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Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes vs Windows Backup

Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes logo

Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes

Backup

Kubernetes-native backup, disaster recovery and application mobility

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Backup

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes licensing is per worker node, so clusters designed with many small nodes for scheduling flexibility pay considerably more than the same capacity in fewer large nodes.; Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • They diverge on capability: Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes covers Application-aware capture, Windows Backup covers File History.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes and Windows Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes and Windows Backup differ
AttributeVeeam Kasten for KubernetesWindows Backup
Pricing modelPer worker nodefree
PlatformsKubernetes, LinuxWindows
FoundedUnknown1975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes

  • Application-aware capture
  • Policy engine
  • Immutable targets
  • Restore transformation
  • Database hooks
  • Ransomware detection

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.

Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes

  • A platform team that must prove to auditors it can restore a production namespace, not just its disksnot Windows Backup
  • Migrating a stateful application from on-premises OpenShift to a managed cloud Kubernetes servicenot Windows Backup
  • Protecting Kubernetes workloads to an immutable object store so ransomware cannot delete the backupsnot Windows Backup
  • A team using operators and custom resources that volume-snapshot tools silently fail to capturenot Windows Backup

Windows Backup

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

Where each one falls short

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

Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes

  • Licensing is per worker node, so clusters designed with many small nodes for scheduling flexibility pay considerably more than the same capacity in fewer large nodes.
  • The free Starter edition is scale limited and community supported, so it works for evaluation and small clusters but there is no gentle upgrade path when production grows past the limit.
  • Backup performance depends on the underlying CSI driver snapshot capability, so on storage without proper CSI snapshot support it falls back to slower generic copying.
  • Restores into a different cluster need matching custom resource definitions and operator versions present beforehand, so cross-cluster mobility is less automatic than the marketing suggests.
  • Kasten protects Kubernetes only, so organisations with mixed virtual machine and container estates run it alongside a separate backup product and manage two retention policies and two sets of evidence.

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

Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes

Free
  • StarterFree
    • Functionally the same as Enterprise
    • Limited on scale and support
    • Intended for evaluation and small non-production clusters
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Licensed per worker node, quoted annually
    • Available through AWS, Azure and Google Cloud marketplaces
    • Vendor support with SLAs

Windows Backup

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes if

  • You need application-aware capture.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Kubernetes, Linux.
  • You also want policy engine.
Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes 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 Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes or Windows Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes starts at Free and Windows Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes or Windows Backup?
Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes starts at Free and Windows Backup at Free.
Does Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes or Windows Backup run on more platforms?
Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes runs on Kubernetes, Linux. Windows Backup runs on Windows.
Can I use Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes best used for?
Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes is most often used for a platform team that must prove to auditors it can restore a production namespace, not just its disks, migrating a stateful application from on-premises openshift to a managed cloud kubernetes service, protecting kubernetes workloads to an immutable object store so ransomware cannot delete the backups, a team using operators and custom resources that volume-snapshot tools silently fail to capture. Of those, a platform team that must prove to auditors it can restore a production namespace, not just its disks and migrating a stateful application from on-premises openshift to a managed cloud kubernetes service are not what Windows Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes do that Windows Backup cannot?
Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes covers Application-aware capture, Policy engine, Immutable targets, Restore transformation. Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes: Is Kasten K10 still a product?

It is now sold as Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes. The kasten.io domain redirects to Veeam and the documentation still lives at docs.kasten.io.

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
Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes: Is there a free edition?

Yes, the Starter edition is free and functionally complete but limited on scale and support, aimed at evaluation and small non-production clusters.

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
Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes: How is Enterprise licensed?

Per worker node. Count your nodes, not your capacity, before comparing quotes, because node sizing directly changes the price.

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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