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SPECIFICTION
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BorgBackup

borgbackup.org

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.4 #16 of 45 in NAS Backup Software

What it is

BorgBackup is free, open-source backup software for computers and servers on Linux, macOS and Windows. It uses content-defined chunking so repeated chunks are stored once, including across files, backups and machines sharing a repository. Optional compression is available with lz4, zstd, zlib and lzma. Client-side 256-bit AES encryption protects backups, while HMAC-SHA256 verifies data integrity and authenticity. Backups can be stored on remote hosts over SSH. Archives can be mounted as user-space file systems for interactive browsing and file restores. Listed repository and storage options include BorgBase, Hetzner Storage Box and rsync.net. Community help is available through documentation, the issue tracker, IRC, Matrix and a mailing list; commercial consulting, support and development are also listed. BorgBackup is licensed under BSD 3-clause, and its documentation says security and functionality can be independently audited. The site identifies version 1.4.5 as stable; the 2.0 beta remains in testing and should not be used in production. Major-version changes may repeatedly break compatibility.

Spec sheet

Purpose
BorgBackup is a deduplicating backup program with optional compression and authenticated encryption.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Platforms
The documentation lists binaries for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and NetBSD; Cygwin and Windows Subsystem for Linux are listed with experimental limitations.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · borgbackup.org
Integrations
The project lists BorgBase repository hosting, Hetzner Storage Box with Borg support, and rsync.net cloud storage with Borg support.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.org
Support
Free community support is available through documentation, the issue tracker, IRC, Matrix, and the mailing list.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.org
License
BorgBackup is free software under the BSD 3-clause license, and the documentation says its security and functionality can be independently audited.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Founded
2015Read 28 Sep 2026 · borgbackup.org
Archive browsing
Backup archives can be mounted as user-space file systems for interactive examination and restores.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Backup scope
mixedRead 20 Sep 2026 · borgbackup.org
Compatibility limit
The documentation warns that compatibility may break repeatedly when the major release number changes.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Compression
Optional compression choices include lz4, zstd, zlib, and lzma.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Computer backup
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · borgbackup.org
Deduplication
Content-defined chunking stores each new chunk once, including across files, backups, and machines sharing a repository.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Encryption
Borg supports client-side 256-bit AES encryption and verifies data integrity and authenticity with HMAC-SHA256.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Paid services
The project lists commercial consulting, support, and development from Waldmann EDV, plus repository hosting and storage services from other providers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.org
Release status
The site identifies version 1.4.5 as the current stable release and says the 2.0 beta is still in testing and should not be used in production.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.org
Remote storage
Borg can store backups on remote hosts accessible over SSH.Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.readthedocs.io
Restore modes
fileRead 20 Sep 2026 · borgbackup.org
Server backup
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · borgbackup.org

Plans and prices

BorgBackup Free Free and open-source backup software · BSD licensed Read 11 Oct 2026 · borgbackup.org

Every BorgBackup plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Content-defined deduplication across shared repositories
  • Client-side 256-bit AES encryption
  • Optional lz4, zstd, zlib and lzma compression
  • Remote storage over SSH
  • Archives mount for browsing and restores

Limits

  • 2.0 beta is not for production
  • Major releases may break compatibility
  • No free trial listed
  • Command-oriented backup software

Who it suits

BorgBackup suits individuals and teams backing up computers or servers who can manage repositories and SSH-based storage. It is useful when deduplication, encryption and optional compression are priorities.

Verdict

BorgBackup combines deduplication, encryption, compression and remote storage in free software. Stay with the identified stable release for production and account for possible major-version compatibility breaks.

Where Specifiction places it

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