Duplicacy

Duplicacy is a file-backup tool for Windows, macOS and Linux, with a graphical Web Edition and a scriptable CLI. It is best suited to people who want control over where backups go and are comfortable choosing between personal and commercial licensing. Its appeal is destination flexibility and free personal CLI backups; its limits are file-only coverage and encryption that must be enabled during setup.

Overview

Duplicacy can send files to cloud storage, local disks or SFTP servers, including computers and NAS boxes. Its lock-free deduplication design uses a two-step fossil-collection process to remove unreferenced chunks without relying on a centralized chunk database. That combination suits varied backup destinations, but Duplicacy is not a whole-device imaging or mobile-backup tool: its backup and restore scope is files.

Encryption is optional. Set a password when initializing storage to encrypt it; leaving the password empty means that storage is unencrypted. Anyone choosing Duplicacy for encrypted backups should make that choice before the first backup.

Key features

• Web Edition: Handles backup, restore, check, copy and prune, with scheduling and email notifications. Its dashboard graphs storage and backup status, making it the more approachable option for users who want a visual view of operations.
• CLI: Runs manually or from scripts, and its source code is available on GitHub. Personal file backups on a home computer are free, as are CLI restore, check, copy and prune operations. Other CLI use requires a license.
• Storage choice: Documented setups cover Microsoft Azure, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces and MinIO, alongside local disks and SFTP. This breadth is useful when a backup destination matters more than a bundled storage quota.
• Trial: Web Edition automatically downloads a fully functional 30-day trial license when used to run backups without a license, giving prospective GUI users a way to evaluate the workflow before buying.

Pricing

Duplicacy is freemium, but licensing depends on how the software is used and how many computers need coverage. A GUI license covers one computer; CLI licensing also covers one computer. The free personal CLI allowance is specifically for personal file backups on a home computer, while CLI restore, check, copy and prune need no license.

• Personal GUI: $20 a year for the first home computer in the first year, then $5 a year for that computer in each subsequent year. Additional computers cost $10 a year each in their first year and $2 a year each in subsequent years. This license is for personal files unrelated to employment or for-profit activities and includes public forum support.
• Commercial GUI: $50 a year per computer, billed each year. It has no file-use limitations and includes private ticket support, making it the relevant GUI choice for work or commercial files.
• CLI License: $50 a year for one computer. Personal use for file backups on a home computer remains free; choose the paid license when CLI use falls outside that allowance.

The declining renewal cost makes the personal GUI license cheaper after its first year, but the computer cap and personal-use restriction matter. Commercial GUI and CLI licenses cost more and include private ticket support. Volume discounts are available to service providers and resellers, whose Web GUIs can also use their own software name and logo.

Platforms

Duplicacy supports Windows, macOS and Linux. It also supports self-hosted setups, and destinations can include local disks, SFTP servers, computers and NAS boxes. There is no mobile backup, so it is not the right fit for someone whose primary need is backing up a phone.

Who it's for

Duplicacy fits computer users who want file-level backups across cloud, local or SFTP destinations, especially those who can work with the CLI or need scheduled GUI operations. It is also a practical option for NAS owners who want to direct backups to or from NAS storage. Look elsewhere for mobile backup, full-system imaging, or a personal GUI license that covers more than one computer without an added charge.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Cloud, local-disk and SFTP destinations give users room to choose storage rather than being limited to one destination type.
• Pro: Free CLI personal backups on a home computer and no-license restore, check, copy and prune operations reduce the cost for users comfortable with command-line work.
• Pro: The Web Edition combines scheduling, email notifications and a graphical status dashboard with backup and maintenance operations.
• Con: Backup and restore are file-level, and mobile backup is not supported; users needing device or phone coverage need another tool.
• Con: GUI licensing is per computer, and the personal license excludes files related to employment or for-profit activity.
• Con: Encryption is not automatic; omitting a password during storage initialization leaves that storage unencrypted.

Alternatives

IDrive is a better direction for readers who need Android or iOS support alongside desktop and web platforms, and its IDrive Mini plan is $0.25 a month for 100 GB and one user. Duplicati may suit readers seeking a free plan that monitors up to two machines and shows the last 200 backups, or a Pro plan at $2 a month. Synology Photos is a free alternative for users whose setup is built around a Synology NAS.

MSP360 Backup offers a free personal workstation backup plan with file and image-based backup and forum support, so it may fit users who want image backup. Bareos is worth considering for readers who prefer a free community edition with public repository access and complete source code. AOMEI Backupper is a Windows-only alternative with a perpetually free Standard plan for PC backup. EaseUS Todo Backup offers a free plan covering file, system, disk and partition backup and recovery, which is a broader scope than Duplicacy's file backup.

ElephantDrive is another option for readers comparing backup software.

Browse more options in NAS Backup Software or Backup software.

Verdict

Choose Duplicacy if you want flexible cloud, local or SFTP destinations and can work within its per-computer licensing, especially if free personal CLI backup is enough. Its GUI workflow adds scheduling and status visibility, but a paid license is needed for personal GUI backup. Look elsewhere if you need mobile or whole-device backup, or want encryption enabled without a setup decision.