Top 15 Free Linux Backup Software

This Linux backup software list covers diverse use cases. Create a checklist of your requirements, explore our selection, and choose the best app.

For Terminal Backups

1. Rsync

Rsync stands as the originator of Linux backup apps, influencing or directly serving as the foundation for many. It offers numerous options, yet remains straightforward for basic backups. Rsync can maintain symbolic and hard file links, alongside ownership and permissions.

Efficient use involves setting up a shell script and scheduling it with cron, with more usage examples available in official documentation.

2. Obnam

Obnam focuses solely on snapshots. Initially, it conducts a full backup of your source files and folders. Subsequent snapshots are incremental yet fully restorable, allowing you to recover specific files without restoring the entire snapshot.

Obnam creates regular checkpoints to prevent data corruption. Additionally, you can establish a cleanup policy for automatically removing old backups at specified intervals.

3. BorgBackup

BorgBackup transforms backups into archives and organizes them into repositories. Notably, BorgBackup enables you to mount backups as filesystems and browse them in your file manager.

BorgBackup emphasizes deduplication as its main feature, using a smart algorithm to achieve it. This enables you to rename and move files in your backups without disturbing the deduplication process.

Worth checking out:
Rsnapshot – another rsync-based tool focused on system snapshots
Rdiff-backup – combines folder synchronization with incremental backup, allowing you to save and restore multiple file versions

For Quick File Backups

4. Grsync

Grsync, a popular graphical frontend for rsync, presents options as simple checkboxes. Hovering over each option provides a tooltip explaining its function. After selecting desired options, Grsync can conduct a test-run (“simulation”) to preview changes, ensuring backup preferences are tested safely.

Use Grsync to synchronize files between locations, backup new files, and automatically delete old ones. Save settings for different backup scenarios as “Sessions”, easily switchable from the drop-down menu.

5. Kup

Kup is a graphical frontend for bup, an efficient backup tool that saves disk space through incremental backups acting like full backups. Additionally, Kup supports rsync for one of its two backup modes.

The first mode mirrors two folders entirely, including file changes. This ensures that deleted files in the source are also removed from the destination. The second mode retains old file versions, enabling browsing and restoration. Kup offers convenient scheduling options to automate backups.

6. Areca Backup

Areca creates archives from selected files for backup. It allows multiple source folders for a single archive, with the destination being either a local folder, an external drive, or an FTP server.

Areca supports file compression, encryption, and file type filtering. It allows simulating backups, akin to Grsync, and extracting files from old backups, similar to Kup. For beginners, Areca provides Backup Strategy and Backup Shortcut wizards for setup guidance.

Worth checking out:
DirSyncPro – enables incremental backups and detailed backup schedules
FreeFileSync – provides advanced folder comparison and two-way synchronization

Full System Backups

7. Back In Time

Back In Time revolves around system snapshots. You can generate encrypted snapshots of the entire system or specific folders. The same applies when restoring backups: either restore the whole system or select individual files and folders. Back In Time can automatically delete outdated snapshots and compare them to highlight changes.

8. DarGUI

DarGUI serves as a frontend for the archiving tool dar, producing archive files for backups. What sets DarGUI apart is its capability to divide archives into multiple parts (“slices”), particularly beneficial for managing large backups.

Choose between full system backups or differentials, then compare them to your current system. DarGUI also offers restoration capabilities, scheduling assistance, and the ability to run test simulations for smooth operation.

9. FWbackups

FWbackups prioritizes user-friendliness, evident in its intuitive interface. Beginners should find it easy to navigate. With FWbackups, opt for one-time or recurring backups, either as archives or direct filesystem copies.

A standout feature of FWbackups is its scheduling dialog, simplifying backup automation. Additionally, FWbackups can export a list of installed packages, compatible with Linux distributions utilizing dpkg, RPM, or Pacman.

Worth checking out:
UrBackup – manages backups of the live filesystem via a web interface
Synbak – multifunctional wrapper for various utilities (rsync, tar, SQL databases, and tape backups)

Disk Cloning and Disaster Recovery

10. Partimage

Partimage isn’t your typical backup tool, but it serves a crucial purpose. It can clone entire partitions by copying only used blocks to save space. However, it has limitations. For instance, it doesn’t support ext4 and btrfs filesystems, and you shouldn’t clone a mounted partition. Instead, it’s recommended to run Partimage from a bootable Live system.

To restore your Linux system in case of a major failure or transfer an existing installation to another computer along with all your applications and settings, Clonezilla is a powerful tool.

11. Clonezilla

Clonezilla allows you to create disk images or clone one disk directly to another. Like Partimage, it copies only the used parts of a partition or disk and should not be used on a mounted filesystem. However, it supports more filesystem types than Partimage, including ext4 and btrfs. Additionally, it supports both MBR and GPT partition structures, as well as UEFI.

Clonezilla can also be used to create a recovery disk similar to Windows System Repair. Moreover, if you need to simultaneously clone partitions between multiple computers, the Clonezilla Server Edition can handle the task.

12. Redo Backup

If you prefer modern interfaces, Redo Backup stands out. It operates as a standalone Live system, enabling full hard drive or partition backups. Additionally, Redo Backup facilitates restoration to another local drive, external drive, or shared network location.

Worth checking out:
Relax and Recover – for comprehensive system backups or rescue images

For Remote Storage and Cloud Backups

13. SparkleShare

SparkleShare offers seamless file synchronization, ideal for collaborative projects requiring version control. It establishes a folder on your computer, simplifying the process of backing up files and folders.

Host files on your server or rely on Github and Bitbucket. This approach isn’t for full system backups but can streamline your design and development projects.

14. Syncthing

Syncthing synchronizes folders between networked devices, monitored via the Web interface or GTK frontend. Add multiple folders and devices, monitor their status, and designate a folder as “Master” to protect it from changes on other devices. Exclude specific files from backups if needed.

Syncthing scans, compares, and updates files across devices directly, without uploading to third-party servers.

15. Rclone

Rclone is a versatile tool for major cloud storage services, enabling file transfer between Dropbox, Amazon S3, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and more. It supports one-way synchronization and cross-service file copying (e.g., Google Drive to Dropbox).

Rclone offers both full and incremental backups, along with optional file encryption. It’s designed for terminal use, with comprehensive official documentation available.

Worth checking out:
odrive – similar to rclone, supports more services, but requires an account, and most features are Premium-only ($8.25 per month)

Ready to try these Linux Backup Software?

Many people stick to their OS backup application, which is understandable. However, there are other options if you want more. When trying Linux backup software, prioritize data safety. Test them with dummy folders or copies of your data instead of actual backups.

Remember, good backups aren’t stored on the same disk or even in the same room as the original data. Let that guide your future backups.

How do you manage your backups? Which backup software do you use on Linux? If you know other great apps, feel free to recommend them in the comments.