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Backup · head to head

Clonezilla vs Datto SIRIS

Clonezilla logo

Clonezilla

Backup

Free disk cloning and imaging solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Datto SIRIS logo

Datto SIRIS

Backup

All-in-one business continuity and disaster recovery

From
$1095/one-time + recurring
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Clonezilla has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Clonezilla the destination partition must be equal to or larger than the source partition; Datto SIRIS requires on-premises appliance, not purely cloud-native
  • They diverge on capability: Clonezilla covers Disk/partition imaging, Datto SIRIS covers Instant virtualization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Clonezilla and Datto SIRIS actually diverge.

Attributes where Clonezilla and Datto SIRIS differ
AttributeClonezillaDatto SIRIS
Starting priceFree$1095/one-time + recurring
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, WindowsLinux, Virtual Environments
Founded20042011

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 Clonezilla

  • Disk/partition imaging
  • Disk cloning
  • Multicast deployment
  • Multiple file systems
  • Encryption support
  • Unattended mode
  • PXE boot
  • DRBL

Only in Datto SIRIS

  • Instant virtualization
  • Screenshot verification
  • Ransomware detection
  • Inverse chain technology
  • Cloud-first architecture
  • Automated DR testing
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Clonezilla

  • System backup and cloningnot Datto SIRIS
  • Disk imaging and restorationnot Datto SIRIS
  • Mass deployment scenariosnot Datto SIRIS
  • Enterprise-scale cloning operationsnot Datto SIRIS

Datto SIRIS

  • Data protectionnot Clonezilla
  • Disaster recoverynot Clonezilla
  • Business continuitynot Clonezilla
  • Ransomware protectionnot Clonezilla
  • Compliancenot Clonezilla

Where each one falls short

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

Clonezilla

  • The destination partition must be equal to or larger than the source partition
  • Differential and incremental backup is not implemented
  • Online imaging and cloning is not implemented; the partition being imaged or cloned has to be unmounted first
  • The image format cannot be explored or mounted, so a single file cannot be recovered from an image
  • Recovery media spanning multiple CDs or DVDs is not implemented; the recovery ISO must fit on one disc
  • Clonezilla SE requires a DRBL server to be prepared in advance and the target machine to boot from the network
  • Runs only on x86 or x86-64 processors and needs at least 196 MB of RAM

Datto SIRIS

  • Requires on-premises appliance, not purely cloud-native
  • Initial setup and hardware costs can be substantial for smaller MSPs

Pricing, plan by plan

Clonezilla

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Disk cloning
    • Multicast
    • Multiple file systems

Datto SIRIS

$1095/one-time + recurring

No published plan breakdown. See the Datto SIRIS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Clonezilla if

  • You need disk/partition imaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows.
  • You also want disk cloning.
Clonezilla review

Choose Datto SIRIS if

  • You need instant virtualization.
  • You work on Linux, Virtual Environments.
  • You also want screenshot verification.
Datto SIRIS review

Questions people ask

Is Clonezilla or Datto SIRIS better?
Neither clearly leads. Clonezilla starts at Free and Datto SIRIS at $1095/one-time + recurring, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Clonezilla or Datto SIRIS?
Clonezilla has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Clonezilla and $1095/one-time + recurring for Datto SIRIS.
Does Clonezilla or Datto SIRIS run on more platforms?
Clonezilla runs on Linux, Windows. Datto SIRIS runs on Linux, Virtual Environments.
Can I use Clonezilla for free?
Yes. Clonezilla has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Datto SIRIS starts at $1095/one-time + recurring.
What is Clonezilla best used for?
Clonezilla is most often used for system backup and cloning, disk imaging and restoration, mass deployment scenarios, enterprise-scale cloning operations. Of those, system backup and cloning and disk imaging and restoration are not what Datto SIRIS is typically brought in for.
What can Clonezilla do that Datto SIRIS cannot?
Clonezilla covers Disk/partition imaging, Disk cloning, Multicast deployment, Multiple file systems. Datto SIRIS covers Instant virtualization, Screenshot verification, Ransomware detection, Inverse chain technology. Both handle Linux support, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Clonezilla: Is Clonezilla free?

Yes, Clonezilla is completely free and open-source software licensed under GNU General Public License version 2. There are no paid versions, premium features, or subscription costs.

Source
Datto SIRIS: What does SIRIS protect against?

Datto SIRIS includes immutable cloud backups, automated recovery verification, and integrated ransomware detection through Cloud Deletion Defense which undoes accidental or malicious backup deletion.

Source
Clonezilla: What Clonezilla editions are available at no cost?

All three editions are free: Clonezilla Live for individual machine backups, Clonezilla Lite Server for mass deployment, and Clonezilla SE for large-scale enterprise cloning operations.

Source
Datto SIRIS: What's the pricing model?

Datto SIRIS uses flat-rate pricing starting at $1,095, which includes installation, storage, VIP support, recoveries, two annual DR tests, and five-year warranty.

Source
Clonezilla: Can I use Clonezilla commercially?

Yes, Clonezilla's GPL v2 license allows free commercial use. The software is open-source and requires no licensing fees for any deployment scenario.

Datto SIRIS: What integrations does SIRIS have?

Datto SIRIS integrates natively with Autotask PSA, Datto RMM, ConnectWise Automate, and ConnectWise PSA. It also supports virtualization platforms like vSphere and CentOS Linux.

Source
Datto SIRIS: Is SIRIS cloud-only or appliance-based?

Datto SIRIS is an on-premises appliance that backs up data to Datto's cloud. You do not need to maintain your own physical server infrastructure for the core SIRIS functionality.

Source
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