Best Tarsnap Alternatives in 2026
The top Tarsnap alternatives are Microsoft OneDrive, Box and Google Cloud Storage: 15 cloud storage services our editors would look at instead of Tarsnap, in our ranking order.
Tarsnap: A focused archive service for technical users who manage backups from the command line. Where it falls short: no graphical user interface.
Switching from Tarsnap? For most cloud storage services buyers the best Tarsnap alternative is Microsoft OneDrive, built for microsoft 365 users and low-cost storage. On a budget, Google Drive starts at $1.99/mo. Zoho WorkDrive offers the most storage limit (1000 GB).
Why People Look for a Tarsnap Alternative
- No graphical user interface
- Windows support requires Cygwin or Windows Subsystem for Linux
- No mobile backup and limited platform coverage
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMicrosoft OneDrive9.2
Microsoft 365 users and low-cost storage
Visit Microsoft OneDrive - Lowest priceGoogle Drive8.9
Paid plans from $1.99/mo
Visit Google Drive - Best free optionMicrosoft OneDrive9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Microsoft OneDrive - Most storage limitZoho WorkDrive8.6
1000 GB
Visit Zoho WorkDrive
All 15 Tarsnap Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forMicrosoft 365 users and low-cost storage
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 3.8
A flexible, low-cost cloud storage service with deep Microsoft 365 integration.
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
9.2/10★★★★★Visit OneDrive -
Best forBusinesses needing storage plus workflow controls
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 3.8
A broad cloud storage platform for businesses that need content controls and workflow tools.
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Box -
Best forDevelopers needing scalable cloud object storage
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 3.8
Scalable bucket storage with lifecycle controls, replication, and broad developer access.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forTeams wanting a broad general-purpose drive
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 3.8
A broad team drive with strong collaboration, recovery, and Workspace integration.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Google Drive -
Best forDevelopers and applications needing object storage
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 3.8
A deep object-storage service for applications, analytics, backups, and archives.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Amazon S3 -
Best forSelf-hosted teams needing mature administration
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 3.8
A flexible cloud storage platform for teams that need control over data and administration.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ownCloud -
Best forOpen-source teams with self-hosting needs
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 3.8
A flexible open-source choice for teams that want control over storage and data.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Nextcloud -
Best forBudget-conscious teams needing broad collaboration
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 3.8
A broad collaboration suite with low annual pricing and strong administration.
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho WorkDrive -
Best forTeams prioritizing zero-knowledge security
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 3.8
A privacy-focused cloud storage service with strong sharing and business controls.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Business admin controls
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Tresorit -
Best forPrivacy users already using Proton tools
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 3.8
A privacy-focused Drive alternative with strong encryption and a Proton-centered ecosystem.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Proton Drive -
Best forLarge organizations needing governance and AI
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 3.8
Business cloud storage with governance, hybrid sync, and AI across paid plans.
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Egnyte -
Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting large free storage
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 3.8
A privacy-focused storage service with generous capacity and a focused ecosystem.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- File versioning
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit MEGA -
Best forPersonal users wanting media-friendly storage
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 3.8
A media-friendly cloud storage service with backup, recovery, sharing, and six-platform access.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit pCloud -
Best forBudget-conscious users wanting large paid storage
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 3.8
A low-cost 1 TB option with sync, sharing, and mobile photo uploads.
- Business admin controls
- File versioning
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Yandex Disk -
Best forApple device users needing file sync
- Better than Tarsnap:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 3.8
A strong Apple-first sync option with shared folders, recovery, and flexible storage tiers.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit iCloud Drive
Tarsnap Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Tarsnap?
Microsoft OneDrive: #1 in our Cloud Storage Services ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A flexible, low-cost cloud storage service with deep Microsoft 365 integration.
Is there a free alternative to Tarsnap?
Yes. Microsoft OneDrive, Box, Google Cloud Storage, Google Drive and ownCloud have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Tarsnap?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Google Drive starts lowest, at $1.99/mo.
Why do people look for Tarsnap alternatives?
No graphical user interface; Windows support requires Cygwin or Windows Subsystem for Linux; No mobile backup and limited platform coverage.
Which Tarsnap alternative has the most storage limit?
Zoho WorkDrive, with 1000 GB.
How do I switch from Tarsnap?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Tarsnap server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Tarsnap.
How to Switch from Tarsnap
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Tarsnap server.
- Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
- Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
- Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Tarsnap.
Tarsnap vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Storage limit | File versioning | Zero-knowledge encryption | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | Tarsnap | $0.25/GB/mo | 3.8 | ||||
| 1 | Microsoft OneDrive | Yes | 100 GB | Yes | 9.2 | ||
| 2 | Box | Yes | 100 GB | Yes | 9.1 | ||
| 3 | Google Cloud Storage | Yes | 9.0 | ||||
| 4 | Google Drive | Yes | $1.99/mo | 15 GB | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 5 | Amazon S3 | No | 8.9 | ||||
| 6 | ownCloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 7 | Nextcloud Files | Yes | €53.17/user/yr | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 8 | Zoho WorkDrive | Yes | $2.50/user/mo | 1000 GB | Yes | No | 8.6 |
| 9 | Tresorit | Yes | 3 GB | No | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 10 | Proton Drive | Yes | 5 GB | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 11 | Egnyte | No | $22/user/mo | Yes | No | 8.3 | |
| 12 | MEGA | Yes | 20 GB | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 13 | pCloud | Yes | $59.88/yr | 10 GB | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 14 | Yandex Disk | Yes | 5 GB | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 15 | iCloud Drive | Yes | 50 GB | Yes | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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