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Backup · head to head

Redstor vs Windows Backup

Redstor logo

Redstor

Backup

Cloud backup for managed service providers with instant streamed recovery

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Backup

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Windows Backup has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Redstor it is sold through the channel, so you cannot buy it direct and your price and support quality depend entirely on the partner you engage.; Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • They diverge on capability: Redstor covers InstantData, Windows Backup covers File History.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Redstor and Windows Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Redstor and Windows Backup differ
AttributeRedstorWindows Backup
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, WebWindows
FoundedUnknown1975

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 Redstor

  • InstantData
  • Multi-tenant console
  • SaaS application backup
  • Regional data centres
  • Malware detection
  • White labelling

Only in Windows Backup

  • File History
  • System image backup
  • OneDrive integration
  • System restore points
  • Reset this PC
  • Recovery drive
  • OneDrive
  • Windows Server

What people use each for

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

Redstor

  • A UK managed service provider needing client data to stay in UK data centres for public sector contractsnot Windows Backup
  • An MSP that wants to promise a recovery time measured in minutes rather than hours for file serversnot Windows Backup
  • A business needing Microsoft 365 and accounting SaaS backup managed by its IT provider in one consolenot Windows Backup
  • An MSP consolidating several backup products across its client base onto one multi-tenant platformnot Windows Backup

Windows Backup

  • Moving folders, settings and app list to a new Windows PCnot Redstor
  • Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Redstor

Where each one falls short

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

Redstor

  • It is sold through the channel, so you cannot buy it direct and your price and support quality depend entirely on the partner you engage.
  • Pricing is not published at all, and because partners resell it with their own margin, comparing quotes across MSPs is comparing partner markups rather than product cost.
  • The InstantData streaming advantage depends on network bandwidth to the data centre, so sites with poor connectivity see much less benefit than the demonstrations suggest.
  • Its footprint is concentrated in the UK, Europe and South Africa, so multinational organisations needing consistent coverage in North America or Asia will find the regional story uneven.
  • Feature depth for large enterprise virtual machine estates trails Veeam and Rubrik, so it fits small and medium client workloads rather than complex data centre recovery.

Windows Backup

  • Folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • It requires signing in with a Microsoft account rather than a local Windows account
  • Personalization preferences are not backed up if OneDrive storage is insufficient
  • OneDrive folder syncing through Windows Backup is not available for work or school accounts, and Windows does not remember apps for those accounts
  • Device settings sync for a work or school account only if the organization allows it

Pricing, plan by plan

Redstor

On request
  • Redstor Platform$undefined/year
    • Sold through managed service providers, priced per protected device or per user
    • Storage included in the per-unit price rather than billed separately
    • No egress or restore charges

Windows Backup

Free
  • Built-inFree
    • File History
    • System image
    • OneDrive sync

Which should you pick?

Choose Redstor if

  • You need instantdata.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web.
  • You also want multi-tenant console.
Redstor review

Choose Windows Backup if

  • You need file history.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want system image backup.
Windows Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Redstor or Windows Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Redstor starts at On request and Windows Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Redstor or Windows Backup?
Windows Backup has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Redstor and Free for Windows Backup.
Does Redstor or Windows Backup run on more platforms?
Redstor runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web. Windows Backup runs on Windows.
Can I use Windows Backup for free?
Yes. Windows Backup has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Redstor starts at On request.
What is Redstor best used for?
Redstor is most often used for a uk managed service provider needing client data to stay in uk data centres for public sector contracts, an msp that wants to promise a recovery time measured in minutes rather than hours for file servers, a business needing microsoft 365 and accounting saas backup managed by its it provider in one console, an msp consolidating several backup products across its client base onto one multi-tenant platform. Of those, a uk managed service provider needing client data to stay in uk data centres for public sector contracts and an msp that wants to promise a recovery time measured in minutes rather than hours for file servers are not what Windows Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Redstor do that Windows Backup cannot?
Redstor covers InstantData, Multi-tenant console, SaaS application backup, Regional data centres. Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Redstor: Can we buy Redstor directly?

Generally no. It is a channel product sold through managed service providers, so partner selection is part of the buying decision.

Windows Backup: How much cloud storage do I get with Windows Backup?

Your Microsoft account includes 5 GB of free OneDrive cloud storage. "More storage is available to purchase if you need it" for users requiring additional capacity.

Source
Redstor: Are there restore or egress charges?

Redstor includes storage and recovery in the per-unit price rather than charging separately for egress, which is the opposite of the cloud-native backup vendors.

Windows Backup: What types of Microsoft accounts are supported by Windows Backup?

Windows Backup works exclusively with personal Microsoft accounts (such as those ending in @outlook.com or @live.com). The service explicitly does not support work or school accounts at this time.

Source
Redstor: Where is data stored?

UK and regional data centres, selectable by tenant, which is the reason UK public sector and legal clients tend to shortlist it.

Windows Backup: Can I restore my backup to a different PC?

Yes. When setting up a new device, simply sign in with the same Microsoft account used to create the original backup. "If you have more than one PC backed up, you can select More options and select the backup you wish to restore from."

Source
Windows Backup: How do I delete my backed-up data if I no longer want it stored?

Visit your Microsoft Account Devices page, locate the Cloud synced settings section at the bottom, and select 'Clear stored settings' to delete previously backed-up data from your account.

Source
Windows Backup: Which folders and settings can I choose to back up?

You can selectively back up Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music folders, plus settings including apps, accessibility, accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, personalization, and language preferences.

Source
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Related pages

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