What Is Azure Backup?
Azure Backup is a cloud-based solution offered by Microsoft for backing up and protecting data by providing high availability and redundancy. It simplifies data protection while eliminating the need for manual processes and on-premises hardware. By using Azure Backup, organizations can configure backup policies, reducing time spent on routine backup management.
Azure Backup supports various applications and systems, making it versatile enough to handle diverse workloads. These include Azure Virtual Machines, SQL Server, and on-premises environments. It integrates with Azure Site Recovery for disaster recovery scenarios.
In this article:
- Why Is Cost Management Critical for Azure Backup Users?
- Understanding Azure Backup Pricing for Key Services
- 10 Best Practices for Reducing Azure Backup Costs
Why Is Cost Management Critical for Azure Backup Users?
In Azure Backup, like other cloud backup services, backup costs can escalate due to factors such as excessive data retention, redundant backups, or inefficient storage tier usage.
In Azure, a key consideration is the selection of appropriate storage tiers—Locally Redundant Storage (LRS) and Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS). While GRS provides enhanced durability by replicating data across regions, it is more expensive than LRS. Organizations need to assess their recovery requirements to select the most cost-effective option.
Additionally, understanding and managing backup retention policies is critical. Overly aggressive retention settings can lead to higher storage costs as backup data accumulates. Organizations should align retention periods with compliance and recovery objectives, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Monitoring and optimizing backup frequency can also significantly impact costs. For example, configuring backups too frequently for datasets that do not change often results in avoidable storage and transaction charges.
Understanding Azure Backup Pricing for Key Services
In this section we include pricing examples for the US Central region. Please note that pricing varies between Azure regions. For up-to-date pricing across all regions, refer to the official pricing page.
Backup Storage Pricing Across All Services
When backing up resources in Azure, whether the resources are VMs, SAP HANA instances, or databases, there are common costs for backup storage.
Backup storage is available in two main tiers:
Standard tier:
- Locally redundant storage (LRS): $0.0224 per GB per month
- Zone redundant storage (ZRS): $0.028 per GB per month
- Geo-redundant storage (GRS): $0.0448 per GB per month
- Read-access geo-redundant storage (RA-GRS): $0.0569 per GB per month
Archive tier (for long-term retention):
- LRS: $0.0027 per GB per month
- GRS: $0.0054 per GB per month
Storage in the Archive tier is more cost-effective but requires a minimum retention period of 180 days. Early deletion incurs prorated fees for any unused days within this period.
Backup storage reserved capacity
To reduce costs, organizations can commit to reserved capacity for one or three years. Reserved capacity pricing is available in increments of 100 TB or 1 PB, with discounts applied based on the term and size of the commitment. For example:
1-year reserved capacity (100 TB):
- LRS: $24,222
- GRS: $48,444
- ZRS: $30,278
- RA–GRS: $61,528
3-year reserved capacity (100 TB):
- LRS: $66,060
- GRS: $132,121
- ZRS: $82,575
- RA-GRS: $167,805
Azure VMs Backup Pricing
Azure Backup pricing for virtual machines depends on the size of the data being protected, calculated based on the actual used space before compression and encryption. Pricing tiers for the Central US region are as follows:
- Instances ≤ 50 GB: $5 per month + storage costs
- Instances > 50 GB and ≤ 500 GB: $10 per month + storage costs
- Instances > 500 GB: $10 per 500 GB increment per month + storage costs
For example, if backing up 1.2 TB of data, the cost will be $30 per month for the data itself, plus the storage costs. This is calculated as $10 for each of the two 500 GB increments and $10 for the remaining 200 GB.
Note: Backup storage incurs additional costs, as described above.
SAP HANA on Azure VMs Backup Pricing
Azure Backup supports SAP HANA databases on Azure VMs through two main approaches: Backint and snapshot-based backups. Pricing varies based on the size of the data and the backup method used.
Backup for SAP HANA on Azure VMs (Via Backint)
For SAP HANA databases using the Backint interface, the cost is based on a flat monthly rate per instance, regardless of database size. Additional storage costs are billed separately.
- Flat rate per instance: $98.94 per month + storage costs
Example: For a 1.2 TB database in a single SAP HANA instance, the total cost is $98.94 per month plus the associated storage charges.
Backup for SAP HANA on Azure VMs (Via Snapshot)
For snapshot-based backups, costs are determined by the size of the database instance. Pricing tiers are as follows:
- Instance ≤ 5 TB: $98.40 per month + storage costs
- Instance > 5 TB: $98.40 per 5 TB increment per month + storage costs
Example: For a 12 TB database in a single SAP HANA instance, the total cost is $295.20 per month, calculated as $98.40 for each of the two 5 TB increments and $98.40 for the remaining 2 TB, plus storage costs.
Note: Backup storage incurs additional costs, as described above.
Azure Database for PostgreSQL Backup Pricing
Azure Backup provides a solution for Azure Database for PostgreSQL servers, allowing backups to be retained for up to 10 years. Pricing is based on the size of the data being backed up, with storage costs billed separately.
Instance backup pricing
- Cost per 250 GB: $7.50 per month + storage costs
For example, if a PostgreSQL instance contains 1 TB of data, the cost would be $30 per month, calculated as $7.50 for each 250 GB increment, plus the associated storage charges.
Note: Backup storage incurs additional costs, as described above.
Azure Files Backup Pricing
Azure Backup provides snapshot management for Azure Files, allowing organizations to protect file shares within their storage accounts. Backup pricing is based on the size of the data in the storage account and incurs charges for snapshots stored within the account.
Backup pricing
The pricing model for Azure Files Backup is determined by the size of the protected data within the storage account:
- Instance ≤ 250 GB: 60% of the Azure Files Protected Instance price per month
- Instance > 250 GB: $5 per month
Example: If the total size of all backed-up Azure File Shares in a storage account exceeds 250 GB, the cost will be $5 per month. If the instance size is 200 GB, the cost will be 60% of $5, which is $3 per month.
Note: Backup storage incurs additional costs, as described above.
Azure Blob Storage Backup Pricing
Azure Backup provides two main backup options for Azure Blobs: Operational Backup and Vaulted Backup. Pricing varies depending on the method chosen and the amount of data being protected.
Operational backup pricing
Operational Backup is a local, managed data protection solution that utilizes versioning, point-in-time restore, and soft delete capabilities. Key points include:
- No instance fee or backup storage charges: Costs are incurred for features like soft delete for blobs, Change feed, point-in-time restore, and Blob versioning.
- Pricing for these features is based on Azure Blob Storage pricing.
Vaulted backup pricing
Vaulted Backup offers a solution by transferring backup data to a Recovery Services Vault. This option includes protected instance fees, write transaction costs, and backup storage charges.
Instance pricing (based on data size in the protected storage account):
- \< 10 GB: 10% of the Azure Blob Protected Instance price per month
- 10–100 GB: 30% of the Azure Blob Protected Instance price per month
- 100 GB–1 TB: 60% of the Azure Blob Protected Instance price per month
- ≥ 1 TB: $12.30 per month
Example: For 1.5 TB of protected data, the cost is $12.30 per month plus storage and transaction charges.
Write transaction costs
Write operations represent the number of writes Azure Backup performs when transferring data to the backup vault. Costs depend on the chosen storage redundancy:
- Locally redundant storage (LRS): $0.057 per 10,000 operations
- Zone redundant storage (ZRS): $0.071 per 10,000 operations
- Geo-redundant storage (GRS): $0.113 per 10,000 operations
Notes:
- Backup storage incurs additional costs, as described above.
- The archive tier is not supported for Azure Blob backup.
- Storage charges are separate from instance and transaction fees. Cross-region restore is also not supported for Azure Blob backups.
Related content: Read our guide to Azure backup pricing
10 Best Practices for Reducing Azure Backup Costs
Here are some of the ways that organizations can optimize their costs on Azure Backup.
1. Selecting Appropriate Storage Redundancy
Choosing the right storage redundancy is like picking the right insurance plan—go overboard, and you’re overpaying; skimp, and you might regret it when disaster strikes. Users should align redundancy options with business continuity objectives to manage costs. Evaluating enterprise needs ensures that selected storage tiers meet resiliency and economic requirements.
Analyzing data criticality and geographical requirements aids in selecting between LRS, GRS, and ZRS. Proper alignment of redundancy levels with data importance and risk acceptance helps in reducing unnecessary costs.
2. Optimizing Backup Policies and Retention Periods
Optimizing retention periods and backup policies is key to controlling Azure Backup costs. Balancing data protection requirements with cost-saving measures ensures economic efficiency. Adjusting policies to suit the organization’s needs prevents over-provisioning.
Reviewing and setting retention periods aligned with business requirements avoids unnecessary prolongation of backups, minimizing storage costs. Configuring retention policies and understanding data lifecycle help tailor backup strategies to actual needs.
3. Regular Review and Cleanup of Unused Backups
Regularly reviewing and cleaning up unused backups help in saving on Azure Backup costs. It prevents the accumulation of unnecessary data, which contributes to inflated storage bills. Organizations should employ tools and practices that enable timely review and decluttering.
A cleanup strategy involves setting up alerts and regular audits for backups. This proactive management approach ensures that only relevant and necessary backups occupy storage resources.
4. Leveraging Azure Backup Storage Reserved Capacity
Azure Backup’s reserved capacity plans provide benefits for predictable workloads, reducing long-term storage costs. Organizations can leverage reserved capacity for known storage needs, offering stability in cost planning and savings over pay-as-you-go models.
Evaluating storage patterns and forecast trends enable organizations to decide on reserved capacity adoption, ensuring consistent savings on backup costs. It offers a reliable means to handle predictable data growth within budgetary constraints.
5. Monitoring and Analyzing Backup Costs
Consistent monitoring and analysis of Azure Backup costs are essential for cost optimization. Tools like Azure Cost Management provide insights and track expenses, enabling strategic adjustments. Real-time monitoring aids in identifying deviations and potential cost-saving opportunities.
By setting up alerts and regularly reviewing expenditure reports, organizations can maintain oversight on their backup spending. Encouraging a culture of proactive cost analysis helps in aligning expenses with organizational financial goals.
6. Implement Incremental Backups
Implementing incremental backups, which save only changed data since the last backup, can lower storage needs. This approach reduces storage consumption and associated costs, allowing for efficient data protection without unnecessary expenditure.
Incremental backups also simplify the restoration process, enabling faster data recovery by focusing only on modified segments. By using this method, organizations preserve storage resources while ensuring backup reliability, translating to long-term savings.
7. Use Data Compression and Deduplication
Data compression and deduplication help reduce backup storage costs by minimizing data size. Utilizing these techniques can lower the storage footprint, leading to cost reductions over time. Employing compression aligns data protection with resource efficiency goals.
Deduplication eliminates redundant data, allowing only unique data blocks to be stored. Both of these techniques contribute to sharper accuracy and economy in backup processes, preserving vital storage resources and reducing expenses.
8. Schedule Backups During Off-Peak Hours
Scheduling backups during off-peak hours minimizes impact on bandwidth and production systems. This practice extends the operational lifespan of resources and aligns with cost-effective network data transfer, reducing the strain on network resources.
By optimizing backup schedules, organizations ensure that infrastructure remains efficient and cost-effective. It results in minimized business interruption, operational synergy, and cost savings in both storage and bandwidth usage.
9. Regularly Test Backup Restorations
Regular testing of backup restorations ensures data integrity and reliability. It not only verifies the efficacy of backup systems but also aids in aligning storage needs with actual recovery requirements. This practice helps anticipate costs associated with restorations.
Testing backups also provides insights into improving backup strategies and storage allocation, guiding future investment and cost management plans. Ensuring backups are functional and efficient prevents needless expenses from accumulating over time.
10. Stay Updated on Azure Backup Features and Pricing Changes
Staying informed about Azure Backup’s features and pricing adjustments is crucial for cost management. Keeping up-to-date knowledge aids in capitalizing on new cost-effective options, ensuring alignment with current budget strategies while maximizing savings and value.
Regularly reviewing Azure updates enables adaptation and strategic adjustment of backup plans. This preparedness enables organizations to leverage opportunities for cost optimization promptly.
Use N2W for easy and cost-effective Azure backup
While Azure Backup offers robust data protection features, organizations looking for enhanced flexibility, additional security options, and better cost control may find significant advantages in using N2W for Azure. Here’s why N2W could be the better fit for your backup needs:
No-cost Azure Backups
Unlike Azure Backup, which has a fixed service cost and charges per number of protected instances, N2W does not have fixed service costs. You can manage backups for free and only pay for Azure storage and bandwidth costs.
Cross-Cloud from AWS to Azure
N2W enables cross-cloud backup and recovery between AWS and Azure. This feature allows you to create a highly secure backup in—not just a separate account or region, but a separate cloud—for the ultimate data protection.
Immutability
Users can make backups immutable, adding a layer of security by preventing data changes during the retention period. This may help meet various compliance requirements.
Better security
For users who prioritize security and compliance, N2W supports multi-factor authentication (MFA). This feature adds an extra layer of protection to user accounts by requiring a temporary code sent via email or generated by an authenticator app.
Improved scalability
N2W enhances scalability with features like agentless SQL backups using worker instances. This capability allows for efficient backup and recovery of SQL databases, leveraging Azure-native snapshots. The agentless approach improves performance and scalability, ensuring that production databases are regularly backed up and can be swiftly restored.
Understanding Azure Backup pricing and exploring cost optimization strategies are crucial for managing cloud expenses effectively. By tailoring backup policies, leveraging archive storage, and considering third-party solutions like N2W, businesses can significantly cut costs while maintaining robust data protection. Ready to take your backup strategy to the next level?
