Acronis backup for VMware and Nutanix
Protect VMware vSphere and Nutanix AHV virtual machines with agentless Acronis backup – fast image backups, instant restore and file-level recovery from the same console as your servers, PCs and Microsoft 365. And if you’re moving from VMware to Nutanix, Acronis can help you get there.
Acronis for VMware
Acronis has protected VMware environments for many years, with agentless backup at hypervisor level and full integration into the Acronis Cyber Protect console.
- Agentless backup of VMs through vCenter or standalone ESXi hosts
- Incremental backups using VMware Changed Block Tracking
- Full VM image and granular file-level restore
- Run a VM directly from backup for near-instant recovery
- Restore ESXi hosts and VMs to bare metal, including dissimilar hardware
- Application-aware backup for SQL Server, Exchange and SharePoint VMs
- Backup validation with automated boot checks
Acronis for Nutanix
Agentless Acronis backup for Nutanix AHV uses a single lightweight appliance on the cluster and the Nutanix backup API – no software inside each VM.
- Agentless backup of Windows and Linux VMs on Nutanix AHV
- Full VM image backup, with optional file and folder selection
- Store backups in Acronis Cloud, Nutanix Files or Nutanix Objects
- Restore whole VMs to the original or a new location
- Granular recovery of individual files and folders
- Schedules from every 10 minutes to monthly to meet your RPO
- Malware scanning, encryption and immutable storage options
Why add Acronis to VMware and Nutanix’s built-in protection?
VMware and Nutanix both include snapshots and replication – great for quick rollbacks and keeping a second site in sync. But snapshots and replicas are not backups. They live inside the same platform, are managed by the same admin accounts and can be lost to the same failure or attack. Acronis adds the independent, off-platform protection they don’t provide.
1. Real backups, not just snapshots
VMware snapshots and Nutanix protection-domain snapshots sit on the same storage as the VMs. Acronis creates independent, versioned backups you can keep for months or years – on separate storage, off-site or in the cloud.
2. Ransomware-proof copies
If an attacker gains vCenter or Prism admin rights, they can delete snapshots and replicas. Acronis keeps immutable backups outside the hypervisor, scans them for malware and restores from a clean point.
3. Freedom to change hypervisor
Native tools only restore to their own platform. Acronis can restore VMware VMs onto Nutanix AHV and back, or to Hyper-V and Azure – ideal while you review VMware licensing.
4. Disaster recovery without a second cluster
Nutanix replication needs another Nutanix cluster, and VMware’s orchestrated DR is a separately licensed add-on. Acronis can fail over to the Acronis Cloud – no second data centre required.
5. Granular recovery
Restore a single file, folder, mailbox item or SQL database from a VM backup – without rolling back the whole virtual machine.
6. One console for everything
VMware and Nutanix tools only protect their own VMs. Acronis protects both hypervisors plus physical servers, PCs, Macs, mobiles and Microsoft 365 under one policy.
7. Security inside the VMs
Hypervisor tools can’t see inside the guest. Acronis adds anti-malware, anti-ransomware, vulnerability assessment and patch management to your VMs.
8. Proven, tested restores
Automated backup validation and boot checks confirm each VM backup will actually start – not just that the job completed.
9. Long-term retention & compliance
Keep daily, weekly, monthly and yearly versions with encryption and reporting – something snapshot schedules aren’t designed for.
Built-in protection vs Acronis at a glance
| Capability | VMware built-in | Nutanix built-in | Acronis Cyber Protect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapshots | Yes | Yes | Uses snapshots to take consistent backups |
| Independent backup copies | No native backup product – relies on third-party backup software | Snapshots and replicas stay within Nutanix infrastructure | Yes – separate, versioned backups |
| Off-site / cloud copies | Replication to another vSphere site | Replication to another Nutanix cluster or Nutanix cloud | Acronis Cloud, S3-compatible storage, NAS, Nutanix Files/Objects |
| Immutable, malware-scanned backups | No | Snapshot protection features only | Yes |
| Restore to a different hypervisor | No | No | Yes – VMware ↔ Nutanix, Hyper-V, Azure |
| File & application-item restore | Limited | Limited | Yes – files, folders, SQL, Exchange |
| Physical servers, PCs & Microsoft 365 | No | No | Yes, same console |
| Anti-malware & patching in VMs | No | No | Yes |
| Cloud DR without a second site | Separately licensed add-on | Requires a second cluster or Nutanix cloud | Yes – failover to Acronis Cloud |
Native snapshots and replication remain useful for fast local rollback and site-to-site availability – Acronis is designed to work alongside them. Summarised from vendor information, October 2026.
Moving from VMware to Nutanix? Back up on one, restore on the other
Changes to VMware licensing have prompted many UK organisations to look at Nutanix AHV and other hypervisors. Acronis cross-platform recovery lets you restore a VM backed up on VMware straight onto Nutanix AHV – or back again – using the backups you already have.
- Protect VMware and Nutanix from one Acronis console during the transition
- Restore VMware VM backups to Nutanix AHV (and AHV to VMware)
- Also recover to Hyper-V or Azure if your strategy changes
- Test migrated VMs before switching over
- Keep one backup policy and retention model across both platforms
More than VM backup
The same Acronis agent and console that protects your VMware and Nutanix VMs also covers the rest of your estate.
Other hypervisors
Hyper-V, Proxmox, Citrix, Red Hat, Scale Computing, Virtuozzo and Azure VMs.
Physical servers & PCs
Windows, Linux and macOS image and file backup.
Microsoft 365
Exchange Online, OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams. More →
Cyber protection
Anti-ransomware, patching and vulnerability assessment. More →
Comparing options for your virtual estate? See Acronis vs Veeam. Want an off-site copy in the UK? Pair Acronis with Saved to Cloud storage.
Protect your VMware or Nutanix environment
Tell us how many hosts and VMs you run – and whether you're planning a move from VMware – and we'll recommend the right Acronis licensing.
Acronis for VMware & Nutanix FAQs
Why do I need backup software if VMware or Nutanix already take snapshots?
Snapshots and replicas live inside the same platform and are controlled by the same admin accounts, so a storage failure, mistake or ransomware attack can remove them along with the VMs. Acronis keeps independent, immutable backups outside the hypervisor, supports long-term retention and can restore to a different platform.
Does Acronis support agentless VMware backup?
Yes. Acronis backs up VMware vSphere virtual machines at hypervisor level through vCenter or ESXi, so you don't need to install an agent inside each VM. You can still use in-guest agents for specific workloads if you prefer.
Can Acronis back up Nutanix AHV?
Yes. Acronis provides agentless backup for Nutanix AHV using a lightweight virtual appliance deployed to the cluster, which uses the Nutanix backup API to protect Windows and Linux VMs without in-guest agents.
Can I move virtual machines from VMware to Nutanix with Acronis?
Yes. Acronis supports cross-platform recovery, so a VM backed up on VMware can be restored to Nutanix AHV (and vice versa), as well as to Hyper-V or Azure. Many organisations reviewing their VMware licensing use this to plan a migration. We'll confirm the options available in your Acronis edition.
Where can VMware and Nutanix backups be stored?
In Acronis Cloud, on local disk, NAS or network shares, in S3-compatible cloud storage and – for Nutanix – on Nutanix Files or Nutanix Objects.
How is Acronis licensed for virtual environments?
Acronis Cyber Protect is licensed per workload; for virtualisation a virtual host licence covers the VMs running on that host. We'll confirm the most cost-effective option for your hosts and VM count when you request a quote.