Looking for an Acronis Alternative? What UK MSPs Should Consider

26 May 2026 BOBcloud
An all-in-one platform bundles backup with EDR, XDR, MDR, DLP, email security, patching, RMM and PSA. An MSP that already has endpoint security, email security, patching, RMM and PSA pays twice for five of the nine, when the only thing missing was backup.

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is one of the most widely used MSP platforms in the world. It's capable, well-supported, and covers an impressive range of workloads. So why are UK MSPs looking for alternatives?

The answer usually comes down to one of four reasons: complexity, cost, contract terms, or the fact that they only need backup — not a full cybersecurity stack. This article looks at those reasons honestly and explores what to consider when evaluating alternatives.

MSPs usually look for an alternative for one of four reasons: the complexity of a full security suite, pricing that varies by workload and feature, a minimum monthly commitment to keep up, or because they only need backup and already have a security stack.

Why MSPs Look for an Acronis Alternative

It Does More Than You Need

Acronis has evolved significantly over the last few years. What started as a backup platform is now a full cybersecurity suite — including capabilities such as EDR, XDR, MDR, DLP, email security, patch management, RMM, and PSA, all integrated into one platform.

For MSPs who already have a security stack — an existing RMM, a preferred endpoint security vendor, a PSA they know well — paying for Acronis means paying for capabilities you're not using. The backup component is excellent, but it comes bundled with tools that duplicate what you already have.

If all you need is reliable, multi-tenant backup with good module coverage, a dedicated backup platform is likely to be simpler to deploy, simpler to support, and cheaper.

Pricing Complexity

Acronis pricing varies by workload type, storage tier, and feature set. Understanding exactly what you'll pay for a given client configuration requires either a detailed quote from a partner or careful navigation of their pricing documentation. How storage is charged depends on the licensing model you choose — per workload, per GB, or a package with pooled storage and overage charges — and extras such as disaster recovery and managed detection and response are billed on top.

For MSPs building a predictable, scalable backup service, pricing transparency matters. Being able to tell a client what their backup costs per month — and know that the number is reliable — is important for building margin into your service.

Minimum Commitments

Acronis partners choose a minimum monthly commitment tier as part of their agreement, with lower unit prices at higher tiers, and terms can differ if you buy through a distributor. For MSPs onboarding new clients or managing fluctuating client estates, a committed minimum creates pricing risk. If a large client leaves, you can still be paying for usage you no longer have.

A big client leaves after month 5 and usage drops. With a minimum monthly commitment, the MSP still pays up to the committed minimum, shown in red, with nothing to bill for it. With no minimum, the bill falls with usage.

UK Focus

Acronis operates globally with data centres in multiple regions including the UK. For some MSPs, working with a platform that is specifically built around the UK market — with UK-based storage, UK support, and pricing in sterling with no currency risk — is a preference rather than a compliance requirement. It is a matter of fit rather than capability.

What to Look for in an Acronis Alternative

If you're evaluating alternatives, the criteria depend on what drove you to look in the first place.

If complexity is the issue — look for a platform that does backup well without requiring you to learn a new security stack. Multi-tenant management, clear reporting, and straightforward module configuration should be the priority.

If pricing is the issue — look for per-GB storage pricing with separate licence fees, no minimum commitments, and monthly billing. Avoid platforms that bundle storage into the licence price, as this removes your ability to control margins.

If contract terms are the issue — look explicitly for monthly rolling contracts with no minimum spend. These are less common than committed agreements but do exist.

If a UK-focused platform is a preference — look for UK-based storage, UK support, and a UK-registered provider. For some MSPs this is simply a preference for working with a local supplier rather than a global vendor.

How BOBcloud Compares

BOBcloud is a UK backup platform built specifically for MSPs and IT resellers. It does one thing — backup — and is designed to be straightforward to deploy and manage at scale.

Module coverage — BOBcloud supports 30+ backup modules including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Windows Server, Windows Desktop, Linux, macOS, VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, SQL Server, MySQL, NAS devices (QNAP and Synology), and more. Coverage for the workloads UK MSPs typically manage is comprehensive.

Pricing — per-GB storage on Azure and Wasabi, with separate per-device licence fees. No minimum monthly spend, no annual commitments. Monthly billing, cancel anytime.

UK storage — backup data is stored on Microsoft Azure (UK South) and Wasabi (London). Both are ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II certified. For MSPs who prefer to keep client data within the UK, this is confirmed by default.

Where Acronis is stronger — if your clients need the cybersecurity features bundled into Acronis (EDR, email security, patch management), or if you need deep PSA and RMM integrations, Acronis remains a strong choice. BOBcloud is a backup platform, not a security suite.

Making the Comparison

The practical test is straightforward. Run a free trial of any platform you are evaluating, replicate your typical client configuration, and check:

  • How long does onboarding a new client take?
  • How clear is the backup status reporting across all clients?
  • Can you restore a test backup cleanly and quickly?
  • Is the pricing what you expected when the invoice arrives?
In a trial, replicate a typical client and check how long onboarding takes, how clear the backup status reporting is across clients, whether a test restore runs cleanly and quickly, and whether the invoice matches what you expected.

BOBcloud offers a free 30-day trial with 1TB of storage included — no payment details required. Create your free reseller account and run the comparison yourself.

If you have questions about migrating an existing client base or how BOBcloud fits alongside your current security stack, get in touch — we're happy to talk through the specifics.

Product features, pricing, and availability are subject to change. Comparisons are based on publicly available information at the time of writing.