bup

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What bup is

bup is free, open-source backup software for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted setups. It saves files incrementally in Git-formatted repositories and writes packfiles directly, using global deduplication across and within files. A rolling checksum divides large files into chunks, allowing incremental treatment of virtual-machine disk images, databases, and XML files. Backups can be sent to a remote bup server over SSH, and an interrupted run can continue later. Each incremental backup can be restored like a full backup without replaying earlier increments. Repositories can be mounted through FUSE or exported over Samba. The project describes par2 redundancy and fsck-generated recovery information for corrupted backups. Import commands cover duplicity, rdiff-backup, and rsnapshot, while git-annex is listed as a storage backend. Intended requirements include Python 3.8 or newer, a C compiler, and Git 1.7.2 or newer.

Who it suits

bup suits users who need file backups on Linux, macOS, Windows, or self-hosted systems and are comfortable with open-source tools. It is also relevant for large files and SSH-based remote storage.

What it does well

Free and open source
Incremental saves with global deduplication
Remote backups over SSH
Restore increments as full backups
FUSE and Samba access

What to know first

Less well tested than tar
Save and restore metadata support is immature
Requires Python, a C compiler, and Git

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
bup	Open-source backup software; no paid plans or usage limits stated	Free

As bup.github.io lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

bup offers flexible, deduplicated file backups with resumable SSH transfers and straightforward incremental restoration. Its stated testing and metadata limitations matter for users needing mature backup metadata handling.

Facts from bup's own pages

Backup scope: file · bup.github.io, 19 Sept 2026
Computer backup: Yes · bup.github.io, 19 Sept 2026
Corruption recovery: The project says bup can use par2 redundancy to help recover corrupted backups, and its fsck command can generate recovery information. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Dependencies: The README describes Python 3.8 or newer, a C compiler, and Git 1.7.2 or newer as intended requirements; it says automatic testing covers some Python 3.9+ and Git 2.3+ versions. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Filesystem access: A bup repository can be mounted as a FUSE filesystem and exported over Samba. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Import tools: The man-page index lists commands for importing data from duplicity, rdiff-backup, and rsnapshot. · bup.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
Integrations: The project lists git-annex as a storage backend and names related tools including bup-cron, Kup, Bups, bupper, and encbup. · bup.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
Large files: Its rolling checksum splits large files into chunks so VM disk images, databases, and XML files can be backed up incrementally. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Limitations: The project cautions that bup is less well tested than tar and says its save and restore metadata support is immature. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Platforms: The README says bup has been reported to work on Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OS X, Solaris, and Windows with Cygwin or WSL. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: bup is a backup system based on the git packfile format, with incremental saves and global deduplication among and within files. · bup.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
Remote backups: Backups can be sent to a remote bup server over SSH, and an interrupted backup can resume on the next run. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Restore: An incremental backup can be restored as if it were a full backup, without first restoring earlier incrementals. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Restore modes: file · bup.github.io, 19 Sept 2026
Storage format: bup stores data in git-formatted repositories and writes packfiles directly. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users to its mailing list and the #bup channel on Libera.Chat for contact. · bup.github.io, 12 Oct 2026

Where bup stands on Freedom251

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