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Backup & Disaster Recovery · head to head

Spanning Backup vs Windows Backup

Spanning Backup logo

Spanning Backup

Backup & Disaster Recovery

SaaS backup for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Windows Backup 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; Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • They diverge on capability: Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Windows Backup covers File History.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Spanning Backup and Windows Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Spanning Backup and Windows Backup differ
AttributeSpanning BackupWindows Backup
Starting price$4/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud SaaSWindows
Founded20101975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Backup & Disaster Recovery).

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 Windows Backup

  • File History
  • System image backup
  • OneDrive integration
  • System restore points
  • Reset this PC
  • Recovery drive
  • OneDrive
  • Windows Server

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 Windows Backup
  • Data protection and compliance management for Google Workspace and Salesforcenot Windows Backup

Windows Backup

  • Moving folders, settings and app list to a new Windows PCnot Spanning Backup
  • Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot 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

Windows Backup

  • Folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • It requires signing in with a Microsoft account rather than a local Windows account
  • Personalization preferences are not backed up if OneDrive storage is insufficient
  • OneDrive folder syncing through Windows Backup is not available for work or school accounts, and Windows does not remember apps for those accounts
  • Device settings sync for a work or school account only if the organization allows it

Pricing, plan by plan

Spanning Backup

$4/month
  • Spanning Backup$4/month
    • Daily backup
    • Point-in-time restore
    • Unlimited storage

Windows Backup

Free
  • Built-inFree
    • File History
    • System image
    • OneDrive sync

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.
Spanning Backup review

Choose Windows Backup if

  • You need file history.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want system image backup.
Windows Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Spanning Backup or Windows Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Spanning Backup starts at $4/month and Windows Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Spanning Backup or Windows Backup?
Windows Backup has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4/month for Spanning Backup and Free for Windows Backup.
Does Spanning Backup or Windows Backup run on more platforms?
Spanning Backup runs on Cloud SaaS. Windows Backup runs on Windows.
Can I use Windows Backup for free?
Yes. Windows Backup 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 Windows Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Spanning Backup do that Windows Backup cannot?
Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Point-in-time restore, Cross-user restore, eDiscovery. Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points.
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Related pages

More on Spanning Backup

More on Windows Backup

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