Ashampoo Backup Pro 26 Review: A Solid Backup Solution with Room for Improvement

Ashampoo may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of software, but it has carved a niche for itself by delivering some highly effective tools. One such tool is Backup Pro 26, a solid and user-friendly backup solution aimed primarily at home users. While it does a good job handling the essential backup tasks, it lacks a few features that would elevate it to the level of a truly professional solution. In this review, we’ll explore what makes Backup Pro 26 a good choice for personal use and where it falls short.

Overview of Features and Backup Methodologies

Ashampoo Backup Pro 26 covers a broad range of backup methods, ensuring it meets the needs of various users. From basic file and folder backups to more advanced features like real-time backup, incremental backup, and disaster recovery, Backup Pro 26 offers robust options for safeguarding your data. The software also supports partition and drive imaging, making it versatile for both system backups and individual file storage.

Real-Time Backup: Lag Issues and Clarifications

One of the standout features in Backup Pro 26 is the real-time backup functionality. This feature is designed to initiate an instant backup whenever a file is changed. However, during testing, the real-time backup experienced significant lag, sometimes taking up to a couple of minutes to trigger. This delay raises the question of whether it should be classified as “real-time” or simply a very granular, scheduled backup system. Ashampoo describes it as real-time, but the delay suggests a level of granularity more akin to a continuous backup. At the time of this review, no clarification was provided by Ashampoo.

Backup Plan Creation: Easy or Granular

The process of creating backup plans in Backup Pro 26 is user-friendly, offering two primary options: Easy Backup and Wizard. The Easy Backup option is designed for users who need a quick and simple setup. On the other hand, the Wizard option provides more advanced customization, including detailed scheduling, backup retention rules, notifications, compression, encryption, and more. The interface for the Wizard is compartmentalized into single pages, making it easy to navigate even for beginners.

While the dual naming may be confusing, the two options essentially offer a choice between Basic and Granular backup setups. The Wizard’s step-by-step process is great for beginners, but advanced users may find it tedious due to the multiple steps. Still, both options are clear and straightforward, making it easy for new users to set up their backups with ease.

Interface and User Experience

In terms of interface, Backup Pro 26 is designed with the average user in mind. It’s intuitive and easy to navigate, though there are some areas where the process could be streamlined. For example, manual file selection requires navigating through two dialogs instead of one, which feels a bit cumbersome. However, this is a minor issue, and most users will likely spend more time performing backups than defining them.

Another notable feature is the software’s use of the .vmdk format for backup containers. This format is commonly used in virtual machines (VMs) with software like VMWare or VirtualBox. If you don’t encrypt your backups, you can attach the files directly to your VM software. However, encrypted or compressed backups require using Backup Pro itself to restore the files. Unencrypted, uncompressed backups, on the other hand, can be accessed directly through Windows Explorer, making them more convenient to browse.

Backup Restoration and Rescue Media

One of the key features of any backup software is the ability to restore backups, and Backup Pro 26 delivers in this area. The software allows you to create a rescue USB stick or CD/DVD to recover your data in the event of a disaster. However, the rescue media is restore-only, meaning you cannot create new backups from the rescue disk. While this limitation may not be significant for most users, it can be problematic if you ever need to perform a backup from an external boot disc after a failed installation.

Additionally, while Backup Pro 26 supports cloud storage destinations such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and others, it lacks support for Amazon S3 and S3-compatible services, which are popular due to their affordability and scalability. However, you can use third-party utilities to manage these cloud services if needed.

Backup Pro 26’s Strengths: Usability and Cloud Integration

Backup Pro 26 shines in its simplicity and its ability to support cloud destinations like OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox. For users looking to back up their data to the cloud, this integration is seamless and easy to set up. Furthermore, the software supports network locations as both backup sources and destinations, making it more versatile in complex networked environments.

A Few Things to Improve

Despite its strong points, there are areas where Backup Pro 26 could be improved. First, the presentation of partitions and disks when setting up a system backup could be clearer. Currently, it lists partitions in a way that isn’t as intuitive as some other backup tools, such as R-Drive Image, which groups partitions by drive. Additionally, the lack of a differential backup option is a significant drawback. Differential backups are a critical feature for many users who need to back up only the changes made since the last full backup, rather than performing a full backup each time.

Upgrade Issues and Installation Woes

While version 25 of Backup Pro ran smoothly on my test system, upgrading to version 26 caused some initial hiccups. The software struggled to communicate with its background service, an issue caused by not removing a real-time backup plan during the upgrade. If you’re upgrading from a previous version, make sure to delete any real-time backup jobs before proceeding with the installation to avoid potential issues.

Pricing and Licensing

Backup Pro 26 offers several pricing options. At the time of this review, the perpetual license was available for $33, discounted from the usual price of $66. Alternatively, you can opt for a rental plan at $18 per month. If you choose the subscription option, be mindful of the limitations with encrypted or compressed backups. If your subscription expires, you can still restore backups from the rescue disc, but you may not be able to create new backups.

Conclusion

Ashampoo Backup Pro 26 is a solid choice for users looking for a reliable and user-friendly backup solution. Its support for cloud destinations, comprehensive backup features, and easy-to-understand wizards make it an attractive option for less experienced users. However, the lack of differential backup, the limitations of the rescue disc, and the confusing partition presentation prevent it from being a fully “pro” solution. Still, with its perpetual license option and affordable pricing, Backup Pro 26 is worth considering if you’re looking for a straightforward backup tool. I recommend trying the demo and deciding for yourself whether it meets your needs.