CHRONOSYNC BACKUP
CHRONOSYNC for MAC
ChronoSync is a comprehensive backup, synchronization, and scheduling tool for macOS that offers a wide range of features for users looking to securely back up and synchronize data across multiple devices. Whether you need to back up files to an external drive, synchronize folders between devices, or automate your backup process, ChronoSync provides a versatile, user-friendly solution. This review explores the software’s core features, performance, pros, cons, and overall value.
SYNCHRONIZATION
Full backups are another way to keep your files stored in a safe place. However once you’ve made a backup you may wish to keep the stored data updated with new data. ChronoSync synchronization makes two sets of files identical to each other. As most people don’t even have backups available at any place, they will at some point be confronted with loss of important files due to computer/HD failure or unwanted deletion of data. I personally feel every computer user should run backups at all times to external discs, cloud or whatever. ChronoSync excels at this task, as its easy to use and is loaded and capable of performing any kind of backup!
ChronoSync backs-up your hard disks while you attend to your other duties and can notify when everything’s done. Just as simple as that. It also covers IOS backup, iPad or iPhone and bootable remote backups when you make use of ChronoAgent.
SETUP and PREFERENCES
Installing ChronoSync is straightforward and without a system reboot. The right sidebar off the main page is used for creating your backup. Now enter backup title and choose your desired backup operation, source and destination. Options and rules are customized settings you may implement for your perfect backup operation. Again straightforward and congrats.. you’ve setup your first personal backup.
Setup a Backup
ChronoSync is aside from normal backups also capable of creating bootable backups being a clone of your startup hard drive. It allows you to start up your Mac and be instantly back to work when your primary hard drive fails — no fiddling with trying to restore backed-up data. ChronoSync can handle bootable backups with ease!
bootable benefits:
- Quickly & easily duplicate your system volume on another drive.
- Use a backup volume for additional storage in ‘Backup’ mode.
- Create an exact clone of your system using ‘Mirror’ mode.
- After the initial run, subsequent backups run faster than other apps.
- With SmartScan, backups are 2-3x faster than other programs.
- Backup to ‘encrypted volumes’ with auto locking & re-locking.
- Backup to DMG for system clones on file servers & NAS devices.
- Backup to hard drives on remote systems using ChronoAgent.
VALIDATOR
One of the most important things to have when doing backups is trust in the method that you’re using. That’s where the Validator comes into play with ChronoSync.
- Double-check the integrity of your backups by running a separate validation of your data. Corruption of your backup data may go unnoticed by your daily backup regimen. The Validator is a tool that can perform a byte-for-byte comparison of your file contents and metadata. Get a report of anything that might be out-of-sync. Validation confirms your older backups are preserved accurately without modifying anything on your two targets. Trust your backups to ChronoSync so you can trust your backups!
SCHEDULING
ChronoSync 4 has a brilliant Scheduling feature with a brilliant and complete interface. ChronoSync supports event-based schedules, too.
ChronoSync can even wake your Mac to perform scheduled synchronization. An option found on most backup utilities.
Powerful scheduling capabilities allow you to schedule any sync or backup to run at virtually any time interval you can imagine. Run tasks while you’re not using your computer or are busy using another app. It’s the “Chrono” in ChronoSync’s name!
scheduling things :
- Run sync or backup tasks on daily, weekly or monthly schedules.
- Any sync or backup task can run on multiple schedules.
- Wake your computer from sleep to run a scheduled task.
- Trigger tasks to run when volumes are mounted.
- Trigger ChronoAgent-based tasks when devices join a network.
- Optionally prompt the user before a scheduled task runs.
- Configure tasks to terminate if they take too long to run.
- Send email notifications on scheduled task completion.
- Send push notifications to your iPhone on task completion.
MASS & REMOTE BACKUP
This is the field of ChronoMonitor, and the pairing of ChronoAgent and InterConneX.
ChronoAgent is presented in system preferences panel: you install it like regular software, but without an application folder, it is an option within System Preferences. Switch it on in there, and when you create a secure username and password, you can connect to your Mac from another one, or an iOS device. You also need to install the Free InterConneX app on your IOS device and you’re all set.
KEY FEATURES OF CHRONOSYNC
- File Backup and Synchronization
- ChronoSync is primarily known for its backup and synchronization features. Users can create backups of their data by selecting source and destination locations (such as external drives, network volumes, or cloud storage) and running the sync process.
- The software supports one-way backups (backup data from your source to the destination) and two-way synchronization (keeping both locations updated). This is particularly useful if you’re trying to keep folders or files synced between multiple devices or locations.
- Bootable Backups
- Like many top-tier backup tools, ChronoSync supports the creation of bootable backups, which allow users to create a full, bootable copy of their system. In the event of a hard drive failure, you can boot directly from your backup and continue working as if nothing went wrong. This is a crucial feature for anyone who wants to ensure their data is protected and quickly recoverable.
- Cloud Storage Integration
- ChronoSync supports cloud storage integration via mountable volumes (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, or any cloud service that can be mounted as a drive on your Mac). This allows you to back up or sync data directly to the cloud, ensuring your data is not only secure on external drives but also safely stored offsite.
- Scheduled Backups
- ChronoSync features powerful scheduling tools, enabling users to automate backup and synchronization tasks. You can set your backup to run at specific times or intervals, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. You can even configure it to run when your Mac is idle or when specific conditions are met (e.g., when an external drive is connected).
- This automation is great for hands-off data management and helps ensure that backups are consistently performed without manual intervention.
- Incremental Backups
- Incremental backups allow ChronoSync to copy only the files that have changed since the last backup. This drastically reduces the time it takes to complete a backup and saves space by not duplicating files that haven’t been modified.
- This is especially useful for large datasets where only a small portion of the data changes over time, allowing for quick and efficient backups.
- Smart Update Feature
- ChronoSync’s Smart Update feature ensures that files are updated only when necessary. It intelligently detects changes in file attributes (such as modified date or size) and only copies files that have been modified, saving time and system resources. This feature is particularly beneficial for users with large amounts of data who want to minimize backup time.
- Mirror and Archive Sync
- ChronoSync offers both mirror synchronization (making the destination an exact copy of the source) and archive synchronization (preserving older versions of files). Mirror synchronization is perfect for creating an identical copy of your data for safe keeping, while archive synchronization helps preserve versions of files, making it useful for long-term storage or file versioning.
- Email Notifications and Logs
- After a synchronization or backup job is completed, ChronoSync sends email notifications to let you know whether the operation was successful or if any issues occurred. Detailed logs are also provided, making it easy to track backup history, errors, and status updates. This is especially useful for remote backup management or monitoring multiple machines.
- Restore and Recover Files
- In the event of data loss, ChronoSync provides straightforward restore options, allowing you to recover entire directories, individual files, or even the entire system. Whether you’re restoring from a local external drive, a network volume, or cloud storage, ChronoSync simplifies the recovery process.
- Cross-Device Synchronization
- For users with multiple devices or systems, ChronoSync supports cross-device synchronization. For example, you can sync data between your Mac and a network-attached storage (NAS) device or even a PC. This is a great feature for users who work in a mixed-device environment or need to ensure consistent file access across devices.
PERFORMANCE
- Ease of Use
- ChronoSync is well-regarded for its user-friendly interface. The main window provides a clear overview of the tasks and their statuses, and the wizard-based setup process simplifies the creation of backup and synchronization tasks. Even users with limited technical knowledge can quickly set up and schedule their first backups.
- The software also allows you to create and manage multiple backup or sync tasks, making it easy to organize and automate your data management.
- Speed and Efficiency
- ChronoSync performs backups and synchronizations efficiently, thanks to features like incremental backups and Smart Update. The speed of the backup process depends on factors such as the size of the files, the speed of the source and destination drives, and network conditions for cloud backups.
- The software does an excellent job of optimizing performance and minimizing resource usage during backup operations, meaning you can continue working on other tasks without significant performance degradation.
- Reliability
- ChronoSync is highly reliable and has an excellent reputation among users for its consistent performance and low failure rates. The backup and synchronization processes are robust, and the software’s ability to create bootable backups adds an extra layer of confidence for users concerned about disaster recovery.
- The ability to schedule automatic backups ensures that your data is regularly backed up without any intervention on your part, making it a trusted tool for long-term data protection.
- Comprehensive Backup and Sync Options
ChronoSync provides a complete package for backup and synchronization, with features like incremental backups, bootable backups, cloud support, and scheduling. It’s a versatile tool that can handle a wide variety of data management tasks. - Cloud Integration
The ability to back up to cloud storage (such as Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) via mountable volumes is a major plus for users who want to keep their data safe in the cloud without relying on third-party apps. - Scheduled Automation
Automated backups can be set up easily with ChronoSync, making it perfect for users who want a hands-off, set-and-forget backup solution. - Bootable Backups
The option to create bootable backups ensures that users can recover from a system failure quickly and without much hassle. - Email Notifications and Logs
Email alerts and detailed logs are incredibly useful for monitoring backups, especially if you’re managing backups for multiple devices or machines. - Cross-Device Synchronization
Synchronizing between Macs, network drives, or even PCs is an excellent feature for users in mixed-device environments. This flexibility makes ChronoSync a powerful tool for those working with multiple devices.
- Mac-Only
Unfortunately, ChronoSync is a Mac-only application. Windows users or those who need a cross-platform solution will need to look elsewhere. - Pricing
While ChronoSync is feature-rich, it is priced at $49.99 for a single-user license. While the features justify the cost, it may be a bit on the expensive side for casual users or those looking for free alternatives. Free Trial: ChronoSync offers a 15-day free trial so users can evaluate the software before purchasing. - Learning Curve for Advanced Features
While the basic backup and sync tasks are easy to set up, some of the more advanced options (like custom synchronization rules, exclusions, or cloud integrations) can require a little bit of a learning curve. However, the help documentation is comprehensive and can assist with setup.
PRICING
- Single User License: $49.99
- Family License (up to 5 Macs): $79.99
- Free Trial: 15-day free trial with full functionality
Note: The pricing includes free updates for the first year, with update costs for the following years at $24.99 per year.
Is ChronoSync Worth It?
Yes, ChronoSync is well worth the price for users who need a comprehensive and flexible backup and synchronization tool for macOS. The software’s range of features—from cloud storage support and bootable backups to advanced scheduling options—makes it an excellent solution for both home and professional use.
While the pricing may be a bit high for casual users, the robust feature set and reliability make it a solid investment for those looking to secure their data, automate backups, or synchronize files across devices. The 15-day free trial is a great way to try out the software and see if it meets your needs before purchasing.
VERDICT
- Pros: Feature-rich backup and synchronization, cloud storage integration, bootable backups, flexible scheduling, email notifications, and cross-device sync.
- Cons: Mac-only, pricing may be a bit high for casual users, some advanced features have a learning curve.
Overall: ChronoSync is an excellent choice for Mac users who need a reliable, feature-packed solution for backups, file synchronization, and automation. It’s perfect for individuals and small businesses looking to protect and sync their data efficiently across multiple devices or cloud services.
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