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Backup & Disaster Recovery · head to head

Windows Backup vs Axcient x360Recover

Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Axcient x360Recover logo

Axcient x360Recover

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Unified BCDR for managed service providers

From
$99/month
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: Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage; Axcient x360Recover sMR hard drives not supported and cause severe performance degradation
  • They diverge on capability: Windows Backup covers File History, Axcient x360Recover covers Chain-free backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Windows Backup and Axcient x360Recover actually diverge.

Attributes where Windows Backup and Axcient x360Recover differ
AttributeWindows BackupAxcient x360Recover
Starting priceFree$99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindowsWindows, VMware, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
CategoryUnknownBackup & Disaster Recovery
Founded19752002

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Windows Server

Only in Axcient x360Recover

  • Chain-free backup
  • AutoVerify testing
  • Instant virtualization
  • Direct-to-cloud
  • AirGap ransomware protection
  • Run local
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

Both cover

  • 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 Axcient x360Recover
  • Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Axcient x360Recover

Axcient x360Recover

  • 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

Axcient x360Recover

  • SMR hard drives not supported and cause severe performance degradation
  • Maximum 100TB per protected system in Axcient cloud storage
  • Limited recovery operations for systems using 4K disks (mount, iSCSI, and bare metal only)
  • Licensing model is complex and confusing, requiring careful mapping of servers versus workstations

Pricing, plan by plan

Windows Backup

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

Axcient x360Recover

$99/month
  • x360Recover$99/month
    • Chain-free backup
    • AutoVerify
    • Instant virtualization

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 Axcient x360Recover if

  • You need chain-free backup.
  • You work on Windows, VMware, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace.
  • You also want autoverify testing.
Axcient x360Recover review

Questions people ask

Is Windows Backup or Axcient x360Recover better?
Neither clearly leads. Windows Backup starts at Free and Axcient x360Recover at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Windows Backup or Axcient x360Recover?
Windows Backup has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Windows Backup and $99/month for Axcient x360Recover.
Does Windows Backup or Axcient x360Recover run on more platforms?
Windows Backup runs on Windows. Axcient x360Recover runs on Windows, VMware, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace.
Can I use Windows Backup for free?
Yes. Windows Backup has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Axcient x360Recover starts at $99/month.
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 Axcient x360Recover is typically brought in for.
What can Windows Backup do that Axcient x360Recover cannot?
Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Axcient x360Recover covers Chain-free backup, AutoVerify testing, Instant virtualization, Direct-to-cloud. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Axcient x360Recover: What are the RPO and RTO for x360Recover?

x360Recover delivers a recovery point objective of 15 minutes and recovery time objective of less than 1 hour, enabling rapid recovery from data loss events.

Source
Axcient x360Recover: Can x360Recover be deployed without hardware appliances?

Yes. x360Recover Direct-to-Cloud allows backup directly to Axcient Cloud, private cloud, or public cloud without requiring local appliances, providing a hardware-free deployment option.

Source
Axcient x360Recover: What platforms and cloud services does x360Recover protect?

x360Recover protects Windows, VMware, Linux, and macOS systems, as well as Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud VMs, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace data.

Source
Axcient x360Recover: Does x360Recover integrate with existing PSA and RMM tools?

Yes. x360Recover integrates with ConnectWise PSA and RMM to automate ticketing, billing, and alerts, and works with ConnectWise Asio for dashboard visibility.

Source
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Related pages

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