restic
What it is
restic is a free, open-source program for backing up and restoring files on Linux, BSD, macOS, and Windows. It transfers only changed portions of backed-up files and runs as a single executable, without a server or complex setup. Backups can be kept in local repositories or stored through services including SFTP, Amazon S3 and compatible services, Backblaze B2, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, OpenStack Swift, a REST server, and rclone. Restic can restore snapshots and check repository metadata or the integrity of stored data. Each repository needs a password, and users can manage multiple keys for one repository; losing its password makes the data inaccessible. The project says official binaries are reproducibly built and can be checked with SHA-256 checksums and a PGP signature. The listed backup and restore scope is files. Restic does not offer mobile backup or ransomware protection, and the project directs usage and support questions to its community forum.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under the BSD 2-Clause License.
- Transfers only the changed parts of files.
- Runs as one executable without a server.
- Supports a range of storage backends.
- Can restore snapshots and check data integrity.
Against
- No mobile backup.
- No ransomware protection.
- Lost repository passwords make stored data inaccessible.
The verdict
Restic covers file backup and restoration with a broad selection of storage backends, and it is free to use. Keep its password requirement and lack of mobile backup and ransomware protection in mind.
Who it suits
Restic suits people who want a no-charge file backup tool across supported desktop systems and who can manage repository passwords. Its range of storage backends may suit users choosing between local storage and cloud or server-based repositories.
Plans and prices
Free
Entirely free to use · no paid tiers stated · storage-provider charges are separate
Read 21 Oct 2026 · restic.net
restic
No price or usage limits stated
Read 11 Oct 2026 · restic.net
On the record
- Backup scope
- filerestic.net · read 20 Sep 2026
- Company status
- A company-intelligence profile reports no commercial corporate entity, funding rounds or software-sales revenue for restic; it characterizes the project as community-driven open source.checkthat.ai · read 21 Oct 2026
- Computer backup
- Yesrestic.net · read 20 Sep 2026
- Cryptography
- The repository format uses AES-256-CTR encryption with Poly1305-AES authentication for encrypted data.restic.readthedocs.io · read 21 Oct 2026
- Deduplication
- Identical content is stored once across files and snapshots, reducing repeated storage and uploads.mangodeveloper.com · read 21 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The manual covers installation, every major backend, backup selection, snapshots, integrity checks, tuning, restore, pruning, encryption, scripting, troubleshooting, design and developer information.restic.readthedocs.io · read 21 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Repository data is encrypted on the client before it is sent to the storage backend.datazone.de · read 21 Oct 2026
- Encryption keys
- A repository requires a password, and multiple keys can be managed for one repository.restic.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Incremental transfer
- After the first backup, restic transfers only file parts that changed.restic.net · read 21 Oct 2026
- Incremental transfers
- Restic transfers only the parts of backed-up files that changed.restic.net · read 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Official instructions provide reproducible binaries plus package instructions for Alpine, Arch, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, macOS, Nix and Windows tooling.restic.readthedocs.io · read 21 Oct 2026
- Integrity checking
- The documentation provides repository checks and a full data-read check to validate stored data.restic.readthedocs.io · read 21 Oct 2026
- Licence
- restic is open source under the BSD 2-Clause License.restic.net · read 21 Oct 2026
- Limit: command line only
- Independent reviewers repeatedly identify the lack of a built-in graphical or web interface as a drawback for users who do not want CLI workflows.selfhosting.sh · read 21 Oct 2026
- Limit: external scheduling
- restic has no built-in scheduler, so recurring jobs normally require cron, systemd timers or another external runner.selfhosting.sh · read 21 Oct 2026
- Limit: file-level scope
- It is not a VM image backup, application-aware live-database backup or dataset replication system; databases generally need dumps first.datazone.de · read 21 Oct 2026
- Limit: password recovery
- If the repository password is lost, the encrypted backup cannot be recovered and the project offers no password reset path.restic.readthedocs.io · read 21 Oct 2026
- Limit: pruning downtime
- Pruning can take substantial time, locks the repository and prevents backups from completing while it runs.restic.readthedocs.io · read 21 Oct 2026
