Overview

Duplicacy handles file backup and restore, rather than mobile backup or whole-device imaging. Its lock-free deduplication design uses a two-step fossil collection process to remove unreferenced chunks without relying on a centralized chunk database. That approach supports a range of storage setups, though it does not change the product’s file-level scope.

Encryption is optional: set a password when initializing storage to encrypt it. Leaving the password empty means that storage is unencrypted, so encryption-minded users need to make this choice during setup.

Key features

Flexible storage: Duplicacy supports cloud providers, local disks and SFTP servers, including computers and NAS boxes. Documented setups cover Microsoft Azure, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces and MinIO.
Web Edition: The graphical interface supports backup, restore, check, copy and prune operations, plus scheduling and email notifications. Its dashboard shows storage and backup status, which gives GUI users a visual overview of their jobs.
Command line: The CLI can be run manually or from scripts, and its source code is available on GitHub. It is a practical route for script-based workflows, and personal file backups on a home computer do not require a CLI license.
Trial: Running backups in Web Edition without a license automatically downloads a fully functional 30-day trial license, allowing users to assess the paid GUI before buying.

Pricing

Duplicacy is freemium, with a 30-day Web Edition trial. The main pricing distinction is between free personal CLI use and paid GUI licensing; licenses are tied to computers, so costs rise when a personal setup covers additional machines.

CLI personal use: Free for personal file backups on a home computer. CLI restore, check, copy and prune operations also require no license.
Personal GUI license: 20.00 USD per year for the first home computer in the first year, then 5.00 USD per year for that computer in each subsequent year. Each additional computer costs 10.00 USD per year in its first year and 2.00 USD per year in subsequent years. This license is limited to personal files unrelated to employment or for-profit activities and includes public forum support.
Commercial GUI license: 50.00 USD per year per computer, each year, with no file-use limitations and private ticket support. It is the relevant GUI option for work-related or other commercial files.
CLI license: 50.00 USD per year for one computer, each year. This is the paid license option for CLI use beyond the stated personal-use exception.

The free CLI option is compelling for eligible home users who are comfortable without the GUI. Anyone wanting Web Edition should account for the personal-use restrictions or the higher per-computer commercial fee. Personal GUI support is through a public forum; private ticket support is included with commercial GUI and CLI licenses.

Platforms

Duplicacy supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Its storage options include cloud services, local disks and SFTP destinations such as computers and NAS boxes. Mobile backup is not supported.

Who it's for

Choose Duplicacy if file-level backup across varied storage destinations matters more than mobile coverage or full-device imaging. It fits home users willing to run the CLI for free personal backups, and individuals or businesses prepared to license the GUI per computer. The optional encryption choice also suits users who want to decide whether to encrypt a storage during initialization.

Look elsewhere if you need mobile backup, whole-device imaging, or GUI licensing without per-computer terms. Personal GUI licensing is restricted to non-work, non-profit-related personal files, while commercial GUI use requires a separate annual license for each computer.

Pros and cons

Pro: Cloud, local and SFTP destinations—including NAS boxes—give users room to choose where their files go.
Pro: Free personal CLI backups on a home computer make the command-line version accessible without an annual license.
Pro: Web Edition combines scheduling, email notifications and a status dashboard with backup and maintenance operations.
Con: Backup and restore are file-level, and mobile backup is not supported, limiting its fit for users seeking broader device coverage.
Con: Storage is not encrypted unless a password is set during initialization, leaving an important setup decision to the user.
Con: GUI licenses are priced per computer, and the lower personal rate cannot cover employment or for-profit files.

Alternatives

Consider IDrive if you need Android or iOS support alongside desktop platforms; it has a free plan and paid options including 100 GB for one user at 0.25 USD per month.

Storware Backup & Recovery is another freemium option, with a free license that excludes technical support and a 60-day trial for up to 20 virtual environments.

Choose Duplicati if its free plan’s monitoring limits—up to 2 machines and the last 200 backups—fit your needs, or if its Pro plan at 2.00 USD per month suits you.

BackupPC is a free alternative that backs up PCs and laptops to a server’s disk.

Kopia is free open-source backup and restore software, with storage provisioned and paid for separately.

MSP360 Backup offers a free personal workstation plan with file and image-based backup and forum support; its Pro plan for macOS and Linux costs 19.99 USD per year.

Acronis Cyber Disaster Recovery Cloud is a paid alternative with a free trial and pay-as-you-go pricing for disaster-recovery cloud storage and compute.

AOMEI Backupper is a Windows-only option with a perpetually free PC backup plan and a paid Professional yearly plan at 39.95 USD per year.

Browse the NAS Backup Software or Backup software lists for more options.

Verdict

Duplicacy is a strong fit for users who want file backups to a choice of cloud, local or SFTP storage, especially those comfortable using the CLI for free personal home backups. Its destination flexibility and Web Edition workflow make it adaptable, but the file-only scope, optional encryption setup and per-computer GUI fees are meaningful constraints. Choose it for that storage control and CLI flexibility; look elsewhere for mobile or whole-device backup, or if its licensing terms do not fit your use.

	Duplicacy	Relax-and-Recover
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	$0.17/mo	Free
Platforms	Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Windows	Linux, self-hosted
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Computer backup	Yes	Yes
Mobile backup	No
Backup scope	file	mixed
Restore modes	file	mixed
Supported platforms	windows, macos, linux	Linux
Server backup		Yes

Duplicacy vs Relax-and-Recover

Duplicacy

Relax-and-Recover