Backup · head to head
Duplicacy vs UrBackup
UrBackup
Backup
Open source client server backup doing both file and whole disk image backups of Windows machines
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Duplicacy web GUI pricing tier not specified on product page; UrBackup backups are stored on the server without encryption at rest by default, so the backup server holds a readable copy of every machine it protects and becomes the highest value target on the network.
- They diverge on capability: Duplicacy covers Lock-free deduplication, UrBackup covers Windows image backups.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Duplicacy and UrBackup actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Backup).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Duplicacy
- Lock-free deduplication
- Client-side encryption
- Multiple computers
- Erasure coding
- Variable-size chunking
- RSA encryption
- AWS S3
- Azure
Only in UrBackup
- Windows image backups
- File backups
- Web interface
- Client discovery
- Internet mode
- Filesystem deduplication
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Duplicacy
- Client-side encrypted cloud backupsnot UrBackup
- Lock-free deduplication for efficient backup storagenot UrBackup
- Multi-destination backup supportnot UrBackup
UrBackup
- A small office with Windows workstations that needs bare metal restore without per seat licensingnot Duplicacy
- Schools and labs where machines are re-imaged often and a known good image must be recoverablenot Duplicacy
- Backing up a mixed fleet to one server on premises with a web interface non specialists can usenot Duplicacy
- Replacing an expiring commercial endpoint backup licence where the budget is the constraintnot Duplicacy
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Duplicacy
- Web GUI pricing tier not specified on product page
UrBackup
- Backups are stored on the server without encryption at rest by default, so the backup server holds a readable copy of every machine it protects and becomes the highest value target on the network.
- Deduplication relies on filesystem features such as hard links, btrfs or ZFS, so a server built on the wrong filesystem silently consumes far more space and the fix is a rebuild rather than a setting.
- There is no native object storage target, so offsite copies mean replicating the server storage with another tool rather than backing up to a bucket directly.
- Restoring a full Windows image requires booting a restore environment, which is a manual, on site procedure that needs to be rehearsed before the day it is needed.
- A single server holds everything and there is no built in clustering, so its own failure removes every recovery point at once unless you have separately solved replication.
Pricing, plan by plan
Duplicacy
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Duplicacy review.
UrBackup
Free- UrBackupFree
- Full functionality, unlimited clients
- File and image backups
- Web administration interface
Which should you pick?
Choose Duplicacy if
- You need lock-free deduplication.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on macOS, Linux, Windows.
- You also want client-side encryption.
Choose UrBackup if
- You need windows image backups.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
- You also want file backups.
Questions people ask
- Is Duplicacy or UrBackup better?
- Neither clearly leads. Duplicacy starts at Free and UrBackup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Duplicacy or UrBackup?
- Duplicacy starts at Free and UrBackup at Free.
- Does Duplicacy or UrBackup run on more platforms?
- Duplicacy runs on macOS, Linux, Windows. UrBackup runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
- Can I use Duplicacy for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Duplicacy best used for?
- Duplicacy is most often used for client-side encrypted cloud backups, lock-free deduplication for efficient backup storage, multi-destination backup support. Of those, client-side encrypted cloud backups and lock-free deduplication for efficient backup storage are not what UrBackup is typically brought in for.
- What can Duplicacy do that UrBackup cannot?
- Duplicacy covers Lock-free deduplication, Client-side encryption, Multiple computers, Erasure coding. UrBackup covers Windows image backups, File backups, Web interface, Client discovery.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Duplicacy: What is the cost of the Duplicacy command line version for commercial use?
The commercial license for Duplicacy's command line version costs $50 per machine per year. The CLI version is free for individual users.
SourceUrBackup: Does it back up Linux servers as well?
File backups yes, image backups no. The image path is Windows only through volume shadow copy.
Duplicacy: Is pricing available for the Duplicacy Web GUI edition?
No pricing information is provided for the Web Edition (GUI) on the Duplicacy website. You would need to contact [email protected] for Web Edition pricing details.
SourceUrBackup: Is the data encrypted?
Transport can be encrypted, and there is optional client side file encryption, but the default server storage is not encrypted at rest. Use full disk encryption on the server.
Duplicacy: Are volume discounts available for IT service providers?
Yes, volume discounts are available for IT service providers and resellers. Contact [email protected] to discuss volume pricing options.
SourceUrBackup: Can I back up to Amazon S3?
Not directly. The server writes to local or mounted storage, so cloud copies are made by replicating that storage separately.
Duplicacy: What backup modes and features are included in the free version?
The free version includes file, disk, partition, and system backup with full, incremental, and differential backup modes. It also offers scheduled backups, encryption, and emergency disk creation.
SourceUrBackup: How many clients can one server handle?
Dozens is routine on decent hardware. The limit is usually storage input and output during overlapping backup windows rather than client count.
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