Softwr

Cloud · head to head

Serverless Framework vs UrBackup

Serverless Framework logo

Serverless Framework

Cloud

Build and deploy serverless applications on AWS Lambda

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
UrBackup logo

UrBackup

Backup

Open source client server backup doing both file and whole disk image backups of Windows machines

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Serverless Framework exclusive to AWS Lambda - no support for other cloud providers; UrBackup backups are stored on the server without encryption at rest by default, so the backup server holds a readable copy of every machine it protects and becomes the highest value target on the network.
  • They diverge on capability: Serverless Framework covers YAML configuration, UrBackup covers Windows image backups.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Serverless Framework and UrBackup actually diverge.

Attributes where Serverless Framework and UrBackup differ
AttributeServerless FrameworkUrBackup
Pricing modelUnknownOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsAWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, AWS CloudFormationLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
CategoryCloudBackup

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Serverless Framework

  • YAML configuration
  • Single command deployment
  • Extensible plugin ecosystem
  • Multi-language support
  • Unified dashboard
  • Built-in metrics and alerts

Only in UrBackup

  • Windows image backups
  • File backups
  • Web interface
  • Client discovery
  • Internet mode
  • Filesystem deduplication

What people use each for

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

Serverless Framework

  • Deploying APIs and microservices to AWS Lambdanot UrBackup
  • Building event-driven applications with serverless functionsnot UrBackup
  • Managing multi-language serverless projectsnot UrBackup

UrBackup

  • A small office with Windows workstations that needs bare metal restore without per seat licensingnot Serverless Framework
  • Schools and labs where machines are re-imaged often and a known good image must be recoverablenot Serverless Framework
  • Backing up a mixed fleet to one server on premises with a web interface non specialists can usenot Serverless Framework
  • Replacing an expiring commercial endpoint backup licence where the budget is the constraintnot Serverless Framework

Where each one falls short

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

Serverless Framework

  • Exclusive to AWS Lambda - no support for other cloud providers
  • Paid tier requires credit system that can be confusing for budgeting
  • Plugin ecosystem quality varies significantly

UrBackup

  • Backups are stored on the server without encryption at rest by default, so the backup server holds a readable copy of every machine it protects and becomes the highest value target on the network.
  • Deduplication relies on filesystem features such as hard links, btrfs or ZFS, so a server built on the wrong filesystem silently consumes far more space and the fix is a rebuild rather than a setting.
  • There is no native object storage target, so offsite copies mean replicating the server storage with another tool rather than backing up to a bucket directly.
  • Restoring a full Windows image requires booting a restore environment, which is a manual, on site procedure that needs to be rehearsed before the day it is needed.
  • A single server holds everything and there is no built in clustering, so its own failure removes every recovery point at once unless you have separately solved replication.

Pricing, plan by plan

Serverless Framework

Free
  • FreeFree
    • For organizations with under $2M annual revenue
    • All Framework features included
  • Pay-As-You-Go$4/credit
    • 1 credit = 1 Service Instance or 50K Traces or 4M Metrics
    • Standard rate for larger organizations
  • Reserved Credits$1/credit
    • Discounts up to 74% off (1-year), 77% off (2-year), 80% off (3-year)
    • Additional 10% off for upfront payment

UrBackup

Free
  • UrBackupFree
    • Full functionality, unlimited clients
    • File and image backups
    • Web administration interface

Which should you pick?

Choose Serverless Framework if

  • You need yaml configuration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, AWS CloudFormation.
  • You also want single command deployment.
Serverless Framework review

Choose UrBackup if

  • You need windows image backups.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
  • You also want file backups.
UrBackup review

Questions people ask

Is Serverless Framework or UrBackup better?
Neither clearly leads. Serverless Framework starts at Free and UrBackup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Serverless Framework or UrBackup?
Serverless Framework starts at Free and UrBackup at Free.
Does Serverless Framework or UrBackup run on more platforms?
Serverless Framework runs on AWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, AWS CloudFormation. UrBackup runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
Can I use Serverless Framework for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Serverless Framework best used for?
Serverless Framework is most often used for deploying apis and microservices to aws lambda, building event-driven applications with serverless functions, managing multi-language serverless projects. Of those, deploying apis and microservices to aws lambda and building event-driven applications with serverless functions are not what UrBackup is typically brought in for.
What can Serverless Framework do that UrBackup cannot?
Serverless Framework covers YAML configuration, Single command deployment, Extensible plugin ecosystem, Multi-language support. UrBackup covers Windows image backups, File backups, Web interface, Client discovery.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Serverless Framework: When do I have to pay for Serverless Framework?

The Serverless Framework CLI v4+ is free for organizations earning under $2 million annually. Organizations earning more must purchase credits at $4 per credit standard rate or reserved credits starting at $1 per credit with volume discounts.

Source
UrBackup: Does it back up Linux servers as well?

File backups yes, image backups no. The image path is Windows only through volume shadow copy.

Serverless Framework: What cloud providers does Serverless Framework support?

Serverless Framework is exclusive to AWS Lambda. It does not support other cloud providers like Azure or Google Cloud.

Source
UrBackup: Is the data encrypted?

Transport can be encrypted, and there is optional client side file encryption, but the default server storage is not encrypted at rest. Use full disk encryption on the server.

Serverless Framework: What does one credit cover?

One credit equals 1 Service Instance, 50,000 Traces, or 4 Million Metrics.

Source
UrBackup: Can I back up to Amazon S3?

Not directly. The server writes to local or mounted storage, so cloud copies are made by replicating that storage separately.

UrBackup: How many clients can one server handle?

Dozens is routine on decent hardware. The limit is usually storage input and output during overlapping backup windows rather than client count.

Share

Related pages

More on Serverless Framework

More on UrBackup

Keep looking

Other head to heads