If you run your servers, you know that you need to put systems that cover possible damage. Moving up to an Azure server seems to remove all of the maintenance issues with on-premises hardware. However, Azure gives you privacy and control over the data you store on the platform, and with control comes responsibility. The Azure team can’t get into your server space, and so they can’t be held responsible for what happens to the data you hold there.

The result of this is that you need to organize a backup solution for your Azure account.

Here is our list of the eight best Azure backup tools: 

  • ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus EDITORS CHOICE This on-premises system is available in a version to backup Azure AD and can restore objects while the system is still running. Installs on Windows Server.Access 30-day free trial.
  • Acronis Cyber Protect (FREE TRIAL) A SaaS platform that offers a range of security tools for endpoints plus a comprehensive backup solution for both on-site and cloud resources, including Azure. Start a 30-day free trial.
  • Veeam Backup for Microsoft Azure Protects Azure-based assets with this backup system for physical and virtual servers offered as a cloud service. Still, it can be acquired as a software package for installation on Windows Server.
  • DSP-Explorer A managed service that provides a team to manage Azure resources, back them up, and recover data when necessary.
  • Vembu BDR This tool will manage backup and recovery for physical and virtual resources and cover Azure-based assets. It runs on an Azure VM.
  • Datto Continuity for Microsoft Azure This cloud-based service is designed for use by managed service providers to protect their clients’ systems.
  • NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP is a cloud service that offers a backup of Azure accounts stored on Azure or another cloud platform.
  • Bacula Enterprise Edition This on-premises system can coordinate with Axure native monitoring and management to back up from or to the Azure platform. It runs on CentOS Linux.

Azure Backup

The obvious choice for backing up your Azure services is to use the backup service integrated into the platform. This service isn’t a free utility. However, as it is provided on the Azure platform, it is quick and efficient. Another benefit is less security risk of moving data within the same system that would be encountered transferring backups over the internet. There is also a lower risk of transmission failure slowing down your recovery process.

Azure Backup has several modes that cater to whether you are backing up a data store or an application. Azure Disk Backup, Azure Blob Backup, and Azure File Share Backup for storage and Azure VM backup for live applications.

The Azure Disk Backup service is offered as an incremental snapshot that can take just data or go down to the OS. This is a background process that has no impact on data access. The account does not need to be associated with an Azure virtual machine. Snapshot updates can be made several times a day. Blobs Backup is a continuous service that includes versioning that lets you roll back to a point in time or select a whole restoration for s a specific moment.

The Azure File Share Backup architecture is complicated because it is integrated with the File Sync utility. However, like the Blobs Backup, it allows you to choose a point in time to restore from.

The Azure VM Backup service is accessed through the Azure portal directly in the VM management console. You can backup individual VMs or multiple instances together. This service will create a restore point for that VM, which is added daily. The retention period for these backups is 30 days. The service can also backup Azure-based databases.

The creation of a backup service can be added within the Azure portal. It requires the definition of a Backup Vault that gets set up for your account. You then define a backup policy, and the service starts.

All types of Azure backups are protected by mirroring with copies held at a second data center.

Azure Backup is also offered as a service for other servers and platforms, including on-premises servers (Windows and Linux) and virtualizations applications.

The best Azure Backup tools

You should consider other candidates if you don’t want Azure Backup to be your only option when looking for a backup solution for your Azure-based resources. It is always a good idea to compare several products before buying anything, just in case extra functionality is available elsewhere.

We have identified some very dependable Azure backup and recovery systems that will protect your data from corruption or deletion with this set of criteria in mind.

Our methodology for selecting an Azure backup tool

We reviewed the market for systems to backup Azure resources and analyzed the options based on the following criteria:

  • A service that can extract Azure data to another cloud platform
  • The possibility to perform application backups or disk backups
  • A set of functions that at least matches Azure Backup
  • A fast recovery process
  • Secure data transfers and protection for backups in storage
  • A free trial or a demo system for a no-cost assessment opportunity
  • Value for money, represented by a decent set of services for a reasonable price

You can read more about each of these options in the following sections.

1. ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus (FREE TRIAL)

ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus is a backup system that focuses on Active Directory instances. The tool is offered in versions for on-premises Active Directory, for Azure AD, and for hybrid systems. The package will also backup domain controllers for Microsoft 365, Exchange Server, and Google Workspaces.

Key Features:

  • Manages on-site and cloud-based systems
  • Backs up Active Directory
  • Backup compression
  • AES-256 encryption
  • A background process

This service backs up the objects in your AD domain and can be accessed down to attribute level. After an initial full backup, the system performs incremental backups. You can define a retention period, so object copies will age out after a stated period. You can use the system to restore objects and you don’t need to shut the instance down while that recovery occurs.

Depending on which version you specify during the purchase process of ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus, you will be able to use this tool for your on-premises Active Directory, Azure AD, or both.

This tool can also be coordinated with your SharePoint or OneDrive cloud accounts to backup files for ransomware protection. The system also lets you backup Exchange mailboxes. All backup files can be compressed and protected with 256-bit AES encryption.

The backup process is an automated background process, so you don’t need to dedicate a technician to the task. The recovery process is implemented manually with a viewer that can access the contents of the backup even though it is compressed. You will then be able to pick specific objects to restore or decide to restore everything.

ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus runs on Windows Server and you can link it to your online OneDrive account for repository storage. There is a Free edition of the tool that will operate on a single domain and run backups weekly. The full version is called Standard and you can get it on a 30-day free trial. Your implementation will roll back to the Free edition if you chose not to buy the Standard edition before the end of the trial period.

Pros:

  • Backup Azure AD or on-premises Active Directory
  • Backup Exchange Server, Microsoft 365, Google Workspaces account objects
  • Backs up files
  • Compresses and protects backups
  • Restores individual objects

Cons:

  • Not available as a cloud service

2. Acronis Cyber Protect (FREE TRIAL)

EDITOR’S CHOICE

ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus is our top pick for an Azure backup tool because it focuses on protecting Azure AD, which is the core service of any Azure system. You will get an automated backup system and a recovery process that will restore objects without you having to shut the domain down.

Download: Access 30-day FREE Trial

Official Site: https://www.manageengine.com/ad-recovery-manager/download-free.html

OS: Windows Server

Acronis Cyber Protect is a cloud based service that combines a backup system with anti-malware and patch management for on-site endpoints. While the patch manager and anti-malware protection don’t operate on Azure resources, the backup service does.

  • Pre-upload virus scans
  • Virus scans in the recovery process
  • Editions for different business sizes
  • Cloud-to-cloud backup

The backup service in the Acronis Cyber Protect offers a great deal of flexibility, while also enabling system managers to centralize the backup supervision of all resources on all sites and platforms. The tool is able to write backups to a number of different locations, including on-site servers and cloud platforms.

Acronis Cloud offers a destination for backups, however, this storage option is an added extra and not included in the Cyber Protect package. System administrators can use a private cloud or a public cloud platform as the location of backups for Azure and other data locations. So, for example, you could back up your data from Azure to AWS, GCP, Acronis Cloud, or your own cloud servers.

The anti-malware system in the Acronis package doesn’t operate on your Azure account. However, it does kick in at the point of backing up your Azure-based data. All files are scanned for infection before they are allowed into the repository. Similarly, files are scanned before release to restore data to its original location.

Acronis Cyber Protect can backup any system anywhere and it is able to include your Azure systems in with all of your other endpoints and platform so you can centralize all backup activity in one console. This service is offered on a 30-day free trial.

  • Cloud-to-cloud backup

  • Pre-transfer virus scans

  • Unifies corporate backup strategy

  • Backs up physical and virtual systems

  • Added patch manager and anti-malware

  • Storage space not included

3. Veeam Backup for Microsoft Azure

Acronis Cyber Protect enables the storage of Azure backups to be managed alongside the backups of other resources, such as other cloud platforms and on-site endpoints. The Acronis system is also able to backup mobile devices, so you can manage all of your data protection from one location with the Acronis dashboard. Adding in patch management and an anti-virus system for endpoints makes the Acronis Cyber Protect system good value for money.

Get a 30-day free trial: acronis.com/products/cyber-protect/trial/

Operating system: Cloud-based

Veeam is a leading backup system provider for many on-site and cloud-based resources. Veeam Backup for Microsoft Azure is part of that list of services. The Veeam solution to Azure backup strategies is almost identical to that of Acronis.

  • Backup of on-site and cloud-based data
  • Interfaces with Azure Backup
  • Backup and recover while live

Veeam plugs into Azure Backup and takes a copy of the data stored in the Azure Backup Vault. This is a cloud-based service that will unify all of your backup and recovery strategies, combining backup services for your on-premises assets as well as your cloud systems, including Azure VMs.

When data is lost or damaged and access to the backup is needed, the Veeam system lets the Azure Backup service perform that task. This provides a quicker refresh than any remote service could provide. Essentially, the Veeam Backup for Microsoft Azure system verifies the Azure Backup copy of data. So, that Backup Vault version is kept in a ready state, meaning that, should it be required to recover the live system, it can be sure that the backup copy is correct.

4. DSP-Explorer

  • Combines Azure backups with protection for all of your systems

  • Verifies Azure Backup Vault data

  • It can be used to migrate or replicate systems

  • You’re paying to double the backup that Azure Backup provides

You might decide that your best bet is to just go with native Azure Backup services, but if you don’t have your own IT Department, the question is how are you going to look after the system, and how will you know when to restore data. In these circumstances, it is a good idea to contract in expertise.

  • Managed backup serve
  • Remote access
  • Service level agreement

The need for professional management throws up another issue. If you don’t know about Azure or data management, how do you select a freelance technician to take responsibility for you?

DSP-Explorer is a team of Microsoft products specialists. The company offers contracts to provide the management of Azure Backup. You get a service level agreement (SLA) that gives you adequate operational cover and the paperwork you need for your insurance provider.

5. Vembu BDR

  • A team of experts to manage your Azure Backup

  • An option that allows you to use native Azure processes

  • A good choice for small businesses

  • You place the security of your system in the hands of others

Vembu BDR is available for an on-premises installation or as a cloud service. The system can bring together the backup strategies for a range of resources, including physical servers, virtualizations, applications, and cloud assets. Azure services are on the list of systems that Vembu BDR can protect. Specifically, it backs up Azure VMs.

  • Backs up Azure VMs
  • Cloud-to-cloud
  • On-site repository possible

Vembu offers a list of strategies for backing up Azure. You can backup to another Azure account within the same region or another region. It is also possible to get the copy stored on your on-site servers or another cloud platform. There are many options to consider when setting up a Veeam BDR service for your Azure assets. You install the Vembu software on whichever target system you choose to store the Azure VM images.

The Vembu technicians strive to provide an easy-to-use system with a degree of automation that requires minimal expertise on the part of the customer. The service is available in two plans: Free and Standard. The Free service has the same utilities as the Standard plan, but it is limited to managing 10 VMs.

If you choose to backup to your own server, you need to install the Vembu software on the host, and it will run on Windows, Windows Server, or Ubuntu Linux. Vembu BDR Standard is available for a 30-day free trial.

  • Flexible service with backup location options

  • A service that can back up other assets apart from Azure VMs

  • A free option that is limited to 10 VMs

  • Decisions over where to store backups can be complicated

6. Datto Continuity for Microsoft Azure

Datto Continuity for Microsoft Azure is a business continuity and disaster recovery solution designed for managed service providers (MSPs) to protect their clients’ systems. This service assures processes rather than data stores. So, you are looking for an alternative to Azure VM Backup with this solution.

  • Built for MSPs
  • Hourly backup
  • Cloud storage space included

Datto has its cloud servers, and it pulls in copies of working data in Azure every hour. The purpose of this package is to keep those processes running. Essentially, if a process falls over and loses its stateful variable values and reference data, Datto puts it back on its legs so that it can pick up where it broke off.

When setting up your Datto account, you get a range of options over where your backups will be stored and mirrored. This is particularly important for customers located in the EU who need to restrict their business data to comply with GDPR. Wherever that data travels, it is protected by 256-bit AES encryption, and that same protection is applied to storage on the Datto server. You can request a demo of Datto Continuity for Microsoft Azure or any other Datto service.

  • Secure backup transfers and storage

  • Purpose-built for MSPs

  • Control over backup storage locations

  • Requires technical skills to manage

7. NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP

NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP will backup Azure services on a cloud platform of the customer’s choice. This service is implemented as an extension that is integrated into the Azure Backup system. It will then extract a copy of the backup to a different account on Azure or to a different cloud platform.  Other storage options include AWS and Google Cloud Platform.

  • Host your repository on a cloud account
  • Substitutes for Azure storage space
  • Backup through synching

Rather than copying the Azure Backup service, the NetApp system replaces its storage facility and data management functions, claiming to offer better response times, better controls, and a lower price. The service also provides the option of a second backup store that is implemented through syncing. It is possible to replicate VMWare or Hyper-V on Azure using the NetApp service.

NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP is available for a 30-day free trial.

  • Integrates into Azure

  • Offers an option for a secondary backup

  • Cloud-to-cloud backup

  • Requires technical knowledge to calibrate the service

8. Bacula Enterprise Edition

Bacula is available in both free and paid versions. Businesses that require professional support and a level of service guarantee would be better off going for the paid service, called Bacula Enterprise Edition. On the other hand, as a result, if you feel that you have sufficient technical skills within your business and are prepared to take on the legal responsibility of your data continuity strategy, you could opt for the free Community Edition.

  • Free version
  • Backup of on-site and cloud-based resources
  • Backup Azure, AWS, GCP, Glacier, and Oracle Cloud

As well as backing up Azure services, this tool will back up your on-site endpoints running Windows, Linux, and macOS. The service operates through client programs that need to be installed on each device or platform to be backed up. The other cloud platforms covered by the Bacula system are AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Glacier, and Oracle Cloud. Manage multiple accounts on different platforms together with backups for on-premises servers.

Other options available with Bacula are containers, virtualizations, and applications. There is also a multi-tenanted version of the Bacula system for use by MSPs. The server software for Bacula runs on CentOS Linux, and you can experience the backup service with a 30-day free trial.

  • Unifies the backups of multiple sites and cloud platforms

  • Offers processes for backing up applications as well as servers and cloud platforms

  • Includes container and virtualization backup options

  • You will need on-site expertise; as a result, to manage the software

  • Full

  • Incremental

  • Differential

The full backup is the most common strategy. It takes a copy of all of the data in a location. The incremental and differential backup strategies usually also include a periodic full backup. The difference between these other types of backup is that an incremental backup will copy over any files that have appeared or have changed since the last backup of any type and a differential will copy those files that are new or have changed since the last full backup.