Relax-and-Recover
Relax-and-Recover: A specialized, free Linux framework for bootable system recovery and migration. Ranked #125 of 150 in Backup Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux administrators needing disaster recovery.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLinux administrators needing disaster recovery
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Server backupYes
- Founded2006
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Creates bootable images for physical, virtual, and replacement-hardware recovery
- Recreates partitions, filesystems, mount points, and boot loaders
- Integrates with Bacula, Bareos, Borg, Veeam, NetBackup, and more
Where it doesn't
- Linux-only, with distribution and architecture compatibility constraints
- Requires system-administration expertise and modular shell-script configuration
- More specialized than a general-purpose backup suite
Our verdict on Relax-and-Recover
Relax-and-Recover, also known as ReaR, is an open-source disaster recovery framework for Linux system administrators. It creates bootable recovery images that can recreate a system’s storage layout, restore data, and reinstall the boot loader on replacement hardware. Recovery can target physical systems or virtual environments, including some migrations to dissimilar hardware or virtualization environments when architecture and operating-system compatibility allow. Its scope covers both computer and server backup, with a strong focus on bare-metal recovery rather than routine file backup alone.
The published pricing model is free and GPLv3-licensed. ReaR includes tar and rsync backup and restore methods, while its recovery workflow supports ISO, PXE, OBDR tape, USB, and eSATA media. During recovery, it can recreate disk partitions, filesystems, and mount points, and it supports software RAID, UEFI, GRUB, multipath storage, and block-device backup. Administrators can extend the workflow through modular shell scripts. Secrets are protected from debug logs by default and are normally excluded from rescue media, which is a useful design consideration for recovery environments.
ReaR fits organizations that already operate Linux systems and need a configurable disaster-recovery layer alongside existing backup infrastructure. Its integrations include Bacula, Bareos, Borg Backup, Commvault, Dell EMC Avamar, Dell EMC NetWorker, IBM Storage Protect, Rubrik Cloud Data Management, Veeam Backup, Veritas NetBackup, and others. Choose it when bootable system images, replacement-hardware recovery, or virtual recovery matter more than a broad cross-platform suite. Organizations seeking a general backup product across multiple operating systems, or teams without Linux administration experience, should consider a less specialized option.
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Relax-and-Recover pricing
Relax-and-Recover fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Computer backup | Yes |
| Mobile backup | Not verified |
| Server backup | Yes |
| Backup scope | Mixed |
| Restore modes | Mixed |
| Ransomware protection | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Linux |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 13 integrations: Bacula, Bareos, Borg Backup, Rubrik Cloud Data Management, OpenText Data Protector, Commvault … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | relax-and-recover.org |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
Relax-and-Recover integrations
Relax-and-Recover lists 13 integrations on its own site.
- Bacula
- Bareos
- Borg Backup
- Rubrik Cloud Data Management
- OpenText Data Protector
- Commvault
- NovaStor DataCenter
- Veritas NetBackup
- Dell EMC NetWorker
- IBM Storage Protect
- Veeam Backup
- tar
- rsync
Alternatives to Relax-and-Recover
- 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 Relax-and-Recover alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Relax-and-Recover is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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