Guide · Comparison
An Acronis alternative from the EU: a factual comparison
In short: Acronis Cyber Protect combines backup with protection against malware and covers a very wide range of platforms, including VMware vSphere and Google Workspace. AegisGrid concentrates on backup itself: Windows and Linux computers, Hyper-V, Proxmox VE, Xen and Microsoft 365 with one tool from an EU provider, immutable on your own backup server too, with check restores and signed evidence.
The main differences
The information on Acronis comes from publicly available manufacturer information (sources below), as of November 2026. Features may differ depending on edition and version.
| Feature | AegisGrid | Acronis Cyber Protect |
|---|---|---|
| Provider / headquarters | MSD Computersysteme GmbH, Germany | Acronis International GmbH, Schaffhausen, Switzerland |
| Focus | Backup, restore and verification | Backup together with protection against malware, EDR depending on edition |
| Whole virtual machines | Hyper-V, Proxmox VE (LVM, LVM-thin, ZFS, Ceph RBD, qcow2), Xen | including VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, Proxmox VE, others depending on edition |
| Microsoft 365 | In the same tool (Exchange Online, OneDrive, SharePoint), restore as an export | In the Backup Advanced edition or as a per-user add-on licence, Teams included; restore into the tenant |
| Immutable backups | WORM with retention lock on your own backup server | Immutable Storage in the Acronis Cloud, on premises with Acronis Cyber Infrastructure |
| Resuming after an interruption | Automatic, even after standby or shutdown; only the rest is transferred | n/a |
| Scanning backups for malware | Virus scan with ClamAV on the backup server, with the first affected and last clean backup | In the Advanced edition |
| Evidence | Chained, signed log, monthly report as PDF, copy via syslog | Acronis Notary (proof of authenticity for files), in the Advanced and Backup Advanced editions |
| Cloud storage in Germany | Optional, in certified data centres in Germany | Data centres including Frankfurt am Main and Berlin |
n/a = no clearly documented vendor information found.
The comparison with other solutions such as Veeam, Proxmox Backup Server, restic and BorgBackup can be found on the Comparison page.
When AegisGrid is a good fit
- A provider in Germany matters to you: software, support and, if you wish, Managed Backup and cloud storage come from the EU, with a data processing agreement.
- Immutable without the cloud: WORM with retention lock runs on your own backup server, at a second site too – no separate storage platform is needed for it.
- Mixed environments without VMware: Hyper-V, Proxmox VE and Xen, Windows and Linux servers and Microsoft 365 with one method and into the same stores, deduplicated across everything.
- Check instead of hope: the backup server restores backups on a trial basis, starts VMs in an isolated environment and scans for viruses – see Testing restores.
- Evidence for NIS2 and the BSI: a chained, signed evidence log with a monthly report and SIEM connection.
- Laptops and slow connections: interrupted backups always continue where they left off.
- Your existing antivirus stays: you already have endpoint protection and are looking for a backup that concentrates on backup.
When Acronis may be the better choice
- VMware vSphere is in use – AegisGrid does not back up vSphere.
- Backup and endpoint protection from one product are wanted, with one console for both.
- Restoring Microsoft 365 directly into the tenant or backing up Teams and Google Workspace – AegisGrid currently restores Microsoft 365 as an export and backs up neither Teams nor Google Workspace.
- Hyper-V failover clusters with CSV – AegisGrid currently supports single Hyper-V hosts.
- Your team is well versed in Acronis, and there is no reason to switch.
Planning the switch
A switch does not have to happen on a fixed date. A proven approach is to run AegisGrid in parallel for selected systems first, practise restores and let the old backups expire with their retention period. You can keep using the Acronis malware protection or replace it with another endpoint protection – that is a separate decision. In a pilot project we check in advance whether all your systems are covered.
Sources
- Acronis: Company, Editions and licences, Immutable Storage, Microsoft 365 Backup, Proxmox VE, Data centres, Berlin data centre
Acronis, Acronis Cyber Protect, VMware, vSphere, Hyper-V, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and other product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. They are mentioned solely for the purpose of a factual comparison; there is no business relationship. We welcome any notes on outdated information.
Frequently asked questions about switching from Acronis
Can AegisGrid read Acronis backups?
No. Existing Acronis backups remain readable with Acronis until they expire at the end of their retention period. New backups are made with AegisGrid.
Do I need different antivirus protection after switching?
If you have obtained your malware protection through Acronis so far, yes: AegisGrid is a backup solution and does not replace endpoint protection. It does, however, scan the backups themselves for viruses and, for file backups, warns of conspicuous changes such as those caused by ransomware.
Can I test AegisGrid alongside Acronis?
Yes. Both can run side by side as long as the backup windows do not interfere. Schedule them so that they do not both back up the same VM at the same time.
Is AegisGrid right for your environment?
In a pilot project we check this on your own systems – before you decide.