Comet Backup
Comet Backup is a flexible backup software solution providing service providers and IT teams with fast, encrypted, and deduplicated data protection across diverse storage environments and platforms.
Rockstor
Rockstor is an open-source NAS and private cloud storage solution built on BTRFS that provides advanced data integrity and management for your home or business.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Comet Backup | Rockstor |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cometbackup.com | rockstor.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $2/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2017 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Christchurch, New Zealand | Houston, USA |
Overview
Comet Backup
Comet Backup gives you total control over your data protection strategy with a fast, secure, and highly customizable backup solution. You can protect everything from individual files and folders to entire disk images, Microsoft 365 environments, and databases like SQL or MongoDB. The software uses client-side deduplication, meaning your data is compressed and encrypted before it even leaves your device, saving you significant bandwidth and storage costs.
Designed specifically for IT professionals and service providers, the platform allows you to choose your own storage destination, whether it's local hardware or cloud providers like AWS, Azure, or Wasabi. You can manage all your backup jobs through a centralized web interface, white-label the software with your own branding, and scale your operations without worrying about per-device licensing fees.
Rockstor
Rockstor gives you a powerful, open-source platform to build your own Network Attached Storage (NAS) and private cloud. Built on the advanced BTRFS file system, it focuses on protecting your data while giving you the flexibility to manage storage across various hardware configurations. You can easily create shares, manage snapshots, and expand your capacity without the complexity of traditional enterprise storage systems.
You can transform your commodity hardware into a sophisticated storage server that you control entirely. Whether you are looking to centralize your family photos or manage business-critical backups, the platform provides a web-based interface to handle everything from disk management to file sharing. It bridges the gap between DIY Linux setups and expensive proprietary hardware, giving you professional-grade features at a fraction of the cost.
Overview
Comet Backup Features
- Chunk-Based Deduplication Upload data once and only back up changed blocks to save massive amounts of storage space and bandwidth.
- Client-Side Encryption Secure your data with AES-256 bit encryption before it leaves your network so only you hold the keys.
- White-Label Branding Replace all logos and names with your own brand to provide a professional, cohesive experience for your clients.
- Live File Backups Back up files while they are still in use by applications without interrupting your team's daily productivity.
- Centralized Management Monitor all backup health, status, and history across your entire fleet from a single, intuitive web dashboard.
- Flexible Storage Options Choose where your data lives by connecting to any S3-compatible cloud storage or your own local servers.
Rockstor Features
- BTRFS File System. Protect your data from silent corruption with advanced checksums and copy-on-write technology that ensures file integrity.
- Instant Snapshots. Create point-in-time copies of your data instantly so you can recover deleted files or revert changes in seconds.
- Rock-ons (Apps). Extend your server's functionality by installing Docker-based applications like Plex, Nextcloud, and Transmission with just a few clicks.
- Online Capacity Expansion. Add new drives to your storage pools on the fly without taking your system offline or interrupting your work.
- Dashboard Monitoring. Track your CPU usage, memory, and disk health in real-time through a clean, intuitive web-based management interface.
- Asynchronous Replication. Send your snapshots to another Rockstor instance over the network to create a robust off-site disaster recovery plan.
Pricing Comparison
Comet Backup Pricing
- $2 per device monthly base
- Unlimited backup jobs
- Client-side deduplication
- Full white-labeling
- API and CLI access
- Free support and updates
- Everything in Self-Hosted, plus:
- Fully managed server instance
- Automatic server updates
- Global server locations
- Simplified setup process
- High-availability infrastructure
Rockstor Pricing
- Completely free to use
- Access to latest features
- Community-based support
- Frequent update cycle
- Open-source source code
- Everything in Testing, plus:
- Tested stable updates
- Security patches
- Bug fixes
- Annual subscription model
- Support for project development
Pros & Cons
Comet Backup
Pros
- Extremely fast backup speeds due to efficient deduplication
- Highly flexible storage destination options for total control
- Affordable pay-per-device pricing with no hidden fees
- Excellent white-labeling capabilities for service providers
Cons
- Initial server setup requires some technical knowledge
- Web interface can feel complex for novice users
- Documentation is technical and geared toward IT pros
Rockstor
Pros
- Modern BTRFS features provide excellent data protection
- User-friendly web interface simplifies complex Linux tasks
- Docker-based app system makes service deployment easy
- Low hardware requirements for older computer reuse
- Active community forum for troubleshooting and advice
Cons
- Stable updates require a paid annual subscription
- Smaller app ecosystem compared to some competitors
- Requires basic knowledge of PC hardware setup