Dell NetWorker vs IBM Storage Protect comparison

Dell Technologies and IBM are both solutions in the Backup and Recovery category. Dell Technologies is ranked #10 with an average rating of 7.9, while IBM is ranked #12 with an average rating of 7.6. Dell Technologies holds a 1.6% mindshare in BRS, compared to IBM’s 1.8% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of Dell Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 87% of IBM users who would recommend it.

Dell NetWorker

Read 86 Dell NetWorker reviews

4,672 Views
4,252 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

IBM Storage Protect

Read 4 IBM Storage Protect reviews

5,686 Views
4,776 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

Dell NetWorker

IBM Storage Protect

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 22, 2026

Dell NetWorker and IBM Storage Protect compete in the enterprise backup solutions category, providing robust and scalable data protection. While both solutions have their advantages, Dell NetWorker has the upper hand, particularly in terms of documentation and integration with various enterprise tools, whereas IBM Storage Protect excels in data compression and deduplication capabilities.

Features: Dell NetWorker offers comprehensive backup automation, centralized monitoring, and excellent integration with Data Domain for efficient deduplication. It supports a wide range of operating systems and databases, providing tailored tools to meet diverse enterprise needs. IBM Storage Protect focuses on incremental-forever backups, which eliminate the need for full backups after the initial one and provide space-efficient data reduction. Its strong deduplication features help in significant savings in storage costs, and it supports extensive scalability, making it suitable for large enterprise environments.

Room for Improvement: Dell NetWorker could benefit from simplifying complex configuration settings, improving stability during upgrades, and enhancing cloud integration features. Users have expressed a desire for a more intuitive user interface. IBM Storage Protect is often criticized for its complexity arising from legacy systems, challenging licensing structures, and a less user-friendly interface. Enhancements in support for virtual environments and improvements in its graphical user interface (GUI) are suggested.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Dell NetWorker primarily supports on-premises deployment but does offer hybrid cloud capabilities. Customer service experiences are mixed, with technical support quality varying by region. IBM Storage Protect also favors on-premises deployment options with some hybrid capabilities, though its complex architecture can impede deployment ease. Despite physical support challenges, IBM users report higher customer satisfaction due to better systems integration.

Pricing and ROI: Dell NetWorker's flexible licensing model potentially offers cost advantages, especially when packaged with the Data Protection Suite. However, some users find the pricing high relative to actual use. The ROI is justified by operational uptime and efficient data recovery. IBM Storage Protect is perceived as expensive and having a complicated licensing model, but it delivers appreciated ROI through effective backup management, offering strong enterprise-level capabilities at a premium price.

To learn more, read our detailed Dell NetWorker vs. IBM Storage Protect Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Dell NetWorker vs. IBM Storage Protect

February 2026

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Helped 882,637 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

5.0

Dell NetWorker delivers cost savings, enhanced recovery, and efficiency, proving invaluable for business continuity and operational efficiency.

Sentiment score

1.0

IBM Storage Protect enhances data recovery, reduces downtime, and aids compliance, making it a valuable investment for organizations.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell NetWorker report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Storage Protect report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

6.1

Dell NetWorker customer service is praised for quick assistance but criticized for delays and variable expertise, especially regionally.

Sentiment score

7.6

IBM Storage Protect's support shows mixed experiences, with praise for expertise but concerns over response times and service consistency.

Technical support from Dell is excellent.

AamirIlyas

Solution Architect at Apollo Telecom

quick responses whenever we log a complaint

Shrikant Teggi

Sr. Area Technical Manager at tata elxsi

They are very responsive and helpful.

Hassan Amin

System Engineer at NCCPL

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell NetWorker report

Support from IBM is very good, and they always have knowledgeable people.

reviewer2787573

Interim Head of Infrastructure at a real estate/law firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

Support is good from IBM, although it mainly comes from my local partner.

Syed Habib

Head of Infrastructure Security (S.A.V.P) at EXIM Bank Ltd

Some support staff are highly skilled, others are not, leading to longer times to resolve issues.

Markus Buchner

CEO at Fischerei Leipold

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Storage Protect report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

6.8

Dell NetWorker offers scalability but faces challenges in VMware connections, storage, licensing, and large-scale stability for some users.

Sentiment score

7.7

IBM Storage Protect is praised for scalability and adaptability, though some users cite challenges in features and large-scale integration.

While the solution is scalable, the cost involved in upgrading or enhancing the solution can be significant.

AamirIlyas

Solution Architect at Apollo Telecom

Dell NetWorker is very scalable and flexible, deserving a high rating for its scalability.

ErmiasGirma

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer at Safaricom Ethiopia plc

It is scalable enough for our environment.

Hassan Amin

System Engineer at NCCPL

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell NetWorker report

TSM is a generic and robust product, which is why I continue using it for my core banking.

Syed Habib

Head of Infrastructure Security (S.A.V.P) at EXIM Bank Ltd

It is one of the most scalable platforms, and that is its strong point.

reviewer2787573

Interim Head of Infrastructure at a real estate/law firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

Scalability is great in IBM Spectrum Protect; there are several options available to scale.

reviewer1832367

Solution architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Storage Protect report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

7.6

Dell NetWorker exhibits stability, rated high by users, improving with updates, while older versions faced occasional challenges.

Sentiment score

8.0

IBM Storage Protect is highly stable and reliable, with consistent enhancements despite occasional minor issues with new features.

The stability of Dell NetWorker is excellent.

Shrikant Teggi

Sr. Area Technical Manager at tata elxsi

In terms of stability, I would say it is about 80% stable now.

RaedHassan

Senior Specialist Backup/Storage at National Bank of Kuwait

Dell NetWorker is stable.

Hassan Amin

System Engineer at NCCPL

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell NetWorker report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Storage Protect report

Room For Improvement

Dell NetWorker users seek improved interfaces, cloud integration, and security, citing deployment challenges and a need for modern enhancements.

IBM Storage Protect needs an improved interface, intuitive features, better cloud integration, and enhanced reporting and virtualization support.

The interface on the Java application makes it difficult, whereas the web interface is simple to use.

ErmiasGirma

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer at Safaricom Ethiopia plc

It is complex, and compared to solutions like Tivoli, Veritas, Veeam, and others, its look and feel are not up to par.

AamirIlyas

Solution Architect at Apollo Telecom

To connect to a server, it's necessary to install a client on the server, which is challenging.

Hassan Amin

System Engineer at NCCPL

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell NetWorker report

It is not compatible with other operating systems like Windows or Linux.

Syed Habib

Head of Infrastructure Security (S.A.V.P) at EXIM Bank Ltd

IBM Storage Protect does not work well with virtual environments such as VMware and Hyper-V.

Markus Buchner

CEO at Fischerei Leipold

There is a need for additional layers of security to fill the gaps, which is why we are using Cobalt Iron.

reviewer1832367

Solution architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Storage Protect report

Setup Cost

Dell NetWorker offers complex licensing, with varied pricing; included in bundles, often costly but comprehensive and flexible for sectors.

IBM Storage Protect offers varied and complex licensing, often seen as expensive but potentially cost-effective with tailored agreements.

The licensing cost is somewhat expensive.

Shrikant Teggi

Sr. Area Technical Manager at tata elxsi

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell NetWorker report

We do not see the cost of the licensing.

reviewer2787573

Interim Head of Infrastructure at a real estate/law firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

It's expensive.

Syed Habib

Head of Infrastructure Security (S.A.V.P) at EXIM Bank Ltd

IBM Storage Protect is generally an expensive tool.

Markus Buchner

CEO at Fischerei Leipold

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Storage Protect report

Valuable Features

Dell NetWorker provides robust backup solutions with automation, deduplication, scalability, and wide compatibility for various environments and systems.

IBM Storage Protect excels in efficient backups, cost-effective storage, scalability, reliability, user-friendliness, adaptability, and robust disaster recovery.

I find NetWorker valuable for its wide range of automation features, including replication and data processing systems.

AamirIlyas

Solution Architect at Apollo Telecom

Dell NetWorker is versatile, allowing server backups and IBM tape library backups.

Hassan Amin

System Engineer at NCCPL

The new deduplication feature helps significantly with data compression and saves disk space by using pointers for repeated data, improving backup speed.

Shrikant Teggi

Sr. Area Technical Manager at tata elxsi

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell NetWorker report

The product works efficiently with very large tape libraries, unlike most other products in the market that have problems handling large tape libraries or more than one tape library.

Markus Buchner

CEO at Fischerei Leipold

IBM Spectrum Protect has excellent integration capability.

reviewer1832367

Solution architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Incremental and differential backup features are built-in, which I frequently utilize on a weekly and daily basis.

Syed Habib

Head of Infrastructure Security (S.A.V.P) at EXIM Bank Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Storage Protect report

Categories and Ranking

Dell NetWorker

Ranking in Backup and Recovery

10th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IBM Storage Protect

Ranking in Backup and Recovery

12th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Backup and Recovery category, the mindshare of Dell NetWorker is 1.6%, down from 3.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Storage Protect is 1.8%, down from 2.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Backup and Recovery Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Dell NetWorker	1.6%
IBM Storage Protect	1.8%
Other	96.6%

Backup and Recovery

Featured Reviews

RaedHassan

Senior Specialist Backup/Storage at National Bank of Kuwait

Has supported flexible multi-platform backups and improved over time

Regarding the effectiveness of Dell NetWorker in terms of role-based access controls, I have experience with it, but I find it somewhat lacking in flexibility as it offers limited features, and I would rate it around seven out of ten. It is not that there is something wrong with the role-based access controls in Dell NetWorker, but it lacks many permissions or roles to assign, providing options only for administrator or user. To improve Dell NetWorker for the next release, I recommend enhancing flexibility in the policy, allowing selection of multiple options within the same policy, and addressing issues like the DNS lookup dependency to make it more controllable from Dell NetWorker itself rather than relying on other applications. Looking forward, I would like to see improved policy features and a more enhanced GUI, as it is still slow.

Read full review

reviewer2787573

Interim Head of Infrastructure at a real estate/law firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

Backup coverage has supported immutable protection and now needs a more modern, intuitive interface

IBM Storage Protect is from a previous generation of backup software. In those days, backup software was complex in setting up and complex to manage. The new software, such as Rubrik, is very easy to use and more relatable to younger engineers because its interface design is more similar to Office 365 and the newer controls and labels that we are accustomed to. The difficulty that we now have with IBM Storage Protect is that for this day and age, compared to other products that are out there, it seems complex. If we look back 15 years ago, all enterprise class backup software was complex, so IBM was not any different. However, many of these older systems, such as Commvault, still have the same complaint that they are very complex because they have tried to keep that same interface and the same way it works. This suits them, but it probably needed a complete overhaul to bring it into the ease of use that we have with modern software. However, that upgrade has not been done. IBM Storage Protect has not been upgraded into a modern platform. It still looks a legacy platform.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

15%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	24
Midsize Enterprise	33
Large Enterprise	38

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	53
Midsize Enterprise	25
Large Enterprise	95

Questions from the Community

What's the difference between Dell EMC Avamar and Dell EMC NetWorker?

From the very beginning, Dell EMC NetWorker considers users and those who might potentially become users. In terms of both pricing and setup, this product offers an experience that is significantly...

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What do you like most about Dell NetWorker?

The feature that offers the greatest benefits in ensuring data integrity is its backup capability.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Dell NetWorker?

Regarding the pricing of Dell NetWorker, it depends on the deal or negotiation we have with the vendor, making it reasonable, although I cannot make a definitive decision without knowing the specif...

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What do you like most about IBM Storage Protect?

The best point about IBM Storage Protect is that it can use IBM tape environments, which we still use and will continue to use in the future.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Storage Protect?

I do not know the current licensing cost for IBM Storage Protect and how we get our support because our licensing model is not quite standard. We do not buy IBM Storage Protect direct from IBM. We ...

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What needs improvement with IBM Storage Protect?

See all answers

Comparisons

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager vs Dell NetWorker

Compared 22% of the time

Veeam Data Platform vs Dell NetWorker

Compared 12% of the time

Commvault Cloud vs Dell NetWorker

Compared 7% of the time

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain vs Dell NetWorker

Compared 7% of the time

Cohesity DataProtect vs Dell NetWorker

Compared 3% of the time

More Dell NetWorker Competitors

IBM Spectrum Protect Plus vs IBM Storage Protect

Compared 8% of the time

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain vs IBM Storage Protect

Compared 8% of the time

HPE StoreOnce vs IBM Storage Protect

Compared 6% of the time

Veeam Data Platform vs IBM Storage Protect

Compared 6% of the time

Veritas NetBackup vs IBM Storage Protect

Compared 2% of the time

More IBM Storage Protect Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Dell NetWorker

February 2026

Download Dell NetWorker product report

Buyer's Guide

IBM Storage Protect

February 2026

Download IBM Storage Protect product report

Also Known As

NetWorker

IBM Spectrum Discover

Overview

Built on a reputation of efficiency and reliability, thousands of customers trust Dell NetWorker to protect their data and applications across multiple environments, from core to edge to cloud.

Inherently flexible, NetWorker helps you deploy and leverage the data protection that fits your needs. NetWorker protects both physical and virtual environments, including VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, as well as cloud workloads on AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

NetWorker is available as part of Dell Data Protection Suite, which offers comprehensive data protection software applications and tools. NetWorker is delivered as software and as a virtual edition.

Dell Technologies

IBM Storage Protect offers data protection and management to secure critical business information efficiently. It's designed to be a scalable and flexible solution for data backup, recovery, and archive needs in complex IT environments.

IBM Storage Protect delivers comprehensive data protection by integrating backup, recovery, and archiving functionalities. It supports a range of workloads and infrastructures, from on-premises to cloud environments, facilitating efficient data management. Its platform provides seamless scalability to meet evolving business needs, underpinned by reliable security measures. Organizations leverage its capabilities to ensure business continuity and minimize data loss risks, making it vital in a data-driven world.

What are the key features of IBM Storage Protect?

Advanced Data Protection: Offers robust encryption and data integrity for secure backup processes.
Scalability: Grows with your data demands, supporting large data volumes without compromising performance.
Cloud Integration: Seamlessly integrates with cloud platforms, enhancing backup strategies with hybrid options.
Automated Operations: Simplifies management tasks with automation, reducing manual intervention and errors.

What benefits should users expect when evaluating IBM Storage Protect?

Cost Efficiency: Reduces storage costs by optimizing backup processes and data retention strategies.
Data Safety: Ensures data accessibility and integrity during recovery efforts, building trust in data protection strategies.
Operational Efficiency: Boosts productivity through streamlined and automated backup management workflows.
Compliance Readiness: Helps maintain compliance with data protection regulations by providing thorough reporting and audit trails.

Industries like finance and healthcare implement IBM Storage Protect to safeguard sensitive information against threats. In financial services, it's crucial for maintaining client data confidentiality, while healthcare institutions use it to protect patient records, ensuring both accessibility and compliance with regulations.

IBM

Sample Customers

Republic Bank, Westgate Resorts, Macquire Cloud Services, Shriners, Panatonni, Qatar Islamic Bank, Eurosport

CEMEX

Buyer's Guide

Dell NetWorker vs. IBM Storage Protect

February 2026

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