If you're reading this article, you likely already understand what backup software is and why data protection is essential. Maybe you’re an IT professional or a Managed Service Provider (MSP) looking for an optimally functional, affordable, and reliable backup solution. Whether you are making this choice for the first time or looking for a suitable Comet Backup alternative, this article aims to help you make an informed decision.
Introduction
Both products are established market players, supporting all major desktop operating systems and key server & database solutions. We’ll review the significant differences in the product capabilities, focusing on features for MSPs and IT departments, such as backup and storage capabilities, management console, pricing policy, and optimal use cases for MSP360 Managed Backup and Comet Backup. This comparison aims to gather and present the facts about each aspect of backup solution performance, needed to help you make the best decision for your organization’s needs.
Management Console and UX
MSP360 Managed Backup
- Unified Console: MSP360 offers a unified management console that simplifies the management of backups across numerous client infrastructures. It's hosted by MSP360, supports all product capabilities, and comes at no extra cost.
- Complete Feature Set: MSP360 Management Console supports the full range of features, including all backup and storage types, security features, and API access.
- User Experience: The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, which is intuitive even for those with minimal technical expertise. This makes it an excellent choice for MSPs and IT Professionals who need to train staff quickly and manage backups without extensive daily oversight.
- No Extra Charges: MSP360 Management Console is included for free in all MSP360 Managed Backup licenses.
Comet Backup
- Two Management Console Options: Comet gives a choice between a self-hosted management console with full feature capability and a Comet-hosted console which has limited capabilities but doesn’t require self-hosting.
- Different Feature Capabilities: The two types of consoles differ in feature support. The self-hosted console supports all features, including on-premises storage, SSO, and full API capabilities. The web-based console is limited in many security and integration features.
- User Experience: Comet's interface is functional but can be more complex and technical, which might pose a challenge for less tech-savvy users. However, it offers more in-depth customization options that can be beneficial for IT professionals who prefer granular control over their backup environments.
- Separate Licensing: Comet requires an extra fee for the management console, whether on-premises or cloud-hosted.
Storage Options
MSP360 Managed Backup
- Cloud-Based Storage: MSP360 stands out with its robust support for multiple cloud storage providers, including AWS, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. It supports every S3-compatible storage as well.
- MSP360 storage: MSP360 offers two extra cloud storage options, powered by Wasabi and AWS. Distinguishing features of this storage type are flat pricing, unified billing, and zero-time setup.
- On-Premises Storage: MSP360 allows using on-premises storage: from external hard drives to NAS and dedicated backup servers.
Comet Backup
- Cloud-Based Storage: Comet Backup is also compatible with a wide range of cloud storage providers, including S3-compatible cloud storage.
- Comet Storage: Comet offers a cloud storage option based on Wasabi.
- On-Premises Storage: Comet Backup supports on-premises storage, but only when using an on-premises management console.
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace Backup
- MSP360 Managed Backup can back up and recover data in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, and also OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, and Shared Drive. It provides centralized management and observability, isolated tenants for multiple mail domains, and flexible options for data recovery.
- Comet Backup supports Microsoft 365 and SharePoint, but not Google Workspace and Shared Drives.
Technical Support
MSP360 Managed Backup
- US-Based Support: MSP360 has a US-based support team, which makes it the optimal choice for businesses in the Western Hemisphere.
- Premium Support: MSP360 offers an option for Premium Customer Support which is available 24/7.
Comet Backup
- New Zealand-Based Support: Comet Backup is based in New Zealand, with support optimally available for businesses in Asia and Australia time zones.
Pricing Policy
MSP360 Managed Backup
- “Pay As You Go” Pricing Strategy: MSP360 offers straightforward and transparent pricing without “subscription” fees.
- Cumulative Discounts: MSP360 gives cumulative discounts for licenses, making it especially cost-saving for large and growing MSPs.
- Features at No Extra Cost: MSP360 provides many essential features, such as a unified management console and image-based backups, for free with any backup license.
Comet Backup
- Tier-Based Pricing Strategy: Comet Backup pricing is based on tiers, involving the “subscription” cost which adds to the flat rate paid for the actual data protection.
- No Scale Discounts: Comet Backup pricing policy includes no discounts for large scale, except when moving from the Starter Plan. It saves some costs for smaller companies but gives no benefits to MSPs or larger enterprises.
- Extra Licenses Required: with Comet Backup, many essential features come at an additional price. For example, you need to pay an extra fee for the management console. Using image-based backups requires you to purchase a booster license for each machine on top of the base license.
IT Operations Perspective
Most MSPs and some IT operations teams in large enterprises have other needs besides backup management.
- MSP360 Managed Backup: The product portfolio of MSP360 includes two extra solutions vital for IT operations: Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) and Remote Access. Together with Managed Backup, these powerful tools work under the same management console, providing IT specialists with a single management solution and allowing businesses to add new capabilities as they grow.
- Comet Backup: Comet only offers a backup solution, so additional solutions are required for RMM and remote access.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Let's now outline the most prominent strengths and weaknesses of both solutions.
MSP360 Managed Backup:
- Strengths: Easy management, affordable solutions with cumulative discounts, excellent multi-cloud support, and strong security for ransomware protection.
- Weaknesses: Less flexibility in backup customization compared to Comet Backup.
Comet Backup:
- Strengths: Real-time backup capabilities, high customization, and the ability to have a self-hosted backup management console.
- Weaknesses: Interface complexity and pricing policy that can affect budget-sensitive businesses.
Use Cases
Finally, let’s observe the use cases where each of the products shows its best performance.
MSP360 Managed Backup is ideal for:
- MSPs managing diverse client environments which include a mixture of cloud and on-prem infrastructure, potentially expanding to solutions for remote management and access.
- Businesses looking for hassle-free backup solutions with robust cloud integration.
- Organizations that prioritize strong security measures with reliable support.
Comet Backup is suitable for:
- Businesses that require real-time data backup.
- Companies in need of detailed control over backup configurations and schedules.
- Small to medium-sized enterprises looking for scalable backup solutions.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between MSP360 and Comet Backup depends on your specific business needs, the level of customization you require, and how you balance cost against features.
MSP360 offers simplicity and robust cloud options, making it an ideal choice for MSPs and businesses seeking straightforward, secure backup solutions. Comet Backup, on the other hand, provides extensive customization and real-time backup features, which can be crucial for businesses needing immediate data availability.
Both platforms have their pros and cons, and your decision will ultimately rely on which features align best with your operational requirements and budget constraints. We hope this comparison helps you make an informed choice that safeguards your data and supports your business's continuity plans.
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