Microsoft 365 Backup vs Afi
Afi Backup for Microsoft 365 is a cloud-native alternative aimed at fast setup and modern Microsoft 365 coverage. Like Microsoft 365 Backup, it has no on-premises server. Unlike native backup, it covers Teams chat and supports retention beyond one year.
Head-to-head
| Factor | Microsoft 365 Backup | Afi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per GB protected per month | Per user per month |
| Representative rate | $0.15 per GB | $2.63 - $7.00 per user |
| Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint | Yes | Yes |
| Teams chat | No | Yes |
| Max retention | 1 year | Configurable, multi-year |
| Storage target | Microsoft cloud only | Afi cloud |
| Deployment | Inside Microsoft 365 | Microsoft 365 app registration |
| Restore target | Same tenant | Same tenant |
When Microsoft 365 Backup wins
Choose native backup when you want the simplest possible setup inside Microsoft 365, no additional vendor relationship, and fast restores that stay within the Microsoft cloud. It suits tenants with light to moderate data volumes, no Teams chat recovery requirement, and a one-year retention ceiling they can live with.
When Afi wins
Afi is a strong alternative when Teams chat coverage, multi-year retention, or a backup copy held outside Microsoft's cloud matters. It is also aimed at MSPs who want a multi-tenant console and per-user billing without building their own backup infrastructure. For data-heavy tenants the per-user price can be cheaper than the native per-GB bill.
Cost reality
Afi's per-user price is predictable and easy to invoice. Microsoft 365 Backup's per-GB bill can be very low for light tenants but climb quickly when archives and versioning are large. The crossover point depends on protected gigabytes per user, which is best measured with the PowerShell sizing scripts.
Bottom line
Microsoft 365 Backup is the minimal-friction, cloud-native recovery layer for Exchange, OneDrive and SharePoint. Afi is a fuller SaaS backup product that adds Teams chat, longer retention and a separate copy. The choice usually comes down to whether you need those three additions or are happy with the simplest native option.
Compare with your own numbers Back to comparison overview
Frequently asked questions
Does Afi cover Teams chat?
Yes. Afi Backup for Microsoft 365 protects Teams chat data, which Microsoft 365 Backup does not cover.
Is Afi cheaper than Microsoft 365 Backup?
Afi is priced per user per month, similar to other cloud-native backup products. For small mailboxes it can be more expensive than the native per-GB rate; for very large mailboxes it can be cheaper.
Can Afi store backups outside Microsoft 365?
Yes. Afi stores backups in its own cloud infrastructure, separate from Microsoft's cloud, and offers options to keep copies in different regions.
Does Afi support longer retention?
Yes. Afi offers configurable retention policies that can exceed the one-year limit of Microsoft 365 Backup.
Which is easier to deploy?
Both are cloud-native SaaS products with no on-premises server. Afi connects through a Microsoft 365 app registration, while Microsoft 365 Backup is configured directly inside the Microsoft 365 admin centre.
Last updated