BackupPC vs Vorta
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted backup & recovery options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
BackupPC
High-performance backup system for PCs and servers
VS
Vorta
Desktop backup client built on BorgBackup
| Feature | BackupPC | Vorta |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 57 · Fair | 86 · Excellent |
| Category | Backup & Recovery | Backup & Recovery |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Perl | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, docker | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,626 | ★ 2,505 |
| First released | 2001 | 2018 |
| Replaces | CrashPlan, Time Machine | Time Machine, CrashPlan |
What are BackupPC and Vorta?
BackupPC
BackupPC is a high-performance system for backing up Linux, Windows, and macOS PCs to a server's disk. It uses pooling and compression to minimize disk usage, with a full web interface.
- File pooling deduplication
- Web management interface
- No client software required
Vorta
Vorta is a graphical desktop client for the BorgBackup deduplicating backup tool. It provides scheduling, profiles, and an easy way to manage encrypted, compressed backups.
- GUI for BorgBackup
- Scheduled backup profiles
- Encrypted and deduplicated archives
BackupPC vs Vorta: key differences
BackupPC is written in Perl, while Vorta is built with Python. Vorta is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for BackupPC. BackupPC is the more established project (first released 2001), while Vorta arrived in 2018. BackupPC lists first-class Docker deployment; Vorta does not.
Why pick each one
Choose BackupPC if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.6k GitHub stars)
- Written in Perl
Choose Vorta if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (2.5k GitHub stars)
- Written in Python
Frequently asked questions
Is BackupPC or Vorta better?
Vorta is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider BackupPC if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are BackupPC and Vorta free and open-source?
Yes. BackupPC is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Vorta under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run BackupPC and Vorta with Docker?
BackupPC: yes. Vorta: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, BackupPC or Vorta?
Vorta has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for BackupPC. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.