Software · head to head
Spanning Backup vs Apple Time Machine
Spanning Backup
Software
SaaS backup for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
- From
- $4/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Apple Time Machine has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Spanning Backup cloud-only deployment; no on-premise or self-hosted options available; 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: Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Spanning Backup and Apple Time Machine actually diverge.
| Attribute | Spanning Backup | Apple Time Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $4/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Cloud SaaS | Mac |
| Founded | 2010 | 1976 |
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 Spanning Backup
- Automated daily backup
- Point-in-time restore
- Cross-user restore
- eDiscovery
- Unlimited storage
- Admin delegation
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft 365
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.
Spanning Backup
- Cloud-to-cloud backup and disaster recovery for Microsoft 365 applicationsnot Apple Time Machine
- Data protection and compliance management for Google Workspace and Salesforcenot Apple Time Machine
Apple Time Machine
- Automatic versioned local backups of a Mac to an external drivenot Spanning Backup
- Restoring a Mac or migrating to a new one from a local backup historynot Spanning Backup
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Spanning Backup
- Cloud-only deployment; no on-premise or self-hosted options available
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
Spanning Backup
$4/month- Spanning Backup$4/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 Spanning Backup if
- You need automated daily backup.
- You work on Cloud SaaS.
- You also want point-in-time restore.
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 Spanning Backup or Apple Time Machine better?
- Neither clearly leads. Spanning Backup starts at $4/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, Spanning Backup or Apple Time Machine?
- Apple Time Machine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4/month for Spanning Backup and Free for Apple Time Machine.
- Does Spanning Backup or Apple Time Machine run on more platforms?
- Spanning Backup runs on Cloud SaaS. 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. Spanning Backup starts at $4/month.
- What is Spanning Backup best used for?
- Spanning Backup is most often used for cloud-to-cloud backup and disaster recovery for microsoft 365 applications, data protection and compliance management for google workspace and salesforce. Of those, cloud-to-cloud backup and disaster recovery for microsoft 365 applications and data protection and compliance management for google workspace and salesforce are not what Apple Time Machine is typically brought in for.
- What can Spanning Backup do that Apple Time Machine cannot?
- Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Point-in-time restore, Cross-user restore, eDiscovery. Apple Time Machine covers Automatic backup, Hourly snapshots, Visual restore interface, Network backup.