Backup Software Without a Subscription

BackupOnShutdown is Windows backup software without a subscription: you pay once for the app and save the folders you choose to a drive or accessible NAS share. As of October 2026, a license costs 39 EUR, 34 GBP, or 39 CHF, including VAT where applicable, for one person on any number of their own PCs. Free tools are also available; the right choice depends on whether you need file versions, scheduled backups, or a whole-system image.

What do you get for the one-time price?

BackupOnShutdown lets you choose folders, save them to one or more locations, and restore saved versions through the app. Its restic engine stores changed data and reuses data already saved, so repeat backups don't copy every file in full again.

It's designed for a routine you start yourself: click Back up to leave the PC on, or Back up & shut down when you're finished for the day. You can also enable the optional desktop shortcut. Save your work in other programs before using the shutdown option, because Windows closes those programs afterward. A failed or cancelled backup, or a run that skips unreadable files, keeps the PC on.

The app runs on 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and on macOS 13 or later with Apple Silicon. It has no scheduler and doesn't start a backup when you shut down from the Windows Start menu or the Apple menu. It saves files and folders, rather than a disk image you could use to restore Windows on an empty machine.

Which free backup options are available?

A subscription isn't required for automatic backups or disk imaging. Several free tools cover those needs, so it's worth comparing the workflow as well as the price.

File History is included in Windows 10 and 11. It automatically saves versions of your libraries and Desktop to an external drive or network folder; you can add other folders to a library. If those folders cover your needs, you may not need another program. File History vs BackupOnShutdown explains the differences and what to check if File History won't turn on. Microsoft has deprecated the separate System Image Backup feature, not File History.

Windows Backup syncs selected Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music folders to OneDrive and remembers supported apps and settings for a new PC. The app needs a personal Microsoft account; work or school accounts aren't supported. Check that your OneDrive allowance covers the files you want to save, as additional storage may cost extra.

Personal Backup, from Dr. Rathlev, is free and offers more control over when backups run. It can start at logon, logoff, or a set time, and its shortcuts can shut down, log off, or hibernate afterward. It also supports FTP. Choose it if a schedule or a logoff-triggered backup matters more to you than BackupOnShutdown's manual routine.

Veeam® Agent for Microsoft Windows FREE offers image-based backups and recovery media, making it useful when you need to restore the whole PC. Its free edition allows one backup job and has fewer scheduling options than the paid editions. See Veeam's free edition overview and edition limits.

Macrium Reflect® Free has been retired and no longer receives updates or new downloads, though existing installations can still run. Keep that in mind when choosing software for a new setup.

What does the license cover?

One license covers one named person on any number of that person's own computers. Two people need two licenses, and each checkout sells one license. Updates within your license are included. A future major version may be sold separately, but your existing license remains valid for the last version it covers. There are no education or volume discounts.

Purchases have a 14-day money-back guarantee. To request a full refund, email office@spqrk.net within 14 days of purchase from the address you used at checkout.

The free trial lasts 14 days from first use, with no account or credit card required. Afterward, a license is needed for new backups; restoring existing backups still works. License keys begin with BKUP- and are checked locally on the PC. The trial and license guide explains activation.

What costs and responsibilities remain?

The license pays for the app, not the backup drive. Use a separate drive rather than keeping your only backup beside the originals on the same disk: if that disk fails, both copies are lost. Old versions also need space. Keep old versions defaults to 1 year and keeps a selection of saved versions; you can choose a shorter preset if space is tight.

For protection against theft or fire, keep a copy elsewhere. You can add another backup location and store that drive off-site, or use a separate cloud service alongside your local backups. BackupOnShutdown itself has no cloud destination, and rotating drives still requires you to connect them and run a backup. The backup locations guide explains the setup.

Your files stay at the location you choose. The app sends no telemetry, and Check for Updates opens the download page rather than installing updates automatically. Password protection is optional; without it, anyone with the drive can open the backup. If you enable it, keep the password safe because it cannot be recovered. Open files require starting the app as administrator. A NAS can hold backups, but the app cannot currently restore backups of UNC network source folders.

You can also open its standard backup format with the official restic command line. The restic GUI guide explains how, including the option needed for backups without a password.

Download BackupOnShutdown to try it free for 14 days, with no credit card. Check the pricing page for the one-time price in your currency.

File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive, Personal Backup, Veeam®, and Macrium Reflect® are trademarks of their respective owners. BackupOnShutdown is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.