10 Best Hard Drive Cloning Software For 2023 Paid Free

Cloning disks also reduces the amount of time and money you spend getting systems back up and running after a failure.

Here is our list of the ten best hard drive cloning software:

• Barracuda Intronis Backup (FREE TRIAL) This server backup system for MSPs is a SaaS package that can also create backups for virtualizations and applications. Access the 14-day free trial.
• Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office (FREE TRIAL) This package of security systems for home-based laptops and desktops includes disk cloning functions in its backup module. Installs on Windows and macOS. Access the 30-day free trial.
• Acronis Cyber Protect (FREE TRIAL) This business premises package offered by Acronis includes Acronis Backup, which can be used for disk cloning. This is a cloud-based package. Start a 30-day free trial.
• Macrium Reflect Disk backup and restore tool for Windows with incremental backups, live imaging, file, and folder level recovery, virtual booting, and more.
• Minitool Partition Wizard Free disk partition software with disk partition management for copying and recovering system data, space analysis, and more.
• EaseUS Todo Backup Free backup and recovery software with automatic data backups, incremental/full/scheduled/differential backups, backup reports, and more.
• Iperius Backup Hard drive cloning software with automatic incremental backups, cloud backups, file synchronization, and more.
• Clonezilla Open-source hard drive cloning and disk partition software for Linux for copying and restoring disk images, with custom parameters, and more.
• Paragon Hard Disk Manager Data backup and restore software with disk partitioning, automated backups, virtual disk management, incremental backups, and more.
• Active@ Disk Image Disk imaging software for creating and restoring disk images with scheduled backups, encryption, and more.

The Best Hard Drive Cloning Software

The list includes free and paid tools aimed at enterprise users on Windows, macOS, and Linux. We’ve included tools with a range of features including full disk cloning, disk partitioning, cloud storage, encryption, and anti-malware.

With these selection criteria in mind, we identified a shortlist of hard drive cloning packages that can be used for moving data or backing up systems.

Our methodology for selecting a hard drive cloning system 

We reviewed the market for hard drive cloning solutions and analyzed tools based on the following criteria:

• A service that stores and manages disk images
• A compression system to save space
• Encryption to protect images
• An automated, scheduled backup cycle
• Backup options for virtual systems
• A free trial or a demo version for a no-cost assessment opportunity
• Value for money that is represented by a comprehensive tool at a fair price or a free tool

1. Barracuda Intronis Backup (FREE TRIAL)

Barracuda Intronis Backup is a SaaS package that is run on a cloud server called the Echo Platform. This system is marketed to managed service providers through the Barracuda MSP brand. The console for the service can be white-labeled so MSP clients see the logo of their provider instead of the Echo Platform insignia.

Key features:

• Cloud storage
• Cloud service
• Strategy options
• Bare metal recovery

The Barracuda Intronis Backup system allows you to pass this tool onto your client with a markup or run your own managed backup service. Although Barracuda markets this system as “software only” plans include cloud storage space.

The Intronis system enables a double backup strategy with both local and cloud targets for repositories. That local store can be local to you or local to the client. The system can take a copy of an entire server down to the operating system or right down to the hardware. It is also capable of application-specific backups and backups for Hyper-V and VMWare virtualizations.

Barracuda offers the Intronis Backup service in three plan levels. Each is proved per SMB, meaning per MSP client but, unfortunately, the company doesn’t publish its prices. You can examine the Barracuda Intronis Backup system with a 14-day free trial.

Pros:

• A good tool to use for an extra service to pitch to your clients
• Options over what level of backup to take
• Hosted system, so you don’t need to install or maintain any software

Cons:

• No price list

Barracuda Intronis Backup Start a 14-day FREE Trial

2. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office (FREE TRIAL)

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office

is a software package that protects endpoints. The system is a bundle of modules that includes an antimalware service and a backup unit. The backup system offers a range of strategies that include file or application-level copying and disk cloning. The system also offers a number of location options for backup storage.

Key Features:

• Antimalware
• Backup and restore system
• File and application copying
• Disk cloning
• Use for replication or data migration

The Acronis system runs on an endpoint and it has been designed to suit the growing market for work from home systems. Home-based computers are often used for leisure as well as for work and so are likely to be used for access to a wider range of websites than office-located computers. This makes the computers of home-based workers more likely to encounter ransomware. The combination of antimalware and data backup provides the ideal strategy to defend against ransomware.

While the backup system maintains a complete copy of a computer’s disk in a separate location, that repository can be used to move the entire disk’s contents to another device, either as a replacement of the original or as a duplicate.

In summary, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a great choice because it also includes antimalware and a backup system. This combination of services offers value for money and it improves the security of data held on the computers of people who work from home. The package includes a range of storage options and the top plan even includes 1 TB of cloud storage space.

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is available in three editions and, apart from the base package, these include storage space on the Acronis Cloud servers. You can assess Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office with a 30-day free trial.

• Designed for individual devices

• Includes cloud storage space for backup

• Use to move contents to a different computer as well as for backup

• Protects against ransomware

• Can’t handle multiple devices

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Start 30-day FREE Trial

3. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (FREE TRIAL)

Acronis Cyber Protect is a cloud-based endpoint protection package. It is the business team’s version of the Cyber Protect Home Office bundle. This system is based in the cloud and offers a central administrator the opportunity of backing up many endpoints without having to visit each device.

• Centralized endpoint management
• Cloud service
• Options to backup cloud platforms
• Application-level backup
• Entire disk copying

The Acronis Cyber Protect package includes antimalware and patch management. It is able to backup cloud-based services, such as OneDrive or Microsoft365, so you can backup cloud drives as well as physical hard drives.

The Acronis system offers a range of backup strategies from memory dumps, application-based backups, file backups, and entire disk cloning. The storage location for the backups is also a matter of strategy. You can copy to removable storage, another on-site server, a private cloud, a public cloud platform, or to the Acronis Cloud service.

There are five plans for Acronis Cyber Protect and each has a different list of features. The tool is able to backup computers running Windows, macOS, and Linux and it can also backup mobile devices running iOS and Android.

Acronis Cyber Protect enables you to support, manage, and protect a fleet of endpoints and you can assess the system on 30-day free trial.

• Complete cybersecurity suite with antimalware, patching, and backup

• Caters to a fleet of devices

• Backs up cloud systems as well as physical disks

• Will require you to ditch your current antimalware

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Start 30-day FREE Trial

Related post: Best OS Imaging and Deployment Software

4. Macrium Reflect

Macrium Reflect is a hard drive cloning software that can back up an entire PC to a single compressed image file. The platform comes with incremental backups to reduce store usage. Macrium Image Guardian then protects your systems from malware.

• Backup entire PC to a single compressed image file
• Incremental backups
• Anti-ransomware
• Virtual booting
• Restore images to dissimilar hardware (Macrium ReDeploy)

Live imaging of physical and virtual window systems helps you make sure that all storage is up-to-date. Rapid Delta Cloning increases the speed of cloning so that you don’t have to spend hours completing backups. Rapid Delta Restore reduces recovery time to minutes and seconds.

To make the backup process easier, Macrium Reflect offers file and folder level recovery and virtual booting of backup images allows you to launch Microsoft Hyper-V virtual machines easily. You can also use the software’s compatibility with Macrium ReDeploy to restore images to dissimilar hardware.

Macrium Reflect is worth researching if you’re looking for an enterprise backup solution for Windows devices. The Workstation version starts at $75 (£56.54) and covers one PC. It is available for Windows only. You can start the 30-day free trial.

• Provides very fast copying

• Use to transfer contents to another device as well as recovery

• Backs up virtual systems as well as physical disks

• Not available for macOS or Linux

5. Minitool Partition Wizard

Minitool Partition Wizard is a free disk partition tool that enables users to partition hard drive data. With Minitool Partition Wizard you can copy and recover system data. The user interface includes controls you can use to format, delete, move/resize, split, copy, align, and explore partitions.

• Partition hard drive data
• Recover files from partitions
• Space analyzer
• Bootable media builder

There is also a range of wizards including the Copy Partition Wizard, Copy Disk Wizard, and Partition Recovery Wizard, which help guide the user through the backup process. The space analyzer allows you to monitor which files are taking up the most disk space on a hard drive. The space analyzer is useful for helping to optimize your data storage.

Mini Partition Wizard is a solid solution for enterprises in the market for a free disk partition solution. Paid versions start at $59 (£44.47) for a one-year subscription for the Pro version, which includes additional features such as copying OS disks and a bootable media builder. It is only available on Windows. You can download the free version.

• Free version available

• Includes partition management

• Disk space management and optimization

• Not available for Linux or macOS

6. EaseUS Todo Backup

EaseUS Todo Backup is a free backup and recovery tool that offers automated data backups with the option to clone or partition disks. With EaseUS Todo Backup you can run incremental, full, differential, and scheduled backups.

• Automatic data backups
• Clone or partition disks
• Incremental, full, differential, and scheduled backups
• Backup reports
• Cloud backup (Business User version)

Backup reports notify you about backup progress and alerts tell you about any disruptions to the backup process. Restoring data takes seconds with no reinstallation necessary so you can quickly return to normal operations faster after a system failure.

The paid Business User version supports backups to the cloud so you have your backup data stored wherever is best for your environment. You also have the ability to migrate OSs to SSD/HDD.

EaseUS Todo Backup is an excellent choice for enterprises that require a simple and low-cost backup and recovery solution to back up Windows devices. The Business User version costs $39 (£29.38) for a single-user license for one PC. It is only available for Windows. You can download the tool for free.

• Free for home use
• Alerts for errors encountered during backup
• Choice of backup locations

7. Iperius Backup

Iperius Backup is an image backup tool that allows you to copy entire drive images and restore Windows PCs without needing to reinstall the OS. With Iperius Backup you can conduct automatic incremental backups to store files regularly. Automatic backups can be scheduled to ensure that you always have a complete backup of all your existing data.

• Copy and restore disk images
• Incremental backups
• Cloud backup
• AES encryption
• File synchronization

For recovery, Iperius Backup enables you to recover individual files or the entire system with an Iperius Recovery Environment. You can start the system upon a Hyper-V virtual machine or restore it to hardware instead.

Iperius Backup is a good fit for SMEs looking for an automatic backup solution that’s easy to use. You can buy a lifetime license for three PCs for $69 (£51.97). It is only available on Windows. You can download the free trial from this link here.

• Automated scheduled incremental backup
• File-level recovery and file store synchronization
• Upload to your cloud account

8. Clonezilla

Clonezilla is a hard drive cloning software and disk partition solution for Linux that you can use to back up and recover systems. Clonezilla allows you to boot the software from a CD/DVD or USB flash drive in unicast. The Clonezilla lite server version enhances this by providing unicast, broadcast, multicast, and BitTorrent for higher volume deployments.

• Backup and recover systems
• Encryption from eCryptfts
• Customize boot parameters
• BitTorrent support (Clonezilla lite server)

While Clonezilla isn’t as feature-rich as some other alternatives, it gives you the option to customize boot parameters so you have complete control over the cloning process. For additional security, the tool uses eCryptfts to encrypt your data.

Clonezilla is worth taking a look at if you need an open-source hard drive cloning tool for Linux. There are three versions available; Clonezilla Live, Clonezilla lite server, and Clonezilla SE. The former only supports unicast and the latter two add additional options like broadcast and multicast for backups. Find out how to install the program here.

• Free to use

• Backup to removable storage

• Option to backup to cloud

• Only for Linux

9. Paragon Hard Disk Manager

Paragon Hard Disk Manager is a data backup tool that allows you to copy and restore an entire hard disk. With Paragon Hard Disk Manager you can back up to both physical and hyper-v machines. The software also comes with partitioning, so you can divide hard drives into partitions to optimize storage space.

• Backup and restore entire hard disks or partitions
• Incremental backups
• Scheduled backups
• Erase hard drive data
• Virtual disk management

Incremental backups are supported with the option to schedule automated backups daily, weekly, or monthly. Scheduled backups make sure you never fall behind on protecting your data. When you need to restore you can migrate your data directly to an HDD/SSD before using data sanitization algorithms to erase your hard drive data.

To support users with virtualized services, Paragon Hard Disk Manager comes with virtual disk management and a virtual-to-virtual (V2v) wizard. The V2V wizard allows you to open VMware images and convert them into VHD/VHDX so they can be used for Hyper-V or Azure.

Paragon Hard Disk Manager is a good fit for enterprises that require a backup solution with partitioning and virtual disk management capabilities. Prices start at $99 (£74.54) for one device and one year of technical support. It is only available on Windows. You can start the 30-day free trial.

• Use to move data or for backup
• Convert virtualization systems
• Scheduled incremental backup

10. Active@ Disk Image

Active@ Disk Image is a disk image tool for Windows that can clone and store disk images. With Active@ Disk Image you can create, compress, and restore disk images. The platform enables you to copy PC disks to HDD, SSD, external disks, USB drives, and CD/DVD/Bluray disks. Scheduled backups regularly update your file storage so that you have complete coverage in the event of a system failure.

• Copy and store disk images
• Compress disk images
• Scheduled backups
• AES-128, AES-192, and AES-256 encryption
• Support for Windows servers

Disk images can be backed up from a range of operating systems including Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and more. Active@ Disk Images also supports a range of hard disk drives, removable devices, and optical drives. Backed up images are kept secure under AES-128, AES-192, and AES-256 encryption.

Active@Disk Image is a reliable solution for SMEs in need of inexpensive hard drive cloning software. There is a freeware version available, but you have to upgrade to a paid version to benefit from features like incremental backups and encryption. It is only available for Windows. You can download the free version.

• Secure transfer and storage
• Data compression to save space
• Free version available

Hard Drive Cloning Software: Editor’s Choice

Regularly cloning your hard drives is imperative for ensuring your data is available in the event of a system failure. If you don’t have a backup on hand when a PC dies then you’re not going to have data available. Using hard drive cloning software to regularly make copies of your files ensures that you can recover files in the event of a disaster.

Tools like Barracuda Intronis Backup, Acronis Cyber Protect/Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud and Macrium Reflect provide you with all the basics needed to create a reliable backup of your data at a competitive price. However, before committing to a purchase we recommend conducting independent research to find the best solution for your environment.