Arq
Backup app for macOS and Windows that sends encrypted backups to storage you choose.
Recommended for encrypted backups to storage you choose, such as Backblaze or a VPS,123 and often run alongside Time Machine as an offsite safety net.45 It suits Mac users who want control over where their backups live,678 though one commenter later moved to Vorta to use the same tool as on Linux.9
Why people recommend it
Storage choice · 3
Commenters like that they control where backups go, using Backblaze or their own VPS.
“Arq scratches the itch of having control over your backups and putting them where you want”
“This is why I use Arq with Backblaze. They just see a bunch of encrypted files”
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“I use Arq (highly recommended!) to maintain a remote encrypted backup on a VPS”
Encryption · 2
Backups are encrypted, so the storage provider only sees encrypted files with random names.
“This is why I use Arq with Backblaze. They just see a bunch of encrypted files”
“I use Arq (highly recommended!) to maintain a remote encrypted backup on a VPS”
Time Machine companion · 2
Used for daily cloud backups next to Time Machine, as a fallback if Time Machine storage fails.
“I use Arq for daily backups, but T.M. for hourly. When T.M. eventually craters its storage, I have robust dailies in the cloud”
“I use Arq (highly recommended!) to maintain a remote encrypted backup on a VPS”
Mac app quality · 2
Cited as an example of high-quality indie macOS software, and it handles iCloud files during backup.
“macOS has much better quality applications, from small indie stuff like Arq for backups to Affinity Suite, PDF Expert, etc.”
“I have a Mac, so not just an iPhone, so I use Arq there”
Low cost · 1
One user reports a lifetime license and a Backblaze bill under $5 a month.
“Arq scratches the itch of having control over your backups and putting them where you want”
Caveats and dissent
Cross-platform setups · 1
One commenter switched to Vorta on Mac to match the tool they use on Linux.
“I used Arq then based on online recommendations”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Backblaze has stopped backing up your data 2 mentions
- The Mafia may be keeping fentanyl out of Italy 1 mention
- Backups Aren't Simple 1 mention
- Leaving Linux 1 mention
- How do I permanently disable Google Photos pop-up prompt to backup my photos? 1 mention
- TIL: Apple Broke Time Machine Again on Tahoe 1 mention
Data: arq.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 7
“I used Arq then based on online recommendations”
“I have a Mac, so not just an iPhone, so I use Arq there”
“macOS has much better quality applications, from small indie stuff like Arq for backups to Affinity Suite, PDF Expert, etc.”
“I use Arq (highly recommended!) to maintain a remote encrypted backup on a VPS”
“Arq scratches the itch of having control over your backups and putting them where you want”
“This is why I use Arq with Backblaze. They just see a bunch of encrypted files”
“I use Arq for daily backups, but T.M. for hourly. When T.M. eventually craters its storage, I have robust dailies in the cloud”