restic

Free plan Open source APILinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

What restic is

restic is a free, open-source program for backing up files on Linux, BSD, macOS, and Windows. It transfers only changed portions of backed-up files and runs as a single executable without needing a server or complex setup. Repositories can be stored locally or with backends including SFTP, a REST server, Amazon S3, S3-compatible services, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, and rclone. restic can restore snapshots and check repository metadata or the integrity of all stored data. A repository requires a password, and multiple keys can be managed for one repository; if the password is lost, its stored data cannot be accessed. The project says official binaries are reproducibly built and can be checked with SHA-256 checksums and a PGP signature. Its listed backup and restore scope is files. The program does not provide mobile backup or ransomware protection, and usage and support questions are directed to its community forum.

Who it suits

restic suits people who need free file backup and restore on Linux, BSD, macOS, or Windows. It may also fit users who want to choose among local and documented cloud or network storage backends.

What it does well

Free and open source under the BSD 2-Clause License.
Transfers only changed file portions.
Runs without a server or complex setup.
Supports multiple storage backends.
Can restore snapshots and check data integrity.

What to know first

No mobile backup.
No ransomware protection.
Losing the repository password makes stored data inaccessible.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
restic	Free to use; no charge stated · No price or usage limits stated	Free
Free	Entirely free to use · no paid tiers stated · storage-provider charges are separate	Free

As restic.net lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the restic website
Choose a supported platform: Linux, macOS, Windows, or BSD
Use the standalone executable to run restic
Choose a documented storage backend for the repository
Set and retain the repository password

Verdict

restic offers free file backup with a range of storage options and integrity checks. Keep repository passwords safe, since losing one prevents access to the stored data.

Questions

How much does restic cost?

The listed plan is free, and the project describes restic as free to use.

Is restic open source?

Yes. It is open source under the BSD 2-Clause License.

Which platforms does it support?

The project lists Linux, BSD, Mac, and Windows as source platforms for backups.

Where can restic store backups?

Documented options include local repositories, SFTP, REST server, Amazon S3 and compatible services, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, and rclone.

Can restic restore files and check backup integrity?

It can restore snapshots and check repository metadata or the integrity of all stored data.

What happens if I lose the repository password?

The stored data cannot be accessed without it.

Facts from restic's own pages

Backup scope: file · restic.net, 20 Sept 2026
Company status: A company-intelligence profile reports no commercial corporate entity, funding rounds or software-sales revenue for restic; it characterizes the project as community-driven open source. · checkthat.ai, 21 Oct 2026
Computer backup: Yes · restic.net, 20 Sept 2026
Cryptography: The repository format uses AES-256-CTR encryption with Poly1305-AES authentication for encrypted data. · restic.readthedocs.io, 21 Oct 2026
Deduplication: Identical content is stored once across files and snapshots, reducing repeated storage and uploads. · mangodeveloper.com, 21 Oct 2026
Documentation depth: The manual covers installation, every major backend, backup selection, snapshots, integrity checks, tuning, restore, pruning, encryption, scripting, troubleshooting, design and developer information. · restic.readthedocs.io, 21 Oct 2026
Encryption: Repository data is encrypted on the client before it is sent to the storage backend. · datazone.de, 21 Oct 2026
Encryption keys: A repository requires a password, and multiple keys can be managed for one repository. · restic.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · restic.net, 20 Sept 2026
Incremental transfer: After the first backup, restic transfers only file parts that changed. · restic.net, 21 Oct 2026
Incremental transfers: Restic transfers only the parts of backed-up files that changed. · restic.net, 11 Oct 2026
Installation: Official instructions provide reproducible binaries plus package instructions for Alpine, Arch, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, macOS, Nix and Windows tooling. · restic.readthedocs.io, 21 Oct 2026
Integrity checking: The documentation provides repository checks and a full data-read check to validate stored data. · restic.readthedocs.io, 21 Oct 2026
Licence: restic is open source under the BSD 2-Clause License. · restic.net, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: command line only: Independent reviewers repeatedly identify the lack of a built-in graphical or web interface as a drawback for users who do not want CLI workflows. · selfhosting.sh, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: external scheduling: restic has no built-in scheduler, so recurring jobs normally require cron, systemd timers or another external runner. · selfhosting.sh, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: file-level scope: It is not a VM image backup, application-aware live-database backup or dataset replication system; databases generally need dumps first. · datazone.de, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: password recovery: If the repository password is lost, the encrypted backup cannot be recovered and the project offers no password reset path. · restic.readthedocs.io, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: pruning downtime: Pruning can take substantial time, locks the repository and prevents backups from completing while it runs. · restic.readthedocs.io, 21 Oct 2026
Mobile backup: No · restic.net, 20 Sept 2026
Official binaries: The project says its official binaries are built reproducibly and can be checked using SHA-256 checksums and a PGP signature. · restic.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Open source: Restic is entirely free to use and completely open source under the BSD 2-Clause License. · restic.net, 11 Oct 2026
Operating systems: The project supports Linux, BSD systems, macOS and Windows. · restic.net, 21 Oct 2026
Password limitation: The manual warns that losing the repository password means the stored data cannot be accessed. · restic.readthedocs.io, 11 Oct 2026