Pros & Cons
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- Many local and cloud backup options
- Much improved browser performance
- Full disk image backup and restore
- Includes file syncing
- Protects against ransomware and malicious URLs
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- Try&Decide feature doesn't work well on Windows
- Cloud sync requires installing True Image on at least two PCs
- Confusing interface
Acronis True Image Specs
| File Sharing | |
| Folder Syncing | |
| Free Storage | None |
| Number of Computers (Base Plan) | 1 |
| Private Key Encryption | |
| Protection Type | Local Backup |
| Ransomware Behavior Detection | |
| Recover Files | |
| Storage (Base Plan) | 500GB |
| Versions Kept | 999 |
| Versions Period | 99 months |
If you're looking for online backup that includes a few security tools, you'll find many attractive options in Acronis True Image. In fact, they're probably more than you need. True Image is a powerful and useful tool that saves file, folder, and disc backups to local directories, network directories, or—if you buy its Advanced or Premium plan—Acronis' proprietary cloud service. True Image's backup tools work well in testing, but some interface issues and cloud sync requirements hold it back. ArcServe ShadowProtect SPX is a less flexible option that only backs up disk images, but it's astonishingly reliable, making it an Editors' Choice winner for consumer-grade backup software.
Plans and Prices
Acronis True Image is available in three subscription-based tiers. The entry-level Essentials plan (starting at $49.99 per year) covers one PC and includes backups and restores to local and network devices, as well as ransomware protection.
Next up the ladder is Advanced (starting at $72.99 per year), which builds upon Essentials by supplying a single PC with 250GB of cloud backup. The Premium plan (starting at $124.99 per year) has 1TB of cloud backup and additional features, including blockchain file certification and digital signatures. Advanced and Premium cover Microsoft 365 files with additional malware protection as they travel from Microsoft's cloud to Acronis' cloud.
(Credit: Acronis/PCMag)You can try True Image for 30 days without providing payment information, which is a nice touch. Want priority assistance? That’s exclusive to the Premium tier. All plans let you purchase additional three- or five-year licenses for an extra fee. That's useful for a family or a very small business. Likewise, all versions have 24/7 phone, email, and chat support.
The app's starting price rests in the middle of the consumer-end backup pack. Backblaze and Carbonite provide unlimited backups for $99 and $95.99 per year, respectively. However, both services limit licenses to a single computer. IDrive's lowest-cost cloud backup tier costs just $2.95 per year for 100GB of storage, which is helpful if you're on a tight budget.
If you need disaster recovery services, forensic backup, administrator roles, or mobile device management, check out Acronis' business-focused offering, Cyber Protect ($85 per year).
Platforms, Setup, and Some Interface Issues
Acronis True Image is available for macOS and Windows on the desktop side, and Android and iOS on the mobile side (Linux isn’t supported). I tested the Windows and iOS versions.
The Windows installer is large (approximately 1GB) and doesn't let you start the program until you register for an Acronis user account. The app features a spacious and user-friendly interface, complete with seven flat tabs along the left rail. There are also large, clearly labeled buttons for various tasks. Despite its many tools, Acronis True Image is one of the most visually attractive backup services I've tested.
(Credit: Acronis/PCMag)The app displays two big icons when you create a backup, one for the source and one for the destination. To change the source, you simply mouse over its icon, click it, and pick a new one. The source can be the entire PC, individual disks or partitions, or files and folders. The destination can be another PC, an external USB drive, or a NAS drive. Acronis gives you lots of freedom in that regard.
You can also set up a backup from a mobile device, Microsoft OneDrive, or Outlook. That said, you may need to consult Acronis' online help for instructions on how to do so. You see, True Image displayed an "Open Online Dashboard" message when I tried to create a OneDrive backup. However, the dashboard didn't launch in the Resource tab, where I needed to click the "Add" button to create the OneDrive backup in the first place. I had to visit Acronis' help files to find the button. Annoying. After setting up my backups, however, it was a breeze to create a backup schedule, encrypt the backups, and determine how long to keep older backups.
As in previous versions, True Image doesn't inspire confidence in Acronis' testing and quality control. For example, if you click the Info icon on any of the 10 Tools menu buttons, you'll see information on only one of the tools—the one that creates a bootable rescue disk. If you go to the About screen on the Help tab, you won't see the app's version number. Instead, under "Version," it displays "%4, Build %3." Likewise, a link to customer support displays "%1." How certain are you that you want to trust your precious data to an app that can’t even get its version number right?
Meanwhile, some menus aren't as clear as others. For example, the Clone Disk Wizard (which lets you make a copy of your entire PC) employs a different visual style than True Image's attractive main menu, with cramped and uninformative dialog boxes.
Previous True Image versions linked to third-party tools that required payment and had no connection to the backup process. The current version, thankfully, only links to integrated apps and a few free, specialist-level tools created by Acronis users. The most useful ones include software for creating a custom emergency boot disk usable on tablets and a convenient log viewer for troubleshooting problems.
Backup, Brower, and Boot Drive Performance
In addition to local backups, True Image provides cloud-based storage for backing up or archiving files to free up disk space. It worked well in testing, syncing my folders across multiple devices and ensuring all my files were up to date. Note that the cloud backup only works if you have True Image installed on two or more computers; an Acronis rep stated that you can't use it to sync between a single computer and the cloud. If you try to sync when you’re backing up only one computer, you'll get a baffling error message saying "start Acronis True Image on your other PC, sign in, and then click 'Join sync.'"
Remember that you're sending your data to Acronis' servers if you use cloud sync (and you must maintain an Acronis account to preserve access to it). If you’re reluctant to have a third-party handle your files, you may want to consider archiving crucial data with Apple iCloud or Microsoft OneDrive. That way, the data stays within one company's confines, between its desktop OS and cloud servers.
(Credit: Acronis/PCMag)Acronis lets you access your synced and archived files from a web browser. With earlier versions, I had to wait a lengthy five minutes or more before my browser opened a list of my backup files. Now, the browser-based storage opens near instantaneously. I applaud Acronis for the improved performance.
Like Arcserve ShadowProtect, True Image lets you create an emergency boot disk to use when you need to restore a system that won’t load (or restore backups to a new hard drive). Be prepared for potential frustration when creating the emergency disk, though. The first time I tried to create one, the app reported that it failed to create the disk, and—even worse—the thumb drive I used was rendered unusable under Windows. I could only restore the drive by erasing it on a Mac. I created the disk successfully on the second try.
Another issue is that the default emergency disk created by the Acronis app can't restore a system to new hardware different from the original machine, such as a new-model motherboard. So, you must download a separate installer that creates an Acronis Universal Restore option. Including the universal-restore features in the standard emergency disk would make more sense, which is what Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX does with its emergency boot disk. Note that Acronis' Universal Restore is designed for experts who understand advanced options; laypeople may need to contact the support team for assistance.
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I created a boot drive image and used the emergency disk to restore the system. What made this operation potentially tricky was that the boot drive was formatted as a GPT (GUID Partition Table) drive, and the drive I was restoring to was formatted as a traditional MBR (Master Boot Record) drive. Typically, a GPT-to-MBR restore requires significant changes to the Registry and often works only by replacing drivers. However, Acronis performed this complex operation without a hitch.
The Questionable Try&Decide Tool
The Try&Decide feature pushes the technological envelope, making me worry about its risks. You don’t have to take my word for it—just look at Acronis’ troubleshooting and advice pages. Try&Decide lets you experiment with new software or sketchy websites and then undo the changes to your system if you don't want them. This tool appears to become increasingly insecure with each new update, as Windows continues to add security features that hinder low-level modifications. True Image's earlier versions installed Try&Decide by default; this version requires manual installation after you read a warning that it doesn't work with Windows 11's security-focused Memory Integrity feature—a tool that Windows has active by default.
(Credit: Acronis/PCMag)If you want to use the Try&Decide feature despite these alarm bells, you would be well-advised to test it by making harmless changes and then undoing them. Acronis is an innovator in backup technology, but its innovations sometimes work imperfectly in the real world.
On the upside, Acronis has long offered a Secure Zone feature that creates an encrypted hard drive partition for storing backups, protecting them from ransomware and other malware. It worked well in testing, letting me encrypt data with ease.
Data and Security
Acronis states that it uses end-to-end encryption (AES-256) to safeguard your files, ensuring the company has no knowledge of the content. You can set up a local encryption key (non-recoverable if you forget it) for each backup set, which is never sent to Acronis. The company’s data centers are protected via physical security (fences, biometric access checks, and video surveillance) and can continue operating for 48 hours in the event of power loss.
Acronis' privacy policy states that the company collects the personal information you provide (contact and payment information) and your usage data (server logs and device information). This data is used to maintain your account, contact you, and improve and tailor the services. Acronis shares this data with vendors and resellers and will give this information to law enforcement officials, provided there is a legal basis. For reference, Acronis was founded in Singapore and is now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, in the US.
(Credit: Acronis/PCMag)Malware and Ransomware Protection
Some high-end security suite products, such as Norton 360 Deluxe, include cloud backup as a component. Acronis True Image comes from the other direction, adding full-scale malware protection to its backup and sync capabilities spectrum. Although malware protection isn't this product’s primary focus, True Image promises real-time protection against malware, including "never-seen-before threats." In an earlier version, Neil Rubenking, PCMag’s malware expert, put these features to a thorough test and was impressed with most of the results.
You can access all the security features from the Protection section on the left-rail menu. This screen provides statistics on recent antivirus activity and lets you verify which Acronis protection components are active. You can launch a full antivirus scan or just a quick scan. Acronis detected several false positives on my system and quarantined a dozen perfectly innocent apps that I had built myself using the AutoIt scripting language (plus some perfectly innocent third-party apps).
It took a while to restore them, and Acronis didn't restore some to their original locations. As a result, I spent time cleaning up the mess it left. If some apps suddenly disappear after installing True Image, look for them on the Protection tab, under the Quarantine button. You should be able to restore them to their original location or, if Acronis can't restore them there, to an alternative, convenient location.
(Credit: Acronis/PCMag)Rubenking also tested an earlier version of Acronis' ransomware-protection features and was impressed with its results. For most people, macOS and Windows' integrated security tools are good enough for dependable protection. Some cautious individuals may opt for additional malware and ransomware protection from antivirus or security suites, making True Image a potentially attractive option.
Vulnerability Scans and Software Updates
You know the drill: Just when you need to use an app right away, an update request appears. You ignore it, figuring you can take care of things later. But do you? The fact is, those updates aren't just for show. A skilled hacker has likely identified a flaw in the app's code, which could expose your computer to potential security risks. Installing that security patch update fixes the flaw. Skipping it leaves you vulnerable.
True Image includes a vulnerability scan, which checks your apps daily by default and compares the installed software versions against the National Vulnerabilities Database. You can also visit the app’s Protection tab and run a manual scan at any time.
(Credit: Acronis/PCMag)On my test system, the scan identified eight vulnerabilities in the Thunderbird mail client, which were ranked by severity: Low, High, or Critical. True Image now highlights the Windows updates that your PC needs, but it doesn't enhance Windows' update features. Knowledgeable users won't need True Image's vulnerability scan, as they can obtain all the updates True Image offers and more by simply opening a Windows command prompt and entering "winget update --all." That automatically updates almost every installed desktop app.
Acronis True Image vs. Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX
If you list the features in Acronis True Image and Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX, the latter looks less impressive. ShadowProtect SPX does only one thing: it creates and restores images of one or more partitions on your disk. However, it does so reliably and consistently. ShadowProtect SPX has never failed PCMag in testing and has proven reliable in my extensive, real-world use over many years. Admittedly, its interface isn’t beginner-friendly, but the app's a powerful tool designed for experienced users and IT managers who care about their data.
Mobile Backups
Your Acronis True Image subscription includes backup features for phones and tablets, but finding the app you need may prove a bit tricky. Currently, the Apple App Store lists four Acronis apps, but the correct one for personal accounts is Acronis Mobile (formerly known as Acronis True Image, which is confusing).
The app has a clean design and backed up my phone's photos, videos, contacts, calendars, and reminders smoothly. Like many of Acronis’ features, setting up my account with the mobile app took some time, but the backup process was satisfyingly speedy and runs in the background while you do other things.
The Android and iOS apps let you back up data to Acronis' servers or local computers. In testing, the iOS app proved somewhat troublesome because it initially failed to recognize the permissions I added through the phone settings. I remedied the issue by deleting the app and reinstalling it.