Aomei Backupper Professional stands out in the competitive landscape of backup, sync, and disaster recovery solutions for Windows—that much is clear from both user reception and in-depth testing of its latest version. With a keen eye on both affordability and breadth of features, the program positions itself as a heavyweight contender among Windows backup software, responding directly to growing demands for data security, convenience, and hybrid storage options.
Adding online backup capabilities puts Aomei in line with the industry’s expectation that backup tools must support hybrid workflows—local, networked, and cloud-based. Aside from the cloud, Backupper 7 introduces targeted backup for email and Outlook, providing value for users unfamiliar with the arcane locations of those data files.
Backup jobs can be scheduled as frequently as every hour, or set up for real-time syncing, and pre- and post-backup scripting allows for sophisticated automation. Backupper also continues to provide a hidden emergency recovery partition for one-key system restores—mirroring a capability standard on many brand-name PCs.
Professional users benefit from “mirroring,” maintaining an exact replica of source directories (deleting files at the destination when removed at the source), and “two-way sync,” which keeps both locations perfectly in step regardless of where changes originate.
For organizations, more advanced and scalable deployments are available via Workstation, Server, Technician, and Technician Plus licenses, supporting PXE boot, image deployment, and portable versions for IT professionals.
The help documentation, although thorough and well-written, suffers from the absence of internal hyperlinks. This minor inconvenience can slow navigation but does not fundamentally detract from the overall clarity and comprehensiveness of support materials.
The free edition, Backupper Standard, is feature-limited but includes perpetual upgrade prompts—a mild annoyance balanced by the fact that its core functionality remains robust and genuinely useful for basic backup needs.
Cloud storage for perpetual-license owners is an additional $20 to $30 annually, which, while usable only for Backupper data, is still a relative bargain.
Aomei’s competitive pricing becomes apparent when benchmarked against rivals. Whereas many solutions demand recurring annual fees that quickly eclipse their initial value, Backupper’s perpetual license (combined with optionally affordable cloud) provides an accessible entry for both individuals and small businesses alike.
For commercial users, offerings range from Workstation ($50/year), to Server ($150/year), all the way to enterprise-level Technician Plus ($699), providing flexibility across diverse needs.
However, several finer points expose a lack of refinement:
That said, users should enter with their eyes open. Anyone depending heavily on disaster recovery must plan for some extra work ensuring their bootable media works as expected. While many of the wrinkles are minor, the attention to detail remains just below the highest bar set by pricier competitors. For users who prize polish and failproof recovery above all else, Aomei may not yet be fully competitive with industry titans like Acronis True Image or Macrium Reflect.
However, its continued inattention to detail, particularly with boot media creation and minor interface polish, means Aomei still has a ways to go in winning over every user. For now, it is one of the more attractive backup options for technically comfortable users or those willing to test their recovery processes thoroughly.
Still, for those who value flexibility, economical cloud backup, and the peace of mind that comes from a perpetual license, Backupper Pro deserves a close look—just remember to bring your own polish and a bit of patience.
For those seeking more detail or hands-on comparisons, check out comprehensive roundups of the best Windows backup software, and always test any backup or disaster recovery solution thoroughly in your actual environment before entrusting critical data to it.
Source: PCWorld Tested: Aomei's Backupper Pro could have won me over with a little more polish
Integrating the Cloud: Aomei’s Online Storage Upgrade
One of the most significant developments in Aomei Backupper Professional version 7 is the inclusion of affordable and tightly integrated online storage. For just $20 extra per year with an annual license ($30 with a perpetual license), users gain access to 1TB of Aomei Cloud. This pricing is notably aggressive compared to industry standards—Microsoft’s OneDrive, for instance, charges around $70/year for a similar capacity. However, it’s important to note that Aomei Cloud is only usable within the Backupper ecosystem, limiting its utility compared to more open cloud solutions.Adding online backup capabilities puts Aomei in line with the industry’s expectation that backup tools must support hybrid workflows—local, networked, and cloud-based. Aside from the cloud, Backupper 7 introduces targeted backup for email and Outlook, providing value for users unfamiliar with the arcane locations of those data files.
Core Strengths: Broad and Flexible Backup Features
Aomei Backupper’s feature set is impressively comprehensive. It supports full-disk and partition imaging, incremental and differential backups, folder sync in several flavors (Basic, Mirror, Two-way, and Real-time), and disaster recovery through bootable Linux and Windows PE media creation. Unlike some rivals, it also includes a disk-wipe utility for securely erasing drives and an “image explorer” to browse backup archives directly.Backup jobs can be scheduled as frequently as every hour, or set up for real-time syncing, and pre- and post-backup scripting allows for sophisticated automation. Backupper also continues to provide a hidden emergency recovery partition for one-key system restores—mirroring a capability standard on many brand-name PCs.
Professional users benefit from “mirroring,” maintaining an exact replica of source directories (deleting files at the destination when removed at the source), and “two-way sync,” which keeps both locations perfectly in step regardless of where changes originate.
Versatility in Storage and Deployment
Aomei Backupper supports backing up to almost any storage medium except optical discs (reserved only for bootable recovery media). Backups can target local folders, external drives, or network shares. However, a long-standing irritation remains: users cannot simply browse for a network location but must input its address in UNC format (e.g.,\192.168.1.105\Public), although a folder tree appears once within the network resource.For organizations, more advanced and scalable deployments are available via Workstation, Server, Technician, and Technician Plus licenses, supporting PXE boot, image deployment, and portable versions for IT professionals.
Usability and Learning Curve: Smooth, But Not Without Bumps
Aomei has made significant strides in user interface design. The program’s layout—functionally similar to Acronis True Image—places intuitive controls within easy reach. The GUI is clean, logical, and accessible even for those new to backup processes. Language localization is praised, making the software welcoming to international users.The help documentation, although thorough and well-written, suffers from the absence of internal hyperlinks. This minor inconvenience can slow navigation but does not fundamentally detract from the overall clarity and comprehensiveness of support materials.
The free edition, Backupper Standard, is feature-limited but includes perpetual upgrade prompts—a mild annoyance balanced by the fact that its core functionality remains robust and genuinely useful for basic backup needs.
Pricing: A Clear Value Proposition
For many, the tipping point in backup software is cost. Aomei Backupper Professional retails for $39.95 per year—less when on sale—with Aomei Cloud pushing the package to about $59.95 (often discounted to $49.95). The perpetual license, priced at $69.95 for a single user ($89.95 for five), notably does not include online storage but offers perpetual ownership at a time when most competitors are transitioning to subscription-only models.Cloud storage for perpetual-license owners is an additional $20 to $30 annually, which, while usable only for Backupper data, is still a relative bargain.
Aomei’s competitive pricing becomes apparent when benchmarked against rivals. Whereas many solutions demand recurring annual fees that quickly eclipse their initial value, Backupper’s perpetual license (combined with optionally affordable cloud) provides an accessible entry for both individuals and small businesses alike.
For commercial users, offerings range from Workstation ($50/year), to Server ($150/year), all the way to enterprise-level Technician Plus ($699), providing flexibility across diverse needs.
Performance and Reliability: Almost There, But Attention to Detail Is Needed
Version 7 of Aomei Backupper Professional demonstrates significant improvements in stability and execution speed compared to previous editions. During testing—barring environmental oddities caused by unrelated software detritus—Backupper completed imaging, file backup, and synchronization tasks quickly and reliably, both locally and across networks.However, several finer points expose a lack of refinement:
- Boot Media Creation: While generating recovery ISOs is straightforward (with automatic Windows PE file downloads), the resulting bootable discs did not function reliably on physical hardware. Neither Linux nor Windows PE media created by Backupper consistently booted. Notably, using the popular (and free) Rufus tool to write the PE ISOs solved the problem; the program’s own method did not. This is an avoidable deficit, deterring non-technical users from effective disaster recovery—a critical function of backup software.
- Minor GUI Glitches: Small interface flaws persist. For example, renaming a newly created folder in the destination dialog was not immediately recognized, and the system reported the wrong error (“cannot find ‘New folder’”) until the dialog was refreshed. Another time, attempting to back up more data than available destination capacity resulted in a cryptic log entry (Error 23) without context or helpful messaging.
- Documentation Annoyances: As noted earlier, the lack of in-help PDF hyperlinks is a minor but persistent inconvenience, slowing down new users trying to find relevant setup or troubleshooting sections.
Critical Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
Notable Strengths
- Comprehensive Functionality: Imaging, file/folder backup, disaster recovery, and multiple sync options make Aomei Backupper a full-spectrum data protection tool.
- Affordable Hybrid Storage: Aomei Cloud integration is a clear win, offering robust online backup at a price that undercuts most mainstream competitors.
- Flexible Scheduling and Automation: Hourly, real-time, and scriptable backups put power in the hands of demanding users and businesses.
- Accessibility: The combination of modern GUI, clean language, and strong feature discovery means users of all experience levels can hit the ground running.
- Perpetual License: In a market trending toward expensive subscriptions, the option for one-time purchase is a significant advantage.
Areas for Improvement
- Boot Media Reliability: The inability to reliably create working disaster recovery media out of the box—especially on real hardware—is a major exclusion. The need to turn to external tools like Rufus is an awkward workaround, and one that could leave less experienced users stranded.
- Refinement and Polish: Minor interface inconsistencies, misleading error reporting, and help-file navigation issues collectively reinforce the impression that detail-oriented QA still needs work.
- Cloud Storage Limitations: While competitively priced, Aomei Cloud is locked within the Backupper ecosystem. Unlike generic services (OneDrive, Dropbox), it cannot be accessed directly for other needs or external data sharing, limiting its broader appeal.
Potential Risks and Considerations
- Long-Term Viability: As with any proprietary cloud service, users should be alert to the possibility of pricing changes or deprecation. Aomei Cloud’s value is meaningful only as long as it remains accessible and reliable; users with critical backup needs may prefer to combine Backupper with mainstream, vendor-neutral cloud options.
- Relying on Disaster Recovery: The current issues with boot disk creation could spell trouble in urgent situations. Until this is resolved, users should test their recovery media thoroughly before trusting it as a sole line of defense.
- Network Backup Frustrations: The lack of a browsable interface for initial network destination setup, while not a deal-breaker, can be unnecessarily cryptic for home users who are less familiar with UNC paths.
User Experience Summary: Is It Right for You?
For those seeking a reliable, affordable, and feature-rich backup and sync program for Windows, Aomei Backupper Professional version 7 offers a compelling proposition. The integrated cloud storage is attractively priced, the interface is straightforward, and there is robust support for a wide range of workflows—from home users to businesses. The perpetual license remains an essential differentiator in a sector increasingly favoring recurrent revenue.That said, users should enter with their eyes open. Anyone depending heavily on disaster recovery must plan for some extra work ensuring their bootable media works as expected. While many of the wrinkles are minor, the attention to detail remains just below the highest bar set by pricier competitors. For users who prize polish and failproof recovery above all else, Aomei may not yet be fully competitive with industry titans like Acronis True Image or Macrium Reflect.
Backupper’s Place in the Windows Backup Ecosystem
In a field crowded with alternatives—some simple and free, others expensive and complex—Aomei Backupper strikes a rare balance. The comprehensive feature set, broad deployment options, affordable pricing, and perpetual license make it an ideal candidate for users who want a serious, no-nonsense backup tool without breaking the bank. Its ability to handle local, network, and cloud workflows brings it even with more established products in practical terms.However, its continued inattention to detail, particularly with boot media creation and minor interface polish, means Aomei still has a ways to go in winning over every user. For now, it is one of the more attractive backup options for technically comfortable users or those willing to test their recovery processes thoroughly.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Aomei Backupper
- Always Test Recovery Media: Immediately create and test both Linux and Windows PE boot media on real hardware—not just virtual machines. If issues arise, use Rufus (freeware) to write your PE ISO to a USB flash drive, which should resolve most boot failures.
- Consider Your Cloud Needs: If you want Backupper’s tightly integrated backup workflow and don’t need open cloud storage, Aomei Cloud’s cost-effectiveness is unmatched. For more versatility, use the software in conjunction with third-party cloud sync utilities.
- Script Your Workflows: Explore pre- and post-backup scripting to automate notifications, custom actions, or external storage handling.
- Stay Up to Date: Aomei regularly updates Backupper, addressing bugs and sometimes adding features. Enable notifications or regularly check for updates to benefit from incremental improvements.
Final Verdict: Aomei Backupper Professional—A Diamond Still in the Rough
Aomei Backupper Professional is a polished step forward from its previous version, firmly establishing itself in the upper tier of consumer and SMB backup solutions for Windows. Its affordable cloud option, impressive feature set, and transparent pricing make it an easy recommendation for many. However, until Aomei applies the same attention to refinement that it does to breadth, minor annoyances and edge-case failures will hold it back from the absolute top spot.Still, for those who value flexibility, economical cloud backup, and the peace of mind that comes from a perpetual license, Backupper Pro deserves a close look—just remember to bring your own polish and a bit of patience.
For those seeking more detail or hands-on comparisons, check out comprehensive roundups of the best Windows backup software, and always test any backup or disaster recovery solution thoroughly in your actual environment before entrusting critical data to it.
Source: PCWorld Tested: Aomei's Backupper Pro could have won me over with a little more polish