FIGURE G


BackupBuddyVFS is our final competitor in the backup application shootout. Roll over picture for a larger image.

I had the pleasure of actually taking part in the beta testing of this version, so I was able to see the product progress through all stages. This was my first experience at beta testing, so it was kind of exciting for me.

BackupBuddyVFS Professional, like the other competitors, features automated backups that can be set to the users needs. It also has password protection, selective or complete file backup and restore, shown in Figure H, checkpoint restores, archiving, and multiple card operation.

FIGURE H


Individual file backup and restore is one advantage that BackupBuddyVFS Professional has over the others. Roll over picture for a larger image.

As you can see in Figure I, unlike the other two applications tested, it has advanced file compression and the ability to store backups from different Hotsync IDs on the same card.

FIGURE I


BackupBuddyVFS Professional features advanced compression so your backups take up less space. Roll over picture for a larger image.

BackupBuddyVFS Professional retails for $19.95, the Personal version goes for $9.95, and a combo pack of the desktop BackupBuddy and BackupBuddyVFS Professional is $34.95.

Let's get it on!
So which of our solutions is the winner? Much like in my senior year government class, the answer is, "It depends." It depends on what's most important to you. Price? Speed? Space? See, it depends.

Any one of these applications does an excellent job of backing up and restoring the data on your handheld. If your biggest factor is cost, you couldn't go wrong with BackupMan at $10, FlyBackUp at $9.95, or BackupBuddyVFS Personal.

I mean, come one, we're only talking about a difference of a nickel here. These all have basically identical features, and functioned identically as well. So it's really your choice. Although at testing time, BackupMan is the only one of these three that has individual file restore.

As of the writing of this piece, both FlyBackUp and BackupMan have upgrades planned in the near future. Bits & Bolts will be adding encryption, more scheduling options, an improved user interface, and individual file backup in addition to the indivual file restore it already has. Improved compression is a consideration, but not set in stone at the time of this writing.

FlyZip has plans to include individual file selection to FlyBackUp. They tell me this was the feature most requested by their users.

If speed is your prime concern, then BackupBuddyVFS has the other two beat. BackupBuddyVFS uses an incremental backup, so only the information that has changed is written on subsequent backups.

With all of the applications the initial backup took a couple of minutes. Subsequent backups with BackupBuddyVFS took seconds, where as with the other two, they took the same amount of time as the original backup. Whether you were to get the Professional or Personal version, results would be identical.

In my mind, the best overall value would be BackupBuddyVFS Professional. It may cost more, but it offers features the other two don't have at this time. Am I biased because I participated in the beta? Not at all. I'm a fair reviewer and point out faults as well as features regardless.