Datto vs StorageCraft: What is Best for Your Small Business?
Round 1: Datto vs StorageCraft
Backing up important files can mean the difference between losing all your valuable data permanently and bouncing back immediately after being hacked, having a computer system become infested with malware or experiencing a computer crash. The only question is which system should be used for such an important task. Following is a comparison of Datto vs StorageCraft that will enable you to see what these popular systems have to offer and which one is right for your company.
Introducing the Datto SIRIS 3
Datto SIRIS 3 is a new business continuity solution that can be deployed either physically or virtually. The virtual version of this system works with Windows, Mac and Linux and both versions provide instant on-site and offsite backup virtualization. The company’s unique inverse chain technology prevents problems with broken backup chains and all backups are tested to ensure that there are no glitches when you attempt to use the system to recover your data. Datto Siris 3 offers other benefits as well, including plans in various price points, top notch AES 256 encryption for all documents in the cloud and in transit, the option of specifying a password per appliance or per protected machine and the ability to identify file and application changes between any two backup points.
And, StorageCraft
StorageCraft’s ShadowProtect backup program also has much to offer. It has a reputation for being fast, reliable and offering a high level of protection. It can back up not only files and folders but also drivers, registry files and software applications. It is also very convenient because you can either restore your entire system with a single click or look through your files and select the ones you want to restore.
Unfortunately, the system also has its flaws, the main one being the fact that ShadowProtect does not provide an online back-up option; instead, one has to sign up for StorageCraft’s Cloud Services in order to back up data online. Reviewers also note that the interface is dated and the program doesn’t offer much explanation for advanced features. These issues make it difficult to use StorageCraft if you aren’t tech-savvy. What’s more, there is a hefty per-user fee that can quickly add up.
When looking at Datto vs StorageCraft, we find Datto to be the preferred solution for companies that want to back up and access data with ease.
If you would like to know more about the Datto technology, click here for a demo. Invenio IT has over fifteen years of experience managing backup and recovery solutions worldwide–and, would be happy to provide you with personalized solutions and assistance that will enable you to keep your business running smoothly at all times.
Dale Shulmistra
Dale Shulmistra is a Business Continuity Specialist at Invenio IT, responsible for shaping the company’s technology initiatives -- selecting, designing, implementing & supporting business continuity solutions to bolster client operational efficiencies and eliminate downtime.
Dale, this is blatantly one sided and leaning toward Datto. You also don’t mention that Datto has used StorageCraft technology under the hood for years. Also Datto boxes are pricey and if you aren’t accurate with the customer’s data growth you’ll be painted into a corner and have to spend a lot on an upgrade. The Datto install is easy and pretty, I agree but if you start having problems you’ll realize very quickly that you picked the wrong solution. Have a faulty Datto? Better be prepared to wait days if not weeks to get a replacement. With StorageCraft you can build your own “datto” box (called a BDR) and have the flexibility to add more disk space (cheap) if the customer starts outgrowing it. You can’t do that with a Datto. StorageCraft also just purchased a company that allows for File and Folder back up directly to the cloud that comes with a data backup analyzer. So not only will you be able to back up specific data but the analyzer will help you realize new data that needs backup. No one else has this. StorageCraft wins in the long run because YOU have control not Datto.
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the feedback. Yes my views on the products are definitely more in favor of Datto versus StorageCraft. And that’s after using both solutions and what we feel to be the better solution and how fast the Datto can restore VMs and data. I’ll address a few of your comments:
* Datto using the StorageCraft technology – yes Datto has licensed the agent. But after that, how Datto handles the data is totally different. And that’s what sets Datto apart in our eyes – the ease of use, the quick restores of VMs.
* Pricey – the StorageCraft solution and the Datto SIRIS solutions are intended for different clients, as they have different capabilities. Because the Datto handles the backup chain, and stores the backups as VMDKs, the Datto can spin up a backup as a VM as quick as it takes to press a button and the server loads. It simply not that quick or easy on the StorageCraft. Yes, the Datto is more, but the costs saved by eliminating downtime far outweigh the costs.
* Problems – we’ve been a Datto partner from the beginning, and I totally disagree with your comments here. The problems arise when companies improperly size devices and do their upfront work to make sure the client has the right solution. After deploying hundreds of Datto devices, we’ve only had 1 device we’ve had to replace. And the replacement device was onsite at the client the next day.
* Build your own BDR – yes you can build your own devices. But that’s not what our clients are looking for. They’re looking for purpose-built devices that have been tried and tested. And the few times the client wants to build their own device, the Datto has a virtual option and a software option for these instances.
* Thanks for the update on the data backup analyzer, I’ll have to check that out. I’m not sure that we require this technology, as we know when new volumes are added and need to be protected.
Thanks for the feedback. Greatly appreciated.
Dale