The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/t90fan on 2025-04-08 14:33:24.
Hi,
I currently do (full) back ups of my OS drive and of my data drive(s) (just the important parts of those - i.e. my files/pics/music but not stuff I can just re-download like my steam library) to RDX cartridges using Acronis True Image, every 3 months, and keep these off-site at my in-laws house. The backups are compressed and encrypted.
I use 3x 500Gb cartridges each run (takes about 4 hours) and I've got 12 in total.
These are basically my in case of Ransomware/burglary/fire type backups.
This setup is generally working fine for me, for a number of years now. The problem is the software - I've been using Acronis True Image for ages (like 15-20 years, in it's various forms) but it seems to be getting worse/more expensive over time as they are a yearly subscription now (for very little improvements) and push the Cloud stuff too hard.
Having a full disk image of my OS drive which I can boot from and restore *is* useful as I have a bunch of stuff set up just the way I like for development which would be a pain to re-do if I had to reinstall from scratch. While I like being able to restore individual files easily from the data backup too.
So any recommendations for alternative software that can do the same?
Macrium Reflect looks similar but seems to be in the same hole of yearly subscription + more cloud stuff being pushed on you!