Software · head to head
Windows Backup vs Clonezilla
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; Clonezilla the destination partition must be equal to or larger than the source partition
- They diverge on capability: Windows Backup covers File History, Clonezilla covers Disk/partition imaging.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Windows Backup and Clonezilla actually diverge.
| Attribute | Windows Backup | Clonezilla |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows | Linux, Windows |
| Founded | 1975 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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
- Windows Server
Only in Clonezilla
- Disk/partition imaging
- Disk cloning
- Multicast deployment
- Multiple file systems
- Encryption support
- Unattended mode
- PXE boot
- DRBL
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 Clonezilla
- Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Clonezilla
Clonezilla
- Bare metal backup and restore of a whole disk or partitionnot Windows Backup
- Mass deployment of a disk image to many PCs over the networknot 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
Clonezilla
- The destination partition must be equal to or larger than the source partition
- Differential and incremental backup is not implemented
- Online imaging and cloning is not implemented; the partition being imaged or cloned has to be unmounted first
- The image format cannot be explored or mounted, so a single file cannot be recovered from an image
- Recovery media spanning multiple CDs or DVDs is not implemented; the recovery ISO must fit on one disc
- Clonezilla SE requires a DRBL server to be prepared in advance and the target machine to boot from the network
- Runs only on x86 or x86-64 processors and needs at least 196 MB of RAM
Pricing, plan by plan
Windows Backup
Free- Built-inFree
- File History
- System image
- OneDrive sync
Clonezilla
Free- FreeFree
- Disk cloning
- Multicast
- Multiple file systems
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 Clonezilla if
- You need disk/partition imaging.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Windows.
- You also want disk cloning.
Questions people ask
- Is Windows Backup or Clonezilla better?
- Neither clearly leads. Windows Backup starts at Free and Clonezilla at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Windows Backup or Clonezilla?
- Windows Backup starts at Free and Clonezilla at Free.
- Does Windows Backup or Clonezilla run on more platforms?
- Windows Backup runs on Windows. Clonezilla runs on Linux, Windows.
- 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 Clonezilla is typically brought in for.
- What can Windows Backup do that Clonezilla cannot?
- Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Clonezilla covers Disk/partition imaging, Disk cloning, Multicast deployment, Multiple file systems. Both handle Windows support.