Softwr

Backup · head to head

Datto SIRIS vs Microsoft Azure

Datto SIRIS logo

Datto SIRIS

Backup

All-in-one business continuity and disaster recovery

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

Microsoft Azure

Cloud

Open and flexible cloud services

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Azure has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Datto SIRIS requires on-premises appliance, not purely cloud-native; Microsoft Azure the 12 months of free services is available only to new customers who have not previously had an Azure account or received 12 months of free services
  • They diverge on capability: Datto SIRIS covers Instant virtualization, Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Datto SIRIS and Microsoft Azure actually diverge.

Attributes where Datto SIRIS and Microsoft Azure differ
AttributeDatto SIRISMicrosoft Azure
Starting price$1095/one-time + recurringFree
Pricing modelUnknownusage-based
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsLinux, Virtual EnvironmentsWeb, Api, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryBackupCloud
Founded20112010

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

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 Datto SIRIS

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

Only in Microsoft Azure

  • Virtual Machines
  • App Service
  • SQL Database
  • Blob Storage
  • Azure Cosmos DB
  • Functions
  • Service Fabric
  • API Management

What people use each for

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

Datto SIRIS

  • Data protectionnot Microsoft Azure
  • Disaster recoverynot Microsoft Azure
  • Business continuitynot Microsoft Azure
  • Ransomware protectionnot Microsoft Azure
  • Compliancenot Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure

  • Cloud infrastructure and computingnot Datto SIRIS
  • Database and storage servicesnot Datto SIRIS
  • AI and machine learning servicesnot Datto SIRIS
  • Enterprise application hostingnot Datto SIRIS

Where each one falls short

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

Datto SIRIS

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

Microsoft Azure

  • The 12 months of free services is available only to new customers who have not previously had an Azure account or received 12 months of free services
  • The 12 months free offer is not available to customers who sign up directly for pay as you go in China and India
  • Customers who try Azure free must move to pay as you go within 30 days to keep receiving the 12 months of free services
  • Free services are capped at specified monthly amounts, and only some of them are always free

Pricing, plan by plan

Datto SIRIS

$1095/one-time + recurring

No published plan breakdown. See the Datto SIRIS review.

Microsoft Azure

Free
  • Free AccountFree
    • $200 credit for 30 days
    • Popular services 12 months free
    • 40+ services always free

Which should you pick?

Choose Datto SIRIS if

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

Choose Microsoft Azure if

  • You need virtual machines.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want app service.
Microsoft Azure review

Questions people ask

Is Datto SIRIS or Microsoft Azure better?
Neither clearly leads. Datto SIRIS starts at $1095/one-time + recurring and Microsoft Azure at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Datto SIRIS or Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1095/one-time + recurring for Datto SIRIS and Free for Microsoft Azure.
Does Datto SIRIS or Microsoft Azure run on more platforms?
Datto SIRIS runs on Linux, Virtual Environments. Microsoft Azure runs on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Microsoft Azure for free?
Yes. Microsoft Azure has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Datto SIRIS starts at $1095/one-time + recurring.
What is Datto SIRIS best used for?
Datto SIRIS is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Microsoft Azure is typically brought in for.
What can Datto SIRIS do that Microsoft Azure cannot?
Datto SIRIS covers Instant virtualization, Screenshot verification, Ransomware detection, Inverse chain technology. Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, App Service, SQL Database, Blob Storage.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Microsoft Azure: How much does Microsoft Azure cost?

Azure uses consumption-based pricing where you pay only for resources used and scale as you grow, with no fixed monthly fee. Prices are listed in USD globally, and pricing varies by service, region, and usage patterns.

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
Microsoft Azure: How can I save money on Azure services?

Azure offers savings up to 65% on select compute services through Azure Savings Plans with one- or three-year commitments. Using Azure Hybrid Benefit with existing Windows Server and SQL Server licenses plus reservations can save up to 85% compared to standard rates.

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
Microsoft Azure: Does Azure offer a free tier?

Azure provides free tier services for new users and perpetually free options, including free Spot Virtual Machines, dev/test pricing for development workloads, and access to the Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate monthly costs before deployment.

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
Share

Related pages

More on Datto SIRIS

More on Microsoft Azure

Keep looking

Other head to heads