duplicato

Duplicato is an open‑source backup utility designed to provide reliable data protection for personal and small business users. The software is written in Python and leverages the BitTorrent protocol internally to transfer files efficiently between a local source and a remote destination, typically a cloud storage service or another machine. It supports incremental backups, meaning only changed data slices are transferred after the initial full backup, reducing bandwidth and storage requirements. Encrypting backups is a core feature, with support for AES‑256 encryption and the option to securely store the encryption key on a separate service or local key management system.

The project was first released in mid‑2018 by a community of developers and has since been maintained on GitHub. It works on Linux, macOS, and Windows through native installation or via Electron‑based wrappers. Duplicato’s configuration is declarative, using JSON/YAML files that describe backup profiles, paths, destination URLs, and various policy settings. The user interface is web‑based, typically accessible through a browser on localhost, and can be run in headless mode for automated scripts. Advanced users can extend functionality using plugins written in Python. The tool’s licensing is MIT, allowing free use in commercial and non‑commercial contexts. Duplicato is widely appreciated for its simplicity, robust encryption, and suitability for automated backup workflows.