Clonezilla as a Linux alternative to Acronis True Image
Updated
Our verdict
Clonezilla is a solid replacement for Acronis True Image if you're comfortable with Linux and don't need point-and-click simplicity. It handles full disk imaging, cloning, and incremental backups reliably, and supports scheduling via scripts. However, it lacks a graphical interface and built-in ransomware protection. It's ideal for technical users or system administrators who prioritize control and cost over ease of use. If you need automated, hands-off backups with minimal setup, Acronis remains easier. Clonezilla excels in enterprise or lab environments where deploying identical images across multiple machines is common.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.35.2
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Full disk imaging and cloning
- Support for NTFS (Windows) and ext* (Linux) filesystems
- Incremental backup capability
- Scheduled and automated backups via scripting
- Cross-platform restore (e.g., Windows image on Linux hardware)
What is different
- Clonezilla has no GUI—uses text-based menu or command line
- No built-in ransomware detection or protection
- No native Windows service integration; runs primarily from live media
- Backup images are not directly browsable like Acronis .tib files
- Scheduling requires manual cron jobs or scripts
Opening your Acronis True Image files
Clonezilla cannot read or restore from Acronis True Image .tib files. The two tools use incompatible image formats. If you have existing Acronis backups, you must restore them using Acronis software before migrating to Clonezilla. Once switched, Clonezilla stores images in a directory structure with optional compression, which can be restored only by Clonezilla or tools that understand its format (like partclone). There is no direct import path from .tib to Clonezilla’s format.
Switching from Acronis True Image to Clonezilla, step by step
- Back up any existing data using Acronis before switching
- Download the Clonezilla live ISO and create a bootable USB
- Boot into Clonezilla and perform a full disk image of your current system
- Set up a backup location (e.g., external drive or network share)
- Use the saved image to test restore on the same or similar hardware
- Automate future backups using a script and cron
Key features of Clonezilla
- Disk‑to‑disk and disk‑to‑image cloning
- Supports ext*, NTFS, FAT, HFS+, and many other filesystems
- Multicast cloning for simultaneous deployment
- Compression options (gzip, bzip2, lzma)
- Encryption of backup images
- Command‑line and text‑based menu interface
- Bootable live ISO for offline operation
- Batch scripting for automated backups
How to install Clonezilla on Linux
sudo apt install clonezillasudo apt install clonezillasudo pacman -S clonezillaFrequently asked questions
Can I use Clonezilla to back up a Windows system?
Yes, Clonezilla supports NTFS and can image and restore Windows systems. Boot from the Clonezilla live USB, select your Windows partition, and create an image. You can restore it later to the same or different hardware.
Does Clonezilla support encryption for backup images?
Yes, Clonezilla supports image encryption, but only when used with SSH or an encrypted remote server. The backup image itself isn’t encrypted by default—security depends on your storage setup.
How do I automate backups with Clonezilla?
Clonezilla doesn’t have a built-in scheduler. Use a Linux system with cron and a script that boots Clonezilla automatically via PXE or a headless setup, or manually run backups from a live environment using saved configurations.
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