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Windows Backup vs Cohesity DataProtect

Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Software

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Cohesity DataProtect logo

Cohesity DataProtect

Software

Hyperconverged secondary data protection

From
On request
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: Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage; Cohesity DataProtect primarily focused on enterprise customers; less suitable for small businesses
  • They diverge on capability: Windows Backup covers File History, Cohesity DataProtect covers Hyperconverged architecture.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Windows Backup and Cohesity DataProtect actually diverge.

Attributes where Windows Backup and Cohesity DataProtect differ
AttributeWindows BackupCohesity DataProtect
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindowsOn-premises, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
Founded19752013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Windows Backup

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

Only in Cohesity DataProtect

  • Hyperconverged architecture
  • Instant mass restore
  • Global deduplication
  • Global search
  • Ransomware protection
  • Cloud tiering
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Windows Backup

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

Cohesity DataProtect

  • Data protectionnot Windows Backup
  • Disaster recoverynot Windows Backup
  • Business continuitynot Windows Backup
  • Ransomware protectionnot Windows Backup
  • Compliancenot Windows Backup

Where each one falls short

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

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

Cohesity DataProtect

  • Primarily focused on enterprise customers; less suitable for small businesses
  • Requires significant IT expertise to optimize deduplication and retention policies
  • High upfront infrastructure costs for on-premises deployment

Pricing, plan by plan

Windows Backup

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

Cohesity DataProtect

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Cohesity DataProtect review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Cohesity DataProtect if

  • You need hyperconverged architecture.
  • You work on On-premises, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud.
  • You also want instant mass restore.
Cohesity DataProtect review

Questions people ask

Is Windows Backup or Cohesity DataProtect better?
Neither clearly leads. Windows Backup starts at Free and Cohesity DataProtect at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Windows Backup or Cohesity DataProtect?
Windows Backup has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Windows Backup and On request for Cohesity DataProtect.
Does Windows Backup or Cohesity DataProtect run on more platforms?
Windows Backup runs on Windows. Cohesity DataProtect runs on On-premises, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud.
Can I use Windows Backup for free?
Yes. Windows Backup has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cohesity DataProtect starts at On request.
What is Windows Backup best used for?
Windows Backup is most often used for moving folders, settings and app list to a new windows pc, basic personal file backup for a windows home user. Of those, moving folders, settings and app list to a new windows pc and basic personal file backup for a windows home user are not what Cohesity DataProtect is typically brought in for.
What can Windows Backup do that Cohesity DataProtect cannot?
Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Cohesity DataProtect covers Hyperconverged architecture, Instant mass restore, Global deduplication, Global search. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cohesity DataProtect: What is the main benefit of Cohesity DataProtect's instant recovery?

Cohesity uniquely reduces downtime by enabling instant mass restoration of any number of VMs, large volumes of unstructured data, and Oracle databases to any point in time.

Source
Cohesity DataProtect: How much can Cohesity reduce data protection costs?

Cohesity DataProtect reduces data protection costs by 70% or more through unified management and deduplication.

Source
Cohesity DataProtect: What platforms and workloads does Cohesity DataProtect support?

Cohesity DataProtect protects on-premises systems, multiple cloud environments, and SaaS applications through a single unified platform.

Source
Cohesity DataProtect: Does Cohesity use security best practices for backup protection?

Yes. Cohesity DataProtect uses multilayered security architecture designed to minimize the risk of backups becoming a ransomware target.

Source
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