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rdiff-backup

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What rdiff-backup is

rdiff-backup is open-source software for copying one directory to another locally or across a network. The destination remains nearly identical to the latest source, while reverse differences preserve earlier file versions for recovery. It supports file backup and restore on Linux, macOS, and Windows, including self-hosted setups. For changed files, librsync stores and transfers differences instead of complete copies, which can reduce storage use and network bandwidth. Remote jobs can run through SSH, with rdiff-backup installed on both systems. The software preserves permissions, ownership, modification times, device files, fifos, and symlinks when the destination filesystem allows them. Optional modules can preserve ACLs and extended attributes; ACL support is unavailable on macOS and Windows. Mac systems can retain resource forks. Windows runs natively or under Cygwin, though that setup is not heavily tested. There is no built-in GUI or WebUI, and no internal bandwidth-limit option.

Who it suits

rdiff-backup suits users managing drive or server backups who are comfortable with file-based tools and command-line workflows. It supports local and SSH-based remote destinations across Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What it does well

  • Open-source GPL-2.0 software
  • Keeps current mirror and earlier versions
  • Transfers differences with librsync
  • Supports SSH remote backups
  • Preserves extensive filesystem metadata

What to know first

  • No built-in GUI or WebUI
  • No internal bandwidth-limit option
  • ACLs unsupported on macOS and Windows
  • Windows configuration not heavily tested

Verdict

rdiff-backup provides versioned directory backups with an accessible latest copy and efficient incremental storage. It is a technical, open-source option rather than a graphical backup application.

Facts from rdiff-backup's own pages

Audience
The project describes rdiff-backup as a way to back up one hard drive to another, locally or across a network. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Backup scope
file · rdiff-backup.net, 19 Sept 2026
Computer backup
Yes · rdiff-backup.net, 19 Sept 2026
Efficient storage
It uses librsync to save differences for changed files, including binary files, rather than storing full copies for each increment. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Efficient transfers
Using librsync, it stores and transfers differences for changed files to reduce storage use and network bandwidth. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
File recovery
The destination mirrors the source while storing reverse diffs that can recover earlier file versions. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Filesystem metadata support
With optional pylibacl and pyxattr modules and compatible filesystems, it can preserve ACLs and extended attributes; ACLs are not supported on macOS or Windows. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Filesystem support
It detects filesystem capabilities such as case sensitivity, ownership, resource forks, extended attributes, and access control lists. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Integrations
SSH can be used for secure remote backups, and the project recommends installing an SSH package for remote Windows operations. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Latest backup
The backup directory is an almost exact copy of the source, making the latest files directly accessible there. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
License and development
The GitHub repository identifies the project as open source under GPL-2.0 and says no particular company backs its development. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Mac metadata
On Mac systems, it can back up resource forks and restore that metadata. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Metadata
It preserves file information such as permissions, ownership, modification times, device files, fifos, and symlinks, subject to destination filesystem capabilities. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Notable limit
The FAQ says there is no internal option to limit bandwidth usage; it suggests external utilities for that purpose. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Platforms
The project documents installation for Linux and Windows and reports successful use on FreeBSD and Mac OS X. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Project status
The project describes itself as open source and welcomes contributions. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose
rdiff-backup backs up one directory to another locally or over a network, combining a mirror with incremental backups. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Remote access
Remote backups can run over SSH, with rdiff-backup installed on both systems. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Remote transfers
For remote backups, it sends differences over the network and can operate over SSH. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Restore modes
file · rdiff-backup.net, 19 Sept 2026
Restore points
It stores changes as reverse diffs so earlier versions of files can be recovered. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Security
The project describes using rdiff-backup with SSH as a way to securely back up a drive to a remote location. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Server backup
Yes · rdiff-backup.net, 19 Sept 2026
Support
The project directs users to its FAQ, user mailing list, and GitHub issue tracker for help. · rdiff-backup.net, 12 Oct 2026

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