Choosing Between Shared and Dedicated Proxmox Backup Servers
When you decide to offload your Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) to a managed cloud provider like TAC PBS, one of the first choices is: shared (multi-tenant datastore) or dedicated (your own isolated PBS instance)?
Both options deliver the core PBS benefits—deduplication, incremental backups, encryption, fast restores—but they differ in isolation, performance predictability, customization, security controls, and cost. The right pick depends on your workload size, compliance needs, security posture, and growth trajectory.
This guide compares the two models head-to-head, highlights when to choose each, and shows how TAC PBS makes the transition seamless for Proxmox admins.
Shared vs. Dedicated PBS: Key Differences at a Glance
Here's the side-by-side reality check:
| Aspect | Shared PBS (Datastore Plan) | Dedicated PBS (Isolated Instance) |
|---|---|---|
| Isolation & Security | Multi-tenant: Your datastore is logically separated, but shares underlying hardware & PBS process with other customers | Full isolation: Your own PBS instance, no shared compute/storage with others |
| Performance Predictability | Good for most use cases; potential for "noisy neighbor" effects during peak times (rare with proper provisioning) | Consistent, dedicated CPU/RAM/IOPS—no contention from other tenants |
| Customization & Control | Limited: You manage datastores, jobs, retention via Proxmox tools; no OS-level access | Full root/SSH access: Install extras, tune ZFS, custom scripts, firewall rules, traffic filtering |
| Security Features | Proxmox encryption + provider hardening; basic IP allowlisting where supported | Advanced: Custom iptables/firewalld, source IP restrictions, full audit of configs |
| Cost | Lower entry point (e.g., starts at 250 GB tiers); pay-for-storage model | Higher base (dedicated resources); scales with instance size but predictable |
| Use Case Fit | Homelabs, small clusters, MSPs with many small clients, testing, cost-sensitive setups | Production enterprises, regulated industries (HIPAA/GDPR), high-IOPS needs, custom integrations |
| Setup Speed | Instant: Add remote datastore in PVE GUI or CLI | Fast provisioning (minutes to hours); then same connect process |
| Management Overhead | Zero: Fully managed by TAC Global (updates, monitoring, verification) | Minimal: Still fully managed infrastructure; you handle PBS-level tweaks if desired |
When to Choose Shared (Datastore Plan)
You're starting small: Homelab, test cluster, or <50 VMs.
Budget is a priority: Lower cost per GB, no fixed instance overhead.
You want simplicity: One-command connect, no server management at all.
Security needs are standard: Proxmox client-side encryption + provider hardening is sufficient.
You're an MSP or consultant: Easy to onboard multiple small clients without per-tenant instances.
Most TAC PBS users begin here—it's the fastest path to reliable off-site backups.
When to Upgrade to Dedicated
You run production workloads with strict SLAs or high I/O demands.
Compliance requires stronger isolation (e.g., dedicated hardware for audit trails).
You need advanced customization: Custom ZFS tunables, additional monitoring agents, or pull-based sync from your on-prem PBS.
Performance consistency matters: No risk of transient slowdowns from shared resources.
You want maximum control over network access: IP whitelisting, custom firewalls.
Dedicated plans shine for enterprises, healthcare, finance, or any environment where "good enough" isn't enough.
Hybrid Approach: Start Shared, Scale to Dedicated
Many TAC Global customers follow this path:
Launch with a shared datastore plan for quick off-site protection.
Monitor usage and performance via the dashboard.
When you hit scale/compliance thresholds, migrate to a dedicated instance (we assist with datastore sync or re-pointing jobs—no data loss).
Because PBS sync is efficient and deduplicated, moving between shared and dedicated is low-effort.
Bottom Line: Both Are "Fully Managed"—Choose Based on Your Risk Profile
Whether shared or dedicated, TAC PBS handles:
Automatic PBS updates & security patches
Proactive monitoring & alerts
Integrity verification tasks
US-based Tier-3 hosting
Expert Proxmox support
The decision boils down to isolation needs vs. cost/simplicity.
Not sure which fits? Our team can review your cluster size, retention goals, and compliance requirements in minutes.
👉 Compare plans and start with TAC PBS — shared from 250 GB, dedicated options available.
Questions on migration, pull sync, or custom configs? Reach out at support@tac.global or via live chat—we speak Proxmox.
Author: Dustin Wright Published: February 2026 Category: Proxmox Backup Insights
