Researched comparison
Best Microsoft 365 Backup Software for Small Business in 2026
Tierlyn may earn a fee from some links on this page, and some placements are paid and labelled. Neither one decides the order. See our disclosure.
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 is the best pick for most small businesses, because it publishes a low per user price, covers Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams, and lets you choose your own storage target. It does not include storage in that software price, and it needs more setup than a fully managed SaaS backup, so a firm without IT time should compare a managed option first.
Key takeaways
- Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 is the best pick on published price, workload coverage, and storage choice.
- Microsoft 365 retention and version history are not a substitute for a separate backup copy outside the production tenant.
- Restore speed depends on item size and restore scope, so test a mailbox and a site restore before you sign.
- Storage, egress, and long retention can raise the total well above a per user headline price.
- Check Teams coverage in writing, including channel messages, files, and private channel data.
Contents
Tier labels are an editorial grouping, not a number and not a rating out of any total. S means a top tier pick for most readers. A means a strong choice with a clear strength. B means a solid option for a specific need.
Comparison at a glance
Comparison
| Tool | Best for | Standout feature | Price range | Free plan/trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 | Most small businesses | Own storage choice with per user licensing | $1.80 per user per month, billed annually, software only (2 Nov 2026) | Trial stated |
| Acronis Cyber Protect | Firms that also back up endpoints | One console for endpoints and Microsoft 365 | Quote only for Microsoft 365 seat pack (2 Nov 2026) | Trial stated |
| AvePoint Cloud Backup | Firms that want a managed SaaS backup | Managed Azure storage with bring your own storage option | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | Trial on request |
| Keepit | Firms that want independent storage | Independent infrastructure with always hot storage | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | Trial stated |
| Druva | Firms that want air-gapped SaaS backup | Air-gapped copies with anomaly checks | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | Trial on request |
| Backupify | Firms that want simple SaaS backup | Simple SaaS setup for mail and files | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | Trial stated |
Ranked by tier
most small businesses.
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365
Best for most small businesses.
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 backs up Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Teams data, with granular restore to the original location or a new location. Its vendor page lists $1.80 per user per month billed annually for backup software only, checked 2 Nov 2026. Licence count follows Microsoft 365 user count, so a firm licences the users it protects, not only the users it restores. Price source: Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Pros:
- Low published per user price, with clear software only scope.
- Own storage choice, including object storage targets, which helps firms with a storage rule.
- Granular restore for mail, files, and sites, without a full tenant restore.
Cons:
- Storage is separate, so the headline price is not the total cost.
- Software setup needs more IT time than a fully managed SaaS backup.
- The managed SaaS version, Veeam Data Cloud, is priced separately and higher than software only.
Price: $1.80 per user per month, billed annually, software only, from the Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 page, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: firms without IT time to run backup infrastructure should compare AvePoint or Keepit first.
Unique element: Veeam states that the number of Microsoft 365 users equals the number of backup licences needed, a simple rule that makes seat counting easy, but also means shared mailboxes and service accounts need a licence check.
Best for: most small businesses.
firms that also back up endpoints.
Acronis Cyber Protect
Best for firms that also back up endpoints.
Acronis Cyber Protect combines endpoint backup, anti-malware, and Microsoft 365 backup in one agent and one console. That single console helps a small firm that already protects laptops and a server, because it avoids a second backup tool for mail and files. Microsoft 365 seats are sold in packs, and the vendor purchasing page lists workstation and server prices separately, so a buyer must confirm the Microsoft 365 seat pack price in writing.
Pros:
- One console for endpoints, servers, and Microsoft 365 reduces tool sprawl.
- Malware scanning on restore can help a firm avoid restoring an infected file.
- Central management fits firms that already use Acronis for endpoints.
Cons:
- Microsoft 365 seat pricing is quote only on the vendor page, so it cannot be compared from a list price.
- Licensing by workload can grow complex when endpoints, servers, and Microsoft 365 seats mix.
- Storage costs can sit outside the licence price, depending on the storage target chosen.
Price: Quote only for a Microsoft 365 seat pack, from the Acronis Cyber Protect purchasing page, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: firms that need only Microsoft 365 backup, with no endpoint backup need, should compare Veeam or a pure SaaS backup first.
Unique element: Acronis is the only tool in this guide that presents endpoint security and Microsoft 365 backup as one agent, which changes the admin workload, but also ties backup decisions to a security product decision.
Best for: firms that also back up endpoints.
firms that want a managed SaaS backup.
AvePoint Cloud Backup
Best for firms that want a managed SaaS backup.
AvePoint Cloud Backup is a managed SaaS service for Microsoft 365, with Azure storage and a bring your own storage option for firms with a storage rule. It backs up Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams, with item-level restore through a portal. Managed delivery means no backup server to run, which suits firms without a dedicated backup admin.
Pros:
- Managed SaaS delivery, with no backup infrastructure to run.
- Bring your own storage option for firms with a data location rule.
- Item-level restore through a portal, for mail, files, and sites.
Cons:
- Pricing is quote only on its own page, so seat cost needs a written quote.
- Some published third-party estimates use a 500 user minimum, so a small firm must confirm the minimum that applies to it.
- Large restores still depend on tenant throttling and data size, so speed claims need a timed test.
Price: Quote only, from the AvePoint Cloud Backup page, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: firms that need a published per user price before a sales call should start with Veeam.
Unique element: AvePoint documents both managed Azure storage and bring your own storage, which gives a firm a choice that pure SaaS vendors in this guide do not always offer.
Best for: firms that want a managed SaaS backup.
firms that want independent storage.
Keepit
Best for firms that want independent storage.
Keepit is a pure SaaS backup platform built on its own infrastructure, separate from Microsoft and from hyperscaler storage. It backs up Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and other SaaS apps from one platform, with unlimited always hot storage on its per seat model and retention that can be set up to 99 years in vendor documentation. Independence matters for ransomware recovery, because a backup copy in the same tenant or same provider as production shares more risk.
Pros:
- Independent infrastructure, separate from the production SaaS vendor.
- Always hot storage, with no tiering that delays a restore from older data.
- Long retention options, which help firms with legal or client retention duties.
Cons:
- Pricing is quote only on its own page, so a small firm cannot budget from a list price.
- Backup frequency and Teams coverage need confirmation for each workload, not assumption.
- A pure SaaS focus means endpoint backup needs a separate tool, unlike Acronis.
Price: Quote only, from the Keepit platform page, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: firms that need endpoint backup in the same tool should compare Acronis first.
Unique element: Keepit states that its storage is always hot, with no separate archive tier, which means an old restore should not wait for data to move back from cold storage.
Best for: firms that want independent storage.
firms that want air-gapped SaaS backup.
Druva
Best for firms that want air-gapped SaaS backup.
Druva is a fully managed SaaS backup platform built on AWS, covering Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, endpoints, and other workloads. It offers air-gapped, immutable copies in Druva Cloud, anomaly checks, and managed detection and response options for ransomware events. Its pricing model is credit-based and quote-based in vendor documentation, so a firm must get a sized quote for its data volume and retention.
Pros:
- Air-gapped, immutable copies in Druva Cloud for ransomware recovery.
- Fully managed delivery, with no backup infrastructure to run.
- Anomaly checks can flag unusual backup or restore activity for review.
Cons:
- Pricing is quote only and credit-based, so total cost depends on stored data, not only seat count.
- Some anomaly and recovery features are paid add-ons, even on higher tiers.
- No bring your own storage option in the core SaaS model, unlike Veeam and AvePoint.
Price: Quote only, from the Druva Microsoft 365 backup page, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: firms that need a simple per user price, or bring your own storage, should compare Veeam or AvePoint first.
Unique element: Druva documents a credit model where one credit covers one terabyte stored for a month, which makes data growth, not only seat growth, a cost driver to model.
Best for: firms that want air-gapped SaaS backup.
firms that want simple SaaS backup.
Backupify
Best for firms that want simple SaaS backup.
Backupify, part of Datto SaaS Protection, is a SaaS backup service for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, with automated backups and item-level restore for mail, files, and sites. Its simple setup suits a small firm that wants mail and file protection without running backup infrastructure or managing storage targets. A firm should still test Teams restore scope, because simple SaaS backup can cover mail and files more fully than Teams channel data.
Pros:
- Simple SaaS setup, with automated backup schedules.
- Item-level restore for mail and files, without a full tenant restore.
- Covers both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, for firms that use both.
Cons:
- Pricing is quote only on its own page, so a firm cannot compare a list price.
- Teams coverage needs a written check, especially for channel and private channel data.
- Advanced retention and compliance controls can trail enterprise backup platforms in this guide.
Price: Quote only, from the Backupify page, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: firms with strict Teams retention, long legal holds, or complex storage rules should compare Keepit or Veeam first.
Unique element: Backupify is sold through Datto SaaS Protection, which means a firm buying through a managed service provider should confirm who owns the backup account, the retention settings, and the restore access.
Best for: firms that want simple SaaS backup.
How we choose
How we choose
We considered 13 tools and kept six that publish Microsoft 365 coverage for Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams, with item-level restore and retention controls. We reviewed vendor documentation, pricing pages, and product pages on 2 Nov 2026. Our criteria follow our scoring method: workload coverage (30), restore speed and granularity (25), retention, storage, and independence (20), security and ransomware controls (15), and price clarity and restore costs (10). See the backup and recovery hub for related guides.
Questions to ask before you buy
Which Microsoft 365 backup tool is cheapest?
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 is cheapest on published price, at $1.80 per user per month billed annually for software only. Storage is separate, so add your storage cost to that figure for a true total. AvePoint, Keepit, Druva, Acronis, and Backupify use quote only pricing for the Microsoft 365 scope in this guide, so a cheapest ranking for them needs written quotes for the same seat count, retention, and storage model. Price source: Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365, checked 2 Nov 2026.
How fast can I restore a deleted mailbox?
Restore speed depends on mailbox size, item count, and whether you restore to the original mailbox or export to a file. A single mail restore is usually minutes, while a large mailbox or a full site restore can take hours, depending on throttling and data size. Ask for a timed test: restore a 5 GB mailbox and a 50 GB SharePoint site, and record both times. That test, not a vendor speed claim, is the figure to put in your recovery plan.
What retention should a small business choose?
Choose retention from your contracts and duties, then check the cost. A one year retention fits many small firms, while client, tax, or legal records may need longer. Check three facts in writing: the maximum retention, whether retention is by item age or by backup age, and whether long retention raises storage or licence cost. Test a restore from the oldest retained point at least once a year, because a retention setting that was never tested is only a setting.
What does a good restore test look like?
A good restore test has a named item, a named target, and a timed result. Pick a deleted mail, a deleted OneDrive file, and a deleted SharePoint site. Restore each to a test location, confirm the content and metadata, and record the time taken. Repeat the test after a major tenant change, such as a migration or a large staff change. If a test fails, fix the backup scope or retention before the next test, and record the fix.
Buyers guide
- Confirm coverage for Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams, with Teams channel data listed separately.
- Test item-level restore for a mail, a file, and a site, with times recorded.
- Confirm retention maximum, storage location, and whether the copy is separate from the production tenant.
- Get storage, egress, and large restore costs in writing, not only the per user price.
- Confirm who can run a restore, who approves it, and how restore access is logged.
- Check licence counting for shared mailboxes, service accounts, and former staff mailboxes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Microsoft 365 include a backup I can rely on for restore?
Microsoft 365 includes retention, version history, and recycle bins, but those controls are not a separate third-party backup with independent retention and point-in-time restore. Deleted mail, files, and sites can pass retention limits, and a tenant-wide incident can affect the same system that holds the original data. A separate backup copy, stored outside the production tenant, closes that gap.
Which Microsoft 365 backup tool is cheapest for a small business?
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 is cheapest on price in this guide, at 1.80 dollars per user per month billed annually for software only, checked on 2 Nov 2026. Storage is separate, so the total depends on your storage choice. Other tools use quote only pricing on their pages, so they need a written quote for the same seat count.
How fast can I restore a deleted mailbox or SharePoint site?
Restore speed depends on the tool, the item size, and whether you restore one item or a site. Item-level restore is faster than a tenant restore, because it moves less data. Ask a vendor for a timed restore test on a mailbox and a SharePoint site of your size, and record the result before you sign, not a speed claim.
How long should I keep Microsoft 365 backups?
Retention should match your contracts, tax rules, and client duties, not the vendor default. Many firms keep mail and files for at least one year, with longer retention for client or legal records where a contract requires it. Confirm the maximum retention, check whether longer retention raises storage cost, and test a restore from the oldest retained point.
What does Teams backup cover, and what does it miss?
Teams coverage varies by vendor, so check channel messages, files, tabs, and membership separately. Some tools back up Teams chat and channel files well, but miss tab content or private channel data. Ask for a coverage list for Teams, test a restore of a channel and a private chat where the tool claims to cover them, and record any gap.
Sources
- Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Acronis Cyber Protect purchasing, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- AvePoint Cloud Backup, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Keepit platform, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Druva Microsoft 365 backup, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Backupify Microsoft 365 backup, checked 2 Nov 2026.
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