True Image Lite 2013 Review

True Image Lite 2013 is the newest backup software from Acronis.  It’s only $30, which is $20 cheaper than True Image 2013 Full.  What’s the trade-off?  Namely, full disk imaging.  You can’t backup your whole computer with True Image Lite.  In this review I’ll examine some of the other differences, so you can decide whether or not it’s right for you.

True Image Lite main screen

Editor's Rating:
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate It Now
User Rating:
Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)

Pros

  • Simple
  • Backs up files and folders
  • Nonstop backup provides continuous data protection

Cons

  • No full disk imaging
  • Few settings to customize

The Bottom Line

Although True Image Lite performs well, it removes the best part of True Image Full: full disk imaging.  It also fails to differentiate itself from a sea of free and paid competitors.

Backing Up

Cloud backup is clearly the focus of True Image Lite, whereas with True Image Full the focus is full disk imaging.  After starting the software, the first screen will prompt you to either log into the Acronis cloud or start a free trial.

True Image Lite gives two options for performing backups:

  • Local Nonstop Backup
  • Online Nonstop Backup

I chose to backup to the cloud and a USB hard drive.  For the online portion of the backup, you can customize settings such as:

  • When to delete older versions.
  • How many versions to keep.
  • Performance and priority.
  • Notifications and exclusions.

The settings for local backups are noticeably lacking however.  Essentially, there are no settings.

Restoring

Restoring my data was easy.  However, I wish there was a way to restore data from the cloud within the software.  Currently it launches your browser to restore from the web interface.

Restoring some photos.

Restoring some photos.

Removed Features

Users should be aware True Image Lite removes most features found in the full version.  There is no full disk imaging, Try&Decide, mobile file access, or synchronization.

What I Liked

With only two options for backing up, there is very little fluff to True Image Lite.  It does exactly what it’s supposed to and backs up to the cloud and local drives with ease.

What I Didn’t Like

The biggest problem is that True Image Lite offers very little over its competitors.  In fact, even the built-in Windows 8 File History utility accomplishes what True Image Lite does (minus the cloud backups).  Even with the cloud backups, True Image Lite is overwhelmed by cloud backup services that offer more features and more settings, for about the same price.

Specifications
Product Name True Image Lite
Version Build 3029
License Shareware
Price $29.99
Operating Systems Window
Backup Types
Files and Folders yes
Full Disk Image no
Incremental yes
Differential no
Backup Destinations
Hard Drive yes
Removable Media yes
Network Shares yes
Blu-ray no
CD/DVD no
FTP no
SFTP no
Online Storage yes
Features
Compression no
Encryption no
Email Notifications yes
Error Handling yes
File Versioning yes
Priority Setting yes
Scheduling yes
Speed Limiting yes
Synchronization no

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund is the founder and editor-in-chief of BackupReview.com. He enjoys attending music festivals, whitewater kayaking on the American River, and board game nights in his free time.

Geoff Akerlund