Carbon Copy Cloner
Scheduled backups of your Mac to an external drive
The verdict
Time Machine is free and automatic, but Carbon Copy Cloner gives you real control over when and what gets copied to your external drive, plus snapshots that bring back a file as it looked days ago. It copies only what changed and runs a health check that verifies every backed-up file. The $49.99 license covers every Mac in your household, though SuperDuper makes plain full copies for free.
Get it if
You want a backup drive you can schedule and check yourself, not one you just trust Time Machine with.
Skip it if
You are content with Time Machine, which already backs up your Mac automatically at no cost.
Screenshots 2
What it helps you do
- Back up to an external drive automatically
- Bring back a file from an earlier snapshot
- Move everything to a new Mac
- Catch damaged backup files before you need them
Plans and prices
Personal & Household
$49.99$49.99 once, covers every Mac in 1 household for non-commercial use
Upgrade
25 to 50% off for owners of an older version
What changed
Version 7.2.2
Added to The Useful Apps
Pick something else if
BackblazePick it if you have no copy of your photos and documents outside your home and want one kept for you.From $9
ArqPick it if you already pay for cloud storage and want encrypted, versioned backups sent there.$59.99 once
SuperDuper!Pick this if you want a free, full spare copy of your Mac on a drive in a drawer.Free to start
Carbon Copy Cloner head to head
The details
- Runs on
- Mac
- Requires
- macOS 13 or later
- Version
- 7.2.2
- Free trial
- Try the paid version first
Developer's websiteSpot a wrong price or fact?