What is Arq used for?

Arq is backup software for Mac and Windows that saves end-to-end encrypted, versioned backups to cloud accounts or disks the user already controls. It is a good fit for backing up a Mac to your own cloud storage and recovering files after a ransomware attack.

How much does Arq cost?

Paid plans for Arq start at $59.99 per seat as a one-time payment, and there is no free plan. A free trial is available.

No. Arq is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Arq include Duplicati, restic and Kopia.

What are some alternatives to Arq?

Arq competes with Backblaze Computer Backup, Carbonite and CrashPlan. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Arq alternatives.

Arq: features, pricing and alternatives

About Arq

Arq is commercial backup software for macOS and Windows. Rather than running its own storage service, it backs up files to a cloud account the user already has, to an attached disk, or to both, and encrypts them end to end so that only the user can read them.

The vendor stresses user control, with no limits and no vendor lock-in. Arq uses filesystem snapshot technology to make point-in-time copies even while files are changing, and it keeps a backup history so a user can restore an earlier version of a file that was corrupted, accidentally deleted or encrypted by ransomware. It integrates with many cloud storage providers.

Arq is installed locally and licensed commercially, with a 30-day free trial and a pricing page.

Key features

End-to-end encrypted backups
Back up to your own cloud account or disk
Filesystem snapshots for point-in-time backups
Versioned backup history for restores
Works with many cloud storage providers
Apps for Mac and Windows

Good fit for

→Backing up a Mac to your own cloud storage
→Recovering files after a ransomware attack

Tags: backup; encryption; cloud-backup; macos; windows; snapshots; versioning

Arq: questions and answers

What is Arq used for?: Arq is backup software for Mac and Windows that saves end-to-end encrypted, versioned backups to cloud accounts or disks the user already controls. It is a good fit for backing up a Mac to your own cloud storage and recovering files after a ransomware attack.
How much does Arq cost?: Paid plans for Arq start at $59.99 per seat as a one-time payment, and there is no free plan. A free trial is available.
Is Arq open source?: No. Arq is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Arq include Duplicati, restic and Kopia.
What are some alternatives to Arq?: Arq competes with Backblaze Computer Backup, Carbonite and CrashPlan. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Arq alternatives.