SCM Backup
SCM Backup: A free, self-hosted way to keep Git and Mercurial repositories and wikis offline. Ranked #14 of 24 in Git Backup Software by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for small teams wanting free offline multi-host copies.
At a glance
- Editor score7.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSmall teams wanting free offline multi-host copies
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Issue backupNo
- Facts checked29 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Backs up Git and Mercurial repositories from Bitbucket, GitHub, and GitLab
- Includes repository wikis and supports incremental pulls
- Stores local copies or uploads backups to Amazon S3
Where it doesn't
- Does not back up issues or pull requests
- Scheduling relies on an external scheduler
- Requires .NET on Windows, Linux, or macOS
Our verdict on SCM Backup
SCM Backup is a free, open-source console application for creating offline copies of repositories hosted on Bitbucket, GitHub, and GitLab. It suits people and teams who want control over local backup files rather than relying only on their code host. The application runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS with .NET installed, and can be deployed on a desktop or self-hosted system. Its focus is repository content: it handles Git and Mercurial repositories and backs up wikis when available.
For teams with repositories spread across hosts or accounts, discovery through hoster APIs is a practical part of the workflow. SCM Backup can be configured for multiple users, organizations, groups, or workspaces on each hoster, with optional authentication for private repositories. It clones repositories and performs incremental pulls, while include and exclude lists help narrow what is copied. Backups can be placed in timestamped subfolders, and bare repositories can be restored by cloning them. Amazon S3 upload is also available, alongside local storage; email log output can be configured. This makes it a fit for buyers who want a focused, configurable copy of repository data across these hosts.
The scope is narrower than a full project-platform backup: issues and pull requests are not included. Scheduling is not built in, so recurring runs need an external scheduler, such as Windows Task Scheduler. Support channels are community and documentation. Choose SCM Backup if offline repository and wiki copies are the priority and external scheduling is acceptable. Teams that need issue or pull-request history in the same backup should choose a tool that covers those records too.
SCM Backup pricing
SCM Backup fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Issue backup | No |
| Pull request backup | No |
| Wiki backup | Yes |
| Schedule frequency | Not verified |
| Retention policy | Not verified |
| Restore targets | New |
| Source platforms | Bitbucket, GitHub, GitLab |
| Deployment | Desktop, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Bitbucket, GitHub, GitLab, Amazon S3 |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | scm-backup.org |
| Facts checked | 29 Sep 2026 |
SCM Backup integrations
SCM Backup lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Bitbucket
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Amazon S3
Alternatives to SCM Backup
- HYCU R-CloudBroad data protection with recovery controls, but Git-specific coverage is unclear.7.9
- Rewind BackupsA broad SaaS backup service with daily backups and point-in-time restores, not a Git-only tool.7.9
- SpinOneBroad SaaS protection, but Git hosting coverage is not established.7.9
See all SCM Backup alternatives →
Used SCM Backup? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used SCM Backup for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
SCM Backup is listed in our Git Backup Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/scm-backup/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/scm-backup.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update