Clonezilla vs Macrium Reflect – Review Updated Mar 2024
A disk image is a full copy of everything on your computer’s hard drive. It helps keep fixing your computer if anything terrible happens or restore the image on multiple machines quickly.
There are many ways to make disk images, but two good and free ones are Clonezilla vs Macrium Reflect. They work on Windows, Linux or Mac computers. They can create and restore images from local and network drives, USB devices or optical media.
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But Clonezilla vs Macrium Reflect have some differences you should consider before picking one. In this guide, we will look at these differences. We will compare how easily or complicated it is for them to create a disk image, how fast they run, how well they work with other things, and more!
Clonezilla
Free
What We Like:
- Feature-rich open-source cloning & imaging software
- Supports various file systems across different OS platforms
- Offers single-machine and network cloning options
- Includes encryption, compression, and cloning choices
- Command-line interface for custom configurations
What We Don't Like:
- Text-based interface can be overwhelming for beginners
- Limited ability to edit or resize partitions during cloning
- Requires time and effort to master, particularly for new users
- Support primarily community-based, lacks formal customer service
Clonezilla is well-suited for:
- IT Professionals and System Administrators: Clonezilla proves invaluable for managing extensive deployments across multiple machines, thanks to its advanced features and multicasting capabilities.
- Experienced Users: Individuals with technical proficiency find Clonezilla beneficial due to its versatile options and command-line control.
Macrium Reflect:
Starting £36 (Mar 2024)
What We Like:
- Robust disk cloning & imaging software
- Supports various file systems and operating systems
- Offers single-machine and network cloning options
- Efficient encryption, compression, and incremental backup
- User-friendly graphical interface for all experience levels
What We Don't Like:
- Available only for Windows users
- Limited flexibility in restoring individual files or folders
- Paid versions require ongoing subscriptions for updates and support
Macrium Reflect is suitable for:
- Casual Users and Small Businesses: Macrium Reflect is perfect for those looking for a reliable and straightforward imaging solution without the need for advanced features.
- Users Seeking a Balance: Individuals who want a balance between simplicity and functionality, willing to explore additional features in premium versions.
Features and Functionality:
Feature/Aspect | Clonezilla | Macrium Reflect |
Primary Function | Disk Imaging and Cloning | Partition Management |
User Interface | Command-line | Graphical User Interface (GUI) |
Operating System Support | Linux-based, boots from USB or CD/DVD | Windows-based |
Filesystem Support | EXT2, EXT3, EXT4, FAT, NTFS, and more | FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, Ext2, Ext3, Ext4 |
Disk Cloning | ✅ Yes (Disk-to-Disk) | ✅ Limited in Version |
Partition Cloning | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Partition Resizing | ✅ Limited | ✅ Yes |
Partition Merging/Splitting | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Data Recovery | ✅ Limited (Whole disk or partition only) | ✅ Limited in Version |
Data Encryption | ✅ Yes | ✅ No |
Mass Deployment | ✅ Yes | ✅ No |
Disk Benchmarking | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Disk Health Monitoring | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Filesystem Conversion | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (FAT to NTFS and vice versa) |
Speed of Cloning or Imaging | Faster (only copies used sectors) | Slower (copies all sectors) |
User-Friendliness | Best for experienced users | Suitable for both beginners and advanced users |
Cost | Free/Open-source | 30 Days free trail available on all the products. |
Clonezilla, an open-source tool, specialises in crafting and recovering disk images in formats like raw, NTFS, or part images. It adeptly generates images for partitions or entire disks and enables multicasting, facilitating simultaneous image creation for multiple machines across a network.
Clonezilla seamlessly operates from a live CD/DVD, USB drive, or as a server edition. Although the interface is text-based, some fundamental technical skills are required to become familiar with its commands.
What is Macrium Reflect? It is proprietary software that excels at crafting and restoring disk images in VHD, VHDX, or MRIMG formats. It skillfully captures images of partitions or entire disks and efficiently supports incremental and differential backups to store changes since the last backup.
Macrium Reflect flexibly runs from a Windows installation or rescue media, offering a user-friendly graphical interface for easy navigation and utilisation.
User Interface and Ease of Use
When picking disk imaging software, its ease of use and friendliness can make your choice different. The screen part, with menus and more things you can touch or point at, really matters.
Also important is how easy it is for people to use the software—if they find it simple, like putting together a puzzle of shapes children play with, they will get results faster.
Clonezilla:
Clonezilla takes a different approach with its Linux-based design, requiring booting from a CD, DVD, or USB drive. It adopts a text-based interface that relies on keyboard input for option selection.
While this robust functionality exists, beginners or casual users might perceive it as less user-friendly. Some advanced options may also challenge those less familiar with technical intricacies.
Macrium Reflect:
Macrium Reflect is a Windows-based software that seamlessly operates within the operating system or from a bootable media. It offers a graphical interface that combines mouse and keyboard interactions.
The interface design is simple, with a clear layout that enhances understanding and usability. Macrium Reflect is more approachable for users who prefer a more visually intuitive experience.
Use Case: Clonezilla vs Macrium Reflect
When it comes to using Clonezilla and Macrium Reflect, they are all about taking pictures of your hard disks. However, how they do these tasks varies, and which version works better in different situations.
Clonezilla:
- Disk Cloning: Clonezilla excels at copying entire disk configurations, allowing for precise duplication of either the entire disk or specific portions. This capability is beneficial when transferring a system to a new device or maintaining consistent settings across multiple machines simultaneously.
- System Backup and Recovery: Clonezilla proficiently creates disk images to safeguard copies of the entire system or specific components, ensuring a swift return to a stable state in case of computer issues or data corruption.
- Multicasting: Clonezilla’s standout feature is its ability to use multicasting, which enables the simultaneous cloning of numerous machines over a network. This streamlined process saves time and effort and is particularly useful for companies or scenarios requiring identical computer images on multiple machines.
- Advanced Options: Clonezilla offers additional choices for users with technical knowledge, supporting Logical Volume Management (LVM) and enabling internet-based utilisation. This active approach proves particularly advantageous for more advanced and intricate use cases.
Is Clonezills safe? Yes, Clonezilla is safe to use for disk cloning. It’s open-source software that has been around for a long time and has a strong reputation in the tech community.
Macrium Reflect:
- Disk Imaging: Macrium Reflect actively creates disk images to secure and recover lost data efficiently. It swiftly captures a snapshot of the entire system or specific components, facilitating quick resolution of computer issues.
- Incremental and Differential Backups: Macrium Reflect facilitates step-by-step and time-difference backups. This intelligent approach allows users to keep updates from the last backup efficiently, contributing to optimised storage space and reduced backup times.
- User-Friendly Interface: Macrium Reflect has an easy-to-use interface and is suitable for many people. It’s good for those who like simple, accessible experiences with computer programs.
- Flexibility in Operation: Macrium Reflect provides users with adaptable data backup and recovery options, offering flexibility by operating seamlessly within the Windows system or through startup discs.
Pricing and Subscriptions: Macrium Reflect Vs Clonezilla
Understanding the costs of disk cloning software is crucial for individual users and organisations. Clonezilla and Macrium Reflect present distinct approaches to pricing and subscriptions, addressing diverse budget considerations and use cases.
Clonezilla:
- Cost Structure: Clonezilla Live is freely available as open-source software, making it attractive to individuals, businesses, and educational institutions.
- Professional Assistance: While the core software is free, users may opt for professional assistance or customised solutions, potentially involving third-party vendors. These services incur additional costs based on specific needs, either as a one-time setup fee or an ongoing charge.
Macrium Reflect:
Macrium Reflect Retied is a freemium product, but you will get a 30-day trial without any cost for essential disk cloning and management, perfect for personal or small-scale business use.
Below is the pricing and the features that come along with it.
Edition | License Type | Price (Single PC) | Features | Support |
Home Edition | One-time purchase | $39.99 | * Basic backup and restore * chedule backups * Image reation * Bootable backups * File and folder exclusion * Email notifications | 1 year included, renewable |
Annual plan | $79.99 | All Home Edition features + * Access to all future releases * Premium support with same-day response * One free setup call | Included throughout subscription | |
Workstation Edition | One-time purchase | $135 | All Home Edition features + * Image verification * Application deployment * Partitioned backups * Virtual drive creation * ReDeploy (bare-metal restore) | 1 year included (minor version upgrades), major upgrades require purchase |
Workstation Edition | Annual plan | $65 | All Workstation Edition features + * Access to all future releases * Premium support with same-day response * One free setup call | Included throughout subscription |
Workstation Plus | One-time purchase | $1080 | All Workstation Edition features + * Advanced ransomware protection: Macrium Image Guardian shields backups from unauthorised access and encryption. * Application-aware backups: Ensures consistent backups for open applications and databases. * Flexible scheduling options: Schedule backups based on specific events or triggers. * Enhanced restore capabilities: Granular file and folder recovery, along with virtual machine creation from backups. | 1 year included (minor version upgrades), major upgrades require purchase |
Workstation Plus | Annual plan | $550 | All Workstation Plus features + * Access to all future releases * Premium support with same-day response * One free setup call | Included throughout subscription |
In Macrium Reflect Free vs Paid version, Macrium Reflect’s free version offers basic disk imaging. The paid version, however, provides advanced features like incremental backups, ransomware protection with Macrium Image Guardian, a faster restore process with Rapid Delta Restore, and file and folder backup. Your choice depends on your needs and budget.
Customer Support and Documentation: Clonezilla vs Macrium Reflect
When evaluating disk cloning software, dependable customer support and thorough documentation are crucial in ensuring a seamless user experience. Let’s see how Clonezilla and Macrium Reflect measure up in these essential aspects:
Clonezilla Customer Support
Clonezilla is free and open to all, meaning users must provide official help. However, it compensates for this by facilitating an active user community.
This group engages extensively in internet forums, mailing lists, and other online places. It enables people to ask questions or help others find answers to usual problems.
Clonezilla Documentation
Clonezilla is proud of its long, detailed writings. There are many areas connected to the software. There are helpful guides for setting up things and explanations of complex parts.
Users can get essential tools that help people who have just started learning and those with excellent tech skills.
Macrium Reflect Customer Support
Macrium Reflect provides limited customer support through email. While it may not match the support level of its paid counterparts, users can still reach out for assistance with specific issues.
It’s important to note that response times may vary, and users should set their expectations accordingly.
Macrium Reflect Documentation
Macrium Reflect has excellent documents. Its knowledge base gives many valuable details about using it correctly and makes things more accessible for people who want more information before using the program.
This helpful tool gives people the answers to often-asked questions and works well on everyday problems. Furthermore, our data is made better with guides and lesson plans. These help people efficiently use all the software parts without any issues.
Clonezilla relies on an active user community and detailed documentation, promoting collaboration and self-help. Macrium Reflect offers limited direct support and provides a well-structured knowledge base.
Users preferring community-driven assistance may choose Clonezilla, while those desiring formal support and detailed documentation may opt for Macrium Reflect.
How To Clone Hard Disk With Clonezilla
Let’s walk through how to create an image of your hard disk using Clonezilla. It’s a straightforward process:
- Download Clonezilla Live and create a bootable USB drive.
- Boot your computer from the Clonezilla USB.
- In the boot menu, select Clonezilla Live with default VGA settings.
- Keep the language and keyword setting to default.
- Choose “Start Clonezilla” to initiate the cloning process.
- Opt for the “device-to-image” option to create a disk image.
- Select the “local_dev” to use the local device to store the image.
- Press “Enter” to continue
- Check that your source and target disk are listed here. To confirm, Press ctrl+c on your keyword.
- Choose the target disk.
- Maintain default settings unless specific customisation is needed.
- Choose the location to store the image file.
- Press Enter to confirm
- Select “Beginner mode” for a user-friendly experience.
- Choose the “savedisk” option to save the local disk as an image.
- Name your image or hit enter to keep the default setting.
- Confirm the source disk from which you create an image (your source disk).
- Connect and select your destination for storing the disk image.
- Maintain default settings unless specific customisation is needed.
- Select the reboot/power off option and press enter.
- Review your choices, and press Y on your keyboard to confirm.
- The imaging process will commence—wait for its completion.
- After completion, remove the Clonezilla USB and source disk if required.
- Change your BIOS/UEFI settings to boot from the newly imaged disk if needed.
- Power on your device and ensure the cloned disk functions as intended.
You have successfully created the image of your hard disk with Clonezilla software. Now you can turn On your device and verify that the disk image is working as expected.
You have successfully created the image of your hard disk with Clonezilla software. Now you can turn On your device and verify that the disk image is working as expected.
How To Clone Hard Disk With Macrium Reflect:
Creating a disk image using Macrium Reflect is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:
- Start by downloading Macrium Reflect from the official website. Follow the installation instructions to set up the software on your system.
- Open the Macrium Reflect application on your device.
- Select the source disk which you want to image.
- Click on the “Image this disk” Button.
- If you have multiple disks, ensure you select the correct source disk.
- Set the Destination Folder to store the image and give a name for your image.
- Click on the Next button to continue.
- Here, you can see that Macrium Reflect offer multiple choices to manage your image backup. Select a backup template based on your requirements and set the retention policy.
- Click on Next
- Review the Setting; once confirmed, click on the Finish Button.
- You can save the backup option for later use. Click OK to Confirm.
- Based on the disk size and performance, the timing for the imaging process will vary.
- Now click OK to close.
- Now verify the created image.
Following the above steps, you successfully created a disk image using Macrium Reflect software.
Would you prefer a visual guide? Watch our step-by-step YouTube tutorial for detailed instructions on cloning your hard disk using Clonezilla and Macrium Reflect.
Why Do We Need Cloning Software?
Imagine your computer crashes, and you lose all your important files, precious memories, and work documents. Disk cloning software emerges as a lifesaver, saving the day by creating an exact copy of your entire hard drive.
However, cloning software offers more benefits than just disaster recovery. Here are some compelling reasons why you might consider using it:
- Effortless System Migration: The cloning software makes upgrading to a new computer with a larger hard disk effortless and trouble-free. Your entire system, including an operating system, programs, settings, and files, can be transferred to the new drive.
- Speedy Backup and Restore: You must regularly implement data backups to protect your data. Cloning software makes an exact hard drive copy, providing a much faster restore responsibility than a conventional file-per-file backup. It will be beneficial in an emergency when the entire system fails.
- Maintaining Identical Systems: Need multiple computers with the same software and settings for work or school? Cloning software lets you create a master image of your desired configuration and then quickly deploy it to all the other machines, saving you hours of setup time.
- Peace of Mind: Properly keeping the disk image ensures that between hardware failure, malware attacks, or accidental data deletion, you will have an opportunity to bring a whole system back to life.
Eventually, cloning software is a contemporary instrument specifically intended to protect valuable data, simplify setting up a new system, and restore data after disasters quickly.
In essence, cloning software is a powerful tool that helps you safeguard your valuable data, streamline system deployments, and ensure a smooth recovery process in case of mishaps.
Which One Do You Recommend For a Home User?
Macrium Reflect and Clonezilla have their strengths, but Macrium Reflect might be more suitable for a home user. Here’s why:
- Ease of Use: Macrium Reflect is known for its user-friendly interface, which is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a visually intuitive experience. Macrium can make disk imaging and data recovery more approachable for home users needing advanced technical knowledge.
- Windows-Based: Macrium Reflect is Windows-based software. It seamlessly operates within the Windows operating system or from a bootable media, which could be more convenient for home users who are likely using a Windows operating system.
- Efficient Data Recovery: Macrium Reflect actively creates disk images to secure and recover lost data efficiently. This feature can be handy for home users who want to safeguard and recover their data quickly in case of data loss.
Nevertheless, there are pros and cons between Macrium review and Clonezilla that individuals must evaluate according to their needs and level of technical comfort. It doesn’t matter which one they try first; try both and see which works best for them. Make it a habit to copy the produced data and only apply the new software.
Conclusion
You need to pick between Clonezilla and Macrium Reflect based on what you want or like. Since Clonezilla is free to use, it has a big community that helps each other out, and many instructions are available. Clonezilla is great for people who like help from others around them without paying anything extra.
On the other hand, Macrium Reflect offers a user-friendly interface, structured knowledge base, and additional features, making it suitable for users who prioritise ease of use and are open to limited direct support.
Assess your requirements, technical proficiency, and support preferences to make the best decision for your disk imaging and cloning task.