Quick Overview
- 1#1: Veritas NetBackup - Enterprise-grade backup software with advanced tape library management, deduplication, and multiplexing for large-scale data protection to LTO tapes.
- 2#2: IBM Spectrum Protect - Comprehensive data protection platform offering robust tape backup, hierarchical storage management, and efficient data deduplication for archival needs.
- 3#3: Commvault Complete - Unified backup and recovery solution with strong tape support, including automation, encryption, and integration with modern tape technologies.
- 4#4: Dell NetWorker - Scalable backup software providing tape drive and library integration, data deduplication, and policy-based automation for enterprise environments.
- 5#5: OpenText Data Protector - Reliable backup solution with extensive tape hardware support, zero-downtime backups, and advanced scheduling for heterogeneous environments.
- 6#6: Veeam Backup & Replication - Modern backup tool with tape support via libraries, instant recovery, and integration for hybrid cloud and on-premises tape archiving.
- 7#7: Arcserve UDP - Appliance-based backup with tape export capabilities, ransomware protection, and forever-incremental backups for reliable data to tape.
- 8#8: Bacula - Open-source network backup system supporting tape drives, libraries, and autoloaders with flexible storage management.
- 9#9: Amanda - Open-source backup software optimized for tape storage with parallel backups, compression, and encryption across multiple hosts.
- 10#10: Bareos - Community-driven fork of Bacula providing tape backup features, modern plugins, and enhanced usability for cost-effective archiving.
We ranked tools based on key metrics such as tape library integration, deduplication efficiency, automation capabilities, ease of use, and overall value, ensuring the list reflects the most effective solutions for diverse IT environments, from enterprises to smaller organizations.
Comparison Table
Tape backup software is vital for secure, long-term data preservation, and this comparison table examines leading tools like Veritas NetBackup, IBM Spectrum Protect, Commvault Complete, Dell NetWorker, OpenText Data Protector, and others. It breaks down key features—from recovery flexibility to scalability—to help readers determine the best fit for their data management needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Veritas NetBackup Enterprise-grade backup software with advanced tape library management, deduplication, and multiplexing for large-scale data protection to LTO tapes. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | IBM Spectrum Protect Comprehensive data protection platform offering robust tape backup, hierarchical storage management, and efficient data deduplication for archival needs. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Commvault Complete Unified backup and recovery solution with strong tape support, including automation, encryption, and integration with modern tape technologies. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Dell NetWorker Scalable backup software providing tape drive and library integration, data deduplication, and policy-based automation for enterprise environments. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 5 | OpenText Data Protector Reliable backup solution with extensive tape hardware support, zero-downtime backups, and advanced scheduling for heterogeneous environments. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Veeam Backup & Replication Modern backup tool with tape support via libraries, instant recovery, and integration for hybrid cloud and on-premises tape archiving. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Arcserve UDP Appliance-based backup with tape export capabilities, ransomware protection, and forever-incremental backups for reliable data to tape. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 8 | Bacula Open-source network backup system supporting tape drives, libraries, and autoloaders with flexible storage management. | other | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | Amanda Open-source backup software optimized for tape storage with parallel backups, compression, and encryption across multiple hosts. | other | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 5.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | Bareos Community-driven fork of Bacula providing tape backup features, modern plugins, and enhanced usability for cost-effective archiving. | other | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.5/10 |
Enterprise-grade backup software with advanced tape library management, deduplication, and multiplexing for large-scale data protection to LTO tapes.
Comprehensive data protection platform offering robust tape backup, hierarchical storage management, and efficient data deduplication for archival needs.
Unified backup and recovery solution with strong tape support, including automation, encryption, and integration with modern tape technologies.
Scalable backup software providing tape drive and library integration, data deduplication, and policy-based automation for enterprise environments.
Reliable backup solution with extensive tape hardware support, zero-downtime backups, and advanced scheduling for heterogeneous environments.
Modern backup tool with tape support via libraries, instant recovery, and integration for hybrid cloud and on-premises tape archiving.
Appliance-based backup with tape export capabilities, ransomware protection, and forever-incremental backups for reliable data to tape.
Open-source network backup system supporting tape drives, libraries, and autoloaders with flexible storage management.
Open-source backup software optimized for tape storage with parallel backups, compression, and encryption across multiple hosts.
Community-driven fork of Bacula providing tape backup features, modern plugins, and enhanced usability for cost-effective archiving.
Veritas NetBackup
enterpriseEnterprise-grade backup software with advanced tape library management, deduplication, and multiplexing for large-scale data protection to LTO tapes.
Accelerated synthetic backups to tape, enabling full backups from incremental data without re-reading source, drastically reducing tape I/O and backup windows
Veritas NetBackup is a leading enterprise-grade data protection solution renowned for its robust tape backup capabilities, supporting a wide array of tape libraries, drives, and formats from multiple vendors. It provides high-performance backup, deduplication, encryption, and disaster recovery features optimized for tape media, enabling efficient long-term archiving and compliance. NetBackup excels in heterogeneous environments, offering scalable protection for petabyte-scale data with seamless disk-to-disk-to-tape workflows.
Pros
- Unmatched multi-vendor tape hardware compatibility and auto-discovery
- Superior deduplication, compression, and synthetic backups for tape efficiency
- Scalable architecture handling massive data volumes with fast restores
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Premium pricing suitable only for large enterprises
- Resource-intensive management requiring expert administrators
Best For
Large enterprises and data centers needing enterprise-class, high-performance tape backup for archival and disaster recovery of massive datasets.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing based on capacity, cores, and features; typically starts at tens of thousands annually—contact Veritas for quotes.
IBM Spectrum Protect
enterpriseComprehensive data protection platform offering robust tape backup, hierarchical storage management, and efficient data deduplication for archival needs.
Advanced hierarchical storage management (HSM) that automatically migrates data to tape based on policies, maximizing tape efficiency
IBM Spectrum Protect is an enterprise-grade data protection platform specializing in backup, recovery, and archiving with strong support for tape libraries, disk, and cloud storage. It offers policy-driven automation for tape management, including deduplication, encryption, compression, and hierarchical storage migration to optimize tape usage. Designed for large-scale environments, it handles petabyte-level data with high reliability and multi-site replication capabilities.
Pros
- Superior tape library integration with LTFS support and automated mounting/ejection
- Scalable policy engine for efficient tape tiering and reclamation
- Robust enterprise features like client-side deduplication and encryption at rest
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex command-line interface and configuration
- High licensing costs for smaller deployments
- Resource-intensive server requiring dedicated hardware for optimal performance
Best For
Large enterprises with extensive tape infrastructure needing scalable, policy-based backup and recovery.
Pricing
Subscription-based enterprise licensing; contact IBM for quotes, typically $X,XXX+ per TB/year or per client.
Commvault Complete
enterpriseUnified backup and recovery solution with strong tape support, including automation, encryption, and integration with modern tape technologies.
Efficient grid-to-tape auxiliary copy with inline deduplication for optimized long-term archival
Commvault Complete is an enterprise-grade data protection platform that provides comprehensive backup, recovery, and management capabilities, with strong support for tape libraries as part of its hybrid storage strategy. It enables efficient tape backups through features like deduplication, encryption, compression, and automated library management for physical and virtual tapes. Ideal for large-scale environments, it integrates tape with disk, cloud, and modern workloads for resilient data protection.
Pros
- Robust tape library support with automation, deduplication, and multi-streaming for high performance
- Seamless integration with cloud and disk for hybrid backup strategies
- Advanced security features like encryption and air-gapped tape immutability for compliance
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex configuration for tape workflows
- High licensing costs make it less viable for small-scale tape-only use
- Resource-intensive setup requiring dedicated infrastructure
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, hybrid environments needing scalable tape backups integrated into broader data protection.
Pricing
Capacity-based subscription pricing with custom enterprise quotes, typically starting at $50-100/TB/year depending on features and scale.
Dell NetWorker
enterpriseScalable backup software providing tape drive and library integration, data deduplication, and policy-based automation for enterprise environments.
Advanced tape cloning and parallel streaming for high-performance, reliable long-term archiving
Dell NetWorker is an enterprise-grade backup and recovery solution from Dell Technologies, specializing in reliable tape backup for large-scale data protection. It supports a wide array of tape libraries, virtual tape systems, and integrates with disk and cloud storage for comprehensive data management. Key capabilities include deduplication, replication, cloning, and multi-tenancy, making it suitable for heterogeneous environments with high data volumes.
Pros
- Excellent scalability for enterprise tape libraries
- Strong deduplication and multiplexing for efficient tape usage
- Robust support for disaster recovery and compliance archiving
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- Outdated user interface compared to modern alternatives
- High licensing and maintenance costs
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, high-volume tape backup requirements in heterogeneous IT environments.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise licensing, typically perpetual or subscription per TB/capacity tier, starting around $50,000+ annually for mid-sized deployments.
OpenText Data Protector
enterpriseReliable backup solution with extensive tape hardware support, zero-downtime backups, and advanced scheduling for heterogeneous environments.
Unmatched tape hardware certification supporting virtually every LTO generation and enterprise library vendor
OpenText Data Protector is an enterprise-grade backup and recovery solution specializing in tape-based archiving for large-scale data protection. It supports a vast array of tape libraries, LTO drives, and virtual tape libraries, enabling efficient high-capacity backups with deduplication, encryption, and replication. The software integrates with heterogeneous environments, including physical servers, virtualization platforms like VMware and Hyper-V, and cloud storage, while providing centralized management through its Cell Manager console.
Pros
- Extensive compatibility with over 1,000 tape devices and libraries for seamless integration
- Scalable architecture handles petabyte-scale environments with advanced deduplication
- Robust recovery options including granular restore and zero-downtime backups
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex configuration for setup and management
- Outdated user interface compared to modern competitors
- High licensing costs that may not suit smaller organizations
Best For
Large enterprises managing complex, multi-vendor tape infrastructures requiring reliable, high-capacity backups.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise licensing, typically per TB managed, CPU socket, or capacity; annual support adds 20-25% of license cost.
Veeam Backup & Replication
enterpriseModern backup tool with tape support via libraries, instant recovery, and integration for hybrid cloud and on-premises tape archiving.
Granular Recovery Technology (GRT) enabling file and application-item restores directly from tape without full extraction
Veeam Backup & Replication is a robust backup and recovery platform that includes tape support via its dedicated Tape Server for long-term archiving and offloading from disk repositories. It enables automated backup jobs to LTO tapes with features like encryption, compression, deduplication, and parallel processing for efficient data transfer. The solution supports granular recovery from tape, making it suitable for compliance and disaster recovery needs in hybrid environments.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Veeam's disk and cloud backups for unified management
- Advanced tape features including encryption, compression, and multi-stream processing
- Granular recovery technology allowing item-level restores directly from tape
Cons
- Tape functionality requires additional Tape Server setup and hardware
- Learning curve for tape-specific configurations compared to disk backups
- Licensing costs add up for large-scale tape deployments
Best For
Enterprises already using Veeam for primary backups seeking integrated tape archiving for compliance and cost savings.
Pricing
Subscription starts at ~$10/workload/month; perpetual licenses from ~$455/socket/VM; tape support included in standard editions with Community Edition for small-scale free use.
Arcserve UDP
enterpriseAppliance-based backup with tape export capabilities, ransomware protection, and forever-incremental backups for reliable data to tape.
Direct-to-tape deduplication with off-host processing for high-performance archiving without taxing primary servers
Arcserve UDP is a unified data protection platform that excels in backup and recovery, with strong support for tape libraries including direct-to-tape backups, deduplication, and encryption. It handles both physical and virtual environments, allowing efficient archiving to LTO tapes and other formats for long-term retention. The solution integrates tape management features like Tape Insight for monitoring and optimization within a broader backup ecosystem.
Pros
- Robust tape integration with global deduplication and compression for efficient media usage
- Supports heterogeneous tape libraries (LTO, IBM, Oracle) with encryption and WORM compliance
- Integrated disaster recovery and ransomware protection extending to tape workflows
Cons
- Complex setup and configuration for advanced tape features requires expertise
- Higher pricing makes it less accessible for small businesses focused solely on tape
- Occasional compatibility quirks with newest tape hardware or firmware updates
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing tape archiving integrated into a comprehensive backup and DR strategy.
Pricing
Capacity-based licensing starting around $5,000+ for base editions with annual maintenance; custom quotes for tape-focused deployments.
Bacula
otherOpen-source network backup system supporting tape drives, libraries, and autoloaders with flexible storage management.
Accurate backup mode that reads back and verifies every data block on tape for guaranteed integrity
Bacula is an open-source, network-based backup system designed for enterprise environments, specializing in tape backups alongside disk and cloud storage. It supports tape libraries, LTO drives, barcode scanning, and multi-volume operations with features like deduplication, encryption, compression, and accurate verification to ensure data integrity. The client-server architecture enables centralized management of backups across multiple platforms including Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Pros
- Robust tape library integration with barcode support and automatic tape mounting
- Open-source core with no licensing fees for community edition
- Advanced features like deduplication, encryption, and precise retention management
Cons
- Complex text-based configuration requires significant expertise
- GUI tools like BWeb need separate installation and setup
- Steeper learning curve compared to modern GUI-driven alternatives
Best For
Enterprise IT teams managing large-scale tape libraries who need customizable, cost-effective backup solutions.
Pricing
Community edition free; Enterprise edition subscription-based with support (pricing starts at ~$2,000/year for small setups, scales with nodes).
Amanda
otherOpen-source backup software optimized for tape storage with parallel backups, compression, and encryption across multiple hosts.
Advanced tape multiplexing, allowing multiple parallel backup streams to a single drive for superior throughput
Amanda, from Zmanda, is a mature open-source backup solution optimized for enterprise tape backups, supporting automated network-wide data protection to tape libraries, disks, and other media. It excels in handling large-scale environments with parallel dumpers, multiplexing to maximize tape throughput, and features like encryption, compression, and deduplication. Ideal for Unix/Linux systems, it uses a client-server model for efficient, scheduled backups with robust recovery options.
Pros
- Excellent native support for tape libraries and multiplexing
- Free open-source core with enterprise scalability
- Proven reliability for large datasets and networks
Cons
- Complex text-based configuration and steep learning curve
- Limited modern GUI; primarily CLI-driven
- Documentation lags behind newer tools
Best For
Enterprises with skilled Unix admins needing cost-effective, high-capacity tape backups.
Pricing
Community edition free; Zmanda Enterprise edition with support starts at custom pricing upon request (typically $0.10-$0.50/GB/year).
Bareos
otherCommunity-driven fork of Bacula providing tape backup features, modern plugins, and enhanced usability for cost-effective archiving.
Advanced tape handling with bscan/bextract for precise, index-based restores from multi-volume tape sets
Bareos is an open-source enterprise backup solution forked from Bacula, providing robust data protection with strong emphasis on tape-based archiving and recovery. It supports tape libraries, LTO drives, auto-changers, and features like deduplication, encryption, and incremental backups across Linux, Windows, and other platforms. Ideal for organizations needing scalable, reliable tape backup workflows in heterogeneous environments.
Pros
- Superior tape library and auto-changer support with barcode labeling
- Highly customizable via text configs with powerful scripting
- Open-source with no licensing costs and active community development
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex, manual configuration files
- Web UI is functional but lacks polish compared to commercial tools
- Limited out-of-box integration with modern cloud-native environments
Best For
Experienced sysadmins in large organizations managing on-premise tape infrastructure for long-term archival.
Pricing
Free open-source community edition; paid enterprise support and appliances start at ~€1,500/year.
Conclusion
The top 3 tape backup tools deliver exceptional value, with Veritas NetBackup leading as the top choice for its enterprise-grade tape library management and advanced data protection features. IBM Spectrum Protect and Commvault Complete stand as strong alternatives, offering comprehensive platforms and automated workflows tailored to different needs, whether for archival or hybrid environments. Ultimately, the right tool depends on specific requirements, but all three prove reliable and powerful.
Explore Veritas NetBackup to leverage its robust capabilities for your data protection needs, and consider IBM Spectrum Protect or Commvault Complete if their unique strengths align more with your environment.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison