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OpenText Data Protector vs Veritas Backup Exec comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 11, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

OpenText Data Protector
Ranking in Backup and Recovery
23rd
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
5.8
Number of Reviews
102
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Veritas Backup Exec
Ranking in Backup and Recovery
14th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.6
Number of Reviews
75
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Backup and Recovery category, the mindshare of OpenText Data Protector is 0.6%, down from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Veritas Backup Exec is 1.8%, down from 2.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Backup and Recovery
 

Q&A Highlights

it_user7077 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 17, 2016
 

Featured Reviews

Jeroen Vranckaerts - PeerSpot reviewer
Though a highly stable tool, it needs to be made easier to use and configure
Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a five out of ten. OpenText Data Protector is complex to configure correctly, but the areas concerning the data and compression are good. Once you get the product to work, it works, but it's much too complex to configure and troubleshoot, as it takes a lot of time and energy, making it not so efficient. Once the tool is configured in your environment, it provides good backup and compression features. In my company, we use OpenText Data Protector as a backup for our servers, and we have a team of 20 people to take care of the data backup using the tool. My company doesn't use OpenText Data Protector as a backup for our client's computers. In my company, we have scheduled the process related to backup, which makes the tool run daily around 30 to 40 times.
Pawel Augustyn - PeerSpot reviewer
Simplified interface with good performance but needs monitoring
I need to use PowerStore and Veritas Backup Exec. It is a direct backup to types, and it is supported by my backup. It offers good performance and stability, and it works properly. I am happy with this program. It is still working on aligning with security requirements and data encryption for Amazon or ATAC. It has a lot of functions and security measures, which ensure our backups are secure.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"I like that it supports HPE UNIX servers since many backup solutions do not - this is the main reason why we chose this solution."
"Deduplication implementation with CAPA is very good."
"The most valuable feature is the capability to back up our SQL server."
"What I like the most about this solution is that I can change and access the Oracle backup file."
"In one of the projects involving a database and UCMDB integration, we needed to manage a large database. We used the scheduling feature in Data Protector to automate backups."
"It is a stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten...The initial setup process for the solution is easy."
"I have used Micro Focus Data Protector for the file backup facilities. My primary use of the software is to backup file data."
"The installation was simple and provided an easy way to install even on Unix servers. It has excellent features like deduplication."
"The solution is stable."
"I have not seen another backup solution as scalable as this one."
"It gives us the ability to locate and restore critical files which users may have intentionally or unknowing deleted a while ago."
"For us, the main two features that we appreciate in this application are backup and restore. They are the main purposes for which we are using this application."
"It is a good backup tool."
"The product provides automated and faster data backup and recovery compared to other vendors."
"I find Veritas to be quite useful and it fits completely with my business requirements."
"This solution has a very good technical support department that is very responsive."
 

Cons

"VM backups needs to be improved. They need to make it similar to the way Veeam and Commvault are doing the virtual backups."
"Faster VEAgent Restores"
"If you compare the solution with the same specific features and enhancements on another solution, Data Protector is expensive. This is especially true when compared to, for example, Veeam."
"The online backups of Office 365 have room for improvement. This is now available for the Exchange Online part of Office 365, but we're still waiting for SharePoint Online, Teams, etc. We know that it's coming, but it takes time."
"The solution is not intuitive enough. I think they should work on the user experience and the graphical interface. These can be a lot better."
"I don't like this solution so much because it's very technical and compared to Commvault and Veeam, it's not so user-friendly. The interface needs improvement."
"The scheduler setup could be better. We are facing some issues scheduling the job based on our requirements."
"Micro Focus Data Protector must improve its overall evolution record. They need to focus on hardware based instant recovery, client recovery, and cloud ability. Now there is no cloud ability."
"Veritas Backup Exec could improve the analytics. If there were some more detail in our scan reports it would be beneficial."
"I have experienced some errors, such as failures, but there have not been very many."
"The EDR should be looked at, as the operating system is too weak."
"The cost is quite high. Along with the general costs, the supposed agents that you have to buy for the various options that you want to use ends up driving the costs higher as well."
"The solution lacked local support, which became an issue for us and our customers. They needed to have more presence on the ground."
"A web console would be great because nowadays a lot of products are web-based and you can access the console from various environments. So I would recommend bringing this feature in the next solution."
"They can improve the reporting component. The reports aren't user-friendly at all. You have to download them to Excel to get statistics."
"The pricing is an area of improvement and the mode of marketing it."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Pricing/licensing is Data Protector's single best offering. In its most basic environment, the only license required is for whatever target device is required."
"The licensing cost was not annual. We didn't pay any license. We paid when we deployed and we didn't pay for anything after that. There were no additional fees after the initial payment."
"The pricing is around $3,000 to $5,000. The charge additionally for support and to scale."
"It is more affordable compared to other vendors."
"The product is cheaper than Commvault."
"Our licensing is on a capacity basis."
"Avoid using many LTO drives; when using fewer drives, the price will be extremely good."
"The licensing structure provides cost savings to business."
"The price is reasonable for the features it offers."
"The solution costs $700 per agent and is expensive compared to other products that offer better stability."
"Veritas comes with an annual licensing fee."
"Depending on the scenario, it can cost less than half of the price of other methods."
"Licensing depends on the part of the backup you're using. If you have SQL backup, then you must have a SQL license. If you have normal data backup, you would require a license for that."
"This product is priced for smaller customers."
"I would like to see a better licensing model. They changed it and it's just horrendous."
"Veritas licensing is somewhat expensive. They have to decrease the price."
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Answers from the Community

it_user7077 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 17, 2016
Mar 17, 2016
I am using HP Data Protector since last 3 years. It is easy to use, install, configure and very less administration after initial setup. It is able to backup many different operating systems and virtual infrastructure. I personally liked HP Data Protector as a backup software. I have not used Symantec Backup Exec.
2 out of 5 answers
it_user94800 - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 9, 2014
Hi Russell: We are an EMC vendor/MSP for backup and storage solutions. The following is some information that might assist you taken from Gartner's Magic Quadrant: HP The Autonomy name, which was used in the previous iteration of this Magic Quadrant, is replaced with HP in this update, as HP has integrated Autonomy into its organization. This Magic Quadrant evaluates HP Data Protector, HP Autonomy LiveVault cloud server backup and HP Autonomy Connected Backup endpoint backup, although the emphasis is primarily on server backup. HP StoreOnce appliances are not evaluated for this Magic Quadrant; however, they are considered in the breadth of HP's data protection portfolio, and the StoreOnce deduplication technology is factored into the overall product-related ratings. Data Protector is available globally from HP direct sales and a wide variety of HP partners and is often aggressively priced relative to other enterprise solutions. HP has been focusing on integrating Data Protector with StoreOnce deduplication technologies and appliances, as well as with its current flagship array 3PAR. It offers solid traditional backup and recovery functionality, such as synthetic full and virtual full backups. In the June 2013 release, HP revamped the Data Protector server architecture to make it much more scalable (able to handle 1 trillion filenames). HP was early in delivering snapshot integration and automation via its Zero Downtime Backup and Instant Recovery capabilities, which support HP, EMC and NetApp storage array snapshot and replication. HP's internally developed deduplication technology -- StoreOnce -- is offered as part of Data Protector 7 and above for client- and server-side deduplication, as well as for what the company calls "Catalyst-based replication," an API that enables Data Protector to control movement of deduplicated data across the enterprise without the need for rehydration. Data Protector can move data from StoreOnce appliances to tape and manage appliance replication. Data Protector provides agent-based granular restore for Microsoft Exchange and SharePoint in physical and virtual environments. HP has also started integration work between Data Protector and the Autonomy Intelligent Data Operating Layer (IDOL), a common information management platform for structured and unstructured information that provides conceptual understanding of information. With Data Protector 7's initial integration, IDOL can place a legal hold on a backup copy, index the backup dataset and provide search capabilities. Although IDOL can elevate backup datasets from inactive status to active use cases, HP will be challenged to translate value and benefit statements to traditional backup and recovery buyers. HP inherited cloud backup solutions from Iron Mountain (whose digital assets were acquired by Autonomy), and LiveVault provides midsize organizations and ROBOs with WAN-optimized, deduplicated backup to the LiveVault cloud, as well as WAN-efficient delta restore. Its Connected services offer customers a cloud-based and on-premises endpoint backup solution with proven large scalability. Both LiveVault and Connected are integrated with IDOL for legal hold and contextual search. However, LiveVault needs to improve its scalability to meet larger customers' desire to leverage the cloud, and Connected also needs technology enhancements, such as near-CDP support and more granular block-level source-side deduplication (beyond its current file-based single-instance capability) to be more competitive in the market. Strengths - HP customers can use the same StoreOnce code for source-side, server-side and target-side deduplication, without data hydration when performing data replication. Customers commented favorably on the deduplication ratio this technology offers. - Customers generally enjoy the simpler and less expensive pricing model for Data Protector compared with offerings from some competitors. - HP has extensive experience providing cloud backup services with LiveVault and Connected and offers many secure cloud data centers across multiple geographies. Cautions - Although Data Protector can manage StoreOnce appliances' replication and node failover, some customers cite their need for an integrated GUI with the same level of granular reporting. - LiveVault targets mostly small backup environments and is mostly adopted for the Windows environment. - For customers who are looking for an integration solution for both on-premises and cloud backup, Data Protector's integration with LiveVault cloud backup is still a work in progress and has limited capabilities. Symantec Symantec has two main backup product lines: NetBackup and Backup Exec. NetBackup and Backup Exec are market-share-leading solutions in the enterprise and midsize enterprise segments, respectively. NetBackup is the single largest revenue-producing product in Symantec's portfolio and in the overall backup software market. Symantec offers solid deduplication software, as well as a successful line of integrated backup and deduplication appliances (note that appliances are not the focus of this research). The Symantec OpenStorage (OST) interface allows integration with other backup hardware solutions to be managed under one console and to minimize data transfer. These product lines are largely different code bases targeted at two different audiences: NetBackup at the enterprise and Backup Exec at SMB and ROBO markets; however, in the last four years, there has been code sharing around deduplication, virtualization, OST APIs and Microsoft Windows, Exchange, SharePoint and SQL Server support. Symantec launched major upgrades in 2012 to Backup Exec (version 2012) and NetBackup (version 7.5) on the same day around the world. Backup Exec 2012 has received very mixed reviews, with many customers complaining about the removed features and incompatibility with previously defined backup jobs. Customer support for both products has taken a significant hit as well in the recent past, and Gartner clients and reference checks for this research were very vocal about this issue. Symantec's new CEO addressed these concerns in his first quarterly earnings call, explaining that overall product quality will be improved through enhanced testing, that Backup Exec will get corrected, but that this will take time. He also recognized that support needs to be improved. The CEO and executive team reorganization from the 3Q12 appear to be making positive changes, but while references point to the April 2013 beta of the delayed NetBackup version 7.6 as being the most solid release to date, Backup Exec customers are approaching a year for delayed support of the latest Windows OS and applications. Symantec is having success with its capacity-based licensing schemes to address historical concerns over pricing and maintenance, which have received positive feedback from Gartner clients and references. The late 2011 and strong 2012 marketing and awareness efforts by Symantec regarding its backup portfolio, which have continued in 2013, have been successful, with Symantec not only defending its installed base better, but also winning an increasing amount of new deals for NetBackup. With NetBackup version 7.5 released in 2012, product functionality is catching up to the marketing, and the new features are resonating in the marketplace, while also providing customers and prospects with confidence regarding the future road map. NetBackup improvements to its OpsCenter have been highlighted by customers as being very positive. Features such as NetBackup Accelerator for very fast backups, optimized synthetic backup for creating instant full backups, very solid VM support with robust granular item restore support, and Automated Image Replication for backup catalog and images across NetBackup instances and deduplication have been well-received by the NetBackup installed base. To address recovery time concerns in virtual environments, Symantec will also introduce an Instant Recovery feature in version 7.6, allowing VMs to be powered on from within the backup system, cutting restore times down to minutes. Gartner does continue to hear customer concerns about the amount of time required for deduplicated data to be rehydrated to physical tape and the continued delays in version 7.6 (originally targeted for 4Q12). Strengths - Symantec is a market share leader that offers end-to-end recovery capabilities from single machine to the largest enterprise, to cloud services via software or preconfigured backup appliances, and/or the ability to better-manage third-party backup appliances. - V-Ray technology for enhanced server virtualization support for VMware and Hyper-V offers very robust VM support, with a number of industry-exclusive features and capabilities. V-Ray integration with Replication Director in version 7.6 further enhances this. - The NetBackup Accelerator feature, first delivered in version 7.5 in 2012, reduces backup windows and will be further extended in the upcoming version 7.6 to provide for very fast, space-efficient backups that do not require any postprocessing roll-up of incremental backup to constitute a new full backup. Cautions - Customers and references have been very critical over Backup Exec code quality and especially customer support for both Backup Exec and NetBackup. - NetBackup Replication Director, launched in 2012 in version 7.5 and extended in version 7.6, still has comparatively limited storage array support and is slowly rounding out virtual and application capabilities. - NetBackup's SharePoint agent continues to receive mixed feedback; however, version 7.6 may have addressed this.
it_user8178 - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 14, 2014
I have not tried HP Data Protector personally. However, Symantec Backup Exec seems to be a good product. It also seems that Acronis or Commvault are upcoming trends in replacing these traditional products.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
15%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Government
6%
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
13%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Government
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Micro Focus Data Protector?
I haven't experienced any crashes while using the solution...Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Micro Focus Data Protector?
The solution is expensive as it requires purchasing all features without the option to negotiate based on client numbers, unlike Veeam which offers flexibility in pricing.
What needs improvement with Micro Focus Data Protector?
OpenText Data Protector is not user-friendly, especially for cloud backup. It lacks functions and facilities compared to Veeam, which offers more user-friendliness for virtual machine backups. Ther...
How do the backup solutions of Veeam and Veritas compare?
Technically, Veeam is best for hyper-v & VMWare replications, snapshots, HA failover, also support for file system backups inside VMs., support for tape library & FC too. But Veritas Netbac...
What do you like most about Veritas Backup Exec?
The most important feature is the variety of backup applications it supports, including ERP systems and most other programs, such as Microsoft.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Veritas Backup Exec?
The price is one of the best. When I compare it with others, it is twice or three times cheaper, however, the functionality is the same.
 

Also Known As

Micro Focus Data Protector, Data Protector, OmniBack, HPE Data Protector
Backup Exec, Symantec Backup Exec
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

GSK Vaccines, Repsol, Vodafone Group, Siemens AG, Medium Enterprise Transportation Services Company
Beta Offshore
Find out what your peers are saying about OpenText Data Protector vs. Veritas Backup Exec and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
848,716 professionals have used our research since 2012.