rsnapshot
by rsnapshot
What rsnapshot is
rsnapshot is free, self-hosted filesystem backup software for Linux and macOS. Based on rsync, it creates periodic snapshots of local machines and remote machines over SSH, with file-level backup and restore. Hard links are used where possible to reduce the disk space needed for successive snapshots. You configure how many snapshots to retain, preventing storage from growing continuously. After setup, backups can run automatically through scheduling tools such as cron, and file owners can restore their own files without root access. The program is written entirely in Perl, has no module dependencies, and requires rsync. Major distributions package it, with source and GitHub releases also available. Windows machines can be backed up from a Linux host when Windows provides SSH and an rsync server. The project warns that rsync daemon traffic is unencrypted on untrusted networks and that remote snapshot roots over SSH are unsupported.
Who it suits
rsnapshot suits administrators comfortable configuring self-hosted Linux or macOS backups. It can also fit setups that need SSH-based remote snapshots and configurable retention.
What it does well
- Free self-hosted filesystem backup
- Hard links reduce snapshot disk usage
- Configurable snapshot retention
- Automatic scheduling after setup
- Users can restore their own files
What to know first
- Requires rsync
- Needs system-administration skills
- Rsync daemon traffic is unencrypted on untrusted networks
- SSH remote snapshot roots are unsupported
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| rsnapshot | Free software · self-hosted filesystem backup utility | Free |
As rsnapshot.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
rsnapshot provides scriptable, file-level snapshots without a software charge. Its Perl and rsync requirements, configuration work, and transport limitations matter when planning deployment.
Facts from rsnapshot's own pages
- Automation
- Backups can run automatically after setup, with scheduling examples using cron in the project README. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Backup scope
- file · rsnapshot.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Computer backup
- Yes · rsnapshot.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Dependencies
- The current project README says rsnapshot is written in Perl with no module dependencies and requires rsync. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page says major distributions package rsnapshot and links to source releases and GitHub releases. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2003 · rsnapshot.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · rsnapshot.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Implementation
- The program is written entirely in Perl and has no module dependencies. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The HOWTO says reasonably good system-administration skills will help with installation and configuration. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License and warranty
- The project describes rsnapshot as free software and says it comes with absolutely no warranty. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- macOS support
- The project README lists Mac OS X among operating systems on which rsnapshot has been tested successfully. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The README warns that with link_dest enabled, an unavailable remote host can leave no latest backup for that machine and require a full resync when it returns. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The project says it should work on reasonably modern UNIX-compatible operating systems and lists Linux, BSD systems, Solaris, Mac OS X, and IRIX among tested platforms. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- rsnapshot is a filesystem snapshot utility based on rsync for periodic backups of local machines and remote machines over SSH. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Remote destination limit
- The FAQ states that a remote snapshot root over SSH is unsupported, though an NFS-mounted remote snapshot root can be used. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Restore
- Users who own files can restore them without involving the root user. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Restore modes
- file · rsnapshot.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Retention
- The number of snapshots retained is configurable, so disk use does not continuously grow. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- Remote filesystem snapshots can be taken over SSH. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Server backup
- Yes · rsnapshot.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Storage efficiency
- It uses hard links when possible to reduce the disk space required for snapshots. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project README directs questions and general discussion to its mailing list. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Transport security
- The FAQ warns that rsync daemon protocol is unencrypted when used over an untrusted network. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Windows backups
- The FAQ describes backing up Windows machines from a Linux rsnapshot host using an SSH and rsync server on Windows. · rsnapshot.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where rsnapshot stands on Freedom251
- Backup software#45 of 151