I've been using this for as long as I can remember so I couldn't even tell how it compares to anything else.  I do a lot of software beta testing so I do more backup images and restores of different Windows flavours than anyone sane would and it's never put a foot wrong for me in at least 10 years.
 
I never install it on an OS I always perform these operations directly from bootable media so the OS doesn't interfere.  I think you may have to install it on the OS just to create the bootable media of your own choosing but I've used the same CD for so long now I can't remember.
 
$40 for the standard version which I would imagine is the version applicable to most but there's a comparison chart giving information on the two paid for options.
 
http://www.disk-image.com/
 
The key thing for this type of tool for me is reliability rather than squashing a couple of extra Mb out of the resulting image or beating the back up and restore times of the competition by the odd minute. 
 
This one simply ain't ever broke for me so I've never needed to fix it with anything else.

I'm just your average Joe when it comes to PC stuff. But the tech I bought my first machine off of in 2001 told me about backing up. Best advice ever. And she ( that's right) built that computer with 2 x 10 Gig Hard drives. One was for OS and the other one DATA.  So I have always had at least 2 drives. On her advice I also bought one of those first external boxes you added the drive yourself too. I still have those hard drives as they all were taken out of service before they were worn out.
I would purchase a new drive at least once a year a they grew in size and speed. I never delete data. I just add more storage. A simple back up system that has always worked for me. Don't delete, and keep your drives fresh.  I have had only 2 drives die on me due to power issues, but that only resulted in loosing stuff like my bookmarks and Outlook Express e mail. 
Now with Chrome you never loose bookmarks, and nobody uses client based email. 
 
Just a while ago I had a OS drive with a funky SATA port connector. I had no problem cloning it using  http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm
I did some research about Cloning/ back up software and this one got a lot of good reviews. 
During my research there was a lot of issues reported with Acronis. 
I have used the EaseUS back up a few times as well but don't really need it as all my data is always in 3 or more places. Those backups are done manually and using "save as". 
 
I also now store all my word documents and office files on Dropbox. I have Dropbox on 4 computers so those files are updated and stored locally as well as the cloud. That's 5 copies without my intervention. It rocks. 
 
Photos, Don't ever erase an SD card. Why? they are cheap. I pull the card once a year and store them in a little wallet. 
Our family dumps our pictures to each others laptops etc. All our pictures are shared and stored at least 4 times this way. 
 Some use Dropbox or Google Drive for additional back ups too. 
I even have Sonar backed up on my Mother in laws computer. 
 
 
 
 

jcschildparagon over acronis all day long...

Hi, Scott.  Does Paragon allow cloning of a dynamic HDD?  I have Acronis '13, but it cannot clone a dynamic format which is on my laptop for whatever ****** reason.  It is actually a GPT disk on my laptop, which Acronis believes is dynamic, but cloning is impossible.  I've read the Paragon supports GPT type disks, but do you know if it can clone GPT types?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Kind regards,
 
Living Room Rocker