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Backup · head to head

Micro Focus Data Protector vs Microsoft Azure

Micro Focus Data Protector logo

Micro Focus Data Protector

Backup

Enterprise backup for multi-platform environments

From
$75/month
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: Micro Focus Data Protector micro Focus Data Protector was rebranded to OpenText Data Protector following the OpenText acquisition of Micro Focus; the vendor's own product pages carry no published pricing at either name (Internet Archive capture, 10 January 2022, and live site check); 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: Micro Focus Data Protector covers Zero downtime backup, Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Micro Focus Data Protector and Microsoft Azure actually diverge.

Attributes where Micro Focus Data Protector and Microsoft Azure differ
AttributeMicro Focus Data ProtectorMicrosoft Azure
Starting price$75/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux, WebWeb, Api, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryBackupCloud
Founded19762010

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 Micro Focus Data Protector

  • Zero downtime backup
  • Instant recovery
  • Application integration
  • Synthetic full backup
  • Granular recovery
  • Centralized management
  • 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.

Micro Focus Data Protector

  • 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 Micro Focus Data Protector
  • Database and storage servicesnot Micro Focus Data Protector
  • AI and machine learning servicesnot Micro Focus Data Protector
  • Enterprise application hostingnot Micro Focus Data Protector

Where each one falls short

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

Micro Focus Data Protector

  • Micro Focus Data Protector was rebranded to OpenText Data Protector following the OpenText acquisition of Micro Focus; the vendor's own product pages carry no published pricing at either name (Internet Archive capture, 10 January 2022, and live site check)

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

Micro Focus Data Protector

$75/month
  • Data Protector$75/month
    • Zero downtime backup
    • Instant recovery
    • Multi-platform

Microsoft Azure

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Micro Focus Data Protector if

  • You need zero downtime backup.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want instant recovery.
Micro Focus Data Protector 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 Micro Focus Data Protector or Microsoft Azure better?
Neither clearly leads. Micro Focus Data Protector starts at $75/month and Microsoft Azure at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Micro Focus Data Protector or Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $75/month for Micro Focus Data Protector and Free for Microsoft Azure.
Does Micro Focus Data Protector or Microsoft Azure run on more platforms?
Micro Focus Data Protector runs on Windows, Linux, Web. 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. Micro Focus Data Protector starts at $75/month.
What is Micro Focus Data Protector best used for?
Micro Focus Data Protector 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 Micro Focus Data Protector do that Microsoft Azure cannot?
Micro Focus Data Protector covers Zero downtime backup, Instant recovery, Application integration, Synthetic full backup. Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, App Service, SQL Database, Blob Storage.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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
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