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Backup · head to head

Datto Backup vs Proxmox Backup Server

Datto Backup logo

Datto Backup

Backup

Business continuity without compromise

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Proxmox Backup Server logo

Proxmox Backup Server

Backup

Deduplicating backup server for virtual machines, containers and Linux hosts, with verification built in

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Proxmox Backup Server has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Datto Backup no pricing information published on product page or dedicated pricing page; Proxmox Backup Server there is no Windows client, so physical Windows machines must be backed up by something else and the estate ends up with two backup products.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Datto Backup and Proxmox Backup Server actually diverge.

Attributes where Datto Backup and Proxmox Backup Server differ
AttributeDatto BackupProxmox Backup Server
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebLinux

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Backup).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Datto Backup

Nothing recorded that Proxmox Backup Server does not also cover.

Only in Proxmox Backup Server

  • Deduplicated chunk store
  • Incremental guest backups
  • Client side encryption
  • Verification jobs
  • Remote sync
  • Live restore and file level restore

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Datto Backup

  • Backup and disaster recoverynot Proxmox Backup Server
  • MSP solutionsnot Proxmox Backup Server
  • Data protectionnot Proxmox Backup Server
  • Business continuitynot Proxmox Backup Server

Proxmox Backup Server

  • Backing up a Proxmox VE cluster with incremental block level backups of running guestsnot Datto Backup
  • Replacing a backup product whose licence is priced per socket or per terabyte on a virtualisation estatenot Datto Backup
  • Proving backup integrity on a schedule rather than discovering corruption during a restorenot Datto Backup
  • Keeping an encrypted second copy on a remote server or on tape without a third party servicenot Datto Backup

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Datto Backup

  • No pricing information published on product page or dedicated pricing page
  • Vendor directs users to contact sales for pricing information
  • No published tiers or pricing models disclosed

Proxmox Backup Server

  • There is no Windows client, so physical Windows machines must be backed up by something else and the estate ends up with two backup products.
  • The datastore is millions of small chunk files, so it needs storage with real input and output capability and performs poorly on a single spinning disk or an SMB or NFS share.
  • Deduplication is per datastore, so splitting workloads across datastores for retention or tenancy reasons multiplies the storage those workloads consume.
  • Garbage collection depends on file access time semantics on the underlying filesystem, so a datastore mounted with the wrong options can fail to reclaim space or, worse, behave unpredictably.
  • Subscriptions are priced per CPU socket per year, so a backup server consolidated onto fewer larger dual socket machines pays twice per host for the supported repository.

Pricing, plan by plan

Datto Backup

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Datto Backup review.

Proxmox Backup Server

Free
  • No subscriptionFree
    • Full functionality with no capacity limit
    • Community package repository
    • Community forum support
  • Subscription$undefined/year
    • Priced per CPU socket per year
    • Access to the enterprise package repository
    • Vendor support tickets

Which should you pick?

Choose Datto Backup if

Nothing in the data separates Datto Backup from Proxmox Backup Server on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Datto Backup review

Choose Proxmox Backup Server if

  • You need deduplicated chunk store.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux.
  • You also want incremental guest backups.
Proxmox Backup Server review

Questions people ask

Is Datto Backup or Proxmox Backup Server better?
Neither clearly leads. Datto Backup starts at On request and Proxmox Backup Server at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Datto Backup or Proxmox Backup Server?
Proxmox Backup Server has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Datto Backup and Free for Proxmox Backup Server.
Does Datto Backup or Proxmox Backup Server run on more platforms?
Datto Backup runs on Web. Proxmox Backup Server runs on Linux.
Can I use Proxmox Backup Server for free?
Yes. Proxmox Backup Server has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Datto Backup starts at On request.
What is Datto Backup best used for?
Datto Backup is most often used for backup and disaster recovery, msp solutions, data protection, business continuity. Of those, backup and disaster recovery and msp solutions are not what Proxmox Backup Server is typically brought in for.
What can Datto Backup do that Proxmox Backup Server cannot?
Proxmox Backup Server covers Deduplicated chunk store, Incremental guest backups, Client side encryption, Verification jobs.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Datto Backup: How is Datto Backup priced?

Datto does not publish specific pricing for Backup on their website. Pricing details require contacting Datto's sales team directly through their website.

Source
Proxmox Backup Server: Can it back up machines that are not on Proxmox?

Linux hosts yes, through the client, at file level. Other hypervisors and physical Windows machines are outside its scope.

Datto Backup: Does Datto offer different backup pricing tiers or plans?

The public product pages do not detail pricing tiers or plan structures. Organizations must request quotes from Datto to learn about available options and tier pricing.

Source
Proxmox Backup Server: Is a subscription required?

No. Without one you use the community repository and forum support. The subscription buys the tested enterprise repository and vendor tickets.

Datto Backup: What backup and business continuity features does Datto provide?

Datto Backup provides comprehensive business continuity frameworks, threat monitoring, malware insights, and disaster recovery capabilities, but specific features by pricing tier are not publicly disclosed.

Source
Proxmox Backup Server: How do I know a backup will restore?

Run verification jobs. They re-read the stored chunks and mark snapshots verified or failed, which is stronger evidence than a successful backup log.

Datto Backup: How would I request Datto Backup pricing information?

Datto customers can request pricing through the website's pricing links in footer navigation or by contacting their sales team. Partners may access customized pricing through Datto's partner portal.

Source
Proxmox Backup Server: What storage should the datastore be on?

Local disks, ideally with ZFS and enough input and output capacity for many small files. Network shares are supported but routinely disappointing.

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