QNAP HBS 3 — What You Get for Free on QTS 5
HBS 3 is QNAP's native backup tool: NAS-to-cloud, NAS-to-NAS, PC-to-NAS. What the 2026 edition covers, what is limited, and when to buy a license.
What it does
HBS 3 ships with QTS. Create a job: source (this NAS, a share, a PC, or a VM on the NAS), destination (cloud, another NAS, or an external USB drive), and schedule. Each run keeps a versioned snapshot. The PC-to-NAS mode installs a small agent on your Windows or Mac and backs up those machines to the QNAP. For a 3-2-1 plan, HBS 3 fills the '1' (remote copy) and the on-prem snapshot slot; pair it with a cloud vendor's own backup for the second off-site copy.
Pricing
HBS 3 base is free on QTS. The paid 'HBS 3 Pro' license (~$50–$150/yr in 2026) unlocks higher VM counts, more cloud targets, and larger backup sizes. Most households stay on the free base tier; Pro is for small businesses and heavy users.
Good at
- QNAP owners who want a built-in backup tool
- NAS-to-cloud copy in one job
- PC-to-NAS backup of Windows/Mac workstations
Not for
- Non-QNAP NAS
- Households that want a single vendor across 5+ machines (HBS 3 is QNAP-ecosystem)
Key features
- Built-in to QTS — no install
- NAS-to-cloud, NAS-to-NAS, and PC-to-NAS in one product
- Scheduled, incremental, versioned
- Free base edition + paid 'Pro' license for larger deployments
Frequently asked questions
Can HBS 3 back up a Windows PC to the QNAP?
Yes — the PC-to-NAS mode installs a small agent on Windows or macOS and backs up those machines to the QNAP. It is file-level, not block-level image.
Does HBS 3 support cloud copy?
Yes — Drive, OneDrive, and other QNAP-listed cloud providers. The free base tier covers a subset; the Pro tier covers more.
This page is part of the NAS security encyclopedia: 12-step hardening checklist, 3-2-1 backup rule, "Am I affected?" 60-second check.
Last updated: November 2026 · prices are US list prices at the time of writing. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.