--- title: On-Premises Backup Software or Cloud Backup as a Service? (Part 2) description: Data protection vendors often force you to decide between an on-premise or a software-as-a-service solution. With Acronis Backup 12, you don’t have to choose! canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/premises-backup-software-or-cloud-backup-service-part-2/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # On-Premises Backup Software or Cloud Backup as a Service? (Part 2) Recently, we wrote about how data protection vendors force you to choose between an on-premises solution and a software-as-a-service solution. In one of our recent blog posts, we compared how choosing a backup solution should be just like choosing a car. If you want a vehicle that is good for commuting but can also accommodate off-road activities, you should buy a vehicle that does both. Fortunately, the automobile industry offers many types and models of cars to accommodate every consumer’s need. The car industry is flexible. Unfortunately, the majority of vendors in the data protection industry are not. [Learn More](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cyber-protect/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 2 min read Last updated 20 November 2022 Recently, we wrote about how data protection vendors force you to choose between an on-premises solution and a software-as-a-service solution. In one of our recent blog [posts](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/blog/posts/premise-backup-software-or-cloud-backup-service-answer/), we compared how choosing a backup solution should be just like choosing a car. If you want a vehicle that is good for commuting but can also accommodate off-road activities, you should buy a vehicle that does both. Fortunately, the automobile industry offers many types and models of cars to accommodate every consumer’s need. The car industry is flexible. Unfortunately, the majority of vendors in the data protection industry are not. Today, many of these vendors want to dictate the backup infrastructure that you should use. Some claim that on-premises software is the right answer. Others force you into a backup-as-a-service alternative. Ugh... But let’s consider a different alternative. Look at these two user interfaces: ![Image 3: Cloud User Interface](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/be312845eae1012719d6e2b560b5c443.png) Cloud User Interface ## Acronis Backup 12: The Best Of Both Worlds Do you see any differences? Look closely. Anything? Alright, you found it! You can see that the logos are different and that there is a “Manage Accounts” option available in the blue column in the lower screenshot. You are looking at the Acronis Backup 12 console. The upper screen shot is the console that is installed on-premises and the console beneath it is in the Acronis Cloud. Yep. You got it! They are nearly identical. Acronis Backup 12 does not wrestle you to the ground, forcing you into one standard delivery model. Instead, you make the choice. You control your environment. When you try or buy a subscription for Acronis Backup 12, you choose whether you want to use Acronis Backup 12 as a [cloud backup service](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/cloud/backup/) and skip the installation, or install Acronis Backup 12 on-premises with just three clicks. This is yet another example how the industry’s easiest and fastest [backup solution](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/business/backup/) delivers control to you – the IT administrator! Try it for yourself. Check out [Acronis Backup 12](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/business/backup/) today and experience the industry's fastest backup and data protection. [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) ## Written by ![Image 4: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-backup-125-closer-look-new-web-console/) [Acronis Backup 12.5: A Closer Look at the New Web Console](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-backup-125-closer-look-new-web-console/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/68-million-reasons-keep-consumer-grade-apps-dropbox-out-your-business/) [68 million reasons to keep consumer-grade apps like Dropbox out of your business](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/68-million-reasons-keep-consumer-grade-apps-dropbox-out-your-business/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 5: stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/9600f3eea83b8f4e168ea6c1409c8c26.png) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) We are proud to announce a strategic partnership with stc Bahrain, expanding access to advanced cybersecurity services for businesses across Bahrain. **October 26, 2026**3 min read ![Image 6: Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/30cb571f6f1aaa131733e5727a4a250c.png) [Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/introducing-new-acronis-ceo-prakash-panjwani/) We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Prakash Panjwani. A veteran cybersecurity CEO, Panjwani previously served as CEO of WatchGuard Technologies and SafeNet. **October 15, 2026**2 min read ![Image 7: Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/18e90e89f5ec4ef0901f19008d4ccbf2.png) [Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-expands-mdr-toward-broader-workspace-protection/) Acronis is expanding the MDR service with capabilities that make this expertise easier to deliver and help partners address more risks. The developments build on a broader commitment to managed security: helping service providers protect the connected workspace while giving customers access to the expertise needed to investigate threats, respond effectively and maintain business continuity. **October 13, 2026**6 min read