Softabase

Commvault vs Datto: Complete Comparison 2026

An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

Commvault logo

Commvault

8.6(3,200 reviews)

Enterprise data protection platform with backup, recovery, and cyber resilience for hybrid cloud environments across VMs, databases, and SaaS apps.

Datto logo

Datto

8.8(3,400 reviews)

MSP-focused business continuity and disaster recovery platform with integrated backup appliances and instant cloud virtualization.

Quick Comparison

AspectCommvaultDatto
Best ForLarge enterprises with heterogeneous environments spanning multiple hypervisors, databases, and cloud platformsMSPs providing managed BDR services who need reliable instant recovery for small business clients
Pricing ModelContact SalesSubscription
Starting PriceContact Sales$100/mo
Deploymentcloud, on premise, hybridhybrid
PlatformsWEB, WINDOWS, LINUXWEB, WINDOWS, LINUX
Rating8.6/108.8/10

Pros & Cons

Commvault

Pros

  • Supports more data sources than any competitor — VMs, databases, NAS, SaaS, Kubernetes, and cloud-native workloads
  • Database backup granularity is unmatched — restore a single table from a multi-TB Oracle or SQL database
  • Threat Scan analyzes backup data for malware before restore, preventing reinfection during recovery
  • Three deployment models (SaaS, self-managed, hybrid) fit virtually any enterprise architecture preference
  • Policy-based management applies consistent backup rules across heterogeneous workload types from one console

Cons

  • Initial deployment takes weeks and requires trained or certified administrators to configure properly
  • Licensing model remains confusing despite recent simplification — always requires sales engagement for quotes
  • Overkill for small and mid-market companies that do not have heterogeneous enterprise environments
  • Management interface, while improved, still has a significant learning curve for new administrators
  • Self-managed deployments require substantial on-premise infrastructure for backup servers and storage

Datto

Pros

  • Instant virtualization on local appliance or Datto cloud gets servers back online in minutes, not hours
  • Inverse Chain Technology keeps the latest backup as a complete image—fastest possible restore of the most recent state
  • Screenshot verification automatically proves every backup is bootable with daily OS-level confirmation
  • Purpose-built for the MSP channel with multi-tenant management, automated billing, and partner support
  • Cloud replication to Datto-owned infrastructure provides a true offsite safety net without third-party dependencies

Cons

  • Hardware appliance costs ($2,500+) plus monthly cloud fees make it significantly more expensive than software-only solutions
  • Kaseya ownership creates long-term pricing uncertainty—MSPs worry about future price increases after the acquisition
  • Vendor lock-in is real: proprietary appliances and cloud infrastructure make migration to alternatives painful
  • Not designed for direct enterprise use—the entire model assumes an MSP intermediary managing the deployment
  • Cloud virtualization bandwidth depends on client internet speed, which can limit RTO for large environments

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelStarting Price
Commvaultcontact salesContact Sales
Dattosubscription$100/mo

Our Verdict

Choose Commvault if...

Large enterprises with heterogeneous environments spanning multiple hypervisors, databases, and cloud platforms

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Choose Datto if...

MSPs providing managed BDR services who need reliable instant recovery for small business clients

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Still Not Sure?

Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.