Choosing the right database cloning and backup platform is critical for modern enterprises running Oracle databases and ERP systems. Actifio and Clonetab are two leading tools in this space, but they serve very different purposes.
This Actifio vs Clonetab comparison explores how each platform handles database cloning, backup and recovery, disaster recovery, ERP automation, compliance, and Exadata environments, helping DBAs and IT leaders make an informed decision.
| Capability | Actifio (Copy Data Management – CDM) | Clonetab (DBA Powerhouse – Virtualization & Cloning) |
| Database Cloning | Provides copy data management (CDM) that virtualizes data and can provision virtual/physical copies of databases for test/dev and recovery. It offers mountable clones via live mount or virtual application mounts. | True end-to-end automated cloning and virtualization data of databases and ERPs (Oracle EBS, PeopleSoft etc.) with application-aware automation — fast full clones (minutes to ~1 hour) and thin provisioning with storage savings. |
| Backup & Recovery | Strong enterprise backup & recovery with SLA-driven backup policies (incremental-forever), instant access to point-in-time data, and application-consistent backups across platforms. | Integrated enterprise backup & recovery module (CT-Backups) wrapped into platform with DR and cloning — incremental backups that feed clones, tests, and recovery. More integrated with DBA automation. |
| Disaster Recovery | Replicates backups to cloud or on-prem, supports DR testing and failover as part of the CDM ecosystem with SLA compliance. | Automated DR orchestration (CT-DR) for databases and ERP systems with low RTO/RPO, including periodic DR tests with few clicks, scheduled DR drills, and full site activation. |
| Database Migration | Enables restore-and-migrate or mount-and-migrate workflows to accelerate database relocation. | CT-LAS (Lift & Shift) enables automated database and ERP migrations across environments with configuration awareness and zero data loss and with minimal down time. |
| SQL Self Service | Actifio supports self-service through LiveClone and workflow automation where users can provision copies based on policies, with potential masking | Built-in SQL Self Service (CT-S3 / CI/CD) that allows non-DBA teams to execute SQL safely without sharing credentials and with approval workflow & audit. |
| Data Security (Data Scrambling / Masking) | Supports data masking on provisioned copies using integrated masking functions tied to backup/clone provisioning. | Advanced Data Scrambling (CT-ADS) — automated masking as part of cloning or standalone, with multiple algorithms and referential integrity preservation. |
| Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) | Supports compliance via immutable backups, SLA enforcement, and copy audits (not a full GRC suite). | Deep compliance focus: audit trails, role-based access segregation, automated scrambling, and reports for SOX/HIPAA/PCI-DSS supports governance and controls. |
| Exadata Cloning | Actifio has Oracle support (including RAC/ASM/Exadata) but primarily as part of CDM for backups & test data rather than deep Exadata-specific cloning automation | Dedicated Exadata cloning integration via CloneHub / CT-TransDB optimized for engineered systems, supports thin-provisioned clones with storage efficiency and Exadata-speed benefits. |
| Snapshot-based Backups | Snapshots (snapshot pool / VDisks) are core to Actifio’s incremental-forever CDM to capture application data quickly and efficiently for reuse. | Clonetab includes snapshot capability (CT-Snap) with bi-directional travel and save point support for quick fallback during development or patching. |
| Database Monitoring | Actifio’s platforms include Monitors backup, restore, and SLA compliance activities. | Clonetab provides synthetic monitoring integrated into the DBA toolkit — covering DB & ERP application status and operations. |
| Patching | Actifio itself does not provide a native database patch application tool — patching is typically managed separately by DBAs or integrated automation tools outside the CDM core. | CT-Patch module enables fleet patching across Oracle Homes/databases directly within the platform. |
| Operating Both Database & Application | Focused on data copy management for databases and some application environments but doesn’t orchestrate application-aware clones or deep post-clone application configuration. | Designed to handle both database and ERP application layers in an end-to-end manner — preserving application settings, configs, schedules, etc., automatically in clones. |
Summary of Core Differences
Actifio Strengths
- Copy Data Management (CDM) — excellent at reducing storage footprint and managing data lifecycles via virtual data pipelines.
- Backup & Recovery + DR — strong modern backup, RTO/RPO SLAs, and cloud integration with DR orchestration.
- Virtualized Access — supports mounting database images as virtual databases or LiveClones.
Clonetab Strengths
- End-to-end Automation for Databases & ERPs — deep application-aware cloning (including Oracle EBS/PeopleSoft) with post-clone automation.
- Integrated DBA Tools — includes patching, SQL self-service, monitoring, snapshots with travel/save points, and advanced scrambling.
- Compliance & GRC Support — built-in role security, audit trail, and compliance reporting mechanisms.
- Exadata & Enterprise-Scale Cloning — optimized for Exadata and large ERP environments.
Use Case Fit Actifio vs Clonetab: Which Tool Is Right for You?
Choose Actifio if your priorities are:
- Backup & DR with strong SLA control
- Copy data management to reduce redundant copies
- Virtualized access to data for test/dev
- Hybrid cloud backup and long-term retention
Choose Clonetab if your priorities are:
- Accelerate End-to-End DBA operations within clicks
- Rapid, automated full clones of ERP + database with application aware
- Disaster Recovery with Low RTO and RPO
- Integrated DBA workflow automation (patching, self-service, monitoring)
- Compliance-ready data provisioning with data scrambling
- Database Migration with zero data loss & minimal down time
- AI Powered GRC and data retrieval tools
- Exadata and ERP-aware deep cloning tasks
Struggling with slow clones and fragmented DBA tools?
If Actifio feels more like a backup platform than a full DBA automation solution, Clonetab might be what you’re missing.
✔ ERP-aware cloning (Oracle EBS, PeopleSoft)
✔ Built-in patching, monitoring & SQL self-service
✔ Compliance-ready data scrambling & audit trails
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Clonetab an alternative to Actifio?
Yes. Clonetab is often considered an Actifio alternative for organizations that need deep database and ERP cloning automation rather than backup-centric CDM.
Q2: Which is better for Oracle Exadata cloning?
Clonetab provides purpose-built Exadata cloning with thin provisioning, while Actifio focuses more on backup and test data management.
Q3: Can Actifio replace DBA automation tools?
No. Actifio excels at backup and data management but does not replace DBA automation tools like patching, SQL self-service, or monitoring.
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