rdiff-backup vs Restic Browser
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted backup & recovery options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | rdiff-backup | Restic Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 65 · Good | 76 · Good |
| Category | Backup & Recovery | Backup & Recovery |
| License | GPL-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,267 | ★ 1,306 |
| First released | 2001 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Time Machine | Time Machine |
What are rdiff-backup and Restic Browser?
rdiff-backup
rdiff-backup backs up one directory to another, keeping the latest copy plus reverse diffs for older versions. It preserves permissions, ownership, and special files while working over SSH.
- Reverse-incremental storage
- Preserves file metadata
- Works over SSH
Restic Browser
Restic Browser is a cross-platform desktop application that lets you explore the contents of Restic backup repositories and restore individual files. It provides a graphical alternative to the CLI.
- Browse Restic snapshots visually
- Restore individual files
- Cross-platform desktop app
rdiff-backup vs Restic Browser: key differences
Rdiff-backup is written in Python, while Restic Browser is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for rdiff-backup versus MIT for Restic Browser. Rdiff-backup is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Restic Browser. Rdiff-backup is the more established project (first released 2001), while Restic Browser arrived in 2022.
Why pick each one
Choose rdiff-backup if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- Active community (1.3k GitHub stars)
- Written in Python
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Choose Restic Browser if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (1.3k GitHub stars)
- Written in TypeScript
Frequently asked questions
Is rdiff-backup or Restic Browser better?
Restic Browser is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider rdiff-backup if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are rdiff-backup and Restic Browser free and open-source?
Yes. rdiff-backup is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Restic Browser under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run rdiff-backup and Restic Browser with Docker?
rdiff-backup: check the project docs for container support. Restic Browser: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, rdiff-backup or Restic Browser?
rdiff-backup has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Restic Browser. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.