On the off chance that reinforcements feel like a task on Linux, it may be a great opportunity to reconsider the software you’re utilizing. Because others applaud an application as “the best backup software ever” doesn’t make it the best for you.
This list of backup software for Linux covers all the different use cases. Make a checklist of your needs and desires, take a look at our collection, and pick the best app for yourself.
For Backups From the Terminal
1. Rsync
rsync
You could call rsync the ancestor of backup apps for Linux, since most of them are either inspired by or directly based on it. Rsync has a devastating amount of options, but it’s easy to figure out how to use it for simple backups. It can preserve both symbolic and hard links to files, as well as file ownership and permissions.
An efficient way to use rsync is to set up a shell script and schedule it with cron, but you can find more usage examples in the official documentation.
[ad type=”banner”]2. Obnam
obnam
Obnam is all about snapshots. On first run, it performs a complete backup of your source files and folders. Subsequent snapshots are incremental, yet fully restorable, and you don’t have to restore a whole snapshot – just the files you want.
Obnam makes regular checkpoints to prevent data corruption. You can also set up a cleanup policy to make Obnam automatically remove old backups at desired intervals.
3. BorgBackup
borg
BorgBackup turns your backups into archives and organizes them into repositories. The cool thing about BorgBackup is that it lets you mount backups as file systems and browse them in your file manager.
BorgBackup emphasizes deduplication as its main feature, and uses a smart algorithm to achieve it. As a result, you’re free to rename and move files in your backups without disturbing the deduplication process.
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Worth checking out:
Rsnapshot – another tool based on rsync, focused on system snapshots.
Rdiff-backup – combines folder synchronization with incremental backup, allowing you to save and restore multiple versions of a file
For Quick File Backups
4. Grsync
grsync
Grsync is a popular graphical front end for rsync, with all the options presented as simple checkbox items. Hovering over every option will give you a tooltip explaining what it does. After selecting the desired options, Grsync can do a test-run (“simulation”) to show you what changes will be made. This is a safe way to test your backup preferences.
You can use it to synchronize files between two locations, backup only new files, and delete old files automatically. You can also save settings for different backup scenarios as “Sessions”, and easily switch between them from the drop-down menu.
[ad type=”banner”]5. Kup
kup
Kup is another graphical front end, but for bup – an efficient backup tool that saves disk space by performing incremental backups that act like full backups. However, Kup also supports rsync for one of the two supported backup modes.
The first one lets you mirror two folders completely, including file changes. This means that the files you deleted in the source will be removed from the destination. The other approach doesn’t remove old file versions, and allows you to browse and restore them. Kup also provides helpful scheduling options in case you don’t want to manually backup your files.
6. Areca Backup
areca backup
Areca works by creating archives from the files you want to backup. You can have multiple source folders for a single archive, and the destination can be a local folder, an external drive, or even an FTP server.
Areca supports file compression and encryption, and lets you filter files by type. You can also simulate a backup, like with Grsync, as well as extract files from old backups, like with Kup. For beginners, Areca offers the Backup Strategy and Backup Shortcut wizards that guide you through the setup process.
Worth checking out:
DirSyncPro – lets you perform incremental backups and define detailed backup schedules
[ad type=”banner”]FreeFileSync – offers advanced folder comparison and two-way synchronization options
For Full System Backups
7. Back In Time
back in time
Back In Time is based on the concept of system snapshots. You can create encrypted snapshots of the whole system, or only backup selected folders. The same applies to restoring your backups: either restore the entire system, or just the files and folders you need. Back In Time can automatically remove old snapshots and compare them to show you what has changed.
8. DarGUI
dargui
DarGUI is a front end for the archiving tool called dar, so the backups it makes will be archive files. What is special about DarGUI is the ability to separate archives into multiple parts (“slices”). This is useful for managing large backups.
You can create full system backups or differential backups, and compare them to your current system. DarGUI can also restore backups, help you schedule them, and perform a test run to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
9. FWbackups
fwbackups
FWbackups aims to be simple to use, which is reflected in its interface. Everything feels straightforward and logical, so beginners shouldn’t have trouble using it. With FWbackups, you can either create a one-time backup, or set up recurring backups. They can be archive files or direct copies of your filesystem hierarchy.
fwbackups schedule
The best part of FWbackups is the scheduling dialog, which makes it easy to automate backups. FWbackups can also export a list of installed packages on your system, provided that your Linux distribution uses dpkg, RPM, or Pacman.
Worth checking out:
UrBackup – lets you manage backups of the live filesystem from a web interface
[ad type=”banner”]Synbak – multifunctional wrapper for different utilities (rsync, tar, SQL databases, and even tape backups)
For Disk Cloning and Disaster Recovery
10. Partimage
partimage
Partimage is not your everyday backup tool. Still, it serves a very important purpose. Partimage can clone entire partitions, but it does so by copying only used blocks to save space. There are a few limitations you should be aware of. For instance, it doesn’t support ext4 and btrfs file systems, and you shouldn’t clone a mounted partition. Instead, it’s recommended to run Partimage from a bootable Live system.
You can use it to restore your Linux system in case of a major failure, or to transfer an existing installation to another computer with all your applications and settings intact.
Ready to try these Linux Backup Software?
Many people stick to whichever backup application comes with their OS, and that is understandable. However, it’s good to know there are other options in case you want something more. While trying out Linux backup software, don’t forget about data safety, and don’t test them with your actual backups. Instead, create dummy folders or copies of your data, and experiment on that.
Last but not least, remember that really good backups are not stored on the same disk (or not even in the same room) as the original data, and let that thought guide you in your future backups.