VM Backup

VM Backup is a backup and replication solution for virtual machines on Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware, and Proxmox, running on Windows hosts. Scheduled live backups can run as often as every five minutes without downtime. Recovery choices include restoring a full VM, selected files or Exchange items, restoring to another host, and booting a VM from backup. Continuous Data Protection and WAN-optimized replication are listed, although the requirements information says Proxmox replication and CDP were not yet available in the listed version information. Backup destinations include Microsoft Azure, Impossible Cloud Storage, Backblaze B2, Amazon S3, and Wasabi. The product lists AES-256 encryption and a Backup Health Monitor that checks storage integrity and may try repairs in a later backup job. VMware backups can be restored to Hyper-V and vice versa. The free edition covers two VMs per host, and a fully featured trial is free for 30 days. Monthly subscriptions include support, updates, and version upgrades; perpetual licenses require an SMA for those services. Proxmox LXC container backups are unsupported.

VM Backup offers frequent backups and several VM recovery paths across three hypervisor environments. Check the Proxmox feature limits and the service terms for the license type before choosing it.

It suits organizations protecting Hyper-V, VMware, or Proxmox virtual machines on Windows hosts. Teams using Proxmox should note the listed limits on LXC backup, replication, and CDP.

VM Backup is Hornetsecurity’s server-focused backup and replication software for Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware, and Proxmox virtual machines. It is best suited to administrators protecting Windows-hosted virtual environments, especially those managing more than one hypervisor. Its frequent backup options and varied restore paths are strong, but Proxmox feature gaps and license terms deserve close attention.

Overview

A single console manages Hyper-V, VMware, and Proxmox, with a separate remote console for connecting to remote installations. That breadth is useful for mixed-hypervisor teams; it is less compelling for anyone seeking personal computer or mobile backup, which VM Backup does not provide.

Automatic backups can run as often as every five minutes, and live backups do not require downtime. Recovery can restore a full VM or individual files and Exchange items, target another host, or boot a VM from backup. Those options support both disaster recovery and narrower retrieval needs without limiting recovery to the original host.

Other safeguards include AES-256 encryption, immutable backup storage, and a Backup Health Monitor that checks storage integrity and may attempt repairs during a subsequent backup job. Supported cloud destinations include Microsoft Azure, Impossible Cloud Storage, Backblaze B2, Amazon S3, and Wasabi.

For a wider comparison, see our Virtual Machine Backup Software list.

Key features

• Frequent protection and replication: Scheduled jobs can run every five minutes; Continuous Data Protection is also listed for Windows VMs at that interval. WAN-optimized replication can help administrators protect workloads across locations.
• Flexible restoration: Full VM recovery, granular file or Exchange item restores, alternate-host recovery, and booting from backup cover different outage and retrieval scenarios. VMware backups can be restored to Hyper-V and vice versa; the described cross-platform restore does not extend explicitly to Proxmox.
• Integrity and security: AES-256 encryption and immutable backup storage address protection of stored backups, while the Health Monitor checks for integrity issues and may attempt repairs on a later job.
• Administration and API: One console covers the three hypervisors, and a remote management console can connect to remote installations. A RESTful API and PowerShell cmdlets are aimed at administrators comfortable with those tools.

Proxmox has material limits: LXC container backups are unsupported, and Proxmox replication and CDP were not yet available in the cited version information. Teams depending on those capabilities should not assume feature parity with Hyper-V or VMware.

Pricing

The Free Edition costs nothing and is free forever, capped at two VMs per host. It is a practical fit for a small deployment or evaluation, but that per-host cap rules it out as a full-scale option for larger VM estates.

The 30-day fully featured trial costs nothing for 30 days. It gives administrators a time-limited way to assess the complete feature set; it is not a long-term substitute for a license.

Subscription — Unlimited Plus has custom pricing and is billed per backed-up VM per month. Support, updates, and version upgrades are included, and more than 75 VMs requires a custom quote. This model suits teams preferring ongoing per-VM billing and bundled maintenance.

Perpetual licensing has custom pricing and is billed per host. It allows unlimited sockets and VMs per host, with Standard, Unlimited, or Unlimited Plus editions; more than 10 hosts requires a custom quote. Support, updates, and version upgrades require a service maintenance agreement, so the license price alone does not cover those services.

Both paid options require a closer fit assessment: subscription scales by backed-up VM and includes maintenance, while perpetual licensing scales by host and makes maintenance a separate agreement. The free edition’s two-VM cap and the trial’s 30-day duration are the meaningful no-cost limits.

Platforms

VM Backup supports Windows hosts and the Hyper-V, VMware, and Proxmox virtualized environments. Its platform coverage is server-oriented, with API, Linux, self-hosted, and Windows platform labels. Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, SharePoint and OneDrive, and Teams backup are also supported; Google Workspace is not. The product lists cloud deployment and a hybrid deployment model, as well as off-site replication and cloud backup targets.

Who it's for

VM Backup is a sensible choice for administrators protecting Windows-hosted VMs across Hyper-V and VMware, or managing those alongside Proxmox where its supported functions meet requirements. Five-minute scheduling, CDP for Windows VMs, and several recovery paths favor environments where frequent protection and flexible restoration matter. It is a poor fit for personal-device backup, Proxmox LXC protection, or deployments that require Proxmox replication or CDP in the cited version information.

Pros and cons

• Pros
  • Five-minute scheduling and CDP for Windows VMs support frequent protection.
  • Full-VM, granular, alternate-host, and boot-from-backup recovery give administrators multiple restoration paths.
  • One management console covers Hyper-V, VMware, and Proxmox, with a separate remote console for remote installations.
  • Free forever covers two VMs per host, and a 30-day trial provides the full feature set.
• Cons
  • Proxmox LXC backups are unsupported, and Proxmox replication and CDP were not yet available in the cited version information.
  • Paid plan prices are custom, so buyers cannot compare a published rate before contacting the vendor.
  • Perpetual-license support, updates, and upgrades require an SMA; subscription includes them but bills per backed-up VM.
  • The free edition’s two-VM-per-host cap limits its usefulness for larger environments.

Alternatives

For Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace backup needs, AvePoint Cloud Backup is a paid option with custom pricing and Android, iOS, and web platforms. Spanning Backup may suit buyers seeking one all-inclusive plan with unlimited backup retention and volume pricing; it is paid, offers a free trial, and has Android, iOS, and web platforms.

ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus is a freemium, self-hosted, web, and Windows option with a free edition and trial. For Mac backup, Veeam Agent for Mac has a free edition limited to one backup job and no direct backup to object storage. Synology Active Backup for SaaS is a free self-hosted option for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace on Synology NAS.

BDRShield is a freemium option with a free plan and trial across API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows platforms. Datto Endpoint Backup for Windows uses consumption-based pricing tied to storage used and has Linux, macOS, web, and Windows platforms. OpenText Core Email Message Privacy is another paid, web-based option.

Verdict

Choose VM Backup if you manage Windows-hosted Hyper-V and VMware workloads, or a mixed environment where its Proxmox limits are acceptable, and need frequent protection with several recovery routes. Its strongest case is the combination of five-minute backup options, granular and full-VM recovery, and centralized hypervisor management. Look elsewhere if Proxmox LXC, replication, or CDP is essential, or if you need personal-device backup.