Quick Overview
- 1#1: Redgate SQL Backup - Delivers fast, secure backups for SQL Server with advanced compression, encryption, and integrity checks.
- 2#2: Quest LiteSpeed for SQL Server - Provides high-performance backup and recovery for SQL Server with quantum compression and fast restores.
- 3#3: Idera SQLsafe - Offers intelligent compression, encryption, and auditing for reliable SQL Server backups.
- 4#4: Veeam Backup & Replication - Enterprise backup solution with application-aware processing for consistent SQL Server backups and instant recovery.
- 5#5: Commvault Complete Data Protection - Scalable data protection platform supporting granular SQL Server backups and rapid recovery.
- 6#6: Veritas NetBackup - Proven backup software with optimized policies for SQL Server data protection across hybrid environments.
- 7#7: Rubrik - Cloud-native platform for secure SQL backups, immutable storage, and SLA-driven recovery.
- 8#8: Cohesity DataProtect - Unified backup and recovery solution with application-consistent SQL Server protection and global deduplication.
- 9#9: NAKIVO Backup & Replication - Affordable, agentless backup for SQL Server with log truncation and forever-incremental backups.
- 10#10: Acronis Cyber Protect - Integrated backup and cybersecurity tool supporting SQL databases with anti-malware protection.
Tools were selected and ranked based on key factors including feature richness (like compression, encryption, and recovery speed), reliability, user-friendliness, and long-term value to deliver effective protection across diverse SQL environments.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores leading SQL backup software tools, including Redgate SQL Backup, Quest LiteSpeed for SQL Server, Idera SQLsafe, Veeam Backup & Replication, Commvault Complete Data Protection, and more, analyzing their key features, performance, and practicality. Readers will discover how to match these solutions to their specific needs, whether focusing on speed, compatibility, or ease of use.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redgate SQL Backup Delivers fast, secure backups for SQL Server with advanced compression, encryption, and integrity checks. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Quest LiteSpeed for SQL Server Provides high-performance backup and recovery for SQL Server with quantum compression and fast restores. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Idera SQLsafe Offers intelligent compression, encryption, and auditing for reliable SQL Server backups. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Veeam Backup & Replication Enterprise backup solution with application-aware processing for consistent SQL Server backups and instant recovery. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Commvault Complete Data Protection Scalable data protection platform supporting granular SQL Server backups and rapid recovery. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Veritas NetBackup Proven backup software with optimized policies for SQL Server data protection across hybrid environments. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | Rubrik Cloud-native platform for secure SQL backups, immutable storage, and SLA-driven recovery. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Cohesity DataProtect Unified backup and recovery solution with application-consistent SQL Server protection and global deduplication. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | NAKIVO Backup & Replication Affordable, agentless backup for SQL Server with log truncation and forever-incremental backups. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Acronis Cyber Protect Integrated backup and cybersecurity tool supporting SQL databases with anti-malware protection. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
Delivers fast, secure backups for SQL Server with advanced compression, encryption, and integrity checks.
Provides high-performance backup and recovery for SQL Server with quantum compression and fast restores.
Offers intelligent compression, encryption, and auditing for reliable SQL Server backups.
Enterprise backup solution with application-aware processing for consistent SQL Server backups and instant recovery.
Scalable data protection platform supporting granular SQL Server backups and rapid recovery.
Proven backup software with optimized policies for SQL Server data protection across hybrid environments.
Cloud-native platform for secure SQL backups, immutable storage, and SLA-driven recovery.
Unified backup and recovery solution with application-consistent SQL Server protection and global deduplication.
Affordable, agentless backup for SQL Server with log truncation and forever-incremental backups.
Integrated backup and cybersecurity tool supporting SQL databases with anti-malware protection.
Redgate SQL Backup
specializedDelivers fast, secure backups for SQL Server with advanced compression, encryption, and integrity checks.
Market-leading compression and parallel backup processing for up to 95% storage savings and minimal downtime.
Redgate SQL Backup is a leading backup and restore solution specifically designed for Microsoft SQL Server, offering high-performance backups with industry-leading compression and encryption. It enables automated scheduling, parallel processing for minimal performance impact, and seamless integration with cloud storage like Azure and AWS. The tool includes SQL Backup Central for centralized monitoring and alerting across multiple servers, ensuring reliability for enterprise environments.
Pros
- Exceptional compression (up to 95%) and backup speeds with low server impact
- Robust automation, scheduling, and cloud integration
- Comprehensive monitoring via SQL Backup Central with alerting
Cons
- Higher pricing for small-scale or single-instance use
- Limited to SQL Server (no multi-DBMS support)
- Initial setup requires server-side installation and configuration
Best For
Enterprise DBAs and organizations managing multiple SQL Server instances requiring high-performance, reliable backups.
Pricing
Perpetual license or annual subscription starting at ~$500 per SQL Server instance, with volume discounts available.
Quest LiteSpeed for SQL Server
specializedProvides high-performance backup and recovery for SQL Server with quantum compression and fast restores.
Parallel multi-threaded backups achieving up to 10x speed over native SQL Server tools
Quest LiteSpeed for SQL Server is a high-performance backup and recovery tool optimized for Microsoft SQL Server, delivering backups up to 10x faster than native SQL tools through parallel processing and multi-streaming. It features advanced compression (up to 95% reduction), 256-bit AES encryption, and innovative technologies like Thin Backups and Named Recovery for efficient space usage and rapid restores. Ideal for enterprise environments, it integrates with tape libraries, deduplication appliances, and supports all SQL Server editions including Always On Availability Groups.
Pros
- Ultra-fast backups and restores via parallel streams
- Exceptional compression and deduplication saving storage
- Robust security and granular recovery options
Cons
- High licensing costs for small setups
- Windows-centric with limited Linux support
- Initial configuration learning curve
Best For
Enterprises with large, mission-critical SQL Server databases needing minimal backup windows and high reliability.
Pricing
Perpetual licensing per SQL instance from ~$2,500, plus 20% annual maintenance; volume discounts and subscriptions available.
Idera SQLsafe
specializedOffers intelligent compression, encryption, and auditing for reliable SQL Server backups.
IntelliCompress technology for unmatched 95% backup size reduction without performance loss
Idera SQLsafe is a specialized backup and recovery solution for Microsoft SQL Server, delivering high-performance backups with advanced compression, encryption, and deduplication. It supports full, differential, and log backups across all SQL Server editions, including Azure SQL, with seamless integration into enterprise storage systems like tape, NAS, and cloud. The tool emphasizes rapid restores and point-in-time recovery to minimize downtime in mission-critical environments.
Pros
- Exceptional compression (up to 95%) drastically reduces storage costs and backup times
- Strong security with AES-256 encryption and role-based access controls
- Broad compatibility with SQL Server versions and storage targets including cloud and tape
Cons
- Licensing costs can add up for large environments with multiple instances
- GUI interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Limited support for non-SQL Server databases
Best For
Enterprise DBAs handling large-scale SQL Server deployments needing optimized, secure backups.
Pricing
Perpetual or subscription licensing per SQL core/instance, starting around $2,000-$5,000 per instance plus annual maintenance; custom quotes required.
Veeam Backup & Replication
enterpriseEnterprise backup solution with application-aware processing for consistent SQL Server backups and instant recovery.
Veeam Explorer for SQL Server, allowing direct mount and instant granular recovery of databases, tables, or records from backups.
Veeam Backup & Replication is a comprehensive enterprise-grade backup and disaster recovery solution that excels in protecting virtualized environments, including Microsoft SQL Server databases through application-aware processing. It supports full, incremental, and transaction log backups with point-in-time recovery capabilities, ensuring minimal data loss and downtime. The included Veeam Explorer for SQL Server enables granular item-level restores, such as individual tables or records, without needing a full database restore. While powerful for hybrid setups, it's optimized for VMware, Hyper-V, and cloud workloads rather than standalone physical SQL servers.
Pros
- Robust application-consistent SQL backups with transaction log chaining and point-in-time recovery
- Veeam Explorer for granular, instant restores of SQL objects without full DB recovery
- Scalable for enterprise environments with instant VM recovery and replication
Cons
- High licensing costs, especially for large-scale deployments
- Steeper learning curve for advanced configurations compared to native SQL tools
- Less ideal for non-virtualized physical-only SQL environments without additional agents
Best For
Enterprises with virtualized SQL Server instances in VMware, Hyper-V, or cloud setups needing advanced DR and granular recovery.
Pricing
Subscription or perpetual licensing based on sockets, VMs, or capacity; starts at ~$450 per VM/year for standard edition; free Community Edition for up to 10 workloads.
Commvault Complete Data Protection
enterpriseScalable data protection platform supporting granular SQL Server backups and rapid recovery.
IntelliSnap technology for hardware-accelerated, application-consistent snapshots enabling non-disruptive SQL backups
Commvault Complete Data Protection is an enterprise-grade platform offering comprehensive backup and recovery for Microsoft SQL Server, supporting full, differential, transaction log, and granular restores with point-in-time recovery. It integrates advanced features like deduplication, encryption, and application-aware snapshots via IntelliSnap for minimal downtime. The solution scales across hybrid cloud environments, providing robust disaster recovery and compliance reporting for SQL databases.
Pros
- Enterprise-scale SQL backup with full, diff, log, and granular recovery options
- IntelliSnap for near-zero downtime application-consistent backups
- Strong integration with cloud, virtualization, and compliance tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for smaller teams
- High licensing costs make it less viable for SMBs
- Resource-intensive during backups and restores
Best For
Large enterprises managing complex SQL environments across on-premises, virtual, and cloud infrastructures needing advanced DR capabilities.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing, quote-based starting at several thousand dollars per TB/year or per core; contact sales.
Veritas NetBackup
enterpriseProven backup software with optimized policies for SQL Server data protection across hybrid environments.
SQL Server Intelligent Policies for automated, optimized backups across clustered and Always On environments
Veritas NetBackup is an enterprise-grade data protection platform that provides comprehensive backup and recovery for SQL Server databases, supporting full, differential, and transaction log backups with native SQL integration. It leverages policy-based automation, deduplication, compression, and replication to manage large-scale SQL environments efficiently. Ideal for hybrid cloud and on-premises setups, it ensures point-in-time recovery and disaster resilience across diverse IT infrastructures.
Pros
- Scalable for petabyte-level SQL data centers with advanced deduplication
- Robust SQL-aware backups including redirection and point-in-time recovery
- Integrated ransomware protection via immutable copies and air-gapped storage
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex configuration for non-experts
- High licensing costs that scale with capacity
- Resource-intensive requiring dedicated infrastructure
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, multi-platform environments needing unified SQL backup and disaster recovery.
Pricing
Enterprise licensing per TB capacity or front-end TB, starting at $5,000+ annually; custom quotes required.
Rubrik
enterpriseCloud-native platform for secure SQL backups, immutable storage, and SLA-driven recovery.
Live Mount for sub-minute SQL database recovery directly from backups
Rubrik is an enterprise-grade data resilience platform that delivers automated backups, recovery, and cyber protection for workloads including Microsoft SQL Server across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. It uses policy-based SLA domains for application-consistent SQL backups, enabling instant recovery via Live Mount technology and immutable snapshots for ransomware defense. The platform emphasizes simplicity, scale, and search-driven restores, making it suitable for large-scale data management.
Pros
- Immutable backups and anomaly detection provide strong ransomware protection
- Live Mount enables near-instant SQL database recovery without full restores
- Unified policy-based management simplifies SQL backup across hybrid environments
Cons
- High enterprise pricing limits accessibility for SMBs
- SQL recovery is primarily at database level, lacking table-level granularity of specialized tools
- Requires Rubrik cluster deployment, adding infrastructure overhead
Best For
Large enterprises with hybrid cloud setups needing secure, scalable SQL backups and cyber resilience.
Pricing
Subscription-based, typically $50-100 per TB/year or per-core licensing; custom quotes for enterprises starting at $50,000+ annually.
Cohesity DataProtect
enterpriseUnified backup and recovery solution with application-consistent SQL Server protection and global deduplication.
Run Any Workload from Backup: Query and run SQL databases directly from backups for near-zero RTO
Cohesity DataProtect is an enterprise-grade data protection platform that provides robust SQL Server backup capabilities, including application-consistent backups via VSS integration, transaction log management, and point-in-time recovery. It leverages Cohesity's hyperconverged infrastructure for efficient storage, deduplication, and replication across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. The solution emphasizes security with immutable snapshots and ransomware detection, making it suitable for large-scale SQL deployments.
Pros
- Instant SQL database recovery without full restores
- Immutable backups and ransomware protection
- Global deduplication and compression for storage efficiency
Cons
- Complex initial setup and management
- High cost unsuitable for small businesses
- Requires Cohesity appliances or certified hardware
Best For
Large enterprises with extensive SQL Server environments needing scalable, secure backups and rapid recovery.
Pricing
Capacity-based subscription pricing, typically $0.10-$0.25 per GB/month with minimum cluster commitments starting at $100K+ annually.
NAKIVO Backup & Replication
enterpriseAffordable, agentless backup for SQL Server with log truncation and forever-incremental backups.
Automated transaction log backup and truncation during agentless VM backups for seamless SQL point-in-time recovery
NAKIVO Backup & Replication is a versatile data protection platform designed for backing up virtual machines, physical servers, cloud instances, and applications including Microsoft SQL Server. It leverages agentless architecture for VMware and Hyper-V environments, using Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) for application-aware, transactionally consistent SQL backups. Key capabilities include forever-forward incremental backups, automated transaction log truncation, point-in-time recovery, and verification to ensure reliable SQL database protection across hybrid environments.
Pros
- Agentless backups for virtualized SQL Servers with VSS integration for consistency
- Fast forever-forward incrementals and log truncation reducing storage needs
- Built-in ransomware protection and backup verification for reliability
Cons
- Less optimized for large-scale physical-only SQL deployments compared to dedicated tools
- Pricing model based on cores/VMs can escalate for extensive environments
- Advanced scripting and customization lag behind SQL-specific specialists
Best For
Mid-sized enterprises with virtualized SQL Server instances needing integrated backup, replication, and disaster recovery.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at $199 per core/VM with 3-year support; subscription options from $99/year per workload, free tier for up to 2 VMs.
Acronis Cyber Protect
enterpriseIntegrated backup and cybersecurity tool supporting SQL databases with anti-malware protection.
Integrated AI-powered cyberthreat protection that scans backups for malware and ransomware in real-time
Acronis Cyber Protect is an integrated cyber protection platform that provides robust backup and recovery for Microsoft SQL Server databases using agent-based, VSS-aware processing for consistent snapshots. It supports full, incremental, and differential backups with compression, deduplication, encryption, and granular recovery options like point-in-time restores and individual database object recovery. While versatile across workloads, its SQL capabilities are part of a broader suite including cybersecurity features such as anti-malware scanning and ransomware protection during backups.
Pros
- Application-consistent SQL backups via VSS integration
- Integrated cyber protection like AI-based malware scanning on backups
- Scalable with multi-tenant support and cloud integration
Cons
- Overkill and complex for SQL-only environments
- Subscription pricing can be costly for small setups
- Requires agent deployment on SQL servers
Best For
Mid-sized businesses needing combined SQL backup, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity in a single platform.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$69 per workload/year (Standard tier); higher tiers like Advanced (~$99) add cyber features; volume discounts available.
Conclusion
The reviewed SQL backup tools are robust and effective, with Redgate SQL Backup leading as the top choice, noted for its fast, secure backups with advanced compression and encryption. Quest LiteSpeed for SQL Server and Idera SQLsafe follow closely, offering high performance and intelligent features like quantum compression and auditing, respectively, as strong alternatives for varied needs.
Secure your SQL data with confidence by starting with Redgate SQL Backup, or explore Quest and Idera for tailored solutions that match your specific requirements.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison