Proxmox VE, the open-source virtualization platform based on KVM and LXC, is widely used in both enterprise and small-scale environments. Ensuring reliable backup and disaster recovery is crucial for maintaining the availability and security of Proxmox-based infrastructures. Fortunately, numerous backup solutions offer native or plugin-level integration with Proxmox, covering a wide range of use cases—from basic VM snapshots to complex enterprise-grade replication and orchestration.
This article explores the most prominent backup solutions that support Proxmox VE and provides a side-by-side comparison to help system administrators and IT managers make informed decisions.
Recommended Backup Tools for Proxmox VE
Here are some of the best-known backup tools compatible with Proxmox, ranging from open-source platforms to comprehensive commercial suites:
- Proxmox Backup Server (PBS): A native and open-source backup solution from the same team behind Proxmox VE. It provides fast, secure, and deduplicated backups for VMs, containers, and physical hosts.
Docs | Download - Bacula Enterprise: A commercial-grade backup solution with a dedicated plugin for Proxmox VE. Supports advanced features like deduplication, disaster recovery, and multi-platform protection.
Bacula Proxmox Plugin - BDRSuite: Offers agentless VM backup for Proxmox along with support for physical, cloud, and SaaS workloads.
Docs | Download - Commvault: Enterprise-class backup and recovery platform that supports Proxmox VE among many hypervisors and platforms.
Docs - NAKIVO Backup & Replication: A modern solution for VM backup, replication, cloud backup, granular restore, and DR orchestration. Fully supports Proxmox VE.
Trial | Docs
Other notable mentions include:
- SEP sesam: Advanced data protection for virtual machines running on Proxmox VE.
- Catalogic DPX: Offers agentless backup for Proxmox via its vPlus product.
- Veeam: While not offering native Proxmox integration, some users adapt it using generic hypervisor support.
- Vinchin: Provides backup and disaster recovery for VMs and hybrid environments, including support for Proxmox.
Comparative Table: Proxmox VE-Compatible Backup Solutions
Below is a comparative overview of five leading Proxmox-compatible solutions based on their core capabilities:
| Solution | Agentless Backup | Proxmox Integration | Cloud Backup | Granular Restore | Open Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) | Yes | Native | Yes | Yes | Yes (AGPLv3) |
| Bacula Enterprise | Yes | Plugin | Yes | Yes | No |
| BDRSuite | Yes | Supported | Yes | Yes | No |
| Commvault | Yes | Supported | Yes | Yes | No |
| NAKIVO | Yes | Supported | Yes | Yes | No |
Note: This comparison focuses on officially supported features. Community-based integrations or workarounds are not included.
Conclusion
When selecting a backup solution for Proxmox VE, organizations must weigh various factors such as licensing models, agentless capabilities, support for granular restores, cloud integration, and ease of deployment. Proxmox Backup Server remains the go-to choice for open-source environments with native support and solid performance, while commercial alternatives like Bacula Enterprise, NAKIVO, and Commvault offer advanced enterprise features and broader workload coverage.
By choosing the right backup solution, Proxmox administrators can ensure high availability, simplify disaster recovery, and meet compliance requirements effectively.
