Arq
Online backup software
PC backup software
Backup software
Data recovery software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$5.99 per month
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
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What is Arq
Arq is a backup application for macOS and Windows that creates encrypted backups of PCs to user-controlled storage destinations. It targets individuals and small teams that want file- and system-level backup without relying on a single vendor’s cloud, supporting common object storage services and local/NAS targets. The product runs scheduled backups, retains historical versions, and supports restore workflows from local or cloud repositories. It is typically deployed as a per-computer client rather than as a centralized enterprise backup platform.
Bring-your-own storage targets
Arq backs up to multiple destination types, including local disks, network shares/NAS, and major cloud object storage providers. This lets organizations align backup storage with existing cloud accounts, regional requirements, or cost models. It also reduces dependency on a single bundled backup cloud service compared with many consumer-focused offerings.
Client-side encryption by default
Arq supports encrypting backup data before it leaves the device, which helps protect data stored in third-party clouds or on shared storage. Encryption is controlled by the user’s passphrase/keys rather than a provider-managed key model. This is useful for privacy-sensitive backups where the storage provider should not be able to read content.
Versioned backups and restores
Arq maintains historical versions and supports point-in-time restores, which helps recover from accidental deletion or ransomware-style changes. Restore operations can be performed from the backup repository without needing a separate recovery service. The approach fits common endpoint backup and data recovery use cases for laptops and desktops.
Limited centralized administration
Arq is primarily an endpoint client and does not provide the same level of centralized policy management, reporting, and role-based administration as enterprise backup suites. Managing many endpoints can require manual setup and monitoring per device. This can be a constraint for IT teams that need fleet-wide governance and audit-ready reporting.
Depends on storage configuration
Because Arq uses user-provided storage, backup reliability and cost depend on how the destination is configured (credentials, lifecycle rules, retention, and access controls). Misconfiguration of object storage permissions or retention policies can affect recoverability. Organizations may need additional operational discipline compared with fully managed backup services.
Not a full DR platform
Arq focuses on backup and restore rather than orchestrated disaster recovery for servers and complex applications. It does not typically provide features such as automated failover, application-consistent snapshots across multi-tier systems, or broad virtualization platform integration. For larger environments, it may need to be complemented by other infrastructure-level continuity tools.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arq 7 (one-time) | $49.99 per computer (one-time purchase; includes 12 months of updates) | App-only (no cloud storage included) — use your own cloud (S3/B2/Google Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive/Wasabi/etc.), NAS or external drives; Mac & Windows; 12 months of updates included; world-class support. Source: arqbackup.com/pricing and cloud.arqbackup.com/purchase. |
| Arq Premium (subscription — purchase flow) | $5.99/month or $59.99/year (includes 1 TB) — covers up to 5 computers | Includes Arq 7 app for up to 5 computers + 1 TB managed cloud storage, web access to backups; additional GB billed at $0.00599/GB/month (~$5.99 per TB/month); auto-renews; 90-day money-back guarantee. Source: cloud.arqbackup.com/purchase/arqpremium. |
| Arq Cloud Backup (product page) | $5.99/month or $59.99/year (1 TB included) | Official product page (Arq Cloud Backup) states "Unlimited computers" and 1 TB included; additional TBs $5.99/month each. NOTE: the purchase page for the subscription states the subscription is for up to 5 computers, which conflicts with the product page. Sources: arqbackup.com/arqcloudbackup and cloud.arqbackup.com/purchase/arqpremium. |
Additional notes:
- Free trial: Arq site advertises a 30-day free trial and provides a "Download Free Trial" link on pricing and product pages.
- Storage overage: official pricing pages state additional storage billed at $0.00599/GB/month (equivalent to $5.99/TB/month).
Seller details
Arq Backup LLC
San Francisco, California, United States
2009
Private
https://www.arqbackup.com/
https://x.com/arqbackup
