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Backup · head to head

Bacula vs Datto SIRIS

Bacula logo

Bacula

Backup

The best open source backup software for Linux

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 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 SIRIS requires on-premises appliance, not purely cloud-native
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Bacula and Datto SIRIS differ
AttributeBaculaDatto SIRIS
Starting priceFree$1095/one-time + recurring
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebLinux, Virtual Environments
FoundedUnknown2011

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 Bacula

Nothing recorded that Datto SIRIS does not also cover.

Only in Datto SIRIS

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

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 SIRIS
  • VMware, KVM, Hyper-V virtual machine backupnot Datto SIRIS
  • MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL database backupnot Datto SIRIS
  • Microsoft Exchange Server backupnot Datto SIRIS
  • Tape backup and enterprise data retentionnot Datto SIRIS

Datto SIRIS

  • Data protectionnot Bacula
  • Disaster recoverynot Bacula
  • Business continuitynot Bacula
  • Ransomware protectionnot Bacula
  • Compliancenot 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 SIRIS

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Bacula

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Bacula review.

Datto SIRIS

$1095/one-time + recurring

No published plan breakdown. See the Datto SIRIS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Bacula if

  • You want to start without paying.
Bacula 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 Bacula or Datto SIRIS better?
Neither clearly leads. Bacula 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, Bacula or Datto SIRIS?
Bacula has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bacula and $1095/one-time + recurring for Datto SIRIS.
Does Bacula or Datto SIRIS run on more platforms?
Bacula runs on Web. Datto SIRIS runs on Linux, Virtual Environments.
Can I use Bacula for free?
Yes. Bacula has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Datto SIRIS starts at $1095/one-time + recurring.
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 SIRIS is typically brought in for.
What can Bacula do that Datto SIRIS cannot?
Datto SIRIS covers Instant virtualization, Screenshot verification, Ransomware detection, Inverse chain technology.

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 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
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 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
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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