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Duplicacy

duplicacy.com

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Spec score 9.2 #3 of 45 in NAS Backup Software

What it is

Duplicacy is a cross-platform tool for backing up files to cloud storage, local disks, or SFTP servers, including computers and NAS boxes. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Client-side encryption is optional: users set a password when initializing storage to encrypt it, while leaving the password empty means storage is not encrypted. Its lock-free deduplication design uses a two-step fossil collection process to remove chunks that are no longer referenced, without a centralized chunk database. The Web Edition can back up, restore, check, copy, and prune data, with scheduling and email notifications; its dashboard displays storage and backup status. The CLI can run manually or from scripts, and its source code is available on GitHub. CLI personal backups on a home computer and CLI restore, check, copy, and prune operations do not require a license. The Web Edition downloads a fully functional 30-day trial license automatically when used for backups without a license. Paid licenses vary by use and computer count; the listed personal license costs $20 a year for the first year and $5 a year thereafter for one home computer.

Spec sheet

What it does
Duplicacy is a cross-platform backup tool that sends encrypted, deduplicated backups to cloud, local or SFTP storage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Purpose
Duplicacy is a cross-platform backup tool that backs up files to cloud storage with client-side encryption and deduplication.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Supported platforms
windows,macos,linuxRead 20 Sep 2026 · duplicacy.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · duplicacy.com
Trial
A fully functional 30-day trial license is automatically downloaded when Web Edition is used to run backups without a license.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Integrations
The user guide documents storage setups for Microsoft Azure, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces, and MinIO.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Support
Personal GUI licenses include public forum support, while commercial GUI and CLI licenses include private ticket support.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Maker
Acrosync LLC is identified as Duplicacy's maker and is associated with founder Gilbert (Gang) Chen.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
Backup operations
The Web Edition provides backup, restore, check, copy and prune operations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Backup scope
fileRead 20 Sep 2026 · duplicacy.com
Command line
The CLI engine can be run manually or from scripts and has published command references and build instructions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Company founding and headquarters
Acrosync LLC is listed as an active New York company filed January 7, 2011, at 4 Annable Place, Clifton Park, New York.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bizprofile.net
Computer backup
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · duplicacy.com
Credential protection
Web Edition encrypts storage credentials with a master password and stores a derived token in the operating system keychain or keyring when available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Dashboard
The Web Edition dashboard presents graphical status and storage statistics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Deduplication
Its lock-free deduplication design uses a two-step fossil collection algorithm to delete unreferenced chunks without a centralized chunk database.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Encryption
Storage encryption is optional during initialization and uses a user-supplied password; leaving it blank leaves backups unencrypted.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Encryption choice
When initializing storage, users can set a password to encrypt it; leaving the password empty means the storage is not encrypted.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
HTTPS
The Web Edition can listen with HTTPS and automatically obtain a Let's Encrypt certificate.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Independent review score
FAUN's independent comparison rated Duplicacy 71 out of 100 and described documentation as its weakest area.Read 15 Oct 2026 · faun.dev
Latest CLI release
The GitHub releases page lists CLI version 3.2.5 as latest and notes a OneDrive fossil-handling fix.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
License exceptions
No license is required for CLI personal backups on a home computer or CLI restore, check, copy, and prune operations.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
License limits
A GUI license is for one computer, while the CLI license allows one computer to run the CLI version.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
License renewal
Licenses do not auto-renew; customers pay manually and receive an expiry reminder about seven days beforehand.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
License terms
The custom license permits modification and redistribution, while non-trial commercial use requires per-computer licensing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: CLI usability
Reddit commenters described the CLI configuration and restore workflow as confusing or difficult to use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: GUI feature gap
Users reported that the GUI is clunky and lacks some advanced options available through the CLI.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: large restores
A Reddit discussion reported a very large restore taking about two and a half days and suggested splitting backup jobs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: pricing criticism
A forum user criticized commercial pricing that they said rose from $20 for ten servers to $500 per year.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum.duplicacy.com
Limit: Web UI complaints
A forum complaint alleged the Web UI was unfinished and missing basic configuration, filters and reliable prune behavior.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum.duplicacy.com
Lock-free deduplication
Its storage design avoids a central chunk database and locks, allowing concurrent clients to deduplicate against the same repository.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Mobile backup
NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · duplicacy.com
Native GUI status
The older native GUI supports only backup, restore and prune and is deprecated except for major bug fixes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
News: 2025 lifetime offer
A November 28, 2025 forum announcement offered a limited Black Friday upgrade to lifetime personal licenses for $65 for the first license and $28 for each additional license.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum.duplicacy.com
Payment security
Duplicacy says card details are passed directly to Stripe, are not stored in its system, and connections are encrypted.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Praise: migration
A Reddit user described moving from Windows to Proxmox/Linux CIFS and reconnecting existing backups without difficulty.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: reliability
A Reddit r/unRAID user reported that Duplicacy had worked reliably for years and offered many backup options.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: Web UI
A Reddit r/selfhosted poster called the Web UI the best backup interface they had used and easy to set up.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Rating on TrustRadius
0 out of 10 from 0 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Restore modes
fileRead 20 Sep 2026 · duplicacy.com
Scheduling
Web Edition supports scheduled jobs and email notifications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Self-hosting
On Linux the Web Edition is a standalone executable, and by default its interface listens only on localhost port 3875.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Service providers
The Web GUI can be customized with a service provider's own software name and logo, and volume discounts are available to providers and resellers.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Source availability
The CLI source, design documents and binary releases are publicly hosted on GitHub, enabling customization and extensions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Storage destinations
Duplicacy supports cloud storage providers as well as local disks and SFTP servers, including computers and NAS boxes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Storage integrations
Backends include local disk, SFTP, Dropbox, Amazon S3, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces, Google Cloud Storage, Azure, Backblaze B2, Google Drive, OneDrive, Hubic, OpenStack Swift, WebDAV, pCloud, Box and File Fabric.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support model
Personal GUI licenses receive public-forum support, while commercial GUI and CLI licenses receive private tickets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
System builds
Official Web Edition downloads cover Windows x64 and 32-bit, macOS Intel and ARM64, Linux x64/ARM64/ARMv5 and FreeBSD x64.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Windows service
Web Edition can install and run as a Windows service with command-line install and uninstall switches.Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com

Plans and prices

Personal License — first year $20 a year First year 1 home computer Read 20 Sep 2026 · duplicacy.com
Personal License — subsequent years $5 a year Each subsequent year; first computer 1 home computer Read 5 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Personal License — additional computer, first year $10 a year First year; each additional computer For additional personal-license computers Read 5 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Personal License — additional computer, subsequent years $2 a year Each subsequent year; each additional computer For additional personal-license computers Read 5 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Commercial License $50 a year Each year No personal-use limitation · Private ticket support Read 20 Sep 2026 · duplicacy.com
CLI License $50 a year per computer each year one computer · commercial backup use Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
CLI personal use Free Free for personal use; personal file backups on a home computer Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Personal GUI license $20 a year First year $20 for first computer; $10 each additional. Each subsequent year $5 first computer; $2 each additional. One home computer; personal files unrelated to employment or for-profit activities; public forum support Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Personal GUI License $20 a year first year; $5 first computer and $2 each additional computer in subsequent years one home computer · personal files only · public-forum support Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
CLI license $50 a year First year $50/computer; each subsequent year $50/computer. One computer; commercial use; private ticket support Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Commercial GUI license $50 a year First year $50/computer; each subsequent year $50/computer. One computer per license; no file-use limitations; private ticket support Read 3 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com
Commercial GUI License $50 a year per computer each year no usage limitations · private-ticket support Read 15 Oct 2026 · duplicacy.com

Every Duplicacy plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Can back up to cloud, local, or SFTP storage
  • Web Edition includes scheduling and email notifications
  • CLI personal backups on a home computer are free
  • 30-day Web Edition trial is fully functional

Limits

  • Mobile backup is not supported
  • Encryption is optional and requires setting a password
  • GUI licenses are for one computer

Who it suits

Duplicacy suits people who need file backups across desktop operating systems and want to choose cloud, local, or SFTP destinations. Its CLI personal-use option may suit home users backing up personal files.

Duplicacy in depth

Read the full write-up

Duplicacy is a cross-platform file-backup tool with a graphical Web Edition and a scriptable command line. It suits people who want to choose where backups live and can work within computer-based licensing. Its flexibility is a strength, but file-level scope and optional encryption make it a poor fit for anyone seeking full-device or automatically encrypted backups.

Overview

Backups can go to cloud storage, local disks, or SFTP servers, including computers and NAS boxes. Duplicacy’s lock-free deduplication design uses a two-step fossil-collection process to remove unreferenced chunks without a centralized chunk database. That makes it adaptable across storage setups, but it remains a file-backup tool: it does not provide mobile backup, and restore is file-level.

Encryption is a choice made when storage is initialized. Set a password to encrypt it; leave the password empty and the storage is unencrypted. Users who require encrypted backups should treat that setup step as essential.

Key features

Web Edition: Handles backup, restore, check, copy, and prune, with scheduling and email notifications. Its dashboard shows storage and backup status graphically, which is useful for users who prefer a visual overview to scripted operation.

Command line: The CLI can be run manually or from scripts, and its source code is available on GitHub. It offers a natural route for automation; personal file backups on a home computer and CLI restore, check, copy, and prune operations do not require a license.

Storage choices: Documented setups cover Microsoft Azure, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces, and MinIO. The breadth is useful for mixing cloud and local destinations, though the choice of destination does not change the file-level scope.

Licensing and support: GUI licenses cover one computer each. Personal GUI licenses include public forum support; commercial GUI and CLI licenses include private ticket support. Providers can customize the Web GUI with their own software name and logo, and volume discounts are available to providers and resellers.

Pricing

Duplicacy has a fully functional 30-day Web Edition trial, automatically downloaded when Web Edition runs backups without a license. The personal GUI license is intended for personal files unrelated to employment or for-profit activity and includes public forum support. It costs $20 a year for the first home computer in the first year, then $5 a year for that computer in each subsequent year. Each additional computer costs $10 a year in its first year and $2 a year in each subsequent year.

The commercial GUI license costs $50 a year per computer, including private ticket support, with no file-use limitation. This is the clear option for work or other for-profit files, but the per-computer fee can add up across a fleet. The CLI license also costs $50 a year for one computer and includes private ticket support. That paid license is separate from the exceptions for personal home-computer backups and CLI restore, check, copy, and prune operations.

Platforms

Duplicacy supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Web Edition and CLI workflows. Its storage options include self-hosted destinations such as local disks, SFTP servers, computers, and NAS boxes. It is not a mobile-backup tool.

Who it's for

Duplicacy is best for individuals who want file-level backups across a choice of cloud, local, or SFTP storage and are comfortable choosing a GUI or CLI workflow. The personal CLI exceptions make it particularly appealing for home users who can work from the command line. The paid GUI is a more approachable licensed route for personal backups, while commercial users can license GUI use per computer or opt for the CLI license.

Look elsewhere if you need mobile backup, whole-device imaging, or encryption without a deliberate password choice at initialization. The computer-based license structure also deserves attention when covering multiple machines.

Pros and cons

Pro — Broad destination choice: Cloud providers, local disks, and SFTP servers support varied backup arrangements, including NAS boxes.

Pro — Useful CLI exceptions: Personal home-computer backups and several CLI maintenance and restore operations do not require a license.

Pro — A real graphical workflow: Web Edition combines backup and maintenance operations with scheduling, email notifications, and a status dashboard.

Con — Encryption is not automatic: Leaving the initialization password empty means storage is unencrypted.

Con — Narrow backup scope: Backup and restore are file-level, with no mobile backup.

Con — GUI licensing scales by computer: Personal and commercial GUI licenses are priced per computer, so multi-machine use requires accounting for each one.

Alternatives

IDrive is worth considering for readers who need Android or iOS support alongside desktop platforms; its Basic plan includes 10 GB, while IDrive Mini is $0.25 a month for 100 GB and one user.

Acronis Cyber Disaster Recovery Cloud is a paid alternative with a free trial and support for mobile, desktop, web, and self-hosted platforms; its disaster-recovery plan uses pay-as-you-go pricing for used DR cloud storage and compute.

Duplicati offers a free tier that monitors up to two machines and shows the last 200 backups, with a Pro plan at $2 a month.

ElephantDrive is a paid alternative with mobile and web platforms; its Solo plan costs $10 a month and includes 1,000 GB of storage.

Storware Backup & Recovery has a free license without technical support and a 60-day trial for up to 20 virtual environments.

Synology Photos is a free option for readers who need photo management and have a Synology NAS.

Bareos offers a free community edition with public repository access and complete source code.

MSP360 Backup offers a free personal workstation backup plan with file and image-based backup and forum support.

For more options, browse NAS Backup Software or Backup software.

Verdict

Choose Duplicacy if you want flexible file backups to cloud, local, or SFTP storage and its CLI exceptions or per-computer GUI licenses fit your use. Its strongest case is combining broad destination choice with a useful graphical workflow and scriptable CLI. Look elsewhere for mobile or whole-device backup, or if encryption must be automatic rather than dependent on setting a password.

Verdict

Duplicacy offers both Web Edition and command-line backup workflows, with license exceptions for several personal CLI operations. Check license terms for your use and computer count, and choose a password if you want storage encrypted.

Where Specifiction places it

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