BorgBackup
BorgBackup is free, open-source software for backing up computers and servers on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What BorgBackup is
BorgBackup is free, open-source software for backing up computers and servers on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It uses content-defined chunking to store each new chunk once, including across files, backups, and machines that share a repository. Optional compression choices include lz4, zstd, zlib, and lzma. Borg supports client-side 256-bit AES encryption and checks data integrity and authenticity with HMAC-SHA256. Backups can be stored on remote hosts reached over SSH, and archives can be mounted as user-space file systems for browsing and file restores. The project lists repository hosting and storage options from BorgBase, Hetzner Storage Box, and rsync.net. Community support is available through documentation, the issue tracker, IRC, Matrix, and the mailing list; commercial consulting, support, development, and storage services are also listed. BorgBackup is licensed under BSD 3-clause. The site identifies version 1.4.5 as the current stable release and says the 2.0 beta remains in testing and should not be used in production. Its documentation warns that compatibility may break repeatedly when the major release number changes.
Good
- Free software under the BSD 3-clause license.
- Deduplication works across shared repositories.
- Remote backups can use SSH hosts.
- Archives can be mounted for browsing and restores.
Watch out
- The 2.0 beta should not be used in production.
- Compatibility may break across major release changes.
- Free support is community-based.
Who it suits
BorgBackup suits computer and server users who want free backup software with deduplication, optional compression, encryption, and remote storage. It is for readers comfortable using community documentation and support channels.
Verdict
BorgBackup offers a free backup tool with chunk-based deduplication, encryption, compression options, and remote storage support. Note the project’s warning about major-version compatibility and avoid using the 2.0 beta in production.
Plans and prices
From BorgBackup's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| BorgBackup | Free | Free and open-source backup software · BSD licensed |
The facts
Each one read from BorgBackup's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Archive browsing
- Backup archives can be mounted as user-space file systems for interactive examination and restores.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Backup scope
- mixedchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The documentation warns that compatibility may break repeatedly when the major release number changes.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Compression
- Optional compression choices include lz4, zstd, zlib, and lzma.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Computer backup
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Deduplication
- Content-defined chunking stores each new chunk once, including across files, backups, and machines sharing a repository.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Borg supports client-side 256-bit AES encryption and verifies data integrity and authenticity with HMAC-SHA256.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project lists BorgBase repository hosting, Hetzner Storage Box with Borg support, and rsync.net cloud storage with Borg support.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- BorgBackup is free software under the BSD 3-clause license, and the documentation says its security and functionality can be independently audited.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Paid services
- The project lists commercial consulting, support, and development from Waldmann EDV, plus repository hosting and storage services from other providers.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- BorgBackup is a deduplicating backup program with optional compression and authenticated encryption.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The site identifies version 1.4.5 as the current stable release and says the 2.0 beta is still in testing and should not be used in production.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Remote storage
- Borg can store backups on remote hosts accessible over SSH.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Restore modes
- filechecked 20 Sep 2026
- Server backup
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Support
- Free community support is available through documentation, the issue tracker, IRC, Matrix, and the mailing list.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2015checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The documentation lists binaries for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and NetBSD; Cygwin and Windows Subsystem for Linux are listed with experimental limitations.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- windows,macos,linuxchecked 20 Sep 2026
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