Backing up your data is one of those tasks everyone knows they should do but often neglects until it’s too late. For Windows users seeking a robust alternative to built-in tools like File History, third-party solutions like Backup4All have long been a go-to. The latest iteration, Backup4All Professional 9, developed by Softland, aims to refine an already strong offering with performance improvements and enhanced stability. After spending time with the software, it’s clear that Softland has continued to polish a tool that prioritizes reliability and extensive destination support.
This Backup4All Professional 9 review dives into what’s new, how it performs, and whether it deserves a spot on your system. We’ll look at its feature set, ease of use, and pricing to help you decide if it meets your backup needs.
What’s New in Backup4All Professional 9
Since the last major update, Softland has focused on refining the core engine. According to the developer’s blog, version 9 brings a host of performance and stability improvements. These aren’t flashy new features but rather the kind of behind-the-scenes work that matters most for a utility like this. If you’ve used previous versions, you’ll notice smoother operation, particularly when handling large numbers of backup jobs or complex schedules.
The update also addresses user feedback, including the addition of mirror backups. This feature allows for plain file backups without compression or container formats, essentially syncing files to a destination. For many users, this is a preferred method for everyday file protection, offering a straightforward way to keep a copy of your data in sync with minimal overhead.
Another notable addition is the ability to define custom network locations that retain user credentials. This simplifies the process of backing up to network shares, as you no longer need to re-enter login details for each job. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no option to display the saved password for verification, so double-check your entries when setting up new locations.
Features and Capabilities
At the heart of Backup4All’s appeal is its plug-in architecture. The software comes with 253 pre-installed plug-ins designed to back up data from popular applications, including browsers, email clients, and creative software. These plug-ins are essentially HTML files that tell Backup4All where to find specific program data, making it easy to ensure your important files are included in your backups.
If you use software not covered by the existing plug-ins, you can create your own using a tool provided by Softland. This flexibility is a significant advantage for users with specialized needs. The developer also encourages community contributions, meaning the library of plug-ins continues to grow over time.
Destination support is another strong suit. Backup4All Professional 9 can back up to optical discs, mapped network drives, and a wide range of online storage services. Supported cloud platforms include Microsoft Azure, Amazon S3, Google Drive, Google Cloud Storage, Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, HiDrive, Hubic, and other S3-compatible services. This breadth of options gives you considerable freedom in designing your backup strategy.
Standard backup features are all present, including scheduling, encryption, compression, file filters, and email notifications. The software also includes a backup test function, allowing you to verify that a job will start correctly before committing to a full run. Additionally, an integrated utility helps manage older backups, preventing your storage from becoming cluttered with redundant data.
For IT professionals or power users managing multiple backup jobs, the interface offers deep-dive features like search functionality, verbose history logs, and customizable column displays. A progress pane can be expanded to show real-time job details, which is useful for monitoring large backups.
One limitation to be aware of is the lack of disk imaging or disaster recovery capabilities. Backup4All is focused on file-level backup, so if you need a full system image for recovery purposes, you’ll need to pair it with another tool. Additionally, the software doesn’t support multiple destinations per job, though you can duplicate jobs to achieve a similar result.
Performance and Reliability
When it comes to backup software, reliability is paramount. Speed is nice, but a failed backup is worse than a slow one. In our testing, Backup4All Professional 9 demonstrated solid performance, backing up approximately 147GB of files to a network destination in about two hours and ten minutes. More importantly, the process was consistent and error-free across multiple runs.
The software handles file selection and destination writing smoothly, which is crucial for maintaining trust in your backup routine. Softland has clearly prioritized stability, addressing issues like the jerky window resizing that was present in earlier versions. This attention to detail contributes to a more pleasant user experience, especially during long backup sessions.
Pricing and Editions
Backup4All is available in several editions to suit different needs. The Standard 9 version is priced at $40 and includes core backup features but lacks FTP and cloud support. The Professional 9 version, which we tested, costs $50 and adds these capabilities, making it the better value for most users.
For those on a tighter budget, a $20 Lite version is available. However, it omits some IT-focused features, such as backing up from network locations and running external programs before and after backups. All editions come with perpetual licenses, meaning you pay once and receive free minor upgrades (e.g., 9.1, 9.2). Major version upgrades, like moving from 8 to 9, are available for $35.
What This Means for You
If you’re looking for a straightforward, reliable file backup solution with extensive destination options, Backup4All Professional 9 is a strong contender. Its plug-in architecture and support for numerous cloud services make it adaptable to various workflows. The addition of mirror backups and credential retention for network locations addresses common pain points, enhancing its usability.
However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all tool. Users who need disk imaging or disaster recovery features will need to look elsewhere or combine it with another program. Additionally, the lack of multiple destinations per job might be a drawback for those who want to automatically replicate backups to multiple locations.
Overall, Softland has delivered a polished update that reinforces Backup4All’s reputation as a dependable backup utility. It’s particularly well-suited for users who manage multiple backup jobs or require support for a wide range of storage destinations.
How to Get It
You can purchase Backup4All Professional 9 directly from the Softland website. The site also offers a free trial, allowing you to test the software before committing. For comparison purposes, Softland provides a detailed feature chart online, which can help you decide which edition best fits your needs.
Given the perpetual license model, the $50 price point for the Professional version is reasonable for the features offered. If you’re currently using Windows File History or another basic backup tool and find it lacking in flexibility, Backup4All Professional 9 is worth considering.
Source: PCWorld
Over to you: Are you currently using a third-party backup tool, or have you been relying on Windows File History?
