UrBackup: A Straightforward Backup System That Just Works
General Overview
UrBackup is the kind of tool you throw into a mixed setup when you don’t want to spend weeks configuring policies — but still need backups that actually work. It’s simple where it matters, supports both file and image-level backup, and doesn’t lock you into any commercial ecosystem. The server handles scheduling, storage, and restores, while the clients quietly do their job in the background — Windows or Linux, doesn’t really matter.
There’s a web interface, sure, but it’s the engine behind it that keeps people using it: incremental backups with deduplication, live snapshots for full system recovery, and no nonsense with licensing. Whether it’s a handful of desktops or a small fleet of dev machines, UrBackup often ends up being the one that stays deployed just because it keeps delivering.
Capabilities and Features
| Feature | What It Offers |
| File-Based Backups | Works in real-time or on schedule; minimal load thanks to smart diffing |
| Full Disk Imaging | Live snapshots with VSS (Windows) or LVM/Btrfs (Linux); bare-metal restore ready |
| Cross-Platform Clients | Runs on Windows, Linux; unofficial builds for macOS exist too |
| Central Web UI | Clean overview of jobs, restore points, logs; nothing flashy, but clear |
| Change Detection | Uses hashes to skip unchanged files; saves space and time |
| Flexible Storage | Back up to local disks, NAS, or over WAN — no cloud tie-in required |
| Restore Granularity | Single files, full directories, or whole systems |
| Backup Verification | Integrity checks ensure what’s saved can actually be restored |
| Script Hooks | Pre/post-backup scripts let admins customize behavior |
| WAN Mode | Remote systems can back up securely via Internet — not just on local network |
Deployment Notes
– Server component runs well on Linux, but also available for Windows
– Clients support silent install, basic configuration pushed remotely
– Backup transport is over HTTP(S); port 55414 by default
– Image backups require snapshot support (VSS or LVM/Btrfs)
– Web interface is bundled — no need to set up Apache or Nginx
– Metadata stored in SQLite (default) or PostgreSQL (for larger installs)
– Remote backups via WAN mode use traffic throttling and compression
Usage Scenarios
– Office environments where desktops and laptops need silent, ongoing protection
– Image-based backup of engineering workstations — full restore when something breaks
– Remote staff with unstable Internet — WAN mode keeps backups flowing
– Dev machines with valuable local changes — backups every 30 minutes, no effort
– Basic offsite backup for non-profits or schools without budget for commercial tools
– Safe file recovery after accidental deletions or local corruption
Limitations
– No direct integration with cloud providers — use rclone or external sync
– UI doesn’t support access control or team management — single admin model
– Not built for large-scale orchestration — no policy layers or multi-tenancy
– Restore of image backups requires boot media; not live
– Mac client is unofficial and not always stable in production
Comparison Table
| Tool | Focus | How It Stacks Up |
| Macrium Reflect | Disk imaging | More polished UI, but no ongoing file backup |
| Veeam Agent | Enterprise endpoints | Stronger integrations, but more complex and license-bound |
| Bacula | Large-scale infrastructure | Far more flexible, but overkill for small deployments |
| Duplicati | Cloud-based file backups | Easier to set up for cloud sync, but no imaging |
| Acronis Cyber Protect | All-in-one commercial stack | Feature-rich, but heavy and not open-source |
