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Backup · head to head

Bacula vs Spanning Backup

Bacula logo

Bacula

Backup

The best open source backup software for Linux

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 Bacula has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bacula the community edition has no vendor support contract; bacula.org directs support and paid deployments toward the separate commercial Bacula Enterprise product instead.; Spanning Backup no pricing published; requires quote request
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Bacula and Spanning Backup differ
AttributeBaculaSpanning Backup
Starting priceFree$4/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebCloud 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 Bacula

Nothing recorded that Spanning Backup does not also cover.

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.

Bacula

  • Linux, Windows, and macOS network backup at scalenot Spanning Backup
  • VMware, KVM, Hyper-V virtual machine backupnot Spanning Backup
  • MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL database backupnot Spanning Backup
  • Microsoft Exchange Server backupnot Spanning Backup
  • Tape backup and enterprise data retentionnot Spanning Backup

Spanning Backup

  • SaaS backup and recoverynot Bacula
  • Microsoft 365 backupnot Bacula
  • Google Workspace backupnot Bacula
  • Salesforce backupnot Bacula

Where each one falls short

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

Bacula

  • The community edition has no vendor support contract; bacula.org directs support and paid deployments toward the separate commercial Bacula Enterprise product instead.

Spanning Backup

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Bacula

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Bacula review.

Spanning Backup

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Bacula if

  • You want to start without paying.
Bacula 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 Bacula or Spanning Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Bacula 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, Bacula or Spanning Backup?
Bacula has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bacula and $4/month for Spanning Backup.
Does Bacula or Spanning Backup run on more platforms?
Bacula runs on Web. Spanning Backup runs on Cloud SaaS.
Can I use Bacula for free?
Yes. Bacula has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Spanning Backup starts at $4/month.
What is Bacula best used for?
Bacula is most often used for linux, windows, and macos network backup at scale, vmware, kvm, hyper-v virtual machine backup, mysql, oracle, postgresql database backup, microsoft exchange server backup. Of those, linux, windows, and macos network backup at scale and vmware, kvm, hyper-v virtual machine backup are not what Spanning Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Bacula do that Spanning Backup cannot?
Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Point-in-time restore, Cross-user restore, eDiscovery.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bacula: How much does Bacula cost?

Bacula Community Edition is free and open source. Bacula Enterprise is a commercial offering with a free trial available, but specific pricing is not listed on the main website.

Source
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
Bacula: Is Bacula free?

Bacula Community Edition is fully free and open source. Enterprise Edition is commercial but offers a free trial to evaluate features before purchasing.

Source
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
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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