I recently used Bacula, an open-source backup software that impressed me with its robustness and flexibility for both small and enterprise environments. It supports various platforms like Linux, Windows, and Mac, and can handle complex backups including virtual machines, databases, and cloud storage. I found the backup and restore processes reliable, with useful features like compression, deduplication, and granular recovery options.
The user interface and setup initially seemed complex, especially if you are new, but the availability of multiple GUIs and a web interface eased administration once familiar. Bacula's scalability is excellent, making it suitable for managing thousands of clients and petabytes of data efficiently. The active community and support are also a plus.
One downside is that Bacula can feel complicated compared to simpler backup tools, requiring some technical expertise for best use. However, its capacity to protect critical data and its open-source nature at no hefty licensing cost make it worthwhile for IT professionals wanting strong, customizable backup solutions. Overall, Bacula delivers powerful backup features with great security and flexibility.