Timeshift

Free plan Linux

What Timeshift is

Timeshift is a free Linux system snapshot and restore utility for returning a system to an earlier state. It creates incremental filesystem snapshots using either rsync with hard links or BTRFS’s snapshot features. You can schedule snapshots hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or at boot, and configure how many snapshots to keep for each level. The default scope is system files and settings: contents of users’ home directories are excluded, so Timeshift is aimed at system recovery rather than protecting personal files.

You can restore from the running system or use another system with Timeshift installed, including an Ubuntu Live CD or USB. A restore started from the running system needs a reboot to complete. The project lists normal, LUKS-encrypted, LVM2, BTRFS, GRUB2, and EFI configurations as supported, subject to constraints. BTRFS snapshots require an Ubuntu-type subvolume layout with @ and @home; other layouts are unsupported. Docker and other containerized systems are also unsupported, with unpredictable results. Timeshift is maintained by Linux Mint as part of the XApp project. Installation instructions cover Debian-based distributions, Fedora, Arch, and ALT Linux.

Who it suits

Timeshift suits Linux users who want scheduled snapshots for system files and settings, with options for rsync or BTRFS. It is less suited to anyone seeking a default backup of home-directory files or support for containerized systems.

What it does well

Free system snapshot and restore utility for Linux.
Offers rsync and BTRFS snapshot methods.
Schedules hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and boot snapshots.
Retention counts can be configured for snapshot levels.
Snapshots can be restored from a system with Timeshift installed.

What to know first

Home-directory contents are excluded by default.
Running-system restores require a reboot to complete.
BTRFS snapshots require an Ubuntu-type @ and @home layout.
Docker and other containerized systems are unsupported.

Limits

Home-directory contents are excluded by default. BTRFS snapshots require an Ubuntu-type layout with @ and @home subvolumes, and containerized systems are unsupported.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Timeshift	System snapshot and restore utility for Linux	Free

As github.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Timeshift project website.
Install Timeshift using the package instructions for Debian-based distributions, Fedora, Arch, or ALT Linux.
Choose rsync or BTRFS snapshot mode, taking the BTRFS layout requirement into account.
Configure snapshot levels and retention counts.
Create or schedule snapshots, and restore from Timeshift when needed.

Verdict

Choose Timeshift if you need Linux system snapshots with several scheduling levels and a choice of rsync or BTRFS methods. Look elsewhere if you need home-directory contents included by default or need support for a containerized system.

Questions

Is Timeshift free?

Yes. Its listed plan is free.

Which platforms does Timeshift support?

Timeshift supports Linux and is listed for desktop use.

What snapshot methods are available?

It supports rsync snapshots using hard links and BTRFS filesystem snapshots.

Does Timeshift back up personal files?

Home-directory contents are excluded by default; Timeshift is designed to protect system files and settings.

Which Linux configurations are listed as supported?

The project lists normal, LUKS-encrypted, LVM2, BTRFS, GRUB2, and EFI configurations, subject to constraints.

Who maintains Timeshift?

The README says it is part of the XApp project and maintained by Linux Mint.

Facts from Timeshift's own pages

Backup scope: mixed · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
BTRFS limit: BTRFS snapshots require an Ubuntu-type subvolume layout with @ and @home subvolumes; other layouts are not supported. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Computer backup: Yes · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
Container limit: Docker and containerized systems are not supported, and the project says results there are unpredictable. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
Installation: The README gives package installation instructions for Debian-based distributions, Fedora, Arch, and ALT Linux. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Integrations: Rsync mode uses rsync and hard links; BTRFS mode uses BTRFS filesystem snapshots. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: linux · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
Project stewardship: The README says Timeshift is part of the XApp project, maintained by Linux Mint; XApp describes itself as open source and cross-distribution. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: Timeshift creates incremental filesystem snapshots to restore a Linux system to an earlier state. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Restore: Snapshots can be restored from the running system or from another system with Timeshift installed, including from an Ubuntu Live CD or USB. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Restore modes: mixed · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
Restore reboot: Restoring from the running system requires a reboot to complete. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Scheduled snapshots: It supports hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and boot snapshot levels, with configurable retention counts. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Snapshot methods: It supports rsync snapshots using hard links and BTRFS snapshots using built-in filesystem features. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Storage: Timeshift requires sufficient free disk space for snapshots and recommends saving them to an external non-system partition for best results. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Support and contributions: The project invites users to report issues, submit code changes, and contribute translations. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Supported systems: The project lists normal, LUKS-encrypted, LVM2, BTRFS, GRUB2, and EFI configurations as supported, subject to its stated constraints. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
User files: User home-directory contents are excluded by default because Timeshift is designed to protect system files and settings rather than user data. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026

Where Timeshift stands on Freedom251

Backup software#77 of 151
File Manager Software#74 of 100