Freedom251 › Minecraft Backup Software
Simple Backup
What Simple Backup is
Simple Backup is a free, open-source backup utility for Minecraft Java servers. It creates automatic backups at configurable intervals and can save them as ZIP archives, TAR.LZ4 archives, or direct directory copies. Backups run asynchronously to reduce their effect on game performance, and automatic runs can pause when no players are online to save resources. Server operators can configure how many backups to keep and prevent a new backup from starting when available disk space is too low. Manual backups can be triggered with `/simplebackup start`, `/simplebackup zip`, `/simplebackup lz4`, or `/simplebackup directory`. The permission level for manual backups is configurable and defaults to level 4, for operators. Backups are saved to a `backup` folder in the game directory by default, with an option to set an absolute system path. The mod is needed only on the server, and it requires Fabric API. Its project page lists Fabric and Quilt as supported mod loaders. ZIP archives use deflate compression at level 5, described as slower to compress than LZ4. LZ4 backups use the `.tar.lz4` format and require two extraction steps to recover the files. The project links to a GitHub issue tracker for support.
Who it suits
Simple Backup suits operators of Minecraft Java servers who want scheduled local backups and control over backup format, retention, and destination. It is also useful when automatic backups should pause while the server has no players online or when operators need to start a backup manually.
What it does well
- Schedules backups at configurable intervals.
- Supports ZIP, TAR.LZ4, and directory copies.
- Runs backups asynchronously to reduce game performance impact.
- Can pause automatic backups when no players are online.
- Configures retention and low disk space safeguards.
- Manual backup permissions can be configured.
What to know first
- Requires Fabric API.
- LZ4 backups require two extraction steps to recover files.
- ZIP compression is described as slower than LZ4.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Backup | Minecraft server backup mod · Fabric API required | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Simple Backup project page on GitHub.
- Use a Minecraft Java server with a supported Fabric or Quilt loader.
- Provide Fabric API, which the mod requires.
- Configure the backup interval, format, retention, and destination.
- Optionally set the permission level for manual backup commands.
Verdict
Choose Simple Backup for a free, self-hosted way to back up Minecraft Java server worlds, with configurable schedules, formats, and retention. It runs on the server and supports Fabric and Quilt loaders, but requires Fabric API. Consider the extraction steps for LZ4 files and the slower compression noted for ZIP when choosing a format.
Questions
How much does Simple Backup cost?
The Simple Backup plan is free. It is open source.
Which Minecraft edition does it support?
The listed Minecraft edition is Java.
Which mod loaders are supported?
The project page lists Fabric and Quilt. Fabric API is required.
Where are backups stored?
They go to a `backup` folder in the game directory by default. The destination can be configured as an absolute system path.
Can automatic backups pause when the server is empty?
Yes. Automatic backups can pause when no players are online.
How do LZ4 backups work?
They are stored as `.tar.lz4` files and require two extraction steps to recover the files.
Facts from Simple Backup's own pages
- Asynchronous backups
- Backups run asynchronously to minimize their impact on game performance. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Backup formats
- It supports ZIP archives, TAR.LZ4 archives, and direct directory copies. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Idle server behavior
- Automatic backups can pause when no players are online to save resources. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Integration requirement
- The mod requires Fabric API. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Loader support
- The project page lists Fabric and Quilt as supported mod loaders. · curseforge.com, 9 Oct 2026
- LZ4 extraction
- LZ4 backups are stored as `.tar.lz4` and require two extraction steps to recover the files. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Manual backups
- Operators can trigger manual backups with `/simplebackup start`, `/simplebackup zip`, `/simplebackup lz4`, or `/simplebackup directory`. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Permissions
- The permission level required to trigger manual backups is configurable and defaults to level 4 (operators). · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Simple Backup is a backup utility for Minecraft servers that makes automatic backups at configurable intervals. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Retention and disk space
- Configuration can limit how many backups are kept and prevent creating backups when available disk space is too low. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Server-side use
- The mod is required only on the server. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Storage location
- Backups default to a `backup` folder in the game directory, and the destination can be configured to an absolute system path. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project links to a GitHub issue tracker for issues. · curseforge.com, 9 Oct 2026
- ZIP limitation
- ZIP uses deflate compression at level 5, which the project describes as slower to compress than LZ4. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where Simple Backup stands on Freedom251
- Minecraft Backup Software#19 of 30