Backup & Disaster Recovery · head to head
Windows Backup vs Borg Backup
Windows Backup
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Built-in backup and recovery for Windows
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Borg Backup
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Deduplicating archiver with compression and encryption
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; Borg Backup linux, macOS and BSD only; Windows is not a supported platform
- They diverge on capability: Windows Backup covers File History, Borg Backup covers Content-defined chunking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Windows Backup and Borg Backup actually diverge.
| Attribute | Windows Backup | Borg Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows | Linux, Mac |
| Founded | 1975 | 2015 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 Borg Backup
- Content-defined chunking
- Deduplication
- Compression
- Authenticated encryption
- Pruning
- Mount archives
- SSH
- BorgBase
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 Borg Backup
- Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Borg Backup
Borg Backup
- Deduplicated backups where daily full snapshots would otherwise be expensivenot Windows Backup
- Encrypted backup to a server you do not fully trust, since the server never sees plaintextnot Windows Backup
- Browsing previous versions by mounting an archive over FUSEnot Windows Backup
- Scripted server backups with no agent or daemon to runnot 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
Borg Backup
- Linux, macOS and BSD only; Windows is not a supported platform
- Command-line only, with no graphical interface in the project itself
- Version 2.0 is still in beta, so production use means staying on the 1.4 line
- Restoring requires the Borg tooling, since archives are a deduplicated chunk store rather than plain files
Pricing, plan by plan
Windows Backup
Free- Built-inFree
- File History
- System image
- OneDrive sync
Borg Backup
Free- FreeFree
- Deduplication
- Compression
- Encryption
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.
Choose Borg Backup if
- You need content-defined chunking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Mac.
- You also want deduplication.
Questions people ask
- Is Windows Backup or Borg Backup better?
- Neither clearly leads. Windows Backup starts at Free and Borg Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Windows Backup or Borg Backup?
- Windows Backup starts at Free and Borg Backup at Free.
- Does Windows Backup or Borg Backup run on more platforms?
- Windows Backup runs on Windows. Borg Backup runs on Linux, Mac.
- 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 Borg Backup is typically brought in for.
- What can Windows Backup do that Borg Backup cannot?
- Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Borg Backup covers Content-defined chunking, Deduplication, Compression, Authenticated encryption.