Comet Backup costs $25/mo.
These cost $0.
2 free alternatives to Comet Backup, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Comet Backup is Plakar (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 1 self-hostable tool is available (including Pluton). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $1,500/year compared to Comet Backup's $25/mo subscription.
The catch: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Comet Backup vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $25/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plakar | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.1k | Comet Backup vs Plakar → |
| Pluton | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 874 | Comet Backup vs Pluton → |
The picks
2 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Plakar
open sourceOpen SourceLocal2.1knov 2026Backup solution with CLI, API and UI interfaces. Clean defaults, easy deployment. Encrypted, queryable backups with deduplication and compression.
The catch vs Comet BackupCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/plakarkorp/plakar or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Pluton
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host874nov 2026Free, open-source backup solution with end-to-end encryption. Self-hosted control, supports 70+ cloud providers, automated incremental backups, and zero vendor lock-in.
The catch vs Comet BackupRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Comet Backup.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/plutonhq/pluton or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Comet Backup Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 2 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Comet Backup open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Comet Backup?+
The top free alternative to Comet Backup is Plakar (open source, Open Source). Backup solution with CLI, API and UI interfaces. Clean defaults, easy deployment. Encrypted, queryable backups with deduplication and compression. Other popular Comet Backup replacements include Pluton.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Comet Backup?+
Yes. Of the 2 free alternatives to Comet Backup, 1 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Pluton (Open Source).
How much does switching from Comet Backup to a free alternative save?+
Comet Backup starts at $25/month per seat ($300/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Plakar saves $1,500 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Comet Backup clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Comet Backup is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Comet Backup or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Plakar.
What is the catch when switching from Comet Backup to Plakar?+
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
