Competitor Comparison
ShadowCradle vs. StorageCraft — Cloud Apps & Databases
An honest comparison. StorageCraft (now part of Arcserve after acquisition) has earned its reputation in VM and physical server backup. ShadowCradle extends further into cloud apps, databases, and unified management.
All comparisons are based on publicly available product documentation and capabilities. Features may vary by product tier or region.
Choose ShadowCradle when...
- You protect Dropbox, Box, or Google Workspace
- You need application-consistent database backup included
- You want built-in multi-site replication without extra tooling
- You want one platform and one interface for everything
- You manage backup for multiple client sites from one centralized dashboard
Arcserve / StorageCraft is a solid choice when...
- Your environment is primarily physical servers and VMs
- Physical-to-virtual (P2V) restore is a key requirement
- You need granular control over backup configuration
- No SaaS apps or cloud storage in scope
- Your backup admin prefers an established, familiar interface
Feature Comparison
Feature availability based on standard product tiers. Some features require add-on licensing or third-party integrations - verify with each vendor for your specific configuration.
| Capability | ShadowCradle | Arcserve / StorageCraft |
|---|---|---|
| VM Backup & Recovery | ✅ | ✅ |
| Physical / Bare-Metal Backup | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bare-Metal Restore (P2V) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Database Backup (SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB) | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited |
| Microsoft 365 Backup | ✅ | ⚠️ Via add-on / partner tools |
| Google Workspace Backup | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dropbox Backup | ✅ | ❌ |
| Box Backup | ✅ | ❌ |
| Native Multi-Site Replication | Included in appliance | ⚠️ Manual / third-party required |
| Cloud Management Dashboard | Included in appliance | ⚠️ Third-party tools required |
| Unified Recovery Interface | Single UI for all workloads | ⚠️ Separate per workload type |
| Setup Complexity | 30-min guided wizard | ⚠️ Complex configuration, many options |
| MSP / RMM Integrations | Growing ecosystem | Established partner integrations |
| Pricing Model | Per-appliance, all-inclusive | Per-server or per-workload licensing |
| Backup Security Scanning (Malware / Ransomware / Virus) | check - Free | ⚠️ Limited native detection |
| AES-256 Encryption | ✅ | ✅ |
| Granular File Recovery | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud VM Support (AWS/Azure) | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited |
Category Deep-Dives
VM Recovery - Where Both Are Strong
SHADOWCRADLE
✓VMware, Hyper-V, KVM, and cloud VM support
✓5–15 minute recovery targets
✓Granular file and volume recovery
✓Live VM boot from backup storage
✓Unified alongside database and cloud app recovery
ARCSERVE / STORAGECRAFT
·Strong VMware and Hyper-V recovery - a proven strength
·Physical-to-virtual and bare-metal restore
·Granular file recovery available
·Live recovery and recovery testing supported
·Thousands of production deployments
CONTEXT
Both platforms deliver solid VM recovery. Arcserve / StorageCraft's heritage is physical-to-virtual restores, which remain a strength. ShadowCradle adds cloud VM coverage and unifies VM recovery with other workload types.Workload Breadth
SHADOWCRADLE
✓Databases: SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB
✓Cloud apps: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox, Box
✓Files, NAS, physical servers, VMs
✓All managed from a single interface
ARCSERVE / STORAGECRAFT
·Physical servers and VMs: comprehensive
·File-level and volume-level backup
·Microsoft 365: available via separate tooling
·Google Workspace: not supported natively
·Dropbox / Box: not supported
·Databases: limited application-consistent support
CONTEXT
Arcserve / StorageCraft focuses primarily on infrastructure (servers and VMs). ShadowCradle adds native coverage for cloud applications and databases, reducing the number of tools in your backup stack.Management & Multi-Site Operations
SHADOWCRADLE
✓Centralized cloud dashboard included out of the box
✓Multi-site replication built into every appliance
✓Orchestrated failover across sites
✓Policy management from a single control plane
ARCSERVE / STORAGECRAFT
·No native centralized cloud management console
·Multi-site management typically requires third-party tools
·Replication is manual or relies on partner solutions
·Works well as a standalone site solution
CONTEXT
For single-site deployments, StorageCraft works well. For organizations managing multiple sites, ShadowCradle's built-in replication and centralized management reduces the need for supplemental tooling.Setup & Day-to-Day Operations
SHADOWCRADLE
✓Interactive 30-minute guided setup wizard
✓Automated workload and network discovery
✓Operator-friendly - no specialist required
✓Single interface for all backup, recovery, and reporting
ARCSERVE / STORAGECRAFT
·GUI-based configuration with extensive options
·Flexible but requires planning and expertise
·Configuration complexity scales with environment size
·Partner/specialist typically involved in deployment
CONTEXT
StorageCraft's flexibility is valued by experienced admins who want granular control. ShadowCradle prioritizes operational simplicity - MSPs can deploy and hand off a client site in 30 minutes, and manage it centrally alongside every other client appliance.Questions to Ask in Your Evaluation
ASK ANY VENDOR
?Can I back up Dropbox, Box, or Google Workspace natively?
?What database engines get application-consistent backup?
?Is multi-site replication included, or do I need additional tooling?
?Can my IT team manage this without backup-specific expertise?
?How do I manage multiple appliances across sites?
SHADOWCRADLE'S ANSWERS
✓Yes - Dropbox, Box, and Google Workspace are all natively supported.
✓SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB - included.
✓Multi-site replication is built-in to every appliance. No extra tooling.
✓Yes - 30-minute setup, no specialist required.
✓Via the included cloud management dashboard - all sites, one view.