This is a review of Paragon Backup & Recovery, a backup tool for Windows and Mac. When you lose data it is able to restore it if you previously made a backup, but is unable to scan for and recover lost data.
I’m a tech guy who’s offered IT training and support over several decades, and written software reviews and how-tos for business users. I’ve taken an in-depth look at Paragon Backup & Recovery to let you know whether it will meet your needs.
Despite its name, Paragon Backup & Recovery is not a data recovery tool. It can give you back your data in an emergency, but only if you backed it up first. It runs on Windows and Mac, but Big Sur support is not yet available.
In this Paragon Backup & Recovery review, I’ll explore what it can do and whether it can recover your data in case of an emergency. Let’s get started.
Contents
Paragon Backup & Recovery Overview
Paragon Backup & Recovery is a backup application available for Windows and older versions of macOS. Although it has the word “recovery” in its name, it’s not actually a data recovery tool. It can restore data from a backup you have made, but not scan for and retrieve lost data.
Several versions are available:
- Paragon Backup & Recovery Community Edition for Windows: free for personal use
- Paragon Hard Disk Manager Advanced for Windows: $79.95
- Paragon Backup and Recovery Community Edition for Mac: free for personal use
- Paragon Hard Disk Manager for Mac: $39.95
Unfortunately, neither Mac application is currently compatible with Big Sur. Backup & Recovery works on Catalina and Hard Disk Manager works on Mojave. A free trial for the commercial apps is not offered.
In this review, we will consider both Windows and Mac versions of the Community Edition and list the additional features included in the Hard Disk Manager.
Recovery Features
Methods of data recovery offered: Paragon Backup & Recovery creates a backup of your files that can be restored in the case of data loss. If you did not first back up your computer, the software will not be able to help you get it back. You need a data recovery tool like those listed under Alternatives below.
Additional Features
Paragon Hard Disk Manager includes some additional features not included in the basic Backup & Recovery app:
- Partition manager lets you create and manage the partitions on your drive and redistribute your free space between them
- Drive copy exactly duplicates your drive onto another one
- Disk wiper removes all traces of personal data from the drive before you dispose of it
Some tools for advanced users are also included:
- Organize and optimize storage to free up space on your drive
- Transfer your system and data to a new drive you have purchased
- Paragon Recovery Media Builder will correct boot problems caused by logical errors, hardware malfunctions, and hardware failures
User Experience
Paragon Backup & Recovery has a user-friendly design but the free version is lacking in features. For example, you can choose which drive to back up, but not the individual files, and cloud backup is not offered.
The paid applications are richer in features but cannot be used without first signing up for a Paragon account. This seems to be an anti-piracy strategy and offers no value to the end-user.
When using the Mac version, you need to grant full disk access to the application. A helpful wizard leads you through the process.
Customer Support
The Paragon Support Service web page [1] offers product documentation, a knowledge base, and support forums. The support team can be contacted via an online ticketing system.
FAQS
Is Paragon Backup & Recovery safe?
Yes. A scan with Bitdefender Virus Scanner found no malware.
Is Paragon Backup & Recovery free?
Yes and no. Paragon Backup & Recovery Community Edition is free but lacks features, and the Mac version does not work with Big Sur. Paragon Hard Disk Manager (for Windows and Mac) is not free and will not work until you purchase a license.
Will Paragon Backup & Recovery help me recover the files I accidentally deleted?
Only if you created a backup of those files first. If not, you’ll need a data recovery tool like those listed below.
Alternatives
If you lost important data and did not first create a backup of your files, Paragon Backup & Recovery won’t be able to help. Here are some alternatives that can.
Stellar is an easy-to-use application with a wide variety of features. It is a reliable and effective application, but its scans can be time-consuming. It’s available on both Windows and Mac.
Data Recovery offers an easy-to-use wizard that will scan your drive quickly for lost files. It’s available for both Windows and Mac.
Recuva is Windows-only recovery software from the CCleaner developers. The free version will meet many users’ needs.
R-Studio is an advanced tool suitable for data recovery professionals. It’s available for both Windows and Mac.
Final Verdict
Paragon Backup & Restore is a recovery tool for proactive computer users who prepare for emergencies in advance. A failed hard drive is not a problem if you created a full backup yesterday.
It’s currently not a good solution for Mac users since the latest version of the operating system is not yet supported. But if you are looking for a quality Windows backup solution, it’s one good alternative among many.
Unfortunately, if you didn’t create that backup in advance it will be of no help at all if your hard drive dies, you delete the wrong file, or accidentally format the wrong partition. Instead, you need an actual data recovery tool that can scan the hard drive for lost data.
Stellar Data Recovery, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Recuva Professional are three easy-to-use applications that give users with no technical knowledge a good chance of success. I recommend them. Recuva is the only application to offer a workable free plan.
R-Studio is even more effective but has a steep learning curve that requires technical knowledge and careful study of the manual. It’s suitable for data recovery professionals.
References
