Best Live File Backup Alternatives in 2026
The top Live File Backup alternatives are Zerto, JetStream DR and Atempo Lina: 15 continuous data protection software our editors would look at instead of Live File Backup, in our ranking order.
Live File Backup: A focused Windows backup tool for continuous file versioning and point-in-time recovery. Where it falls short: windows-only, with no broader workload coverage.
Switching from Live File Backup? For most continuous data protection software buyers the best Live File Backup alternative is Zerto, built for enterprises needing orchestrated CDP and recovery. On a budget, CPRemote starts at $5/mo. IDrive has a free plan, which Live File Backup does not. Quest Rapid Recovery offers the most minimum rpo (300 seconds).
Why People Look for a Live File Backup Alternative
- Windows-only, with no broader workload coverage
- Focused on files rather than full-system or application backup
- The trial stops backup after two hours and retains data for two days
- No free plan — 4 of the alternatives below have it
- Minimum RPO: 60 seconds — up to 300 seconds with Quest Rapid Recovery
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallZerto9.4
Enterprises needing orchestrated CDP and recovery
Visit Zerto - Lowest priceCPRemote8.4
Paid plans from $5/mo
Visit CPRemote - Best free optionIDrive8.6
Has a free plan (Live File Backup has none)
Visit IDrive - Most minimum rpoQuest Rapid Recovery7.9
300 seconds
Visit Quest Rapid Recovery
All 15 Live File Backup Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forEnterprises needing orchestrated CDP and recovery
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.3
Enterprise CDP with granular recovery, orchestration, and hybrid or multi-cloud protection.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Zerto -
Best forVMware environments using Azure or object storage
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.3
Agentless VMware replication with cloud recovery, point-in-time restore, and automated failover.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit JetStream DR -
Best forBusinesses protecting continuously changing files
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.3
A focused continuous-protection solution for changing endpoint files and recovery needs.
- Point-in-time recovery
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Atempo -
Best forSelf-hosted infrastructure teams
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.3
A self-hosted storage platform combining rollback, replication, mirroring, and failover.
- Immutable storage
- VM protection
- Database protection
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit DataCore -
Best forBudget-conscious teams needing broad device coverage
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.3
Broad device and recovery coverage at a low-cost entry point, with a free plan.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit IDrive -
Best forVirtualization teams wanting free VM backup
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.3
A focused VM backup option with a capable free edition and five-minute CDP.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Hornetsecurity -
Best forcPanel and Linux hosting operators
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.3
A focused cPanel backup system with live updates, broad storage options, and seven-day retention.
- Database protection
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit CPRemote -
Best forBusinesses protecting employee endpoints
A focused choice for automated endpoint backup, versioning, and point-in-time recovery.
- Immutable storage
- Database protection
- Point-in-time recovery
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit CrashPlan -
Best forIndividuals and small teams backing up computers
A focused choice for continuous computer-file backup, not server or VM protection.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Backblaze -
Best forTechnical teams wanting open-source backup
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Free plan
A flexible self-hosted backup system with broad platform coverage and an optional paid add-on.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit UrBackup -
Best forTeams needing frequent application-aware recovery
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Minimum RPO: 300 seconds vs 60 seconds
Broad recovery coverage with five-minute snapshots, replication, and verified recovery.
- Immutable storage
- VM protection
- Database protection
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Rapid Recovery -
Best forEnterprise backup with cyber recovery
A self-managed platform for broad workload backup and cyber recovery workflows.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Veeam -
Best forOrganizations needing mature broad backup protection
Broad hybrid backup and recovery for organizations with complex workloads.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Acronis -
Best forLarge enterprises with mixed workloads
A broad enterprise backup platform for mixed physical, virtual, database, and cloud workloads.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forTeams needing broad free backup coverage
- Better than Live File Backup:
- Free plan
Broad backup coverage with a useful free tier, but policy-based rather than continuous protection.
Free plan · pricing on request · 60-day trial Our Storware Backup & Recovery verdict → Visit Storware7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Storware
Live File Backup Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Live File Backup?
Zerto: #1 in our Continuous Data Protection Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Enterprise CDP with granular recovery, orchestration, and hybrid or multi-cloud protection.
Is there a free alternative to Live File Backup?
Yes. IDrive, Hornetsecurity VM Backup, UrBackup and Storware Backup & Recovery have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Live File Backup?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, CPRemote starts lowest, at $5/mo.
Why do people look for Live File Backup alternatives?
Windows-only, with no broader workload coverage; Focused on files rather than full-system or application backup; The trial stops backup after two hours and retains data for two days.
Which Live File Backup alternative has the most minimum rpo?
Quest Rapid Recovery, with 300 seconds.
How do I switch from Live File Backup?
Export your data from Live File Backup (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Live File Backup.
How to Switch from Live File Backup
- Export your data from Live File Backup (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Live File Backup.
Live File Backup vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Live File Backup | No | 8.3 | |
| 1 | Zerto | No | 9.4 | |
| 2 | JetStream DR | 9.1 | ||
| 3 | Atempo Lina | 8.8 | ||
| 4 | DataCore SANsymphony | No | 8.7 | |
| 5 | IDrive | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 6 | Hornetsecurity VM Backup | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 7 | CPRemote | No | $5/mo | 8.4 |
| 8 | CrashPlan for Business | No | 8.2 | |
| 9 | Backblaze Computer Backup | No | $7.88/device/mo | 8.1 |
| 10 | UrBackup | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 11 | Quest Rapid Recovery | No | 7.9 | |
| 12 | Veeam Data Platform | No | 7.8 | |
| 13 | Acronis Cyber Protect | 7.7 | ||
| 14 | Bacula Enterprise | No | 7.6 | |
| 15 | Storware Backup & Recovery | Yes | 7.5 |
Head-to-Head
- Live File Backup vs Zerto
- Live File Backup vs JetStream DR
- Live File Backup vs Atempo Lina
- Live File Backup vs DataCore SANsymphony
- Live File Backup vs IDrive
- Live File Backup vs Hornetsecurity VM Backup
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update