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Backup & Disaster Recovery · head to head

Windows Backup vs Bacula Enterprise

Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Bacula Enterprise logo

Bacula Enterprise

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Open-source enterprise backup solution

From
$500/year
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; Bacula Enterprise pricing is not published; the vendor asks for a request rather than listing rates
  • They diverge on capability: Windows Backup covers File History, Bacula Enterprise covers Modular architecture.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Windows Backup and Bacula Enterprise differ
AttributeWindows BackupBacula Enterprise
Starting priceFree$500/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux, Web
Founded19752009

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 Windows Backup

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

Only in Bacula Enterprise

  • Modular architecture
  • Plugin framework
  • Deduplication
  • Cloud storage
  • Encryption
  • Automated recovery testing
  • 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 Bacula Enterprise
  • Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Bacula Enterprise

Bacula Enterprise

  • Enterprise backup across virtual machines, databases and containersnot Windows Backup
  • Multi-cloud and hybrid backup from one systemnot Windows Backup
  • Backup where licensing by data volume would be prohibitive, since Bacula does not charge by capacitynot Windows Backup
  • Long-retention archival for regulated environmentsnot 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

Bacula Enterprise

  • Pricing is not published; the vendor asks for a request rather than listing rates
  • The differences between Enterprise and the open source Community edition are not set out on the product pages, so what the licence buys is unclear until you talk to sales
  • Aimed at data centre and enterprise environments rather than small deployments

Pricing, plan by plan

Windows Backup

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

Bacula Enterprise

$500/year
  • Bacula Enterprise$500/year
    • Unlimited data
    • Plugin support
    • Enterprise support

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 Bacula Enterprise if

  • You need modular architecture.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want plugin framework.
Bacula Enterprise review

Questions people ask

Is Windows Backup or Bacula Enterprise better?
Neither clearly leads. Windows Backup starts at Free and Bacula Enterprise at $500/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Windows Backup or Bacula Enterprise?
Windows Backup has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Windows Backup and $500/year for Bacula Enterprise.
Does Windows Backup or Bacula Enterprise run on more platforms?
Windows Backup runs on Windows. Bacula Enterprise runs on Windows, Linux, Web.
Can I use Windows Backup for free?
Yes. Windows Backup has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bacula Enterprise starts at $500/year.
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 Bacula Enterprise is typically brought in for.
What can Windows Backup do that Bacula Enterprise cannot?
Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Bacula Enterprise covers Modular architecture, Plugin framework, Deduplication, Cloud storage. Both handle Windows support.
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