Carbon Copy Cloner
Carbon Copy Cloner: A focused Mac backup tool with strong recovery controls and a one-time license. Ranked #46 of 150 in Backup Software by our editors (4.7/10); pricing: 30-day trial; best for mac users needing reliable local cloning.
At a glance
- Editor score4.7 / 10
- Pricing30-day trial
- Best forMac users needing reliable local cloning
- Free planNo
- Server backupNo
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Scheduled incremental backups with APFS snapshots and snapshot search
- Encrypted volumes, read-only snapshots, and checksum health checks
- Whole-Mac, file, folder, and migration recovery workflows
Where it doesn't
- Coverage is limited to macOS and iOS devices
- No free plan; desktop access requires a paid license after the trial
- Advanced technician licensing costs more than the household and corporate licenses
Our verdict on Carbon Copy Cloner
Carbon Copy Cloner is backup and recovery software from Bombich Software for macOS and iOS devices. The desktop software copies files, folders, external volumes, and Mac startup data to local or network storage. It suits Mac users who want scheduled backups, local cloning, incremental file copies, and recovery options ranging from individual files to an entire Mac. CCC Mobile Backup extends the product family to iPhone and iPad photos and files, with transfers to a Mac, attached storage, or network-attached storage.
Pricing is based on one-time licenses rather than a recurring subscription. The Personal & Household License costs $49.99 for non-commercial home use and includes all computers in the household. The Corporate & Institutional License is $49.99 one-time per computer for commercial use, with volume discounts available. The Pro License costs $125 one-time per technician and supports temporary use on an unlimited number of client computers. A 30-day trial is available. The main desktop feature set includes scheduled backups triggered by time or source changes, incremental copying, encrypted backup volumes, verification, notifications, auditing, and dashboard monitoring.
Carbon Copy Cloner is particularly strong when recovery depth and backup integrity matter. APFS snapshots support snapshot search, while read-only snapshots provide ransomware protection. Custom filters, shell scripts, and task chaining add control for technical workflows, and supported services include iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, and network-attached storage. The trade-off is platform scope: this is a Mac- and iOS-focused product rather than a broader multi-platform backup suite. Choose it for Mac-centered local or network backup and whole-system recovery; choose another tool if your environment requires coverage beyond macOS and iOS.
Your product? Our editors can test Carbon Copy Cloner in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Carbon Copy Cloner pricing
All 3 Carbon Copy Cloner plans and prices →
Carbon Copy Cloner fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Computer backup | Yes |
| Mobile backup | Yes |
| Server backup | No |
| Backup scope | Mixed |
| Restore modes | Mixed |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Supported platforms | macOS; iOS (companion mobile app) |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS |
| Support | Tickets, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | bombich.com |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Carbon Copy Cloner
- Veeam Backup & ReplicationA wide-ranging backup platform for enterprise virtual and hybrid environments.9.4
- Rubrik Security CloudA cyber-recovery platform built around immutable backup, threat investigation, and clean-state recovery.9.2
- NAKIVO Backup & ReplicationA broad VM backup platform with recovery, replication, and disaster-recovery workflows.8.8
See all Carbon Copy Cloner alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Carbon Copy Cloner is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used Carbon Copy Cloner? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Carbon Copy Cloner for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Carbon Copy Cloner is listed in our Backup Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/carbon-copy-cloner/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/carbon-copy-cloner.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update