Backup software for business: how to choose the right solution
Every business needs backup software, but they’re not all equal. Here’s what to look for – and how the Acronis backup range compares – so you can protect servers, endpoints, virtual machines and cloud apps with confidence.
What does backup software do?
Backup software automatically copies your data to a separate location on a schedule, keeps multiple versions over time, and lets you restore anything from a single email to an entire data centre. Modern business backup software also verifies backups, encrypts them and protects them from tampering.
The cost of not having it is stark: hardware fails, people delete things, and ransomware deliberately targets backups. If your backup isn’t recent, complete and isolated, you can’t recover.
Key backup terms
- RPO – recovery point objective: how much data you can afford to lose.
- RTO – recovery time objective: how quickly you need to be running again.
- Image backup – a full copy of a disk, including the operating system.
- Incremental – only changes since the last backup are copied.
- Immutable – a backup that can’t be modified or deleted for a set period.
- Agentless – VMs backed up at hypervisor level, without software in each VM.
8 things to look for in backup software
Platform coverage
Physical servers, PCs and Macs, virtual machines, databases and SaaS apps such as Microsoft 365 – ideally in one product.
Ransomware resilience
Immutable storage, AI-based ransomware detection and malware scanning of backups before restore.
Flexible storage
Local disk, NAS, tape and cloud targets so you can follow the 3-2-1 rule.
Recovery speed
Instant restore, running backups as VMs and bare-metal recovery to meet tight RTOs.
Verified backups
Automatic validation proves each backup is restorable – not just that it ran.
Encryption
Strong encryption in transit and at rest, with keys you control.
Central management
One web console to deploy agents, set policies, monitor and report.
Fair licensing
Clear per-workload or per-GB pricing that scales with you – and a free trial.
Which Acronis backup product is right for you?
| Product | Best for | Protects | Managed by | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acronis Cyber Protect formerly Acronis Backup | SMBs and mid-market businesses with in-house IT | Windows/Linux servers, PCs, Macs, VMware, Hyper-V and more, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, mobile | Your IT team (cloud or on-premises console) | Acronis Cloud, local, NAS, S3-compatible cloud |
| Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud | MSPs, IT support companies and resellers | 30+ workload types across many client tenants | Service provider (multi-tenant) | Acronis Cloud, partner-hosted, public cloud, local |
| Acronis True Image | Home users, freelancers, very small offices | Windows PCs, Macs, iOS and Android devices | The user | External drive, NAS, Acronis Cloud |
| Acronis Cyber Disaster Recovery | Businesses needing minimal downtime | Critical servers and VMs | Your IT team or MSP | Acronis Cloud recovery site |
| Acronis Microsoft 365 backup | Any organisation using Microsoft 365 | Exchange Online, OneDrive, SharePoint Online, Teams | Your IT team or MSP | Acronis Cloud |
Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule
Whatever backup software you choose, structure your copies so that no single failure – or attacker – can take them all out.
Not sure which backup software fits?
Tell us what you need to protect and we'll recommend the right Acronis product and edition – free and without obligation.
Backup software FAQs
What is the best backup software for a small business?
The best backup software for a small business protects every device you rely on, keeps at least one off-site and immutable copy, detects ransomware and is simple to manage. Acronis Cyber Protect covers servers, PCs, Macs and Microsoft 365 from one console, which is why it suits many small and mid-sized UK businesses.
What is the difference between image backup and file backup?
An image backup captures an entire disk – operating system, applications, settings and data – so you can rebuild a machine from scratch. A file backup copies selected files and folders. Acronis does both, so you can restore a whole server or just one document from the same backup.
Is cloud backup better than local backup?
Neither is enough on its own. Local backups give the fastest restores; cloud backups protect against fire, theft and site-wide ransomware. The 3-2-1 rule – three copies, on two types of media, one off-site – combines both.
How often should business data be backed up?
At least daily for most systems, and more often for databases and frequently changing files. Your backup frequency should match your recovery point objective (RPO) – the maximum amount of data you can afford to lose.
Does backup software protect against ransomware?
Good backup software is your last line of defence. Look for immutable storage, malware scanning of backups and built-in ransomware detection. Acronis includes all three, plus automatic restoration of files encrypted by an attack.