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Backup · head to head

Kopia vs Spanning Backup

Kopia logo

Kopia

Backup

Open source deduplicating backup with client side encryption and a repository on almost any storage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spanning Backup logo

Spanning Backup

Backup

SaaS backup for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Kopia has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Kopia space is only reclaimed when maintenance runs, and in a shared repository full maintenance is owned by one client, so if that machine goes away the repository grows for ever while every backup still reports success.; Spanning Backup no pricing published; requires quote request
  • They diverge on capability: Kopia covers Content defined chunking, Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kopia and Spanning Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Kopia and Spanning Backup differ
AttributeKopiaSpanning Backup
Starting priceFree$4/month
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, DockerCloud SaaS
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: 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 Kopia

  • Content defined chunking
  • Global deduplication
  • Pack blobs
  • Client side encryption
  • Desktop and command line
  • Repository verification

Only in Spanning Backup

  • Automated daily backup
  • Point-in-time restore
  • Cross-user restore
  • eDiscovery
  • Unlimited storage
  • Admin delegation
  • Google Workspace
  • Microsoft 365

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Kopia

  • Backing up laptops and workstations to cheap object storage with a desktop interface rather than a cron jobnot Spanning Backup
  • Deduplicating backups of several similar machines into one repository so common content is stored oncenot Spanning Backup
  • Replacing a chunk based tool whose per object charges made a cheap bucket expensivenot Spanning Backup
  • Keeping an encrypted offsite copy where the storage provider must never be able to read the contentsnot Spanning Backup

Spanning Backup

  • SaaS backup and recoverynot Kopia
  • Microsoft 365 backupnot Kopia
  • Google Workspace backupnot Kopia
  • Salesforce backupnot Kopia

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Kopia

  • Space is only reclaimed when maintenance runs, and in a shared repository full maintenance is owned by one client, so if that machine goes away the repository grows for ever while every backup still reports success.
  • The repository format has changed across versions and mixing client versions against one repository is discouraged, so a fleet must be upgraded together rather than machine by machine.
  • There is no central orchestration or reporting for many machines, so monitoring a fleet means building your own alerting around exit codes.
  • Restoring many small files is slower than the backup was, because content must be reassembled from pack blobs, and this is rarely tested until the day it matters.
  • Encryption is client side with no escrow, so a lost repository password means the data is unrecoverable and there is no vendor to appeal to.

Spanning Backup

  • No pricing published; requires quote request
  • Pricing is customizable based on data volume and service changes

Pricing, plan by plan

Kopia

Free
  • KopiaFree
    • Full functionality, no data limit
    • Desktop application included
    • Any supported storage back end

Spanning Backup

$4/month
  • Spanning Backup$4/month
    • Daily backup
    • Point-in-time restore
    • Unlimited storage

Which should you pick?

Choose Kopia if

  • You need content defined chunking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker.
  • You also want global deduplication.
Kopia review

Choose Spanning Backup if

  • You need automated daily backup.
  • You work on Cloud SaaS.
  • You also want point-in-time restore.
Spanning Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Kopia or Spanning Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Kopia starts at Free and Spanning Backup at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kopia or Spanning Backup?
Kopia has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Kopia and $4/month for Spanning Backup.
Does Kopia or Spanning Backup run on more platforms?
Kopia runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker. Spanning Backup runs on Cloud SaaS.
Can I use Kopia for free?
Yes. Kopia has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Spanning Backup starts at $4/month.
What is Kopia best used for?
Kopia is most often used for backing up laptops and workstations to cheap object storage with a desktop interface rather than a cron job, deduplicating backups of several similar machines into one repository so common content is stored once, replacing a chunk based tool whose per object charges made a cheap bucket expensive, keeping an encrypted offsite copy where the storage provider must never be able to read the contents. Of those, backing up laptops and workstations to cheap object storage with a desktop interface rather than a cron job and deduplicating backups of several similar machines into one repository so common content is stored once are not what Spanning Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Kopia do that Spanning Backup cannot?
Kopia covers Content defined chunking, Global deduplication, Pack blobs, Client side encryption. Spanning Backup covers Automated daily backup, Point-in-time restore, Cross-user restore, eDiscovery.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kopia: Is a partly corrupt repository still restorable?

Partly. Deduplication means one damaged pack blob affects every snapshot referencing its contents, but unaffected files still restore. Run verification regularly rather than assuming.

Spanning Backup: How much does Spanning Backup cost?

Spanning Backup does not publish pricing online. The company offers FLEXspend, a feature that gives complete flexibility in adjusting backup spend based on data changes. Customers must request a quote through their pricing page.

Source
Kopia: How does it compare with restic?

Similar guarantees, with packing that behaves better on per operation billing, a desktop interface, and compression enabled by default.

Spanning Backup: Does Spanning Backup offer a free trial?

Yes, Spanning Backup offers a free trial. Customers can also book a call or request a demo to discuss their specific backup needs and receive a custom quote.

Source
Kopia: Do I need to run maintenance manually?

It is scheduled automatically by default, but you must ensure the client that owns full maintenance keeps running, otherwise deleted snapshots never free space.

Spanning Backup: What products does Spanning Backup cover?

Spanning Backup provides backup solutions for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce with customizable pricing based on organizational needs.

Source
Kopia: Can several machines share one repository?

Yes, and that is where deduplication pays off, but they should run compatible versions and only one owns full maintenance.

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