Summary: The best SaaS backup software for small businesses keeps an independent, restorable copy of Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other cloud app data. Backupify is the simplest to run, Afi offers the best value with strong ransomware detection, Keepit provides the most independent storage, Druva scales furthest, and Acronis Cyber Protect suits firms that want backup and security from one provider.
Many small businesses assume that data stored in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace is already backed up. It is not, at least not in the way most owners expect. Providers keep their platforms available, but under the shared responsibility model the customer is always responsible for its own data. Accidental deletion, a departing employee, a malicious insider, or ransomware syncing encrypted files can all cause permanent loss once native retention periods expire.
This guide ranks the best SaaS backup software for small businesses, compares the options, and gives a short plan for getting protected.
Best SaaS backup software for small businesses compared
| Tool | Best for | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Backupify | Teams without IT staff | Automated backups of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace three times a day |
| Afi | Value and ransomware resilience | AI-based detection that triggers pre-emptive backups |
| Keepit | Data independence and compliance | Vendor-neutral cloud with immutable storage |
| Druva | Growing companies | One SaaS platform for apps, endpoints, and cloud workloads |
| Acronis Cyber Protect | Businesses using a managed service provider | Backup combined with anti-malware and patching |
The table shows that all five tools protect the core productivity suites, so the decision turns on who will manage the product and how many other apps need coverage. Small teams should weight ease of restore above every other feature, because a backup is only worth the data you can actually recover under pressure.
The top 5 SaaS backup tools reviewed
1. Backupify
Backupify, part of Kaseya, backs up Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace automatically three times a day. Setup takes minutes, and restoring a mailbox, file, or whole account is straightforward. It is the easiest option for an office manager or part-time administrator.
2. Afi
Afi is a newer platform with fast full-fidelity restores for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Its AI engine watches for signs of ransomware and takes a pre-emptive backup when it detects unusual activity. Per-user pricing is competitive, making it a strong value choice.
3. Keepit
Keepit stores backups in its own independent data centers rather than on a hyperscale cloud, so your copy is separate from the platform it protects. Data is immutable, and coverage extends to Microsoft Entra ID, Salesforce, and other applications. It fits firms with strict data residency or GDPR compliance needs.
4. Druva
Druva is a fully SaaS-delivered data protection platform covering Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, laptops, and cloud workloads. There is no hardware to manage. It costs more than entry-level tools but removes the need to switch products as the business grows.
5. Acronis Cyber Protect
Acronis Cyber Protect merges backup with endpoint anti-malware and patch management. It is widely sold through managed service providers, which suits companies that outsource IT. One agent and one console simplify protection for both devices and cloud apps.
How to choose SaaS backup software
- App coverage: List every SaaS application that holds business-critical data, not only email and files.
- Restore options: Check for item-level, point-in-time, and cross-user restores.
- Storage independence: Backups should sit outside the tenant they protect and be immutable.
- Retention and compliance: Match retention to legal requirements. Our guides to SaaS privacy and data protection best practices and digital archiving solutions can help.
- Admin security: Protect the backup console with multifactor authentication and least privilege, as covered in our review of the best privileged access management tools.
Actionable recommendations
- Confirm the native retention limits of each SaaS app you use.
- Start a free trial of two tools and back up a small group of users.
- Run a test restore of a deleted mailbox and a deleted folder. Time both.
- Follow the CISA ransomware guidance by keeping backups offline or immutable and testing them regularly.
- Document who can restore data and schedule a quarterly restore drill.
Backup is one layer of small business security. Combine it with the measures in our guides to cybersecurity for SMEs, cybersecurity SaaS for small businesses, and managed cloud backup. If you also run workloads in AWS or Azure, review the best CSPM tools.
Frequently asked questions
Does Microsoft 365 back up my data?
Microsoft keeps the service running and offers limited retention such as recycle bins and version history. It does not provide a long-term, independent backup by default, so deleted or corrupted data can be lost after those windows close.
How much does SaaS backup cost for a small business?
Most tools charge a few dollars per user per month, usually with unlimited or pooled storage. Price depends on the apps covered and the retention period, so request a quote for your exact user count.
How often should SaaS data be backed up?
At least daily. Tools that back up several times a day reduce the amount of work lost between the last backup and an incident.
Can SaaS backup protect against ransomware?
Yes. If ransomware encrypts synced files, an immutable backup lets you restore clean versions from before the attack. Learn how these attacks work in our ransomware guide.
Conclusion
Cloud apps hold most of a small company’s working data in 2026, and responsibility for that data stays with the business. Backupify is the simplest choice, Afi the best value, Keepit the most independent, Druva the most scalable, and Acronis the best fit for managed IT. Pick one, run a restore test this month, and treat that test as the real measure of your protection.
