Best Microsoft 365 Backup Solutions in 2024

Selecting the best Microsoft 365 backup and restore solution is vital in today's data-driven landscape. Our guide is the result of a thorough, objective evaluation of the most effective Microsoft 365 (M365; formerly Office 365) solutions available.

Our approach to this comparison has been methodical and user centric. We have gathered insights and experiences from a diverse group of users and partners who have actively engaged with Microsoft 365 backup solutions over time. Their firsthand experiences, coupled with publicly available data, form the backbone of our analysis, ensuring that our recommendations are both informed and unbiased.  

At Alcion, we acknowledge our unique position in evaluating our own Microsoft 365 Backup as a Service platform alongside others. We've strived for objectivity in every assessment, aiming to present an honest, unbiased comparison to aid your decision-making process. Veeam, recognized for its advanced cloud-to-on-premises backup and sophisticated restore capabilities, has recently led the funding round for Alcion. This strategic investment underscores the industry's competitive yet collaborative nature, emphasizing a collective focus on advancing data protection technologies.

What is the Best Backup Solution for Microsoft 365 (Office 365)?

When exploring Microsoft 365 backup options, it becomes clear that while many tools offer similar foundational features, the devil is in the details and understanding how different tools align with your organization's unique needs is key.

So, whether you are seeking a service that simplifies user experience for streamlined operations or prioritizing advanced security features and intelligent data management, the nuances in each solution's capabilities can make a significant difference.  

And although there are differences that emerge in the precision of backups, the depth of restore options, and data security, we wanted to offer the information you need to make an informed decision based on your organization's unique requirements and priorities.

Whether you're a small business owner, an IT administrator, or a C-level executive, this guide will equip you with at a glance – and deeper – information.

• At-a-Glance: Top Microsoft 365 Backup and Recovery Solutions for Specific Use Cases
• Matching Office 365 Backup Software to Your Business Size
• Aligning Microsoft 365 Backup Solutions with Your Organizational Requirements
• Comparing Microsoft 365 Backup Solutions Across Key Categories
• Best Microsoft 365 (O365) Backup Solutions
• Alcion Backup as a Service for Microsoft 365
• Commvault’s Metallic Microsoft 365 Backup
• Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365
• AvePoint Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365 (Office 365)
• Rubrik Microsoft 365 Backup
• Selecting the Right Microsoft 365 Backup Solution for Your Business

Evaluation Criteria: How We Assess Backup Tools

To give you the most valuable and unbiased recommendations, we've developed a rigorous evaluation framework for assessing Microsoft 365 backup solutions. Our approach is all about you, focusing on the key factors that impact your experience and the effectiveness of the backup tools in protecting your critical data.

• Core Backup & Restore Features: Comprehensive coverage, intelligent scheduling, and flexible restore options.
• Total Cost of Ownership: Transparent licensing, infrastructure costs, and streamlined management.
• Data Security: Robust threat protection, effective incident response, and secure backup features.
• Open Source Availability: Flexible options with open-source editions or components.

You may find the detailed checklist later in the article. By evaluating Microsoft 365 backup solutions against these critical criteria, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive, user-centric assessment of each tool.

At-a-Glance: Top Microsoft 365 Backup and Recovery Solutions for Specific Use Cases

We'd love to give you a one-size-fits-all answer, but when it comes to complex decisions like choosing a Microsoft 365 backup and restore solution, it's rarely that simple. To help you navigate this decision, we've put together a quick-reference summary of the top backup solutions and their strengths. Use this table to easily spot the solutions that best match your specific use case.

Solution	Best for...
Alcion Backup as a Service for Microsoft 365	Best for Advanced Security and User-Friendly Backup as a Service
CommVault’s Metallic Microsoft 365 Backup	Breadth of Microsoft 365 Service Coverage
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365	Cloud-to-on-premises Backup and Advanced Restore Options in Complex Environments
AvePoint Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365 (Office 365)	Tailored Backup Strategies as an add-on of a broader suite of products
Rubrik Microsoft 365 Backup	Organizations with a Hybrid Cloud Setup

Matching Office 365 Backup Software to Your Business Size

The best Office 365 backup software for you depends on the size of your business and your unique demands. This table simplifies the complexity and points you to the most suitable backup software based on whether you're running a small business, medium-sized enterprise, or large corporation.

Best for...	Solution
Small Businesses	Alcion Backup as a Service for Microsoft 365	For small businesses, where simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and minimal management are key, Alcion is the ideal choice. Alcion provides an easy-to-manage, all-inclusive SaaS solution, eliminating the need for additional infrastructure. Alcion's delayed deletion and ransomware detection features ensure robust security. Its open-source community edition, Corso, is particularly helpful for businesses with limited IT resources but a need for customization and control.
Medium-Sized Enterprises	Alcion Backup as a Service for Microsoft 365	For medium-sized enterprises balancing advanced features with variable levels of user-friendliness, Alcion, Metallic and AvePoint are suitable choices. Alcion offers advanced security features and an open-source option, suitable for businesses that are growing but still value simplicity.
	AvePoint Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365 (Office 365)	AvePoint's backup solution is offered as an add-on, and it is a small part of a portfolio of non-backup products for Microsoft 365 and as such adds a level of complexity to their Microsoft 365 backup solutions.
	Rubrik Microsoft 365 Backup	Rubrik, known for secure and automated backup management, is ideal for its integration with Azure Blob for immutable backups and automatic discovery and protection of resources, which are critical for larger organizations. Depending on the number of employees the solution may prove expensive compared to others.
Large Corporations with Modernized Environments	Alcion Backup as a Service for Microsoft 365	In modern IT environments of large corporations, Alcion and Metallic stand out for their cloud-native capabilities, scalability, and advanced security. Alcion with a SaaS-based architecture is ideal for modern, scalable and flexible data management. Its AI-driven security features offer robust defense against evolving cyber threats.
	CommVault’s Metallic Microsoft 365 Backup	CommVault’s Metallic offers extensive service coverage, including modern applications like Microsoft Project and Dynamics 365, making it a versatile choice for large corporations embracing cloud technology.
Large Corporations with Legacy Footprint	Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365	In the context of large corporations with a significant legacy footprint, Veeam and Metallic stand out for their ability to seamlessly integrate with legacy systems, offering robust backup and restore options tailored to complex IT environments. Veeam's extensive backup and restore options and detailed reporting capabilities cater well to large-scale data and complex organizational structures. It’s also a good fit for customers requiring cloud-to-on-prem data backup solutions.
	CommVault’s Metallic Microsoft 365 Backup	Metallic, with its extended services like support for Microsoft Project and Dynamics 365, is great for enterprises expanding their backup needs with support for on-prem backup of legacy resources and a cloud control plane for on-prem and cloud resources.

Aligning Microsoft 365 Backup Solutions with Your Organizational Requirements

When it comes to Microsoft 365 backup solutions, organizational needs can vary greatly. Some prioritize advanced security, while others focus on customization or budget constraints. This table helps you identify the backup solutions that best fit your organization's specific requirements, making it easier to choose the right one for your business.

Best for...	Solution
Ease of Use and Low Maintenance	Alcion Backup as a Service for Microsoft 365	Ideal for simplicity and efficiency. Offers a user-friendly interface, automated maintenance, and a comprehensive SaaS backup solution.
Advanced Controls and Customizability	Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365	Suitable for complex needs. Provides extensive backup and restore options, robust search capabilities, and detailed reporting.
Balanced Flexibility and Comprehensive Coverage	CommVault’s Metallic Microsoft 365 Backup	A middle ground option. Features adaptable licensing, wide-ranging backup support, and a mix of traditional and cloud functionalities.
	AvePoint Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365 (Office 365)	For businesses needing a comprehensive coverage of services, offering fundamental backup functionalities.
	Rubrik Microsoft 365 Backup	Perfect for enterprises focusing on security and efficient management, offering automated backup processes and strong security features.

Comparing Microsoft 365 Backup Solutions Across Key Categories

When evaluating Microsoft 365 backup solutions, you need to consider four critical categories: Core Backup & Restore capabilities, Total Cost of Ownership, Data Security features, and Open Source options. This table provides a high-level overview of how each backup solution performs in these key areas, helping you make a more informed decision based on your organization's priorities. 

Best Microsoft 365 (O365) Backup Solutions

Alcion Backup as a Service for Microsoft 365

Best for Advanced Security and User-Friendly Backup as a Service

Stands out for businesses of all sizes seeking advanced security measures, AI-assisted ransomware and malware detection protection, AI-driven backups, and ease of setup, combined with transparent pricing and all-inclusive SaaS convenience. This is further supported by Veeam's strategic investment at Alcion's latest funding round by leading it.

Alcion represents a significant advancement in Microsoft 365 backup and recovery, designed as a cloud-native, SaaS-based application. The Office 365 backup solution is tailored for modern businesses seeking both security and convenience in their backup processes.

As a SaaS-based application, it excels in offering a seamless, scalable solution that aligns perfectly with the needs of modern businesses. Alcion’s Microsoft 365 solution operates entirely in the cloud, removing the need for any on-premises backup infrastructure, and automatically adjusts to meet each customer's backup and recovery needs.

Advanced AI-Driven Security:

Its multi-layered defense system, powered by advanced AI algorithms, offers malware and ransomware detection and protection capabilities. Alcion additionally provides a virtually air-gapped environment by storing backups in a secure, independent cloud account, ensuring robust protection even if the primary environment is compromised.

Integration with XDR tools like Microsoft Defender provides a shield against ransomware, offering a level of protection that is hard to breach.  

AI-Driven Intelligent Backups vs Legacy Backup Scheduling:

Alcion utilizes AI to intelligently schedule backups based on user activity, significantly improving data capture, and minimizing potential data loss. Proactive backups are triggered if Alcion or third-party systems detect external threats, and the solution allows for fast recovery from clearly identified "safe" backups.

High-Throughput Data Mover for Efficiency:

Alcion employs a high-throughput data mover for fast and reliable backups and restores. It ensures that your backups and restores happen quickly and reliably, minimizing any disruption to your business. The resilience and fault-tolerance of its backup engine, purposefully designed for Microsoft 365, ensures comprehensive and efficient data protection, avoiding unreliable methods like recycle bin hacks or legal holds.

Effortless Scalability for Growing Businesses:

Alcion’s cloud-native architecture is designed to grow effortlessly with your business. Alcion operates entirely in the cloud, removing the need for any on-premises backup infrastructure for backing up Microsoft 365 data.

Check out how we achieve scalability and security.

User-Friendly Design:

The platform's modern interface simplifies backup and restore workflows, making it accessible to administrators of all skill levels. Capabilities like Group Based Policy Management, the user-friendly design, combined with no training requirement, positions Alcion as an ideal choice for businesses seeking a straightforward backup solution.

Rapid Setup Process:

The quick setup process – from sign-up to the first backup in under 5 minutes – exemplifies Alcion's commitment to efficiency and user convenience, making it a time-saving solution for your business.

• Core Backup & Restore: Provides comprehensive coverage of all key Microsoft 365 services with automated, AI-driven backup processes for optimized data protection.
• Total Cost of Ownership: With Alcion, you get a straightforward per-seat pricing model, like what you're used to with Microsoft. The all-inclusive SaaS approach means you don't have to worry about additional infrastructure or storage costs. You'll easily understand and budget for the service, and with minimal administrative effort, you'll keep your overall costs low.
• Data Security: Implements advanced AI-driven ransomware and malware protection with proactive measures and extended retention of backups for enhanced security.
• Open Source: Stands out with its open-source community edition, Corso, reflecting a commitment to collaborative development and innovation.

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Commvault’s Metallic Microsoft 365 Backup

Best for Breadth of Microsoft 365 Service Coverage

Great for businesses needing a broad range of Microsoft 365 services, including Microsoft Project and Dynamics 365, and catering to extensive backup needs.

Metallic leverages the established CommVault software, bringing its on-prem backup and recovery expertise into cloud-native front-end written for Metallic. Metallic is essentially CommVault software, repositioned as a SaaS product.

Although this approach steps on the familiarity and robustness of CommVault’s traditional software, it still is the same version of Commvault that runs in a datacenter.

Wide-Ranging Service Coverage:

Metallic stands out for its broad coverage of Microsoft 365 services, including support for additional applications like Microsoft Project and Dynamics 365. This breadth makes it a versatile choice for businesses with extensive backup needs.

CommVault’s Cloud-Native Existing Features:

The scope of Metallic's features is bound by what CommVault supports. While this ensures a solid and reliable feature set, it may limit the potential for cloud-native innovations.

Authentication and Cloud Compatibility:

Utilizing Azure AD apps for Microsoft 365 authentication ensures secure and seamless integration.

On-Premises and Cloud Integration:

Metallic's offering includes on-premises backup options via the Metallic gateway. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that prefer a hybrid approach, balancing cloud flexibility with on-premises data control.

• Core Backup & Restore: Offers robust and extensive Microsoft 365 service coverage including additional applications like Microsoft Project and Dynamics 365 with customizable backup configurations.
• Total Cost of Ownership: Metallic / Commvault offers a per-user fee with Standard and Enterprise tiers. You get pooled storage per user but watch out for extra costs if you need more storage or advanced features. Administrative costs are generally low, but you might need some backup expertise to manage the system effectively.
• Data Security: Provides robust security features, data immutability and some level of ransomware detection. However, it lacks clear support for delayed deletion, the ability to scan backups for malware and some advanced incident response capabilities.
• Open Source: Does not offer an open-source option, focusing instead on proprietary, feature-rich backup solutions.

Check out how CommVault's Metallic Microsoft 365 Backup compares to Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365

Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365

Best for Advanced Restore Options in Complex Environments and Large-Scale Operations

Ideal for large corporations requiring intricate backup customization, detailed reporting, and the ability to handle complex, multi-faceted environments. Excels in detailed restore functionalities, including the ability to restore data to on-premises environments, crucial for such complex setups. Veeam's ability to integrate diverse storage solutions, while offering flexibility, also adds a layer of complexity in storage management.

What is Veeam Backup for Office 365? Veeam, recognized for its comprehensive backup solutions, presents a distinctive approach to M365 backup and recovery. Veeam operates in a conventional setup where customers install the software on Windows servers, either on-premises or in a cloud environment. While it offers advanced features and flexibility, organizations considering Veeam should also evaluate the implications of managing its infrastructure, especially when comparing it to more cloud-native solutions. Furthermore, setting up Veeam, especially in large environments, demands careful management of multiple configurations and backup proxies.

Market Leader with a Comprehensive Backup Approach:

As a market leader, Veeam offers one of the most comprehensive backup solutions for Microsoft 365, catering to a wide range of complex backup scenarios. Its leadership is marked by a deep understanding of backup and recovery needs across various scales and complexities.

Legacy Foundation and the Shift Towards the Cloud:

While traditionally focused on on-premises solutions, Veeam is transitioning towards a BaaS (Backup as a Service) model, leveraging legacy software shifted into the cloud. This move aims to provide Veeam's robust backup functionalities delivered as a SaaS product via a front-end written for Veeam Backup for Office 365. However, it is essential to note that this still involves running Windows servers in the cloud, which may carry considerations for your security team as with traditional on-premises setups.  

Handling complex backup and restore scenarios:

Veeam is particularly suited for larger corporations that require detailed, customizable backup solutions. Its granular backup and recovery capabilities allows users to selectively restore specific emails, documents, or other data from OneDrive, SharePoint, and Exchange Online. Its ability to handle complex backup scenarios and provide advanced restore options makes it a strong contender for organizations with complicated data backup and compliance requirements and large IT teams.

Security and Infrastructure Management:

Veeam's approach, involving the management of Windows servers either on-premises or in the cloud, continues to be a core aspect of its offerings. This infrastructure management model is a key consideration for businesses, especially in terms of security and resource allocation.

Additionally, Veeam provides flexibility in storage options, offering a choice of cloud and on-premises object storage vendors. However, this flexibility comes with its own set of complexities and management overhead. Businesses must carefully consider the additional resources and expertise required to manage these diverse storage environments effectively.

Cost and Resource Considerations:

Organizations considering Veeam must weigh the costs and resource requirements associated with maintaining backup infrastructure. This is especially true for smaller organizations or businesses with limited budgets.

Check out these Veeam Backup and Recovery for Microsoft 365 alternatives!

This consideration extends to setting up Veeam at scale, which can be a complicated process involving multiple backup proxies and other configurations. Particularly for organizations looking to implement Veeam in large-scale environments, it is crucial to account for the intricacies and potential challenges in deploying and maintaining such a setup.

• Core Backup & Restore: Features granular backup and recovery capabilities with detailed reporting, suited for complex and large-scale environments.
• Total Cost of Ownership: With Veeam, you pay a per-user fee, but that's not all as the total cost of ownership (TCO) can be less apparent. You're responsible for your own servers and storage, which can add up quickly. Plus, you'll need to constantly monitor your infrastructure, leading to a high administrative effort and contributing to your overall costs.
• Data Security: Focuses on comprehensive data immutability and malware detection, though it does not provide automated incident response mechanisms and lacks support for delayed deletion.
• Open Source: Provides a community edition that supports backing up a limited number of users, though it is not truly open source but a restricted version of their commercial offering.

AvePoint Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365 (Office 365)

Best for tailored backup strategies

Its container-based backup management allows dynamic resource inclusion, fitting for backup scenarios of medium-sized enterprises.

AvePoint's role in the  O365 backup solution market is part of a broader portfolio of Microsoft 365 management and governance tools. AvePoint's Microsoft 365 backup solutions is a small part of this large portfolio. While their suite of tools enhances their capability to cater to diverse needs, it also adds a level of complexity to their Microsoft 365 backup solutions, particularly for users seeking a focused backup tool.

Flexible Backup Options:

AvePoint introduces flexibility with its “containers” for backups, allowing for dynamic inclusion of resources. This feature aligns well with businesses seeking adaptable backup scenarios.

Comprehensive Microsoft 365 Service Coverage:  

AvePoint's backup solutions encompass a wide array of Microsoft 365 services, making them a versatile choice for organizations with diverse Microsoft 365 utilization.

SaaS Solution with Setup Complexity:

While AvePoint is a fully hosted SaaS platform, it presents challenges in ease of use, particularly in ongoing management and navigation.  The platform, while handling maintenance tasks and backup retries, tends to have a complex setup process that can be daunting, especially when factoring in varied licensing options and storage decisions.

Security Features:  

The platform includes basic security measures such as ransomware protection through anomaly detection and has recently started enhancing its incident investigation and response mechanisms. However, it is important to note that AvePoint may not be as robust in certain advanced security aspects, like delayed deletion. It is also worth exploring deeper into how well AvePoint’s anomaly detection algorithms perform against ransomware strains. Modern ransomware often employs tactics to throttle the speed and extent of encryption, aiming to minimize the chances of detection. Understanding AvePoint’s detection capabilities in these scenarios can provide a clearer understanding of its security robustness.

• Core Backup & Restore: Utilizes a container-based approach for flexible and dynamic backup management of various Microsoft 365 services.
• Total Cost of Ownership: AvePoint charges a per-user monthly fee, with storage included. However, there is a lack of clarity on storage details and limits and any potential extra costs aren't entirely clear. That means you may may require additional planning and consideration to fully grasp long-term storage costs. While the low FTE requirements are a plus, you may need specialized expertise for occasional maintenance, which could affect your total cost of ownership.
• Data Security: Offers basic ransomware and malware detection with recent enhancements in incident investigation but may not support advanced features like delayed deletion and deep malware scanning.
• Open Source: No open-source offerings, with a focus on proprietary solutions within a broader suite of M365 management tools.

Rubrik Microsoft 365 Backup

Best for Automated Service and Resource Discovery

Rubrik's combination of automated resource discovery and user-friendly interface, complemented by competitive pricing, makes it a strong contender in the backup solution market, especially for businesses seeking both efficiency and security.

Rubrik’s approach to  O365 backup is different from its broader portfolio. It allows for backup hosting either within Rubrik’s own Azure account or the customer’s, offering a degree of flexibility in management and control. While this choice provides a tailored backup experience, Rubrik’s backend capabilities may require customers to engage support to perform certain tasks. Rubrik typically has a minimum requirement of 300 seats, making it less suitable for small to medium-sized businesses and it can become expensive.

Automated Resource Discovery and Protection:  

Rubrik automates the discovery and protection of Microsoft Office 365 resources, streamlining backup processes and reducing manual workload, which is a significant advantage for businesses looking for efficient backup solutions.

User-Friendly Interface and Setup:  

Rubrik is known for its intuitive user interface, simplifying the user experience. The setup process, while involving some initial configuration, especially for automating AD apps, is generally less complex than that of some competitors, making it accessible for a broader range of users.

Simplified Management:  

Especially in its hosted variant, Rubrik minimizes ongoing management tasks, which is a boon for organizations seeking efficient and low-maintenance backup solutions.

Essential Microsoft 365 Service Support:

Rubrik covers all essential Microsoft 365 services, including Azure AD.

Pro tips:

• Check out how Rubrik Microsoft 365 Backup compares to Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365
• Check out this post for a list of Rubrik alternatives.

While it excels in many aspects, including ease of setup and competitive pricing, there are areas, such as advanced security functionalities, where other competitive backup solutions in the market shine.

• Core Backup & Restore: Automates resource discovery and protection for all essential Microsoft 365 services with user-friendly interface and SLA-based scheduling.
• Total Cost of Ownership: Rubrik has a tiered licensing system based on your user count and total storage needs. You get pooled storage per user, but as details on the exact amount of storage included and the costs for additional storage are less clear, you may complicate budget forecasting for total storage expenses. Basic setups have low administrative costs, but more complex configurations could require extra maintenance, increasing your overall expenses. If you are considering Rubrik, you should remain mindful of potential additional charges, especially for high storage usage or extensive archived data.
• Data Security: Offers automated ransomware detection and protection, with delayed deletion and anomaly detection for proactive threat mitigation.
• Open Source: Does not offer an open-source version, concentrating on its comprehensive proprietary solution for M365 backup.

Selecting the Right Backup Solutions for Microsoft 365 (Office 365) for Your Business

Choosing the best M365 backup solution is crucial for safeguarding your organization's data against loss, corruption, and cyber threats. With the diverse range of options available, each offering unique features and capabilities. Consider factors such as the size of your organization, the specific Microsoft 365 services you utilize, your security requirements, and budget constraints. Evaluate your options carefully considering factors like scalability, ease of use, recovery options, and cost-effectiveness.

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