Arq Backup vs Duplicati (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Arq Backup if

• Fits if you already pay for cloud storage and want a one-time backup program
• Works for backing up to a NAS plus a cloud account at once

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want storage included, as Arq 7 is the app only and your provider bills extra
• Not for you if you use Linux, as the vendor lists Mac and Windows only
• Pricey if you keep updating, at $25 per computer for each year after the first
• Watch out: Arq Premium adds 1 TB for $69.99 a year, then $0.00699 per GB a month above that

Pick Duplicati if

• Fits if you want a free backup client and your own pick of storage
• Works for IT teams watching backups on many machines in one console

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you run more than 2 machines, because the free console stops at 2
• Not for you if you want alerts for missed backups or remote management, as those need Pro
• Skip it if you want storage included, since self-managed use brings your own
• Watch out: Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backup is $0.50 self-hosted or $1.50 managed per user a month, and Enterprise starts at 10 machines

Arq Backup

• No Linux, iOS or Android apps; the vendor lists Mac and Windows only.
• Arq 7 does not include storage, so cloud fees from your provider are extra.
• Updates are included for one year; after that, further years cost $25 per computer.
• Arq Premium storage above 1 TB is billed at $0.00699 per GB per month.

Duplicati

• The free console monitors only 2 machines; alerts and remote management need Pro.
• Enterprise starts at 10 machines on a yearly contract and is sold through sales.
• Storage is not included on the self-managed route; extra integrated storage is $0.60 per additional 100 GB per month, billed yearly.
• Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backup is priced separately: $0.50 per user / month self-hosted, $1.50 managed, both billed yearly.

Arq Backup

Your own destinations

Back up to a cloud account you already have, an SFTP server, a NAS or an external drive, or several of these at once.

Client-side encryption

The vendor says backups are encrypted so only the owner can read them, and stored in an open, documented format.

Versioned history

Keeps multiple versions of files so you can restore an earlier copy after corruption, deletion or ransomware.

Efficient backups

Uses compression, de-duplication and block-level incremental backup, with APFS snapshot support on Mac.

Schedule and limits

Run hourly or daily, skip certain Wi-Fi networks or battery power, cap bandwidth, and set exclusion rules.

Open-source restore tool

A separate open-source tool, arq_restore, lets advanced users read backed-up data directly.

Duplicati

Bring your own storage

Back up to S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud, Backblaze B2, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, SFTP, WebDAV or local disks.

Encryption before upload

Data is encrypted on the device before it leaves, and the vendor says only the customer holds the keys.

Changed-block uploads

Only changed blocks are sent, which cuts bandwidth use, and retention rules decide how long old versions are kept.

Central console

A web console shows backup status across machines; paid plans add missed-backup alerts and remote management.

Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backup

Mailboxes, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Gmail and Drive can be backed up, self-hosted or as a managed service.

Arq Backup

• Arq 7$59.99

  per computer, one-time

  App only; you supply the storage. Includes one year of updates, then $25 per computer per year if you want more.

• Arq Premium$69.99

  per year

  Arq 7 on up to 5 computers plus 1 TB of vendor-managed storage and web access to backups.

Duplicati

• Free$0

  Insights dashboard, monitoring for up to 2 machines and the last 200 backups.

• Pro$2

  per machine / month, billed annually ($2.50 billed monthly)

  Up to 100 machines. Adds missed-backup alerts, AI backup analysis, remote management and 100 GB of storage per machine.

• Enterprise$3

  per machine / month, from, 10 machines minimum

  For MSPs and large companies; yearly contract sold through sales. Adds organization management, SSO with MFA and agent-based deployment.

Arq Backup

No public discounts listed.

Duplicati

• Annual discount

  Pro costs less when billed annually

  The pricing page shows Pro at $2 per machine per month with annual billing selected, against $2.50 as the other displayed figure.