AvePoint
Data management, governance and backup for Microsoft 365 and Teams
- IT Management & Infrastructure
- Subscription
For · IT administrators, security officers, and compliance teams at organisations heavily relying 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 organisations heavily relying on SharePoint, Teams and OneDrive, AvePoint is often the de facto choice because Microsoft itself does not offer a complete native backup.
The pricing model works with per-user or per-GB subscriptions, depending on the product. Contracts usually run for 1 or 3 years and are often tied to Microsoft EA renewals. This means procurement often escalates unnoticed alongside the M365 landscape without a clear moment to review the AvePoint strategy.
Procurement considerations
- Decouple from the Microsoft EA cycle
Many organisations let AvePoint automatically renew with 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 versus per-GB pricing
AvePoint offers both models, sometimes for the same product. In organisations with a lot of SharePoint data but relatively few users, per-user is more cost-effective. In the opposite situation, per-GB is better. Have both scenarios calculated before signing.
- Actively request Public Sector and non-profit discounts
AvePoint offers substantial discounts for government, education and non-profits, but these are not always proactively offered. If you fall into one of these sectors, insist on receiving the sector-specific price list in writing.
- Bundle Cloud Backup with Policies & Insights
When purchasing multiple AvePoint modules, bundle discounts are negotiable. Especially the combination of Backup + Governance is commercially sensitive because AvePoint wants to retain customers against competitors like Veeam and Rubrik.
Compliance risks
- Unclear retention after offboarding
AvePoint Cloud Backup often retains data of former employees longer than legally required. Without an explicit retention policy, GDPR risks arise: data of people who left the organisation 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 on AvePoint 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 lever for AvePoint.
Frequently asked questions about AvePoint
Frequently asked questions about AvePoint licences and procurement.
Do I need AvePoint if I already have Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 does not offer complete backup. The native retention policies are designed for compliance, not for disaster recovery or ransomware restoration. For real 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 bundling backup, governance, migration and records management. For many medium-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 terms. Even if you are undecided between AvePoint and alternatives like Veeam or Rubrik, we provide an independent TCO comparison.
Relevant knowledge base articles
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