Technical Review by
Laura Iannini
Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) platforms provide cloud-based failover and recovery without requiring secondary physical infrastructure, with automated recovery testing the differentiating factor between platforms that work when needed and those that do not. Recovery plans that have not been tested are assumptions, not strategies. We reviewed the top platforms and found Datto Endpoint Backup With Disaster Recovery, Acronis Advanced Disaster Recovery, and Arcserve UDP to be the strongest on RTO/RPO capability and automated failover testing reliability.
Disaster recovery feels straightforward until it matters. You realize your RTO and RPO targets don’t match your actual recovery capability. Backups pass validation in test labs but fail during real incidents. You lack runbooks for failover or the team expertise to execute them under pressure.
The real problem isn’t finding DR solutions, it’s finding one that actually works when you need it and doesn’t require a dedicated DR engineer on staff.
We evaluated 10 DRaaS platforms across managed and self service models, evaluating each for recovery point and time objectives achievable in practice, ease of failover execution, testing capabilities without production impact, compliance support, and operational overhead. We reviewed customer feedback to identify where vendor RTO claims diverge from actual recovery times.
This guide helps you match the right DRaaS solution to your infrastructure, team size, and whether you prefer managed support or self service control.
Disaster Recovery as a Service is disaster recovery delivered from the cloud. Instead of building and maintaining a second datacenter to fail over to, you subscribe to a provider that hosts standby copies of your systems and runs the failover for you. If a fire, outage, hardware failure, or ransomware attack takes your primary site down, you switch over to the cloud copies and keep working. Many DRaaS providers also handle the testing and execution, which suits teams that don't have a dedicated DR engineer on staff.
DRaaS replicates protected workloads (VMs, physical servers, and in some cases SaaS and identity data) to a provider-managed cloud, then orchestrates failover and failback through runbooks that sequence application dependencies. Models range from self-service, where your team executes recovery, to fully managed, where the provider's DR engineers run deployment, testing, and failover. Key technical variables are achievable RTO and RPO per workload, whether replication is continuous (journal-based CDP for seconds-level RPO) or snapshot-based, and how testing is performed, ideally non-disruptively in an isolated network so production is unaffected. Evaluate immutability and ransomware scanning on recovery points, recovery destination flexibility to avoid cloud lock-in, and compliance support such as HIPAA, SOC 2, and GDPR with control over data residency.
Here is how the 10 platforms compare on delivery model and the DRaaS capabilities that matter most.
| Product | Best For | Delivery Model | Managed Option | Non-Disruptive Testing | Orchestrated Failover | Immutable Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Datto Endpoint Backup With Disaster Recovery
|
MSPs protecting distributed endpoints
|
Cloud (DRaaS)
|
Via MSP
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Acronis Advanced Disaster Recovery
|
Mid-market mixed environments
|
Hybrid (DRaaS)
|
Via MSP
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Arcserve UDP
|
Mid-market unified data protection
|
Hybrid
|
no
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Carbonite Recover
|
Reliable cloud-based DR
|
Cloud (DRaaS)
|
no
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Microsoft Azure Site Recovery
|
Azure-native Windows workloads
|
Cloud (DRaaS)
|
no
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Nakivo Site Recovery
|
VMware and Hyper-V shops
|
Self-service software
|
no
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
RecoveryManager Plus
|
Identity and SaaS backup
|
Self-service software
|
no
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
Veeam Disaster Recovery Orchestrator
|
Documented, auditable DR plans
|
Self-service software
|
no
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
VMware Cloud Disaster Recovery
|
VMware-native SaaS DR
|
Cloud (DRaaS)
|
no
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Zerto
|
Lowest RPOs across complex environments
|
Software (CDP)
|
Via partners
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
We evaluated 10 DRaaS platforms across managed and self service models, assessing actual RPO and RTO delivery in practice rather than under optimal conditions, ease of failover execution for teams under pressure, testing capabilities without production impact, integration with existing hypervisors and cloud platforms, and support responsiveness during incidents. We combined hands-on testing with market research and customer feedback to validate vendor claims against real-world performance. This guide was written by Joel Witts, Content Director at Expert Insights, with technical review by Laura Iannini, Cybersecurity Analyst, and is updated quarterly. Read our full methodology
Datto Endpoint Backup With Disaster Recovery is a direct-to-cloud backup and DR solution built for MSPs managing remote and hybrid endpoints. No local hardware is required; hourly backups go straight to Datto’s cloud infrastructure with instant cloud virtualization when you need to recover fast. We think this is a strong option for MSPs protecting distributed workforces without dedicated backup infrastructure.
Users appreciate the set-and-forget simplicity. Install the agent, configure once, and backups run automatically. Support response times get consistent praise. Something to be aware of is that backup frequency is fixed with no option to customize scheduling intervals beyond the preset schedule. Endpoints also require a single active partition on the C drive for proper backup.
We think this fits MSPs and IT teams protecting distributed workforces who want cloud-native endpoint recovery without managing local hardware. The instant cloud virtualization and automated reporting are strong selling points. If you need granular scheduling control over backup frequency, this isn’t the right fit.
Best for Mid-market teams with mixed physical and virtual environments
Acronis Advanced Disaster Recovery provides DR orchestration for physical and virtual workloads, built around automated failover and runbook execution. It integrates with the broader Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud platform, giving you backup, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery from one console. We think this works well for organizations wanting DR orchestration without enterprise complexity.
Users consistently praise restore speed. Backups and recoveries run fast compared to alternatives, and data integrity stays solid. Integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace works smoothly. Something to be aware of is that console navigation feels unintuitive at times, and error messages lack the detail needed for diagnosing failed backup jobs. Some users flag the UI as dated.
We think Acronis Advanced Disaster Recovery fits mid-market teams with mixed environments who want DR orchestration with competitive pricing. The runbook execution history and legacy OS support are strong differentiators. If a polished console experience is a priority, evaluate alternatives.
Best for Mid-market teams wanting unified data protection
Arcserve UDP is a unified data protection platform combining backup, disaster recovery, and ransomware resilience for physical, virtual, and cloud workloads. It targets mid-market teams who want solid DR capabilities without a steep learning curve. We think this is a good fit for organizations prioritizing storage efficiency and centralized management.
Users praise ease of use and a simple restore process. The centralized console gets consistent positive feedback for keeping operations manageable. Storage efficiency delivers tangible cost benefits. Something to be aware of is that support response times and resolution quality receive consistent criticism. New Linux kernel support lags behind releases, and the same delay applies to application updates like SAP.
We think Arcserve UDP fits mid-market organizations wanting enterprise DR features with a manageable learning curve. The 20:1 data reduction and unified console make daily operations straightforward. The support experience is a real concern that needs consideration before committing.
Best for Organizations wanting reliable cloud-based DR without complexity
Carbonite Recover is a cloud-based disaster recovery solution focused on replicating critical systems with granular recovery points measured in minutes and seconds. It targets organizations wanting reliable DR without infrastructure complexity. We think this is a solid choice for organizations prioritizing tight recovery points and multi-tier application orchestration.
Users consistently praise reliability and ease of deployment. File recovery works quickly, even from virus-infected systems. Recent portal and software updates improved backup consistency and simplified administration. Something to be aware of is that pricing draws the most criticism. Costs rise with storage volume, and Microsoft 365 environments get expensive fast. Users also flag price increases without corresponding feature additions.
We think Carbonite Recover works well for organizations prioritizing reliability and simplicity over feature depth. The granular recovery points and multi-tier orchestration handle mission-critical workloads well. If cost predictability matters, the storage-based pricing model needs careful evaluation.
Best for Azure-native environments running Windows workloads
Microsoft Azure Site Recovery is a native DRaaS solution for organizations already invested in the Azure ecosystem. It handles replication and failover for VMs across regions with failover times measured in seconds. We think this is the natural choice for Azure-native environments running Windows workloads.
Users praise the guided setup process and straightforward configuration. Automated failover and reliable replication get consistent positive feedback. Integration with existing Azure services simplifies the DR architecture. Something to be aware of is that Linux distribution support is limited, with the latest features lagging. Initial synchronization consumes significant bandwidth and time.
We think Azure Site Recovery makes sense for Azure-native environments where the integration, failover speed, and testing capabilities check the boxes. The continuous stream of feature updates keeps the platform current. If Linux distribution support is critical to your environment, evaluate that gap carefully.
Best for SMBs and enterprises running VMware and Hyper-V
Nakivo Site Recovery delivers DR orchestration for virtual, cloud, and SaaS environments with one-click failover and automated workflow sequencing. It targets SMBs and enterprises wanting fast, straightforward disaster recovery without operational complexity. We think this is a strong option for VMware and Hyper-V shops prioritizing reliability and simplicity.
Users praise stability above everything else. Multi-year deployments run without failures. Technical support gets consistently positive feedback for responsiveness and resolution quality. Value for money resonates across SMB and education sector deployments. Something to be aware of is that the support licensing model requires backdating if coverage lapses before purchasing more. Google Workspace backup is not currently supported.
We think Nakivo Site Recovery fits organizations prioritizing reliability and simplicity, particularly VMware shops and education environments. The speed, stability, and per-socket pricing keep things predictable. The v11.2 release with vSphere 9 and Proxmox support broadens the platform coverage further.
Best for Organizations needing unified identity and SaaS backup
RecoveryManager Plus is a unified backup and recovery tool from ManageEngine covering Active Directory, Entra ID, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Exchange, and Zoho WorkDrive. It is delivered as part of the AD360 identity management suite, targeting IT teams who need identity and SaaS data protection in one platform. We think this works well for organizations standardized on ManageEngine tools or needing unified identity and SaaS backup.
Users praise the intuitive interface and ease of use. The dashboard consolidates all backup data in one view, simplifying daily operations. AD audit capabilities provide valuable historical tracking for compliance. Something to be aware of is that update release frequency can lag, and the product is delivered as part of the AD360 suite rather than as a standalone offering.
We think RecoveryManager Plus fits organizations already in the ManageEngine ecosystem or those needing unified identity and SaaS backup from one console. The restart-free AD recovery and fast cloud app setup are strong selling points. If you need a standalone backup product outside the AD360 suite, broader options exist.
Best for Organizations needing documented, auditable DR plans
Veeam Disaster Recovery Orchestrator delivers DR orchestration with automated plan generation, zero-impact testing, and one-click recovery for virtual, physical, and cloud workloads. Now called Veeam Recovery Orchestrator, it targets organizations needing documented, verifiable DR plans that satisfy compliance requirements. We think this fits organizations prioritizing documented, testable DR plans for compliance and audit readiness.
Users praise reliability after initial setup. Restores work as expected, and support teams are accessible when needed. The granular recovery options reduce downtime by targeting exactly what needs restoration. Something to be aware of is that initial setup requires effort, especially for selective SharePoint and Teams backup. Reporting options and third-party integration capabilities are limited.
We think Veeam Recovery Orchestrator works well for organizations that need to prove DR readiness to auditors with documented, tested plans. The zero-impact testing and compliance documentation are real differentiators. The v7.2 Hyper-V support and VMware migration capabilities broaden the platform beyond VMware-only environments.
Best for Committed VMware shops wanting SaaS-delivered DR
VMware Cloud Disaster Recovery is a SaaS-delivered DR solution for VMware environments, now part of VMware Live Recovery under Broadcom. It offers near-instant recovery with Live Mount technology and flexible deployment options including pilot light and on-demand capacity models. We think this fits committed VMware shops wanting DR that integrates natively without introducing new infrastructure paradigms.
Users praise the fast, reliable recovery process and natural VMware integration. The interface is clean with good visibility during recovery operations. Non-disruptive test failovers get consistent positive feedback. Something to be aware of is that the licensing model creates confusion when scaling. Documentation needs work for complex recovery scenarios, and new users face a steep learning curve.
We think VMware Cloud Disaster Recovery works well for VMware-native organizations wanting SaaS-delivered DR without legacy complexity. The Live Mount recovery speed and automated health checks are strong selling points. Organizations running mixed hypervisor environments or seeking vendor-neutral DR may find the VMware-specific approach limiting.
Best for Enterprises needing the lowest possible RPOs
Zerto is a continuous data protection platform from Hewlett Packard Enterprise that delivers near-synchronous replication with journal-based recovery for on-premises and cloud workloads. It targets larger organizations wanting granular recovery points and application-centric protection. We think this is one of the strongest options for enterprises needing the lowest possible RPOs across complex, multi-tier environments.
Users praise reliability and ease of use. Technical support gets strong marks for timely solutions. Teams report significantly reduced RTOs after deployment. Something to be aware of is that implementation requires properly sized targets to avoid deployment issues. VMware version upgrades create operational overhead, requiring VMs to be moved off protected hosts during ESX upgrades.
We think Zerto fits larger organizations with the resources to properly size their environment upfront and manage VMware upgrade cycles. The granular recovery points and application-centric protection justify the investment for complex, multi-tier applications. Organizations with simpler DR needs may find less expensive alternatives sufficient.
DR software pricing varies widely by delivery model, with per-socket, per-workload, consumption, and capacity-based options across the field. Most enterprise platforms are quote-based, and DRaaS costs scale with the storage and compute you reserve for recovery. The figures below reflect the published models where vendors disclose them; expect final pricing to depend on workload count, retention, and contract terms.
| Product | Starting Price | Billing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Datto Endpoint Backup With Disaster Recovery
|
Contact for quote
|
Via MSP partners
|
|
|
Acronis Advanced Disaster Recovery
|
Contact for quote
|
Subscription, per workload
|
|
|
Arcserve UDP
|
Contact for quote
|
Per-socket or per-capacity
|
|
|
Carbonite Recover
|
Contact for quote
|
Storage-based subscription
|
|
|
Microsoft Azure Site Recovery
|
From $25/instance/month protected
|
Pay-as-you-go
|
|
|
Nakivo Site Recovery
|
Contact for quote
|
Per-socket or per-workload
|
|
|
RecoveryManager Plus
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual (part of AD360)
|
|
|
Veeam Disaster Recovery Orchestrator
|
Contact for quote
|
Subscription
|
|
|
VMware Cloud Disaster Recovery
|
Contact for quote
|
Subscription / on-demand capacity
|
|
|
Zerto
|
Contact for quote
|
Per-workload subscription
|
|
Once you've shortlisted a DRaaS provider, these are the steps we recommend to make sure recovery objectives you signed up for are the ones you actually get.
Published recovery times are measured under ideal conditions; ask existing customers what they achieved during a real incident.
These are very different numbers, and the gap determines how long your business is actually down.
If you lack a dedicated DR engineer, a managed provider that runs failover for you removes the single biggest point of failure.
A plan that has never been tested is an assumption; scheduled testing is the only way to know recovery works under pressure.
Multi-tier applications fail to recover if databases, app servers, and web tiers come up out of sequence.
Recovering to an encrypted or altered restore point reintroduces the attack, so verify the point is clean before failover.
Being able to recover to more than one cloud or on-premises protects you if a single provider region is unavailable.
Regulated workloads need HIPAA, SOC 2, or GDPR support and control over which region holds your replicated data.
Returning to primary systems after an incident is where many teams get stuck, so rehearse it with the same rigor as failover.
DRaaS bills for reserved capacity and active recovery, so costs can climb sharply once you fail over and run workloads in the cloud.
Your choice depends on your infrastructure, whether your team can manage failover, and how aggressive your recovery objectives need to be.
For MSPs and teams protecting distributed endpoints without local hardware, Datto Endpoint Backup With Disaster Recovery delivers instant cloud virtualization and automated reporting. Backup scheduling is fixed, so confirm that fits your RPO needs.
For organizations that need documented, testable DR plans to satisfy auditors, Veeam Disaster Recovery Orchestrator provides automated plan generation, zero-impact testing, and granular M365 coverage.
For continuous replication and the most aggressive recovery objectives, Zerto delivers recovery points measured in seconds rather than hours. Proper sizing and VMware upgrade planning matter for successful deployment.
For VMware-first environments, VMware Cloud Disaster Recovery integrates natively with pilot light and on-demand capacity models.
For Azure-native Windows workloads, Microsoft Azure Site Recovery delivers native integration with seconds to recovery and avoids secondary datacenter costs. Watch Linux distribution support if that is critical to your environment.
Other solid options include Acronis Advanced Disaster Recovery for unified backup, security, and DR; Arcserve UDP for storage-efficient mid-market DR; Carbonite Recover for reliable cloud-based DR; Nakivo Site Recovery for fast, simple failover in VMware and Hyper-V shops; and RecoveryManager Plus for identity and SaaS backup consolidation.
Read the individual reviews above to dig into deployment specifics, pricing, and the operational tradeoffs that matter for your environment.
Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS) solutions provide data protection and backup services that ensure companies can continue operation even in the event of a large data loss event, such as a cyber-attack, natural disaster, or any other business disruption. DRaaS typically involves replicating critical data and applications to a cloud environment. In the event of a disaster, organizations can quickly recover and run their systems from the cloud, ensuring minimal downtime.
DRaaS services offer a number of benefits to companies. They offer clear, flexible pricing models, often with multiple subscription options and monthly or annual payment terms. They are very easy to deploy, and often deliver high quality support to ensure customers can quickly resolve issues if they may arise.
Disaster Recovery-as-a-service solutions host data backup and failover services in servers managed by a third-party vendor. The DRaaS provider will typically also offer managed services, in which the organization will also plan, test, and manage the disaster recovery plan, and will take ultimate responsibility over your disaster recovery strategy.
Companies typically pay on a subscription model to back up their data with the guarantee that if a disaster occurs, the vendor will help the organization to recover swiftly and efficiently. The subscription would typically be a monthly or annual payment based on the amount of data stored and features opted for.
There are many advantages for organizations to deploy a DRaaS solution. They are far more cost-effective and robust than building an in-house disaster recovery framework or trying to backup data across all applications and services internally. DRaaS solutions provide organizations with a reliable and efficient mechanism to safeguard their data and applications, reduce downtime, and ensure business continuity in the face of unexpected events.
When evaluating a disaster recovery solution, whether it’s a traditional on-premises solution or a cloud-based service, it’s important to consider a range of features to ensure it effectively meets your organization’s needs. Here are key features to look for in a disaster recovery solution:
Further reading on backup and recovery from Expert Insights — buyers' guides, comparison articles, and platform-specific shortlists.
Joel is the Director of Content and a co-founder at Expert Insights; a rapidly growing media company focussed on covering cybersecurity solutions.
He’s an experienced journalist and editor with 8 years’ experience covering the cybersecurity space. He’s reviewed hundreds of cybersecurity solutions, interviewed hundreds of industry experts and produced dozens of industry reports read by thousands of CISOs and security professionals in topics like IAM, MFA, zero trust, email security, DevSecOps and more.
He also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted. Joel is driven to share his team’s expertise with cybersecurity leaders to help them create more secure business foundations.
Laura Iannini is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Expert Insights. With deep cybersecurity knowledge and strong research skills, she leads Expert Insights’ product testing team, conducting thorough tests of product features and in-depth industry analysis to ensure that Expert Insights’ product reviews are definitive and insightful.
Laura also carries out wider analysis of vendor landscapes and industry trends to inform Expert Insights’ enterprise cybersecurity buyers’ guides, covering topics such as security awareness training, cloud backup and recovery, email security, and network monitoring. Prior to working at Expert Insights, Laura worked as a Senior Information Security Engineer at Constant Edge, where she tested cybersecurity solutions, carried out product demos, and provided high-quality ongoing technical support.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida.