The Best Datto Competitors & Alternatives for BCDR (2026 Guide)

Datto Competitors Compared

1) Unitrends

Founded in 1989, Unitrends is an industry pioneer that has remained a major player in business continuity. Like Datto, the company offers a range of solutions to fit the individualized needs of various businesses. But a key difference with Datto is that Unitrends tends to cater more to companies that require a more custom deployment that integrates third-party cloud services, whereas Datto is a more streamlined, “all-in-one” system.

Unitrends’ core BCDR solutions fall into the following categories:

• Single and multi-location backup and recovery (onsite and/or remote), available with either hardware or software virtual appliances
• DRaaS cloud backup with optional Azure or Amazon AWS integration and/or failover

Pros & Cons

The multiple deployment options provide flexibility so that a company can build or scale their backup and recovery system to match their specific objectives. It also means that you could build very technically similar systems between Datto and Unitrends. So to differentiate, some of the questions you’ll need to ask are:

• How quickly can backups be spun up (onsite and from the cloud)?
• What difficulties arise in more complex enterprise environments (dozens of servers, for example)?
• What kind of customer service can you expect, and from where (direct or via the MSP)?

An important differentiation about Datto is its “Inverse Chain Technology,” which eliminates the dependence on previous snapshots and makes each backup a fully bootable machine (more on that below). Datto also adds the peace of mind of screenshot verification, which tests the backup integrity and performs daily mock recoveries.

Who It’s For

SMBs or multi-location organizations requiring a customized backup environment. It is ideal for companies that want the architectural flexibility to integrate their disaster recovery plan with existing public cloud infrastructure like AWS or Azure.

Unitrends Considerations

Unitrends’ pros and cons will be different for each business, depending on which solution they’ve deployed and how it’s integrated with other IT infrastructure. You can find more information about the solution and to request Unitrends backup pricing here.

2) Barracuda Intronis

Intronis Backup is a software-only product that offers local, hybrid and cloud backup services. However, there are a few other BCDR solutions available from Barracuda, the company behind Intronis. While Intronis was founded in 2003, the company was acquired by Barracuda in 2015. Thus, some of its data backup solutions integrate Barracuda hardware.

• Barracuda Backup is Intronis’s “appliance option” which is targeted solely to managed-service providers (MSPs) as “a turnkey, all-in-one, subscription-based solution that simplifies business continuity and disaster recovery service delivery.”
• Intronis ECHOplatform “goes beyond file-and-folder and delivers secure hybrid local-cloud backup services that offer flexible, comprehensive data protection.”

If you’re evaluating the software-only option from Intronis, the most comparable Datto backup products to look at are Datto Endpoint Protection and/or Datto SIRIS Virtual (vSIRIS), which allows you to run Datto’s SIRIS backup software on your own hardware or virtual infrastructure,

Pros & Cons

ECHOplatform, released in 2015, makes Intronis a direct competitor of Datto, albeit one with much less experience in the hybrid-backup space. ECHOplatform is marketed to MSPs with the option of being “fully brandable.” So for example, if you’re working with an MSP that is offering its own branded data protection solutions, those solutions could in fact be the white-labeled Intronis ECHOplatform.

Who It’s For

Businesses seeking a software-only product for local, hybrid, and cloud backup services. It is a good fit for organizations that want to utilize their own hardware or virtual infrastructure rather than purchasing a proprietary physical appliance.

Intronis Reviews to Consider

Intronis has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, just as we mentioned with Unitrends – and often those Pros and Cons are directly related to the specific needs of your backup infrastructure. That said, here are a few noteworthy snippets from Intronis reviews we stumbled across:

• “The only con would be that one time it took a week for Intronis to recover all the files of one of our customers and get them to us. I would like faster recovery if possible.”*
• “The local backup does not keep multiple versions of the files. Thus if you do not get fully synced to the Cloud you only have the latest version of the corrupt file. Explain that one to your client and their attorney.”*
• “Very little common sense used in the settings, for example you can set a retention period of several years, but deleted files have a separate retention rule; either keep all & manually remove versions (!!) or automatically remove after 3 months.”*

(*Source)

Take a look at our overview of Datto vs. Intronis

3) Axcient

Mountain View-based Axcient has become another big player in BCDR, specializing in data backup and recovery for virtual IT environments.

Axcient Fusion is the company’s flagship product—a disaster-recovery-as-a-service (DRaaS) solution that “converges infrastructure and workloads in a single cloud platform,” allowing businesses to “go from a catastrophic failure to full IT productivity in under 60 minutes.”

Pros & Cons

One significant difference between Datto and Axcient is that Axcient’s solutions are agentless, which means no software is installed on network devices. Axcient markets this as an advantage over Datto, claiming that it reduces load on primary systems. But truth be told, an agentless system will come with drawbacks in certain environments. Datto offers both agent-based and agentless systems, allowing companies to choose the solution that makes the most sense for their DR objectives and infrastructure.

Who It’s For

Companies managing virtual IT environments that want a streamlined disaster-recovery-as-a-service (DRaaS) solution. Its agentless infrastructure is specifically designed to reduce the load on primary network systems, making it ideal for environments where installing local backup software on every device is impractical.

Axcient Reviews to Consider

As with the reviews of Datto competitors above, the following Axcient reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, especially since it is not often clear exactly which products are deployed. However, we’ve included the following reviews as issues to be aware of:

• “It would be nice for the Windows and Linux options to be integrated into a single product vs having to have two separate purchases.”*
• “There were problems with the backups using too much bandwidth and killing the network. There should be a less invasive way to accomplish backups during the day.”*
• “The web console could use some speed improvements. It often takes 15-20 minutes just to get a restore started. It also does not seem to play nice with more modern browsers.”*

(*Source)

You can read our full Datto vs. Axcient comparison here

4) Veeam

Veeam is arguably one of the top Datto competitors, offering a similar suite of products for data backup, cloud storage and recovery. Founded in 2006, the company is today known for its self-described “Always-On Enterprise” solutions, backed by its promise to help companies meet recovery time objectives of “less than 15 minutes for all applications and data.” They offer a variety of products, including both agent-based and agentless backups.

Pros & Cons

Like Datto, Veeam offers image-based backups from screenshots, which enables a faster, more efficient backup process than other backup methods. But one difference right off the bat is that, with Datto, the backup image is a fully bootable virtual machine. This allows administrators to test-boot the backup to determine if the backup is recoverable.

Datto’s customers and managed-service providers often consider Datto to provide more of a 360-degree approach to business continuity. In comparing Datto and Veeam, one user points out:

“Each product has strengths in different areas … Where Datto really shines is business continuity. Datto service includes offsite storage and the ability to either spin up your VMs from their appliance in the case of an equipment failure, or spin up your VMs in their data center in the case of a total site failure. This is of course something that is possible and configurable in VEEAM but requires extra resources.”

Who It’s For

Mid-market to enterprise-level organizations with dedicated internal IT teams who manage complex, highly virtualized environments. Because it requires extra resource configuration for full offsite VM spin-ups, it is best suited for companies that want hardware-agnostic flexibility and maximum granular control over their disaster recovery architecture.

Veeam reviews to consider

Like most of the Datto competitors we’ve highlighted, Veeam BCDR has its pros and cons, which should be evaluated carefully. Here are some noteworthy points we found in various online reviews:

• “Veeam is a good backup product but it definitely needs more complexity when it comes to supporting different types of systems and applications.”*
• “Veeam needs to have more support for non-Windows systems and other databases. For example, I can do SQL with Veeam but not Informix or Oracle. This is unfortunate because we have many partners with Oracle systems and Informix databases, and Veeam does not yet have the agents we need for specific Oracle and UNIX operating systems.”*
• “Veeam Backup Replication has agents for Linux, but they are not supporting Cluster Shared Volumes. It would be great to have agents for Linux be cluster-aware, just like the Windows agents. In addition, we should be able to schedule, control, and deploy them from the backup server rather than relying on scripts and/or the system you are backing up to perform the backup.”*

(*Source)

Check out our full report on Datto vs. Veeam 

5) Cove Data Protection

Cove is an increasingly popular backup solution produced by N-able, an MSP-focused company that spun off from SolarWinds in 2021. Cove provides direct-to-cloud backup for virtual and physical servers, workstations, applications and databases – an offering it markets as “data protection as a service.”

Cove says its backups are 600% more efficient than traditional image backups by leveraging cloud infrastructure. However, businesses still have the option of using on-site hardware to keep local copies of backups “for recovery at WAN speed.”

Pros & Cons

Cove uses a lightweight backup agent to capture data and transmit it directly to N-able’s cloud, which is built upon a global network of data centers. Cloud storage is included in the pricing, which is unique from some Datto alternatives that bill separately for off-site storage. One disadvantage to Cove’s “optional” approach to local storage is that it adds complexity for businesses that need to maintain on-prem backups. Adding local storage means configuring disparate hardware, which can complicate deployment and management.

Who It’s For

Cloud-first businesses and decentralized workforces seeking a lightweight, direct-to-cloud backup solution. Because cloud storage is included in the pricing, it is highly effective for IT teams looking to eliminate the administrative hassle and footprint of local, disparate on-premise hardware.

Cove Backup reviews to consider:

• “We like the fact that it is so easy to deploy and the costs are extremely reasonable. We are finding it difficult to diagnose issues related to not being able to VM it during a restore but we are currently working with support to diagnose.”*
• “Not a huge fan of Cove Data Protection’s pricing model – it’s a bit unclear and can end up being expensive for smaller businesses. While their customer support is usually reliable, there have been instances where response times were slower, especially during busy periods. Also, while the platform itself is easy to navigate, getting the hang of some of the more advanced features might take some extra time and training.”

• “There are sometimes interface glitches on certain panels in the Cove web portal (such as on the Device Properties screen), and some errors aren’t always immediately easy to interpret.”

(*Source)

Free Alternatives to Datto

With the exception of free trials available on some BCDR solutions, there are very few true free alternatives to Datto. That’s because Datto and its main competitors are robust backup solutions that are capable of protecting organizations with even the most complex IT environments. That being said, there are a few free alternatives available, albeit with serious limitations.

Some free alternatives include:

• Veeam (free edition): In addition to its paid BCDR solutions, Veeam also offers a free software download that can protect up to 10 machines (virtual, physical and cloud workloads).
• UrBackup: Free open-source backup software offering a combination of image and file-based backups.
• AOMEI Backupper Standard: Free backup software for Windows 11 with backups for O/S, entire hard disk and individual files.
• Veritas Backup Exec (60 days): A lightweight version of Veritas’s paid backup products, offering basic protection for physical and virtual servers.

Again, most of these free products are not designed to provide full data protection or disaster recovery for the needs of most businesses, so use them at your discretion. You can find Datto SIRIS cost information here.

File Sync & Share Considerations

Keep in mind that Datto’s offerings span a wide scope of business continuity that goes beyond data backup and extends to enterprise file sync and share (FSS) as well. Datto Workplace (formerly known as Datto Drive) is a cloud-protected file-sharing platform specifically for businesses, with automatic backups and on-demand file recovery.

Datto Workplace can be used on its own for FSS or deployed within its other solutions, such as the SIRIS.

What about Lightweight Backup Alternatives, like Box?

Datto Workplace, as well as Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, and native OS tools like Windows Backup or File History, are not intended to be used for enterprise business continuity. While built-in tools like Windows Backup provide a simple way for individuals to sync local files and device settings to the cloud, they are primarily consumer-grade endpoint solutions. They are still vulnerable to the most common culprits of data loss, including accidental deletion, and cannot instantly virtualize a failed server.

As such, file-sharing applications and basic operating system backups should not serve as a substitute for more robust BCDR solutions like Datto and its competitors listed above. Instead, these services should be used primarily for productivity, workplace efficiency, and basic endpoint protection as a supplement to your larger data backup strategies.

How to Identify the Right Backup Solution

As with any technology investment (whether it’s hardware, software, SaaS, DRaaS or something else altogether), it’s critical to find the right fit for your company. Today, cyberattacks like ransomware can derail operations and take months to recover from. Choosing insufficient backup technology leaves your company at risk.

As you evaluate Datto competitors and alternatives, here are some questions to consider:

• What types of events threaten our data?
  Is the business at risk of a ransomware attack? What about on-site flooding or fire?
• Which kinds of protection are the highest priority?
  What solutions could ensure operational continuity after a disaster? What protections are needed to eliminate the risk of downtime?
• How much data do we need to back up?
  Are we talking terabytes of highly sensitive data, a thumb drive’s worth, or something in between?
• Will it be stored on-site, in the cloud or both?
  Storing data in the cloud, away from the physical business location, is a good precaution, but does it mean compromising recovery speed?
• What is our Recovery Time Objective (RTO)?
  How quickly would data need to be recovered in order to avert a major disruption in operation?
• What is our Recovery Point Objective (RPO)?
  How much data could we afford to lose if a backup needed to be restored? How recent does the recovery point need to be to meet that objective?

Answering these questions can help to narrow your options. With more stringent requirements for disaster recovery and ransomware prevention, you’ll find that some Datto competitors fall short.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the alternatives to Datto?

Alternatives to Datto include Veeam, Barracuda Intronis, Axcient, Unitrends, StorageCraft and Cove Data Protection. These competitors provide varying options for business continuity, data backup, cloud storage, and disaster-recovery-as-a-service (DRaaS) across both physical and virtual IT environments.

2. Is Kaseya the same as Datto?

Kaseya is the parent company of Datto. Datto was founded in 2007 and operated independently until it was acquired in 2022 by Kaseya, which provides a suite of IT management, security and data protection solutions for managed service providers.

3. Which backup software is best?

The “best” backup software depends on your organization’s specific needs. At Invenio IT, we typically recommend Datto SIRIS as a unified solution for small- to mid-sized businesses. However, alternatives like Unitrends might be a better fit depending on your infrastructure and objectives.

4. Who are Datto’s main competitors?

Datto’s primary competitors in the business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) market include Veeam, Barracuda Intronis, Axcient, Unitrends, Cove Backup and StorageCraft. These companies compete by offering comparable data protection, instant virtualization and cloud backup solutions.

5. What’s the difference between Datto and Unitrends?

The main difference is that Datto SIRIS is a unified, all-in-one solution that seamlessly integrates purpose-built hardware, software and proprietary cloud storage, whereas Unitrends offers a more customizable approach, providing organizations the flexibility to tailor their environments and integrate backups with third-party clouds like AWS or Azure.

Don’t take any risks. Contact us before choosing any Datto competitors.

Make sure you choose a BCDR solution that is right for your organization’s needs. For more information on how Datto compares to its competitors in business continuity, contact our experts at Invenio IT. Schedule a free consultation or request a demo by calling (646) 395-1170, or email success@invenioIT.com.