Data Deduplication Tools

Data Deduplication Tools Overview

Data deduplication tools are used for backup and restore operations where large quantities of data are backed up at regular intervals. Frequent backup always means copying and storing large data sets for recovery purposes. As much of this data is duplicate data, storing it all repeatedly would quickly lead to unmanageably large data storage requirements. It is essential to deduplicate these data streams to optimize data backup storage.

Data deduplication is achieved by means of a deduplication algorithm which is capable of examining an incoming data stream, and comparing data segments to data that has been stored previously. However, there are several things to consider when looking for a product as not all deduplication products work in the same way:

  • Source versus target deduplication: Software running on a server which is the source of data is deduped before it is transmitted to the storage device. The advantages of this approach are that a smaller quantity of data is transmitted to the target storage solution and this method, therefore, uses less bandwidth for data transmission. Source deduplication can increase processing time, which is often an important consideration in virtualized environments where there is a very large quantity of data duplication. The alternative is target deduplication where the data is all transmitted to a storage NAS device or tape library and is deduped once it has been sent. This method reduces the storage capacity required for backup data but does not reduce the amount of data sent across a LAN or WAN during backup.

  • Inline deduplication versus post-processing deduplication: Inline processing means that the deduplication process happens in real-time as the data is being transmitted to storage. In post-processing deduplication, the backup data is all written to a disk cache before it starts the deduplication process.

  • Global deduplication: Global deduplication is an important consideration as most deduplication processes are designed to remove duplicated data from a single storage device. Global deduplication is removing redundant data across the entire data storage infrastructure. Global deduplication allows administrators to efficiently manage the entire backup data storage environment.

The benefits of data deduplication are primarily in reducing data storage requirements and hence costs. Deduplication also makes data restore operations more efficient since there is much less data to restore.

Top Rated Data Deduplication Products

TrustRadius Top Rated for 2021

These products won a Top Rated award for having excellent customer satisfaction ratings. The list is based purely on reviews; there is no paid placement, and analyst opinions do not influence the rankings. Read more about the Top Rated criteria.

Data Deduplication Tools TrustMap

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Data Deduplication Products

(1-25 of 36) Sorted by Most Reviews

The list of products below is based purely on reviews (sorted from most to least). There is no paid placement and analyst opinions do not influence their rankings. Here is our Promise to Buyers to ensure information on our site is reliable, useful, and worthy of your trust.
Druva Cloud Platform (fomerly Druva inSync & Druva Phoenix)

Workforce mobility and the rise of cloud services is an essential part of any business, but it creates a number of challenges for IT. Data spread across devices and cloud services, unpredictable schedules, and varied network connections all complicate efforts to protect and govern…

DemandTools

DemandTools for AppExchange is a data quality toolset for Salesforce.com CRM centric customers. The product comprises 11 individual modules to control, standardize, verify, deduplicate, import and manipulate Salesforce and/or Force.com data.

Barracuda Backup

Barracuda Backup is a data recovery, restoration, and deduplication product from Barracuda Networks. It features data center backup support for email protection, network & application security, and general data protection.

Key Features

  • Backup to the cloud (32)
    94%
    9.4
  • Multiple backup destinations (31)
    88%
    8.8
  • Deduplication and file compression (33)
    87%
    8.7
Dell EMC Avamar

Dell EMC Avamar is a hardware and software data backup and deduplication product. It provides protection and recovery through a complete software and hardware solution when paired with Dell EMC Data Domain for virtual environments, remote offices, enterprise apps, NAS servers, and…

Key Features

  • Deduplication and file compression (21)
    60%
    6.0
  • Incremental backup identification (20)
    56%
    5.6
  • Universal recovery (19)
    56%
    5.6
NetApp FAS series

NetApp's FAS series systems offers a storage array system for enterprises.

Unitrends MSP

Unitrends MSP

Customer Verified

Unitrends MSP brings together enterprise-class backup, ransomware detection, and cloud-based business continuity into an all-in-one platform with the goal of enabling users to provide business continuity services with high margins and minimal maintenance.

PowerProtect DD (formerly Dell EMC Data Domain)

PowerProtect DD (a next-generation appliance replacing Dell EMC Data Domain) is a suite of hardware appliances used for data protection, backup, storage and deduplication. PowerProtect appliance offerings are cloud-enabled and vary by organization size, capable of supporting small…

HPE StoreOnce

HPE StoreOnce is a backup and recovery hardware solution from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, providing disk-based backup, deduplication, and long-term storage. StoreOnce offerings can support virtual and cloud environments for small business, mid-size organizations, and enterprises.

Veritas NetBackup Appliance

Symantec NetBackup Appliance is a storage and deduplication solution.

Exagrid EX Series

The Exagrid EX Series offers a storage solution with deduplication.

Quantum DXi Series

Quantum DXi Series is public company Quantum's deduplication solution.

XtremIO Flash Storage

XtremIO is flash storage from EMC.

DupeCatcher

DupeCatcher is a free de-duplication tool from the maker of Cloudingo.

RingLead Cleanse - Duplicate Prevention

RingLead Cleanse (formerly Duplicate Prevention, or "Unique Entry") enforces perimeter protection around B2B databases to stop dirty data in real time, at the source, and consistently maintain and improve the health of data. It is a ZoomInfo solution since the September 2021 acquisition.…

Spectra nTier Deduplication Appliance

Spectra Logic's nTier data storage product line offers data deduplication.

Nexsan Data Deduplication Appliance

Nexsan, from Imation, offers data deduplication in their storage solutions.

Falconstor VTL

Falconstor Virtual Tape Library (VTL) is the eponymous data center backup and recovery solution from the company headquartered in Melville, New York.

Falconstor FDS

Falconstor FDS is a data management / deduplication solution from Falconstor.

Nexsan DeDupe SG

Nexsan DeDupe SG is a disk based backup and data deduplication option, from Imation company Nexsan.

StarDQ

StarDQ is a real time solution for cleansing, de-duping, and enriching enterprise data. By integrating StarDQ Solution, organizations can cleanse, match and unify data across multiple data sources and data domains. According to the vendor, the goal is to ensure that data is a strategic,…

NEC HYDRAstor HS Virtual Appliance (VA)

NEC offers the HYDRAstor HS Virtual Appliance (VA), a data deduplication solution for virtualized environments.

NEC HYDRAstor HS8-5000

NEC offers the HYDRAstor HS8-5000 scale-out grid storage and deduplication appliance.

KLD Processing

KLDiscovery offers the KLD Processing deduplication engine, designed to aid ediscovery.

NEC HYDRAstor HS3-510

NEC offers the HYDRAstor HS3-510 deduplication appliance for smaller businesses.

tye.io

tye cleans data so users don't have to. tye is a data cleansing software for SMBs that cleans data directly in a current technology stack. The vendor states that there's no training or migration required, no extra work involved. tye merges lists and cleans data for sales, CRM, and…

Learn More About Data Deduplication Tools

What are Data Deduplication Tools?

Data deduplication tools are used for backup and restore operations where large quantities of data are backed up at regular intervals. Frequent backup always means copying and storing large data sets for recovery purposes. As much of this data is duplicate data, storing it all repeatedly would quickly lead to unmanageably large data storage requirements. It is essential to deduplicate these data streams to optimize data backup storage.

Data deduplication is achieved by means of a deduplication algorithm which is capable of examining an incoming data stream, and comparing data segments to data that has been stored previously. However, there are several things to consider when looking for a product as not all deduplication products work in the same way:

  • Source versus target deduplication: Software running on a server which is the source of data is deduped before it is transmitted to the storage device. The advantages of this approach are that a smaller quantity of data is transmitted to the target storage solution and this method, therefore, uses less bandwidth for data transmission. Source deduplication can increase processing time, which is often an important consideration in virtualized environments where there is a very large quantity of data duplication. The alternative is target deduplication where the data is all transmitted to a storage NAS device or tape library and is deduped once it has been sent. This method reduces the storage capacity required for backup data but does not reduce the amount of data sent across a LAN or WAN during backup.

  • Inline deduplication versus post-processing deduplication: Inline processing means that the deduplication process happens in real-time as the data is being transmitted to storage. In post-processing deduplication, the backup data is all written to a disk cache before it starts the deduplication process.

  • Global deduplication: Global deduplication is an important consideration as most deduplication processes are designed to remove duplicated data from a single storage device. Global deduplication is removing redundant data across the entire data storage infrastructure. Global deduplication allows administrators to efficiently manage the entire backup data storage environment.

The benefits of data deduplication are primarily in reducing data storage requirements and hence costs. Deduplication also makes data restore operations more efficient since there is much less data to restore.

Features & Capabilities

Below are some of the most common features offered by data deduplication tools:

  • Data deduplication

  • Storage use reduction

  • Storage management

  • Data backup

Data Deduplication Comparison

When choosing a data deduplication tool the most important consideration to make is what other data capabilities you need. Data deduplication is often included in data management software. That said, it can be purchased individually. So if you already meet all of your other data management needs, you should find a deduplication tool that doesn’t come with other features tacked on, and ideally, one that integrates with your other data tools. On the flip side, if you need more data management features, choose a tool that includes some of those other features so that you don’t need to worry about integration problems.

Data Deduplication Pricing

Pricing for data deduplication depends on the features offered as many data deduplication tools come packaged in with larger data management or data backup suites. Businesses should expect to pay for their tool or platform monthly with the pricing depending on factors like terabytes stored, or number of servers supported.

Frequently Asked Questions

What businesses benefit most from data deduplication tools?

The more data you have, and the more often that data is updated, the more important deduplication is. As your data supply grows and more copies of documents and files end up on your servers, deduplication will help you better manage it all so you can save on storage capacity.

Should I get a specialized data deduplication tool or a larger data platform that includes deduplication?

For most businesses it generally makes more sense to purchase a larger data platform including data deduplication than a dedicated deduplication tool. If you need data deduplication, you probably also need data backup. If you already have all your other data needs covered though, a specialized deduplication tool may be appropriate.

Are there free or open-source data deduplication tools?

There are several open-source data deduplication options, but they only include the basic features of deduplication, whereas most proprietary tools also support data backup.