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Backup · head to head

Portworx Backup vs Spanning Backup

Portworx Backup logo

Portworx Backup

Backup

Kubernetes application backup with a free tier up to one terabyte

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spanning Backup logo

Spanning Backup

Backup

SaaS backup for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Portworx Backup has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Portworx Backup the paid tier carries a 1,000 node hour monthly minimum, so a cluster that only needs occasional protection still pays a floor.; Spanning Backup no pricing published; requires quote request
  • They diverge on capability: Portworx Backup covers Application-level backup, Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Portworx Backup and Spanning Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Portworx Backup and Spanning Backup differ
AttributePortworx BackupSpanning Backup
Starting priceFree$4/month
Pricing modelPer node hoursubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, LinuxCloud SaaS
FoundedUnknown2010

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 Portworx Backup

  • Application-level backup
  • Any CSI provider
  • Cross-cluster restore
  • Namespace and label selection
  • Scheduled policies
  • Role-based access
  • Free tier

Only in Spanning Backup

  • Automated daily backup
  • Point-in-time restore
  • Cross-user restore
  • eDiscovery
  • Unlimited storage
  • Admin delegation
  • Google Workspace
  • Microsoft 365

What people use each for

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

Portworx Backup

  • A platform team running Velero that needs an accountable vendor for restore failuresnot Spanning Backup
  • Protecting Kubernetes applications across EKS, GKE and on premises clusters under one policy setnot Spanning Backup
  • Restoring a namespace into a different cloud provider as a disaster recovery testnot Spanning Backup
  • A small team that wants real Kubernetes backup within the free one terabyte tier before committing budgetnot Spanning Backup

Spanning Backup

  • SaaS backup and recoverynot Portworx Backup
  • Microsoft 365 backupnot Portworx Backup
  • Google Workspace backupnot Portworx Backup
  • Salesforce backupnot Portworx Backup

Where each one falls short

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

Portworx Backup

  • The paid tier carries a 1,000 node hour monthly minimum, so a cluster that only needs occasional protection still pays a floor.
  • It is licensed separately from Portworx Enterprise, so organisations that assumed storage and backup came together find a second subscription in the quote.
  • The free tier caps at one terabyte of protected data, which is quickly exceeded by any database of consequence and forces a jump straight to the minimum commitment.
  • Backup targets are object stores you provide, so restore egress charges from your cloud provider are outside the vendor price and appear during a recovery rather than in procurement.
  • Application-consistent backup of databases still depends on correct pre and post hooks, so the product does not remove the requirement to understand and rehearse your own restore ordering.

Spanning Backup

  • No pricing published; requires quote request
  • Pricing is customizable based on data volume and service changes

Pricing, plan by plan

Portworx Backup

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to one terabyte of protected data
    • No feature restrictions
    • Fully managed service
  • Portworx Backup$0.2/node hour
    • Minimum 1,000 node hours per month
    • Unlimited protected capacity
    • Any Container Storage Interface provider

Spanning Backup

$4/month
  • Spanning Backup$4/month
    • Daily backup
    • Point-in-time restore
    • Unlimited storage

Which should you pick?

Choose Portworx Backup if

  • You need application-level backup.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Linux.
  • You also want any csi provider.
Portworx Backup review

Choose Spanning Backup if

  • You need automated daily backup.
  • You work on Cloud SaaS.
  • You also want point-in-time restore.
Spanning Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Portworx Backup or Spanning Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Portworx Backup starts at Free and Spanning Backup at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Portworx Backup or Spanning Backup?
Portworx Backup has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Portworx Backup and $4/month for Spanning Backup.
Does Portworx Backup or Spanning Backup run on more platforms?
Portworx Backup runs on Web, Linux. Spanning Backup runs on Cloud SaaS.
Can I use Portworx Backup for free?
Yes. Portworx Backup has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Spanning Backup starts at $4/month.
What is Portworx Backup best used for?
Portworx Backup is most often used for a platform team running velero that needs an accountable vendor for restore failures, protecting kubernetes applications across eks, gke and on premises clusters under one policy set, restoring a namespace into a different cloud provider as a disaster recovery test, a small team that wants real kubernetes backup within the free one terabyte tier before committing budget. Of those, a platform team running velero that needs an accountable vendor for restore failures and protecting kubernetes applications across eks, gke and on premises clusters under one policy set are not what Spanning Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Portworx Backup do that Spanning Backup cannot?
Portworx Backup covers Application-level backup, Any CSI provider, Cross-cluster restore, Namespace and label selection. Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Point-in-time restore, Cross-user restore, eDiscovery.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Portworx Backup: Is the free tier real?

Yes, up to one terabyte of protected data with no feature restrictions as a managed service. It is a usable production tier for small footprints, not a trial.

Spanning Backup: How much does Spanning Backup cost?

Spanning Backup does not publish pricing online. The company offers FLEXspend, a feature that gives complete flexibility in adjusting backup spend based on data changes. Customers must request a quote through their pricing page.

Source
Portworx Backup: Does it only protect Portworx volumes?

No. It works across Container Storage Interface providers, including cloud provider storage and other vendors' drivers.

Spanning Backup: Does Spanning Backup offer a free trial?

Yes, Spanning Backup offers a free trial. Customers can also book a call or request a demo to discuss their specific backup needs and receive a custom quote.

Source
Portworx Backup: Is it included with Portworx Enterprise?

No. It is a separate licence at 0.20 USD per node hour with its own minimum.

Spanning Backup: What products does Spanning Backup cover?

Spanning Backup provides backup solutions for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce with customizable pricing based on organizational needs.

Source
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