Carbon Copy Cloner for Mac

Used Carbon Copy Cloner for Mac?

Carbon Copy Cloner Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

Carbon Copy Cloner is a robust backup software designed for macOS, offering users an efficient way to create bootable backups and synchronize files. With its user-friendly interface, the program allows users to schedule backups, ensuring data is securely stored and easily accessible. Key features include incremental backups, which save time and storage by only copying changes made since the last backup, and a clear visual representation of backup tasks, making management straightforward.

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In addition to its primary backup capabilities, Carbon Copy Cloner supports various storage options, including external drives and network volumes, providing flexibility in how users manage their data. The software also includes safety features such as a recovery partition and a detailed log of backup operations, allowing users to monitor the status of their backups effectively. Overall, Carbon Copy Cloner is tailored for both novice and advanced users seeking a reliable backup solution.

Carbon Copy Cloner for Mac

Used Carbon Copy Cloner for Mac?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 24, 2020

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 5.1.21.6053

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System: Mac OS X

Additional Requirements

macOS Catalina
macOS Mojave
macOS High Sierra
macOS Sierra
OS X El Capitan
OS X Yosemite
OS X Mavericks

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 285,657

Downloads Last Week: 3

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.6/5

297 User Votes

Best backup program available, period
John_AnonymousJuly 24, 2017
Pros
Easy to use (deceptively easy). Versatile and quite powerful. Help is actually very helpful (what a concept!) Lots of handy information hidden throughout. Fast (Time Machine pales by comparison)
Cons
$40 (pricey, but worth every cent IMHO) Charges for major updates, but it's worth it. A guy has to make a living, after all. Yes, it used to be free, but it's really too good to give away. If you're considering SuperDuper to save ten bucks, don't bother--there's really no comparison.
Summary
The de facto backup standard for Mac, bar none. Deceptively simple to use. More versatile than any other backup program. This program copies everything onto another drive, without destroying what's already there. That is, you can even use an existing Time Machine (TM) drive while continuing to use it for TM. You don't need to do an exact drive image copy to make a complete and fully usable duplicate of your drive. It can even make the drive bootable without destroying what's already there, including a recovery partition--just like OS X/macOS. For anyone who is serious about having a true backup utility which can save your bacon when you need it most. THIS is the program to get. Online reviews don't do it justice; they really don't. People here who give it low ratings don't know what they're talking about. I have over 40 years experience with computers, so I know a good program when I see one. (There is really so much cräp out there, it's hard to trust anyone anymore. But this is the real deal.)
Met the original developer once
keithp2_dotmacJune 19, 2015
Pros
It was originally free!
Cons
Not any longer free
Summary
Don't waist you money.
Good software, horrible pricing scheme
pacific_frogDecember 29, 2014
Pros
It works ...
Cons
... But they charge you through the nose. One month after they switched from free-but-please-donate scheme, I went to donate to discover they'd changed to a $40 fee. So, I missed out, fine, I paid my $40. Then, in less than a year, they made it incompatible with Yosemite (you know, the FREE OS upgrade) and are charging another $20 for people who purchased "recently." That's $60 software in one year, and who knows how often they'll charge again in the future. No sympathy from email complaints, either.
Summary
Don't do it. Find other software with a respectable pricing belief system. I'm going to try ChronoSync, myself, they give you a 30 day trial period and free upgrades for life. But no matter what, I will never go back to CCC, even if I have to manually transfer all my files by hand.
Fly in the ointment
mzulgisOctober 6, 2014
Pros
Great product, works as advertised...
Cons
...unless you upgrade your Mac. Bombich are asking for money to upgrade to the current version just 5 months and 11 days after I bought it. The version I bought in April 2014 will not run on my laptop so after just 5 months I am being forced into another purchase.
Summary
I like the old version better
hudsonwOctober 1, 2014
Pros
The new version works perfectly fine. It puts a convenient icon in the menu bar.
Cons
The old version works perfectly fine also. I prefer the old version because I do several concurrent backups and I can see all the progress bars at the same time.
Summary
Unless there is something technically wrong with Ver. 3.5.7, or if Ver. 3.5.7 will not work with Yosemite, I'll use the old version.
The best backup setup for Mac I've tried so far.
OverdinnerMay 4, 2014
Pros
This program can clone your source drive, including the OS. If your computer dies hard, you can take your external backup drive and connect it to another Mac with a compatible OS, and in System Preferences, Startup Disk, select and confirm your external drive as the boot drive, hit restart, and presto! You are up and running! Everything is there! A total disaster to up and running in just minutes! What other backup setup does that? On older PPC Macs, you also have this ability with a Firewire drive external setup (a USB port connection won't boot on PPC). On Intel Macs, USB will work. In addition, you have a lot of options on how to set it up, daily, weekly, monthly. It will remind you if your drive is turned off. Just turn on your drive when the reminder window appears, and it takes care of the rest. You can even select to have CCC automatically unmount your backup drive when the backup is complete. No more need to run your backup drive 24/7.
Cons
Let me know if you find any significant cons, because I can't really think of any. It's on every Mac I own now, all the way back to my PPC machines. The author is dedicated and responsive, and has regularly updated and improved this software.
Summary
If you want a setup that puts you back where you were faster than anything else out there, this is it. The ability of being able to boot on your CCC backup is just phenomenal. Note that Time Machine does not clone your OS like CCC does. You can't boot on a Time Machine backup.
Carbon Copy Cloner is invaluable when you need it.
snackwogFebruary 22, 2014
Pros
Simple and clean. Absolutely perfect for migrating/upgrading disk drives. Also a great way to do back up work. Support is excellent. I had a specific question for them and they were exceptionally responsive and helpful.
Cons
None come to mind.
Summary
I have not needed to use Carbon Copy Cloner often. But when I did, it was a very useful and valuable piece of software. Bottom line, it saves me time. And to me, not much is more valuable than my time.
Performs as advertised
dbohlsenDecember 7, 2013
Pros
Works well
Cons
None to mention
Summary
Works very well. Well worth the price
pierre godinDecember 4, 2013
Pros
CCCloner is a great product. I recommend a disk repair software be used to defrag and clear the volume after copying.
Cons
The CNET web site is very confusing with all the Downoload Now tabs which are not related to the product you are trying to download.
Summary
CNET should remove all the Free Download now tabs as they are all spam. Also, Cnet should recognize all keyboards, not just Standard English which is a very limited unit.
Best cloning software for mac :)
dudemanlaNovember 8, 2013
Pros
Really an awesome backup app. Their email support is stelar too. I highly recommend this.
Cons
none that I can think of.
Summary

Developer’s Description

By Bombich Software

Preserve your data and the operating system's data impeccably on a bootable volume.