Backup Options for SMBs: Comparing Types and Finding the Best Fit for Your Business

Let’s talk backups, shall we? What even are they—some techy buzzword to scare you into spending more? Nah, they’re your SMB’s safety net when the inevitable hits: a server fries, ransomware locks you out, or someone “accidentally” deletes the company’s entire email history. As the Engineering Director at Cortavo, a Managed Service Provider (MSP) obsessed with affordable, scalable IT solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, I’m here to spill the beans. With backup types from virtual machines (VMs) to Microsoft 365 (M365) and SQL, picking the right one isn’t rocket science—it’s about cost, recovery, and not crying later. Plus, we can offer private cloud backup solutions through Cortavo Cloud to keep your data cozy and secure.

In this blog, I’ll explore various backup types, compare their costs and benefits for SMBs, and identify the cheapest yet most impactful solutions—plus how Cortavo’s expertise, including Cortavo Cloud, makes it a breeze.

Types of Backups: A Comparison for SMBs

Backups vary by scope and purpose. Here’s a breakdown of key types SMBs should consider:

1. Full Backup
   • How It Works: Copies all data (files, systems, apps) to storage—local, NAS, or cloud.
   • Pros: Complete restore point; simple recovery.
   • Cons: Slow, storage-heavy, costly if frequent.
   • Cost: High (storage + time).
     
     
2. Incremental Backup
   • How It Works: Saves only changes since the last backup (full or incremental).
   • Pros: Fast, low storage use, cheap to run often.
   • Cons: Slower restores (needs all prior backups); risk if one fails.
   • Cost: Low (minimal resources).
     
     
3. Differential Backup
   • How It Works: Backs up changes since the last full backup, growing larger until the next full.
   • Pros: Faster restores than incremental; balanced approach.
   • Cons: Storage increases over time.
   • Cost: Moderate (more storage than incremental).
     
     
4. Virtual Machine (VM) Backup
   • How It Works: Captures entire VMs (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V), including OS, apps, and data, often full or incremental.
   • Pros: Restores whole servers fast; ideal for virtualized SMBs.
   • Cons: Needs tools like Veeam; complex without IT skills.
   • Cost: Moderate to high (licensing + storage).
     
     
5. Microsoft 365 (M365) Backup
   • How It Works: Backs up M365 data—emails, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint—beyond Microsoft’s retention (e.g., via Acronis).
   • Pros: Guards against deletions or ransomware; compliance-ready.
   • Cons: Adds cost to M365; redundant if retention suffices.
   • Cost: Moderate (per/user/month).
     
     
6. SQL Backup
   • How It Works: Targets SQL databases with full, differential, or log backups for transactional data.
   • Pros: Granular recovery for critical apps (e.g., CRM); fast restores.
   • Cons: Technical setup; high storage for logs.
   • Cost: Moderate to high (storage + expertise).
     
     
7. Cloud Backup (Public and Private)
   • How It Works: Stores data offsite—public (e.g., Azure, AWS) or private (e.g., Cortavo Cloud)—often incremental.
   • Pros: No hardware; ransomware-proof versioning; scalable. Private clouds like Cortavo Cloud add control and privacy.
   • Cons: Public: bandwidth-dependent restores; fees. Private: slightly higher cost for customization.
   • Cost: Low to moderate (public varies by provider; private varies).
     
     

Cheapest and Most Beneficial for SMBs

SMBs need backups that save money, ensure recovery, and stay simple. Here’s the comparison:

• Full Backup: Too pricey and slow daily—use monthly as a baseline.
• Differential: Good weekly, but storage costs rise.
• VM Backup: Must-have for virtual servers, but tools add expense—pair with incremental.
• M365 Backup: Essential for M365 users (e.g., email-heavy firms), cheap per user.
• SQL Backup: Critical for database SMBs (e.g., retail POS), but logs get costly—limit frequency.
• Incremental + Cloud: Top value—low cost (small updates, affordable rates), fast, and secure. Public cloud (Azure, AWS) is cheapest; Cortavo Cloud offers private control.

Why These Matter for SMBs

• Cost Efficiency: Incremental slashes storage needs; cloud (Azure, AWS, or Cortavo Cloud) skips hardware—budget-friendly.
• Recovery Speed: Daily increments + M365 versioning cut data loss (SMB downtime costs $8,600/hour per IDC).
• Broad Coverage: Cloud handles files/VMs; M365 covers collaboration; Cortavo Cloud adds privacy for sensitive data.
• Simplicity: Cloud and M365 backups run with little oversight—ideal for SMBs without IT staff.

Risks of Skipping Specialized Backups

• No VM Backup: A failed VM takes all apps down—costly if virtualized.
• No M365 Backup: Past Microsoft’s 30-day retention, deleted data’s gone—risky for compliance.
• No SQL Backup: Lost transactions hurt trust—databases need protection.
  
  

How SMBs Can Implement Smart Backups

1. Start with Full: Monthly full backup to cloud (Azure, AWS, or Cortavo Cloud).
2. Go Incremental: Daily increments for files/VMs—add SQL logs if needed.
3. Secure M365: Backup Exchange, OneDrive, Teams for heavy users.
4. Test Restores: Quarterly checks—don’t trust untested backups.
5. Choose Your Cloud: Public (Azure, AWS) for cost; Cortavo Cloud for privacy and control.

Why Partner with Cortavo for Backups?

At Cortavo, we match backup strategies to SMB realities—lean budgets, no IT team, and high stakes. Our subscription-based model turns hardware and software into a predictable operational expense, bundling incremental cloud (public like Azure/AWS or Cortavo Cloud) and M365 backups affordably. We can offer private cloud backup solutions via Cortavo Cloud for enhanced privacy, alongside public options, tailored to your needs. We set up your hybrid plan—full baselines, daily increments, M365 protection, and VM/SQL if required—then manage it 24/7, test restores, and ensure ransomware resilience. With our expert support, you get top-tier backups without complexity or upfront costs.

Protect Your SMB with Cortavo’s Backup Solutions

From VMs to M365 to SQL, backups matter—but for SMBs, incremental cloud backups (public like Azure/AWS or Cortavo Cloud) with M365 add-ons are the cheapest, most beneficial mix. Add VM or SQL backups only as needed. At Cortavo, we make it seamless, affordable, and secure—whether you choose public cloud savings or Cortavo Cloud’s private edge.

Ready for a backup plan that fits? Contact Cortavo for a free consultation.
Let’s safeguard your SMB—smartly and simply.