AvePoint
Data management, governance & backup
- IT Management & Infrastructure
- Subscription
For · IT administrators, security officers and compliance teams at organisations that heavily rely on Microsoft 365
AvePoint is one of the largest independent providers of data management, governance, and backup solutions for the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. The Confidence Platform includes Cloud Backup, Policies & Insights, Opus (records management), and migration tools. For organizations heavily reliant on SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive, AvePoint is often the de facto choice because Microsoft itself does not offer a complete native backup solution.
The pricing structure works with per-user or per-GB subscriptions, depending on the product. Contracts typically run for 1 or 3 years and are often linked to Microsoft EA renewals. This means procurement tends to escalate unnoticed alongside the M365 environment, without a clear moment to revise the AvePoint strategy.
Purchasing Considerations
- Decouple from the Microsoft EA cycle
Many organisations automatically include AvePoint with their Microsoft renewal. By deliberately detaching the AvePoint renewal date, you create an independent negotiation moment and prevent price increases from becoming “part” of a larger Microsoft contract.
- Check per-user vs. per-GB pricing
AvePoint offers both models, sometimes for the same product. For organisations with lots of SharePoint data and relatively few users, per-user is more cost-effective. In the opposite case, per-GB is better. Have both scenarios calculated before signing.
- Actively request Public Sector and non-profit discounts
AvePoint applies significant discounts for government, education and non-profits, but these are not always proactively offered. If you belong to one of these sectors, demand the sector-specific price list in writing.
- Bundle Cloud Backup with Policies & Insights
When purchasing multiple AvePoint modules, bundle discounts can be discussed. Especially the combination of Backup + Governance is commercially sensitive as AvePoint wants to retain customers against Veeam and Rubrik.
Compliance Risks
- Unclear retention after offboarding
AvePoint Cloud Backup often retains data of former employees longer than legally necessary. Without an explicit retention policy, GDPR risks arise: data from people who left remains paid for and stored for years.
- Data location and sub-processors
AvePoint runs on Microsoft Azure but can replicate data to multiple regions depending on the product. For organisations with strict data residency requirements (government, healthcare, finance), an explicit contractual confirmation of the EU region is essential.
- Dependency for M365 disaster recovery
Many organisations build their entire M365 recovery strategy on AvePoint without an exit scenario. When switching backup providers, all historical data must be migrated or exported — technically complex and commercially a leverage for AvePoint.
Frequently Asked Questions about AvePoint
Frequently asked questions about AvePoint licenses and purchasing.
Do I need AvePoint if I already have Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 does not provide full backup. The native retention policies are meant for compliance, not for disaster recovery or ransomware recovery. For true point-in-time recovery of mailboxes, SharePoint sites and Teams chats, a third-party solution like AvePoint (or Veeam, Rubrik) is necessary.
What is the difference between AvePoint Cloud Backup and Confidence Platform?
Cloud Backup is the specific backup product. Confidence Platform is the overarching suite that bundles backup, governance, migration and records management. For many mid-sized organisations, standalone Cloud Backup is sufficient — the full Confidence Platform is aimed at enterprise and regulated sectors.
Can SoftVaro help with an AvePoint renewal?
Yes. SoftVaro analyses your current AvePoint usage, compares pricing with market rates and negotiates on your behalf for volume discounts, contract duration and exit conditions. Also, if you're unsure between AvePoint and alternatives like Veeam or Rubrik, we provide an independent TCO comparison.
Relevant knowledge base articles
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