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Monday, January 20, 2025

9 Greatest Backup Software program I’ve Used and What You Ought to Know


At present, all the pieces from household images to important work paperwork lives on our units, and having a dependable backup plan is a no brainer.

I’ve realized how devastating it may be to lose treasured recordsdata, whether or not as a consequence of a sudden onerous drive failure, a sneaky malware assault, or that dreaded unintentional delete button. With the fixed threats of cyber assaults, {hardware} breakdowns, and people all-too-familiar unintentional file deletions, selecting the perfect backup software program is important. That’s why I took it upon myself to dive deep into the world of backup software program to search out out what works, what doesn’t, and what’s actually price your money and time.

However let’s be sincere: discovering the precise one can really feel like navigating a maze of complicated choices, quirky interfaces, and hidden prices. I’ve checked out how simple backup software program options are, how rapidly they again up your stuff, and whether or not they’re definitely worth the price ticket. Alongside the way in which, I’ve found what folks love (hey, automated cloud backups!) and what drives them up the wall (like sluggish speeds or overly difficult setups). 

On this article, I’ll stroll you thru the perfect backup software program options I’ve examined. Whether or not you’re an off-the-cuff consumer seeking to safeguard your reminiscences or a enterprise proprietor needing a dependable strategy to defend your operations, I’ll break down the professionals and cons of every choice. By the top, you’ll have a transparent concept of which backup software program is best for you and why it’s an funding you gained’t remorse. 

My sincere evaluate of 9 greatest backup software program for 2025

From my expertise, backup software program is an absolute lifesaver when defending your knowledge. It creates and shops copies of all the pieces you want—particular person recordsdata, whole folders, and even your entire system—so that you’re coated if one thing goes flawed, like a {hardware} failure, a cyberattack, and even an unintentional deletion (been there, completed that). I’ve discovered that the perfect backup methods use compression to save lots of space for storing and encryption to maintain your knowledge safe.

How did we discover and consider the perfect backup software program?

I collaborated with IT professionals and on a regular basis customers, diving into how backup software program performs in real-world conditions: what it excels at, the place it falls quick, and whether or not it’s definitely worth the funding. Utilizing synthetic intelligence, I analyzed a whole lot of product evaluations on G2 to uncover customers’ wants, frustrations, and must-have options. G2’s Grid Reviews helped me examine these instruments’ usability, options, and total worth. After in depth analysis and hands-on testing, I’ve compiled this detailed checklist of the perfect backup software program.

I respect how trendy backup software program makes life simpler with incremental backups, which solely save the adjustments for the reason that final backup, and versioning, so I can restore older recordsdata if wanted. I additionally respect cloud integration because it permits me to retailer backups offsite for added security. And with automated scheduling, I by no means have to fret about forgetting to again up my knowledge—it’s at all times taken care of. It’s a kind of stuff you arrange as soon as, and then you definitely surprise the way you ever managed with out it.

My tackle what defines the perfect backup software program

I thought of the next elements when evaluating the perfect backup software program options.

  • Backup sorts and frequency: From my expertise, having flexibility with backup sorts is essential. I at all times search for software program that helps full, incremental, and differential backups. Full backups give me an entire copy of my knowledge, however they’re time-consuming and take up lots of house. That’s the place incremental backups, which save solely the adjustments for the reason that final backup, and differential backups, which save adjustments for the reason that final full backup, turn out to be useful. These choices permit me to customise my backup technique primarily based on my wants and obtainable sources.
  • Knowledge compression and deduplication: Cupboard space can refill quick, particularly with massive backups, so I prioritize software program with sturdy knowledge compression options. Compression reduces file sizes with out shedding high quality, saving me house and making backups quicker. Deduplication is one other must-have for me; it ensures that duplicate recordsdata aren’t saved a number of instances. 
  • Encryption and safety: Protecting my backups safe is non-negotiable, particularly with delicate knowledge. I at all times select software program that makes use of top-notch encryption, like AES-256, to make sure my knowledge stays protected from unauthorized entry. Some instruments even encrypt knowledge earlier than it leaves my machine, which supplies me additional peace of thoughts. I additionally examine for compliance with trade requirements as a result of it reassures me that the software program meets strict safety necessities.
  • Restoration level goal (RPO) and restoration time goal (RTO): After I consider backup software program, I take into consideration how a lot knowledge I can afford to lose (RPO) and the way rapidly I have to get again up and working after a failure (RTO). For vital knowledge, I would like backup software program that minimizes each. Some instruments I’ve used permit for near-real-time backups and quick restoration choices, that are excellent for companies or high-stakes environments.
  • Scalability and efficiency: I’ve realized that backup must develop rapidly, particularly when coping with enterprise knowledge. That’s why I search for software program that may scale as my knowledge grows with out slowing down efficiency. It’s vital that the backup software program can deal with massive recordsdata, a number of backup places, and heavy workloads with out hiccups. Some instruments even optimize backup home windows in order that they don’t intervene with my day by day operations.
  • Compatibility and integrations: I at all times examine whether or not the backup software program is appropriate with my methods. I’ve needed to take care of instruments that didn’t help my working system or cloud supplier, which was irritating. The most effective options I’ve discovered combine seamlessly with present setups, together with databases, digital environments, and cloud platforms. This protects me time and ensures clean operations.
  • Restore capabilities: Backing up is just half the battle. It’s restoring that issues. I’ve used backup software program that lets me restore particular person recordsdata, whole folders, and even entire methods, which has been a lifesaver. I particularly worth instruments that provide bare-metal restoration for restoring an entire system to new {hardware} and instantaneous restoration for digital machines, which minimizes downtime.

Over the previous few weeks, I attempted 25+ backup software program options to see how they measure as much as key standards. I evaluated their backup sorts, compression, encryption, scalability, and skill to satisfy RPO and RTO necessities. I checked for seamless integration with varied methods, examined automation and restore processes, and assessed consumer interfaces for ease of use. Lastly, I reviewed help responsiveness, figuring out the instruments that really ship on their guarantees.

To be included in the perfect backup software program class, a product should:

  • Create copies of enterprise knowledge and preserve them safe
  • Restore backup knowledge onto units if and when vital

*This knowledge was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some evaluations might have been edited for readability.  

1. Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud

After I first began utilizing Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud, I wasn’t certain if one platform may actually deal with backup, catastrophe restoration, and cybersecurity multi function place. Seems, it could and fairly impressively, too. Let me stroll you thru my expertise with it.

The setup course of was easy, though I anticipated to get slowed down in configuration. The interface is clear and intuitive, however I’ll admit there’s a little bit of a studying curve, given the sheer variety of options it presents. It helps over 20 platforms, together with Microsoft SQL clusters, Oracle DB, and SAP HANA—an enormous plus when you handle various IT methods as our workforce does.

What stands out is the real-time ransomware safety. I like how AI-driven detection algorithms are surprisingly efficient at recognizing and neutralizing threats earlier than they grow to be an issue. I used to be additionally impressed by how the platform consists of anti-malware, antivirus, and URL filtering to guard your endpoints from dangerous web sites and suspicious downloads.

I additionally love Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud’s steady knowledge safety, which implies adjustments are captured in real-time, so even when catastrophe strikes, I’m by no means various moments behind. Cloud integration works seamlessly, and I can again up on to the Acronis cloud or on-premises storage. Restorations are quick and easy, now not trying to find particular recordsdata or coping with compatibility points. Plus, it lets me restore whole methods or particular recordsdata with ease.

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud
I additionally like how Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud presents a single dashboard that will help you management all of it: backups, antivirus, endpoint monitoring, and even patch administration. It’s tremendous handy, particularly when managing a number of units. There’s additionally a helpful characteristic for producing detailed stories, which simplifies auditing and troubleshooting.

However, as a lot as I find it irresistible, it’s not with out quirks. The first full backup takes perpetually, particularly if coping with terabytes of information. Incremental backups are a lot quicker, however that preliminary one can check your persistence. 

I’ve additionally seen a slight efficiency hit throughout backups or antivirus scans, particularly on older machines or methods already below heavy workloads. 

Agent administration may additionally use some enchancment. Generally, updates don’t undergo mechanically, so I’ve needed to step in and deal with them manually. Whereas helpful, it’s a little bit of a problem, and the patch administration software doesn’t fairly measure as much as standalone patching options. It typically requires additional effort to get all the pieces working easily.

Certainly one of my greatest ache factors has been the documentation and help. The guides really feel too sparse for a platform filled with many options. The training curve is steep, and after I’ve hit a snag, the look ahead to help to reply has been longer than I’d like. 

In case you work in a mixed-tech setting, you may encounter integration points. The platform doesn’t play as properly as I’d hoped with third-party instruments like Oracle or SAP, and cell machine help is sort of non-existent. This limitation might be in case your workforce depends on BYOD or cell endpoints.

Even the highly effective consumer interface can generally really feel overwhelming. Navigating options and tabs can grow to be a chore, particularly when managing a number of tenants or shoppers. And let’s not neglect the gradual speeds when restoring massive datasets from the cloud. I’ve even had some restoration trip, which was extremely irritating.

What I like about Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud:

  • Acronis combines backup, catastrophe restoration, and cybersecurity in a single platform. It is all there, from ransomware safety to malware defence and real-time alerts, and I don’t should juggle a number of instruments.
  • The dashboard is a large time-saver. I can management backups, monitor endpoints, handle patches, and deal with safety alerts multi function place. It’s highly effective and retains me organized.

What G2 customers like about Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud:

“Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud gives an distinctive mix of information safety and cybersecurity in a single platform. Its seamless backup, catastrophe restoration, and AI-based anti-malware integration defend our enterprise knowledge. The centralized administration console is extremely intuitive, making it simple to deploy, monitor, and handle all our shoppers’ knowledge safety wants. The versatile licensing mannequin and sturdy help for digital, bodily, or cloud environments make it a extremely versatile answer for any enterprise.”

Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud Evaluation, Tran Le D.

What I dislike about Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud:
  • It was painfully gradual after I did my first full backup, particularly since I used to be working with a big dataset. Incremental backups are a lot faster, however that preliminary backup actually felt prefer it took perpetually.
  • Determining the pricing construction has been one other problem for me. With so many modules and choices to contemplate, it’s robust to calculate the precise prices. For smaller organizations like mine, it could find yourself feeling fairly costly.
What G2 customers dislike about Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud:

“Entry management of Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud shouldn’t be nicely defined within the technical paperwork & it is vitally advanced. Buyer help is fast however doesn’t present the precise answer for the difficulty they solely present the doc hyperlink for reference.”

Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud Evaluation, Rohan P.

Getting ready for patch administration? Uncover why patch administration is essential and the way it advantages you by fixing bugs, resolving errors, and addressing vulnerabilities by way of updates that add or modify code in present software program.

2. NinjaOne

In case you’ve ever wrestled with backup options, you understand the wrestle: complicated setups, gradual restores, or worse, gaps in performance that depart you scrambling when one thing goes flawed. That’s why I gave NinjaOne’s backup answer a shot.

One of many first issues I seen about NinjaOne is how all the pieces comes collectively in a single pane of glass. The backup answer isn’t simply an add-on. It’s deeply built-in with their broader distant monitoring and administration platform. I can handle backups, monitor endpoints, run patches, and even create help tickets with out leaving the dashboard.

NinjaOne helps each file/folder backups and full image-level backups. This flexibility means I can again up vital paperwork whereas capturing full system states. I particularly respect the benefit of managing cloud-based backups. The cloud answer is safe, dependable, and doesn’t require separate instruments or brokers—it’s all dealt with by the NinjaOne agent already deployed on units.

I’m an enormous fan of automation, and NinjaOne doesn’t disappoint right here. With built-in scripting help for PowerShell, Bash, and different languages, I’ve been capable of create customized workflows for recurring duties. For instance, I’ve scripted insurance policies to mechanically again up sure directories at particular instances whereas excluding non-critical recordsdata to save lots of space for storing. It’s like having a private assistant for backups.

ninjaone
I additionally love the proactive alerts. Each time a backup fails, storage nears capability, or an endpoint goes offline, I get rapid notifications. This has helped me catch points early, typically earlier than they escalate. The power to observe all backup statuses from a single dashboard makes it simple to identify tendencies, like recurring failures on particular units.

Whereas NinjaOne handles Home windows environments like a professional and has first rate macOS help, Linux appears like an afterthought. It is a vital limitation for organizations relying closely on Linux servers.

In case you’re searching for SQL or Alternate-level backups, NinjaOne isn’t there but. It doesn’t have the superior database-level backup capabilities provided by instruments like Veeam or Acronis. This is usually a dealbreaker when you’re managing advanced enterprise methods.

I’ve examined NinjaOne on digital machines working VMware ESXi and Hyper-V, and whereas it really works, the restore speeds for data-heavy servers are noticeably gradual. This isn’t supreme when you’re working with massive datasets or want speedy restoration.

The reporting instruments, whereas practical, are a bit restricted in customization. I can generate primary backup stories, but when I would like in-depth analytics or customized metrics for stakeholders, I typically want for extra sturdy choices.

What I like about NinjaOne:

  • I like how NinjaOne’s backup answer integrates with their broader platform. Whether or not monitoring, patching, or ticketing, all the pieces’s in a single place, making my workflow extremely environment friendly.
  • The actual-time notifications are a game-changer. If a backup fails or a tool goes offline, I get an instantaneous alert, which permits me to behave rapidly earlier than issues get out of hand.

What G2 customers like about NinjaOne:

“After years of coping with the challenges posed by Kaseya, NinjaOne has been a game-changer for our operations. Billing? Easy. Help? Responsive. Website pace and total performance? Seamless. Reflecting on the numerous hours misplaced troubleshooting with Datto and Kaseya, I can’t assist however respect the simplicity and effectivity NinjaOne brings to the desk. Its community scanning instruments effortlessly find endpoints, undertake them, set up brokers, and streamline workflows—permitting me to deal with my work with out frustration. The intuitive MFA course of additional enhances the expertise, eliminating the necessity for repeated help requests.

Patch administration and backup options with NinjaOne are equally spectacular. The platform’s hybrid backup choices, supporting cloud and native environments, enabled us to consolidate a number of backup utilities right into a cohesive system. Managing these vital duties has by no means been simpler or extra environment friendly.”

NinjaOne Evaluation, Greg M.

What I dislike about NinjaOne:
  • NinjaOne works nice for Home windows, however its lack of help for Linux methods limits its usefulness in additional various IT environments.
  • The fee can escalate rapidly, particularly when managing backups for a lot of units or requiring vital cloud storage, making it much less budget-friendly for larger setups.
What G2 customers dislike about NinjaOne:

“When deployed to an AVD, it installs all the pieces as a server product as an alternative of a desktop product. Whereas it’s true that the majority digital desktop methods run on a server base, the consumer/desktop portion for the end-user is working as a Home windows Professional laptop, and we require the Ninja agent, replace agent, and add-on software program (corresponding to TeamViewer) to behave as such.

Thus far, now we have not had that required consumer expertise, and Ninja doesn’t have an answer, regardless of acknowledging our findings. AVD is quite common now, so having it not acknowledge and join correctly as a desktop quite than a server is barely problematic. For standalone computer systems, it’s nice.”

NinjaOne Evaluation, Glen P.

3. Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud

In case you’re searching for a backup answer that simplifies knowledge safety, Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud is price contemplating. Having used it, I can share some insights into its options and efficiency.

I like how Druva presents a totally managed, 100% SaaS platform that gives air-gapped and immutable backups throughout cloud, on-premises, and edge environments. This ensures that your knowledge is safe and recoverable from varied threats. 

I used to be additionally impressed by the centralized dashboard that allowed us to handle knowledge safety insurance policies and actions throughout all workloads, together with SaaS purposes like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Google Workspace, in addition to endpoints and hybrid workloads.

I respect Druva’s cloud-native structure, which helps you to deal with large knowledge volumes. The platform’s microservices-based design ensures environment friendly backup and restoration dealing with throughout a number of areas.

I additionally like how Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud protects knowledge at each layer with a zero-trust safety mannequin. Options like envelope encryption make knowledge accessible solely to approved customers, and the platform complies with trade requirements, together with SOC2, PCI DSS, and FedRAMP. 

I additionally just like the AI-driven Uncommon Knowledge Exercise (UDA) detection and threat-hunting capabilities, which facilitate early identification of potential threats and improve the platform’s cyber response and restoration options. 

Druva Data Security Cloud
Whereas Druva handles common backups effectively, I’ve seen that backing up massive knowledge units can generally affect system efficiency, resulting in slower operations through the backup course of.

The administration console, although complete, can really feel overwhelming as a result of abundance of options and choices. I’d like to see a extra streamlined and intuitive interface, particularly for these new to the platform.

From my expertise, Druva’s pricing is fairly aggressive, however I’ve seen that the prices can add up rapidly you probably have large storage wants. I needed to study my knowledge necessities carefully and take into account how their consumption-based pricing mannequin match into my funds.

On the subject of integrations, I did run into some challenges. Getting Druva to work easily with a number of third-party instruments and purposes took additional effort and help. In case you’re contemplating it, I like to recommend checking how appropriate it’s along with your present methods earlier than diving in—it’ll prevent some complications later.

What I like about Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud:

  • Establishing and managing backups is simple. The centralized dashboard lets me handle all the pieces in a single place, from endpoints to SaaS apps, with out feeling overwhelmed.
  • I like the sturdy encryption and zero-trust mannequin. Realizing that even Druva’s workforce can’t entry my knowledge with out authorization is a large confidence booster.

What G2 customers like about Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud:

“This backup software program is nice and straightforward to make use of. There are many choices for backing up as nicely. VMWare, Hyper-V, File Servers, MS-SQL, NAS, Oracle, SAP HANA, and Nutanix AHV. The numerous choices are fairly simple to arrange, and the help and onboarding groups are unmatched.

One other good thing I like about Druva is the flexibility to revive right into a sandbox setting provided by Druva to check and make sure that the restore will work as I would like it to earlier than restoring into my precise setting.”

Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud Evaluation, Travis D.

What I dislike about Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud:
  • Backing up massive knowledge units can decelerate my system, particularly through the preliminary backups, which is irritating after I’m making an attempt to multitask.
  • Whereas the dashboard is practical, it could generally be a bit overwhelming and unintuitive. Discovering particular choices typically takes extra clicks than I’d like.
What G2 customers dislike about Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud:

“The fee can get out of hand when you misconfigure your insurance policies to maintain copies of backups it’s possible you’ll not want. Understanding how storage consumption will be monitored and the way that may translate to your prices is important.”

Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud Evaluation, Rob I.

Wish to forestall knowledge loss as a consequence of unlawful entry? Study the frequent knowledge safety threats and greatest practices to keep away from changing into the following headline. 

4. IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2

After diving deeper into IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2, I’ve gathered some insights which may enable you to resolve if it’s the precise match in your wants.

I like that IDrive e2 is S3 appropriate, which implies it performs nicely with varied third-party instruments like Cyberduck, MSP360, and Duplicati. This compatibility made it simpler for me to combine IDrive into my present workflows and not using a hitch.

I additionally like how IDrive e2 boasts eleven 9s of information sturdiness, achieved by way of 3x replication and knowledge redundancy. This setup ensures my knowledge is protected, even when the {hardware} fails. Plus, the platform presents encryption for knowledge in transit and at relaxation, which supplies me peace of thoughts understanding my info is safe.

idrive
The easy pricing mannequin, with out hidden knowledge ingress or egress charges, is a aid. I can entry, add, and obtain my knowledge with out worrying about surprising prices, simplifying budgeting.

Whereas the preliminary backup course of was comparatively fast, subsequent uploads, particularly massive recordsdata, might be quicker. This slowdown will be irritating after I’m making an attempt to again up vital quantities of information promptly.

Accessing and managing backups through the cell app is handy, however I’ve encountered occasional connectivity points. There have been instances when the app struggled to attach, which will be inconvenient after I have to retrieve recordsdata on the go.

Establishing multi-backup options, like combining cloud and native backups, wasn’t as intuitive as I’d hoped. Navigating the settings took a while, and I had to make sure all the pieces was configured accurately.

What I like about IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2:

  • The 11 nines of information sturdiness and encryption for each transit and storage give me complete confidence that my recordsdata are protected, it doesn’t matter what.
  • I like that it’s S3 appropriate, making it simple to make use of with instruments like Cyberduck and Duplicati.

What G2 customers like about IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2:

“It is easy to work together with its interface and import knowledge from different platforms with a single click on. It makes the backup of the server with CLI quick and well-implemented. Its pricing can be good in comparison with AWS, and has well-integrated object storage choices. Its versioning and logs are nicely detailed, that are useful in backups and gives good add pace.”

IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2d Evaluation, Ranjith Ok.

What I dislike about IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2:
  • Whereas the preliminary backup went easily, importing massive recordsdata later felt slower than I’d hoped.
  • The cell app will be hit and miss. It’s nice when it really works, however there have been instances when it struggled to attach, which is irritating after I’m in a rush.
What G2 customers dislike about IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2:

“It doesn’t supply limitless storage plan choices, and its backup versioning will be inaccurate at instances. On Linux, it solely helps a command-line interface, which I discover fairly irritating.”

IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2d Evaluation, Chaitanya D.

5. Veeam Knowledge Platform

After diving deeper into the technical elements of the Veeam Knowledge Platform and reflecting on my private expertise, I can share some detailed insights which may enable you to higher perceive its capabilities.

I like how the platform is constructed on a modular structure, which is fairly scalable and will be tailor-made to numerous environments. At its core, there’s the Veeam Backup Server, a Home windows-based machine that orchestrates all backup, restore, and replication duties. Then, you have got the Backup Proxy, which handles the heavy lifting by retrieving knowledge from the supply and transferring it to the backup repository, successfully offloading duties from the primary server. 

The Backup Repository is the place all of your backup recordsdata, VM copies, and metadata reside. The Backup Enterprise Supervisor presents a centralized internet interface for bigger setups, making administration throughout a number of backup servers easy. I additionally respect the Standalone Console, which helps you to handle the backup server remotely with no need to distant desktop into the server.

Relying in your wants, you’ll be able to select from ahead incremental-forever, ahead incremental, and reverse incremental backups. There’s additionally the choice for lively full and artificial full backups. 

Veeam Data Platform
One characteristic I notably respect is the Prompt VM Restoration, which lets you begin a VM straight from a backup file. This implies minimal downtime in case of failures. Moreover, the platform helps granular restoration, so you’ll be able to restore particular person objects from purposes like Microsoft Alternate, SharePoint, Energetic Listing, SQL Server, and Oracle Databases.

I used to be additionally impressed by Veeam’s storage-agnostic nature and seamless integration with methods like Cisco HyperFlex, EMC VNX, HP 3PAR, Nimble, NetApp, IBM, and Lenovo Storage V Collection. This integration permits us to make use of storage snapshots as a backup and restoration supply, enhancing effectivity. 

The Scale-Out Backup Repository characteristic lets us create a scalable backup repository from varied storage units, simplifying storage administration. Constructed-in knowledge deduplication and compression cut back backup file sizes and knowledge site visitors, which I discovered nice for saving space for storing and bettering switch speeds. A built-in WAN acceleration characteristic additionally reduces the bandwidth required for transferring backups and replicas over wide-area networks.

If you’d like all of the superior options, the licensing can get costly—particularly when you’re scaling up. It’s a big funding, and whereas it’s price it for what you get, it’s one thing to contemplate when you’re on a good funds.

For bigger deployments, I’ve discovered limitations within the Scale-Out Backup Repository (it caps at three nodes until you improve). It’s nice for smaller setups, however it could really feel restrictive when you’re working at scale.

One other ache level is compatibility. Whereas it excels in VMware environments, venturing outdoors of that may be rocky. Configurations for non-VMware setups generally require workarounds or extra effort than I’d like.

Lastly, licensing can really feel overly difficult, particularly when you handle clusters or blended environments. It’s not a deal-breaker however provides an additional layer of administration overhead.

What I like about Veeam Knowledge Platform:

  • I respect the Prompt VM Restoration, which lets us restore vital methods straight from backups inside minutes, minimizing downtime.
  • From backup immutability to granular restoration and seamless storage integrations, Veeam presents all the pieces I would like for sturdy knowledge safety.

What G2 customers like about Veeam Knowledge Platform:

“Veeam Knowledge Platform’s instantaneous restoration is an superior characteristic when you ever have a problem with a VM; you’ll be able to restore a backup and migrate it to manufacturing if one thing occurs to the manufacturing server. Agent backups are additionally nice for focused backups of particular folders at a better frequency than full backups. Stay migration of VM if you do not have a full sphere license. It is fairly easy to make use of, and help will enable you to repair any points that come up with a job so far as errors go.”

Veeam Knowledge Platform Evaluation, Phil C.

What I dislike about Veeam Knowledge Platform:
  • Options just like the Scale-Out Backup Repository are nice however really feel restrictive with a cap of three nodes until I put money into an improve.
  • Managing licenses, particularly in clustered or blended environments, can get unnecessarily difficult and add to the workload.
What G2 customers dislike about Veeam Knowledge Platform:

“The one small downside is that the licenses will be fairly expensive, particularly when it’s important to defend many machines. In addition to, the monitoring characteristic by way of Veeam One shouldn’t be free, and due to this fact, we’d like two licenses which looks as if an additional swap.”

Veeam Knowledge Platform Evaluation, Emily Ok.

6. Cove Knowledge Safety

Cove Knowledge Safety makes life simpler concerning knowledge backup and restoration options.

The very first thing that wowed me was Cove’s block-level, incremental backups. As an alternative of backing up the complete system each time (which eats bandwidth and time), it solely captures adjustments. It is a game-changer for effectivity, particularly for big datasets.

One other standout characteristic is the cloud-first structure. Not like conventional options that rely closely on native storage, Cove leverages the cloud for storage and restoration. It helps direct-to-cloud backups, so I don’t should handle or keep native {hardware}. The backups are encrypted with AES-256, so I do know my knowledge is safe.

The restoration testing characteristic is a lifesaver. Cove automates the method by verifying the integrity of your backups and producing detailed stories. These stories are excellent for exhibiting shoppers that their knowledge is protected and recoverable. And talking of restoration, the pace is phenomenal. I’ve restored a whole lot of gigabytes to a bare-metal machine in only a few hours, a lifesaver throughout vital downtime.

Cove Data Protection
Managing all the pieces by way of Cove’s centralized portal is a breeze. It lets me deal with backups for servers, workstations, and Workplace 365 accounts in a single place. The portal gives multi-tenant help, excellent for IT professionals managing a number of shoppers. The customization choices for backup frequency and retention insurance policies guarantee I can management how knowledge is saved and for the way lengthy.

One other spotlight is their catastrophe restoration capabilities. With bare-metal restores and virtualization-ready backups, Cove ensures you’re ready for something. I additionally respect how they prioritize efficiency with their WAN-optimized knowledge switch—backups are quick, and bandwidth utilization is minimal.

Now, let’s discuss the place Cove may step up its sport. 

First, there’s no offline restore choice, which will be irritating in environments with restricted web entry. Whereas they’ve promised the flexibility to export Workplace 365 backups regionally or to a different tenant, it’s nonetheless in improvement.

Consumer administration is one other weak level. The predefined roles are okay for smaller groups, however they lack the pliability I’d like for assigning granular permissions in bigger organizations. Restoring SharePoint or OneDrive knowledge to a brand new location isn’t as seamless appropriately. Having to log in because the consumer for sure administrative actions appears like a workaround quite than a characteristic.

What I like about Cove Knowledge Safety:

  • Establishing Cove was ridiculously simple. I had it backing up my Workplace 365 tenant very quickly. The interface is tremendous intuitive, and managing all the pieces from the centralized portal appears like a breeze.
  • The restore pace blew me away. In only a few hours, I’ve restored a whole lot of gigabytes to a bare-metal machine. When each minute counts, having a reliable and quick restoration course of is a lifesaver.

What G2 customers like about Cove Knowledge Safety:

“Cove Knowledge Safety is a simple backup answer that allows us to implement backup brokers simply. We are able to monitor the backups from a day by day backup report. Within the occasion of a problem, now we have been capable of converse to an skilled engineer to resolve the difficulty. Restores are a simple course of and have given us full religion on this product.”

Cove Knowledge Safety Evaluation, Kevin S.

What I dislike about Cove Knowledge Safety:
  • Certainly one of my greatest frustrations is the dearth of offline restores. You’re utterly depending on an web connection, which will be problematic in some vital conditions.
  • The built-in consumer roles really feel restrictive, particularly for bigger groups. I’d like to see extra granular management over permissions to make managing help groups simpler.
What G2 customers dislike about Cove Knowledge Safety:

“The one downside with the system is the limitless licensing. In case you exceed the variety of licenses, you need to pay a balancing invoice with out reductions.”

Cove Knowledge Safety Evaluation, Lorenzo M.

Wish to defend your knowledge from ransomware? Study how ransomware works and the right way to defend your community from it. 

7. EaseUS Knowledge Restoration 

After I by chance deleted a batch of vital recordsdata, panic set in. I’d heard good issues about EaseUS Knowledge Restoration, so I attempted it. 

This backup software program is extremely simple to make use of. The interface is clear and easy, making it excellent for somebody like me who’s not a tech guru. You begin with two foremost choices: Fast Scan and Deep Scan. The Fast Scan provides you quick outcomes, excellent for current deletions. The Deep Scan, whereas slower, amazed me with its capability to search out recordsdata from months in the past. It even recovered recordsdata from a drive I assumed was past saving.

The software program helps restoration from any storage machine: HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD playing cards, reminiscence playing cards, and digital cameras. One time, I used it to tug knowledge from a corrupted exterior onerous drive—one thing I assumed was not possible. It really works with all main file methods, together with NTFS, FAT, exFAT, HFS+, and EXT.

One other standout characteristic is the flexibility to get better over 1,000 file sorts. Whether or not it’s paperwork, movies, photographs, audio, and even emails, this software program can deal with them. What’s extra, you get a file preview characteristic earlier than restoring. This saved me a lot time—I may examine if the file was intact earlier than committing to restoration.

EaseUS Data Recovery
One factor that impressed me was the RAW restoration mode. It digs deep into your storage to get better recordsdata from severely broken drives, even when the system is damaged. This characteristic saved me when coping with a corrupted SD card from my digital camera.

EaseUS additionally helps BitLocker-encrypted drive restoration, an enormous bonus for anybody storing delicate knowledge. And it’s not only for informal customers—there’s additionally RAID restoration help for extra advanced setups. For many who love the nitty-gritty, the backup software program permits you to scan by particular file sorts, saving effort and time.

The restoration algorithms are significantly superior, which explains its success charge. The software program runs on each Home windows and macOS, making it versatile and accessible for everybody.

The free model allows you to get better as much as 2GB of information, which isn’t a lot when you’re coping with massive recordsdata. I ended up upgrading to the paid model, which, whereas not low cost, was nicely price it.

One other factor to notice: the Deep Scan will be gradual when you’re scanning massive drives. My 1TB exterior drive took hours, however to be truthful, it unearthed recordsdata I assumed have been gone for good. And whereas it does a superb job total, often, some recordsdata listed as recoverable weren’t usable. It’s irritating, however fortunately, this was uncommon.

What I like about EaseUS Knowledge Restoration:

  • The interface is so easy and user-friendly that even a non-techie like me may navigate it with out confusion. It’s a breeze to scan, preview, and get better recordsdata.
  • It helps over 1,000 file sorts and works on varied storage units, from HDDs to encrypted drives. The Deep Scan characteristic is a lifesaver for recovering outdated or corrupted recordsdata.

What G2 customers like about EaseUS Knowledge Restoration:

“EaseUS Knowledge Restoration saved my day. I by chance formatted an exterior onerous drive and thought I had misplaced years of vital paperwork. This software program recovered nearly all the pieces with ease. The method was easy, and the outcomes have been unbelievable. Extremely advocate it for anybody dealing with knowledge loss.”

EaseUS Knowledge Restoration Evaluation, Umut.

What I dislike about EaseUS Knowledge Restoration:
  • The free model solely permits you to get better as much as 2GB of information, which isn’t a lot when you’re coping with massive recordsdata or lots of misplaced knowledge.
  • Whereas thorough, the Deep Scan characteristic can take hours on bigger drives, which will be irritating when you’re in a rush.
What G2 customers dislike about EaseUS Knowledge Restoration:

“I dislike a number of elements of EaseUS Knowledge Restoration Wizard. Firstly, the fee for the complete model will be fairly excessive, which might not be justifiable for infrequent customers. Moreover, the scanning course of will be gradual, particularly for bigger drives, making it time-consuming to retrieve knowledge.”

EaseUS Knowledge Restoration Evaluation, Ajesh S.

8. Datto BCDR

Let me share my hands-on expertise with the Datto Enterprise Continuity and Catastrophe Restoration (BCDR) answer. This all-in-one platform is designed to maintain your knowledge protected and your enterprise working easily, however like all tech, it has its highs and lows.

First, the setup is a breeze. I didn’t must be an IT wizard to get issues working. It’s bought this clear, intuitive interface that makes configuration simple, and I may again up my methods very quickly. What stands out for me is the way it makes use of Inverse Chain Expertise. Not like conventional methods, it creates impartial restoration factors, so I’m not caught worrying a couple of failed incremental backup breaking the chain.

One other favourite characteristic? Prompt virtualization. If a server fails, I can spin up a virtualized model of my backup regionally on the SIRIS machine or in Datto’s Cloud. I’ve had to do that as soon as throughout a vital downtime, and actually, with the ability to get better and preserve issues working and not using a hitch was a lifesaver.

The ransomware detection characteristic can be sensible. It mechanically scans backups for suspicious adjustments and alerts me if one thing seems off. When ransomware attacked certainly one of our endpoints, I returned all the pieces to a clear backup, and we have been again in enterprise inside minutes.

Datto BCDR
Storage will be tough. Datto recommends sizing the equipment two to a few instances the full used disk house of all protected methods. I went with the S5-4 mannequin, which has 4TB of usable storage, however I underestimated how rapidly it could refill with frequent backups and huge datasets. In case you’re contemplating it, do your self a favor and plan for extra storage than you want.

The pricing? It’s on the excessive aspect. Our equipment began round $1,000, earlier than factoring in upgrades or the continuing value of cloud storage. Whereas the options justify the value, smaller companies may really feel the pinch.

Help, whereas obtainable 24/7/365, will be hit and miss. I’ve had instances after they have been lightning-fast and others after I waited hours for a response. Having a devoted account rep helped clean out a few of these bumps, nevertheless it’s one thing to recollect.

What I like about Datto BCDR:

  • I like that I can spin up a digital backup in minutes, both regionally or within the cloud. It’s saved me throughout vital downtimes and stored my operations working seamlessly.
  • With Datto’s Inverse Chain Expertise, I can take backups as ceaselessly as each 5 minutes. It is a game-changer. I by no means have to fret about shedding vital chunks of information between restoration factors.

What G2 customers like about Datto BCDR:

“Integration with VMware makes use of present VMware snapshot expertise to take backups. You get the screenshot electronic mail to verify that all the pieces has been validated. It is easy to implement a brand new backup; it is nearly a subsequent/subsequent end. You may encrypt the backup, and you understand that it’s then immutable. We now have backups scheduled from 2 hourly as much as weekly, all with no points.”

Datto BCDR Evaluation, Simon L.

What I dislike about Datto BCDR:
  • The equipment fills up rapidly when you don’t plan for sufficient capability upfront. I needed to study the onerous strategy to dimension it not less than two to a few instances bigger than my present knowledge wants.
  • Whereas the help workforce is accessible 24/7, the response instances can range. Throughout vital points, that inconsistency will be fairly irritating.
What G2 customers dislike about Datto BCDR:

“The fee is the one cause I haven’t got SIRIS units in each consumer’s location. However even within the instances the place we aren’t utilizing SIRIS, Datto has different methods which might be extra cost-efficient.”

Datto BCDR Evaluation, Ben L.

9. Rubrik

Managing backups and knowledge restoration will be tedious, however with Rubrik, it feels refreshingly completely different.

Rubrik makes use of this incremental-forever strategy for backups, which primarily signifies that after the primary full backup, it solely captures adjustments going ahead. This has saved me a ton of space for storing and bandwidth. One other standout is their speedy parallel ingest characteristic, which makes even large-scale backups really feel lightning-fast. 

The point-in-time restore functionality was a lifesaver after I’ve needed to restore recordsdata. It permits me to rewind and get better to any second with out problem. For bodily servers, Rubrik helps each full picture and file-level restoration, which provides flexibility.

One of many causes I went with Rubrik was its deep integration with cloud suppliers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. I’ve been capable of archive knowledge straight into S3 buckets on AWS, and organising catastrophe restoration workflows in Azure was surprisingly easy. The multi-cloud help has additionally made migrating workloads between platforms a breeze. Plus, Rubrik makes use of deduplication and compression for cloud archives, so I’m not burning by way of storage unnecessarily.

The HTML5-based interface is clear, intuitive, and responsive. Whether or not on my laptop computer or a cell machine, the interface scales superbly. I respect how simple it’s to create SLA insurance policies. Simply outline the retention, backup frequency, and replication targets, and Rubrik takes care of the remaining. 

rubrik

I additionally respect how Rubrik doesn’t fiddle with safety. It makes use of end-to-end encryption—each in transit and at relaxation. Its immutable backups imply even when somebody tries to tamper with them, they will’t be altered or deleted.

Whereas Rubrik’s help workforce is educated, I’ve skilled delays, particularly for non-critical points. This may be irritating while you’re making an attempt to resolve one thing rapidly. For areas like APAC, timelines for help may use some enchancment.

Rubrik’s reporting options are sufficient however not distinctive. The default stories are considerably inflexible, and creating customized stories isn’t as easy as I’d like. As an example, breaking down metrics by division or SLA compliance requires guide effort.

Though Rubrik excels in commonplace restoration duties, dealing with extremely advanced or area of interest restoration situations generally requires guide intervention, which may gradual issues down.

Whereas the platform ensures backups are intact, I’d love extra sturdy, built-in testing instruments for catastrophe restoration simulations. This may make periodic validation of my restoration methods a lot simpler.

What I like about Rubrik:

  • Rubrik’s incremental-forever backups save me a lot time and space for storing. I like how I can restore knowledge to a precise cut-off date with only a few clicks.
  • Its integration with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is a game-changer. I’ve been capable of archive knowledge and arrange catastrophe restoration workflows with none hiccups. The deduplication and compression options additionally assist preserve my cloud storage prices down.

What G2 customers like about Rubrik:

“General, I feel Rubrik is a superb backup answer that mixes ease of use, reliability, safety, and innovation. It has considerably improved our backup technique and given us confidence that our knowledge is well-protected.

Rubrik has supplied peace of thoughts with its sturdy and reliable backup capabilities. The moment restoration and Stay Mount options are a game-changer, permitting us to rapidly restore knowledge in case of any points. This reliability is essential for sustaining enterprise continuity and defending in opposition to knowledge loss.”

Rubrik Evaluation, Arran T.

What I dislike about Rubrik:
  • Whereas their help workforce is educated, I’ve skilled irritating delays, particularly for non-critical points. It’s much more noticeable when engaged on time-sensitive duties.
  • The reporting options really feel restricted. I’d love extra customization choices to tailor stories to my particular wants, particularly for compliance or departmental breakdowns.
What G2 customers dislike about Rubrik:

“The licensing mannequin for all of the options may be very difficult. For a brand new custome, it is vitally onerous to know what options are included as a part of the bottom buy.”

Rubrik Evaluation, Burhan A.

Backup software program: Regularly requested questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the greatest backup software program for a PC? 

Based mostly on my testing, the perfect PC backup software program is Acronis Cyber Shield Cloud, NinjaOne, Druva Knowledge Safety Cloud, and IDrive On-line Backup with Object Storage e2.

2. How does backup software program work?

Right here’s how backup software program works:

  • Knowledge choice: Customers select recordsdata, folders, or methods to again up.
  • Backup sorts: Choices embrace full (whole knowledge), incremental (adjustments for the reason that final backup), or differential (adjustments for the reason that final full backup).
  • Knowledge storage: Backups are saved to exterior drives, community servers, or cloud storage.
  • Scheduling: Backups run mechanically at set intervals or manually as wanted.
  • Restoration: Allows knowledge restoration to its unique or a brand new location in case of loss or corruption.

3. Which backup is best?

Essentially the most environment friendly backup kind depends upon your wants and sources. Here is a fast breakdown:

  • Incremental backup: Best total. It saves solely the adjustments made for the reason that final backup (whether or not full or incremental). This minimizes storage use and backup time however requires all incremental backups and the final full backup for an entire restoration.
  • Differential backup: Reasonably environment friendly. It saves all adjustments made for the reason that final full backup. Whereas bigger than incremental backups, it’s quicker to revive since solely the most recent differential and full backup are wanted.
  • Full backup: Least environment friendly for normal backups. It copies all knowledge each time, requiring vital storage and time. Nevertheless, it’s the best to revive, as just one backup file is required.

4. What’s the greatest long-term backup storage?

Discover the choices beneath for long-term backup storage:

  • Cloud storage (e.g., AWS Glacier) for redundancy and accessibility
  • Tape storage (LTO) for cost-effective offline archiving
  • Undertake a hybrid strategy with cloud storage for lively backups and tape storage for archival functions

5. What’s the greatest free backup software program for Home windows 10 and Home windows 11?

The most effective free backup software program for Home windows 10 and 11 consists of EaseUS for complete backup choices, AOMEI Backupper Normal for system and disk cloning, and Duplicati for safe, cloud-based encrypted backups. These instruments are user-friendly and supply important options like full, incremental, and differential backups.

6. What’s the greatest free backup software program?

IDrive On-line Backup and Object Storage e2, Acronis Cyber Shield, and Veeam Knowledge Platform are the perfect free backup software program options. 

Scalable, safe, and supported: The backup trifecta

After testing the perfect backup software program, I’ve realized there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. All of it depends upon what you want. Acquired tons of information that’s rising quick? Search for one thing scalable that gained’t choke below strain. If downtime isn’t an choice, prioritize pace—how rapidly you’ll be able to restore knowledge issues. Safety’s a no brainer too; make sure the software program has sturdy encryption and safety in opposition to ransomware. On a good funds? Open-source choices is perhaps your greatest wager.

Additionally, take into account how nicely it performs along with your present methods: compatibility is essential. And don’t neglect about help; if one thing goes flawed, you’ll desire a dependable workforce to assist. In the long run, the perfect backup software program is the one that matches your wants and retains your knowledge protected with out supplying you with a headache.

Find out how steady knowledge safety helps you retain an up-to-date copy of your info and defend knowledge in case of disasters. 



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