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Backup · head to head

Micro Focus Data Protector vs StorageCraft ShadowProtect

Micro Focus Data Protector logo

Micro Focus Data Protector

Backup

Enterprise backup for multi-platform environments

From
$75/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
StorageCraft ShadowProtect logo

StorageCraft ShadowProtect

Backup

Fast and reliable image-based backup

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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); StorageCraft ShadowProtect host-based backup requires Windows Server 2016 or above on the Hyper-V host, and desktop, client and Pro editions are not supported
  • They diverge on capability: Micro Focus Data Protector covers Zero downtime backup, StorageCraft ShadowProtect covers Image-based backup.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Micro Focus Data Protector and StorageCraft ShadowProtect actually diverge.

Attributes where Micro Focus Data Protector and StorageCraft ShadowProtect differ
AttributeMicro Focus Data ProtectorStorageCraft ShadowProtect
Starting price$75/month$15/month
Founded19762003

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows, Linux, Web), 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 Micro Focus Data Protector

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

Only in StorageCraft ShadowProtect

  • Image-based backup
  • VirtualBoot
  • Bare metal recovery
  • Hardware-independent restore
  • Incremental imaging
  • ShadowStream replication
  • Windows Server
  • Linux Server

Both cover

  • VMware
  • Hyper-V
  • Windows support
  • Linux support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Micro Focus Data Protector

  • Data protectionnot StorageCraft ShadowProtect
  • Disaster recoverynot StorageCraft ShadowProtect
  • Business continuitynot StorageCraft ShadowProtect
  • Ransomware protectionnot StorageCraft ShadowProtect
  • Compliancenot StorageCraft ShadowProtect

StorageCraft ShadowProtect

  • Backup and disaster recovery (legacy)not Micro Focus Data Protector
  • System image backup and recoverynot 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)

StorageCraft ShadowProtect

  • Host-based backup requires Windows Server 2016 or above on the Hyper-V host, and desktop, client and Pro editions are not supported
  • Host-based and agent-based backup are mutually exclusive installation modes in ShadowProtect 8.0; one machine cannot run both
  • Switching from agent-based to host-based requires a clean reinstall rather than an in-place upgrade
  • Host-based backups are not compatible with VirtualBoot
  • Granular file and folder recovery is not available for host-based backups; the whole backup must be restored to a .vhd or .vhdx first
  • Host-based backup jobs do not report status to ShadowControl
  • Advanced Verification in ImageManager 8.1 is not supported for host-based backups
  • All host-based backups go into a single folder by default, so separating them per VM means creating a separate backup job for each
  • Host-based licence keys are generated only through the Arcserve MSP portal

Pricing, plan by plan

Micro Focus Data Protector

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

StorageCraft ShadowProtect

$15/month
  • ShadowProtect SPX$15/month
    • Image-based backup
    • VirtualBoot
    • Bare metal recovery

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 StorageCraft ShadowProtect if

  • You need image-based backup.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want virtualboot.
StorageCraft ShadowProtect review

Questions people ask

Is Micro Focus Data Protector or StorageCraft ShadowProtect better?
Neither clearly leads. Micro Focus Data Protector starts at $75/month and StorageCraft ShadowProtect at $15/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Micro Focus Data Protector or StorageCraft ShadowProtect?
Micro Focus Data Protector starts at $75/month and StorageCraft ShadowProtect at $15/month.
Does Micro Focus Data Protector or StorageCraft ShadowProtect run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Linux, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 StorageCraft ShadowProtect is typically brought in for.
What can Micro Focus Data Protector do that StorageCraft ShadowProtect cannot?
Micro Focus Data Protector covers Zero downtime backup, Instant recovery, Application integration, Synthetic full backup. StorageCraft ShadowProtect covers Image-based backup, VirtualBoot, Bare metal recovery, Hardware-independent restore. Both handle VMware, Hyper-V, Windows support, Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

StorageCraft ShadowProtect: How much does StorageCraft ShadowProtect cost?

StorageCraft no longer maintains independent product pricing. The domain redirects to ArcServe, and ArcServe does not publish specific pricing on its homepage. Prospective customers must request a trial, demo, or contact sales.

Source
StorageCraft ShadowProtect: Where can I find StorageCraft pricing?

StorageCraft's website (storagecraft.com) now redirects to ArcServe.com. ArcServe does not publish pricing publicly. To obtain pricing information, users can start a trial, request a demo, or contact ArcServe's sales team.

Source
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