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bup

Free#93 of 150 in Backup Software

bup: A command-line backup tool for deduplicated file backups and SSH-based restores. Ranked #93 of 150 in Backup Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Open source; best for technical users needing deduplicated file backups.

3.0/10Editor score

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At a glance

Editor score
3.0 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Technical users needing deduplicated file backups
Paid from
Free
Facts checked
19 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Deduplicates data across and within files using rolling-checksum chunking
- Supports remote backups and restores over SSH
- Checks and repairs repositories, with optional PAR2 recovery blocks
Where it doesn't
- Command-line, self-hosted operation calls for technical setup
- Backup and restore scope is file-based
- FUSE repository mounting depends on a compatible environment

Our verdict on bup

bup is an open-source, command-line backup system for technical users who want incremental file backups with deduplication. It stores backup data in Git-format packfiles and uses rolling checksums to split files into chunks, helping avoid storing repeated data across and within files. Its scope is file and directory backup and restoration, including data such as virtual-machine images; it is not positioned here as a broader device-management or business backup service.

The standout feature is its storage and recovery workflow. bup can save local files or send backups to remote repositories over SSH, restore files and directories with metadata handling, and mount repositories through FUSE. It also provides repository inspection and integrity checks, with repair capabilities and optional PAR2 recovery blocks for damaged packfiles. These tools give technically capable operators ways to verify repository health and recover data, but the command-line and repository-oriented model may be more involved than a graphical backup utility.

bup is described as operating on Linux and macOS, and on Windows through Cygwin or WSL; self-hosted operation aligns with its repository-based approach. It can import backups from duplicity, rdiff-backup, and rsnapshot. Its open-source distribution avoids a commercial plan structure, while requiring users to operate the software and its repositories themselves. Choose bup if file-level scope, deduplication, SSH transfer, and direct control over repositories matter. Look elsewhere if you need a less technical setup or backup coverage beyond files and directories.

Your product? Our editors can test bup in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

bup pricing

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

See plans on bup.github.io

bup 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	linux, macos, windows, self_hosted
Deployment	Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms	Linux, macOS, Windows
Integrations	4 integrations: Git, SSH, FUSE, PAR2
Pricing	Open source
Website	bup.github.io
Facts checked	19 Sep 2026

bup integrations

bup lists 4 integrations on its own site.

Git
SSH
FUSE
PAR2

Alternatives to bup

See all bup alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

bup 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