GWS Backup vs Synology Active Backup for SaaS
GWS Backup
gwsbackup.comSynology Active Backup for SaaS
synology.comSide by side
| Figure | GWS Backup | Synology Active Backup for SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Google Workspace Backup Software | 8.1 (#8) | 7.9 (#11) |
| Deployment | The maker lists native Windows installation, Linux and cPanel deployment, and official Docker support. | Active Backup for SaaS runs as a NAS add-on, with backup data stored on Synology NAS servers. |
| Headquarters | Christchurch, Dorset, United Kingdom | Banqiao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan |
| Retention | Items deleted at source are retained in backup for one year before automatic removal. | Google Workspace backup tasks can keep versions for a specified period or retain all versions. |
Plans
Synology Active Backup for SaaS
- Active Backup for SaaSFree
- Active Backup for SaaS (Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace)Free
In their own words
GWS Backup
GWS Backup is self-hosted software for backing up Google Workspace Gmail, Drive, Shared Drives, Calendars and Contacts. It can send backups to Google Drive, local disks or NAS, Amazon S3, and Azure Blob storage. After its initial full backup, it transfers only new mail and changed files. Restores can cover a workspace, account, folder, email or file, including transfer to a different user or download. Deleted source items remain in backup for one year; operators can configure version history and vault pruning. A live monitor shows transfers, and an audit trail records actions and backup results. Security options include 2FA and separate administration and restore roles. The maker says backups stay in storage controlled by the customer and do not pass through its infrastructure. Deployment options include Windows, Linux, cPanel and Docker. GWS Backup requires Node.js 22.5 or newer and an activated licence key. Its plan is free, covering up to 10 client workspaces and unlimited accounts, with one running installation per licence key.
Synology Active Backup for SaaS
Synology Active Backup for SaaS backs up Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace data to Synology NAS servers for recovery after data loss or service downtime. Microsoft 365 coverage includes OneDrive for Business, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, and Teams. Google Workspace coverage includes Drive, Gmail, Contacts, and Calendar, including shared drives, labels, and attachments. Microsoft 365 backups can run continuously, manually, or on a schedule; continuous intervals adjust from one to ten minutes based on detected API request rates. Both services support file versioning, and Google Workspace versions can be retained for a chosen period or kept in full. The Microsoft 365 Recovery Portal lets administrators and employees restore or export backed-up data, with self-service access dependent on configuration. The product is a free add-on for a compatible Synology NAS, with unlimited accounts subject to NAS storage capacity. Active Backup for Microsoft 365 requires DSM 6.1-15217 or later. Deduplication requires an x64 NAS using Btrfs, and neither service supports secondary backups. Google Workspace setup requires configuring the Drive SDK API and creating a service key.