NAKIVO Backup & Replication Reviews

My primary use case for NAKIVO revolves around its efficient backup and replication capabilities for virtual machines within our environment. 

We operate in a dynamic IT landscape, serving several dozen clients with varying needs. NAKIVO's flexibility is paramount; we can seamlessly deploy it either on a NAS or as a virtual machine on the host, accommodating the diverse setups of our clients. 

In our environment, ensuring data integrity and availability is critical. NAKIVO's ability to back up entire virtual machines automatically, along with timely notifications, serves as a pivotal time-saving mechanism for us. We leverage its features extensively for routine backups and replication tasks, enabling us to maintain data redundancy and disaster recovery preparedness across our infrastructure. 

Moreover, NAKIVO's user-friendly interface and straightforward reports streamline our operations. Quick access to support staff and a comprehensive knowledge base further enhance our experience, ensuring any issues or queries are promptly addressed. 

While NAKIVO excels in meeting our backup needs, we've encountered challenges with version compatibility and collaboration between NAKIVO and QNAP, our chosen storage solution. Additionally, the discontinuation of the "Basic" license has posed some concerns for smaller clients within our portfolio. Nevertheless, NAKIVO remains our go-to solution due to its affordability, reliability, and effectiveness in safeguarding our virtualized environment. 

Whether it's restoring entire virtual machines or ensuring seamless data protection, NAKIVO continues to play a pivotal role in our IT strategy.

NAKIVO Backup & Replication has significantly improved our organization's data management and disaster recovery capabilities. By implementing NAKIVO, we've experienced several key benefits that have positively impacted our operations.

Firstly, NAKIVO has streamlined our backup processes by providing a simple yet powerful solution for backing up entire virtual machines. Its flexibility in deployment options, whether on a NAS or as a virtual machine, has allowed us to adapt to the diverse needs of our clients efficiently. This adaptability has not only simplified our setup procedures but also enhanced our ability to meet specific client requirements. 

Secondly, NAKIVO's automatic backup and replication features have saved us valuable time and resources. The ability to schedule backups and receive notifications ensures that our critical data is consistently protected without manual intervention. This automation has significantly reduced the burden on our IT staff, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks to drive business growth. 

Moreover, NAKIVO's robust security measures have instilled confidence in our data protection strategy. We have consistently managed to restore virtual machines without any issues, ensuring business continuity in the face of potential disasters or data loss incidents. 

However, while NAKIVO Backup & Replication has brought many improvements to our organization, it hasn't been without its challenges. We've encountered difficulties with version compatibility and experienced delays in updates, particularly concerning collaboration between NAKIVO and QNAP. 

Additionally, the discontinuation of the "Basic" license has posed challenges for smaller clients within our client base, impacting our ability to cater to their needs effectively. 

Overall, despite these challenges, NAKIVO Backup & Replication has significantly improved our organization by enhancing data protection, streamlining backup processes, and saving time and resources. Its effectiveness in safeguarding our critical data has made it an indispensable part of our IT infrastructure, contributing to our overall resilience and success.

The most valuable features of NAKIVO Backup & Replication for our organization are its flexibility in deployment options, automatic backup and replication capabilities, and robust security measures. 

Firstly, the flexibility to install NAKIVO either on a NAS or as a virtual machine on the host provides us with versatile deployment options, accommodating the varied setups of our clients efficiently. This flexibility streamlines our setup procedures and enables us to meet specific client requirements with ease. 

Secondly, the automatic backup and replication features are invaluable, saving us time and resources by automating routine backup tasks and ensuring data protection without manual intervention. The ability to schedule backups and receive notifications enhances our data protection strategy, contributing to business continuity. 

Lastly, NAKIVO's robust security measures instill confidence in our data protection efforts. With the assurance that we can consistently restore virtual machines without issues, we can mitigate risks effectively and maintain data integrity across our infrastructure. 

Overall, these features combine to provide a comprehensive and reliable solution for our backup and replication needs, enhancing our organization's resilience and data management capabilities.

While NAKIVO Backup & Replication offers valuable features, there are areas for improvement needed. Firstly, addressing compatibility issues and streamlining collaboration with storage solutions like QNAP would enhance the product's reliability. 

Additionally, improving the process of transferring configurations between versions would reduce administrative overhead and ensure smoother transitions. In terms of additional features for the next release, incorporating more advanced reporting capabilities would provide deeper insights into backup status and performance metrics. 

Enhanced support for virtualized environments, such as integration with hypervisor-specific features or support for emerging virtualization technologies, would further bolster the product's versatility and appeal to a wider range of users. 

Moreover, implementing more comprehensive data deduplication and compression techniques could optimize storage utilization and reduce backup times, improving overall efficiency. 

Finally, enhancing disaster recovery functionalities, such as faster recovery times and more granular recovery options, would strengthen the product's value proposition in ensuring business continuity and resilience.

I've used the solution for three years.

We are using Nakivo for our primary backup, replication, and recovery for our environment. 

We create bare metal recovery backups for if/when we have a server that goes down. We also back up all of our databases, servers, and log files for Microsoft. We use Nakivo at multiple locations for all our backups, replications, and recovery. We back up locations to other locations so we have an off-site disaster recovery plan in place. We are currently using an Essentials Pro license and are doing an on-premise solution.

Nakivo has drastically improved our organization. We needed to minimize the impact of ransomware incidents on our business continuity and ensure that our data was easily recoverable. Nakivo backup, recovery, and replication have made that possible and easy. The product is easy to manage for any IT person who is new to backup, recovery, and replication. The product is also easy to implement whether you are doing on-premise or cloud. Reporting tool has been nice for getting email updates on backup jobs and any kind of failures. 

One of the most valuable features of Nakivo that we have been using for the last six years is the whole system backup. It works the best out of so many different applications we have looked into, without a doubt. 

The ease of use website, reliability, email notifications if the job is successful or unsuccessful, and performance have all been top-notch for us. 

It uses all the bandwidth available, if not limited, and backs up entire servers with all data faster than a lot of other backup software out there. 

As far as features, there really is not anything we need right now. 

The only thing I could say is maybe some more options for job scheduling are needed. As of right now, we can only schedule incremental and full backups. However, there are no differential backup features in the same job. 

The speed to do backups now is okay, yet if there was a way to increase the speed at encrypting or compressing would be nice. And, of course, if Nakivo just keeps updating its product, then we are happy. 

I've used the solution for six years.

The system is very stable. Most problems have been from other systems.

The scalability is really good.

From support to account management, there is always someone available to help with either renewals or support of the product. I have had to reach out to support a couple of times for issues or help, and there has been someone available immediately and able to help me quickly.

Positive

We switched products since we needed something easier to manage and set up and something more reliable. Nakivo has been all that for us.

The setup was straightforward, and support was there every step of the way. 

We implemented the setup in-house with Nakivo support who was very helpful every step of the way.

The software is well-balanced with respect to the features it offers. It has easily solved our problems. It has amortized by one hundred percent.

When we were looking into different solutions, the overall cost at the time was very attractive. Nakivo can be installed on Qnap NAS - which is more price friendly.

We evaluated Barracuda and Veeam.

The product is easy to manage for any IT person who is new to backup. The product is also easy to implement whether you are doing on-premise or cloud. The support team is always helpful and responds quickly.

We use the solution to backup just one virtual machine running at VMware ESXi 5.5/6.0. The backup is made according to the planned schedule, e-mail notification after the success or errors were OK. Weekly reports can be enabled too.

VMware servers are at ten offices in different locations. Nakivo B&R is running at Qnap NAS with different models - TS-251A/TS-X53II/TS-X51/TS-269 - all with two disks in Raid, and 2GB or 4GB RAM is needed. Recovery is simple and quite fast for my VMs which are about 100GB in disk volume.

One instance Nakivo B&R has connected 2 ESXi hosts.

Nakivo B&R is running at Qnap NAS and is an optimal low cost solution an offers a free version for one year. There are reports for email and deduplication for saving storage space. 

It's easy to configure connections to ESXi and set backup jobs (or recoveries) with  a schedule. There is an option to copy the backup to another ESXi host.

Deduplication makes increasing backup jobs really fast and reduces the required storage.

Qnap offers a lot of collaboration solutions for a small office and Nakivo minimally affects the system load. However, in a few models, TS-231P/TS-431X, you have to run Transporter as a VM at ESXi host - which is not simple to do.

Nakivo B&R can be used with the free version of ESX. It has own build in Director and Transporter (or Transporter running as virtual machine at ESXi host). ESXi doesn't have built-in data protection, so almost all other software needs to be VMware licensed 

Managing everything via the web is really simple.

In models TS-231P/TS-431X you have to run Transporter as VM at ESXi host - which is not simple to do. Deploying the VM from Nakivo B&R's web console always crushes with time expired. Of course, you can download Transporter_Repository.ova and import it directly to ESXi, then you need to configure it manually and add/connect in Nakivo. The VM Transporter_Repository.ova needs to configure the IP Address. Transporter Onboard (at Qnap) doesn't need an IP Address.

I've no other needs. The free version covers my security completely.

I've used the solution for more than two years.

I've used Unitrends,VMware, and Veeam.

If you have 1-5 VMs at ESXi, then the free license for one year is a great choice.

I did not evaluate other options.

We use the solution with VMware virtual servers starting from Windows 2008 to Windows 2023, Virtual Station Windows 10 and Windows 11, UNIX, and Linux.

The solution offers reliable copying and fast recovery.

This product is worth the money and does the job perfectly. I’ve already had to restore several times and I do test restorations every month.

I recommend it to everyone. It is a proven product for a small fee.

The product offers reliable copying, replication, and fast recovery.

The product needs to improve backup speed and replication speed.

I've used the solution for four years.

The solution is very stable.

The scalability is super easy.

I did not need customer service.

Positive

I used Veeam before, however, it is much more expensive. That said, it does the same thing.

The initial setup is easy and fast.

We worked with a vendor team that was 100% helpful in their expertise. 

The ROI is all right.

The solution is cheap and licensing is clear.

We use Nakivo to back up our VPS servers and NAS devices. The UI and features are quite satisfactory, and there are several expansion possibilities. We liked the new MSP feature, which gives users specific access to specific machines. 

NAKIVO runs on a Linux server that requires low resources, so it gives us the option to expand our services and maintain the backup infrastructure to our budget. 

It provides very good support that responds immediately when we need help or instructions. 

It also provides an easy-to-use UI for setting it up.

NAKIVO gives us the security to retain valuable data backups and recover them in case of emergency. 

It provides our customers with a backup option in case they accidentally delete something or restore their applications to previous versions if something needs to be restored.

It also gives us the option to provide our customers with backup infrastructure as a service based on the MSP feature that NAKIVO has.

NAKIVO runs on a Linux server that requires low resources, so it gives us the option to expand our services and maintain the backup infrastructure to our budget.

There are features that we would like to be integrated such as the ability to exclude directories, the creation of an image for bare metal restore as well as the creation of Plesk integration to use NAKIVO as a Plesk backup tool. The last one is very important and will make the solution stand out among similar products. It's a feature that Acronis already has, and it makes it very easy for admins or customers to restore their files, emails, and databases directly from inside the Plesk panel very fast.

I've used the solution for about a year.

The solution is a steady product. That said, in some cases, you may need help from their support.

Scalability is fast, with some room for improvement.

NAKIVO support is one of the best that we have worked with.

Positive

We used Comet, however, we made the change due to its pricing change, which made the old solution very expensive for a hosted solution.

The setup was very easy. We were following NAKIVO's documentation.

We set NAKIVO up from our end, and it was very easy.

It's very well priced based on the features and the services that it provides.

We also checked Comet, Acronis, and Veeam.

I have deployed the solution in the data center environment, managing both virtual machines and physical servers. Local backups have been implemented, and tasks that were previously done manually are now automated, increasing the productivity of the IT team, as they can focus on other tasks while the tool handles the backups. 

Additionally, the solution has been configured for database backups, which used to be a major headache for database administrators, especially when databases were damaged. Now, with both full and incremental backups, the response time for data recovery has been significantly reduced. The experience has been excellent.

Nakivo enables the automation of tasks within the organization, addressing issues related to forgetting such a critical task as data protection and mitigating the risk of data loss due to human error. 

Additionally, it provides a centralized environment for managing backups, ensuring constant monitoring and validation of both backups and storage usage, all just a click away. 

It is an investment that every institution that understands the value of every bit of data within the organization should make. Nakivo is an excellent option to consider.

The most notable feature of the solution is its ability to perform granular backups, allowing complete customization of what we want to back up. 

The ability to define and back up even individual critical files according to our specified schedule is highly valued. 

Additionally, its capability to back up virtual machines is noteworthy, but its ability to verify the bootability of these backups is especially practical. 

Previously, it was often necessary to restore servers without knowing if the backup would work. Now, we simply verify if the backup is up-to-date and proceed with the restoration.

NAKIVO should broaden its horizons in terms of compatibility and integration with other tools. For instance, it would be beneficial to test its integration with other virtual environments like Proxmox, as I have not yet had the opportunity to conduct the necessary tests for this new proposal from NAKIVO. 

Additionally, integrating the tool with ERP systems and monitoring tools is essential. Lastly, I would suggest putting more effort into making the user interface more intuitive to enhance the backup management experience.

I have been working with the solution for nearly a year, from design to implementation, and I am truly impressed by how comprehensive the tool is. It even features functionalities found in the most well-known backup solutions but at a more affordable price.

It is a very stable and reliable solution. At least so far, I haven't encountered any errors in the backup tasks.

It is a solution that can support growth, whether it is geographical expansion or an increase in the amount of data to be managed. You just need to keep in mind some licensing considerations.

I've used solutions from other providers before. However, the main reason for switching to NAKIVO was the cost-effectiveness of the solution and the extensive software benefits it offers.

It is a solution where both deployment and future growth are easy to manage, so this aspect does not have to become a headache for administrators.

The implementation was carried out by an internal team.

Thoroughly assess your needs before purchasing the solution. Depending on how your data center operates, you will need to determine whether the licensing should be based on workload or socket. 

It’s also crucial to ensure that your network provides the necessary conditions and speeds to enable fast and efficient backups.

Yes, solutions like Veeam Backup have been evaluated.

Don’t be deterred by the competitive pricing of this solution; it is highly effective and functional. 

If you prefer not to take a blind risk, you can request a 15-day demo by simply filling out a form on the manufacturer's website.

Our primary application of Nakivo centers on backing up our comprehensive VMware environment. 

Operating within a VMware server, it serves as an integral component of our data protection strategy. This setup is crucial as it continuously safeguards our virtual machines, ensuring no data loss during critical workflows or unforeseen system downtimes. 

By utilizing Nakivo in this specific context, we can efficiently replicate and recover our vital data stores, providing a reliable safety net for operations. 

This reliability not only streamlines administrative tasks but also fortifies our approach to risk management, focusing on proactive measures and strategic resource allocation within our IT environment.

Nakivo has been instrumental in strengthening our data security infrastructure. By allowing the creation of cold stand-bys, it ensures immediate availability of recent backup data, minimizing potential downtime. This proactive measure is crucial for maintaining our operational resilience, ensuring consistent business continuity, and safeguarding client trust. 

The automation of these processes has also enhanced efficiency, freeing our team to focus on strategic tasks rather than routine backup management.

Nakivo's robust support for VMware, including both ESXi and vCenter, is invaluable, ensuring seamless integration with our virtual systems. 

The flexibility in setting up multiple repositories is crucial for diversified storage, enhancing data safety. 

Moreover, Nakivo's outstanding customer service is a standout feature, providing swift, effective solutions, which is critical to maintaining operational continuity and confidence in our data protection strategy. 

This comprehensive approach reinforces our disaster readiness and overall system resilience.

While Nakivo delivers comprehensive solutions, there's room for enhancement, particularly regarding Proxmox support. 

Expanding capabilities to fully support Proxmox environments would streamline backup and recovery processes for those utilizing this platform, ensuring consistent protection across various virtualization systems. 

Additionally, improving deduplication functionality could further optimize storage efficiency. More aggressive space reclaiming features would maximize storage utilization, allowing for cost-effective scaling. 

Enhanced deduplication and space reclamation are vital in managing growing data volumes, and ensuring system efficiency while safeguarding critical information.

I've used the solution for more than a year.

We did not previously use a different solution.

We also evaluated Veeam.

I use the solution for the backup and replication of VMs.

I use Nakivo to back up in-house VMs. We also use the replication features of the product. With such an option I can just switch on the second standby hardware over to a replicated server at a fraction of the time, thus taking a lot of pressure off us in the case of mission-critical operations. 

It's a good asset in our IT department. it has an easy installation deployment and an easy control panel to administer. I highly recommend it.

Nakivo backup and replication has improved our organization a lot by its deployment scenario across two bare metals running VMware, its easy configuration, and reporting.

Nakivo has improved our organization largely due to the fact that it is an extremely robust backup system too.

It comes with a replication module that is very critical to safeguard our mission-critical servers. This has been applied on several servers across our sites with great results as it becomes a Plan B in case of a hardware failure or an outage of the primary system.

We find the backup to the Synology NAS and replication features the most valuable to our environment.

We also like the comprehensive email notifications with attached reports. This reporting is very very easy to set up and is saved in PDF format, making it extremely simple to both share and organize. A complete history log can be shown with this product from inception to end of life.

We appreciate the implementation and very good cooperation with Synology NAS and application integration. This is vital to us in minimizing the cost of the extra hardware.

Sometimes, for some VMs and some Windows Server versions, specifically old versions (aka server 12 or older) fail due to the VSS writer error or locking file system. It takes a long time to finish and another job could start, so the first job may not finish, or expire unfinished. That said, that's a software-specific problem of the hosted server edition, and not Nakivo-related. A fix could be to raise the time needed to end the job or solve the VSS writers on the operating system, in order to succeed.

I have been using the solution for about three years.

The stability is very good.

The scalability is robust.

Technical support is very helpful.

Positive

I didn't have another solution previously.

The solution offers a very easy setup.

We did an in-house implementation.

The ROI has been positive.

Overall, it's worth the money.

I evaluated Veeam.