DataCore SANsymphony vs NetApp ONTAP comparison

DataCore and NetApp are both solutions in the Storage Software category. DataCore is ranked #2 with an average rating of 9.6, while NetApp is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.7. DataCore holds a 22.7% mindshare in SS, compared to NetApp’s 25.5% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of DataCore users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 98% of NetApp users who would recommend it.

DataCore SANsymphony

Read 58 DataCore SANsymphony reviews

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360 Comparison Views

97% willing to recommend

NetApp ONTAP

Read 93 NetApp ONTAP reviews

1,728 Views
1,331 Comparison Views

98% willing to recommend

DataCore SANsymphony

NetApp ONTAP

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 29, 2025

DataCore SANsymphony and NetApp ONTAP both compete in the enterprise storage solutions market. DataCore SANsymphony appears to have an upper hand in flexibility and cost-effectiveness, while NetApp ONTAP excels with integrated data management and robust enterprise adoption.

Features: DataCore SANsymphony's features include auto-tiering, synchronous mirroring, and parallel I/O, which optimize performance and ensure high availability. It is known for its scalability and ease of integration with different hardware. NetApp ONTAP provides data protection and integration through SnapMirror, SnapVault, and deduplication technologies, enhancing disaster recovery and storage efficiency. Its advanced snapshot capabilities ensure robust data protection.

Room for Improvement: DataCore SANsymphony could improve iSCSI initiator connectivity and develop a more user-friendly web console. Enhanced integration with Veeam and a more intuitive management console are also needed. NetApp ONTAP users seek better volume replication in SAN environments and simpler management processes. There's potential for improved cloud integration and GUI enhancements.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: DataCore SANsymphony is often implemented on-premises with hybrid cloud deployments, praised for responsive technical support and straightforward setup. NetApp ONTAP supports both on-premises and cloud, offering a consistent deployment experience with reliable customer service. Both platforms provide strong support, with DataCore being noted for proactive service.

Pricing and ROI: DataCore SANsymphony's pricing can escalate with increased storage needs due to its licensing model, yet it offers cost-effectiveness through scalability. NetApp ONTAP's pricing reflects its comprehensive features, offering significant value and total cost of ownership savings. Flexible licensing options, including pay-as-you-go models through AWS, align costs with usage. Both solutions enhance ROI through high availability and operational efficiency.

To learn more, read our detailed DataCore SANsymphony vs. NetApp ONTAP Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

DataCore SANsymphony vs. NetApp ONTAP

February 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

6.8

DataCore SANsymphony enhances security and availability, offering high ROI through hardware reuse and cost-effective storage and uptime savings.

Sentiment score

7.5

NetApp ONTAP reduces storage costs and improves performance, manageability, and data protection, offering notable financial and operational benefits.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the DataCore SANsymphony report

In the long run, we can see a 10% to 20% return on investment.

Allan Otonglo

Systems and Network Administrator at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

This needs to be evaluated by the business, especially considering that NetApp phases out technology after some years and introduces newer technology.

Best Kifi

Senior Storage Engineer at Shell

For more quotes and insights, download the NetApp ONTAP report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

6.4

DataCore SANsymphony's support is praised for being rapid, knowledgeable, effective, and highly rated, despite occasional inconsistencies.

Sentiment score

5.9

NetApp ONTAP support is praised for effectiveness but criticized for initial response times and regional inconsistencies.

They always help me quickly and with great knowledge, which is essential for central storage.

Thomas Grötz

System Engineer at Bechtle

The customer support is perfect.

N Bravi

Sales Manager at MSDSYSTEMS S.R.L.

I would rate technical support from DataCore SANsymphony a 10.

SigfridCecillon

Owner at Arsium

For more quotes and insights, download the DataCore SANsymphony report

This includes disk replacement, firmware upgrades, and NetApp ONTAP upgrades, which we handle locally in Nigeria.

Best Kifi

Senior Storage Engineer at Shell

For technical support, I would rate NetApp ONTAP a nine out of ten.

Elanchezhian Adhieksavan

Manager, System at a media company with 10,001+ employees

The support is top-notch.

Allan Otonglo

Systems and Network Administrator at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the NetApp ONTAP report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

8.5

DataCore SANsymphony is praised for its scalability, hardware independence, and adaptability to both small and large environments.

Sentiment score

7.5

NetApp ONTAP is praised for scalability and cluster expansion, despite some legacy system limitations and performance concerns.

There are no limits to scalability, which is essential for central storage.

Thomas Grötz

System Engineer at Bechtle

For more quotes and insights, download the DataCore SANsymphony report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the NetApp ONTAP report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

8.3

DataCore SANsymphony is highly stable and reliable, with minimal downtime, requiring proper configuration and minimal maintenance.

Sentiment score

8.1

NetApp ONTAP is a stable, reliable storage platform with strong performance, effective failover, and appreciated ongoing improvements.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the DataCore SANsymphony report

In terms of stability, I would rate NetApp ONTAP a ten out of ten because I have experienced nearly zero downtime over the complete year.

Elanchezhian Adhieksavan

Manager, System at a media company with 10,001+ employees

Both stability and scalability are a 10 out of 10.

Allan Otonglo

Systems and Network Administrator at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

Sometimes there are system panics, but we have overcome that issue in the latest NetApp ONTAP version.

Best Kifi

Senior Storage Engineer at Shell

For more quotes and insights, download the NetApp ONTAP report

Room For Improvement

DataCore SANsymphony struggles with tech support, pricing, Windows dependence, and needs better integration, interface, and enterprise features.

NetApp ONTAP needs improved cloud integration, storage efficiency, automation, performance, and user interface, alongside enhanced support and pricing simplification.

there should be improvements in how to get and filter logs

Thomas Grötz

System Engineer at Bechtle

The area of DataCore SANsymphony that has room for improvement is the support.

SigfridCecillon

Owner at Arsium

DataCore SANsymphony can be improved with high availability as it offers synchronous mirroring between physical and separate sites to ensure business continuity and disaster recovery.

N Bravi

Sales Manager at MSDSYSTEMS S.R.L.

For more quotes and insights, download the DataCore SANsymphony report

The support response needs improvement, especially for P1 cases. When critical cases are raised, they should ensure they call the customer and follow up properly.

Best Kifi

Senior Storage Engineer at Shell

NetApp ONTAP provides volume level restore, but file level restore is somewhat difficult to execute.

Elanchezhian Adhieksavan

Manager, System at a media company with 10,001+ employees

The interface is very intuitive, and the solution is robust.

Allan Otonglo

Systems and Network Administrator at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the NetApp ONTAP report

Setup Cost

DataCore SANsymphony's pricing is high, but offers favorable price-performance, with careful planning advised to optimize costs.

NetApp ONTAP offers high initial costs but is valued for cost-effectiveness and flexible enterprise discounts in the long term.

They have made some improvements regarding the pricing, but it's still too expensive.

SigfridCecillon

Owner at Arsium

The cost changed from a perpetual license to a subscription model.

Thomas Grötz

System Engineer at Bechtle

For more quotes and insights, download the DataCore SANsymphony report

It is cost-effective for the benefits you get.

Allan Otonglo

Systems and Network Administrator at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the NetApp ONTAP report

Valuable Features

DataCore SANsymphony enhances storage management, performance, and reliability with high availability, flexibility, scalability, and hardware-agnostic versatility.

NetApp ONTAP offers robust disaster recovery, storage efficiency, scalability, and integration, with automation, security, and performance optimization.

Customers can extend storage with flexibility, as one is not obligated to purchase hard disks or controllers from the same storage vendor.

Thomas Grötz

System Engineer at Bechtle

DataCore SANsymphony has positively impacted our organization because it is scalable and has a fundamental concept that aggregates and pools available storage resources, hiding the complexity, which makes it very simple.

N Bravi

Sales Manager at MSDSYSTEMS S.R.L.

DataCore SANsymphony's ability to enhance storage utilization is very good because it's agnostic and it can be deployed on every environment, which is perfect for my clients.

SigfridCecillon

Owner at Arsium

For more quotes and insights, download the DataCore SANsymphony report

It lets you know if you have issues early enough so that you can plan around resolving and mitigating future issues.

Allan Otonglo

Systems and Network Administrator at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

NetApp ONTAP has improved our organization through speed, efficiency, and data availability, which ensures business continuity.

Best Kifi

Senior Storage Engineer at Shell

Without the encryption key, data cannot be accessed, which provides strong data protection.

Elanchezhian Adhieksavan

Manager, System at a media company with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the NetApp ONTAP report

Categories and Ranking

DataCore SANsymphony

Ranking in Storage Software

2nd

Average Rating

9.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Software Defined Storage (SDS) (5th), HCI (8th), Storage Performance (1st)

NetApp ONTAP

Ranking in Storage Software

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Storage Software category, the mindshare of DataCore SANsymphony is 22.7%, down from 29.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NetApp ONTAP is 25.5%, down from 43.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Storage Software Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
NetApp ONTAP	25.5%
DataCore SANsymphony	22.7%
Other	51.8%

Storage Software

Featured Reviews

SigfridCecillon

Owner at Arsium

High availability and user-friendliness enhance infrastructure health and redundancy

I would rate technical support from DataCore SANsymphony a 10. Each time I contact the technical support, it's when I don't have a choice because it's very difficult for me on site, and each time, I have good people online who are able to help me solve the problem. Usually, the problems are not very technically difficult, but sometimes they are, and the support team is still there to help us resolve them. The majority of the problems are linked to licensing, so when the license has expired or the number is not correct, they are proactive and change things live, which is very good.

Read full review

Best Kifi

Senior Storage Engineer at Shell

Data management and availability improve operations, but cost and support need attention

For snapshots, there should be something similar to a recycle bin. When someone mistakenly deletes a snapshot, it should be stored for about two days before disappearing from the system. Regarding storage optimization, when purchasing a 10 terabyte disk, after formatting, you can only use approximately 8 terabytes. They should improve this so users can utilize 90% instead of 80% of the disk space. The support response needs improvement, especially for P1 cases. When critical cases are raised, they should ensure they call the customer and follow up properly. Comparing NetApp ONTAP to other solutions such as EMC, the cost of contract renewals and warranties is relatively expensive. They should extend their renewal window beyond the current six months to one year options. A longer warranty period of two years for new systems, controllers, or filers would be beneficial. Overall, they should reduce subscription costs for businesses.

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

14%

Computer Software Company

13%

Comms Service Provider

12%

Government

Manufacturing Company

21%

Marketing Services Firm

11%

University

Transportation Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	36
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	21

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	13
Large Enterprise	67

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for DataCore SANsymphony SDS?

Before choosing DataCore SANsymphony, I did not evaluate other options.

See all answers

What do you like most about DataCore SANsymphony?

The dashboard is very intuitive, and there are a lot of counters to diagnose what happens during a short period (like when a backup is in progress).

See all answers

What needs improvement with DataCore SANsymphony?

DataCore SANsymphony can be improved with high availability as it offers synchronous mirroring between physical and separate sites to ensure business continuity and disaster recovery. I do not have...

See all answers

How does Azure NetApp Files compare to NetApp ONTAP?

Azure NetApp Files is a Microsoft Azure file storage service built on NetApp technology. The platform combines the file capabilities of Azure and NetApp to move critical file-based applications to ...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for NetApp ONTAP?

It is cost-effective for the benefits you get.

See all answers

What needs improvement with NetApp ONTAP?

For me, it is an ideal solution. There isn't any area that needs urgent improvements because the interface is very intuitive, and the solution is robust. However, if the integration with legacy app...

See all answers

Comparisons

StarWind Virtual SAN vs DataCore SANsymphony

Compared 8% of the time

Red Hat Ceph Storage vs DataCore SANsymphony

Compared 6% of the time

VMware vSAN vs DataCore SANsymphony

Compared 5% of the time

StorMagic SvSAN vs DataCore SANsymphony

Compared 4% of the time

Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs DataCore SANsymphony

Compared 4% of the time

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Dell PowerPath vs NetApp ONTAP

Compared 23% of the time

Cloudian HyperStore vs NetApp ONTAP

Compared 11% of the time

Azure NetApp Files vs NetApp ONTAP

Compared 11% of the time

QoreStor vs NetApp ONTAP

Compared 9% of the time

StorONE Storage-as-a-Service vs NetApp ONTAP

Compared 9% of the time

More NetApp ONTAP Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

DataCore SANsymphony

February 2026

Download DataCore SANsymphony product report

Buyer's Guide

NetApp ONTAP

January 2026

Download NetApp ONTAP product report

Also Known As

DataCore Virtual SAN

No data available

Overview

Experience peace of mind with DataCore SANsymphony, the ultimate software-defined storage solution alleviating storage management challenges. Say goodbye to the complexities of managing different storage tiers and disruptions with SANsymphony's block-level storage virtualization technology, empowering you to automate capacity provisioning and data placement across diverse storage environments including SAN, DAS, HCI, and JBOD. Break down silos, control data placement, meet business continuity objectives, boost performance, and seamlessly expand or refresh hardware with SANsymphony. Benefit from features like asynchronous replication for disaster recovery, minimizing data loss, accelerating application responsiveness, and integrating new technology non-disruptively. Trusted by industry leaders like NASA, Thorntons, Inc., and TUI Cruises, DataCore SANsymphony guarantees unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and reliability, ensuring uninterrupted data access and application availability while reducing storage costs and inefficiencies.

DataCore

NetApp is the data authority for hybrid cloud. We provide a full range of hybrid cloud data services that simplify management of applications and data across cloud and on-premises environments to accelerate digital transformation. Together with our partners, we empower global organizations to unleash the full potential of their data to expand customer touchpoints, foster greater innovation and optimize their operations.

NetApp

Sample Customers

Volkswagen , Maimonides Medical Center, NASA, Thorntons, Inc., TUI, ISCO Industries, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, United Financial Credit Union, Derby Supply Chain Solutions, Mission Community Hospital, Bellarmine College Preparatory, Colby-Sawyer College, Mount Sinai Health System, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Quorn Foods, Bitburger, University of Birmingham, Stadtverwaltung Heidelberg, NetEnt to name a few.

1&1 IONOS, Acıbadem Healthcare Group, Adder Technologies, Aero Vodochody Aerospace

Buyer's Guide

DataCore SANsymphony vs. NetApp ONTAP

February 2026

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