Burp
by Burp
What Burp is
Burp is free, open-source network backup and restore software released under the AGPLv3 licence. It is designed to reduce network traffic and backup storage use, with self-hosted operation across Linux, macOS, and Windows environments. Unix-based systems can run the server, while clients run on Windows and Unix-based systems. Burp supports delta differencing through librsync, storage deduplication, network rate limiting, scheduled and resumable backups, multiple retention periods, and automatic client upgrades. SSL can encrypt client/server communication, while client-side file encryption is available but disables delta differencing. It handles files, directories, links, permissions, timestamps, ACLs, extended attributes, and Windows EFS files. Email notifications, an ncurses monitor, and the separate Burp-UI provide monitoring and reporting tools. The download page lists versions 3.3.0 and 3.2.0.
Who it suits
Burp suits users needing self-hosted network backup across Unix-based systems and Windows clients. It is relevant to people wanting open-source software with scheduling, retention, and monitoring controls.
What it does well
- Free AGPLv3 software
- Linux, macOS, and Windows support
- Delta differencing and deduplication
- Scheduled, resumable backups
- SSL and client-side encryption
What to know first
- No warranty is stated
- Client encryption disables delta differencing
- Self-hosted server setup is required
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Burp (open source) | No charge · AGPLv3 · No warranty stated | Free |
As burp.grke.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Burp offers broad backup controls, file coverage, encryption choices, and monitoring in free open-source software. Its self-hosted design and stated lack of warranty require users to manage deployment and suitability themselves.
Facts from Burp's own pages
- Author and support context
- The main author is Graham Keeling, who says he works on Burp in his spare time and invites donations to support continued work. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Backup controls
- Features include scheduling, continuing interrupted backups, multiple retention periods, and automatic client upgrades. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Backup scope
- mixed · burp.grke.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Computer backup
- Yes · burp.grke.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists version 3.3.0 as latest, 3.2.0 as stable, and says packages are available for popular Linux distributions and Homebrew for Mac. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Efficient backups
- Burp supports delta differencing with librsync, storage data deduplication, and network rate limiting. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Burp supports SSL-encrypted client/server communications and client-side file encryption; the site notes that client-side encryption turns off delta differencing. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- File support
- Burp backs up and restores files, directories, links, permissions, timestamps, Linux and FreeBSD ACLs and extended attributes, and Windows EFS files. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2011 · burp.grke.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · burp.grke.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Notifications and monitoring
- Burp supports backup success or failure emails, a daily backup summary email, and a live ncurses server monitor. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Burp is open source free software released under the AGPLv3 licence. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- linux,windows,macos · burp.grke.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Burp is a network backup and restore program designed to reduce network traffic and the space used by each backup. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Restore modes
- mixed · burp.grke.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Server and client
- Server mode runs on Unix-based systems, while client mode runs on Windows and Unix-based systems. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Verification
- The download page provides the author's GPG public key for verifying releases. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Warranty
- The site says Burp comes with no warranty and users are responsible for testing it and ensuring it works for them. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Web interface
- The separately named Burp-UI provides client and backup listings, a live backup monitor, backup-tree browsing, and graphical reports. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Windows snapshots
- Burp supports Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), listed for Windows XP R2 and newer. · burp.grke.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where Burp stands on Freedom251
- Backup software#39 of 151