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Areca Backup

Free#86 of 150 in Backup Software

Areca Backup: A flexible file archiver with several backup modes and detailed recovery options. Ranked #86 of 150 in Backup Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Open source; best for users needing free, flexible file archiving and restore.

3.0/10Editor score

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At a glance

Editor score
3.0 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Users needing free, flexible file archiving and restore
Paid from
Free
Facts checked
19 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Full, incremental, differential, and delta backup modes
- Local, network, USB, FTP/FTPS, and SFTP destinations
- Encrypted archives with file-version and directory recovery
Where it doesn't
- Focuses on file backup rather than broader system imaging
- Requires configuring filters, destinations, or scripts for tailored workflows
- Ransomware protection is not verified

Our verdict on Areca Backup

Areca Backup is an open-source personal file backup application for Windows and Linux. It suits individuals who want control over which files and directories are archived, where archives are stored, and how they can be restored. Its file-focused scope makes it a fit for flexible archiving rather than a broad computer-protection suite.

Backup choices include full, incremental, differential, and delta modes, with ZIP or ZIP64 compression and AES-128 or AES-256 encryption. Destinations span local and network storage, USB drives, and FTP, FTPS, or SFTP servers. Filters can target files, directories, extensions, regular expressions, size, date, or status. That breadth helps tailor archive contents and storage, though it also means users may need to configure their own selection rules and destination details. Graphical and command-line interfaces support both manual administration and automation; post-backup shell scripts and reports by disk or email extend those workflows.

Recovery is a notable strength: users can browse, search, and merge archives, track file versions, and restore complete archives, individual files, directories, or specific versions. This is useful when recovery needs vary from restoring one older file to bringing back a larger archive. Areca Backup is a reasonable choice for users seeking a free, flexible file archiver with encryption and granular restore options across Windows and Linux. Those seeking a tool centered on broader system imaging or verified ransomware protection should look elsewhere; its described scope is file backup and recovery.

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Areca Backup pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on areca-backup.sourceforge.io

Areca Backup fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Computer backup	Yes
Mobile backup	Not verified
Server backup	Not verified
Backup scope	File
Restore modes	File
Ransomware protection	Not verified
Supported platforms	windows, linux
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, Linux
Integrations	3 integrations: FTP, FTPS, SFTP
Pricing	Open source
Website	areca-backup.sourceforge.io
Facts checked	19 Sep 2026

Areca Backup integrations

Areca Backup lists 3 integrations on its own site.

FTP
FTPS
SFTP

Alternatives to Areca Backup

See all Areca Backup alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

Areca Backup is listed in our Backup Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update