Minarca
Minarca: Open-source desktop and server backup with centralized management and flexible destinations. Ranked #48 of 150 in Backup Software by our editors (4.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams wanting free, self-hosted desktop and server backup.
At a glance
- Editor score4.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams wanting free, self-hosted desktop and server backup
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Server backupYes
- Founded2014 · St-Colomban, Quebec, Canada
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Manage desktop and server backups centrally through a web interface
- Back up to remote servers, local disks, or network shares
- Restore selected files, earlier versions, or a full system
Where it doesn't
- Requires a self-hosted central server
- No mobile backup support
- Integrations and ransomware protections are not listed
Our verdict on Minarca
Minarca is free, open-source backup software for small and medium-sized businesses, system administrators, service providers, and individual users who want to manage backups through their own infrastructure. Desktop agents for Windows, macOS, and Linux connect to a central server, and the product also supports server backup. Its scope suits teams looking for a shared management layer across computers and servers rather than a mobile backup service.
The central web interface brings together multiple backup configurations and destinations. Minarca can send backups to remote servers, local disks, or network shares, while selective and automated background backups help accommodate different data sets and schedules. User authentication, authorization, quotas, and isolated storage provide administrative controls, and backup statistics and failure email notifications help operators monitor activity. These capabilities make it relevant to teams managing varied machines and storage locations; organizations seeking integrations with other tools should compare alternatives, since integrations are not listed.
Restoration covers individual files and directories, including earlier versions, as well as full-system restoration. That range supports both targeted recovery and recovery of a complete machine, which may matter to administrators planning for different failure scenarios. Minarca is a fit for buyers who value open-source software, self-hosting, and mixed computer-and-server backup without a listed cost. It is less suited to teams that need mobile backup or specifically require verified ransomware protections; those protections are not listed. Buyers should also be comfortable operating a central server as part of their backup setup.
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Minarca pricing
Minarca fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Computer backup | Yes |
| Mobile backup | No |
| Server backup | Yes |
| Backup scope | Mixed |
| Restore modes | Mixed |
| Ransomware protection | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | web, windows, macos, linux, self_hosted |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | minarca.org |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Minarca
- Veeam Backup & ReplicationA wide-ranging backup platform for enterprise virtual and hybrid environments.9.4
- Rubrik Security CloudA cyber-recovery platform built around immutable backup, threat investigation, and clean-state recovery.9.2
- NAKIVO Backup & ReplicationA broad VM backup platform with recovery, replication, and disaster-recovery workflows.8.8
See all Minarca alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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