soba review
A free, self-hosted CLI for scheduled, portable Git repository backups.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
soba is a free, open-source command-line tool for backing up Git repositories from hosted and self-hosted platforms. It suits people or teams who want repository history in portable files and are comfortable running their own backup process. The listed sources include GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps, Gitea, Sourcehut, and Codeberg. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can be deployed in self-hosted environments.
Scheduling and portable recovery are central to soba’s scope. Backups can run on an interval or cron schedule, and rotation retains a configured number of recent copies. Each backup is a single-file Git bundle; Git LFS objects can also be included. Restore works by cloning a bundle as a Git repository, and the published restore target is download. Optional age encryption covers bundles, manifests, and LFS archives. Notifications can go to Slack, Telegram, webhooks, or ntfy. These capabilities make soba a fit for operators who want control over where backup files live and how often copies are made.
The trade-off is what it backs up: soba preserves repository data, not issues, pull requests, or wikis. It is also self-hosted rather than a managed backup service, so the person adopting it needs to run and maintain the tool. Its free, open-source model may suit teams seeking a focused repository safeguard without a commercial plan, but anyone needing a broader backup of project-hosting records should choose a tool that explicitly covers those records. Pick soba for scheduled, portable Git bundles; look elsewhere if repository data alone is not enough.
soba pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Backs up repositories across seven listed Git hosting providers
- Schedules interval or cron backups with configurable rotation
- Creates portable bundles; optional age encryption and Git LFS support
- Where it doesn't
- Backs up repository data, not issues, pull requests, or wikis
- Restore is by cloning a Git bundle as a repository
- Requires self-hosted deployment as a binary or in a supported environment
soba fact sheet, pricing and score →
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