Dell PowerProtect Data Domain vs Rubrik comparison

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Read 96 Rubrik reviews

16,746 Views
12,057 Comparison Views

97% willing to recommend

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 8, 2026

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain and Rubrik compete in the data protection and backup solutions category. Rubrik may have a slight advantage due to its user-friendly interfaces and robust automation features, which enhance its appeal for organizations prioritizing ease of use and streamlined operations.

Features: Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is known for its advanced data deduplication and compression capabilities, integration with diverse backup applications, and reliable data storage. Rubrik is praised for its instant recovery options, automation facilitating reduced manual intervention, and smooth cloud service integration, offering fast data restoration and streamlined user experiences.

Room for Improvement: Dell PowerProtect Data Domain could improve its pricing model, licensing complexity, and add enhanced security features. Better cloud integration and user interface upgrades are also desired. Rubrik could refine its user interface further, expand integration with more native applications, and adjust costs alongside improving reporting features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both Dell PowerProtect Data Domain and Rubrik excel in ease of deployment and responsive customer service. Dell PowerProtect is noted for its effective technical support for hardware issues, while Rubrik is distinguished by its proactive, automated service approach and adaptability across hybrid cloud environments.

Pricing and ROI: Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is seen as costly, but its efficiency justifies the investment, especially for enterprises. However, its pricing can be challenging for SMEs. Rubrik, positioned as a premium solution, offers significant value through automation and data management efficiency, providing long-term cost savings in operational tasks despite a high price. Both solutions promise significant returns on investment in high-reliability data management environments.

To learn more, read our detailed Deduplication Software Report (Updated: April 2026).

Deduplication Software

Download the complete report

Helped 890,124 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

5.4

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain boosts ROI by reducing storage costs, space, and improving data management efficiency for larger enterprises.

Sentiment score

7.1

Rubrik enhances ROI with time savings, reduced costs, data protection, improved productivity, seamless backups, and compliance benefits.

If a customer uses Dell PowerProtect Data Domain with a replication policy, they can replicate minimal data changes daily, removing headaches associated with the physical transfer of tapes.

reviewer1558683

Pre Sales Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

One is less floor space in the data center and the ability to pack more data into the backup storage on Dell PowerProtect Data Domain as compared to the traditional backup storage.

reviewer2776245

Vice President - Information Technology Systems Engineering at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

The best part is the compression and deduplication feature.

Pranav Telang

Lead Architect at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain report

Rubrik provides long-term return on investment for my customers, as well as immediate benefits because of deduplication and compression, drastically reducing the cost on the storage side from traditional to Rubrik.

AmarpreetSingh

Technical Architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Rubrik report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

7.2

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain's customer support is highly praised but has occasional delays and inconsistencies, especially in complex cases.

Sentiment score

8.3

Rubrik's support excels with quick responses, proactive issue resolution, and incorporates user feedback, surpassing other vendors in service.

We feel that we are working with people who understand the technology and the historical patterns of this environment, and when we raise a support request, we have no doubt because it seems that we are working with a product engineer.

Mayowa Afeez Olayiwola

System Administrator at a financial services firm with 201-500 employees

Nowadays, we can connect directly to the Dell team and in a very minimal time, we can get the support from them.

Kitmeer-Ahmad

Product Manager, Dell Client Solutions at Team Computers

They respond within 24 hours of case submission, which is crucial for maintaining the solution.

reviewer1144389

Sr System Expert at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain report

They offer 24/7 support and even have a dedicated ransomware hotline with a team ready to engage immediately.

Rubrik administrator at Freelance

Rubrik's support has been good, better than many other vendors like Microsoft, VMware, and Dell.

For more quotes and insights, download the Rubrik report

IT Program Manager at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees

Rubrik provides excellent customer service and technical support.

HarishKumar6

Senior System Engineer at Goya Foods

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

6.6

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain offers scalable enterprise data protection, though hardware limits and scale-out concerns may require professional planning.

Sentiment score

7.8

Rubrik offers scalable, high-performance data management with seamless integration and expansion, praised for adaptability and non-intrusive scaling.

The scalability depends on the IT department's strategy.

reviewer1144389

Sr System Expert at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is very scalable; it expands easily with new enclosures.

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain report

Storage Engineer at Comtrade Group

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain can scale up horizontally to meet the growing needs of our organization.

Kuntal Malik

lead at Boston Scientific

It can scale out horizontally as well as vertically, and the availability of expansion is very quick.

AmarpreetSingh

Technical Architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Azure Backup solution offers faster restoration for data over six terabytes compared to on-premises.

Kammara Bheemanna

Information Technology Specialist at LIGHTHOUSE DOCUMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC

Rubrik is highly scalable, with a rating of nine out of ten based on its seamless integration.

Ibrahim Hasan

Sales Manager at Beta Information Technology

For more quotes and insights, download the Rubrik report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

8.1

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is highly reliable, with minimal crashes, seamless replication, stability, and efficient recovery after hardware failures.

Sentiment score

8.1

Rubrik is praised for stability and reliability, offering seamless integration and prompt support for minor issues.

We have never encountered issues such as data corruption with these systems.

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain report

Storage Engineer at Comtrade Group

I have not experienced any downtime, crashes, or performance issues with it.

Mohamed Ibrahem

ICT Assistant GM at Phpco

I have been using it for up to three years with no upgrading or downtime.

Mohamed Elfakharany

Data Protection Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Rubrik has been stable, and we have not experienced any downtime.

For more quotes and insights, download the Rubrik report

IT Program Manager at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees

When you do the restore, it is also stable and quickly delivering what we have been looking for.

reviewer2588997

Senior Technical Support Engineer at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

The prerequisite dependencies with the cost team site, infrastructure, port opening, and adding the complete Rubrik console module take time, depending on the volume of servers and storage occupancy.

Kammara Bheemanna

Information Technology Specialist at LIGHTHOUSE DOCUMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC

Room For Improvement

The product faces high pricing, complex installation, and lacks efficient integration, security, support, and user-friendly features.

Rubrik users suggest improvements in UI, integration, database compatibility, and pricing while praising their receptiveness to feedback.

Local support must be available in the country.

A. AhadAlam

Head Of Systems Group at NCCPL

We can leverage writing NAS level backup into Dell PowerProtect Data Domain rather than utilizing any other software tools such as Networker.

reviewer2776245

Vice President - Information Technology Systems Engineering at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain represents the fastest and most reliable solution, ensuring great integration with backup software.

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain report

Storage Engineer at Comtrade Group

We need more efficient search capabilities that allow searching by last name or login ID.

IT Program Manager at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees

I need a better output from the existing reports as they currently do not provide comprehensive metrics.

HarishKumar6

Senior System Engineer at Goya Foods

Including packaged training with the product at the time of purchase would be beneficial.

For more quotes and insights, download the Rubrik report

Rubrik administrator at Freelance

Setup Cost

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is a costly solution for enterprises, offering robust performance and scalability with potential discounts.

Rubrik's cost is justified by its simplicity, comprehensive features, and potential TCO savings through multi-year agreements.

It is almost four times the earlier price.

Sufyan Khan

Head of Sales and Operations at New Horizon Computers

For small clients, it is very expensive.

Sergio Omar Ruiz Paz

Specialist Senior N2 at Entelgy

The pricing has become higher since July, and the license costs are more expensive compared to the past.

Houssem Sandli

Technical manager at Advanced Computer Technology (ACT)

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain report

Rubrik is considered expensive, with a price rating of three out of ten.

Ibrahim Hasan

Sales Manager at Beta Information Technology

We could mix and match to optimize costs for our needs.

IT Program Manager at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees

Rubrik is expensive due to its robust hardware.

For more quotes and insights, download the Rubrik report

Rubrik administrator at Freelance

Valuable Features

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain offers efficient backup with deduplication, reliability, and integration, excelling in storage and data protection.

Rubrik features instant recovery, a user-friendly interface, automation, and immutability, providing efficient, secure, and cost-effective backup management.

The most valuable feature of Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is its deduplication capability.

Houssem Sandli

Technical manager at Advanced Computer Technology (ACT)

Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is highly consistent, durable, easy to install, scalable, and compatible with any software today.

Sufyan Khan

Head of Sales and Operations at New Horizon Computers

The most beneficial features in the product are compatibility, which is the most valuable function.

A. AhadAlam

Head Of Systems Group at NCCPL

For more quotes and insights, download the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain report

The most valuable feature of Rubrik is its concept of a 'backup airbag', which provides a robust defense against attacks.

Ibrahim Hasan

Sales Manager at Beta Information Technology

Since switching to Rubrik, our backup times have decreased significantly, going from two and a half days to one and a half hours for certain systems.

IT Program Manager at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees

Even if my network is compromised by ransomware, the file system does not allow overwriting of the backups, ensuring that my backups remain safe.

For more quotes and insights, download the Rubrik report

Rubrik administrator at Freelance

Categories and Ranking

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Deduplication Software (1st), Disk Based Backup Systems (1st)

Rubrik

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Backup and Recovery (3rd), Cloud Backup (3rd), Disaster Recovery (DR) Software (4th)

Mindshare comparison

While both are Backup and Replication solutions, they serve different purposes. Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is designed for Deduplication Software and holds a mindshare of 22.8%, down 28.5% compared to last year.
Rubrik, on the other hand, focuses on Backup and Recovery, holds 3.6% mindshare, down 7.8% since last year.

Deduplication Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Dell PowerProtect Data Domain	22.8%
HPE StoreOnce	17.9%
Dell PowerProtect Data Manager	11.5%
Other	47.8%

Deduplication Software

Backup and Recovery Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Rubrik	3.6%
Veeam Data Platform	6.1%
Commvault Cloud	3.6%
Other	86.7%

Backup and Recovery

Q&A Highlights

Miriam Tover

Service Delivery Manager at PeerSpot

Apr 02, 2020

What is the biggest difference between EMC Data Domain and Rubrik?

As Neil Mistry said, they are quite different products: Rubrik is a complete solution where Data Domain is deduplicating storage that requires software to drive. I used to manage a B&R for a company that had a Data Domain in each data center which supported 4, Tivoli Storage Manager instances at each site and the Data Domain replicated all data cross-site. It was a simple setup but we did run into some performance issues since our TSM servers were all VMs and networking inside VMware is hard to determine performance. In the end, the customer didn't like the cost of DD disk and our devices ran out of capacity. Turns out only database full backups deduplicate well. All else, including transaction logs, can go to much less expensive disk and simply be compressed.

Featured Reviews

Provides seamless backup integration and long-term reliability for enterprise data protection

Storage Engineer at Comtrade Group

The price is quite high; this product is not considered cheap. Additionally, if you use higher availability boxes, they also come at a premium price. However, they provide business continuity, which is the main reason why companies invest in this solution. Tape is slow; when restoring several virtual machines or databases amounting to several terabytes, Dell PowerProtect Data Domain represents the fastest and most reliable solution, ensuring great integration with backup software. If a customer has limited budget constraints, they may opt for cheaper external storage comprised of just a bunch of disks and utilize it for backup, as backup is not a business-critical service. However, I see great value in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain because it is fully automated, features great integration with backup software, and provides good value for money. I would rate software support as a ten, while I would give hardware support a seven. I never give any product a perfect score; I think Dell PowerProtect Data Domain deserves a nine. The only minor problems are the certificate issue and the price. These certificate issues are quite rare and mainly arise when we forget to restart and upgrade the box for several years.

Read full review

Kammara Bheemanna

Information Technology Specialist at LIGHTHOUSE DOCUMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC

Technical support has improved my data management process but I encounter GUI and cost challenges

The solution is available in the Azure Marketplace, but approaching directly is more cost-effective. The Marketplace approach incurs additional platform and reporting costs. We initially built Rubrik at host level and DB level. We encountered latency issues when reverting back, with numerous snapshots available. This resulted in increased costs and occupied spaces. I performed manual deletion of snapshots and verified with the Rubrik team for confirmation. The GUI reporting functionality lacks flexibility. For instance, obtaining specific server reports considering drive space and backup quantities is not possible, as it only provides overall reporting.

Read full review

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Deduplication Software solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

890,124 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Answers from the Community

Miriam Tover

Service Delivery Manager at PeerSpot

Apr 2, 2020

What is the biggest difference between EMC Data Domain and Rubrik?

2 out of 3 answers

NeilMistry

Founder and Ceo at MIS3 inc.

Jul 9, 2019

The biggest difference is Rubrik has native software and hardware on one platform. Data Domain is only a disk target and a very good one but you still need backup software such as Networker, Veritas, Commvault, etc. That software requires both a master and media server which drives a lot of complexity. Rubrik is hyperconverged data management, there is not software licensing, end of year true-ups or additional infrastructure. Policy-based backup and restore functions with cloud archiving integration. It’s also really fast! Finally, if you’re running Nutanix and its native hypervisor AHV then Rubrik can protect that hypervisor and VMware.

Read full answer

it_user1132758

Sys Admin 4 at UC Davis Health System

Jul 9, 2019

Read full answer

See all 3 answers

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

10%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Government

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	37
Midsize Enterprise	24
Large Enterprise	40

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	23
Midsize Enterprise	21
Large Enterprise	55

Questions from the Community

What is your primary use case for Dell EMC PowerProtect DD (Data Domain)?

The central purpose for which my clients are using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is for backup. Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is used for backup purposes in case any issues occur. What stands out t...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain)?

The costs are quite affordable as per the company or market standard.

What needs improvement with Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain)?

In general, for improvement purposes, I can say that the features are not easy to understand to customers with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. These features must be explained in an easier way. In D...

Which would you choose - Rubrik or Veeam Backup & Replication?

Veeam Backup & Replication provides an easy-to-set-up solution to the issue of data storage and recovery. Setting it up is a relatively simple affair. For the most part it prompts you from scre...

What do you like most about Rubrik?

It's easy to manage and has an innovated solution.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Rubrik?

Regarding pricing, Rubrik is a costly solution, and I would rate it an eight.

HPE StoreOnce vs Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Comparisons

Compared 28% of the time

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager vs Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Compared 4% of the time

ExaGrid EX vs Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Compared 4% of the time

Veeam Data Platform vs Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Compared 4% of the time

ExaGrid EX Series vs Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Compared 4% of the time

More Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Competitors

Commvault Cloud vs Rubrik

Compared 11% of the time

Veeam Data Platform vs Rubrik

Compared 8% of the time

Cohesity DataProtect vs Rubrik

Compared 8% of the time

Azure Backup vs Rubrik

Compared 4% of the time

Veritas NetBackup vs Rubrik

Compared 3% of the time

More Rubrik Competitors

Product Reports

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Download Dell PowerProtect Data Domain product report

Download Rubrik product report

Also Known As

DataDomain, Dell EMC Data Domain, PowerProtect Data Domain

No data available

Overview

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is the leading backup appliance built for powerful cyber resilience and seamless integration into on-premises environments. It supports both traditional and modern workloads, simplifying operations while reducing risks and costs.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain offers scalable storage capabilities that integrate smoothly with backup systems. Its deduplication and compression technologies enhance storage efficiency by significantly reducing data volumes. Users appreciate its secure data protection, excellent deduplication and compression, efficient data replication, and the DD Boost protocol for faster data transfer. However, feedback suggests improvements are needed in areas like complex VTL tape addition, high pricing, and challenging cloud integration. The implementation may benefit from boosted processing power and enhanced ransomware protection.

What are the key features of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain?

Deduplication and Compression: Significantly reduces data volumes, optimizing storage usage.
Efficient Data Replication: Enhances data protection by securely transferring data across locations.
DD Boost Protocol: Promotes faster data transfer, streamlining backup processes.
Scalable Storage: Adapts to varying data capacities, ensuring growth accommodation.
Secure Data Protection: Safeguards data with robust encryption and protection features.

What benefits should be expected from Dell PowerProtect Data Domain?

Space and Cost Savings: Achieves reductions in data footprint, lowering storage expenses.
Reliable Backup and Recovery: Provides consistent and fast data backup and restoration capabilities.
Seamless Integration: Operates smoothly with existing backup software and environments.
Data Security: Offers comprehensive data protection to ensure business continuity.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is widely employed across various sectors like banking, finance, and government for its backup, deduplication, and archiving functions. Organizations utilize it with software like Veeam and NetWorker to optimize bandwidth, manage large data capacities, and deliver secure, reliable backup features, supporting both on-premises and hybrid deployments.

Dell Technologies

Rubrik offers instant recovery and intuitive web interface for seamless data backup in cloud and on-premises environments. It prioritizes security with features like ransomware detection and immutable backups, supporting platforms such as VMware and Oracle for effective disaster recovery.

Rubrik is recognized for its automation capabilities, facilitating SLA management and policy integration. Its API-centric architecture allows for extensive customization and seamless integration. Robust security measures, including ransomware protection, enhance data integrity. Organizations benefit from features like Live Mount and CloudOut, which support rapid data recovery across various environments. Despite its strengths, improvements in integration for complex systems, advanced reporting, and pricing competitiveness are necessary.

What are Rubrik's key features?

Instant Recovery: Restores virtual machines and databases in seconds.
Intuitive Interface: Streamlines user interaction for ease of use.
Automation: Enables seamless SLA management and policy integration.
API-Centric Design: Facilitates customization and integration.
Robust Security: Offers ransomware detection and immutable backups.
Archival Functionality: Manages data storage efficiently, optimizing costs.

What benefits should you look for in reviews?

Data Protection: Confidence in data integrity and ransomware security.
Cost Optimization: Efficient data storage management reduces expenses.
Rapid Recovery: Swift restoration capabilities minimize downtime.
Regulatory Compliance: Supports adherence to data protection standards.

In industries like finance and healthcare, Rubrik's implementation ensures critical data is safeguarded against threats while enabling rapid backups and recovery. By supporting platforms like VMware and Microsoft, it aids in sustaining operational continuity, meeting compliance requirements, and managing long-term data storage efficiently.

Sample Customers

The US Army, City of Houston, Lloyds TSB, TiVo, Teck, Ingram Entertainment, The New York Mets

Driscoll's, Red Hawk Casino, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Wabash National, Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Galliker Transport & Logistics

Deduplication Software