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FSArchiver
What it is
FSArchiver is free Linux software that saves filesystem contents in compressed archives and restores them to differently sized partitions or other filesystems. It works at file level, preserving permissions, timestamps, links, and extended attributes when kernel support is available. Archives can contain multiple filesystems, and large archives can be split into fixed-size parts. Listed compression methods include multithreaded LZO, gzip, bzip2, and LZMA/XZ. Password encryption uses Blowfish from libgcrypt, while checksums help identify damaged archive contents; other files may still be restored when one file is corrupt. Supported filesystems include ext2, ext3, ext4, reiserfs, reiser4, xfs, jfs, btrfs, FAT16, and FAT32, with NTFS marked experimental. For live filesystems, the project recommends using an LVM snapshot because changes on a read-write mounted volume can cause backup problems. Installation options include distribution packages, a static binary, or source compilation, and FSArchiver is included in SystemRescue. The project identifies version 0.8.x as the latest stable release. It has no cloud image destination, bootable recovery media, or bare-metal restore.
For and against
For
- Supports many Linux and FAT filesystems
- Archives can contain multiple filesystems
- Offers several multithreaded compression methods
- Password encryption and checksums are available
- Included in SystemRescue
Against
- NTFS support is experimental
- No cloud image destination
- No bootable recovery media
- No bare-metal restore
The verdict
FSArchiver focuses on Linux filesystem archiving with compression, encryption, and selective restoration. Its experimental NTFS status and missing bare-metal or cloud features define its boundaries.
Who it suits
It suits Linux users who need filesystem-level archives, encryption, and restoration across partition sizes or filesystems. Users needing cloud destinations or bare-metal recovery should look elsewhere.
Plans and prices
FSArchiver
GPL-v2 licensed software · Linux filesystem archiver
Read 8 Oct 2026 · fsarchiver.org
On the record
- Archive handling
- Large archives can be split into files with a fixed maximum size.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Compatibility status
- The status page calls version 0.8.x the latest stable version and recommends it for all users, while noting that NTFS support is experimental.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Compression
- The site lists multithreaded LZO, gzip, bzip2, and LZMA/XZ compression, and its installation page also lists zstd as a build dependency.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Data integrity
- The site describes checksums for archive contents and says that if an archive is corrupt, other files can still be restored while the damaged file is skipped.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The site says archives can be encrypted with a password using Blowfish from libgcrypt.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- File-level backup
- It works at the file level and preserves standard file attributes such as permissions, timestamps, links, and extended attributes when supported by the kernel.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Filesystem support
- The site lists support for major Linux filesystems and FAT filesystems for EFI System Partition backup and restore.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The site describes installation through Linux distribution packages, a static binary, or compiling from source, and says FSArchiver is included in SystemRescue.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes FSArchiver as a filesystem backup and deployment tool and recommends a live system such as SystemRescue for restoring a root filesystem.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Live backups
- The site recommends using an LVM snapshot to back up a filesystem that is in use; backing up a read-write mounted volume can have problems with files changed during backup.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Multiple filesystems
- An archive can contain multiple filesystems.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limitations
- The site says NTFS support is experimental and that filesystem-specific features such as Btrfs snapshots are not preserved.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- FSArchiver saves filesystem contents to compressed archives and can restore them to differently sized partitions or different filesystems.fsarchiver.org · read 8 Oct 2026
