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Microsoft System Center vs Retrospect Comparison

Last updated:

Microsoft System Center

4.2(723 reviews)

Starting at $1,323

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Microsoft System Center Backup provides the latest Backup, Recovery, and Deduplication capabilities to protect data on physical servers and virtual machines. It provides comprehensive protection with minimal complexity t…

Retrospect

3.9(17 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Retrospect is all-in-one backup software. It makes it easy to backup and recover hard drive, digital pictures and music files. It has a new modular architecture that allows to choose what user need and scale up later whe…

Microsoft System Center leads on user satisfaction with a 4.2-star rating across 723 reviews.

Microsoft System Center vs Retrospect — at a glance

FeatureMicrosoft System CenterRetrospect
Rating4.2 / 53.9 / 5
Reviews72317
Starting price$1,323Contact for pricing
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryBackup SoftwareBackup Software
PlatformsInstalled - WindowsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
API
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours
Certifications
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between Microsoft System Center and Retrospect

  • Pricing: Microsoft System Center starts at $1,323. Retrospect pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Retrospect offers a free trial; Microsoft System Center does not.
  • User satisfaction: Microsoft System Center scores higher with a 4.2-star average.
  • Deployment: Microsoft System Center supports Installed - Windows; Retrospect supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Microsoft System Center vs Retrospect — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Backup Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

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Retrospect - Backup Software
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Free PDF comparison

Download this Microsoft System Center vs Retrospect comparison

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Microsoft System Center

Best for comprehensive Windows-centric backup and infrastructure management.

Choose if
  • You need unified backup, recovery, and infrastructure management in one console.
  • Your team requires strong automation for OS deployment, updates, and compliance.
  • Your environment is primarily Windows-based with medium to large IT operations teams.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization relies heavily on macOS or Linux platforms.
  • You need a quick, simple backup solution with minimal setup complexity.

Retrospect

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Microsoft System Center typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Retrospect tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Microsoft System Center Backup provides the latest Backup, Recovery, and Deduplication capabilities to protect data on physical servers and virtual machines. It provides comprehensive ... Read More about Microsoft System Center

Retrospect is all-in-one backup software. It makes it easy to backup and recover hard drive, digital pictures and music files. It has a new modular architecture that allows to choose what ... Read More about Retrospect

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $1,323
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • Free Trial available

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.0/10

8.3/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.9

(17)

Best Company Size

Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

No software demo available

Microsoft System Center has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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How do Microsoft System Center and Retrospect Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

9 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Microsoft System Center and Retrospect on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $1,323
      • Not Available

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Microsoft System Center pricing

      Pricing information not available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🇺🇸 US

      Microsoft System Center User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      252

      177

      40

      8

      3

      8

      8

      2

      0

      2

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights comprehensive features and automation, tempered by concerns over complexity and platform limitations.

      What buyers like

      • Automation capabilities
      • Unified management console
      • Compliance and security features

      Common complaints

      • Steep learning curve
      • Limited cross-platform support

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is mixed to positive across 20 reviews, with clear strengths and a few common watchouts.

      What buyers like

      • Modular architecture for scalability
      • Easy backup and recovery
      • Ideal for Windows systems

      Common complaints

      • Limited to Windows only
      • May require technical knowledge
      • No mobile app available

      Pros and Cons

      • Unified infrastructure for protection and administration with regulatory compliance

      • Comprehensive automation for OS deployment, software updating, and remote management

      • Powerful monitoring, reporting, and device management tools

      • Steep learning curve and time-consuming setup

      • Cumbersome and expensive implementation with unclear instructions

      • The modular architecture allows users to customize their backup needs and scale as required.

      • The software is designed specifically for Windows, ensuring optimal performance on these systems.

      • Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible for users with varying technical skills.

      • Users should be aware of the limitations on non-Windows systems.

      • Technical knowledge may be required for advanced features.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Microsoft System Center or Retrospect? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Carlsberg

      Carlsberg

      ctt

      ctt

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      system center

      3 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      No videos available.

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Microsoft System Center and Retrospect in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Microsoft System Center or Retrospect?
      Microsoft System Center edges out the other on user ratings (4.2 vs 3.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Microsoft System Center and Retrospect offer a free trial?
      Retrospect offers a free trial. Microsoft System Center does not.
      What is the starting price of Microsoft System Center vs Retrospect?
      Microsoft System Center starts at $1,323. Retrospect starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Microsoft System Center?
      Top alternatives to Microsoft System Center include NetApp, EMC NetWorker, MSP360 Backup, StorageCraft Cloud Backup, Ahsay Cloud Backup Suite.
      What are the top alternatives to Retrospect?
      Top alternatives to Retrospect include Ada, Pro Backup, OwnBackup, Handy Backup, One Backup.