Data-driven business environment, server backup software has become an essential safeguard against data loss, system failures, and cybersecurity threats. Organizations of all sizes rely on robust server backup solutions to ensure business continuity and regulatory compliance. This comprehensive guide explores the 16 best server backup software options available in 2025, highlighting their key features, advantages, and potential drawbacks to help you make an informed decision for your organization’s data protection needs.
What is Server Backup Software?
Server backup software is a specialized type of application designed to create, manage, and restore copies of data stored on servers. Its primary purpose is to protect organizations against data loss due to hardware failures, cyberattacks, human error, natural disasters, or other unexpected events.
Here’s what server backup software typically does:
- Data protection: Creates regular copies of server data, applications, and configurations
- Automation: Schedules backups to run automatically at defined intervals
- Verification: Checks that backups are complete and restorable
- Compression and deduplication: Reduces storage requirements by eliminating redundant data
- Security: Encrypts backups to protect sensitive information
- Recovery options: Provides various restoration methods from full server recovery to granular file restoration
- Centralized management: Offers unified control of backup processes across multiple servers
Modern server backup software has evolved beyond simple copying of files to include features like:
- Continuous data protection
- Cloud integration
- Virtualization support
- Ransomware protection
- Compliance capabilities
- Disaster recovery orchestration
Organizations use server backup software to maintain business continuity, meet regulatory requirements, and ensure they can recover quickly from data loss incidents. The solutions range from simple file-based backup tools to comprehensive enterprise platforms that manage entire data protection strategies.
16 Best Server Backup Software Solutions for 2025
In this article you can find out the 16 Best Server Backup Software Solutions list below;
1. Rubrik Security Cloud
Rubrik Security Cloud represents the evolution of traditional backup into a comprehensive data security platform. This cloud-native solution excels at protecting enterprise workloads across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS environments with its zero-trust architecture.
Key Features:
- Zero-trust data security with end-to-end encryption
- Ransomware detection, investigation, and recovery capabilities
- Policy-based automation for simplified management
- Instant recovery and live mount capabilities for minimal downtime
- API-first architecture enabling seamless integration with existing tools
Pros:
- Exceptional ransomware protection and recovery capabilities
- Intuitive, modern user interface requiring minimal training
- Strong performance for large enterprises with distributed environments
- Excellent integration with major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Immutable backups preventing unauthorized modifications
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to traditional backup solutions
- Might be overly sophisticated for small organizations with basic needs
- Initial deployment can require significant planning and resources
Rubrik’s strengths lie in its modern approach to data security and recovery, making it particularly valuable for enterprises concerned about ransomware threats and those with complex multi-cloud deployments.
2. Acronis Cyber Protect
Acronis Cyber Protect stands out by unifying backup, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity protection into a single integrated solution. This unified approach provides comprehensive protection against data loss and cyber threats.
Key Features:
- Integration of backup with anti-malware and endpoint protection
- AI-based ransomware detection and automatic recovery
- Blockchain-based data notarization and electronic signing
- Remote desktop capabilities for troubleshooting
- Cross-platform protection for Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices
Pros:
- All-in-one solution eliminating the need for multiple security products
- Strong ransomware protection with real-time detection
- Flexible deployment options (cloud, on-premises, hybrid)
- Intuitive management console for centralized control
- Efficient backup with global deduplication
Cons:
- Advanced features can increase complexity for some administrators
- Performance impact on endpoints during intensive scanning
- Subscription pricing model may increase long-term costs
Acronis Cyber Protect is ideal for organizations seeking to consolidate their backup and security tools while ensuring protection against evolving cyber threats.
3. Zerto Platform
Zerto has revolutionized the backup and disaster recovery space with its journal-based continuous data protection approach, focusing on minimizing recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs).
Key Features:
- Continuous data protection with journal-based recovery
- Near-zero RPOs (seconds) and RTOs (minutes)
- Automated orchestration and testing of recovery workflows
- Support for multi-cloud environments and cross-hypervisor migrations
- Advanced analytics and reporting for compliance requirements
Pros:
- Industry-leading RPO/RTO metrics for mission-critical applications
- Simple, VM-centric approach to protection and recovery
- Non-disruptive disaster recovery testing capabilities
- Strong VMware and Hyper-V integration
- Excellent for multi-site replication scenarios
Cons:
- Higher cost structure compared to traditional backup solutions
- Primarily designed for virtualized environments
- Resource-intensive compared to snapshot-based solutions
Zerto excels in environments where downtime is exceptionally costly, making it perfect for financial services, healthcare, and other sectors requiring near-instant recovery capabilities.
4. Druva Data Security Cloud
Druva delivers a 100% SaaS-based data protection platform, eliminating the need for backup infrastructure while providing comprehensive protection for endpoints, data center, and cloud workloads.
Key Features:
- Zero-infrastructure, cloud-native approach to backup
- Global source-side deduplication for bandwidth optimization
- Ransomware monitoring and automated recovery
- Centralized management for distributed environments
- Comprehensive compliance and legal hold capabilities
Pros:
- No backup hardware or software to purchase and maintain
- Predictable subscription-based pricing model
- Excellent for remote/hybrid workforce scenarios
- Strong data governance and compliance features
- Rapid deployment and time-to-value
Cons:
- Requires reliable internet connectivity
- Limited control over backup storage location
- May not be suitable for highly regulated industries with data sovereignty requirements
Druva is particularly well-suited for organizations embracing cloud-first strategies, those with distributed workforces, and companies looking to eliminate backup infrastructure costs.
5. Microsoft Azure Backup
Microsoft Azure Backup provides a seamless and cost-effective solution for protecting on-premises and cloud workloads within the Azure ecosystem, making it a natural choice for Microsoft-centric organizations.
Key Features:
- Native integration with Azure infrastructure and services
- Unlimited data transfer with no egress or ingress charges
- Application-consistent backups for Microsoft workloads
- Long-term retention options with tiered storage
- Integration with Azure Security Center for enhanced protection
Pros:
- Tight integration with Windows Server and Microsoft applications
- Simple licensing model for Azure workloads
- Built-in compression and encryption
- Scalable to enterprise workloads
- Recovery Services Vault for centralized management
Cons:
- Limited support for non-Microsoft environments
- Requires Azure expertise for optimal configuration
- Network bandwidth can be a limitation for initial backups
Azure Backup is ideal for organizations heavily invested in Microsoft technologies seeking a native cloud backup solution with minimal management overhead.
6. Commvault Cloud
Commvault has evolved its enterprise backup platform into a comprehensive data management solution with strong cloud integration capabilities, offering flexibility for hybrid environments.
Key Features:
- Broad coverage for applications, databases, VMs, and cloud workloads
- Advanced deduplication and compression
- Automated disaster recovery orchestration
- Intelligent data insights and classification
- Support for over 40 cloud storage platforms and services
Pros:
- Extremely comprehensive platform covering virtually all workloads
- Powerful automation capabilities for complex environments
- Exceptional scalability from SMB to large enterprise
- Strong data governance and compliance tools
- Flexible licensing options
Cons:
- Can be complex to implement and manage
- Requires significant expertise to maximize features
- Higher resource requirements compared to simpler solutions
Commvault Cloud is best suited for large enterprises with diverse environments requiring a single, comprehensive data protection and management platform.
7. Arcserve Unified Data Protection
Arcserve UDP provides a comprehensive data protection solution that combines backup, replication, high availability, and security technologies in a unified management console.
Key Features:
- Image-based backup with Global Deduplication
- Instant VM and bare metal recovery
- Built-in Sophos cybersecurity protection
- Automated disaster recovery testing
- Support for physical, virtual, and cloud environments
Pros:
- All-in-one solution for backup, DR, and high availability
- Integration with Sophos for anti-ransomware protection
- Excellent Exchange, SQL, and SharePoint granular recovery
- Strong RTO/RPO capabilities through various recovery methods
- Flexible deployment options
Cons:
- Interface can be complex for new administrators
- Some advanced features require multiple components
- Performance can vary in large-scale deployments
Arcserve UDP is particularly valuable for mid-sized organizations seeking comprehensive data protection without the complexity of enterprise-grade solutions.
8. NAKIVO Backup & Replication
NAKIVO offers a fast, reliable, and cost-effective solution for backing up and replicating virtual, physical, cloud, and SaaS environments, with a focus on simplicity and affordability.
Key Features:
- Native backup for VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix AHV, and physical servers
- Site recovery orchestration for automated DR workflows
- Instant object recovery for AD, Exchange, SQL
- Ransomware-resistant backup repositories
- Built-in global deduplication and compression
Pros:
- Intuitive web-based interface with minimal learning curve
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Fast VM backup with Flash VM Boot recovery
- Flexible deployment on various platforms (Windows, Linux, NAS)
- Incremental licensing model
Cons:
- Fewer enterprise-grade features compared to premium solutions
- Limited reporting capabilities
- Less comprehensive cloud workload support
NAKIVO is an excellent option for small to medium-sized businesses seeking VM-focused protection with a straightforward approach and affordable pricing.
9. Actifio Sky
Acquired by Google Cloud, Actifio Sky delivers enterprise-grade data protection with a focus on copy data management, helping organizations reduce storage requirements while enabling rapid recovery.
Key Features:
- Application-consistent backups with instant recovery
- Copy data management reducing storage requirements
- Database cloning for DevOps and testing environments
- Multi-cloud support with Google Cloud integration
- API-driven automation capabilities
Pros:
- Significant storage savings through efficient data management
- Excellent for database workload protection and recovery
- Strong DevOps integration for test data management
- Scales well for large enterprise deployments
- Exceptional recovery performance
Cons:
- Complex pricing model compared to traditional backup
- Requires specialized knowledge for optimal deployment
- Limited public cloud integration beyond Google Cloud
Actifio Sky is particularly valuable for organizations with large database environments, DevOps workflows, and those seeking to optimize storage consumption through copy data management.
10. SEP sesam
SEP sesam offers a comprehensive, multi-platform backup solution that excels in heterogeneous environments, supporting over 30 operating systems and a wide range of applications and databases.
Key Features:
- Multi-server, multi-site architecture for distributed environments
- Si3 deduplication technology reducing storage requirements
- Native SAP HANA, Oracle, and other database integrations
- Bare-metal recovery and P2V/V2P migration support
- Security features including encryption and WORM storage
Pros:
- Exceptional multi-platform support for diverse environments
- Excellent handling of specialized enterprise applications
- Strong European compliance and data protection features
- Optimized for large-scale enterprise deployments
- Dedicated support for Linux and Unix environments
Cons:
- Less well-known in North American markets
- Interface is functional but less modern than competitors
- Limited cloud integration compared to cloud-native solutions
SEP sesam is best suited for organizations with heterogeneous environments requiring comprehensive backup across multiple platforms and specialized applications.
11. Veritas NetBackup
A stalwart in enterprise backup, Veritas NetBackup continues to evolve with advanced capabilities for protecting complex enterprise environments, cloud workloads, and virtualized infrastructure.
Key Features:
- Unified protection for physical, virtual, and cloud environments
- AI-powered anomaly detection and ransomware resilience
- Automated disaster recovery orchestration
- Elastic Cloud Autoscaling for dynamic workloads
- Advanced storage lifecycle management
Pros:
- Enterprise-grade reliability with decades of development
- Exceptional scalability for large environments
- Strong security and compliance capabilities
- Comprehensive support for enterprise applications
- Robust management and reporting capabilities
Cons:
- Complex architecture requiring specialized expertise
- Higher cost structure compared to mid-market solutions
- Resource-intensive deployment requirements
Veritas NetBackup remains the choice for large enterprises with complex environments requiring maximum reliability and comprehensive protection capabilities.
12. Huawei OceanProtect Backup Storage
Huawei OceanProtect takes a hardware-centric approach to backup, offering purpose-built backup storage appliances with advanced data protection features and high-performance recovery capabilities.
Key Features:
- Purpose-built backup storage with end-to-end acceleration
- Inline variable-length deduplication and compression
- Active-active high availability architecture
- AI-powered system optimization and anomaly detection
- Integration with major backup software vendors
Pros:
- Exceptional backup and recovery performance
- Industry-leading deduplication ratios (up to 72:1)
- High reliability with comprehensive redundancy
- Simplified management through intuitive dashboard
- Strong ecosystem integration with leading backup software
Cons:
- Hardware-focused approach requires capital investment
- Limited cloud integration compared to software-defined solutions
- Regional availability may vary for support services
Huawei OceanProtect is ideal for organizations seeking high-performance backup storage infrastructure with minimal impact on production systems.
13. Arctera Backup Exec
Formerly Veritas Backup Exec, now Arctera Backup Exec continues to provide comprehensive data protection for small to medium-sized businesses with a focus on simplicity and broad platform support.
Key Features:
- Protection for physical, virtual, and cloud environments
- Instant recovery for VMware and Hyper-V
- Integrated deduplication and compression
- Granular recovery for Microsoft applications
- SaaS protection for Microsoft 365
Pros:
- Intuitive interface designed for IT generalists
- Flexible licensing options based on capacity or instances
- Strong Windows Server and application integration
- Rapid deployment with minimal configuration
- Efficient incremental backup technology
Cons:
- Less scalable for enterprise environments
- More limited cloud workload protection
- Performance challenges in larger deployments
Arctera Backup Exec is particularly well-suited for Windows-centric small and medium businesses seeking a straightforward, reliable backup solution without complex management requirements.
14. Barracuda Backup
Barracuda Backup delivers an integrated hardware and software approach to data protection, focusing on simplicity, security, and cloud integration for diverse environments.
Key Features:
- Appliance-based solution with cloud replication
- Source-based deduplication across sites
- Inline compression for efficient storage utilization
- Cloud-to-Cloud backup for SaaS applications
- Centralized management through Barracuda Cloud Control
Pros:
- Simple deployment with minimal configuration
- Integrated hardware and software reducing complexity
- Strong ransomware protection and recovery
- Excellent Microsoft 365 and G Suite protection
- Predictable pricing with all-inclusive licensing
Cons:
- Less flexible than software-only solutions
- Hardware upgrade cycles may impact long-term costs
- Limited customization for specialized environments
Barracuda Backup is ideal for organizations seeking a turnkey backup solution with minimal management overhead and strong cloud integration capabilities.
15. Vinchin Backup & Recovery
Vinchin offers cost-effective, VMware-certified backup software specifically designed for virtual environments, providing essential protection features without unnecessary complexity.
Key Features:
- Agentless backup for major hypervisors
- Instant VM recovery and verification
- Flexible backup strategies with multiple storage options
- Granular file and application-level recovery
- AES-256 encryption for data security
Pros:
- Excellent price-performance ratio for virtualized environments
- Intuitive web-based management interface
- Efficient resource utilization during backup operations
- Reliable recovery with automated verification
- Flexible deployment options
Cons:
- Limited support for physical server environments
- Fewer enterprise integrations compared to market leaders
- Less comprehensive cloud workload protection
Vinchin is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses with predominantly virtualized environments seeking an affordable yet reliable backup solution.
16. NinjaOne Backup
NinjaOne (formerly NinjaRMM) Backup provides integrated backup capabilities within its broader IT management platform, offering a unified approach to endpoint protection and recovery.
Key Features:
- Direct integration with NinjaOne RMM platform
- Image-based and file-level backup options
- Cloud and local storage options
- Automated testing and verification
- Bare metal recovery capabilities
Pros:
- Unified management with other IT services
- Simple per-device pricing model
- Excellent for distributed endpoint protection
- Remote recovery capabilities for remote workforce
- Strong integration with patch management
Cons:
- Limited enterprise application support
- Less suitable for data center workloads
- Requires NinjaOne platform subscription
NinjaOne Backup is best for managed service providers and IT departments already using the NinjaOne platform who want integrated backup capabilities without managing separate solutions.
Why Use Server Backup Software?
Server backup software plays a critical role in modern business operations for several compelling reasons:
Data Loss Prevention
Organizations face constant threats to their data from hardware failures, system crashes, and natural disasters. Server backup software creates redundant copies of critical information, ensuring business continuity even when primary systems fail.
Protection Against Cyberthreats
With ransomware and other malware attacks increasing in frequency and sophistication, server backup software provides a critical defense layer. Immutable backups and air-gapped storage options ensure organizations can recover without paying ransoms.
Regulatory Compliance
Many industries face strict data retention and protection requirements under regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, and others. Server backup software helps maintain compliance through secure, auditable backup processes with appropriate retention policies.
Business Continuity
Downtime is expensive—studies show it can cost thousands to millions of dollars per hour depending on the organization size. Server backup software with rapid recovery capabilities minimizes this impact by getting systems operational quickly after an incident.
Simplified Disaster Recovery
Modern server backup solutions include disaster recovery orchestration features that automate complex recovery processes, reducing recovery time from days to hours or even minutes.
Version Control and Historical Access
Beyond protection against catastrophic events, backup software provides access to previous versions of files and databases, allowing organizations to retrieve historical information or recover from unintended changes.
Cost Efficiency
While implementing backup solutions requires investment, the cost is minimal compared to the potential losses from unrecoverable data or extended downtime. Cloud-integrated backup solutions also reduce the need for expensive on-premises storage infrastructure.
Centralized Management
Enterprise backup software provides unified visibility and control across diverse environments—physical servers, virtual machines, cloud services, and SaaS applications—simplifying what would otherwise be a fragmented, error-prone process.
For these reasons, server backup software has evolved from a nice-to-have IT function to an essential business asset that protects an organization’s most valuable resource: its data.
Key Server Backup Software Features
When evaluating server backup software solutions, organizations should consider these essential features that differentiate basic tools from enterprise-grade protection platforms:
Core Backup Capabilities
- Comprehensive Coverage: Protection for physical servers, virtual machines, cloud workloads, containers, and SaaS applications
- Backup Methods: Support for full, incremental, differential, and synthetic full backups to optimize performance and resource usage
- Compression and Deduplication: Technologies that reduce storage requirements by eliminating redundant data across backup sets
- Encryption: End-to-end encryption for data in transit and at rest to protect sensitive information
Recovery Options
- Flexible Recovery Types: Options ranging from full server recovery to granular file, object, or application item restoration
- Instant Recovery: Ability to mount and run workloads directly from backup storage without waiting for full restoration
- Recovery Time Objectives (RTO): Features designed to meet specific time-based recovery requirements
- Bare Metal Recovery: Capability to restore to dissimilar hardware or virtual environments
Security Features
- Ransomware Protection: Detection mechanisms, immutable backups, and automated recovery from malicious encryption
- Air-gapped Storage: Physical or logical separation of backup data from production networks
- Multi-factor Authentication: Additional security layers for backup management access
- Role-based Access Control: Granular permissions for backup administrators and operators
Management and Automation
- Centralized Console: Unified management interface for all protected environments
- Policy-based Automation: Template-driven protection strategies applied automatically to new resources
- Monitoring and Alerting: Proactive notification of backup failures or anomalies
- Reporting and Analytics: Comprehensive insights into backup performance, success rates, and storage usage
Cloud Integration
- Cloud Storage Support: Direct integration with public cloud storage services for off-site protection
- Cross-cloud Recovery: Ability to recover workloads between different cloud providers
- Cloud-native Protection: Specialized backup approaches for cloud-specific services and databases
- SaaS Protection: Dedicated capabilities for backing up cloud applications like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
Scalability and Performance
- Load Balancing: Distribution of backup workloads across multiple servers or appliances
- Proxy Architecture: Optimized data movement minimizing impact on production systems
- Storage Tiering: Automatic movement of backup data between performance and archival tiers
- WAN Optimization: Techniques to reduce bandwidth usage for remote site backups
Compliance and Governance
- Retention Management: Automated enforcement of data retention policies
- Legal Hold: Capability to preserve specific backup sets for litigation requirements
- Audit Logging: Comprehensive tracking of all backup and recovery activities
- Compliance Reporting: Built-in reports demonstrating adherence to regulatory requirements
The most effective server backup software solutions combine these features with intuitive interfaces and reliable performance, creating a robust foundation for organizational data protection strategies.
Conclusion
Selecting the right server backup software requires balancing reliability, performance, usability, and cost considerations against your organization’s specific requirements. The landscape of server backup software continues to evolve, with increasing emphasis on ransomware protection, cloud integration, and simplified recovery processes.
For enterprises with complex environments and mission-critical workloads, comprehensive solutions like Rubrik Security Cloud, Commvault, or Veritas NetBackup offer the necessary depth of features. Mid-sized organizations may find the balance of functionality and simplicity in solutions like Acronis Cyber Protect or Arcserve UDP. Smaller businesses with straightforward needs might gravitate toward NAKIVO or Arctera Backup Exec for their accessibility and value.
Regardless of your organization’s size, implementing robust server backup software is an essential investment in business continuity and data protection. By carefully evaluating the options presented in this guide against your specific requirements for recovery objectives, security, compliance, and budget, you can select the solution that best safeguards your critical data assets.
