Free Backup Tools (2026): 10 Options Compared

Losing a laptop, a client folder or a whole website is one of those problems you only think about after it happens. The good news is that you don't need to spend anything to get a solid safety net. Some of the best-regarded backup programs are open source, and a few household names have a free version that covers a freelancer's needs.

This page lists ten free backup tools in no particular order, alphabetically. By free I mean either a permanent free plan or software that's free and open source to use, as each tool's own website states. I've deliberately included smaller, independent projects alongside the familiar ones, including one backup plugin for WordPress sites. Some are friendly apps and some are aimed at people happy in a terminal, so I've said which is which. If you also need somewhere to keep the copies, my guide to the best cloud storage for business is a useful companion.

Free backup tools compared at a glance

Every tool in the table has a free version or is free and open source, according to its own site. Where a backup needs somewhere to be stored, such as a cloud account or an external drive, that storage is separate and may have its own terms.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
BorgBackup	Command-line backup	Deduplicated, encrypted archives of servers and laptops	Yes
Duplicati	Backup app	Encrypted backups to cloud or local drives	Yes
FreeFileSync	Folder sync tool	Mirroring folders to a drive or server	Yes
Kopia	Backup app	Fast encrypted backups with app or command line	Yes
Rclone	Cloud sync tool	Copying files between cloud storage services	Yes
Restic	Command-line backup	Simple, encrypted backups to many storage types	Yes
Syncthing	Device sync tool	Keeping folders in step across your own devices	Yes
Time Machine	Built-in Mac backup	Hands-off Mac backups to an external drive	Yes
UpdraftPlus	WordPress plugin	Backing up and restoring a WordPress site	Yes
UrBackup	Network backup	Backing up several office computers to one server	Yes

Ten free backup tools for freelancers and small businesses

BorgBackup

Best for: Technical users who want space-saving, encrypted backups run from a terminal on Linux or Mac.

Duplicati

Best for: Freelancers who want scheduled, encrypted backups to a cloud store, NAS or external drive with a web interface.

FreeFileSync

Best for: Anyone who wants a simple visual way to copy changed files from one folder to another.

Kopia

Best for: People who want fast, encrypted, deduplicated backups to cloud storage, with either a desktop app or a terminal.

Rclone

Best for: Comfortable-with-a-terminal users who need to copy or sync files between many different cloud storage services.

Restic

Best for: Technical users who want a straightforward, secure backup program that works on Windows, Mac, Linux and BSD.

Syncthing

Best for: Anyone who wants files kept identical across their own computers without handing them to a cloud company.

Time Machine

Best for: Mac users who want automatic backups of the whole computer to an external drive with no extra software.

UpdraftPlus

Best for: WordPress site owners who want scheduled site backups sent to remote storage and one-click restores.

UrBackup

Best for: Small offices that want image and file backups of several Windows or Linux computers to one central server.

How to choose a free backup tool

• What you're protecting: a handful of client folders, a whole computer, a server or a WordPress site each call for a different type of tool.
• Your operating system: some options only suit one system, while others run on Windows, Mac and Linux alike.
• How hands-on you want to be: a point-and-click app suits most people, while command-line tools reward you with flexibility if you're comfortable with them.
• Where the copies go: an external drive, a network box, a cloud store or another computer. Decide this first, because it shapes everything else.
• Encryption: if client files or personal data are involved, choose a tool that encrypts the copies before they leave your computer.
• Restoring: look for a clear way to get a single file or a whole machine back, and make sure you know how it works before you need it.

The backup habits that matter more than the free backup tool

A tool is only half the answer. The habit behind it matters just as much, and a simple rule of thumb is to keep three copies of anything important, on two different kinds of storage, with one copy somewhere away from your desk. Fire, theft and a spilled coffee all hit the things sitting next to your computer.

• Automate it. A backup that relies on you remembering will be skipped in your busiest week.
• Test a restore. Pull one file back every so often, so you know the copies really open.
• Keep one copy off-site, either in the cloud or at a trusted person's home.
• Protect the login to wherever the copies live. A decent password manager helps, and my roundup of the best password managers for small businesses covers the options.
• Don't treat file syncing as a backup. If a file is deleted or damaged, a sync tool can copy that problem to every device.

Questions to ask before you rely on a free backup tool

• Who looks after it if something goes wrong: is there an active community, documentation or a forum?
• Is the project still being updated, and does it support the version of your system you're running?
• Will it warn me when a backup fails, or fail silently?
• Can I restore without the original software installed, for example onto a new computer?
• Do I understand where my encryption key or password is kept, and what happens if I lose it?

If you're weighing up storage as well, Dropbox alternatives is worth a read, since many of those services also keep older versions of your files.

Why a smaller, open source backup tool can be a smart pick

Open source backup projects are often built by people who rely on them for their own data, and the code is open for anyone to inspect, which many security-minded users value. They also tend to be light, flexible and free of upsell screens.

The trade-off is polish and support. There may be no helpdesk to call, and some setups assume you're comfortable reading documentation. Before you commit, check the project has been updated recently, read how other users describe the restore process, and run a trial backup of a small folder first.

Do you make a backup or file-sync tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Final checks before you start your free backups

Pick one tool, back up your most important folder first, and confirm you can restore a file from it. Then set the schedule, add an off-site copy and put a reminder in your diary to test a restore again. A modest backup that runs every day beats a perfect plan you never set up.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a completely free way to back up my computer?

Yes. Several options are free to use, including backup software built into your computer and open source programs. You may still need somewhere to store the copies, such as an external drive.

What's the difference between a backup and file syncing?

A backup keeps older copies you can go back to if something is deleted or damaged. Syncing keeps folders identical across devices, so a deletion or mistake can spread everywhere.

How often should a freelancer back up?

Daily is a sensible aim for working files, and automatic scheduling means you don't have to remember. Anything you'd hate to retype in a day deserves a daily copy.

Do I need to back up my WordPress site separately?

Yes. Your hosting company may keep copies, but having your own backup of files and database gives you control. A WordPress backup plugin can schedule these and send them to remote storage.

Are open source backup tools safe to use for client files?

Many are well regarded, and open code can be inspected by anyone. Choose one that encrypts copies, is still being updated, and test a restore before you rely on it.