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Kopia, restic, and Duplicati are the strongest all-round choices for a mixed Windows, macOS, and Linux household. Kopia is the easiest starting point if you want a desktop application; Duplicati is better when you want to configure cloud and remote destinations in a browser; restic is the cleanest fit for scripts, scheduled jobs, and minimal installations. BorgBackup is excellent for Linux and macOS systems using SSH-oriented repositories, but its Windows build is described as experimental. These programs protect files and folders with encrypted, versioned repositories. They do not replace a bootable disk image when you must recover an entire failed operating-system drive.
The right choice depends on four decisions: how you want to operate the backup, where the repository will live, whether you need files or a complete machine restored, and how much maintenance you can perform. Storage, transfer, and retention can still cost money even when the client software is free.
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Which free open-source backup app is best for your computers?
For most people, choose Kopia first, Duplicati when browser-based cloud management matters most, restic for automation, and BorgBackup for Linux/macOS servers or SSH repositories. The table shows the practical differences without treating any feature list as a reliability benchmark.
| App | Interface | Windows, macOS, Linux coverage | Protection model | Typical destinations | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kopia | Desktop GUI and CLI | Documents all three | Encrypted, compressed, deduplicated snapshots | Local or remote repository selected during setup | Least-technical mixed-OS households that still want policy control |
| restic | Command line | Documents all three, plus Linux/BSD support | Cryptography throughout, changed-part transfer, deduplication, and verification | Repository destinations supported by the project | Scripts, scheduled jobs, and minimal single-binary installations |
| Duplicati | Browser-managed service and CLI | Documents all three | Encrypted, compressed, incremental backups | S3, Backblaze B2, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, FTP, WebDAV, SSH/SFTP, and other targets listed by the project | Households that want scheduling and destination settings in a web interface |
| BorgBackup | Command line | Linux and macOS first; Windows support described as experimental | Deduplicated archives with optional lz4, zstd, zlib, or lzma compression | SSH, HTTP(S), SFTP, S3, B2, and rclone repositories | Linux/macOS power users and servers with SSH-based storage |
No comparable independent statistics establish which project has the highest restore-success rate, restore speed, or failure rate. Repository star counts and vendor feature lists are not substitutes for a restore test.
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What kind of backup do you actually need?
Before installing anything, identify the recovery event you are planning for. A file repository, a disk image, a synchronization folder, and a central client/server system solve different problems.
File-and-folder backup
Kopia, restic, and Duplicati preserve selected files in encrypted, versioned snapshots or incremental repositories. You can recover an accidentally deleted document, an earlier version, or a set of folders without replacing the operating system. BorgBackup provides the same general archive-oriented approach for its supported platforms.
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Whole-disk or system imaging
A file backup cannot by itself make a failed boot drive immediately startable. If the requirement is bare-metal recovery after a dead disk or severely damaged operating system, add an imaging workflow such as Clonezilla or a platform-specific image tool. Keep the image process separate from the file repository so each has a clear recovery purpose.
Synchronization
Synchronization tools such as FreeFileSync can make understandable copies, but a deletion or corruption can propagate to the other side. If you use synchronization as one layer, add versioning, snapshots, or a separate retained backup rather than treating a mirror as historical protection.
Client/server protection
When several computers share one network, a centrally managed design such as UrBackup may be more appropriate than configuring every workstation independently. Central management can simplify policy and monitoring, but it introduces a server that must itself be protected and kept available.
How does Kopia work, and who should use it?
Kopia is the most approachable recommendation when one household includes different operating systems and at least one person prefers a graphical application. Its official description emphasizes encrypted, compressed, and deduplicated backups, and its desktop app supports creating snapshots, defining policies, and restoring files. A command-line interface is available when you later automate tasks.
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Choose Kopia when
- You want a native desktop interface on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- You need snapshot history rather than a single constantly changing copy.
- You want deduplication and compression without designing a command-line workflow first.
- Different family members need a repeatable restore path.
What to plan before the first snapshot
Decide which folders matter, where the repository will be stored, how long old snapshots should remain, and who will hold the repository password. The password is not a convenience setting: without it, encrypted data may be unrecoverable. Keep a written recovery procedure in a secure place that is available when the primary computer is not.
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Basic Kopia workflow
- Install the Kopia desktop application on each supported computer.
- Create or connect to a repository on a local disk, NAS, or another destination you control.
- Use the snapshot controls to select documents, photos, project folders, and other irreplaceable data; exclude caches and reproducible downloads.
- Define a policy for scheduling and retention. A policy should specify how often snapshots run and how many historical points remain, rather than allowing storage to grow without a limit.
- Run an initial snapshot while the computer is on a reliable connection and confirm that the repository reports completion.
- Open the restore function and recover a small test file to a different location. Record the exact steps and destination used.
Kopia is not a guarantee against every failure. A single repository on the same internal drive disappears with that drive, so keep another copy on a separate device or off-site destination.
Why choose restic for scripts and automation?
restic is a small, portable, command-line-first program. The project says it backs up files from Linux, BSD, Mac, and Windows, transfers only changed parts, uses cryptography throughout, verifies backups, and remains free and completely open source. Its repository identifies a BSD-2-Clause license and support for the three major desktop operating systems.
Choose restic when
- You are comfortable with terminals, environment variables, and scheduled jobs.
- You want a single executable rather than a large desktop installation.
- You need backup jobs in shell scripts, Task Scheduler, launchd, cron, or another scheduler.
- You want explicit verification and a documented password-handling process.
Illustrative command-line sequence
The exact repository URL and scheduler differ by destination, but the lifecycle is consistent. Replace the example paths with locations appropriate to your systems, and keep the password outside scripts that other users can read.
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RESTIC_REPOSITORY=/backups/restic; for remote storage, use the destination syntax documented by that storage provider. - Initialize the repository once with
restic init. The command prompts for the repository password and creates the encrypted repository structure. - Create a snapshot with
restic backup /home/your-user/Documentson Linux or macOS, or the corresponding Windows data path. Add each important folder explicitly. - List available snapshots with
restic snapshotsand inspect repository health with the project’s check command before relying on the backup. - Restore a selected snapshot to a temporary directory with a command such as
restic restore latest --target /tmp/restic-restore-test, then open several files. - Schedule the backup and check commands, capture their exit status, and alert yourself when a run fails instead of assuming that a scheduled task succeeded.
restic’s minimal interface is an advantage for repeatable automation, but it places responsibility for logs, retention, credentials, and scheduling on you. A script that silently loses its repository password is not recoverable simply because the backup job ran every night.
When is Duplicati the better choice?
Duplicati is designed for people who want to configure encrypted, compressed, incremental backups through a web interface or service. The project documents Windows, macOS, and Linux support and lists destinations including S3, Backblaze B2, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, FTP, WebDAV, SSH/SFTP, and others.
Use Duplicati when
- You prefer a browser wizard to terminal commands.
- Your files need to reach a cloud provider or remote-file service.
- You want scheduling, destination configuration, and job status in one interface.
- Several users need to understand the backup job without learning shell syntax.
Set up a Duplicati job
- Install the Duplicati client on the computer containing the source data and open its local web interface.
- Create a new backup job, name it after the computer and data set, and choose the folders to include. Avoid selecting temporary caches unless they are genuinely irreplaceable.
- Select the destination type and enter the provider’s endpoint and credentials. For cloud storage, confirm the account’s storage and transfer pricing before the first large upload.
- Set an encryption passphrase and store it in a password manager or another secure recovery record. The destination provider cannot decrypt a repository without the passphrase used by the client.
- Choose a schedule and retention rule. Incremental backups reduce repeated transfers, but old versions still consume destination storage until retention removes them.
- Run the job manually once, inspect the log for warnings, and restore a small file through the web interface to a separate folder.
Duplicati’s repository format and the client configuration both matter during recovery. Keep the passphrase, the destination details, and a note of the job’s settings together so that a replacement computer can reconstruct the restore process.
Where does BorgBackup fit?
BorgBackup is a strong Linux, macOS, and Unix-oriented option for deduplicated archives, especially when the repository is reached over SSH. Its documentation describes optional lz4, zstd, zlib, and lzma compression; remote repositories through SSH, HTTP(S), SFTP, S3, B2, and rclone; and archives that can be mounted for browsing. It provides single-file binaries for Linux and macOS, while Windows support is labeled experimental.
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Choose Borg when
- Your main machines are Linux or macOS and you already administer a server or SSH account.
- You value archive deduplication and selectable compression.
- You want to browse an archive mount before extracting files.
- You can maintain a command-line workflow and are comfortable with remote permissions.
Operational outline
- Install a Borg binary appropriate for the operating system and verify that the remote account can reach the repository host.
- Initialize an encrypted repository on the remote destination, then record the repository passphrase in secure storage.
- Create timestamped archives from selected folders, choosing a compression method that matches your CPU and storage priorities.
- List archives and prune old ones according to a documented retention policy. Pruning is a deliberate deletion of old recovery points, so test the policy on a noncritical repository first.
- Use an archive mount or extraction to recover files into a temporary location, then open them before replacing originals.
Borg’s experimental Windows status makes it a poor default for a household that needs identical support on all three desktop operating systems. It can still be useful when Windows is not part of the protected set or when a technically capable user accepts platform-specific limitations.
How should you choose local, NAS, SSH, or cloud storage?
The destination determines how quickly you can recover and what a disaster can destroy. A local USB drive is fast and inexpensive for routine restores, but it can be lost, stolen, encrypted by ransomware, or damaged with the computer. A NAS keeps data on your network and can serve multiple systems, but it is still exposed to local power, theft, and malware. SSH and object-storage repositories add distance and automation options; cloud services add recurring storage and transfer charges.
Use at least two independent copies
Keep one local or NAS copy for quick recovery and, for important data, another copy off-site or in cloud storage. Do not leave the only external drive permanently attached and writable if ransomware is a realistic concern. Rotate removable media or use access controls that prevent one incident from changing every copy.
Budget for the repository, not just the app
The software can be free while storage, egress, API requests, bandwidth, and retention remain billable. Estimate the size of the first upload, the daily change rate, and the number of historical versions before selecting a destination. Duplicati’s cloud targets and restic or Borg remote repositories all inherit the pricing and availability rules of the service or server beneath them.
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A successful backup run proves that data was written; it does not prove that you can use the data under pressure. Build a restore drill into the first setup and repeat it after changing software, passwords, destinations, or retention.
- Choose a small set of files with different formats, such as a document, photograph, archive, and folder tree.
- Restore them to a new directory or spare computer rather than overwriting the originals.
- Open the files, confirm their names and dates, and compare checksums when the application provides that capability.
- Write down the repository location, password location, client version, and exact restore sequence.
- Review logs for warnings and confirm that the retention policy still leaves the historical points you expect.
- Repeat the drill after a major operating-system upgrade or when moving the repository.
Verification should include the destination itself. A disconnected USB drive, expired cloud token, full NAS volume, or changed SSH key can stop future backups even though old snapshots remain intact.
What are the most common mistakes and how can you fix them?
Backing up only to the computer’s internal disk
Symptom: the job reports success, but a failed drive removes both the original and the repository. Fix: move the repository to a separate disk or remote destination and maintain an additional copy for important data.
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Forgetting the repository password
Symptom: the destination is present but no client can decrypt it. Fix: store the password in a password manager and keep an offline emergency record protected from casual access.
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Symptom: storage fills even though each individual backup is incremental. Fix: define how many daily, weekly, or monthly recovery points you need, then monitor free space after pruning.
Confusing synchronization with backup
Symptom: a deletion or corrupted file appears in every copy. Fix: add versioned snapshots or a retained repository and test recovery from an earlier point.
Never testing recovery
Symptom: the first restore attempt occurs during an emergency and exposes a missing password, unavailable destination, or unusable path. Fix: perform a small restore drill now and document it for someone else to follow.
Expecting file backup to rebuild an operating system
Symptom: personal files are available, but the replacement disk will not boot. Fix: add a separately maintained disk-imaging workflow for bare-metal recovery.
Which setup is sensible for common households?
One household, three operating systems
Use Kopia on each computer when a graphical workflow will produce the highest compliance. Put the primary repository on a NAS or external disk and replicate important data off-site. Keep a written restore procedure that does not depend on the original computer.
Technical household with scheduled scripts
Use restic for consistent jobs across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Standardize environment-variable names, repository checks, log collection, and alerting, then test the same restore procedure on every platform.
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Cloud-first users who avoid terminals
Use Duplicati for its browser-managed destination setup and scheduling. Confirm cloud pricing, protect the encryption passphrase, and keep a second copy or alternate recovery path for irreplaceable data.
Linux/macOS server operator
Use BorgBackup over SSH or another documented remote protocol when archive deduplication, compression choices, and command-line control matter more than universal Windows support.
Computer that must be rebuilt after disk failure
Pair one of the file-backup applications with Clonezilla or an equivalent platform-specific imaging process. The file repository protects everyday documents; the image addresses operating-system and application reconstruction.
What is the final recommendation?
Start with Kopia if you want the least technical cross-platform experience. Select Duplicati when a browser UI and many cloud or remote-file destinations are the deciding factors. Select restic when automation, portability, and explicit verification are more important than a wizard. Choose BorgBackup for Linux/macOS and SSH-centered administration, not as the default Windows solution. Whichever client you use, place the repository away from the source computer, define retention, protect the password, and complete a real restore before trusting the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one backup repository be shared by Windows, macOS, and Linux?
Yes, a repository can serve multiple operating systems when the chosen application supports each client and the destination is reachable from all of them. Keep each computer’s source paths and retention needs explicit, and do not assume that a repository created by one application can be opened by another.
Do encrypted backups protect me from ransomware?
Encryption protects confidentiality, not availability. If ransomware can write to a mounted repository, it may delete or damage recovery points, so use an offline or access-restricted copy and retain versions that cannot all be changed from one infected workstation.
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Size it from the amount of selected data, the daily change rate, and the number of historical versions your retention policy keeps. Leave working headroom for pruning and temporary operations rather than buying a drive only slightly larger than today’s source data.
Should I back up application settings and credentials too?
Include settings that would be difficult to recreate, but treat credentials separately. Password databases, encryption keys, and recovery codes need their own secure storage and should not be left recoverable only through a backup that requires the same unavailable computer.
Quick Recap
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