Acronis Alternatives for MSPs
Acronis competes on consolidation. MSPs shopping alternatives usually want stronger backup fidelity or a cleaner separation between backup and security.
Comparison - Updated Jul 2026
Contents
- 1.Why MSPs look for Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud alternatives
- 2.Alternatives at a glance
- 3.Veeam Backup & Replication - best for backup fidelity
- 4.Veeam Backup & Replication
- 5.Axcient x360Recover - best MSP commercial model
- 6.Axcient x360Recover
- 7.Datto SIRIS / ALTO - best for clients needing local virtualization
- 8.Datto SIRIS / ALTO
- 9.Comet Backup - best for cost control
- 10.Comet Backup
- 11.When staying on Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is the right call
- 12.Before you migrate
- 13.Is Veeam better than Acronis for MSPs?
- 14.What replaces Acronis's built-in security?
Why MSPs look for Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud alternatives
Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud bundles backup with endpoint security in a single agent and console, licensed per workload or per GB. Two situations commonly prompt an alternatives search.
The first is workload coverage. Platforms specializing in backup alone offer deeper support for virtualized and database workloads than a consolidated product does.
The second is overlap with dedicated security tooling. Once an MSP adopts a separate EDR or MDR product, the bundled security is duplicated capability, and the backup half then competes on its own merits rather than as part of a bundle.
Alternatives at a glance
| Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (current) | Veeam Backup & Replication | Axcient x360Recover | Datto SIRIS / ALTO | Comet Backup | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Pay-per-GB, per-workload options | Per-workload licensing (socket or instance-based) | Per-protected-device, appliance or direct-to-cloud | Per-protected-device, appliance + cloud storage | Per-protected-device or unlimited with self-hosted server |
| Hosting | Cloud (Acronis-hosted or partner-hosted) | Self-managed; Veeam Cloud Connect for offsite | BDR appliance + Axcient Cloud, or direct-to-cloud only | BDR appliance + Datto Cloud | Self-hosted server or Comet-hosted, BYO storage (S3, Wasabi, B2) |
| Integrations | ConnectWise, Autotask, cPanel, major RMMs | VMware, Hyper-V, AWS, Azure, NAS, Microsoft 365 (separate product) | ConnectWise, Autotask, major RMMs via API | Autotask PSA, IT Glue, Datto RMM, ConnectWise | ConnectWise, Syncro, API for custom integration |
Veeam Backup & Replication - best for backup fidelity
If the reason for leaving is backup capability rather than cost, Veeam is the clear destination. Workload coverage and restore reliability are the category benchmark, particularly for virtualized environments. You give up bundled security entirely, which is precisely the point if you have already adopted dedicated tooling.
Veeam Backup & Replication
Veeam is the enterprise backup standard that many MSPs adopt for its flexibility and depth. It handles virtual, physical, cloud, and NAS workloads with granular recovery options. Veeam Cloud Connect enables MSPs to offer BaaS (Backup as a Service) by hosting a cloud repository that clients replicate to. The management is powerful but complex. Multi-tenant operations require Veeam Service Provider Console, which adds a layer of configuration. Veeam works best for MSPs comfortable managing their own infrastructure who want maximum control over backup architecture.
Key features
- ·Industry-leading backup and recovery for virtual environments
- ·Veeam Cloud Connect enables MSP-hosted BaaS
- ·Granular recovery options down to individual application items
- ·Supports virtually every workload type
- ·SureBackup automated recovery verification
Considerations
- ·Multi-tenant management requires Service Provider Console
- ·Higher complexity than appliance-based solutions
- ·Self-managed infrastructure adds operational overhead
- ·Microsoft 365 backup is a separate product and license
- ·Licensing model has changed frequently
Axcient x360Recover - best MSP commercial model
Axcient is built around MSP delivery, with direct-to-cloud and appliance deployment under one commercial model. For MSPs who liked Acronis's simplicity but need stronger recovery capability, it occupies a sensible middle position.
Axcient x360Recover
Axcient x360Recover competes directly with Datto and supports both appliance-based and direct-to-cloud deployment. It supports both appliance-based and direct-to-cloud deployment models, which gives flexibility for sites where a local appliance isn't practical. AirGap technology provides chain-free backup storage that resists ransomware. AutoVerify runs automated restore tests. The management portal handles multi-tenant operations and includes compliance reporting. Axcient's pricing model is generally more transparent than Datto's, though per-device costs vary by storage consumption.
Key features
- ·Both appliance and direct-to-cloud deployment models
- ·AirGap provides ransomware-resistant backup storage
- ·Chain-free architecture eliminates backup chain corruption risk
- ·AutoVerify automated restore testing
- ·More transparent pricing than Datto
Considerations
- ·Smaller third-party integration catalog
- ·Cloud virtualization performance can be inconsistent
- ·Some integrations are less mature than Datto's
- ·Direct-to-cloud model is bandwidth-dependent
Datto SIRIS / ALTO - best for clients needing local virtualization
Where Acronis is cloud-centric, Datto's appliance model delivers local virtualization that materially changes recovery time for clients who cannot tolerate downtime. Higher cost per device, bought for a specific and defensible reason.
Datto SIRIS / ALTO
Datto SIRIS is the most widely deployed BDR solution in the MSP channel. The appliance takes image-based backups with configurable intervals (as low as every 5 minutes for SIRIS, with configurable intervals for ALTO), replicates to the Datto Cloud, and supports instant local and cloud virtualization for disaster recovery. Screenshot verification runs automatically after each backup to confirm boot integrity. The management portal is multi-tenant and integrates tightly with Autotask and IT Glue. The ALTO line covers smaller sites at a lower price point. Datto is owned by Kaseya. The platform pairs an on-site appliance with cloud replication and is licensed per protected device.
Key features
- ·Proven instant virtualization for fast recovery
- ·Screenshot verification confirms backup integrity automatically
- ·Multi-tenant portal with strong PSA integration
- ·ALTO provides a lower-cost option for small sites
- ·Long-established platform with extensive MSP-focused documentation
Considerations
- ·Appliance cost is difficult to justify for very small sites
- ·Premium pricing compared to alternatives
- ·Cloud recovery performance depends on bandwidth and VM sizing
- ·Appliance hardware refreshes add periodic capital expense
Comet Backup - best for cost control
If per-GB costs grew faster than expected as client data expanded, Comet's self-hosted model puts storage economics back under your control. You choose the storage destination and retention policy directly rather than paying a vendor's metered rate.
Comet Backup
Comet Backup is a self-hosted backup platform that appeals to MSPs who want full control over their backup infrastructure and storage costs. You run the Comet server on your own hardware or VM, bring your own cloud storage (Wasabi, Backblaze B2, AWS S3, or local storage), and manage everything through a multi-tenant web portal. The pricing model is radically different from appliance vendors: you pay a flat per-device license and control your own storage costs. This makes it very cost-effective at scale but requires you to manage the infrastructure yourself.
Key features
- ·Full control over storage and infrastructure
- ·Dramatically lower cost at scale vs appliance vendors
- ·BYO storage means you choose your own redundancy and location
- ·Multi-tenant portal with brandable client interface
- ·Active development with responsive team
Considerations
- ·Self-hosted means you own the infrastructure reliability
- ·No turnkey BDR appliance hardware (local backup requires self-managed infrastructure)
- ·Self-hosted deployment places infrastructure operation on the MSP
- ·No built-in instant virtualization for disaster recovery
- ·Requires comfort managing your own backup infrastructure
When staying on Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is the right call
If your client base is predominantly small offices and endpoints, and you are not running a separate EDR, Acronis's consolidation is doing real work - one agent, one console, one vendor relationship. That operational simplicity has value that a feature comparison will not capture.
Before you migrate
If you are relying on Acronis for endpoint security as well as backup, replacing only the backup half leaves a security gap. Plan both replacements together, and confirm the new security tooling is deployed and verified before removing the Acronis agent.
Is Veeam better than Acronis for MSPs?
For backup capability in virtualized environments, yes. For a consolidated backup-plus-security platform aimed at small offices, Acronis addresses a different problem. Neither is universally better - they target different client profiles.
What replaces Acronis's built-in security?
A dedicated EDR or managed detection and response product. Most MSPs replacing Acronis are already moving in that direction, which is often what triggered the backup reevaluation in the first place.