DriveImage XML
Hard drive cloning software
Backup software
Data recovery software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$100.00 per 5-user commercial license
Free Trial unavailable
Free version
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- Public sector and nonprofit organizations
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and logistics
What is DriveImage XML
DriveImage XML is a Windows disk imaging and cloning utility that creates image files of partitions and logical drives and can restore them to the same or another disk. It is commonly used by IT technicians and small organizations for PC migration, bare-metal recovery, and maintaining deployable images of Windows systems. The product stores images in XML-based metadata with associated data files and can leverage Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to image in-use volumes.
Uses Windows VSS for imaging
DriveImage XML can use Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service to capture images of live Windows volumes without requiring a reboot in many cases. This supports backup of workstations while users are logged in and applications are running. In similar tools, VSS-based imaging is a standard approach for consistent snapshots on Windows.
Supports disk image restore
The product supports restoring an image back to a partition or disk, enabling system recovery after drive failure or OS corruption. This aligns with common bare-metal recovery workflows used in disk imaging products. It can also be used for hardware refresh scenarios where a system image is moved to a replacement drive.
Simple file-based image format
Images are stored as files that can be copied to external storage or network locations using standard file operations. This can simplify basic retention and offsite copy processes compared with solutions that require a dedicated repository service. The XML metadata can also make it easier to inspect image details outside the application.
Limited enterprise management features
DriveImage XML is primarily a standalone utility and does not provide the centralized policy management, role-based access control, and reporting typically expected for managed backup at scale. Organizations needing fleet-wide scheduling, compliance reporting, or multi-tenant administration may require additional tooling. This can increase operational overhead in larger environments.
Narrow platform coverage
The product is Windows-focused and is not positioned as a cross-platform backup standard for mixed OS environments. Teams managing macOS or Linux endpoints may need separate imaging/backup tools. This reduces standardization compared with suites that cover multiple operating systems.
Not a full data recovery suite
While it can restore from images, it is not designed as a comprehensive file-level recovery and forensic recovery platform. Advanced recovery scenarios (e.g., deep scan of damaged filesystems, RAID reconstruction, or extensive point-in-time versioning) may be better served by specialized recovery or backup products. Users may need complementary tools for granular recovery workflows.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private (Personal) Edition | Free for personal/home use | No support for Private edition; not licensed for commercial use; allowed for installation on home PCs. |
| Commercial Edition — 5-user license | $100.00 per 5-user license (one-time purchase) | Includes 2 support incidences and 1 year of free updates; buyer allowed to install on organization-owned or customer computers per license terms. |
| Commercial Edition — 10-user license | $150.00 per 10-user license (one-time purchase) | Includes 3 support incidences and 1 year of free updates. |
| Commercial Edition — 20-user license | $200.00 per 20-user license (one-time purchase) | Includes 4 support incidences and 1 year of free updates. |
| Commercial Edition — 50-user license | $400.00 per 50-user license (one-time purchase) | Includes 8 support incidences and 1 year of free updates. |
| Commercial Edition — 100-user license | $500.00 per 100-user license (one-time purchase) | Includes 10 support incidences and 1 year of free updates. |
