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We all use our computers in different ways and for different reasons. You might be a gamer, a writer, a student, or a business user. Or you may use your computer for a different reason altogether. There is one thing we all have in common though. We all have files that are important to us. They may be photos, documents, notes, or even saved game files. Keeping your important files backed up is the most impactful step that you can take to protect them.
Why It Is Important to Backup Your Files
- Ransomeware and other malware. Ransomeware and other forms of malware are an ever-present danger in our internet-dependent society. Whether you are a business or home user, you could turn on your computer to find that your own files are no longer accessible to you or that a nasty piece of malware has completely ravaged your system. No matter how careful you are new threats are being discovered every day.
- Hardware failure. Like any other machine, computers have parts that can wear out, malfunction, or break over time. Hard Drives and even Solid State Drives show their age in time and can stop working.
- Catastrophic system events. This can cover anything from file corruption to damage inflicted by malware.
- Natural disaster. What happens to your files in the event that a fire, flood, or some other natural disaster destroys your computer?
- Accidental deletion. Though many times file recovery is possible, sometimes it isn’t. If you accidentally delete something and that space in memory gets overwritten then the deleted file is lost.
Whether your files are lost or damaged through malware, hardware failure, natural disaster, catastrophic system events, or human error you need a way to bring them back. That is where backup utilities come in.
What Is AOMEI Backupper?
AOMEI has provided backup and recovery solutions since 2010. At this point, their backup software is one of the most popular out there. AOMEI Backupper is a user-friendly backup utility aimed at both home users and businesses alike.
Here are some things that AOMEI claims their backup solution can do for you:
- Complete Data Protection – “Fully protect data on your computer with system backup, file backup and sync, disk and partition backup from all-round. Multiple choices when choosing backup storage, such as external drive, flash drive, NAS, network share and clouds.”
- Set and Forget Backup – “Never worry about forgetting to backup important files with automated backup modes. Never worry about insufficient backup space since the Scheme feature will automatically delete old backups while keeping backups up to date.”
- Easy OS and Data Transfer – “User-friendly interface and professional technologies make system migration to SSD and data transferring between different drives simple and efficient, and also ensures secure boot after cloning.”
- Flexible Data Recovery – “Selectively file restore and dissimilar hardware restore help you quickly recover desired files to original or new location, or deploy system to new computer, even a bare-metal restore, without reinstalling.”
We are going to go over AOMEI Backupper’s pricing tiers and what each edition has to offer, a quick walkthrough of the interface, and answer the question of whether you should give it a try.
There are six versions of AOMEI Backupper to choose from:
Standard
- Free
- 1 PC per license.
- Tech support only during business hours.
- Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP (32/64-bit).
- Standard task execution speed.
- File, system, disk, and partition backup.
- Automatic, incremental, and sector-by-sector backup.
- Backup to local disk, external disk, USB flash drive, network/NAS, and the cloud.
- Split Image Backup (custom size not included).
- Manual and automatic sync.
- File integrity verification during synchronization.
- Source file deletion also deletes sync files.
- File, system, disk, and partition restore.
- Cloning disks.
- Clone partitions.
- SSD partition alignment.
- Sector-by-sector cloning.
- Create bootable media.
- Comment backup.
- Compress backup image.
- Check the backup image.
- View backup logs.
- Import/export backup task.
- Send task reports to your email (Standard supports only Gmail and Hotmail SMTP servers).
Professional
- $49.95
- 1 PC per license.
- Tech support 24/7/365.
- Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP (32/64-bit).
- Faster task execution speed.
- File, system, disk, and partition backup.
- Automatic, incremental, and sector-by-sector backup.
- Backup to local disk, external disk, USB flash drive, network/NAS, and the cloud.
- Backup to CD/DVD.
- Automatically delete old backup images to save space.
- Differential backup.
- Backup Dynamic Disk.
- Backup encryption.
- Split backup image including custom size.
- File filter settings.
- USB plug-in backup.
- Event-triggered backup.
- Manual and automatic sync.
- File integrity verification during synchronization.
- Source file deletion also deletes sync files.
- Files in the destination directory are kept the same as those in the source directory.
- All changes will be done at the same time on both the source and the destination directories.
- Files are monitored in real-time.
- File, system, disk, and partition restore.
- Dynamic Disk Restore.
- Universal restore to dissimilar hardware or move an OS from a physical drive to a virtual one.
- Restore NTFS permissions.
- Cloning disks.
- Clone partitions.
- SSD partition alignment.
- Sector-by-sector cloning.
- System clone.
- Adjust partition size.
- Add unallocated space to all partitions while cloning from a smaller disk to a larger one.
- Dynamic disk volume clone.
- Create bootable media.
- Comment backup.
- Compress backup image.
- Check the backup image.
- View backup logs.
- Import/export backup task.
- Explore image.
- Create a recovery environment and add it to it to Windows boot options menu.
- Disk wipe.
- Send task reports to your email.
- Merge backup images.
- Command line utility.
- Launch specific applications or scripts before starting backup/sync and after backup/sync is finished.
Workstation
- $59.95
- 1 PC per license.
- Tech support 24/7/365.
- Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP (32/64-bit).
- Faster task execution speed.
- File, system, disk, and partition backup.
- Automatic, incremental, and sector-by-sector backup.
- Backup to local disk, external disk, USB flash drive, network/NAS, and the cloud.
- Backup to CD/DVD.
- Automatically delete old backup images to save space.
- Differential backup.
- Backup Dynamic Disk.
- Backup encryption.
- Split backup image including custom size.
- File filter settings.
- USB plug-in backup.
- Event-triggered backup.
- Manual and automatic sync.
- File integrity verification during synchronization.
- Source file deletion also deletes sync files.
- Files in the destination directory are kept the same as those in the source directory.
- All changes will be done at the same time on both the source and the destination directories.
- Files are monitored in real-time.
- File, system, disk, and partition restore.
- Dynamic Disk Restore.
- Universal restore to dissimilar hardware or move an OS from a physical drive to a virtual one.
- Restore NTFS permissions.
- Cloning disks.
- Clone partitions.
- SSD partition alignment.
- Sector-by-sector cloning.
- System clone.
- Adjust partition size.
- Add unallocated space to all partitions while cloning from a smaller disk to a larger one.
- Dynamic disk volume clone.
- Create bootable media.
- Comment backup.
- Compress backup image.
- Check the backup image.
- View backup logs.
- Import/export backup task.
- Explore image.
- Create a recovery environment and add it to it to Windows boot options menu.
- Disk wipe.
- Send task reports to your email.
- Merge backup images.
- Command line utility.
- Launch specific applications or scripts before starting backup/sync and after backup/sync is finished.
- PXE boot tool.
Server
- $199.00
- 1 server per license.
- Tech support 24/7/365.
- Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP (32/64-bit).
- Support Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019 (including R2), SBS 2003, 2008, 2011.
- Faster task execution speed.
- File, system, disk, and partition backup.
- Automatic, incremental, and sector-by-sector backup.
- Backup to local disk, external disk, USB flash drive, network/NAS, and the cloud.
- Backup to CD/DVD.
- Automatically delete old backup images to save space.
- Differential backup.
- Backup Dynamic Disk.
- Backup encryption.
- Split backup image including custom size.
- File filter settings.
- USB plug-in backup.
- Event-triggered backup.
Manual and automatic sync. - File integrity verification during synchronization.
- Source file deletion also deletes sync files.
- Files in the destination directory are kept the same as those in the source directory.
- All changes will be done at the same time on both the source and the destination directories.
- Files are monitored in real-time.
- File, system, disk, and partition restore.
- Dynamic Disk Restore.
- Universal restore to dissimilar hardware or move an OS from a physical drive to a virtual one.
- Restore NTFS permissions.
- Cloning disks.
- Clone partitions.
- SSD partition alignment.
- Sector-by-sector cloning.
- System clone.
- Adjust partition size.
- Add unallocated space to all partitions while cloning from a smaller disk to a larger one.
- Dynamic disk volume clone.
- Create bootable media.
- Comment backup.
- Compress backup image.
- Check the backup image.
- View backup logs.
- Import/export backup task.
- Explore image.
- Create a recovery environment and add it to it to Windows boot options menu.
- Disk wipe.
- Send task reports to your email.
- Merge backup images.
- Command line utility.
- Launch specific applications or scripts before starting backup/sync and after backup/sync is finished.
- PXE boot tool.
Technician
- $559.20
- 1 technician / unlimited PCs per license.
- Tech support 24/7/365 priority.
- Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP (32/64-bit).
- Faster task execution speed.
- One license code can be used by a single technician to provide billable tech support as a service to unlimited clients.
- File, system, disk, and partition backup.
- Automatic, incremental, and sector-by-sector backup.
- Backup to local disk, external disk, USB flash drive, network/NAS, and the cloud.
Backup to CD/DVD. - Automatically delete old backup images to save space.
- Differential backup.
- Backup Dynamic Disk.
- Backup encryption.
- Split backup image including custom size.
- File filter settings.
- USB plug-in backup.
- Event-triggered backup.
- Manual and automatic sync.
- File integrity verification during synchronization.
- Source file deletion also deletes sync files.
- Files in the destination directory are kept the same as those in the source directory.
- All changes will be done at the same time on both the source and the destination directories.
- Files are monitored in real-time.
- File, system, disk, and partition restore.
- Dynamic Disk Restore.
- Universal restore to dissimilar hardware or move an OS from a physical drive to a virtual one.
- Restore NTFS permissions.
- Cloning disks.
- Clone partitions.
- SSD partition alignment.
- Sector-by-sector cloning.
- System clone.
- Adjust partition size.
- Add unallocated space to all partitions while cloning from a smaller disk to a larger one.
- Dynamic disk volume clone.
- Create bootable media.
- Comment backup.
- Compress backup image.
- Check the backup image.
- View backup logs.
- Import/export backup task.
- Explore image.
- Create a recovery environment and add it to it to Windows boot options menu.
- Disk wipe.
- Send task reports to your email.
- Merge backup images.
- Command line utility.
- Launch specific applications or scripts before starting backup/sync and after backup/sync is finished.
- PXE boot tool.
- Image deploy tool.
- Create a portable version.
Technician Plus
- $899.10
- 1 technician / unlimited PCs and servers per license.
- Tech support 24/7/365 priority.
- Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP (32/64-bit).
- Support Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019 (including R2), SBS 2003, 2008, 2011.
- Faster task execution speed.
- One license code can be used by a single technician to provide billable tech support as a service to unlimited clients.
- File, system, disk, and partition backup.
- Automatic, incremental, and sector-by-sector backup.
- Backup to local disk, external disk, USB flash drive, network/NAS, and the cloud.
- Backup to CD/DVD.
- Automatically delete old backup images to save space.
- Differential backup.
- Backup Dynamic Disk.
- Backup encryption.
- Split backup image including custom size.
- File filter settings.
- USB plug-in backup.
- Event-triggered backup.
- Manual and automatic sync.
- File integrity verification during synchronization.
- Source file deletion also deletes sync files.
- Files in the destination directory are kept the same as those in the source directory.
- All changes will be done at the same time on both the source and the destination directories.
- Files are monitored in real-time.
- File, system, disk, and partition restore.
- Dynamic Disk Restore.
- Universal restore to dissimilar hardware or move an OS from a physical drive to a virtual one.
- Restore NTFS permissions.
- Cloning disks.
- Clone partitions.
- SSD partition alignment.
- Sector-by-sector cloning.
- System clone.
- Adjust partition size.
- Add unallocated space to all partitions while cloning from a smaller disk to a larger one.
- Dynamic disk volume clone.
- Create bootable media.
- Comment backup.
- Compress backup image.
- Check the backup image.
- View backup logs.
- Import/export backup task.
- Explore image.
- Create a recovery environment and add it to it to Windows boot options menu.
- Disk wipe.
- Send task reports to your email.
- Merge backup images.
- Command line utility.
- Launch specific applications or scripts before starting backup/sync and after backup/sync is finished.
- PXE boot tool.
- Image deploy tool.
- Create a portable version.
AOMEI Backupper Overview
Main Screen
On the main screen you will see two very prominent buttons:
I love the simplicity of the layout. To start a backup you click the New Backup button. You will then be presented with four choices:
- System Backup – Back up Windows and create an image of the system partition.
- Disk Backup – Back up your Hard Drive or Solid State Drive to an image file.
- Partition Backup – Backup partitions or dynamic volumes to an image file.
- File Backup – Easily back up files and folders to an image file.
To synchronize your files between source and backup click the New Sync button. From there you have four options:
- Basic Sync – Easily sync changed files from the source directory to the destination directory.
- Real-Time Sync – Sync changed files from the source directory to the destination directory in real-time.
- Mirror Sync – Always keep the files in the destination directory exactly the same as the source directory.
- Two-Way Sync – Any changes in the source or destination directory will be synced to the other side.
Backup Tab
The Backup tab does the same thing as the Backup button on the main screen in that it takes you to your backup options.
The Sync Tab
The Sync tab does the same thing as the New Sync button on the main screen in that it takes you to your synchronization options.
Restore Tab
On the Restore tab, you will see a big Select Image File button. If you click it you can navigate to the image file that you want to restore.
Clone Tab
The Clone tab allows you to clone your system, disk, or partition. You are given three options:
- System Clone – Clone or migrate your system to another disk.
- Disk Clone – Clone your disk drive to another disk drive.
- Partition Clone – Clone your partition or volume from one to another.
Tools Tab
On the Tools tab, you have an impressive array of tools that you can download or add to AOMEI Backupper to choose from. They are broken down into three categories:
- Common Tools
- Backup Tools
- Free Tools
Common Tools
- Notification Settings
- Storage Management
- View Logs
- Check Image
- Import/Export Configuration
- Create Portable Version (only available in Technician Edition or higher)
Backup Tools
- AOMEI PXE Boot Tool (only available in Workstation Edition or higher)
- AOMEI Image Deploy (only available in Workstation Edition or higher)
- AOMEI Centralized Backupper
Free Tools
- Cloud Backup
- Disk Partition manager
- iPhone Backup & Transfer
- Remote Desktop
- Data Recovery
My Thoughts on AOMEI Backupper
AOMEI Backupper is an easy-to-use backup solution. When I tested it on my computer it worked fast and did exactly what it was supposed to do. I would say that it is the easiest backup utility that I have used up to this point. Let’s go over some pros and cons and then I’ll give my final verdict.
Pros:
- A minimalistic user interface.
- Straightforward and easy to use.
- Secure AES-192-bit encryption.
- File Compression.
- Scheduling options.
Cons:
- The free edition is pretty limited (though it does cover the basics).
- The free edition lacks encryption.
- Their live chat says it is for “Pre-Sales inquiries about purchase, download, license, features”.
- Support is available only through email.
- Can be pricy for the higher tier editions.
AOMEI Backupper Interface
The AOMEI Backupper UI is nothing short of perfect simplicity. I absolutely love minimalism in design. Whatever it is that you want to do, it is right in front of you when you open the application, or at worst only one click away.
AOMEI Backupper Usability
The people at AOMEI designed their Backupper software with simplicity and ease of use in mind. With this utility, you don’t have to be a techie to keep your system backed up. AOMEI Backupper works exactly as it is supposed to and it is set up to be as easy to use as possible.
AOMEI Backupper Pricing
Which edition of AOEMI that you choose will depend on your needs and budget. Here is my advice:
I highly recommend that you purchase AOMEI Backupper Professional or above. Though the free edition will take care of the backup needs of most home users, it lacks encryption to keep your files secure, support is limited to business hours, there is no differential backup, syncing is limited, and no option to clone your system. The $49.95 is well worth it for the security, 24/7 support, full-featured syncing, differential backups, and the ability to clone your whole system.
- I advise home users to purchase AOMEI Backupper Professional for $49.95. AOMEI Backupper Professional will give you all that you need to easily make a secure backup of your files and disk, and clone your system.
- If you have your own server(s) I recommend AOMEI Backupper Server for $199.00. This way you can create secure backups of your server(s).
- If you are an enterprise user you will want either AOMEI Backupper Technician or Technician Plus for the ability to provide billable technical support to unlimited clients and to deploy images to multiple computers across your network. If you run your own servers you will want AOMEI Backupper Technician Plus, otherwise, AOMEI Backupper Technician should meet your needs.
Keeping up-to-date backups is the most important thing that you can do to protect your system and important files. AOMEI Backupper is a high-quality and easy-to-use solution that will make backing up your computer a breeze. If you aren’t backing up your files I challenge you to give AOMEI a try. If you can’t afford AOMEI Backupper Professional then give the tools built into Windows a try.