To recover from some unexpected situations like human errors, Disk failure or RAID, Corruption of file systems we need a good backup plan. The following Top 15 Free Open Source Backup Software for Ubuntu/Linux which we are going to discuss is very much helpful to avoid these types of situations.
But before going our main discussion, let’s discuss some necessary things we need to know about backup software.
Open source software – we should use software which has the source code is available and may be free and have the authentication for modifying. It will help us to ensure that we can recover data in case vendor/project stopped working on software or refused to provide patches.
Cross-platform support –We need to make sure that backup software will work on all OS platforms on all desktop and server operating systems.
Data format – We need to check that if It has an open data format which ensures that we can recover data in case vendor or project stopped.
Auto-changers – Auto-changer is backup devices. They include a library, near-line storage also autoloader. Auto-changers allows us automatic loading task, mounting, and labeling backup media.
Backup media – Before starting we need to make sure about backup of our data in other external files.
Encryption DataStream –We need to make sure all client-to-server traffic is encrypted.
Database support – We need to make sure all backup software can backup database server such as MySQL or Oracle.
Free Open Source Backup Software for Linux
Here we are, coming with the Top 15 Free Open Source Backup Software for Ubuntu Linux. These 15 are the best and most popular Free Open Source Backup Software for Linux operating system.
1. Bacula
Bacula is an Open Source Backup Software. This enterprise level computer backup system can work in various networks. It is an automated task that need not require intervention from a systems administrator or computer operator. Bacula supports Linux, UNIX, and Windows backup clients. It also supports a wide range of professional backup devices and tape libraries. Administrators and operators can configure the system via a command line console, GUI or web interface. Its back-end is a catalog of information which is stored in MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite.
Features:
- Backport code from BEE
- New Qt-Based Tray Monitor
- Maximum Concurrent Jobs for Devices
- Allow Compression and Accurate Backup
- Accurate File set Options
- Tab-completion for Console
- ACL Updates and Extended Attributes
- Virtual Backup and Duplicate Job Control
- TLS Authentication
2. Amanda
Another very interesting Open Source Backup Software for Linux is Amanda. It can work on GNU or Unix/Linux also Windows. It has native backup facilities and formats which can backup on Unix/Linux. We can use a single backup server too if we want to backup from several machines on a network.
Features:
- Broad platform protection
- Database and application protection
- Backup Fault Tolerance
- Flexible Media Options
- Rapid Installer
- Intelligent Scheduler
- Automated Data Retention and Disposition Policy
3. Rsync
Rsync is a command line Linux backup tool, but now it has a graphical user interface also. Linux users, especially System Administrators like it very much. Its graphical interface is called Grsync. Through command line, an automated backup can be done through the experienced System Administrators.
Features:
- Requires less memory to run
- Incremental backups
- Update whole directory tree and file system
- Both local and remote backups
- Preserve file permissions and ownership
4. Time Vault
Time Vault is an Open Source Backup Software for Linux. It’s equivalent to Time Machine from Apple. It creates incremental backup files that can be restored at a later date. It can take snapshots, and that can be stored in a directory at a certain point in time. These snapshots are very little spaced, so we need not entire backup files.
Features:
- Creates incremental backups
- Take a snapshot of entire storage as a backup
- Creates more versions backed up data available for restoration
- Nice looking graphical front end
- The installation process is pretty straightforward
5. Clonezilla
Symantec Ghost Corporate Edition launches the Open Source Backup Software Clonezillabased on DRBL. The primary mechanism of this software includes Image partition, partial clone, udpcast, etc. To bare metal backup and recovery udpcast. There are two types of Clonezilla are available. These are Clonezilla live and Clonezilla SE. For single machine backup and restore Clonezilla live is used and for a server, Clonezilla SE is used.
Features:
- Multi-file System Support
- BIOS or UEFI Machine Bootable
- Unattended Mode
- Customizable Imaging & Cloning
- Single Image Restore to Multiple Local Devices
- Image Encryption
- Whole Disk/Partition Save and Restore
- Multicast Support for Massive Cloning
6. Duplicity
Duplicity backups directories by producing encrypted tar-format volumes. It uploads them to a remote or local file server. Duplicity uses librsync which is incrementally archived. It only keeps recording the parts of files that have changed since the last backup. Duplicity uses GnuPG to encrypt and/or sign this archive.
Features:
- Easy to use
- Encrypted and signed archive
- Bandwidth and space efficient
- Standard file format
- Choice of remote protocol
7. FlyBack
Flyback is created based on Rsync. It creates incremental backups of files like the other Rsync based backup which can be restored at a later. A chronological view of a file system, which allows individual files or directories to be previewed or retrieved one at a time. They present a view of a standard file manager which enable additional controls to go forward and backward.
Features:
- Automatically run selective backups
- Selectively delete specific backups
- Ability to backup user-specified directories to any place includes external disk
- Scans the entire directory structure when performing a backup
- Schedule multiple backups are possible
- User control over backup location, inclusion and exclusion list
- Has a friendly graphical user interface
8. BackupNinja
Backupninja is a useful reinforcement backup tool for Linux. Backupninja enables clients to plan reinforcement action design documents. Those documents can be hung in /etc/backup.d/ Directory. Backupninja performs secure, remote and furthermore incremental reinforcements over a system.
Features:
- Easy to utilize reinforcement set maker called Ninja partner
- Works with Linux virtual servers
- Database reinforcement arrangement included
- Scheduled reinforcements
- Email alarms
Run the following command to install BackupNinja on Ubuntu Server:
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install backupninja duplicity rdiff-backup
9. Kbackup
Kbackup is a straightforward backup tool for Linux OS, which can also be used in UNIX. After creating archives and compressing them using tar, gzip utilities it takes backup. It’s very user-friendly and has a lot of menu items to operate. It also supports encryption and double buffering.
Features:
- compression, encryption and double buffering supported
- Supports full or incremental backups
- High reliability
- support for tape drives, floppies or removable media, remote backup across networks
- Document extensively
Run the following command to install Kbackup:
sudo apt-get install kbackup
10. BackupPC
BackupPC is a fully cross-platform software which can run on all OS. This software is designed for enterprise use. BackupPC supports full file compression and uses small disk space. BackupPC doesn’t need any client-side software to run. This can provide a very high-performance backup.
Features:
- Very flexible Flexibility during backup restoration
- No client-side software is needed
- Full set of restore options is supported
- Huge documentation is available
- Powerful web user interface
11. Fwbackups
Fwbackups is another Free Linux Open Source Backup Software that supports the cross-platform. Fwbackups has vibrant features and user satisfaction rate. One of the exciting things about Fwbackups is user can take part in the development of this software and only can use it as a tester. It has a very user-friendly interface which can be used as a secure backup.
Features:
- An excellent and simple interface
- Very much flexible in backup configuration
- Backup can be done remotely
- Entire file can be backed up
- Options for excluding files and directories
12. Simple Backup Suite
Gnome interface is used as a backup configuration where users can access all. Mostly used for the Gnome desktop. Regex can be used for specifying files and directories. Friendly and good looking interface is easily customizable.
Features:
- Multiple backup profiles
- Compressed and uncompressed backups
- Login and mail notification is available
- Two types of backup- schedule and manual
- local and remote backups
13. Back In Time
It is straightforward and simple to utilize the backup tool for Linux operating system and works by taking snapshots of determining indexes and sponsorship them up.
Features:
- Two types of backups Manual or automatic.
- Directories backup.
- Back in Time Backup
- Scheduled backup
14. Mondorescue
This is one of the best and free open source backup software. Mondorescue is very much reliable because it has an extensive collection of comprehensive-features. It can perform backups from personal computers, workstations or servers. Backup directories can be circle partitions, tapes, NFS, CD-[R|W], DVD-R[W], DVD+R[W], etc.
Features:
- Linux installation can be cloned
- Non RAID backup can be restored as RAID
- system running on one format and restore as another
- Verify the integrity
- can backup Linux/Windows systems, including the boot sectors
15. Box Backup Tool
Open source and utterly automatic backup software for Linux. Backup data can be stored on the server and can be restored very quickly. The user can choose optimized and documented if their files in a local server or can be backed up in live server.
Features:
- Online backups
- Automated backups
- Backups in files
- Behaves like tape
- Easy and cheap to run a server
Honorable Mention
# CloudBerry Backup
CloudBerry Backup is a free cross-platform cloud backup solution that provides decent backups of your computer or server. It has advanced backup customization features and supports Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, Fedora, CentOS as well as Windows and Mac OSs. This backup software is featured with command line console, GUI and web interface.
With CloudBerry Backup you can back up files and folders to your local drives or to cloud storage: it is compatible with more than 20 popular cloud storage services including Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Storage, BackBlaze B2, and more.
Features:
- Scheduled backup
- Incremental backup
- Retention policy
- Symlinks support
- Local backup and network locations backup
- Customizable email notifications
Final Thought
Backup of personal computers or servers is always essential to prevent permanent information misfortune. Therefore, becoming acquainted with different backup tools is very important, particularly for System Administrators who work with extensive measures of enterprise-level information and even on personal computers. It is always a conventional practice to keep on going down information on our computers; this should either be possible physically or configured to work consequently. Numerous backup tools have different features that allow users to set the sort of backup, time of backup, what to backup logging backup exercises and some more.