# Arcserve ShadowProtect > Image-based backup and disaster recovery for MSPs managing diverse physical and virtual environments. Arcserve ShadowProtect is an image-based backup and disaster recovery solution from Arcserve for Managed Service Providers. It supports physical, virtual, Windows and Linux systems with both agent-based and host-based Hyper-V protection; pricing is quote-only (checked September 2026). Listing updated 6 September 2026. Checked by MSP Software 5 September 2026. - Page: https://mspsoftware.net/software/shadowprotect - Vendor: Arcserve, https://mspsoftware.net/vendors/arcserve, website https://www.arcserve.com/products/arcserve-shadowprotect - Categories: Backup and disaster recovery (primary) - Free version: no. - Deployment: cloud, on-premises and hybrid. Platforms: Windows and Linux. HQ: United States. Founded: 2003. - Support: email, help desk, knowledge base and phone. Training: documentation, videos and webinars. ## From the vendor Arcserve ShadowProtect is an image-based backup and disaster recovery platform from Arcserve, designed for Managed Service Providers managing client environments at scale. The product supports protection across physical and virtual systems running Windows and Linux, with both agent-based protection for application-specific workloads and host-based Microsoft Hyper-V protection for centralized infrastructure management. ShadowProtect enables rapid file-level, volume-level, and full-system recovery, with VirtualBoot technology that instantly boots backup images as virtual machines, enabling quick disaster recovery without lengthy restoration processes. Both deployment models use identical pricing structures and integrate with the Arcserve MSP portal for license generation and management. The platform provides cross-platform support including VMware ESX/ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization, with storage-agnostic design allowing backup to local appliances, remote servers, cloud environments, or private Arcserve Cloud storage. Automated backup verification confirms recoverability without requiring manual testing, and mass deployment capabilities allow MSPs to protect thousands of systems with minimal operational overhead. Agent-based protection is available for a broader range of Windows versions and supports application-specific workload protection, while host-based protection (introduced in version 8.0) offers lightweight, centralized management for Hyper-V environments. ShadowProtect integrates with complementary Arcserve products including ImageManager for backup image management, consolidation of incremental backup chains, and continuous validation of backup integrity; Cloud Cyber Resilient Storage for immutable ransomware-protected backups; and SaaS Backup for protecting cloud applications including Microsoft 365 and Salesforce. Arcserve acquired StorageCraft in 2021, integrating ShadowProtect into its broader data protection portfolio; the storagecraft.com domain now redirects to arcserve.com. Pricing is not published and requires contacting Arcserve sales for a quote based on deployment scope, number of systems, and licensing model preferences. MSPs should confirm which backup destination model and deployment type matches their client infrastructure before evaluating. ## Our take ShadowProtect suits MSPs managing heterogeneous client infrastructure who need image-based backup flexibility across physical and virtual systems without lock-in to a single hypervisor. It competes directly with Datto BCDR, Veeam Data Platform, and Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud. The two deployment models (agent-based for application-aware workloads, host-based for lightweight Hyper-V management) address different operational scenarios; evaluate which aligns with your client base topology. Pricing is quote-only and not published on the Arcserve website; confirm whether per-server, per-workload, or per-storage-capacity billing structures suit your MSP commercial model before committing to a trial or demo. ## Pricing Arcserve ShadowProtect does not publish a list price. ## Features | Feature | Supported | Note | | --- | --- | --- | | Image-based backup | yes | Core feature; supports rapid file, volume, and full-system recovery | | Local backup appliance | yes | Agent-based model supports local appliance deployment | | Cloud storage included | yes | Integrates with Arcserve Cloud Cyber Resilient Storage | | Instant local or cloud virtualisation | yes | VirtualBoot technology boots backup images instantly as VMs | | Bare-metal recovery | yes | Full-system recovery with cross-platform migration (P2P, P2V, V2P, V2V) | | Application-aware backup | yes | Agent-based protection supports application-specific workload requirements | | Backup screenshot verification | yes | Automated backup verification confirms recoverability | | Offsite replication | yes | Replication to local, remote, cloud, or private Arcserve Cloud storage | | VMware and Hyper-V support | yes | Supports VMware ESX/ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization | ## Integrations - Arcserve ImageManager, https://www.arcserve.com/products/imagemanager - Arcserve Cloud Cyber Resilient Storage, https://www.arcserve.com/products - Arcserve SaaS Backup, https://www.arcserve.com/products ## Alternatives - Unitrends: Backup appliance and cloud recovery for data centers, endpoints and SaaS applications. https://mspsoftware.net/software/unitrends - Datto BCDR: Image-based backup with instant local or cloud virtualization and flat-fee pricing. https://mspsoftware.net/software/datto-bcdr - NAKIVO Backup & Replication: VM, physical server and cloud backup with MSP program and Microsoft 365 support. https://mspsoftware.net/software/nakivo-backup-replication. Compare: https://mspsoftware.net/compare/nakivo-backup-replication-vs-shadowprotect - Comet Backup: Self-hostable backup with flexible storage, priced per workstation from $2 per month. https://mspsoftware.net/software/comet-backup. Compare: https://mspsoftware.net/compare/comet-backup-vs-shadowprotect ## FAQ ### How much does Arcserve ShadowProtect cost? Arcserve ShadowProtect does not publish a list price. No MSP price reports have been approved yet. ### Does Arcserve ShadowProtect offer a free trial? There is no free version. ### What does Arcserve ShadowProtect integrate with? Arcserve ShadowProtect lists integrations with Arcserve ImageManager, Arcserve Cloud Cyber Resilient Storage and Arcserve SaaS Backup. ### Is Arcserve ShadowProtect cloud or on-premises? Arcserve ShadowProtect can be run in the cloud or on-premises. Arcserve ShadowProtect supports a hybrid deployment. ### Who is Arcserve ShadowProtect for? MSPs report using Arcserve ShadowProtect at sizes of 16-50, 51-200 and 200+ technicians. ### Is Arcserve ShadowProtect the same as StorageCraft ShadowProtect? Arcserve ShadowProtect is the current name for the product formerly sold as StorageCraft ShadowProtect. Arcserve acquired StorageCraft in 2021, integrating ShadowProtect into the Arcserve product portfolio. The storagecraft.com domain now redirects to arcserve.com. The product name changed to Arcserve ShadowProtect but retains the core functionality and features MSPs have relied on. ### What are the deployment models for ShadowProtect? Arcserve ShadowProtect offers two deployment models. Agent-based protection provides application-specific workload-level protection and works with diverse Windows versions, while host-based protection (new in version 8.0) offers centralized, lightweight management for Microsoft Hyper-V environments. A machine can run either the host agent or the agent-based model, not both. Both models use the same pricing structure. ### What hypervisors does ShadowProtect support? Arcserve ShadowProtect supports multiple hypervisors including Microsoft Hyper-V (both agent-based and host-based), VMware ESX/ESXi, and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization. It protects both physical and virtual systems running Windows and Linux, making it flexible for MSPs managing diverse client infrastructure without vendor lock-in. ### How is ShadowProtect priced? Arcserve ShadowProtect pricing is not published and requires a quote from Arcserve sales. Both host-based and agent-based backup models use identical pricing structures. Licenses are generated through the Arcserve MSP portal. MSPs should contact Arcserve directly for pricing based on their deployment scope, number of systems, and licensing model preferences. ### What backup verification does ShadowProtect provide? Arcserve ShadowProtect includes automated backup verification to confirm recoverability without requiring manual testing. The platform also integrates with Arcserve ImageManager for comprehensive backup image management, consolidation of incremental backup chains, and continuous validation of backup integrity across onsite, offsite, and cloud environments.