Best Backup Software for Mac in 2026
Apple doesn’t make it obvious, but a serious Mac backup strategy needs more than just Time Machine. Here’s what actually protects your data — from the free tools already on your Mac to the cloud services worth paying for.
Start Here: Time Machine (Free, Built In)
Every Mac backup strategy should start with Time Machine. It’s built into macOS, costs nothing, and backs up your entire system automatically every hour to an external drive or a NAS on your network.
Setup: System Settings → General → Time Machine → Add Backup Disk
The catch: Time Machine only protects against internal drive failure or accidental deletion. If your Mac and its backup drive are both in the same house during a fire, flood, or burglary, Time Machine won’t save you. It’s the right first layer, not the only one.
Best Cloud Backup for Mac
1. Backblaze Personal Backup — Best All-Round Cloud Backup
The simplest, most affordable cloud backup for Mac. Install it once and it backs up your entire Mac continuously in the background for a flat monthly fee — no storage limit, no per-file thinking required. The Mac app is genuinely lightweight and works well alongside Time Machine rather than competing with it.
Mac support: Native Mac app, unobtrusive background operation Pricing: ~£7/month or £70/year, unlimited storage
Try Backblaze Personal Backup→ Read our full Backblaze review
2. iDrive — Best for Multiple Macs and Devices
If you’re backing up more than one Mac — or a Mac plus an iPhone and a Windows PC — iDrive covers unlimited devices on a single account, with 30 versions of every file retained. Better value than paying per-device if your household or small office has several machines to protect.
Mac support: Native Mac app, iOS backup included Pricing: From ~$79.50/year (5TB, unlimited devices — priced in USD, UK cards accepted)
Get iDrive3. Acronis Cyber Protect — Best for Full System Recovery + Ransomware Protection
Acronis creates full disk images of your Mac, so a complete drive failure means restoring everything exactly as it was rather than piecing files back together. It’s Apple Silicon native and adds AI-based ransomware detection on top of standard backup — worth the extra cost if you handle sensitive client or business data.
Mac support: Apple Silicon native, full image backup Pricing: From ~£65/device/year
See latest deal→ Read our full Acronis Cyber Protect review
4. Proton Drive — Best for Private, Sensitive Files
Not a full-system backup tool, but worth knowing about if privacy is a priority. Proton Drive encrypts your files end-to-end — not even Proton can read what you store. Good for sensitive documents you want backed up but don’t want sitting unencrypted on a US-based server.
Mac support: Desktop sync app, iOS app Pricing: Free (1GB); from ~£3.99/month (200GB)
Get Proton Drive→ Read our full Proton Drive review
Best Local Backup for Mac (Beyond Time Machine)
Carbon Copy Cloner — Best for Zero Downtime
Carbon Copy Cloner is Mac-exclusive and does something Time Machine can’t: it creates a bootable clone of your Mac’s drive. If your internal drive fails, you boot directly from the clone and keep working immediately — no restore process, no waiting. A one-off purchase that pairs well with Time Machine and cloud backup as a third layer.
Mac support: Mac only, Apple Silicon native, bootable clones Pricing: ~£35 one-time purchase
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Mac App Quality | Price From | Cloud | Bootable Clone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time Machine | Local | Built in | Free | ❌ | ❌ |
| Backblaze Personal | Cloud | Excellent | £7/month | ✅ | ❌ |
| iDrive | Cloud | Good | ~$79.50/year | ✅ | ❌ |
| Acronis Cyber Protect | Cloud + image | Good | £65/year | ✅ | ❌ |
| Proton Drive | Cloud (encrypted) | Good | Free / £3.99/month | ✅ | ❌ |
| Carbon Copy Cloner | Local | Excellent | £35 one-off | ❌ | ✅ |
The Right Setup for Your Situation
Just want simple, complete protection: Time Machine (local) + Backblaze Personal (cloud) — covers hardware failure and disasters for about £7/month total.
Backing up more than one Mac, or a mix of Mac and other devices: Time Machine locally on each Mac + iDrive for cloud, since one iDrive account covers every device.
Can’t afford any downtime (business use, client work): Add Carbon Copy Cloner for a bootable clone alongside Time Machine and your cloud backup — three layers, near-zero recovery time.
Handling sensitive client or business data: Acronis Cyber Protect for full-image backup with ransomware detection, or Proton Drive for end-to-end encrypted file storage specifically.
Our Top Picks
- Best overall (local + cloud): Time Machine + Backblaze Personal
- Best for multiple Macs/devices: iDrive
- Best for zero downtime: Carbon Copy Cloner
- Best for business/ransomware protection: Acronis Cyber Protect
- Best for private, sensitive files: Proton Drive
Try Backblaze Personal Get iDrive
Last updated: July 2026. Pricing and features subject to change — always check vendor sites for current information.
→ See our full backup software roundup (Windows, Mac, and business)