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Altaro VM Backup vs Windows Backup

Altaro VM Backup logo

Altaro VM Backup

Backup

Simple and powerful VM backup for SMBs

From
$595/perpetual
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Backup

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Windows Backup has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Altaro VM Backup limited to small and medium-market businesses with up to 50 host servers; Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • They diverge on capability: Altaro VM Backup covers Augmented inline dedup, Windows Backup covers File History.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Altaro VM Backup and Windows Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Altaro VM Backup and Windows Backup differ
AttributeAltaro VM BackupWindows Backup
Starting price$595/perpetualFree
Pricing modelUnknownfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows ServerWindows
Founded20091975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Backup).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Altaro VM Backup

  • Augmented inline dedup
  • WAN-optimized replication
  • Boot from backup
  • Granular restore
  • Cloud management
  • Continuous CDP
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

Only in Windows Backup

  • File History
  • System image backup
  • OneDrive integration
  • System restore points
  • Reset this PC
  • Recovery drive
  • OneDrive
  • Windows Server

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Altaro VM Backup

  • Data protectionnot Windows Backup
  • Disaster recoverynot Windows Backup
  • Business continuitynot Windows Backup
  • Ransomware protectionnot Windows Backup
  • Compliancenot Windows Backup

Windows Backup

  • Moving folders, settings and app list to a new Windows PCnot Altaro VM Backup
  • Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Altaro VM Backup

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Altaro VM Backup

  • Limited to small and medium-market businesses with up to 50 host servers
  • Perpetual license model outdated compared to modern cloud-based backup solutions
  • Lacks enterprise-grade features for large-scale deployments
  • Offsite backup to cloud requires additional setup and configuration

Windows Backup

  • Folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • It requires signing in with a Microsoft account rather than a local Windows account
  • Personalization preferences are not backed up if OneDrive storage is insufficient
  • OneDrive folder syncing through Windows Backup is not available for work or school accounts, and Windows does not remember apps for those accounts
  • Device settings sync for a work or school account only if the organization allows it

Pricing, plan by plan

Altaro VM Backup

$595/perpetual

No published plan breakdown. See the Altaro VM Backup review.

Windows Backup

Free
  • Built-inFree
    • File History
    • System image
    • OneDrive sync

Which should you pick?

Choose Altaro VM Backup if

  • You need augmented inline dedup.
  • You work on Windows Server.
  • You also want wan-optimized replication.
Altaro VM Backup review

Choose Windows Backup if

  • You need file history.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want system image backup.
Windows Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Altaro VM Backup or Windows Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Altaro VM Backup starts at $595/perpetual and Windows Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Altaro VM Backup or Windows Backup?
Windows Backup has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $595/perpetual for Altaro VM Backup and Free for Windows Backup.
Does Altaro VM Backup or Windows Backup run on more platforms?
Altaro VM Backup runs on Windows Server. Windows Backup runs on Windows.
Can I use Windows Backup for free?
Yes. Windows Backup has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Altaro VM Backup starts at $595/perpetual.
What is Altaro VM Backup best used for?
Altaro VM Backup is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Windows Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Altaro VM Backup do that Windows Backup cannot?
Altaro VM Backup covers Augmented inline dedup, WAN-optimized replication, Boot from backup, Granular restore. Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Altaro VM Backup: What is the price per host for Altaro VM Backup?

Altaro VM Backup pricing starts at $595 per host for the Standard Edition, with the Unlimited Edition at $695 per host and Unlimited Plus at $875 per host. Pricing includes the first year of priority support and updates.

Source
Windows Backup: How much cloud storage do I get with Windows Backup?

Your Microsoft account includes 5 GB of free OneDrive cloud storage. "More storage is available to purchase if you need it" for users requiring additional capacity.

Source
Windows Backup: What types of Microsoft accounts are supported by Windows Backup?

Windows Backup works exclusively with personal Microsoft accounts (such as those ending in @outlook.com or @live.com). The service explicitly does not support work or school accounts at this time.

Source
Windows Backup: Can I restore my backup to a different PC?

Yes. When setting up a new device, simply sign in with the same Microsoft account used to create the original backup. "If you have more than one PC backed up, you can select More options and select the backup you wish to restore from."

Source
Windows Backup: How do I delete my backed-up data if I no longer want it stored?

Visit your Microsoft Account Devices page, locate the Cloud synced settings section at the bottom, and select 'Clear stored settings' to delete previously backed-up data from your account.

Source
Windows Backup: Which folders and settings can I choose to back up?

You can selectively back up Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music folders, plus settings including apps, accessibility, accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, personalization, and language preferences.

Source
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