At a glance
| Supported databases | SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL (application-aware); Oracle RMAN, SAP HANA, SAP on Oracle, SAP MaxDB, IBM Db2 plug-ins; MongoDB backup; MySQL via scripts or the Linux agent |
| Backup types | Full, incremental and image-level backups; transaction log and archived log backups; plug-in backups through native database tools |
| Point-in-time recovery | Yes for SQL Server and Oracle log backups and PostgreSQL Patroni clusters (WAL); other engines through their plug-in tools |
| Compression and encryption | Built-in compression, deduplication and backup encryption |
| Storage targets | Disk, hardened Linux repository, object storage (S3-compatible, Azure, Google), deduplicating appliances, tape |
| Retention and automation | Job schedules, GFS retention, immutability, PowerShell and REST API |
| Restore options | Instant recovery, full VM or server restore, database and object restore through Veeam Explorers |
| Deployment | Self-hosted on Windows or the Linux-based Veeam Software Appliance (v13) |
| Licensing | Per instance (Veeam Universal License) subscription; legacy per-socket; free Community Edition (10 workloads) |
Veeam Backup & Replication suits infrastructure teams that protect mostly virtual machines and servers and want database-consistent image backups with item-level restores for SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL. It is licensed per protected instance rather than per terabyte, has a free 10-workload Community Edition, and needs a quote for paid editions.
Overview
Veeam Backup & Replication (VBR) is the core product of Veeam Data Platform. It takes image-level backups of VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox VE and Nutanix AHV virtual machines, physical Windows and Linux servers through Veeam agents, and cloud workloads, and stores them on disk, object storage, deduplicating appliances or tape. Version 13 added a Linux-based Veeam Software Appliance and a web console; build 13.1.2 is listed as released on 27 October 2026, and the 12.3 line still receives patches.
For databases, VBR uses application-aware processing: it quiesces SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL during the image backup, can back up transaction logs or archived redo logs, and restores single databases or objects through Veeam Explorers. Database-native protection comes through managed plug-ins that hook into the vendor tools, such as Oracle RMAN, SAP HANA Backint, SAP on Oracle, IBM Db2, and a MongoDB backup option. Version 13.1 added application-aware protection for PostgreSQL clusters managed by Patroni with point-in-time recovery.
Key features
- Image-level backup with application-aware processing for SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL, including transaction log and archived log handling
- Managed plug-ins for Oracle RMAN, SAP HANA, SAP on Oracle, SAP MaxDB and IBM Db2 (Windows), with plug-in backups to tape in 13.1
- Veeam Explorers for item-level and database-level restores, including Veeam Explorer for PostgreSQL with Windows restore targets (13.1)
- Point-in-time recovery for PostgreSQL Patroni clusters through continuous WAL processing (13.1)
- Instant recovery, replication and immutable restore points on hardened Linux repositories and object storage
- GFS (weekly, monthly, yearly) retention for SQL Server and SAP HANA plug-in backups (13.1)
- Free Community Edition for up to 10 workloads
Integrations and ecosystem
Pros and cons
Pros
- Broad virtual machine coverage (VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox VE, Nutanix AHV) with database-consistent backups
- Item-level and database-level restores for SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL without a full VM restore
- Per-instance licensing does not grow with data volume for VMs and servers
- Free Community Edition for small estates and labs
Cons
- No public list prices; paid editions need a quote
- MySQL has no application-aware processing in VBR; it relies on scripts or the Linux agent
- Several database plug-ins and features are platform-specific (for example the Db2 plug-in targets Windows)
- Self-hosted infrastructure (backup server, proxies, repositories) is yours to run and patch
Pricing
Veeam Backup & Replication is the backup engine of Veeam Data Platform, sold in Foundation, Advanced and Premium editions (plus Essentials for small businesses, up to 50 licences). The main licence is the Veeam Universal License (VUL), counted per protected instance: a VM, cloud VM or physical or application server uses one instance, a workstation uses three, and 500 GB of unstructured data uses one; a workload counts if it had a restore point in the last 31 days, and restores consume nothing. Per-socket perpetual licences are no longer sold to new customers. Veeam does not publish list prices on its site, so pricing is by quote or through partners. The free Community Edition protects up to 10 workloads with no technical support.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Infrastructure and DBA teams with mostly virtualized SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL servers who want image backups with database-aware restores under one per-instance licence.
Typical use cases
- Nightly image backups of virtualized SQL Server and Oracle hosts with transaction log backups in between
- Restoring a single SQL Server database or table from a VM backup with Veeam Explorer
- Immutable copies on a hardened Linux repository as a ransomware recovery copy
- Point-in-time recovery for PostgreSQL clusters managed by Patroni
- Protecting SAP HANA through the Backint-based plug-in with GFS retention
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams that only need native PostgreSQL or MySQL backups on Linux, where open source tools such as pgBackRest or Percona XtraBackup may be enough.
- AWS-only estates of managed databases, where AWS Backup covers RDS, Aurora and DynamoDB natively.
Verdict
Veeam Backup & Replication is a strong fit when most databases run inside virtual machines or on servers you manage and you want consistent image backups with fine-grained restores. Its database depth is greatest on SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL; for MySQL or heavy native-tool workflows check the plug-in and script options, and budget for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free version of Veeam Backup & Replication?
Yes. The Community Edition is free for up to 10 workloads, such as VMs, servers or NAS shares, with no technical support. Larger estates need a paid Veeam Data Platform edition.
How is Veeam Backup & Replication licensed?
Mainly through the Veeam Universal License, counted per protected instance: one instance per VM or server, three per workstation, and one per 500 GB of unstructured data. Restores do not consume licences. Older per-socket perpetual licences are no longer sold new.
Can Veeam restore a SQL Server database to a point in time?
Yes. With application-aware processing and transaction log backup enabled, Veeam Explorer for Microsoft SQL Server can restore a database to a chosen point in time. Version 13.1 also added GFS retention for SQL Server plug-in backups.
What is the current version?
Veeam KB2680 lists Veeam Backup & Replication 13.1.2 (build 13.1.2.57) as released on 27 October 2026. The 12.3 line still receives patches.
Sources
- Veeam KB2680: build numbers and versions
- Veeam Backup & Replication 13 What's New: enterprise application and database protection
- Veeam Backup & Replication user guide: application-aware processing
- Veeam Backup & Replication user guide: databases and enterprise applications
- Veeam licensing policy
- Veeam Backup & Replication Community Edition
Checked November 2026.
Listed in: Database Backup & Recovery.
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