[remram]

> Differential backups back up all the changes since the last full backup (...) An incremental backup backs up data that was changed since the last backup

I'm not sure I understand the distinction?

[pudgyblues]

With differential backups there's only 2 artifacts, the full and the diff. If you make another differential backup you overwrite the previous diff so it's always the changes since the last full backup.

With incremental it's full backup + inc1 + inc2 +... forever, each backup depends on the previous.

[magicalhippo]

They both do delta backups, but incremental bases it's delta on previous backup, while differential between the last full backup.

To restore from an incremental you need the last full backup and all the incrementals inbetween. If you do say a full backup every month, you'd need up to 30 good incremental backup sets to be able to restore.

For the differential you just need the last full backup in addition.

Obviously the differential one might take more and more space, depending on the changes.

[remram]

I see, thanks. I only use Restic so this is not relevant to me, but I think I understand the trade-off.

[betaby]

https://rdiff-backup.net/ explains

[dsissitka]

Differential backups are always:

Full Backup -> Differential Backup

Incremental backups are:

Full Backup -> Incremental Backup [-> Incremental Backup ...]

At least that's how it is with Macrium.