Technical Review by
Laura Iannini
Azure’s native VM backup capabilities have coverage gaps — particularly in cross-region recovery and granular object restoration — that third-party solutions are specifically designed to address. Third-party Azure VM backup solutions supplement native capabilities with more flexible retention and cross-region failover management. We reviewed 9 solutions and found Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure, CyberSentriq Azure VM Backup, and Acronis Cyber Protect to be the strongest on recovery granularity and cross-region failover capability.
Backing up your Azure VMs sounds straightforward until you need to restore one. The challenge isn’t backing up-Azure Backup handles that natively. The real problem is understanding your recovery options, managing retention across multiple VMs, handling compliance requirements, and knowing whether your backups actually work when disaster strikes.
Azure native backup works fine for basic protection, but organizations running complex workloads often need more flexibility: multi-region recovery, granular restore options, integration with on-premises infrastructure, or backup-to-backup redundancy. The wrong choice means either paying for features you don’t use or discovering gaps when you need the backup most.
We evaluated 9 backup solutions specifically designed for Azure VMs, evaluating each for backup performance, recovery time and data objectives, multi-region failover capability, integration with Azure services, policy flexibility, and total cost of ownership. We also reviewed customer experiences with actual recovery scenarios and how well solutions handle compliance and retention policies. What we found: Azure-native backup works for many organizations, but alternatives offer different trade-offs worth understanding.
Your decision hinges on platform scope and operational requirements.
Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure protects Azure workloads with hourly replication and immutable backups stored in the Datto Cloud. We think the tight RPO, daily backup verification, and flat-fee pricing are the features that make this a strong option for MSPs managing client Azure environments. Enterprises running their own Azure infrastructure can use it too, but the multi-tenant design is clearly built with service providers in mind.
Hourly replication to the Datto Cloud delivers a 60-minute RPO without manual scheduling. Daily backup verification runs automatically, so you know restores will work before you need them. Cloud Deletion Defense blocks unauthorized deletion attempts, which matters when ransomware targets backup repositories. If Azure goes down, you can spin up VMs directly in the Datto Cloud while your primary environment recovers. The flat-fee pricing model removes the usual cloud backup cost anxiety; you pay a predictable rate regardless of data growth, egress, or restore activity.
Customers report getting protection running quickly after granting admin permissions. Restoring specific snapshots works without complexity, and retention periods are generous. Support quality stands out, with Datto’s team resolving issues fast when errors appear. Something to be aware of is that customers flag monitoring and reporting as needing more granular detail, and some note that costs can increase beyond initial expectations for certain deployments.
We think Datto Backup for Azure fits MSPs protecting multiple Azure tenants or enterprises running significant Azure workloads. The flat-fee pricing and direct access to Datto-certified Azure experts make budget planning easier. If you’re running minimal Azure infrastructure or need to back up platforms beyond Microsoft 365 and Azure VMs, you’ll want something broader.
CyberSentriq Azure VM Backup protects virtual machines running in Microsoft Azure with plug-and-play deployment and instant file recovery. We think the Instant Data recovery and zero egress fees are the strongest selling points for MSPs managing multi-tenant Azure environments. Bundling options for Microsoft 365, Azure Blob, and Entra ID backup extend the coverage from a single console.
Instant Data recovery lets you restore critical individual files immediately while the full VM recovery runs in the background, which keeps clients productive during an incident. Setup takes minutes; the platform auto-discovers and protects new VMs without manual configuration. Unlimited retention and zero egress fees keep costs predictable at any scale. AES 256-bit encryption protects all backups, with tamper-proof copies stored off-site and regular malware scanning. Multi-region storage supports data sovereignty with options across the US, UK, Germany, France, South Africa, and Australia. You can back up to CyberSentriq-owned hardware or to a cloud provider of your choice.
Customers praise the well-designed MSP portal, which consolidates backup management across multiple products in a single interface. CyberSentriq brings over 20 years of backup experience, and that depth shows in the flexibility on offer. Something to be aware of is that the platform is primarily designed with service providers in mind, so direct enterprise buyers may find certain workflows less relevant to their environment.
We think CyberSentriq works best for ITSPs and MSPs protecting clients in regulated industries like education, legal, and finance. The multi-region storage, audit logs, and automatic data classification support compliance requirements. If you’re a direct enterprise buyer managing your own Azure environment, the MSP-focused design is less relevant to your workflow.
Acronis Cyber Protect combines backup, disaster recovery, and endpoint security for Azure VMs in a single agent and console. We think the consolidation play is the real selling point here. If your team is tired of managing separate tools for backup, antimalware, patching, and threat detection, Acronis bundles them into one deployment.
The single-agent architecture handles backup, security monitoring, and threat detection without requiring separate tools. Instant Restore gets critical workloads running while full recovery completes in the background. The platform supports flexible storage targets including Acronis-hosted cloud, public clouds like Azure and Google, private infrastructure, or local storage. AES-256 encryption secures backups, and immutable storage blocks ransomware from corrupting recovery points. The anti-ransomware engine uses AI-based behavioral detection alongside static analysis. A 2025 release added Acronis Cyber Protect Local for air-gapped and sovereign environments.
Customers appreciate the unified dashboard for managing both security and backup. MSPs and resellers report straightforward deployment and good technical enablement. Support response times get positive marks, and the interface works well for less technical users. With that said, some customers report that advanced customization requires vendor assistance, and licensing complexity increases when adding extended security modules.
We think Acronis fits organizations that want to reduce tool sprawl by consolidating backup and security under one roof. The single-agent model works well for MSPs selling bundled protection services and enterprises minimizing downtime through unified tooling. If advanced threat hunting is a priority, dedicated XDR tools still go deeper.
Azure Backup is Microsoft’s native cloud backup service for Azure environments, covering VMs, SQL databases, SAP HANA, Azure Files, and on-premises servers through Backup Center. We think this is the natural starting point for organizations already standardized on Azure who want backup without third-party tools. The tight integration with the Azure portal and Site Recovery makes deployment straightforward.
Backup options appear directly in each Azure resource’s management page, so you configure protection where you manage the resource. Application-consistent backups use VSS for Windows and pre/post scripts for Linux to ensure databases restore to a usable state. Backup Center provides a single portal for managing protection across Azure and on-premises resources. Storage durability options include LRS, GRS, and ZRS depending on your redundancy requirements. A 2025 update added agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backups for Azure VMs, Confidential VM support in preview, and SAP ASE database backup alongside existing SQL and SAP HANA coverage. Role-based access controls, soft delete, and customer-managed encryption keys provide the security layers.
Customers say Azure Backup integrates smoothly with services they already use. Once scheduled, backups run reliably without intervention, and the centralized portal makes managing protection across resources straightforward. Something to be aware of is that pricing complexity across storage tiers, retention policies, and transfer costs requires careful planning. Customers note that long-term retention and large data retrieval incur fees that can catch teams off guard.
We think Azure Backup is the right call for organizations already invested in Azure who want native backup without introducing third-party dependencies. The tight integration with Site Recovery enables coordinated disaster recovery. If you run significant non-Microsoft systems, need faster large-scale restores, or want simpler pricing transparency, alternatives are worth evaluating.
Commvault Cloud Platform protects Azure workloads with enterprise-grade backup, recovery, and cyber resilience capabilities. We think the zero-trust architecture and bi-directional Microsoft Security integrations are the features that justify evaluation for organizations running mission-critical Azure environments. This is a platform that rewards careful implementation with strong protection.
The zero-trust architecture uses air-gapped backups stored in a separate security domain from your production environment. Bi-directional Microsoft Security integrations enable proactive threat detection and coordinated defense. Metadata-based deduplication delivers significant disk space savings over traditional approaches. The platform supports regular recovery testing without impacting production, which matters for validating disaster recovery plans. An October 2025 Data Rooms feature lets enterprises safely connect backup data to AI platforms with governed access and built-in classification controls. Azure Elastic SAN support adds snapshot-based protection with IntelliSnap for rapid, low-impact backups.
Customers with long-term deployments report reliable data protection and strong vendor relationships. Support quality stands out for complex implementations, with the team assisting on architecture and ongoing optimization. With that said, initial implementation timelines can stretch longer than expected, and the platform’s depth means new users face a learning curve before they’re comfortable.
We think Commvault fits enterprises running mission-critical Azure workloads that need strong cyber protection and can invest in proper implementation. The platform works well for regulated industries like healthcare, banking, and education that require strict compliance controls. If your team lacks backup architecture expertise or needs simpler deployment, lighter solutions serve you better.
Druva Data Security Cloud protects Azure VMs with agentless, cloud-native backup built on AWS infrastructure. We think the zero-infrastructure model and cyber resiliency dashboard are the features that set Druva apart for organizations that want unified protection across Azure, Microsoft 365, and endpoints without managing hardware.
The SaaS delivery model eliminates infrastructure management entirely; there’s no hardware, no on-premises components, just policy configuration through the dashboard. Air-gapped backups with end-to-end encryption and zero egress fees store outside your AWS organization, so recovery isn’t a cost decision. The cyber resiliency dashboard provides visibility into data anomalies and restore validation across Azure VMs, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace from a single interface. Automated backup scheduling, data deduplication, and policy-based management reduce administrative overhead. Point-in-time restore and granular file recovery cover typical recovery scenarios.
Customers appreciate the straightforward setup and clean dashboard that makes monitoring simple without extensive training. Support quality is strong, with responsive teams that learn your environment and customize solutions. Something to be aware of is that initial backups and large dataset restores run slower than local or appliance-based alternatives, since everything travels over the network to AWS. Customers also note that advanced reporting features are still being refined.
We think Druva fits organizations committed to cloud-native tooling that want unified protection across Microsoft services without managing infrastructure. The zero egress fee model and AWS-backed reliability appeal to cost-conscious teams. If you need fast restores for large datasets or have limited bandwidth, the cloud-only model introduces performance constraints worth factoring in.
IBM Storage Protect for Cloud Azure delivers cloud-based data protection for Entra ID, Azure VMs, and Azure storage services with no on-premises installation required. We think the progressive incremental approach and flexible storage placement are the features that justify evaluation for enterprises managing large Azure data volumes where storage efficiency matters.
The progressive incremental forever approach captures only changed data blocks after the initial backup, which reduces both storage costs and backup windows significantly compared to repeated full backups. Backup scheduling runs as frequently as every six hours. The Spictera SPFS solution lets you mount backup storage as a drive or mount point, enabling protection for almost any data type using your preferred tools. A March 2026 update added SFTP and FTP storage for Azure VM, Azure Storage, Azure SQL, and Azure DevOps backups. Early event detection provides proactive monitoring for potential issues before they impact recovery. Self-service restore options reduce IT workload for routine recovery requests.
Customers value the ability to recover files quickly, including remote access for distributed teams. Automation features work well once configured, and the platform handles compliance requirements effectively. Long-term users report stable performance. Something to be aware of is that initial setup and configuration can be involved, and the first-time user experience presents a steep learning curve.
We think IBM Storage Protect fits enterprises with compliance requirements that value storage efficiency and can invest time in proper implementation. The progressive incremental approach and deduplication make sense for organizations managing large data volumes. If your team needs simple, fast deployment or wants a modern interface out of the box, the complexity may outweigh the benefits.
Rubrik Security Cloud protects Azure VMs, SQL databases, and Microsoft 365 through policy-driven SLA domains and immutable architecture. We think the automated policy management and ransomware defense are the features that make Rubrik a strong option for security-conscious enterprises protecting diverse Azure workloads.
SLA domains replace traditional backup scheduling. You define protection policies once, assign them to workloads, and the platform applies them automatically without ongoing manual intervention. Immutable backups prevent attackers from encrypting or deleting recovery points, even with compromised admin credentials. Anomaly detection and sensitive data monitoring add security layers beyond basic backup. Automated provisioning through Terraform, PowerShell, Ansible, Puppet, and Chef streamlines deployment as your environment grows. In April 2026, Rubrik added cyber resilience for Google Cloud SQL with immutable, automated backups for managed PostgreSQL databases.
Customers appreciate the clear, simple interface for setup and monitoring. Fast restore performance stands out, flexible policies adapt to varying business requirements, and support quality is excellent. With that said, enterprise licensing and capacity expansion costs run high for smaller environments. Customers also note that M365 granular recovery capabilities lag behind some alternatives in this category.
We think Rubrik fits mid-market and enterprise organizations that value automated policy management with strong ransomware protection. The immutable architecture and anomaly detection appeal to security-conscious teams. Budget accordingly; this is enterprise-grade protection at enterprise-grade pricing.
Veeam Backup for Microsoft Azure protects Azure VMs, SQL databases, Azure Files, Cosmos DB, and Blob storage through policy-based backups and immutable storage. We think the workload coverage and flexible deployment options are the features that make Veeam a strong default for organizations heavily invested in Azure. The hybrid recovery capabilities set it apart from Azure-native backup.
Policy-based backups ensure consistent RPO attainment across all protected workloads. File-level recovery from Azure VM backups lets you restore specific files without full VM restores, which saves time in day-to-day recovery scenarios. Quick VM Recovery restores Azure VMs in minutes without complete rehydration. Cosmos DB backup supports NoSQL, MongoDB, Gremlin, Table, and PostgreSQL APIs with point-in-time restore to the original account or repository-based restore for PostgreSQL and MongoDB. Immutable backups protect against ransomware and accidental deletion. Integration with Veeam Backup and Replication enables recovery outside Azure for hybrid scenarios. Deployment options include software, SaaS, or managed service.
Customers appreciate the intuitive interface that works for users without advanced technical knowledge. Automated backup processes run reliably, reducing manual errors. Support quality stands out with 24/7 availability, and initial configuration proves straightforward for most deployments. Something to be aware of is that the learning curve for advanced features can be steep, and complex hybrid environments may require additional setup overhead.
We think Veeam Backup for Azure is the right call for mid-market and enterprise organizations that need reliable, broad Azure protection with proven data integrity. The hybrid recovery capabilities and Cosmos DB support go beyond what Azure-native backup offers. If you’re budget-constrained or running minimal Azure workloads, lighter solutions may serve you better.
When evaluating solutions, consider these essential criteria:
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team that researches, tests, and reviews backup and disaster recovery solutions for Azure environments. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Before testing, we map the full vendor landscape for Azure VM backup, identifying all active vendors from Azure-native services to specialized enterprise backup platforms. We evaluated 9 backup solutions covering backup performance, restore speed and flexibility, multi-region failover capability, compliance policy support, and cost structure. Each product was deployed in controlled Azure environments with various VM types and workloads. Beyond hands-on testing, we conducted market research and reviewed customer experiences with recovery scenarios and compliance validation. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently. This guide is updated quarterly.
For full details on our evaluation process, visit our How We Test & Review Products.
Azure VM backup requires matching protection to your recovery requirements and compliance obligations. Azure Backup is the starting point for organizations comfortable with Azure-native solutions-it integrates directly into the portal with straightforward pricing. Veeam Backup For Azure is the pick when you need instant VM recovery, independent infrastructure for ransomware resilience, and restore to multiple locations. CommVault Metallic delivers when enterprise data governance, retention policies, and compliance reporting matter most. Backblaze B2 offers economic backup-to-independent-cloud for organizations prioritizing ransomware protection over restore speed. Rubrik Cloud Data Management adds anomaly detection to identify compromise attempts and immutable snapshots that ransomware can’t encrypt. Duplicati provides open-source flexibility for teams building custom recovery workflows. Nakivo Backup provides VM-centric backup with instant recovery capabilities. Unitrends delivers appliance-based backup for organizations wanting on-premises control. Arcserve UDP rounds out enterprise options with thorough VM and application backup. Read the individual reviews to understand which solution matches your recovery time objectives, compliance requirements, and multi-region failover needs.
A VM backup solution is a cybersecurity product or service that creates copies of a VM’s data, configuration, and operating state to protect against data loss, corruption, or system failure. These copies, i.e., “backups”, can include the entire VM image (full backup), changes that have been made to the VM since the last full backup (incremental backup), or just selected files and folders.
While they may offer slightly different feature sets, most VM backup solutions typically follow the same workflow: first, they take a snapshot of the VM’s disk, often using features like VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) for Windows or pre/post scripts for Linux to ensure the consistency of your applications.
They then write these snapshots out to a in secure storage facility, often in a different location (region or availability zone).
Then, if your data is lost or stolen, you can restore the entire VM, specific files, or even recover data to a different region or subscription, helping ensure business continuity with minimal downtime.
Azure VM backup solutions provide safeguard against data loss caused by hardware failures, accidental deletion, malware attacks, or system crashes by making sure that you always have a reliable, secure spare copy of your data, and allowing you to quickly and effectively recover those copies should you need to. By enabling you to restore entire virtual machines or specific data, Azure VM backup tools help you maintain productivity and minimize the impact of unexpected disruptions.
They can also help you achieve compliance with data protection regulations by enabling you to define retention policies and securely store your data, often with encryption and access controls.
Caitlin Harris is the Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. As an experienced content writer and editor, Caitlin helps cybersecurity leaders to cut through the noise in the cybersecurity space with expert analysis and insightful recommendations.
Prior to Expert Insights, Caitlin worked at QA Ltd, where she produced award-winning technical training materials, and she has also produced journalistic content over the course of her career.
Caitlin has 8 years of experience in the cybersecurity and technology space, helping technical teams, CISOs, and security professionals find clarity on complex, mission critical topics like security awareness training, backup and recovery, and endpoint protection.
Caitlin also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted.
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.