Retrospect 19 Review: Solid Backup, Missing Disaster Recovery

Overview of Retrospect 19 Solo

Retrospect 19 Solo is a backup software designed for individual users and small businesses. It offers a range of powerful features, including ransomware protection and support for cloud storage. However, it lacks some critical functionalities that make it less appealing compared to other backup solutions.

Key Features of Retrospect 19 Solo

One of the most notable features of Retrospect 19 Solo is its support for cloud storage. This includes third-party services such as Amazon S3, Dropbox, Wasabi, Google Cloud, Azure, and even Retrospect’s own cloud storage. While this is a significant advantage, it's worth noting that popular services like OneDrive and Google Drive are not supported. Additionally, Retrospect’s cloud storage pricing is significantly higher than that of other providers.

Another standout feature is the granular compare function, which allows users to see the actual differences between their existing data set and a backup. This helps in identifying suspicious activity, such as potential ransomware attacks. If Retrospect detects a troubling pattern, it will flag it as a possible ransomware attack.

The software also includes compression and password-protected encryption, extremely granular scheduling, pre- and post-backup operations, filtering options, differential, incremental, full, and block-level backups, deduplication, notifications, and various other bells and whistles commonly found in backup software.

Anti-Ransomware Capabilities

Retrospect 19 Solo has anti-ransomware features that are not real-time like those found in other applications. Instead, it checks for changes in data before starting a backup. If the number of new or altered files exceeds a user-defined percentage, it alerts the user. This passive approach relies on regular backups to restore un-ransomed, unencrypted versions of files.

The other half of Retrospect’s anti-ransomware solution involves interfacing with immutable data options offered by services such as Backblaze, Wasabi, and S3. Immutable data cannot be altered or deleted for a set period, providing an additional layer of protection against ransomware attacks.

Pricing and Licensing

Retrospect 19 Solo is priced at $49 for a perpetual license for a single computer. An Annual Support and Maintenance (ASM) option is available for an additional $80, which includes support and updates to new whole number versions. Unlike some competitors, Retrospect does not use a subscription model, meaning users retain full functionality even if they stop paying for updates.

However, the cost of Retrospect’s cloud storage is significantly higher than that of other providers. For example, Retrospect’s cloud storage is three times the price of Wasabi, which was $7 per TB per month at the time of writing. This makes it less appealing for average users despite its ease of use.

Ease of Use and Learning Curve

The interface of Retrospect 19 Solo is somewhat dated, and its terminology can be confusing for new users. Terms like “Volumes,” “Backup sets,” and “Scripts” may not be intuitive. The program requires a good understanding of its unique nomenclature and workflow, making the learning curve steep for many users.

Despite this, once users become familiar with the software, it becomes easier to use. However, the lack of proper adjustments to the interface after removing certain functionalities can lead to confusion. For instance, the software may allow users to select a network resource to back up but then fail to back it up due to licensing issues.

Setting up cloud destinations can also be cumbersome, as users must provide keys from their storage provider or sign in via web access for each different backup. Most backup programs retain these connections, making the process more streamlined.

Performance and Reliability

Retrospect 19 Solo performs exceptionally well in terms of backup and restore operations. Testing showed that it handled full, differential, and incremental backups efficiently, with fast speeds and glitch-free performance. The anomaly detection feature also worked as advertised, successfully identifying changes in files.

While the software is reliable and performs well, the lack of disaster recovery and the steep learning curve make it less appealing for many users. It is recommended to consider alternative backup solutions that offer more user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive features.

Should You Buy Retrospect 19 Solo?

In conclusion, Retrospect 19 Solo is a powerful and versatile backup solution, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. Its lack of disaster recovery and the steep learning curve make it less suitable for users looking for simplicity. There are several more affordable and user-friendly alternatives available, such as EaseUS Todo Backup, Aomei Backupper, and MiniTool ShadowMaker. These options provide similar functionalities without the complexities associated with Retrospect 19 Solo.