MSP360 Backup

MSP360 Backup provides computer and server backup for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It offers file-based and image-based backup, with features including incremental images, image encryption, cloud image destinations, bare-metal restore, and bootable recovery media. The free plan covers personal workstation backup with file and image-based options and forum-based support. Paid plans are organized by system and workload: Pro (macOS/Linux) covers locally managed backup, Desktop covers Windows desktop backup, and Server and SQL cover Windows Server and SQL Server. Ultimate includes file, image, SQL Server, and Exchange backup, plus an unlimited cloud storage allowance. Annual plans are $$19.99 for Pro (macOS/Linux), $$29.99 for Desktop, $$109.99 for Server, $$124.99 for SQL, and $$179.99 for Ultimate; Desktop, Server, SQL, and Ultimate prices exclude VAT. MSP360 was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.

MSP360 Backup covers personal workstation and server backup across three desktop operating systems. The free plan is limited to personal workstation backup, while paid plans target specific systems and workloads.

It suits people who need computer or server backup on Windows, macOS, or Linux. The free plan is for personal workstation backup, while paid plans cover additional systems and workloads.

MSP360 Backup is a freemium backup suite for computers and servers, spanning Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is best for individuals protecting a workstation or organizations that can match a paid plan to a defined desktop, server, or SQL workload. The main attraction is its combination of free workstation coverage and serious recovery tools; the main constraint is that broader coverage quickly becomes a paid, workload-specific purchase.

Overview

MSP360 Backup covers computer and server protection with both file- and image-based backup and mixed restore modes. That makes it more useful than a file-only utility when a failed machine must be rebuilt, not merely have documents copied back. Ransomware protection is included, and image encryption plus cloud image destinations support protected off-machine copies. Mobile backup is absent, so it cannot serve as a phone or tablet backup platform.

The product comes from MSP360, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its plan structure is deliberately segmented: personal workstation backup is free, while desktop operating systems and server workloads have separate subscriptions.

Key features

• File and image protection: The Free plan combines file and image-based backup for a personal workstation. It is a credible no-cost starting point for an individual, but it does not substitute for the paid Windows desktop, server, or SQL plans.
• Whole-machine recovery: Bare-metal restore and bootable recovery media are valuable after severe system failure, when reinstalling an operating system and applications manually would be costly. Incremental images can reduce the amount of repeated image data that must be maintained.
• Protected image copies: Image encryption and cloud image destinations add safeguards for off-machine images. Ransomware protection strengthens the security case, although the specific protection mechanisms are not defined.
• Operating-system coverage: Windows, macOS, and Linux are supported, but the lower-cost paid offer is split by platform. Buyers should identify the machines and workloads they need to cover before choosing a subscription.
• Server and database workloads: Dedicated Server and SQL plans target Windows Server and SQL Server respectively. This is useful for focused deployments, while the separate licenses make mixed environments less convenient than a single universal tier.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and covers personal workstation backup, file and image-based backup, and forum-based support. It suits an individual who needs basic workstation protection without an annual bill; the personal-workstation scope and community support are meaningful limits for business use.

Pro (macOS/Linux) costs $19.99 a year on an annual subscription and provides locally managed backup for macOS/Linux. It is the cheapest paid route for those platforms, but it is not the Windows desktop or server option. Desktop costs $29.99 a year, billed annually and excluding VAT, for Windows desktop backup. That is a straightforward fit for a Windows workstation, with the tax exclusion affecting the final cost.

Server is $109.99 a year, billed annually and excluding VAT, for Windows Server backup. SQL costs $124.99 a year on the same annual, VAT-exclusive basis and is aimed at SQL Server protection. These tiers make sense when the workload is narrowly defined; they are expensive choices if you need several different workload types.

Ultimate costs $179.99 a year, billed annually and excluding VAT. It combines file, image, SQL Server, and Exchange backup with an unlimited cloud storage allowance. It is the strongest fit for organizations needing broad coverage and substantial cloud capacity, while overkill for a single personal workstation. A 15-day trial is offered for the paid product, giving buyers a short window to validate the appropriate tier before committing.

Platforms

MSP360 Backup supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, including desktop computers and servers. Its computer backup scope is mixed, with file and image approaches and mixed restore modes. There is no mobile backup support.

Who it's for

Choose MSP360 Backup if you want free personal workstation coverage, need bare-metal recovery, or manage a server and can select a plan built for that workload. Ultimate is the practical choice for broader SQL and Exchange requirements plus unlimited cloud storage allowance. Look elsewhere if phone backup is essential, if you want one inexpensive tier for every operating system and workload, or if forum-based support is insufficient for a business deployment.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Useful free entry point: Personal workstation users get file and image backup at no cost.
• Strong recovery set: Bare-metal restore, bootable recovery media, and incremental images address full-machine recovery rather than only file replacement.
• Broad computer coverage: Windows, macOS, and Linux support accommodates mixed desktop environments.
• Security-oriented options: Image encryption, cloud image destinations, and ransomware protection support safer backup copies.
• Clear workload tiers: Dedicated Server, SQL, and Ultimate plans let organizations pay for the coverage they actually need.

Cons

• No mobile backup: Phones and tablets are outside its scope.
• Plan fragmentation: Desktop, Server, and SQL coverage is split into separate subscriptions, complicating mixed deployments.
• Business support on Free is limited: The no-cost tier provides forum-based support rather than a business-focused support option.
• Broader coverage costs more: Ultimate is substantially more expensive than workstation tiers, even though it is the plan with unlimited cloud storage allowance.

Alternatives

For software centered on SaaS applications, consider SaaS Backup Software instead. Buyers focused on Google Workspace should review Google Workspace Backup Software, while email-specific requirements fit Email Backup Software. Broader continuity planning belongs in Backup and Disaster Recovery Software.

IDrive is worth choosing when you need mobile platforms as well as desktop and web support, with a 100 GB Basic plan and a $0.25 a month 100 GB IDrive Mini tier. AvePoint Cloud Backup is an alternative for Android, iOS, and web coverage with custom pricing. Spanning Backup suits buyers wanting one all-inclusive plan, unlimited backup retention, and volume pricing.

Veeam Agent for Mac is the narrower macOS choice: its free edition has no license requirement but allows one backup job and no direct object-storage backup. Synology Active Backup for SaaS is preferable for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace protection when you already use a Synology NAS, since its add-on is free. Datto Endpoint Backup for Windows uses consumption-based pricing tied to storage used. Rewind Backups targets web services with service-specific plans, while Salesforce Archive is for Salesforce data archiving.

For disk-imaging needs, see Disk Imaging Software; NAS-focused deployments should compare NAS Backup Software.

Verdict

MSP360 Backup is a strong choice for an individual who wants free workstation image protection or a business that can map its Windows, macOS, Linux, server, and SQL needs to dedicated plans. Its recovery tooling and Ultimate tier's unlimited cloud storage allowance are the main reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere when mobile backup, a single simple subscription, or broader application-specific coverage matters more than workstation and server recovery.