BtrBack

BtrBack is a Minecraft Java server plugin for operators whose server files already live on Btrfs. Its snapshot-based approach is tailored to that setup, but the filesystem requirements and reboot sequence make it a specialized choice rather than a general-purpose backup tool.

It makes the most sense when local, full-server snapshots are sufficient and a two-reboot restore is acceptable.

Overview

Install the plugin in the server’s plugins folder and use /btrback [backup/rollback] to create or restore a backup. The server directory must be inside a Btrfs subvolume, and the root subvolume must be mounted with user_subvol_rm_allowed. If your server is not already configured that way, BtrBack’s central requirement may outweigh its simple plugin-based workflow.

Normal backups cover the full server and appear in the backupSnapshots section of backups.json. Before a rollback, the current state is also snapshotted and recorded separately under rollbackSnapshots, rather than in the ordinary backup list. That preserves the state being replaced, but does not offer selective restoration: backups and restores operate at full-server granularity.

Key features

Scheduled local snapshots

BtrBack supports scheduled backups, stores them locally and uses a custom retention policy. This suits operators who want control over how long snapshots remain on the server, but local storage alone is not a separate copy elsewhere. The full-server scope is appropriate for recovering the whole server, not for restoring an individual file or world selectively.

Rollback with a recovery copy

The pre-rollback snapshot offers a useful safeguard when a restore replaces a newer server state. The operational cost is significant: rollback reboots the server once to restore the selected backup and a second time to start normally. That makes recovery less suitable when downtime must be brief or precisely predictable.

Pricing

BtrBack is free: the Free plan costs nothing and is open source. There is no paid tier or free trial. The plan includes the Minecraft backup plugin and requires a Btrfs subvolume; its focused filesystem requirement is the main constraint, not a plan quota or seat limit.

The repository includes the Good Luck With That Public License. It permits copying, distribution, modification, merging, selling, publishing and sublicensing, with use at the user's own risk. The GitHub repository is public and has no releases, so operators should account for that when deciding how to obtain and manage the plugin.

Platforms

BtrBack is for Linux and self-hosted use, specifically Minecraft Java servers. Its documented storage and mount requirements make it a fit for operators managing the underlying server filesystem, not players looking for a client-side backup app.

Who it's for

Choose BtrBack if you operate a Java server on a Btrfs subvolume, want scheduled local snapshots of the full server, and can accommodate the two-reboot rollback. Look elsewhere if you need cross-platform flexibility, remote backup storage, or finer-grained restores; those needs do not match BtrBack’s documented scope.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free and open source, with no paid plan or trial decision to navigate.
• Scheduled, local full-server snapshots suit operators who want to keep backup data alongside a Btrfs-hosted server.
• A separate pre-rollback snapshot preserves the state being replaced without mixing it into the normal backup list.

Cons

• Requires a Btrfs subvolume and a specific root-subvolume mount option, ruling it out for servers on other filesystem setups.
• Rollback requires two reboots, extending downtime during recovery.
• Full-server restore granularity does not suit selective recovery, and local storage is not an off-site copy.
• The public repository has no releases, which leaves operators without a published release channel.

Alternatives

For a wider range of Minecraft server platforms, consider InstantBackup, a free open-source mod for Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted setups. MineBackup is another free option across those platforms, with no paid plans or usage limits stated.

If you want a free Minecraft backup mod for Linux, macOS or Windows, FastBack is distributed under GNU GPL version 2. Just Enough Backups is a free Fabric mod for server-side world backups on Linux, macOS or Windows, making it a better match when world-level backups are the priority.

For a Linux server backup script, Minecraft Backup is also free and supports Linux and self-hosted use. CaCl2Backup is a free, MIT-licensed Fabric server mod for self-hosted use, but requires Minecraft 26.0+, Fabric Loader 0.15.0+, Fabric API and Java 25+. Windows users can consider FolderRewind, a free open-source option for Windows 10 and 11. ServerBackup is another free Minecraft server backup plugin for Linux and self-hosted setups.

Browse the Minecraft Backup Software category for more options.

Verdict

BtrBack is a sensible pick for a Linux Minecraft Java server already stored on Btrfs when local full-server snapshots and a pre-rollback safety copy meet your recovery needs. Its free, scheduled snapshot workflow is compelling in that narrow setting. Choose another tool if you cannot meet the Btrfs setup, need selective or off-site backups, or cannot accept two reboots during rollback.