storeBackup
What storeBackup is
storeBackup is free, open-source backup software for GNU/Linux and other Unix-like systems, designed for disk-to-disk storage. It finds identical file contents, including renamed or copied files, then uses hard links to reduce duplicate space while keeping each completed backup independently usable. Inclusion and exclusion rules cover files and directories, and sparse files are supported. Backups use a transparent native format that can be restored without storeBackup. Large image files or complete devices can be split into pieces, with only differences from existing backups saved. Isolated incremental backups can be made offline, such as during laptop travel, and later integrated into a master backup. Time-shifted replication sends backups to other disks or locations, while MD5 checks examine source files and backups for integrity problems. Command-line tools handle recovery, searching, checking and replication. The programs require a working Perl implementation. Normal files, directories, symbolic links and named pipes are supported; other file types need cpIsGnu and GNU cp.
Who it suits
It suits Linux or Unix-like users managing self-hosted disk backups from the command line. It is also relevant for people needing offline increments, replication or space-conscious storage.
What it does well
- Free GPL-v3-or-later open-source software
- Hard links reduce duplicate backup space
- Restores from native format without the software
- Supports offline incremental backups
- Includes replication and integrity checks
What to know first
- No mobile backup support
- Requires a working Perl implementation
- Other file types need GNU cp and cpIsGnu
- Command-line tools require technical operation
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| storeBackup | GPL-v3 or later · source download | Free |
As nongnu.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
storeBackup focuses on space-efficient, independently restorable backups for Linux and Unix-like systems. Its offline workflows, replication and transparent format provide flexibility, but use requires a Perl environment and has limits for unsupported file types.
Facts from storeBackup's own pages
- Backup scope
- mixed · nongnu.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Computer backup
- Yes · nongnu.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Deduplication
- It identifies identical file contents, including renamed or copied files, and uses hard links to save space while keeping each backup complete. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- File selection
- It provides options to include and exclude files and directories. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Image backups
- It can split large image files or devices into pieces and save only differences from existing backups. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Image files
- It can split large image files or complete devices into smaller pieces and save only differences from existing backups. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrity checks
- It can check backups and source files using MD5 sums to help detect disk bit rot. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Latency
- The documentation describes fast backups over slow or high-latency network connections. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The manual says storeBackup is licensed under GPL version 3 or any later version. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Maintainer and contact
- The documentation is credited to Heinz-Josef Claes with contributor support and gives hjclaes at web.de for questions or comments. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Mobile backup
- No · nongnu.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Monitoring
- The documentation describes checking logs for ERROR and WARNING messages and mentions a Nagios or Icinga plugin. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline backups
- It supports isolated incremental backups, such as backups made while traveling with a laptop, and later integration into a master backup. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The tools are reported to run on GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and AIX, and are developed and tested on GNU/Linux. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- storeBackup is a space-efficient disk-to-disk backup suite for GNU/Linux and other Unix-like systems. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Recovery
- The documentation says backups can be restored from their native storage format even without storeBackup. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Replication
- It supports time-shifted replication of backups to additional disks or locations, including complex schemes. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Restore format
- The documentation says backups use a transparent native storage format and can be restored without storeBackup. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Restore modes
- file · nongnu.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Runtime requirement
- The programs are written in Perl and require a working Perl implementation. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Selection
- It supports configurable inclusion and exclusion of files and directories, as well as sparse files. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Special file limits
- Normal files, directories, symbolic links, and named pipes are supported; other file types require the cpIsGnu option and GNU cp. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Storage
- It detects files with identical contents, including renamed or copied files, and uses hard links to save space while keeping each completed backup independent. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The manual directs users with hints, comments, or questions to email the author at hjclaes at web.de. · nongnu.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where storeBackup stands on Freedom251
- Backup software#55 of 151