AvePoint
Data management, governance & backup
- IT Management & Infrastructure
- Subscription
For · IT administrators, security officers, and compliance teams at organizations heavily reliant 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.
Procurement considerations
- Decouple from the Microsoft EA cycle
Many organizations let AvePoint run automatically alongside their Microsoft renewal. By consciously separating 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 organizations with a lot of SharePoint data and relatively few users, per-user pricing is more advantageous. In the opposite scenario, per-GB is better. Have both scenarios calculated before signing.
- Actively request Public Sector and non-profit discounts
AvePoint applies substantial discounts for government, education, and non-profits, but these are not always proactively offered. If you belong to one of these sectors, insist in writing on the sector-specific pricing list.
- Bundle Cloud Backup with Policies & Insights
Bundle discounts are negotiable when purchasing multiple AvePoint modules. Especially the Backup + Governance combination is commercially sensitive, as AvePoint wants to retain customers against Veeam and Rubrik.
Compliance risks
- Unclear retention after offboarding
AvePoint Cloud Backup often retains ex-employee data longer than legally required. Without an explicit retention policy, GDPR risks arise: data of former employees 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 organizations with strict data residency requirements (government, healthcare, finance), explicit contractual confirmation of the EU region is essential.
- Dependency for M365 disaster recovery
Many organizations build their entire M365 recovery strategy on AvePoint without an exit plan. When switching backup providers, all historical data must be migrated or exported — technically complex and commercially a constraint that AvePoint can leverage.
Frequently asked questions about AvePoint
Frequently asked questions about AvePoint licenses and procurement.
Do I need AvePoint if I already have Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 does not offer 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 organizations, standalone Cloud Backup is sufficient — the full Confidence Platform is aimed at enterprise and regulated sectors.
Can SoftVaro assist with an AvePoint renewal?
Yes. SoftVaro analyzes your current AvePoint usage, compares pricing with market rates, and negotiates on your behalf for volume discounts, contract duration, and exit terms. Even when indecisive between AvePoint and alternatives like Veeam or Rubrik, we provide an independent TCO comparison.
Relevant knowledge base articles
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