What do you hate the most when you buy a new device (a smartphone or a computer)? It’s transferring all data from the old device to the new one! And, I think we can all agree that this is often the reason why we postpone the data migration.
While using devices such as USB to save and transfer the data from the old to the new device, it can’t deal with all types of data. One example of this is the user profile. Therefore, you can either spend days figuring out how to transfer everything from your old laptop to the new one or use data migration software. If you choose the latter, you’d be happy to know that there are many programs of this kind, however, not all of them are equally good. That’s why, in this post, we compare two of them: Zinstall and PCMover.
Which features do they share and which differ them one from another?
Let’s find the answer to these questions!
Zinstall vs PCMover: Basics
While both of these programs do what they promise, i.e. transfer data from one device to another, they don’t do that to the same extent, nor have the same features. Namely, PCMover is a widely-known and transparent business with proven records while Zinstall is pretty unknown to the public. Also, Zinstall claims to move all apps and data whereas PCMover can move only specific ones. However, users report that Zinstall is unreliable and the customer support as if doesn’t exist whereas there is no such negative feedback for PCMover. And, the price difference is also big, with PCMover costing $39 for the basic plans and Zinstall $169.
But, what are their features? How do they work? Which one is really better?
Let’s take a look at their features separately to judge that!
PCMover
PCMover Features
Ok, so before we get into the features, we have to point out that they vary depending on the PCMover version you choose. But that doesn’t mean that the Express version, which is the cheapest, has near-to-not-useful features. On the contrary, it comes with plenty of them which impresses many users.
This software allows you to choose every file, folder, user account, and settings you want to transfer to your new computer. And, it works with old and new Windows /versions.
Generally speaking, PCMover comes with the following features:
- Compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP
- User-friendly interface
- Option to choose which data (files, folders, user accounts, settings) you want to transfer
- Multiple transfer options: old device to new device; old operating system to new operating system on the same computer; restore contents from an old hard disk to new device
- Undo transfer in case something goes wrong with the migration
- The data on the old device stays as it is
- Option to send a notification to your hone or email when the transfer is complete
- Native migration – the old data is directly integrated with the new device/operating system
- 24/7 support and free transfer assistance by phone
Apart from these awesome features, PCMover also has some not-so-great ones. The first one is that it doesn’t transfer antivirus programs and some of the programs linked to your old computer hardware. The second is that it doesn’t support partitions. And, last, it doesn’t support image and apps transfer.
PCMover has various versions, which differ one from another in a few features. Let’s check them out briefly.
Windows Store Edition
- Folder selectivity
- Free transfer assistance
- Transfers only files
Express
- Folder selectivity
- Free transfer assistance
- Multiple user selectivity
- Domain users transfer
- Undo option
- Files and settings transfer
Home
- App selectivity
- Folder selectivity
- Free transfer assistance
- Undo option
- Transfers files, apps, and settings
Professional
- Multiple license discount
- App selectivity
- Folder selectivity
- Free transfer assistance
- Multiple user selectivity
- Domain users transfer
- Undo option
- Transfers apps, files, and settings
- In-place upgrade
- Image restoring from an old OS to new
- Data rescue from non-working devices
Windows Upgrade Assistant
- App selectivity
- Folder selectivity
- Free transfer assistance
- Multiple user selectivity
- Domain users transfer
- Undo option
- Transfers apps, files, and settings
- In-place upgrade
Image and Drive Assistant
- App selectivity
- Folder selectivity
- Free transfer assistance
- Multiple user selectivity
- Domain users transfer
- Undo option
- Transfers apps, files, and settings
- In-place upgrade
- Image restoring from an old OS to new
- Data rescue from non-working devices
Business/Enterprise
- Multiple license discount
- App selectivity
- Folder selectivity
- Multiple user selectivity
- Domain users transfer
- Undo option
- Transfers apps, files, and settings
- In-place upgrade
- Image restoring from an old OS to new
- Data rescue from non-working devices
- Policy files support
Zinstall
Zinstall Features
As the company claim on their website, Zinstall can transfer all of your data from one device to another, including documents, photos, music, programs, emails, accounts, settings, favorites, and all of your files. In that way, it gives an impression of your new computer being the same as your old one. During the transfer, it leaves all data on your old device.
Its features include:
- Compatible with Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7, and Vista (32- and 64 bit)
- Can transfer between different Windows versions
- Can transfer from an old device or just its hard drive
- Supports transfer of all sorts of data, except licensing
- Allows selecting files you want to transfer
- Simple to use
- User-friendly interface with a setup wizard
- Automatic transfer
- Superior technology
- Guarantee for 100% transfer
- 24/7 technical support
And, while all these features look divine, there are also not-so-great features we can’t omit. One of them is the fact that there’s no actual transfer of data, rather cloning (copying) of the same. The second one is the fact that Zinstall is expensive, but we’ll look at this later in this article. And, third, it doesn’t transfer the licensing, so you’d have to reenter the license keys of the programs you use, like Microsoft Office, Adobe, and other apps that require a license key.
Zinstall vs PCMovers: Features Comparison
As we can see, both of these programs come with a plethora of features. They both support the transfer of files, folders, user profiles, and settings as well as selecting the ones you want to transfer. Also, they support most Windows versions and allow data transfer from an old device or hard drive to a new device. Moreover, they both offer 24/7 technical support and have a user-friendly interface
In terms of the differences between them, the first thing we can notice is that PCMover has several versions. Each version comes with partially different features, which allows you to choose the one that best suits your/your company’s needs. Furthermore, it comes with undo transfer option, is compatible with all Windows versions, and sends you a notification when the transfer is complete.
On the other hand, Zinstall comes with a 100% transfer guarantee, superior technology, and transfers of all types of data, unlike PCMover which doesn’t transfer music.
Zinstall vs PCMover: Pricing
Both programs come with various packages, which allows you to choose the one that best suits your or your company’s needs. Of course, each package has a different price, so let’s check each of them out.
Zinstall Pricing Plans:
- Zinstall WinWin – $119
- Migration Kit Pro – $169
- Zinstall FullBack – $119
- Zinstall Windows 10 Upgrade Companion – $169
- Zinstall Easy Transfer – $59
- Computer Rescue Kit – $169
- Zinstall WinServe – $690
- Zinstall Migration Packs (for enterprises) – prices starting from $50 per license for 10+ licenses.
PCMover Pricing Plans:
- Windows Store Edition – FREE
- Express – $29.95
- Home – $39.95
- Professional – $59.95 just for the download; $59.95 for physical + cable; $230 for 5 packs, $420 for 10 packs, and $900 for 25 packs.
- Windows Upgrade Assistant – $29.95
- Image and Drive Assistant – $39.95
- Business/Enterprise – contact them.
