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SharePoint Server is a collaborative tool for data management and sharing, necessitating proactive backup measures to mitigate potential issues such as data inaccessibility, corruption, or loss. It is vulnerable to online threats like hacking attempts, viruses, and ransomware Thus, finding a robust backup solution for SharePoint Online data is imperative.
There are numerous options for SharePoint backup solutions, making the selection even more challenging. To simplify this decision, we will outline the top five SharePoint backup solutions, allowing users to choose based on their specific requirements and financial considerations.
Best 5 SharePoint backup solutions
Given here is the list of the top five SharePoint Backup solutions available in the market:
- Kernel Migration for SharePoint
- UpSafe Office 365 Cloud Backup
- Metalogix Backup for SharePoint
- AvePoint Backup and Restore for SharePoint
- SkyKick Cloud Backup
Let us ponder over the main features of each of these solutions and then analyze their capabilities to make the right choice.
1. Kernel Migration for SharePoint
Kernel Migration for SharePoint is a suitable SharePoint Migrator tool for performing all types of migrations as well as SharePoint backups.
While primarily designed for SharePoint migrations, this tool also allows users to create a local backup by downloading a copy from their SharePoint platform with all its attributes. Its strength lies in its reliability for smooth migrations, seamless backups, and speedy restorations. It’s an economical choice that fulfills various SharePoint needs, especially related to backups and restorations.
Main Features
- Backs up SharePoint (On-premises and Online) to File System.
- Filters like Date Filter, File Filter, User Filter, etc. for flexible backup.
- Allows choosing the desired destination for the SharePoint files and folders.
- Migrations between SharePoint 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and SharePoint Online.
- File System to SharePoint, Google Drive, and OneDrive migrations.
- Google Drive to Google Drive and OneDrive to OneDrive migrations.
Pros:
- Supports a wide range of data types for a thorough migration process.
- Offers a feature to predict and mitigate risks with migration efficiency.
- Includes a scheduler for automating migration tasks,and facilitating user-independent transfers.
- Allows for efficient bulk data migration using CSV.
Cons:
- The wide array of features might be overwhelming for users new to migration tools.
- The comprehensive nature of the tool may require significant system resources for large migrations.
- With numerous options and settings, there’s a risk of over-complicating the migration process.
2. UpSafe Office 365 Cloud backup
The UpSafe Office 365 Cloud Backup tool offers comprehensive backup and precise recovery of specified data. It facilitates the backup of Microsoft 365 SharePoint data and enables effortless restoration to a chosen location with just a few clicks. It is a reliable solution for backing up SharePoint.
Main Features
- Creates a complete and quick SharePoint backup.
- Provides the whole list of SharePoint farm components for backup.
- Restores from old SharePoint backups.
- Restores to SharePoint Server directly.
- Backup and restore SharePoint Server from a single console.
Pros:
- Offers multiple plans starting at $2 per month, making it accessible for small to midsize companies.
- As a cloud-based service, it requires no additional hardware.
- Utilizes 256-bit AES encryption with unique user-owned keys for enhanced security.
- Features continuous access monitoring functionality to safeguard against unauthorized access.
Cons:
- Specifically designed for Office 365 tools, which may not suit businesses using other platforms.
- May not offer the scalability required by larger enterprises.
- Being a cloud-based solution, it requires a stable internet connection for backup and recovery operations.
3. Metalogix backup for SharePoint
The provided backup and recovery solution stands out for its capability to securely back up diverse types of SharePoint content and restore them to SharePoint versions 2010 and beyond seamlessly. It streamlines the process of backing up the entire spectrum of SharePoint data, encompassing databases, applications, and configurations. Moreover, it serves as a defense mechanism against potential SharePoint data loss, ensuring protection in various circumstances. Furthermore, it allows prompt and user-centric recovery when needed.
Main Features
- Creates a complete and quick SharePoint backup.
- Provides the whole list of SharePoint farm components for backup.
- Restores from old SharePoint backups.
- Restores to SharePoint Server directly.
- Backup and restore SharePoint Server from a single console.
Pros:
- Saves time and storage by only backing up changes since the last backup.
- Allows targeted backup and restoration of specific SharePoint content.
- Provides tools for monitoring and managing the SharePoint environment’s health.
- Ensures a wide range of SharePoint components are backed up and restorable.
Cons:
- May present a learning curve for users unfamiliar with advanced backup solutions.
- Could be demanding system resources during backup operations, affecting performance.
- Relies on an external vendor for updates, support, and compatibility with SharePoint versions.
4. AvePoint backup and restore for SharePoint
This is a smart backup and recovery solution for SharePoint Server – for On-premises (SharePoint 2010 and above), SharePoint Online (Microsoft 365), and hybrid deployments.
This is a secure and reliable platform with a bunch of features and functions. It helps you perform centralized tracking and management. It is easy to meet SLA compliances with this tool.
Main Features
- Provisions for full as well as incremental backups
- Backs up and restores SharePoint content
- Automated backup with retention and compliance rules
- Backup OneDrive for Business and Virtual Machines too
- Preserves metadata, version histories, security settings, etc.
Pros:
- Offers comprehensive backup and recovery for entire SharePoint environments, including all farm-level components, maintaining metadata, security settings, and version histories.
- Minimizes disruptions caused by service interruptions or accidental deletions with quick and efficient recovery options.
- Meets even the most aggressive Service Level Agreements (SLAs) by minimizing downtime, data loss, and restore times.
- Allows tracking, managing, and reporting on all backup and restore processes through a centralized console.
Cons:
- May require significant system resources for full backups, especially in large SharePoint environments.
- Reliance on AvePoint for updates, support, and compatibility could be a concern for organizations with strict data sovereignty or compliance requirements.
5. SkyKick Cloud backup
This platform offers a comprehensive backup and restoration solution for cloud services such as SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Microsoft 365. Utilizing cloud-based technology, it enables the recovery of data following corruption, accidental deletions, and other unforeseen incidents. The interface is intuitive and easy to use, and users have the option to try it out for free.
Main Features
- Backup SharePoint Online sites, subsites, lists, folders, files, and versions.
- Find SharePoint Sites for backup.
- Unlimited retention of deleted items and backup of SharePoint content.
- Quick data restoration with powerful search and restore facilities
- Restore full or specific SharePoint Site collections
Pros:
- Provides extensive backup solutions across the Microsoft 365 portfolio, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, Microsoft Teams, and Planner.
- Provides unlimited backup storage and retention, even for deleted users, ensuring data is always accessible.
- Features powerful search and restore capabilities for quick recovery from data loss.
- Designed specifically for the cloud, eliminating the need for installations or appliances, and scales seamlessly with data growth.
Cons:
- Primarily designed for Microsoft 365, which may not cover all backup needs for organizations using a broader range of services.
- The extensive features and capabilities might be overwhelming for users without technical expertise.
- Being cloud-native, it requires a stable internet connection for backup and recovery operations, which could be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
This analysis is purely on a research basis. Users can try the above solutions personally one after the other and select the best one for them for performing the exclusive SharePoint Backup. We hope this blog will be a help to all.
Comparison of SharePoint backup solutions
If you are still in confusion about selecting the best tool from the above-suggested solutions, then you can analyze the features and limitations of the tool from the table and then go with the most suited one.
| Kernel Migration for SharePoint | UpSafe Office 365 Cloud Backup | Metalogix Backup for SharePoint | AvePoint Backup and Restore for SharePoint | SkyKick Cloud Backup | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits |
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| Graphic User Interface | Simple, Direct, and User-friendly | Account profile-based; Web console interface | Descriptive interface with multiple features and options | A little complex interface | Web-based interface with descriptive features |
| Supported Environments | Windows Operating System | Windows, Mac, Web-based | Windows Operating System | Windows Operating System | Windows, Mac, Web-based |
| Pricing | Free Trial version; License – $ 399 (Corporate version), $ 999 (Technician version) – One Time Purchase |
No Free Trial Version; Pricing – $ 2/month/user | Free Trial version; For pricing contact Sales | Free Trial version; Contact Sales for pricing | Free Trial with Account Setup; Fixed pricing based on licenses |
| Drawbacks | Focuses more on migration, but allows downloading SharePoint Online, SharePoint Server content to File System easily. | Backup and Restore SharePoint Online data; Cloud backup only. Also max. storage limit is 350GB. | It supports backup of SharePoint data with the database file but not applicable for SharePoint Online data backup. | Smart and powerful recovery, backup, and restore of SharePoint Online, SharePoint Server content but still lacks in easy design and approach. | A single platform for Cloud backup, which includes SharePoint Online only. So, not deal for SharePoint On-premises data. |
| Latest version and update date | Version 22.5, updated in Nov 2022 | N/A | Version 6.8, Aug 2020 | N/A | N/A |
The assessment provided relies entirely on our independent research and publicly accessible information. Users are encouraged to personally experiment with the aforementioned solutions, sequentially exploring them on their respective websites, and then determine the most suitable option for their SharePoint backup needs.
Conclusion
This blog introduced us with five leading SharePoint backup solutions each offering a range of distinct features and advantages. However, Kernel Migration for SharePoint stands out as the premier choice due to its exceptional migration capabilities, intuitive user interface, and comprehensive support system. We highly recommend Kernel Migration for SharePoint as a reliable and efficient solution for safeguarding your SharePoint environment.
All the backup solutions for SharePoint data are great. I have got the trial version of all but as per my personal recommendation, the easiest to use of all is the Kernel Migrator for SharePoint tool. Great features in the trial version.