Comparison · Backup software
Carbon Copy Cloner vs Kopia: which is better in 2026?
Carbon Copy Cloner ranks higher in our list of backup software (#2 against #3, score 90.0 against 88.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 90.0Editorial score88.0
- 1Platforms4
- NoFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose Carbon Copy Cloner if you want
Mac users who want bootable clones of their system disk.
The best Mac-only choice for bootable clones, snapshots and scheduled backups, with restores of single files or a whole Mac. It is a paid app with a 30-day trial and does not run on Windows.
Choose Kopia if you want
Open-source encrypted backups with a desktop app.
The open-source choice with both a desktop app and a command line on Windows, macOS and Linux. Encrypted, deduplicated snapshots go to cloud storage you choose, but setup takes more steps than consumer apps.
The main differences
- Only Kopia runs on Linux.
- Only Kopia runs on Windows.
- Kopia is open source; Carbon Copy Cloner is not.
- Kopia can be used for free; Carbon Copy Cloner requires payment.
Side by side
 Carbon Copy Cloner |  Kopia | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 90.0 | 88.0 |
| Rank in list | #2 of 10 | #3 of 10 |
| Price | PaidPaid license with a 30-day trial; household license option | Free and open sourceFree and open source under Apache-2.0 |
| Free to use | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | macOSmacOS | WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineWindows, macOS, Linux, Command line |
| Made by | Bombich Software | Not stated |
| Best for | Mac users who want bootable clones of their system disk | Open-source encrypted backups with a desktop app |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Carbon Copy Cloner vs Kopia
- Is Carbon Copy Cloner better than Kopia?
- Carbon Copy Cloner ranks higher in our list of backup software (#2 against #3, score 90.0 against 88.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Carbon Copy Cloner is best for: Mac users who want bootable clones of their system disk. Kopia is best for: open-source encrypted backups with a desktop app.
- Which is cheaper, Carbon Copy Cloner or Kopia?
- Carbon Copy Cloner: Paid license with a 30-day trial; household license option. Kopia: Free and open source under Apache-2.0.
- Do Carbon Copy Cloner and Kopia run on the same platforms?
- Carbon Copy Cloner supports macOS. Kopia supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.Read more about Carbon Copy Cloner and Kopia
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