Datto Endpoint Backup for Windows

Datto Endpoint Backup for Windows is a cloud backup and recovery service for PCs, servers, virtual machines, and cloud instances. Its policy controls and central oversight make it a strong fit for MSPs and IT departments managing remote endpoints. Teams with unsupported drive formats or a need to budget from a published price should look elsewhere.

Overview

Backups go straight to Datto Cloud, avoiding the need to deploy a backup appliance. Administrators can manage Windows and Mac endpoint status from a unified portal, with visibility into backup history, storage use, policy settings, and alerts. That combination favors teams overseeing multiple remote devices rather than individual users seeking a simple personal backup utility.

The product supports multiple recovery paths, including individual files and full-system restoration. Its main trade-offs are compatibility restrictions and consumption-based pricing: storage use determines the bill, so teams need a quote and a clear view of their expected backup footprint before committing.

Key features

Backup policies govern which data is selected, how often jobs run, retention, and bandwidth use. Schedules can run hourly or as infrequently as once every 24 hours. Retention choices are 90 days, 1 year, 3 years, or 7 years. Hourly jobs can provide frequent recovery points, while longer retention supports a deeper history; under storage-based billing, that added history also needs to be weighed against storage consumption.

Recovery includes file and folder restores, file-version restoration to another location or by direct download, and bare metal restore to the same or different hardware. Point-in-time recovery, ransomware recovery, failover and failback orchestration, and test failover extend the options beyond retrieving a deleted document. Bare metal restore is particularly useful when a device must be rebuilt or replaced.

Backups are encrypted in transit and at rest. Optional customer-managed keys, forced MFA, KaseyaOne single sign-on, and immutable Datto Cloud storage provide additional security controls. Customers can choose a storage region, and Datto says backups stored across multiple available regions provide geo-redundancy.

Integrations connect the backup workflow to Autotask PSA for ticketing, Datto RMM and Kaseya VSA for deployment, IT Glue for backup-status syncing, and Compliance Manager GRC for compliance evidence. These connections are most relevant to organizations already using those systems; they are less compelling to teams without that operational stack.

Pricing

Datto uses paid, usage-based pricing: customers pay based on storage used, with custom pricing available by request. There is no free plan. This model ties cost to backup consumption rather than a published flat rate, but organizations cannot compare a set per-seat price without first requesting a quote and estimating their storage needs.

There is one listed Usage-based pricing plan. It is suited to organizations whose storage requirements can be assessed and priced with Datto. No free tier or trial is offered, so there is no no-cost plan for smaller teams to rely on.

Platforms

Supported systems include Windows 10 and 11, Windows Server 2012 R2 through 2025, and macOS. Windows 10/11 Enterprise multi-session is incompatible. Datto Endpoint Backup v2 does not support REFS, Windows deduplication or compression, or backup of external, removable, or network drives. Those restrictions can rule it out for environments that depend on these file systems or storage locations.

The broader workload and operating-system coverage includes Windows Server and Linux, as well as VMware and Hyper-V. The service also lists backup support for Microsoft 365 workloads—Exchange Online, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams—and Google Workspace workloads—Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Drive, and Shared Drives.

Who it's for

Datto is best suited to MSPs and IT departments that manage remote endpoints and want policy-based backups, centralized monitoring, and both file-level and bare metal recovery. Teams that use the listed PSA, RMM, documentation, or compliance products can also make use of its integrations.

It is a weaker fit for buyers who need a published, predictable per-seat price, or for environments relying on unsupported drives, REFS, or Windows deduplication and compression. Those constraints should be checked against the actual endpoint and server estate before choosing the service.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Direct-to-cloud backup needs no appliance, simplifying deployment for remote endpoints.
• Pros: Hourly scheduling, configurable retention, and bandwidth controls give administrators meaningful policy choices.
• Pros: File restores and bare metal recovery cover both small-scale mistakes and full-device recovery.
• Pros: Encryption, immutable storage, optional customer-managed keys, and MFA support layered protection.
• Cons: Custom, storage-based pricing requires a quote and makes costs harder to compare upfront.
• Cons: REFS, Windows deduplication and compression, and external, removable, and network drives are unsupported.
• Cons: Windows 10/11 Enterprise multi-session is incompatible, limiting use in that environment.

Alternatives

For other backup-focused options, compare SaaS Backup Software, Microsoft 365 Backup Software, Disaster Recovery Software, and Email Backup Software. These category lists are useful when the primary requirement is SaaS, Microsoft 365, disaster recovery, or email backup rather than Datto's endpoint-focused combination.

Beyond Software is a paid subscription available on Android, iOS, web, and Windows, with plans that can be adjusted for growth. Deltek Maconomy is a paid enterprise ERP for professional services firms, with pricing by demo request. Scoro has a free trial and a Time-billing plan at $17 a month. Workamajig lists an In-house 10+ plan at $49 a month for 10+ users. Acumatica Professional Services Edition offers custom pricing based on applications, expected usage, resource requirements, and deployment preferences. Infor Learning Management System offers a free trial. Productive starts with an Essential plan at $10 a month, billed monthly, with a three-seat minimum. Total Synergy offers a free trial.

Verdict

Choose Datto Endpoint Backup for Windows if you manage remote endpoints and need direct-to-cloud backups, flexible policies, and recovery options that range from file restoration to bare metal recovery. Its centralized portal and security controls strengthen the case for managed IT environments. Look elsewhere if unsupported drive types or file systems are part of your setup, or if you need clear pricing before engaging with a vendor.