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SPECIFICTION
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Minarca

minarca.org

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit minarca.org
Spec score 8.8 #24 of 151 in Backup software

What it is

Minarca is a free, open-source backup solution that places an agent on computers and uses a central server for management. It backs up Linux, Windows and macOS systems, with destinations including remote servers and external disks. Its web interface provides a dashboard, logs and statistics, while the server can keep separate repositories and disk quotas for multiple users. Minarca uses rdiff-backup for incremental backups; its maker says the reverse incremental differential method helps resist data corruption. Large restores can be handled with the local agent, while smaller datasets can be restored through the web interface. The software also creates a mirror of backed-up directories that can be accessed and restored from the filesystem, with or without the application. A central Minarca server is required to back up a desktop computer. Listed agents support Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), macOS Catalina 10.15 and later, and 64-bit Linux, Ubuntu and Debian. The plan costs nothing and is self-hosted, with configurable user storage quotas.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Minarca is an open-source data backup solution with an agent installed on computers and a central server for management.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Product
Minarca is an open-source data backup solution with an agent installed on computers and a central server for centralized management.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Intended users
The site describes Minarca as suited to service providers, professional system administrators, and IT enthusiasts.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Supported platforms
web,windows,macos,linux,self_hostedRead 19 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Free plan
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Support
The maker offers enterprise assistance for setting up or maintaining Minarca and points users to a Google Group for community discussion and support.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Headquarters
St-Colomban, Quebec, CanadaRead 28 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Founded
2014Read 28 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Agent platforms
The download page lists agents for Windows 10 and 11, macOS Catalina 10.15 and later, and 64-bit Linux, Ubuntu, and Debian.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Backup and restore
Minarca supports file-based backups, multiple destinations including remote servers or external disks, and restores through either the local agent or web interface.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Backup destinations
Minarca can back up to multiple destinations, including remote servers and external disks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Backup scope
mixedRead 19 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Backup technology
Minarca uses rdiff-backup for incremental backups.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Business support
Businesses can contact Minarca for help setting up or maintaining the software, and the maker says it works with businesses in Canada, the United States, and Europe.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Central management
Its web interface provides a dashboard, logs, and statistics for centralized backup management.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Community support
The maker lists a Google Group for discussions and support and a Discourse forum for the Minarca community.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Company and founding
Minarca’s about page says it was founded in 2014 by Patrik Dufresne, and that the company later took the name IKUS Software in 2020.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Computer backup
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Data access
The site says Minarca creates a mirror of backed-up directories that can be accessed from the filesystem and restored with or without the application.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Download compatibility
The download page lists Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), macOS Catalina 10.15 and later, and Linux packages; the macOS package page says Apple Silicon support is coming soon.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Download requirements
A central Minarca server is required to back up a desktop computer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Free and self-hosted
The maker describes Minarca as free, open-source, and self-hosted.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Independent recovery
Minarca creates a mirror version of directories that the maker says can be accessed and restored without the application.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Mobile backup
NoRead 19 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Multi-tenancy
The server supports multiple users with separate repositories and disk quotas.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Multi-tenant management
Minarca supports multiple users with separate repositories and disk quotas.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Open source and free
Minarca’s about page describes the software as open-source and free to use and modify.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Operating systems
Minarca supports backing up Linux, Windows, and macOS systems.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Restore modes
mixedRead 19 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Restore options
Users can restore large amounts of data with the local agent or smaller datasets through the web interface.Read 11 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Secure connection
The agent establishes a secure connection to the central server.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org
Server backup
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · minarca.org
Server requirement
The download page says a central Minarca server is required to back up a desktop computer.Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org

Plans and prices

Minarca Free Self-hosted; server required for desktop backups; storage quotas can be configured per user Read 12 Oct 2026 · minarca.org

Every Minarca plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open-source, with self-hosted deployment
  • Supports Linux, Windows and macOS backups
  • Can back up to remote servers or external disks
  • Offers local-agent and web-interface restores
  • Directory mirrors can be accessed without the application

Limits

  • A central server is required for desktop backups
  • Mobile backup is not supported
  • Apple Silicon support is coming soon
  • Self-hosting means providing the server

Who it suits

Minarca suits individuals, system administrators, service providers and small or medium-sized businesses seeking self-hosted computer backups. It is relevant where centralized management and separate user repositories or quotas are useful.

Verdict

Minarca pairs file-based backups with centralized management and more than one restore route. The central-server requirement and listed operating-system support should be checked before choosing it.

Where Specifiction places it

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