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Windows Backup vs Amanda Enterprise

Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Software

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Amanda Enterprise logo

Amanda Enterprise

Software

Open-source backup trusted by enterprises

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage; Amanda Enterprise amanda Community Edition is genuinely open source, released under a mix of BSD, GPLv2, LGPL and Apache licenses with source on GitHub, but the Enterprise edition that adds central management and paid support is a separate proprietary product sold by Zmanda (a Betsol company since its 2018 acquisition); Zmanda's own pricing page returned 403 to direct fetch, so no current per-client or per-agent figure could be confirmed from the vendor directly.
  • They diverge on capability: Windows Backup covers File History, Amanda Enterprise covers Cross-platform backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Windows Backup and Amanda Enterprise actually diverge.

Attributes where Windows Backup and Amanda Enterprise differ
AttributeWindows BackupAmanda Enterprise
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux, Web
Founded19752005

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 Windows Backup

  • File History
  • System image backup
  • OneDrive integration
  • System restore points
  • Reset this PC
  • Recovery drive
  • OneDrive
  • Network shares

Only in Amanda Enterprise

  • Cross-platform backup
  • Cloud integration
  • Disk staging
  • Encryption
  • Web-based management
  • Bare metal recovery
  • AWS S3
  • Azure

Both cover

  • Windows Server
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Windows Backup

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

Amanda Enterprise

  • Data protectionnot Windows Backup
  • Disaster recoverynot Windows Backup
  • Business continuitynot Windows Backup
  • Ransomware protectionnot Windows Backup
  • Compliancenot Windows Backup

Where each one falls short

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

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

Amanda Enterprise

  • Amanda Community Edition is genuinely open source, released under a mix of BSD, GPLv2, LGPL and Apache licenses with source on GitHub, but the Enterprise edition that adds central management and paid support is a separate proprietary product sold by Zmanda (a Betsol company since its 2018 acquisition); Zmanda's own pricing page returned 403 to direct fetch, so no current per-client or per-agent figure could be confirmed from the vendor directly.

Pricing, plan by plan

Windows Backup

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

Amanda Enterprise

Free
  • Amanda Enterprise$30/month
    • Cross-platform
    • Cloud backup
    • Web console

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Amanda Enterprise if

  • You need cross-platform backup.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want cloud integration.
Amanda Enterprise review

Questions people ask

Is Windows Backup or Amanda Enterprise better?
Neither clearly leads. Windows Backup starts at Free and Amanda Enterprise at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Windows Backup or Amanda Enterprise?
Windows Backup starts at Free and Amanda Enterprise at Free.
Does Windows Backup or Amanda Enterprise run on more platforms?
Windows Backup runs on Windows. Amanda Enterprise runs on Windows, Linux, Web.
Can I use Windows Backup for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Windows Backup best used for?
Windows Backup is most often used for moving folders, settings and app list to a new windows pc, basic personal file backup for a windows home user. Of those, moving folders, settings and app list to a new windows pc and basic personal file backup for a windows home user are not what Amanda Enterprise is typically brought in for.
What can Windows Backup do that Amanda Enterprise cannot?
Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Amanda Enterprise covers Cross-platform backup, Cloud integration, Disk staging, Encryption. Both handle Windows Server, Windows support.
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