BtrBack

BtrBack is a free Minecraft Java server plugin for operators who already run their server directory on Btrfs. Its local snapshot approach is narrowly suited to that setup, while the filesystem prerequisites and reboot-based restore make it a poor fit for many other servers.

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. That requirement is central to the choice: BtrBack is not a general-purpose Minecraft backup plugin that can be dropped onto any server filesystem.

Normal backups cover the full server and are recorded in the backupSnapshots section of backups.json. Before rollback, BtrBack also snapshots the current state, recording it under rollbackSnapshots rather than in the normal backup list. That separate safety copy gives operators a way to preserve the state they are replacing, though it does not change the restore’s full-backup scope.

Key features

Scheduled, local snapshots

BtrBack supports scheduled backups, local storage and custom retention. Those choices suit an operator who wants snapshots kept with the server and control over how long they are retained. The documented backup and restore scope is the full server, so it is not the right option for selectively restoring a single world or narrower set of files.

Rollback with a restart cost

A rollback reboots the server twice: once to restore the selected backup and once more to start normally. The pre-rollback snapshot is a useful safeguard, but the two-reboot sequence adds downtime and makes recovery less suitable where a short, predictable interruption matters.

Pricing

BtrBack is free: its Free plan costs nothing and covers the Minecraft backup plugin, with a Btrfs subvolume required. There is no trial because the software is already free. The repository includes the Good Luck With That Public License, which permits copying, modifying, distributing, selling and sublicensing the software at the user’s own risk.

Platforms

BtrBack is for Linux and self-hosted Minecraft Java servers. Its filesystem requirement further narrows that platform fit to servers whose directory is on a Btrfs subvolume. The project’s public GitHub repository shows no releases, so operators should be prepared to install from the repository rather than select a published release.

Who it's for

Choose BtrBack if you operate a Minecraft Java server on Btrfs, want local full-server snapshots, and can accommodate its two-reboot rollback. Look elsewhere if your server uses a different filesystem, needs finer-grained restores, or cannot tolerate the restore interruption.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Scheduled full-server backups and custom retention support a locally managed backup routine.
• Pros: A separate snapshot is taken before rollback, preserving the state that would otherwise be replaced.
• Cons: The Btrfs subvolume and mount-option requirements exclude servers that cannot meet them.
• Cons: Full-server restore scope and two reboots limit its usefulness for targeted recovery or minimal downtime.
• Cons: No published releases are shown, which may make adoption less convenient for operators seeking a packaged release.

Alternatives

For more Minecraft backup options, browse Minecraft Backup Software. InstantBackup is another free Minecraft server mod, with Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted platform support; choose it if you need those broader platform options rather than BtrBack’s Btrfs-specific setup. MineBackup is also free and spans Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted use, making it a broader-platform alternative.

FastBack is a free Minecraft backup mod for Linux, macOS and Windows; consider it if you want a mod across those platforms. Just Enough Backups is a free Fabric server-side world-backup mod for Linux, macOS and Windows, so it is the alternative to consider when world backups are the priority. CaCl2Backup is a free self-hosted Fabric server mod, but it requires Minecraft 26.0+, Fabric Loader 0.15.0+, Fabric API and Java 25+.

FolderRewind is a free, open-source option for Windows 10 and 11. Minecraft Backup is a free Linux server backup script, while ServerBackup is a free Minecraft server backup plugin for Linux and self-hosted use.

Verdict

BtrBack is a sensible choice for Minecraft Java operators already using Btrfs who want scheduled, local full-server snapshots and a pre-rollback safety copy. Its filesystem and mount requirements are restrictive, and the two-reboot restore carries a real downtime cost; choose another backup tool if either constraint is incompatible with your server.