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Backup · head to head

Bacula vs Datto Backup

Bacula logo

Bacula

Backup

The best open source backup software for Linux

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Datto Backup logo

Datto Backup

Backup

Business continuity without compromise

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Bacula has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bacula the community edition has no vendor support contract; bacula.org directs support and paid deployments toward the separate commercial Bacula Enterprise product instead.; Datto Backup no pricing information published on product page or dedicated pricing page
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bacula and Datto Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Bacula and Datto Backup differ
AttributeBaculaDatto Backup
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo

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

What people use each for

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

Bacula

  • Linux, Windows, and macOS network backup at scalenot Datto Backup
  • VMware, KVM, Hyper-V virtual machine backupnot Datto Backup
  • MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL database backupnot Datto Backup
  • Microsoft Exchange Server backupnot Datto Backup
  • Tape backup and enterprise data retentionnot Datto Backup

Datto Backup

  • Backup and disaster recoverynot Bacula
  • MSP solutionsnot Bacula
  • Data protectionnot Bacula
  • Business continuitynot Bacula

Where each one falls short

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

Bacula

  • The community edition has no vendor support contract; bacula.org directs support and paid deployments toward the separate commercial Bacula Enterprise product instead.

Datto Backup

  • No pricing information published on product page or dedicated pricing page
  • Vendor directs users to contact sales for pricing information
  • No published tiers or pricing models disclosed

Pricing, plan by plan

Bacula

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Bacula review.

Datto Backup

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Datto Backup review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Bacula if

  • You want to start without paying.
Bacula review

Choose Datto Backup if

Nothing in the data separates Datto Backup from Bacula on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Datto Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Bacula or Datto Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Bacula starts at Free and Datto Backup at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bacula or Datto Backup?
Bacula has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bacula and On request for Datto Backup.
Does Bacula or Datto Backup run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Bacula for free?
Yes. Bacula has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Datto Backup starts at On request.
What is Bacula best used for?
Bacula is most often used for linux, windows, and macos network backup at scale, vmware, kvm, hyper-v virtual machine backup, mysql, oracle, postgresql database backup, microsoft exchange server backup. Of those, linux, windows, and macos network backup at scale and vmware, kvm, hyper-v virtual machine backup are not what Datto Backup is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bacula: How much does Bacula cost?

Bacula Community Edition is free and open source. Bacula Enterprise is a commercial offering with a free trial available, but specific pricing is not listed on the main website.

Source
Datto Backup: How is Datto Backup priced?

Datto does not publish specific pricing for Backup on their website. Pricing details require contacting Datto's sales team directly through their website.

Source
Bacula: Is Bacula free?

Bacula Community Edition is fully free and open source. Enterprise Edition is commercial but offers a free trial to evaluate features before purchasing.

Source
Datto Backup: Does Datto offer different backup pricing tiers or plans?

The public product pages do not detail pricing tiers or plan structures. Organizations must request quotes from Datto to learn about available options and tier pricing.

Source
Datto Backup: What backup and business continuity features does Datto provide?

Datto Backup provides comprehensive business continuity frameworks, threat monitoring, malware insights, and disaster recovery capabilities, but specific features by pricing tier are not publicly disclosed.

Source
Datto Backup: How would I request Datto Backup pricing information?

Datto customers can request pricing through the website's pricing links in footer navigation or by contacting their sales team. Partners may access customized pricing through Datto's partner portal.

Source
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