Macrium Reflect is the product of Paramount Software UK Ltd (trading as Macrium Software), a British software company, as its name suggests. It was founded over two decades ago and is currently based in Manchester.

Macrium released the first version of Reflect in 2006 and the most recent update in 2024. The software enables users of Windows-powered PCs or servers to create data backups and retrieve them when needed.  

It's a multi-lingual backup software available in over a dozen languages, helping it maintain its position as one of Windows users' most popular backup utilities globally.

We've also highlighted the best disk cloning software right now.

Plans & pricing

We’ve tested Macrium Reflect Workstation, which provides one of the broadest range of features we’ve seen from a backup tool.

Elsewhere, Macrium Reflect is available in Server, Server Plus and Technician variants for businesses of all sizes alongside Macrium Reflect Home.

Macrium Reflect Workstation costs $78 for a one-year, one-PC licence, and the price rises to $162 per device if you buy a lifetime licence – a reasonable upgrade if you use this app for several years.

The Server options cost more than those Workstation products, with prices rising beyond $200 and $400 for Server and Server Plus one-year packages and almost doubling for lifetime options.

Thankfully, home and smaller business users can buy Macrium Reflect Home, which costs $50 for a one-year licence and $80 for a lifetime deal.

Across the board, these prices are comparable with rival tools, like those from EaseUS and Acronis, so there are no reasons to raise eyebrows.

Macrium Reflect: Features

There’s no shortage of features in Macrium Reflect. Users can backup or clone entire disks or operating systems, or their own selection of files and folders, and you’re also able to create backup templates, schedule them all and deploy full, differential or incremental backups.

Thankfully, Macrium also includes some templates to get you started with extensive backups on varying schedules.

Delve into the backup creation wizard and you can edit the source folders, choose any PC-connected destination, and even specify alternative backups if your preferred choice isn’t available due to a hardware or power failure.

There are a variety of compression, file size and password protection choices, encryption is available, and you can automatically verify your backups, set rules and commands for backups and receive emails and notifications about the status of your operations.

Scheduling options are extensive, restoration is easy, and Macrium users can also create bootable and rescue media and use Macrium Image Guardian to protect against ransomware.

It’s one of the most comprehensive set of backup options we’ve seen, and commercial and enterprise users can deploy a central console to manage backups across a whole suite of machines.

You get even more if you switch to one of the Workstation, Server or Technician products, too.

You can create live images of Windows operating systems boot backups in virtual machines, and some versions even have ReFS support, Windows Server backup and restore, Exchange and SQL backup and PC snapshots.

It’s a tremendous array of features, and Macrium doesn’t skimp on the data, either – open the app and you’ll get the full rundown of your disks and drives, their status, free space and file systems.

The only downside here is the lack of cloud backups. This is by design – Macrium reckons that cloud backups can often be impractical and not as safe as offline or local backup – it could drive customers away if they consider cloud options a vital addition to their backup tool.

Interface & Use

While that’s great for anyone who likes ample information when using a backup tool, it can make Macrium a little intimidating for beginners. Boot the app and you’re overwhelmed with information about your drives and destinations, and it’s hard to initially see how you even start creating backups.

There are certainly apps that look cleaner and less advanced, although a smaller set of features usually accompanies those interfaces.

Get your head around the app, though, and it’s pretty straightforward: operations and options on the left-hand side, information about your drives in the middle, and a pop-up wizard to guide you through the backup process.

Macrium pairs its advanced interface with impressive pace. We tested our latest slate of backup apps with a 42GB document folder, a 2.5GB spreadsheet folder, a 162GB folder of media and an 82GB file that mixes all of those file types. We backed them up to three different SSDs to weed out any inconsistency.

Its document backup time of 3 minutes and 46 seconds was excellent, and only ten seconds shy of our leading tool from EaseUS – and its media backup average of 7 minutes and 40 seconds was another second-place result out of nearly twenty backup tools.

Its Excel average of just over eight minutes is middling, and its mixed media result of nearly sixteen minutes is good rather than great.

Overall, though, it’s a great bill of health when it comes to performance. Macrium Reflect was one of the fastest backup apps we’ve tested, and only slips behind EaseUS for consistent speed.

Support

Macrium offers direct technical support to paid users through email and telephone. Every license includes one year of technical support, and you can renew it for a fee every ensuing year. 

Macrium aims to respond to business users within 12 hours and to home users within 24 hours, and there are US, UK and European phone lines for business users.

Elsewhere, there’s a knowledge base and a busy forum, and premium support options are available for businesses who wish to pay extra.

It’s a solid slate of support options that should resolve most issues relatively quickly, which is essential for enterprise users who need to solve mission-critical problems.

The competition

Macrium’s lack of cloud options are its biggest fault, so if that’s important to you then we recommend Acronis Cyber Protect and EaseUS Todo Backup, as they include cloud options alongside the usual array of local backup destinations  

Final verdict

Put aside the lack of cloud ability, though, and there’s loads to like in Macrium Reflect. It’s absolutely packed with features, its pricing is competitive, and it’s one of the fastest backup tools out there.

The interface can certainly be intimidating, and some business users simply won’t need the level of granularity available from this app, but Macrium Reflect is a top-tier bit of backup software.

QuickBooks is an instantly recognizable name in the world of accountancy and bookkeeping. It’s owned by Intuit, which also has other options for small business owners and large ones too, with a diverse portfolio that includes TurboTax, Mint and Proconnect. QuickBooks also comes in numerous different varieties, from desktop editions through to the hugely popular Online edition.

There are also regular updates to the QuickBooks portfolio of products, with the UK getting a raft of new features to help users keep abreast of tax and other regulatory changes. There's an income tax estimator tool, improved tagging and a beefed up employee portal for larger businesses. Professional accountants have new tools, including a month-end review tool. QuickBooks is, essentially, always evolving. There's a new QuickBooks Business Account digital payment option aimed at small business owners now too.

So, depending on your requirements, you can choose from QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Self-Employed, QuickBooks Online Advanced, QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Premier and QuickBooks Enterprise. However, it is possible to create a custom package using the help of the QuickBooks team if you need a more bespoke option.

• Want to try QuickBooks? Check out the website here

Pricing

With such a wide variety of QuickBooks options you’ll find that pricing is similarly expansive and there are often deals to be had too. At the time of writing QuickBooks Online, for example, has 70% off for three months. Ordinarily though QuickBooks Online Simple Start is $25.00 a month, Essentials is $40 a month, Plus is $70.00 a month and Advanced $150. If you’re a freelancer then the Self-Employed package costs $15. There are custom options too, so for example it is possible to purchase QuickBooks Online, Payroll and Setup together.

For the UK QuickBooks has business accounting options that include Simple Start, for £12 per month, Essentials for £20 per month and Plus for £30 per month. Deals are often available on these prices too however, with a free trial for good measure. Freelancers with self-assessment needs can also plump for the self-employed package at £8 per month. Accountants and bookkeepers can also talk to QuickBooks about getting a package tailored to suit their needs.

Features

The QuickBooks Online subscription plans have an advantage that they will work on any platform via the browser, and also have integration with the iOS and Android apps for use on a smartphone or tablet. For those that prefer the downloadable software, it works for both the Windows and Macintosh OS’, but unfortunately there is no mobile app support.

The QuickBooks Online plans also enjoys other advantages as well over the downloaded version. This includes capturing receipts via the camera on the smartphone, which can then be easily linked to capturing expenses. It also integrates easily with other apps, including PayPal.

Support has been improved for QuickBooks and it now has a wealth of different options to choose from if you're in need of help. This includes an online help hub, with lots of documentation, videos and other training resources. There's also a blog, a vibrant community and lots of social media too. Depending on your package level, you might also have access to a Pro Advisor, although this option only comes with the package of the same name.

Final verdict

For a small business without a dedicated accounting department, or even a sole accountant, QuickBooks offers an attractive solution to managing the finances. The fundamental bookkeeping ingredients are all here, covering invoices, payroll, estimates, employee time tracking, sales tax, inventory tracking, and is able to sync bank transactions. The online versions clearly have a better set of features than the downloadable version. 

Our concern is that this full feature set comes at a higher price than some competitors, which include FreshBooks, Xero, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, Kashoo, Zoho Books and Kashflow to name just a few. Compounding this issue is that as the additional services such as payroll and time tracking are added on to the base package, the costs go up even higher. While a seriously cash strapped business may be better off looking elsewhere for more of a value bookkeeping solution, for the small business that can make use of the wide range of available bookkeeping features, QuickBooks via the online subscription remains an attractive choice.

Read our review of QuickBooks Online here

Read our review of QuickBooks Desktop Pro here

• We've also highlighted the best accounting software in this roundup

Quicken has been around for ages, with budget management roots that date all the way back to 1983 and, thankfully, that means it continues to undergo transitions that keep it reassuringly relevant. That's especially so during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It also comes with the added benefit of being available as software that will work on a Windows machine or a Mac too, alongside its mobile-based counterparts. 

In fact, Quicken we recently given a boost, having been updated to coincide with the release of Apple’s latest operating system, macOS 11 Big Sur. There's an improved interface along with a raft of features that allows users to exploit the power of the new Apple OS.

There’s also a version that can be used solely online if downloading software isn’t your thing. Whilst Quicken does have some rather more sprightly competitors these days it’s still a super-useful finance management package. Add on other practical features such as the optional ability to synchronize it with your bank accounts, 256-bit security encryption plus cloud-based back-ups and there’s lots to like.

Lookout for the likes of Mint, You Need a Budget (YNAB), Banktree, Money Dashboard or Moneydance if you want to check what some of the competition has to offer.

• Want to try Quicken? Check out the website here

Quicken: Pricing

Currently prices for Quicken Starter kick off at $34.99 for a year, with a Deluxe version currently on offer for $29.99, down from $49.99. Meanwhile, a Premier edition is available for $44.99 compared to its usual price of $74.99. On top of that there’s a Home and Business Version for $59.99 instead of the regular $99.99 asking price. 

All of these prices are based on an annual subscription, which could make the package pricey over time. You should also note, however, that while the prices were accurate at the time of writing they may well change as per all of our other software reviews. Nevertheless, Quicken comes in with a reasonably attractive pricing structure, even if you’re considering the product at its more normal cost.

Quicken: Features

The most recent update of Quicken resulted in a few handy new features being added, with some real benefits coming along in the Mac version. You’ll find that it works better on that platform now, more so than it used to, while all users can enjoy the benefits of the familiar-but-friendly interface. 

You’ll begin your financial journey on the Home tab, which delivers a comprehensive snapshot of where you are with your finances. For newbies there is also a neat Wizard-style system that will help you pick your way through getting set up. Of course, once you’ve got a lot of your data into Quicken the processes involved in managing your money gets easier. 

There are core areas that help build up a picture of your money situation, with a Spending tab, Bills and Income section and so on, all of which are pretty easy to get the hang of. Customization of these areas is also key by allowing you to make Quicken completely personal to your needs.

Quicken: Performance

One of the more appealing aspects in the latest incarnation of Quicken is that it can be used as an online-only solution if you prefer. This is good news for anyone who tends to flit from one machine, or device, to another and lacks the inclination to start downloading software on multiple computers. 

As a result, the performance you can expect from Quicken is largely reliant on your internet connection, but if that’s all fine and dandy then you’ll find the software rolls along very nicely. You get less features in this edition however, so for consistent performance and the full suite of tools, features and functions then you’ll still want to go down the downloadable software route.

Quicken: Ease of use

While we do like the multiple options for customization in Quicken, there is a slight downside to this as it can be finicky to get things just how you like them. While usability is generally pretty good, you’ll need to devote some quality time to Quicken in order to shape it to perform as you’d expect. 

However, others areas of Quicken are designed with total efficiency in mind, and this works particularly well for the extra touches you get in the Premier edition and upwards. The bill paying option, for example, is a great way of streamlining your outgoings, but we’re also very keen on the alert tools that really do allow you to get your finances in line and keep them that way. 

This is especially so when it comes to paying bills on time. You’ll need to sign up for an account to do any of this, of course, but that takes mere moments as indeed does syncing the application with your bank accounts.

Quicken: Support

Considering just how long Quicken has been in existence it comes as no surprise to find lots of online advice and video tutorials for getting the best from its charms. Added on to that there are reams of documents that will take you through the inner workings of this occasionally quite complex software. 

We also find the community aspect of Quicken quite pleasing, with lots of user experiences that give you a valuable insight into its trickier corners. If you plump for Quicken Premier or above you gain free access to a premium level of phone support for one year. Alternatively this is currently available as an add-on for $49.99.

Quicken: Final verdict

We think that Quicken ticks a lot of the boxes when it comes down to getting your finances into shape. If you’re happy with the subscription costs and you use it a lot then the package seems to represent pretty good value for money. Although we think it will probably deliver most value to small business types with more to think about than individuals with simpler finances to manage. 

Much has been done to beef up the interface, features and usability with the current edition. As a result, mobile versions are solid, while the access-from-anywhere option is great for people who need to access Quicken via a browser over multiple machines. A good level of security, powerful syncing with bank accounts and the ability to use cloud-based back-ups adds to the value here.

• We've also highlighted the best budgeting software