based licensing requiring separate purchase of each module needed rather than a single bundled price; 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: Quest NetVault Backup covers Cross-platform support, Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Quest NetVault Backup and Apple Time Machine actually diverge.

Attributes where Quest NetVault Backup and Apple Time Machine differ
AttributeQuest NetVault BackupApple Time Machine
Starting price$50/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux, WebMac
Founded19871976

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 Quest NetVault Backup

  • Cross-platform support
  • Application-aware backup
  • Inline deduplication
  • Built-in scheduling
  • VMware integration
  • Bare metal recovery
  • 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.

Quest NetVault Backup

  • 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 Quest NetVault Backup
  • Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Quest NetVault Backup

Where each one falls short

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

Quest NetVault Backup

  • As of a 15 December 2019 archived capture, Quest NetVault Backup pricing is available only on request, sold either by front-end storage capacity or by component, with component-based licensing requiring separate purchase of each module needed rather than a single bundled price

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

Quest NetVault Backup

$50/month
  • NetVault Backup$50/month
    • Cross-platform
    • Application support
    • Deduplication

Apple Time Machine

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Quest NetVault Backup if

  • You need cross-platform support.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want application-aware backup.
Quest NetVault Backup 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 Quest NetVault Backup or Apple Time Machine better?
Neither clearly leads. Quest NetVault Backup starts at $50/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, Quest NetVault Backup or Apple Time Machine?
Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $50/month for Quest NetVault Backup and Free for Apple Time Machine.
Does Quest NetVault Backup or Apple Time Machine run on more platforms?
Quest NetVault Backup 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. Quest NetVault Backup starts at $50/month.
What is Quest NetVault Backup best used for?
Quest NetVault Backup 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 Quest NetVault Backup do that Apple Time Machine cannot?
Quest NetVault Backup covers Cross-platform support, Application-aware backup, Inline deduplication, Built-in scheduling. Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup.
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