Best System Center Data Protection Manager Alternatives in 2026
The top System Center Data Protection Manager alternatives are Zerto, JetStream DR and Atempo Lina: 15 continuous data protection software our editors would look at instead of System Center Data Protection Manager, in our ranking order.
System Center Data Protection Manager: Focused protection for Microsoft workloads, VMs, and hybrid recovery operations. Where it falls short: paid product with no free plan.
Switching from System Center Data Protection Manager? For most continuous data protection software buyers the best System Center Data Protection Manager 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 System Center Data Protection Manager does not. Quest Rapid Recovery offers the most minimum rpo (300 seconds).
Why People Look for a System Center Data Protection Manager Alternative
- Paid product with no free plan
- Windows platform focus limits broader platform coverage
- Not sold as a standalone DPM component
- No free plan — 3 of the alternatives below have it
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 (System Center Data Protection Manager has none)
Visit IDrive - Most minimum rpoQuest Rapid Recovery7.9
300 seconds
Visit Quest Rapid Recovery
All 15 System Center Data Protection Manager 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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.5
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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.5
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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.5
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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.5
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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.5
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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.5
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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.5
A focused cPanel backup system with live updates, broad storage options, and seven-day retention.
- Database protection
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit CPRemote -
Best forWindows users needing continuous file versioning
- Better than System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.5
A focused Windows backup tool for continuous file versioning and point-in-time recovery.
- Point-in-time recovery
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit INFONAUTICS -
Best forBusinesses protecting employee endpoints
- Better than System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.5
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
- Better than System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.5
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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.5
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 System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.5
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
- Better than System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.5
A self-managed platform for broad workload backup and cyber recovery workflows.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Veeam -
Best forOrganizations needing mature broad backup protection
- Better than System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.5
Broad hybrid backup and recovery for organizations with complex workloads.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Acronis -
Best forLarge enterprises with mixed workloads
- Better than System Center Data Protection Manager:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.5
A broad enterprise backup platform for mixed physical, virtual, database, and cloud workloads.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site
System Center Data Protection Manager Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to System Center Data Protection Manager?
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 System Center Data Protection Manager?
Yes. IDrive, Hornetsecurity VM Backup and UrBackup have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to System Center Data Protection Manager?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, CPRemote starts lowest, at $5/mo.
Why do people look for System Center Data Protection Manager alternatives?
Paid product with no free plan; Windows platform focus limits broader platform coverage; Not sold as a standalone DPM component.
Which System Center Data Protection Manager alternative has the most minimum rpo?
Quest Rapid Recovery, with 300 seconds.
How do I switch from System Center Data Protection Manager?
Export your data from System Center Data Protection Manager (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 System Center Data Protection Manager.
How to Switch from System Center Data Protection Manager
- Export your data from System Center Data Protection Manager (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 System Center Data Protection Manager.
System Center Data Protection Manager vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | System Center Data Protection Manager | No | 6.5 | |
| 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 | Live File Backup | No | 8.3 | |
| 9 | CrashPlan for Business | No | 8.2 | |
| 10 | Backblaze Computer Backup | No | $7.88/device/mo | 8.1 |
| 11 | UrBackup | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Quest Rapid Recovery | No | 7.9 | |
| 13 | Veeam Data Platform | No | 7.8 | |
| 14 | Acronis Cyber Protect | 7.7 | ||
| 15 | Bacula Enterprise | No | 7.6 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update