Hey everyone! I'm looking to compile a list of open-source or free software that can back up virtual machines for platforms like Proxmox, xcp-ng, Hyper-V, Nutanix, VMware, Citrix, oVirt, and others. Here's what I've found so far:
1. Veeam Community Edition - primarily backs up up to 10 Hyper-V VMs.
2. Vinchin Backup Free Edition - supports a few platforms, allowing backups for 3 VMs.
3. Storware Backup and Recovery - I tried it but it seems to require a license.
4. Altaro's Free Backup Solution - Does this still work?
5. Nakivo - Is there a free version available?
6. Any other recommendations? Please drop them in the comments with links and descriptions. Thanks!
3 Answers
If you're using on-prem storage like Synology, you can back up to the cloud easily. It's been working great for me!
I think it's important to remember that backing up VMs directly from the hypervisor might not be the best approach. It’s usually better for individual tenants to handle their own backups based on their unique needs. We've focused on infrastructure, but it's their data that matters most!
Bacula and Bareos are solid choices for VM backups. Just a heads up, Bacula can be a pain to set up unless you're good with config files, and the documentation isn't the best. But once you get it running, it does a great job!
True, but the web UI for Bacula really helps simplify the process!
Exactly! It's best practice to back up data instead of just the hosts. Automating host creation can also minimize the need to back up OS files.