What is the best free backup software?

Kopia and restic are the strongest free options here. Kopia has a desktop app, while restic is a command-line tool. Duplicati is also free and sends encrypted backups to cloud providers.

Which backup software works on both Mac and Windows?

Arq Backup and Backblaze run on Mac and Windows. Kopia and Duplicati also support both, and they run on Linux too.

Is there a free tool that makes bootable Mac backups?

Not in this list. Carbon Copy Cloner makes bootable clones of a Mac, but it is a paid app with a 30-day trial.

Which backup tools are open source?

restic, BorgBackup, Kopia and Duplicati are open source, under BSD-2-Clause, BSD-3-Clause, Apache-2.0 and MIT respectively.

Best Backup Software in 2026: Top 10 Ranked

The ranking

Top pickArq Backup91.5
Best with a free planVeeam Agent for Microsoft Windows85.0
Best open sourceKopia88.0
Runner-upCarbon Copy Cloner90.0

1
Arq Backup
The strongest paid option for Mac and Windows here, with many cloud destinations, multiple file versions and point-in-time recovery. It needs a paid license after a 30-day trial, and additional cloud storage is billed separately.
Best for Mac and Windows users who want versioned backups
macOSWindowsPaid
91.5of 100
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2
Carbon Copy Cloner
The best Mac-only choice for bootable clones, snapshots and scheduled backups, with restores of single files or a whole Mac. It is a paid app with a 30-day trial and does not run on Windows.
Best for Mac users who want bootable clones of their system disk
macOSPaid
90.0of 100
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3
Kopia
The open-source choice with both a desktop app and a command line on Windows, macOS and Linux. Encrypted, deduplicated snapshots go to cloud storage you choose, but setup takes more steps than consumer apps.
Best for Open-source encrypted backups with a desktop app
WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineFree and open sourceOpen source
88.0of 100
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4
restic
A free, open-source command-line tool under BSD-2-Clause that covers Linux, macOS and Windows and many storage back ends. It needs a terminal and scripting, so it suits technical users rather than people who want a point-and-click app.
Best for Scripted backups from the command line on major systems
LinuxmacOSWindowsCommand lineFree and open sourceOpen source
86.5of 100
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5
Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows
Free Windows backup with file-level and folder-level backups and bootable recovery media. Veeam describes the free edition as free forever, but it is Windows only and does not replace a server-level backup product.
Best for Windows PC owners who want free recovery media
WindowsFree
85.0of 100
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6
Backblaze
Automatic, unlimited backup for a flat $9 a month, with a free trial that needs no credit card. Restores depend on your connection, and the subscription is an ongoing cost that the free tools here avoid.
Best for People who want backup handled for them on a Mac or PC
WindowsmacOSSubscription
84.0of 100
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7
Time Machine
Built into macOS, it backs up only changed files after the first backup and restores single files or a whole Mac. It needs an external disk, and its support page does not describe making a bootable copy.
Best for Mac users who want built-in file history
macOSFree
83.0of 100
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8
BorgBackup
A deduplicating, encrypted command-line backup tool for Linux and macOS under BSD-3-Clause. Its deduplication suits repeated backups of similar data, but its site does not list Windows.
Best for Linux and macOS administrators who script backups
LinuxmacOSCommand lineFree and open sourceOpen source
82.5of 100
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9
Duplicacy
Cross-platform cloud backup with client-side encryption and lock-free deduplication, free for individuals on the command line. Commercial use needs a per-machine licence, and setup takes more work than a consumer app.
Best for Individuals who script encrypted cloud backups
WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineFree plan, paid upgrades
80.5of 100
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10
Duplicati
A free MIT-licensed backup program for Windows, macOS and Linux that sends encrypted backups to many cloud providers. Its paid hosted console is optional, and setting up cloud destinations takes care.
Best for Free encrypted cloud backup on three systems
WindowsmacOSLinuxFree plan, paid upgradesOpen source
79.5of 100
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At a glance

Product	Score	Price	Platforms
Arq Backup	91.5	Paid	macOSWindows
Carbon Copy Cloner	90.0	Paid	macOS
Kopia	88.0	Free and open source	WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line
restic	86.5	Free and open source	LinuxmacOSWindowsCommand line
Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows	85.0	Free	Windows
Backblaze	84.0	Subscription	WindowsmacOS
Time Machine	83.0	Free	macOS
BorgBackup	82.5	Free and open source	LinuxmacOSCommand line
Duplicacy	80.5	Free plan, paid upgrades	WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line
Duplicati	79.5	Free plan, paid upgrades	WindowsmacOSLinux

How to choose backup software

Platform: Carbon Copy Cloner is Mac only, Arq Backup and Backblaze cover Mac and Windows, and restic and BorgBackup run from the command line.
Interface: Choose a desktop app if you want scheduled backups with a few clicks; choose restic or BorgBackup if you script backups.
Cost: restic, BorgBackup, Kopia and Duplicati are free; Backblaze is $9 a month, and Arq Backup and Carbon Copy Cloner are paid licenses.
Destination: Kopia and Duplicati send backups to cloud storage you choose, while Backblaze's personal product uses its own cloud service.

What the scores weigh

Restore options and reliability
Platform fit
Ease of setup
Openness and license
Price and free options

Scores are editorial, from 0 to 100, and use these criteria. Full method · Disclosure

About backup software

Backup software splits into two kinds. Desktop products such as Arq Backup, Carbon Copy Cloner and Backblaze run from an app, schedule backups and restore files from a window. Command-line tools such as restic and BorgBackup need a terminal and suit people who script their backups.

Mac users have a clear fit in Carbon Copy Cloner, which makes bootable copies of a Mac. Windows users have Arq Backup and the free Veeam Agent, and Kopia gives an open-source option with a desktop app and a command line. Backblaze takes a set-and-forget approach, with a subscription of $9 a month for unlimited computer backup.

Openness varies. restic and BorgBackup are open source under BSD licenses, Kopia is under Apache 2.0 and Duplicati is under MIT. Arq Backup, Carbon Copy Cloner and Backblaze are paid products. The scores are editorial judgments against the criteria, not measurements.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free backup software?: Kopia and restic are the strongest free options here. Kopia has a desktop app, while restic is a command-line tool. Duplicati is also free and sends encrypted backups to cloud providers.
Which backup software works on both Mac and Windows?: Arq Backup and Backblaze run on Mac and Windows. Kopia and Duplicati also support both, and they run on Linux too.
Is there a free tool that makes bootable Mac backups?: Not in this list. Carbon Copy Cloner makes bootable clones of a Mac, but it is a paid app with a 30-day trial.
Which backup tools are open source?: restic, BorgBackup, Kopia and Duplicati are open source, under BSD-2-Clause, BSD-3-Clause, Apache-2.0 and MIT respectively.