6 of the Best Open Source Backup Tools to Keep Your Data Safe

Hard drives fail. SSDs fail. Even cloud services aren’t immune to errors. The reality is simple: if your data matters, it needs to be backed up.

Whether you’re protecting your personal files, your home lab, or your entire business infrastructure, the right backup solution can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a disaster.

While there are countless commercial tools on the market, many professionals rely on open source backup software. These tools are free, powerful, community-driven, and often just as robust as their paid counterparts. And if you find one that works for you, consider supporting its development through a donation.

Here are six of the best open source backup options available in 2025.

1. Bacula — Enterprise-Level Control Without the Cost

Best for: Businesses, IT departments, advanced users

Bacula is one of the most trusted names in the backup world. It uses a client-server architecture that allows centralized management of backups across multiple systems. Bacula supports a wide range of storage media, integrates with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is highly scalable.

If you need a backup solution that can handle complex systems and scale with your infrastructure, Bacula is a solid choice.

2. Duplicati — Simple, Secure, Cloud-Ready

Best for: Individual users, remote backups, cloud integrations

Duplicati offers a clean interface and strong encryption, making it ideal for everyday users who want reliable backups without a steep learning curve. It works with popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more.

With built-in scheduling and remote backup capabilities, Duplicati is a strong all-around option for personal and small business use.

3. Restic — Fast, Efficient, and Encrypted

Best for: Command-line users, speed-focused backups

Restic was built with one goal in mind: backups that are fast, secure, and easy to use. It features end-to-end encryption, deduplication, and compatibility with various backends including local storage, SFTP, Amazon S3, and more.

It runs on multiple platforms and is especially appealing for users who prefer command-line tools and efficient performance.

4. BorgBackup — Space-Saving and Secure

Best for: Users with limited storage, secure environments

BorgBackup is a great choice if storage efficiency is a top priority. With powerful compression and deduplication features, Borg can significantly reduce the space your backups take up.

It also includes authenticated encryption and offers performance on par with some of the most expensive proprietary tools.

5. Amanda — Designed for Large Networks

Best for: Universities, enterprises, managed IT environments

Amanda (Advanced Maryland Automatic Network Disk Archiver) is a mature backup solution built for managing backups across large networks. It supports disk, tape, and cloud storage, and works on both Unix-based and Windows systems.

If you’re looking for a tool that can handle multiple clients and high volumes of data, Amanda delivers.

6. UrBackup — Quick Setup, Continuous Backups

Best for: Small offices, local networks, mixed operating systems

UrBackup combines image and file backups in a user-friendly package that supports both Windows and Linux. It’s easy to set up and manage via its web interface and supports continuous backups, so you’re always protected.

It’s ideal for users who want quick, reliable backups without heavy configuration.

Final Thoughts

No one ever plans for a system failure, but the right backup solution makes sure you’re ready when it happens. Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or just looking to protect family photos, there’s an open source backup tool that fits your needs.

Explore, test, and implement a system that works for you — and sleep better knowing your data is safe.

References:
Rice-Jones, J. (2025, April 1). 6 of the best open source backup options. XDA. https://www.xda-developers.com/best-open-source-backup-options/