The 3 main types of backups: full, incremental and differential
In short: 3 types of backups
There are three main types of backups: full, incremental and differential. A full backup copies all data, an incremental one only the changes since the last backup, and a differential one all changes since the last full backup. The right choice depends on your data structure, recovery needs, frequency of changes and available storage; often a combination of these methods is used.
Data loss often happens unexpectedly. A single cyberattack or human error can have huge consequences for an organisation. That’s why a solid backup strategy is essential. But which type of backup suits your situation best? In this blog, we explain the three most important types: full, incremental and differential – including their pros and cons.
1. Full backup
A full backup is exactly what it sounds like: all data is copied to a secure location. Think of files, folders, hard drives, and even cloud data (like Google Drive or OneDrive).
Advantages of a full backup:
- Quick and easy recovery – you only need to restore one file.
- Clear management – each backup is a complete copy.
- Simple version control – rolling back to a specific date is easy.
Disadvantages of a full backup:
- Time-consuming – backing up large amounts of data takes a while.
- High storage costs – every full backup takes up a lot of space.
- Not ideal for large datasets – especially if you back up daily.
When should you use a full backup?
For small businesses or to create a periodic reference point, a full backup is a reliable option.
2. Incremental backup
An incremental backup stores only changes made since the last backup. Whether that was a full or a previous incremental backup. This makes the process fast and efficient.
Advantages of an incremental backup:
- Fast backups – ideal for daily use.
- Efficient use of storage – only changes are saved.
- Can be done multiple times a day without overloading the network.
Disadvantages of an incremental backup:
- Slower recovery – you need the last full backup and all interim incremental backups.
- Vulnerable to errors – if one file is corrupted, recovery may fail.
- Harder to manage with many incremental files.
When should you use an incremental backup?
Large organisations with lots of daily data changes benefit from this method, especially when speed and storage savings are crucial.
3. Differential backup
A differential backup copies all changes since the last full backup. So each day the differential backup grows, as it keeps track of all changes since that full backup.
Advantages of a differential backup:
- Faster recovery than with an incremental backup – you only need the latest full and the latest differential backup.
- Backups are smaller than full backups, but larger than incremental ones.
Disadvantages of a differential backup:
- Backups grow over time – and take up more storage space.
- Slower than incremental backups.
- Can become inefficient if you go too long without a new full backup.
When should you use a differential backup?
A differential backup is ideal for medium-sized organisations that can’t make a full backup every day, but still want a balance between speed and recovery ease.
Which backup method will you choose?
The choice depends on:
- How much data you have
- How often your data changes
- How quickly you need to recover your data
- And of course: your budget
A commonly used strategy is to combine methods: for example, do a full backup once a week, and an incremental or differential backup every day. That way, you optimise storage, time and security.
Tip: use professional backup software like Acronis True Image, which supports all common backup strategies. With features like automatic incremental backups, ransomware protection and cloud integration, Acronis helps businesses and consumers recover data quickly and reliably after incidents.
