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Selecting a backup solution requires balancing functionality, cost, and reliability, especially for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) managing critical business data. In this article, we compare Cove Backup (formerly N-able Backup) and MSP360 Managed Backup, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal use cases to guide your decision—whether you’re new to backup solutions or considering a Cove Backup alternative.

This comparison focuses on features critical for MSPs and IT departments, including pricing policy and cost planning, backup capabilities, storage options, and management console usability, helping you make an informed decision based on your organization’s needs.

Pricing Policy and ROI

Cove Backup

• Price Includes License and Limited Storage: Each license comes with built-in storage quotas—2 TB per server and 500 GB per workstation, as outlined in the Fair Use Policy. Of course, the storage price is implicitly included in the license, and you pay for this storage whether or not it is fully utilized.
• Extra Storage Purchased Separately: Additional storage usage is charged at approximately $20 per TB^*, potentially leading to high costs as backup sizes grow.
• Annual Contract: Cove offers an annual contract, which results in a large financial commitment and limits MSPs’ ability to optimize costs.
• Reselling Underused Storage Quota: If some clients are underusing their storage quota, MSPs can redistribute or “resell” the unused quota to other clients. However, if all clients are underusing storage, the MSP still pays for the full storage allocation.

^*According to Reddit users’ comments.

MSP360 Managed Backup

• License per endpoint, Volume Discounts: MSP360 licenses do not include storage, allowing for clear and transparent cost planning. License discounts are available for MSPs with large-scale deployments.
• Flat Storage Price, with Multiple Options: MSP360 supports multiple storage destinations, including integrations with leading cloud storage providers like AWS, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and on-premises solutions. Pricing starts at just $5.99/TB with MSP360 Storage powered by Wasabi. Learn more about other storage options from the storage comparison table.
• Monthly Subscription With Trial Period: MSP360 offers monthly subscription options and trial periods for backup service and integrated storage options.
• Scalable, Cost-Effective Storage: Each client incurs storage costs proportional to their actual usage.

Backup and Recovery Capabilities

Cove Backup

• Cloud-First Backup: Designed primarily for cloud-based incremental backups, Cove supports file-level, application-aware, and system state backups.
• Limited Customization: Retention policies and backup schedules are less flexible compared to MSP360.
• Microsoft 365: Covers backup for Microsoft 365, including Exchange Online and OneDrive, but does not extend to Google Workspace.

MSP360 Managed Backup

• Versatile Backup Options: Supports file-level, application-aware (SQL, Exchange), system state, and image-based backups.
• Custom Retention Policies: Provides granular control over backup schedules and retention policies, allowing MSPs to meet compliance requirements.
• On-Demand Restores: MSP360 allows full control over recovery points and data versions.
• Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace: Comprehensive support for backing up and restoring Microsoft 365 services (Mail, OneDrive, Contacts, Calendar, SharePoint, and Teams) and Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Contacts, Calendar, and Shared Drives).

Storage Options

Cove Backup

• Built-In Cloud Storage: Cove includes proprietary cloud storage as part of its subscription plan. While this simplifies billing, it limits storage flexibility and may not meet all compliance requirements.
• No On-Premises Support: Cove does not support on-premises storage, which can be a disadvantage for organizations needing hybrid solutions.
• Vendor Lock-In Risk: Using Cove’s proprietary storage could create vendor lock-in, reducing flexibility for organizations that might want to switch providers.
• One Storage Option for All Data: Cove relies exclusively on its proprietary storage, offering no flexibility to differentiate between mission-critical data and secondary data storage tiers.

MSP360 Managed Backup

• Multi-Cloud Compatibility: MSP360 supports a broad range of storage providers, including AWS, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and any S3-compatible storage.
• MSP360 Cloud Storage: Offers two storage options powered by Wasabi and AWS, featuring instant setup, flat pricing, and simple billing.
• Hybrid Flexibility: MSP360 supports both cloud and on-premises storage options, allowing organizations to tailor their solutions based on their infrastructure needs.
• Choice of Storage Providers: MSPs can choose storage solutions that will be optimal for each client, allocating premium storage for mission-critical data and cost-effective options for secondary data.
• Storage Tiers for Compliance Backups: When clients need long-term and cost-efficient storage for compliance reasons, MSPs can offer them options like AWS Glacier and Azure Archive Storage, starting at just $0.99 per Tb.

Management Console and UX

Cove Backup

• Cloud-Native Console: Cove provides a web-based management console designed for managing cloud-first backups.
• Streamlined Features: The interface is streamlined for simplicity but offers fewer advanced configuration options compared to MSP360.
• Limited Control: Cove lacks certain granular control features, which might not appeal to MSPs needing detailed customization.

MSP360 Managed Backup

• Unified Management Console: MSP360 provides a single, centralized console to manage all backups, monitor statuses, configure policies, and much more. It supports all product features with no extra costs.
• User-Friendly Interface: The platform is known for its intuitive interface, making it easy for MSPs and IT professionals to onboard new staff and manage backups without extensive training.
• Free Inclusion: MSP360’s management console is included in the license, with no separate fees.
• API Support: Offers extensive API capabilities for integration with other tools and custom automation.

Conclusion

Choosing between MSP360 Managed Backup and Cove Backup depends on your business priorities. MSP360 offers unmatched flexibility in storage, robust security features like immutability, and cost-efficient pricing, making it an excellent choice for MSPs managing diverse environments or seeking a Cove alternative. On the other hand, Cove excels in cloud-native simplicity and seamless integration with N-able’s ecosystem, making it suitable for organizations already committed to their tools.

Both platforms cater to distinct needs, and understanding your operational requirements will help you make the best decision for protecting your data and ensuring business continuity.

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.

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