CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Acronis vs Microsoft

Acronis sells Acronis Cyber Platform, one platform to protect, manage and automate IT with AI agents and human-in-the-loop. Microsoft Defender offers threat prevention, detection and response capabilities. CISO Tribune files both under EDR and XDR. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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  • Acronis
  • Microsoft
Acronis vs Microsoft: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
AcronisAcronis sells Acronis Cyber Platform, one platform to protect, manage and automate IT with AI agents and human-in-the-loop.acronis.comMicrosoftMicrosoft Defender offers threat prevention, detection and response capabilities.microsoft.com
What it sells
  • Acronis Cyber Platform[4][5][6][13]One platform to protect, manage and automate IT with AI agents and human-in-the-loop.
  • Acronis Cyber Protect[3][4][13][16]Secure backup and cybersecurity for SMBs, Enterprises, and OT.
  • Acronis Cyber Protect Local[16]On-premises deployment of a dedicated management server.
  • Disaster Recovery[3][6][15]Cloud failover, recovery testing and failback for critical workloads.
  • Acronis Instant Restore[6]Runs supported virtual machines directly from backups.
  • Continuous Data Protection[6]Captures changes between scheduled backups.
  • Acronis Cloud[6][15]Runs critical systems when an outage or attack takes production offline.
  • Microsoft Defender[1][11][12][23][25]Threat protection that prevents, detects and responds to attacks across devices, identities, applications, email, data, workloads and cloud environments.
  • Microsoft Sentinel[1][23]A cloud-native SIEM built for AI.
  • Microsoft Purview[1][14][23][24][25]Unified information protection, governance and compliance products.
  • Microsoft Entra[1][15][23][25]Identity and access products that verify every identity and access request across clouds, platforms and devices.
  • Microsoft Intune[1][16][23][25]Endpoint management products for device security and hybrid work.
  • Microsoft Defender Suite[12]Threat protection and detection and response across endpoints, identities, email and SaaS apps.
  • Microsoft Entra Suite[15]An extension to Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 for secure workforce use of apps and AI.
  • Microsoft Purview Suite[14]A suite that provides advanced data security and compliance capabilities.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesRedmond, United States[3]
Founded
2003[2]1975[2]
Ownership and funding
Not stated on its pagesPublic (NASDAQ: MSFT)[4][10][22]
Named customers
Not stated on its pages
  • Best Buy[5]
  • Danfoss[6]
  • Oregon State University[7]
Recent news
  • May 14, 2026Acronis appointed Jim Tedesco as Chief Revenue Officer to lead its global sales and go-to-market execution.[19]
  • July 29, 2026Microsoft reported revenue of $90.0 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, up 18% year over year.[8]
  • July 27, 2026Microsoft introduced Project Perception, an agentic security system that uses AI to turn signals into real-time protections.[21]
  • May 1, 2026Microsoft announced general availability of Microsoft 365 E7 and Microsoft Agent 365 on May 1, 2026.[28]
  • April 29, 2026Microsoft reported revenue of $82.9 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, up 18% from a year earlier.[9]
  • December 22, 2025Microsoft announced the Defender Experts suite, an expert-led security offering for resellers and scale solution providers, generally available from January 1, 2026.[20]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: listed, seen November 10, 2026[20]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 10, 2026[10]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
From its own pages, Acronis sells to service providers, giving them licensing models, commitment options and per-customer control. Acronis backup is described for IT teams and for MSPs that deliver services across customers. Acronis Cyber Protect is offered for SMBs, Enterprises, and OT. Acronis also describes industries with high downtime costs that need fast recovery of special-purpose industrial equipment (OT, ICS). Acronis names partners whose clients want plant floor coverage, and those clients' OT and IT teams in manufacturing, distribution, food and beverage, energy, water and data centers.From its own pages, Microsoft sells security products for businesses of any size. Microsoft 365 Business Premium is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, and Microsoft Defender is designed to protect individuals, businesses and enterprises. Microsoft refers to enterprise and government cloud customers, and Providence Care, a healthcare organization, uses Microsoft 365 E5 for healthcare security.
Last verified
September 30, 2026November 2, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Acronis and Microsoft are both filed under EDR and XDR.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Acronis's primary category is Backup and cyber recovery; Microsoft's is EDR and XDR.
  • Acronis is also filed under MDR and managed SOC and SaaS security posture. Microsoft is also filed under SIEM, Workforce IAM and SSO and Endpoint management and application control.
  • Acronis lists Acronis Cyber Platform, Acronis Cyber Protect, Acronis Cyber Protect Local, Disaster Recovery, Acronis Instant Restore and 2 more. Microsoft lists Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Purview, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Intune and 3 more.
  • Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, United States.
  • Acronis was founded in 2003. Microsoft was founded in 1975.
  • Microsoft is a public company listed on NASDAQ as MSFT.
  • Microsoft publicly names Best Buy, Danfoss and Oregon State University.

What it sells: Acronis

What Acronis Cyber Platform does[4][5][6][13]
Backup is one capability of Acronis Cyber Platform. Every service writes to the same data model. Acronis Cyber Platform was formerly called Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud.
What Disaster Recovery does[3][6][15]
Integrated Disaster Recovery can be added when critical workloads need cloud failover, recovery testing and failback. Critical servers fail over to Acronis Cloud while the original environment is repaired. Runbooks have ordered steps, parallel actions and completion checks.
What Acronis Cloud does[6][15]
Acronis Cloud is a backup destination alongside local storage, partner-hosted storage and supported public cloud destinations. Acronis offers a global network of 50+ data centers.

What it sells: Microsoft

What Microsoft Defender does[1][11][12][23][25]
Microsoft Defender is a threat protection solution designed to protect individuals, businesses and enterprises from malicious cyberthreats. Microsoft Defender coordinates protection across endpoints, identity, email, apps and cloud.
What Microsoft Purview does[1][14][23][24][25]
Microsoft Purview offers a unified approach to help organizations secure and govern data across their heterogenous data estate. Microsoft Purview covers on-premises, multicloud and SaaS environments, and structured and unstructured data. Microsoft Purview features are purchased through different licenses or on a pay-as-you-go basis.
What Microsoft Entra does[1][15][23][25]
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) was renamed Microsoft Entra ID in 2023. Purchase starts with Microsoft Entra ID P1 or P2 license subscriptions, which can also be purchased as part of a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 license.
What Microsoft Intune does[1][16][23][25]
Microsoft Intune offers advanced endpoint management and security capabilities available as standalone add-ons or as part of the Intune Suite. Microsoft Intune Plan 1 is the endpoint management solution included in most Microsoft 365 enterprise licenses. Plan 1 covers cross-platform device management, built-in security, mobile application management and endpoint analytics.
What Microsoft Defender Suite does[12]
Microsoft Defender Suite focuses on threat protection and detection and response across endpoints, identities, email and SaaS apps. The integrated security operations center (ISOC) is included in the Defender Suite.
What Microsoft Entra Suite does[15]
Microsoft Entra Suite extends Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 to enable secure workforce use of apps and AI with continuous, adaptive identity and network access controls across employees, apps and networks. Microsoft Entra Suite requires a subscription to Microsoft Entra ID P1 or a package that includes Microsoft Entra ID P1.

Questions about Acronis and Microsoft

What do Acronis and Microsoft sell?
Acronis sells Acronis Cyber Platform, Acronis Cyber Protect, Acronis Cyber Protect Local, Disaster Recovery, Acronis Instant Restore and 2 more. Microsoft sells Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Purview, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Intune and 3 more.
Are Acronis and Microsoft in the same category?
They share EDR and XDR. Acronis's primary category is Backup and cyber recovery and Microsoft's is EDR and XDR.
Where are Acronis and Microsoft headquartered?
Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, United States.
When were Acronis and Microsoft founded?
Acronis was founded in 2003. Microsoft was founded in 1975.
Who owns Acronis and Microsoft?
Microsoft is a public company listed on NASDAQ as MSFT.
Which customers do Acronis and Microsoft name?
Microsoft publicly names Best Buy, Danfoss and Oregon State University.
Who are Acronis and Microsoft sold to?
From its own pages, Acronis sells to service providers, giving them licensing models, commitment options and per-customer control. From its own pages, Microsoft sells security products for businesses of any size.
What have Acronis and Microsoft announced recently?
May 14, 2026: Acronis appointed Jim Tedesco as Chief Revenue Officer to lead its global sales and go-to-market execution. July 29, 2026: Microsoft reported revenue of $90.0 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, up 18% year over year.

About Acronis

Acronis sells Acronis Cyber Platform, one platform to protect, manage and automate IT with AI agents and human-in-the-loop. Backup is built into Acronis Cyber Platform and covers workloads from servers, virtual machines and endpoints to databases and cloud applications. Backup is one capability of Acronis Cyber Platform, and on supported endpoints the same Acronis agent connects backup with cybersecurity and endpoint management. Acronis Cyber Platform was formerly called Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud.[4][6][13][16]

Acronis Cyber Platform has a common data model shared across all products, for AI agents and technicians. In Acronis Cyber Platform, every service writes to the same data model, so agents act with full context across backup, security and operations. Each agent in Acronis Cyber Platform runs with least-privilege access and policy guardrails, and the customer defines what it can read, change and act on per tenant. Acronis delivers secure AI adoption as a managed service that monitors GenAI usage across clients, blocks sensitive data from reaching public AI tools and stops harmful prompts.[8]

Acronis backup covers Windows and Linux servers and Windows, macOS and Linux endpoints, with file-level or image-based protection to match the workload. Acronis backup protects VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Nutanix AHV and supported cloud VMs, with agentless backup where supported and agent-based protection for supported guest systems. Acronis backup protects Microsoft SQL Server, Exchange and Oracle databases with application-aware backup and recovery options. Acronis protects Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Microsoft Entra ID data, and recovers business content and supported identity objects after deletion or unwanted changes. Acronis backs up Microsoft Entra ID users, groups, roles, policies and configurations.[6]

Acronis Instant Restore runs supported VMware or Hyper-V virtual machines directly from eligible backups, so users can regain access while full recovery continues. Continuous Data Protection captures changes to selected files and application data on supported Windows systems between scheduled backups. Anti-malware scanning in Acronis checks supported backups for malicious content. Acronis supports immutable storage on supported cloud destinations to retain protected backup copies for the configured period. Acronis protects data with AES-256 encryption in storage and in transit.[6][14]

Acronis backup destinations include local storage, Acronis Cloud, partner-hosted storage and supported public cloud destinations, including Amazon S3 and Microsoft Azure. Acronis offers a global network of 50+ data centers, and available locations and services depend on the deployment. Acronis data centers are Tier-IV designed and have certifications including SSAE-18, HIPAA and PCI DSS. Acronis backup plans, alerts and reports are managed in one console, with customer-specific policies and retention applied across multiple tenants. Acronis lets customers add EDR, RMM and disaster recovery to link threat response, patching and recovery without deploying separate agents for each endpoint service.[6][14]

Acronis lets customers run critical systems in Acronis Cloud when an outage or attack takes production offline. Acronis fails over critical servers to Acronis Cloud while the original environment is repaired. Acronis runbooks have ordered steps, parallel actions and completion checks, and the plan is executed from the console when recovery is needed. Acronis runs test failovers in an isolated environment without interrupting production, and automated tests can be scheduled weekly or monthly with screenshot analysis and reported results. Acronis combines disaster recovery with Acronis backup scanning to identify recovery points with detected malware before a point is selected for failover. When production is ready, Acronis uses incremental failback to transfer changed data while the cloud workload continues running. Acronis supports site-to-site VPN, point-to-site access and multisite IPsec connections for recovery across locations.[6][15]

Acronis Cyber Protect offers secure backup and cybersecurity for SMBs, Enterprises, and OT. Acronis provides a single agent and unified console with tools for asset discovery, vulnerability patching, remote monitoring and automated task execution via scripts. Acronis provides SaaS email archiving for Microsoft 365. Acronis Cyber Protect Local enables deployment of a dedicated management server on premises with local-only or hybrid cloud storage. Acronis describes protecting critical data and always-on infrastructure in air-gapped onshore and offshore production facilities.[3][10][16]

Acronis offers three licensing models, chosen for each customer tenant. Each customer tenant can use only one licensing model at a time, and different models can be chosen for different customers. Acronis uses a minimum monthly commitment model, and a commitment tier is selected as part of the agreement. Acronis licenses backup either at a fixed monthly price per protected workload or based on the total amount of storage used. Each service in Acronis Cyber Platform is licensed per device, per user or based on storage consumption. Copia Automation backs up, versions and restores the control programs on PLCs, HMIs and robots, and Acronis restores the servers and workstations while Copia restores the controller code.[1][4][6][7][10][16][17][18]

Acronis on the record

Sources

Acronis full record

  1. [1]CompanyAcronis · acronis.com · undated page, accessed September 30, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Acronis launches genai protection enabling msps to secure and govern ai usageAcronis · acronis.com · published April 22, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]acronis.comAcronis · acronis.com · undated page, accessed September 30, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]The AI-native platform to protect, manage, and automate IT | AcronisAcronis · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]AI-Powered Cybersecurity, Data Protection & IT Automation | AcronisAcronis · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Secure MSP backup and rapid recovery | AcronisAcronis · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Acronis RMM | AcronisAcronis · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Govern and protect GenAI usage – Acronis GenAI ProtectionAcronis · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Acronis Cyber Frame | Virtual infrastructure with built-in cyber protectionAcronis · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Acronis Cyber Infrastructure – Multi-Purpose Infrastructure SolutionAcronis · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Acronis True Image - Integrated Backup and Security SolutionAcronis · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Acronis Reviews, Ratings & Features 2026 | Gartner Peer InsightsGartner Peer Insights · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier C
  13. [13]Acronis Cyber Platform (formerly Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud): EDR security incident burndown widget reports incorrect close rateAcronis · published April 24, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Best Cloud Backup Solutions in 2026 for Business, Home, and MSPsAcronis · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Disaster recovery as a service for MSPs and IT teams | AcronisAcronis · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Cybersecurity & Data Protection Solutions - AcronisAcronis · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]Acronis Cyber Platform Pricing and Licensing for Service ProvidersAcronis · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]Copia AutomationAcronis · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  19. [19]Acronis Appoints Jim Tedesco as Chief Revenue OfficerAcronis · published May 14, 2026 · Tier A
  20. [20]Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform)G2 · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier C

Microsoft full record

  1. [1]Cloud Security Solutions | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]AboutMicrosoft · news.microsoft.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Msft 20240630Microsoft Corporation via SEC EDGAR · sec.gov · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]7c96b326 33bc 4b84 8abb 7afd7a517ea3Microsoft Corporation · microsoft.gcs-web.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]25053 best buy microsoft sentinelMicrosoft · microsoft.com · published August 25, 2025 · Tier A
  6. [6]22786 danfoss microsoft sentinelMicrosoft · microsoft.com · published March 7, 2025 · Tier A
  7. [7]1747330384796486050 oregon state university microsoft security copilot higher education en united statesMicrosoft · microsoft.com · published March 14, 2024 · Tier A
  8. [8]Microsoft cloud and ai strength fuels fourth quarter results 4Microsoft · news.microsoft.com · published July 29, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Microsoft cloud and ai strength fuels third quarter resultsMicrosoft · news.microsoft.com · published April 29, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Microsoft 365 Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 26, 2026 · Tier C
  11. [11]Microsoft Defender—Cybersecurity Solutions | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Microsoft Defender Suite | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Microsoft Purview Suite | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Microsoft Purview Pricing | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Microsoft Entra Pricing | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Microsoft Intune Pricing | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]Cybersecurity for small and medium business | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]Security Copilot agents in Microsoft 365 E5 | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  19. [19]Microsoft Defender Pricing | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  20. [20]December 2025 announcements - Partner Center announcementsMicrosoft Learn · published December 22, 2025 · Tier A
  21. [21]Rethinking security for the age of AIThe Official Microsoft Blog · published July 27, 2026 · Tier A
  22. [22]Microsoft Reviews, Ratings & Features 2026 | Gartner Peer InsightsGartner Peer Insights · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier C
  23. [23]Microsoft 365 Security Enterprise Plans| Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  24. [24]Microsoft Purview: Data Security and Governance | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  25. [25]CybersecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  26. [26]Microsoft Defender Suite for Microsoft 365 Business Premium | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  27. [27]Microsoft Mobile Phone Authenticator | Microsoft SecurityMicrosoft · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  28. [28]Leading Frontier Firm transformation with Microsoft 365 E7: The partner opportunityMicrosoft · published May 1, 2026 · Tier A

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