For SMBs and MSPs, compare M365 backup providers, set policies that stick, and cut restore times by 41% within two weeks.
M365 data gets deleted, misfiled, or locked—then compliance deadlines arrive with zero wiggle room. Vendor pages hide tradeoffs, and DIY threads miss the details that make audits pass, not panic. We curate proven providers, policy templates, and step-by-step guides so restores work and auditors leave satisfied.
We started as a small MSP repeatedly fixing “I thought Microsoft backed it up” misunderstandings. After one client lost critical Teams files before an audit, we documented every step we used to recover and comply. That playbook grew into side-by-side vendor comparisons, retention templates, and restore drills. We’ve since helped many admins set policies that hold up in real audits and run restores without panic. Our approach favors clarity over hype and outcomes over features. We publish criteria, disclose affiliate relationships, and keep guides evergreen with quarterly reviews. The mission is simple: make M365 backup and compliance feel routine, not risky.
In one hour, identify workloads, data sensitivity, and current retention settings. You’ll feel clear about what must be protected and where compliance evidence is thin.
Spend 90 minutes with the vendor matrix to match features to needs. Relief comes from seeing apples-to-apples differences and eliminating options that won’t pass audits.
Within two days, deploy templates and run a timed restore drill. Confidence grows as your team proves recovery works and retention holds across workloads.
By week two, compile mappings and evidence for auditors. Peace of mind follows when you have proof on file and a quarterly review cadence in place.
Core comparisons and basic checklist to get you moving today.
Advanced templates, calculators, and drill playbooks for confident audits.
Client-ready documentation and multi-tenant resources for MSPs.
| Feature/Criteria | Our Solution | Direct Vendor Sites | Forums/DIY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apples-to-apples vendor matrix by workload | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Retention policy templates with compliance mappings | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Restore drill playbooks with timing targets | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Transparent affiliate disclosures and scoring rubrics | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hands-on setup guides for permissions and scopes | ✓ | Limited | ✗ |
| Cost calculators for storage and licensing | ✓ | Limited | ✗ |
| Live support for template questions | Email Q&A | Sales chat | ✗ |
| Community anecdotes and edge-case hacks | Limited | ✗ | ✓ |
We thought native retention covered us. YourData365’s matrix showed gaps in Teams file restores. After switching providers and using the drill playbook, recoveries dropped from 19 minutes to 7 and our audit had zero critical findings.
The templates saved days per client. We standardized policies and used the compliance mappings in reports. Three new clients signed after seeing a five‑minute mailbox restore demo and documented evidence.
Auditors loved the clarity. We presented retention rationale, legal hold steps, and restore proof. Findings were downgraded to informational, and we avoided adding another costly tool.
I used the setup guide to configure permissions correctly on the first try. No throttling surprises, first backup completed in under an hour, and our quarterly drill hit 6 minutes on item restore.
Interactive tools to help you get the most out of your business.
For SMBs and MSPs, compare M365 backup providers, set policies that stick, and cut restore times by 41% within two weeks.
Compare providers