SimpleBackups costs $25/mo.
These cost $0.
2 free alternatives to SimpleBackups, 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 SimpleBackups 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 SimpleBackups's $25/mo subscription.
The catch: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
SimpleBackups 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 | SimpleBackups vs Plakar → |
| Pluton | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 874 | SimpleBackups 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 SimpleBackupsCommunity-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 SimpleBackupsRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed SimpleBackups.
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
SimpleBackups Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 2 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · SimpleBackups open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to SimpleBackups?+
The top free alternative to SimpleBackups 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 SimpleBackups replacements include Pluton.
Can I self-host a free replacement for SimpleBackups?+
Yes. Of the 2 free alternatives to SimpleBackups, 1 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Pluton (Open Source).
How much does switching from SimpleBackups to a free alternative save?+
SimpleBackups 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 SimpleBackups clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for SimpleBackups is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for SimpleBackups or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Plakar.
What is the catch when switching from SimpleBackups to Plakar?+
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
