Altaro VM Backup vs StorageCraft ShadowProtect
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading backup & disaster recovery solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Altaro VM Backup if you need Augmented inline dedup and prefer a free starting option. Choose StorageCraft ShadowProtect if you prioritize Image-based backup and want plans starting at $15/month. Altaro VM Backup has a higher user rating (4.5 vs 4.3).
Altaro VM Backup vs StorageCraft ShadowProtect: At a Glance
| Criteria | Altaro VM Backup | StorageCraft ShadowProtect |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | Free | $15/month |
| Pricing Model | subscription | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Windows, Web | Windows, Linux, Web |
| Category | Backup & Disaster Recovery | Backup & Disaster Recovery |
| Founded | 2009 | 2003 |
Feature Comparison: Altaro VM Backup vs StorageCraft ShadowProtect
| Feature | Altaro VM Backup | StorageCraft ShadowProtect |
|---|---|---|
| Augmented inline dedup | ||
| WAN-optimized replication | ||
| Boot from backup | ||
| Granular restore | ||
| Cloud management | ||
| Continuous CDP | ||
| VMware | ||
| Hyper-V | ||
| Azure | ||
| AWS S3 | ||
| Wasabi | ||
| Windows support | ||
| Web support | ||
| Image-based backup | ||
| VirtualBoot | ||
| Bare metal recovery | ||
| Hardware-independent restore | ||
| Incremental imaging | ||
| ShadowStream replication | ||
| Windows Server | ||
| Linux Server | ||
| Linux support |
Altaro VM Backup vs StorageCraft ShadowProtect: Pricing Breakdown
Altaro VM Backup Pricing
Model: subscription
- VM backup
- Offsite replication
- Cloud management
StorageCraft ShadowProtect Pricing
Model: subscription
- Image-based backup
- VirtualBoot
- Bare metal recovery
Pros and Cons
Altaro VM Backup
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.5/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 13+ capabilities
- Strong Augmented inline dedup functionality
- Strong WAN-optimized replication functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
StorageCraft ShadowProtect
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Windows, Linux, Web)
- Rich feature set with 13+ capabilities
- Strong Image-based backup functionality
- Strong VirtualBoot functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Altaro VM Backup vs StorageCraft ShadowProtect?
Choose Altaro VM Backup if you:
- Need Augmented inline dedup
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Windows and Web
- Value WAN-optimized replication
Choose StorageCraft ShadowProtect if you:
- Need Image-based backup
- Have a budget of $15/month+
- Work primarily on Windows and Linux
- Value VirtualBoot
Frequently Asked Questions: Altaro VM Backup vs StorageCraft ShadowProtect
Is Altaro VM Backup better than StorageCraft ShadowProtect?
It depends on your needs. Altaro VM Backup has a 4.5/5 user rating while StorageCraft ShadowProtect has 4.3/5. Altaro VM Backup excels in Augmented inline dedup and WAN-optimized replication, while StorageCraft ShadowProtect stands out with Image-based backup and VirtualBoot. Consider your budget (Free vs $15/month), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Altaro VM Backup or StorageCraft ShadowProtect?
Altaro VM Backup offers a free plan and starts at Free. StorageCraft ShadowProtect starts at $15/month. Altaro VM Backup has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Altaro VM Backup and StorageCraft ShadowProtect together?
While both are backup & disaster recovery tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core backup & disaster recovery needs.
What are the main differences between Altaro VM Backup and StorageCraft ShadowProtect?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs subscription), platform support (Windows, Web vs Windows, Linux, Web), and feature focus. Altaro VM Backup emphasizes Augmented inline dedup, WAN-optimized replication, Boot from backup while StorageCraft ShadowProtect focuses on Image-based backup, VirtualBoot, Bare metal recovery. User ratings differ slightly: 4.5 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Altaro VM Backup and StorageCraft ShadowProtect.