The Top 5 System Backup Tools for Linux Desktops
Author: Suparna Ganguly (Feature Writer)
Performing system backup is crucial when it comes to managing important files on a regular basis.
Backup lets you recover data that was deleted due to file system corruption, human errors, data center destruction, RAID or disk failure, or other reasons.
There are numerous system backup tools for Linux desktops.
Which is the best backup software that offers professional-grade support?
In this post, I’m going to share the best 5 system backup tools for Linux desktops.
These software solutions keep a copy of sensitive data in a safer place and thus save you from major problems.
TimeShift is an incredibly powerful system backup tool for Linux users.
This software protects your desktop by taking snapshots of the files at a regular interval.
TimeShift aims to save your time by creating easier backups.
The idea is much like Apple's Time Machine.
TimeShift has made restoring everything quickly or in a “make it easy” way.
Key Features of TimeShift
- Backup snapshots are taken in Rsync mode or in built-in snapshot features.
- Backups are saved to external devices.
- Allows multi-levels of backup snapshots, such as weekly, hourly, etc.
- Per-user backups are supported
- TimeShift’s robust filtering includes or excludes users based on custom patterns
Amanda is another awesome open-source software to take system backup on Linux desktops.
This backup tool was originally created at the University of Maryland.
However, presently, it’s registered with amanda.org and Sourceforge.
Amanda allows IT System Administrators to create a single master backup server.
The master backup can backup multiple servers and workstations running on multiple versions of OSs.
Key Features of Amanda
- Backups can be performed from several desktops connected through a network
- Written in Perl and C programming language
- Apart from Linux, it’s available for Windows and UNIX.
- Supports native backup facilities
- Other features include flexible media options, encryption, tape management, intelligent scheduling, rapid installer, integration with Kerberos, auto data retention, and backup fault tolerance.
RSYNC is one of the most popular backup tools for Linux desktops.
This command-line backup software also has a graphical interface – GRSYNC.
For general users, the GRSYNC is a better option.
Another front-end tool that comes in handy with RSYNC is – luckyBackup.
RSYNC’s command-line version is mainly for the experts and is quite versatile.
Key Features of RSYNC
- Allows remote as well as local data collection.
- Can update whole file system and directory trees
- Uses direct, rsh, or ssh sockets as the transport
- Offers a customized bandwidth limit
- Supports anonymous rsync for the mirroring purpose
Bacula is an open-source Enterprise-ready system backup tool for Linux desktops.
Bacula is widely used as a recovery solution among its users.
Besides Linux, other cross platforms supported by Bacula are Mac OS X and Windows.
Bacula is quite efficient and easy to use.
Key Features of Bacula
- SD-SD replication
- Offers an advanced storage management solution
- Bacula enables a faster file recovery
- Enterprise binaries for uninvention
- In Director status report, periodic status on current jobs
- Bacula’s basic version offers basic backup features
- Its advanced version offers features including cloud backup, backup for VMs, and Metal backup.
Are you a newbie system administrator?
Then FWBACKUPS is a must-try.
It has a rich and self-explanatory user interface.
FWBACKUPS is a free and open-source backup tool for backing up directories and files of your Linux computers.
This is one of the easiest system backup tools to perform backups remotely.
FWBACKUPS has a high user satisfaction rate.
Key Features of FWBACKUPS
- Cross-platform support
- Recovers data from one system, and then restores data to another system
- Offers a clean and organized backup process by removing expired data
- Backups run faster than other tools by only copying the changes
- Available on Mac OS X and Windows, besides Linux
- Offers scheduled backups to run backups periodically or at once
- Other features include: remote backup, excellent interface, entire file backup, and straightforward toolset
Final Thoughts: Which is the Best System Backup Tool for You?
So, which is the best backup tool to go with?
If you’re an expert-level IT Administrator, RSYNC would be great for you.
Because it offers a versatile data recovery solution.
Whereas, FWBACKUPS is widely recommended for all aspiring or beginner administrators.
All of the system backup tools are unique in their own ways.
And I hope this post meets your requirements of finding the best backup tool for your Linux computer.