You've touched on one of the most contentious subjects this forum sees over and over. I dare say there are hundreds of threads about it. Imaging/backups /kinds of backup/methods of backup are as varied as the folks doing it and in most cases a users' opinion is based on his own track record using whatever method he has chosen to use and whether or not the free/paid thing is his deciding factor. Some do not put all their eggs in one basket with any one method and use a combination of methods.
Believe me you can find more info than you have time to read by using the advanced search function of the forum using search terms like "imaging" "Backup" "differential" "incremental" There are opinions, guides, even a backup poll taken back in 2022 with 38 pages of opinions. In one thread a user even took the time to run extensive testing on the different softwares. The first thing you'll notice is how adament each user is about his own backup plan. It would be interesting for us to have a new poll to see if folks still stand with their same favorites in 2024 now that new players are in the free market and others have gone strictly paid. I do daresay, on this forum, one software will still take the lead.
Know this, not all softwares are equal and offer all the same features or as easy to use as others.
More importantly, Know this. Any backup method one uses is only as good as the users' ability to boot from his imaging app recovery usb drive, RESTORE that backup, and keep on trucking without issues. It is of utmost importance that this be tested when using any app, any method of recovery. Don't wait until you need it to discover you've made backups which won't restore and get you back in business.
But MOST importantly, you are choosing to protect yourself and your data by whatever method. We see it time and time again that so many people do not. Good for you.
