Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Data Centers

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

By Jack Wallen February 22, 2013, 3:41 AM PST

Image
1
of 10

a1_backupmaker_1.png
a1_backupmaker_1.png
Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Backup Maker 1

Backup Maker 1

ntThis gallery is also available as a post in the Five Apps Blog.

n

ntIt’s simple: If you’re not backing up your data, at some point you’re going to regret that mistake. For many medium to large businesses, data is typically backed up via shared directories on a server. But for smaller companies, or end users who have needs outside of shared directories, it’s nice to know there are backup tools that can be installed, free of charge, and can handle one, simple task: Backup your desktop data.

n

ntI’m not talking about applications with bells and whistles to suit every need. What I’m looking for are applications that can do one job and do it dependably. In my quest to find a backup tool to meet these needs, I came across five that could happily recommend. Let’s take a look at these tools and see which, if any, will do the job you need done.

n

ntnn

n

ntFive Apps

n

ntThere is one caveat to some of these tools – for a few, the free version is assumed for private use only. The business versions of the same tools can be acquired, for a small price.

n

nt1. Backup Maker

n

ntBackup Maker is one of those tools you need if what you’re looking for is simplicity and security. Backup Maker handles your desktop backups with an interface that nearly anyone (with any level of experience) can use.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Backup Maker 2

Backup Maker 2

ntThis tool easily handles compression and even offers strong encryption (AES 256-bit). Backup targets can be anything from USB drives, FTP (passive or FTP over SSL), or CD/DVD. Backup Maker even supports spanning backups (splitting larger backups into multiple files). The personal edition is free. If you need to dive in for a professional license, it will set you back $66.63 USD. Backup Maker works with Windows XP, 7, Vista, and 8.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Genie Timeline 1

Genie Timeline 1

nt 

n

nt2. Genie Timeline 2012

n

ntGenie Timeline 2012 has one of the most simplistic interfaces you’ll find (bested only by the Linux-only Deja Dup) and is about as close to ‘set it and forget it’ as any backup can be. Although the free version of Genie is very limited in scope and feature, it will reliably backup desktop data with just a few, quick clicks.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Genie Timeline 2

Genie Timeline 2

ntOne of the nice features of Genie is that it can back up both unlocked and locked files (though I wouldn’t depend upon a tool like this for a machine that runs a local database, such as MySQL). Genie Timeline offers an incredibly easy way to exclude files u2013 called the No Backup Zone. Simply drag and drop files into this folder and they will not be backed up. Genie Timeline is available for Windows XP, 7, Vista, and 8.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

FBackup 1

FBackup 1

nt 

n

nt3. FBackup

n

ntFBackup is a nice and easy backup, with minimal features and maximum reliability. You can set FBackup for hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly intervals. The major limitation with Fbackup is that you do not get an option for either incremental or differential backups u2013 all you get is full or mirror.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

FBackup 2

FBackup 2

ntProbably the one feature that won me over to FBackup is the application specific plugin. What the developers have done is set up plugins that enable quick and easy backups for popular applications. For example, there is an Email plugin that will backup popular email applications (like Thunderbird and Outlook). This feature should win over anyone that doesn’t want to spend a great deal of time setting up backups. FBackup is available for Windows XP, 7, Vista, and 8.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Lucky Backup 1

Lucky Backup 1

nt 

n

nt4. LuckyBackup

n

ntLuckyBackup is the first of the Linux backups on the list. This is my personal backup solution of choice. Not only is it incredibly easy to use, it is also as flexible as the platform it backs up.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Lucky Backup 2

Lucky Backup 2

ntLucky Backup features: Backup or syncing directories; create snapshots of data; test-run system; exclude system; add/remove rsync options; execute user specific commands upon successful run; easy restore; and much more. Lucky Backup does not include its own scheduler, but works with the Linux cron system to create scheduled backups. With Lucky Backup you can create different profiles, so you can group backup jobs together for granular setup. Luck Backup runs on most all modern Linux systems.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Deja Dup 1

Deja Dup 1

nt 

n

nt5. Deja Dup

n

ntDeja Dup is the aforementioned backup with one of the minimal interfaces you will find on an application. Although Deja Dup offers an incredibly simple interface u2013 it does offer plenty of features. With very little setup, you can have your data backed up to an attached drive or a cloud service (such as Amazon S3, Rackspace Cloud Files, and Ubuntu One). By default, Deja locally encrypts and compresses your data and does incremental backups. If you’re looking for one of the easiest ways to back up your Linux desktop data, you will not find an easier option than Deja Dup. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find an easier solution, regardless of platform.

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Deja Dup 2

Deja Dup 2

nt 

n

ntBottom line

n

ntIf you have to ask the question “Should I be backing up my data?” you are in the wrong industry and should return to using tin cans and stone tablets. The ultimate question should not be if you’ll lose data, but when you’ll lose data. Even if you’re shared drives are backed up on a server, you might need to backup specific local directories u2013 or your business is a one man band in a home office and your budget for such software is next to zero. No matter the case, give one of these solutions a look and see if it will handle the task at hand.

n

ntAlso read:

n

    nt

  • nttHow do I back up my important data with Yadis Backup?
  • nt

  • nttCloud backup and disaster recovery: The Zetta approach
  • nt

  • nttFive backup and disaster recovery tools you might have missed
  • n

n

ntCredit: Images by Jack Wallen for TechRepublic

  • Data Centers
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

    Your email has been sent

Share: Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools
Image of Jack Wallen
By Jack Wallen
Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, The New Stack, and Linux New Media. He's covered a variety of topics for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of open source. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.
  • Account Information

    Contact Jack Wallen

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Jack's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×