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Norton Ghost vs ReadyBoost

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

Norton Ghost icon
Norton Ghost
ReadyBoost icon
ReadyBoost

Norton Ghost vs ReadyBoost: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

Norton Ghost: Norton Ghost is a disk imaging and cloning software used to make exact copies of a computer's hard drive. It allows for easy backup, restoration, and migration of data and applications to a new hard drive or computer.

ReadyBoost: ReadyBoost is a software feature introduced in Windows Vista that enables USB flash drives and SD cards to boost system performance. It uses idle space on external drives as extra memory for the system.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature Norton Ghost ReadyBoost
Sugggest Score — —
Category Backup & Sync Os & Utilities

Product Overview

Norton Ghost
Norton Ghost

Description: Norton Ghost is a disk imaging and cloning software used to make exact copies of a computer's hard drive. It allows for easy backup, restoration, and migration of data and applications to a new hard drive or computer.

Type: software

ReadyBoost
ReadyBoost

Description: ReadyBoost is a software feature introduced in Windows Vista that enables USB flash drives and SD cards to boost system performance. It uses idle space on external drives as extra memory for the system.

Type: software

Key Features Comparison

Norton Ghost
Norton Ghost Features
  • Disk imaging and cloning
  • Backup and restore entire system or individual files
  • Schedule automatic backups
  • Incremental backups to save storage space
  • Migrate data and applications to new hard drive or computer
  • Bare metal restore to dissimilar hardware
  • Encryption and compression of backup images
ReadyBoost
ReadyBoost Features
  • Uses flash memory to boost system performance
  • Caches frequently used files and data to improve speed
  • Compatible with USB flash drives and SD cards
  • Enabled by default in Windows Vista and later versions
  • Analyzes your system and allocates flash memory automatically
  • Compresses least recently used pages in RAM and stores in flash memory
  • No configuration needed for basic use

Pros & Cons Analysis

Norton Ghost
Norton Ghost
Pros
  • Reliable and efficient full system backups
  • Easy migration to new hard drive or computer
  • Incremental backups save time and storage space
  • Bare metal restore capability
  • Encryption for security
Cons
  • Requires reboot to capture image of running OS
  • Limited scheduling options
  • No built-in file versioning
  • Expensive compared to some alternatives
  • Lacks cloud storage integration
ReadyBoost
ReadyBoost
Pros
  • Improves speed and performance, especially on systems with less RAM
  • Easy to use with no configuration required
  • Makes use of unused flash drive space
  • Works automatically in the background
  • Supported natively in Windows Vista and later
Cons
  • Performance gains are minor for systems with sufficient RAM
  • Not effective for frequently changing data
  • Requires compatible external flash storage device
  • May wear out flash drives faster due to increased writes

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Learn More About Each Product

Norton Ghost
Norton Ghost
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
ReadyBoost
ReadyBoost
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →

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