Vorta review: private backups with a desktop interface

Vorta is free open-source backup software that gives Linux and macOS users a desktop interface for BorgBackup.³ It suits people who want control over their backup destination without managing everyday backups through typed commands. With an encrypted Borg repository, files are encrypted on your computer before reaching remote storage.⁶

Last checked October 28, 2026.

At a glance

What it is: A desktop client for BorgBackup.¹

Works on: Linux and macOS desktops.³

Price: Free software; budget separately for a backup drive or optional hosting.³

Licence: GNU GPL version 3.¹

Best for: People willing to spend a little time setting up private, recoverable backups.

Official site: vorta.borgbase.com

What Vorta does and how it protects your privacy

Vorta organizes backups into repositories and archives: a repository holds the backup data, and an archive represents a saved point in time.⁴ Think of the repository as a filing cabinet and each archive as a dated record of your folders. Choose a date when you need an earlier copy, rather than hoping the current file is still correct.

Destinations include local drives, your own server and BorgBase hosting.¹ Start with a separate external drive if a server sounds daunting; consider an additional off-site copy for irreplaceable documents.

The current upstream release is Vorta 0.11.6, published September 7, 2026.² Flathub lists version 0.11.5, so its available package differs from the upstream release.³ Optional BorgBase storage includes 10 GB free, with its Small plan offering 250 GB for US$30 annually, excluding VAT.⁸

Key Vorta features

Encrypted backups: Borg supports encryption with AES, a standard method of scrambling data so it needs a key to read.⁶
Space-saving storage: Borg provides deduplication and compression; these reduce repeated data and shrink what is stored.³
Separate profiles: Group source folders, destinations and schedules into different backup jobs.¹
Automatic schedules: Choose an interval in the Schedule tab and apply it.⁴
Folder exclusions: Choose folders to include or leave out through the Sources tab.⁵
File recovery: Browse an archive or extract a folder when you need something back.⁴

Vorta pros and cons

Pros

You choose the drive, server or host that stores the backups.
A practical route into Borg for people who prefer buttons to terminal commands.
A good fit for separating important documents from less essential downloads.
Encourages a deliberate recovery routine: choose files, save them, then practise restoring them.

Cons

Windows takes extra work: the project does not present Windows as a normally supported Borg platform.¹
Scheduling needs the app: Vorta must be running for its own scheduled backups to happen.⁴
Some Linux folders are restricted: the Flatpak package cannot access locations such as /etc and /var.⁷
Recovery needs preparation: encrypted Borg backups require both the key and its passphrase.⁶

Is Vorta safe and private?

Vorta credits Manuel Riel and the Vorta contributors for its development.¹ Its public source makes inspection possible, but openness alone should not be treated as a guarantee of security. Keep both the desktop app and its backup engine updated.

For an encrypted repository, Borg says the remote machine receives neither your unencrypted files nor your unencrypted key or passphrase.⁶ Choose an encrypted mode when creating the repository.⁶ Treat backup encryption as protection for the saved copy, and keep protecting the computer where you open the original documents.

Keep a separate copy of the Borg key outside the repository and the computer being backed up, as Borg recommends.⁶ Store the passphrase somewhere you can reach after losing the computer. Before relying on the arrangement, write yourself a short recovery note naming the destination and explaining how to obtain the recovery material. Do not put the only recovery instructions inside the backup they unlock.

How to get started with Vorta

Get the official package. Linux users can install Vorta from Flathub or follow the project’s Linux installation instructions.⁷ On a Mac, start at the official site’s installation menu and follow its macOS instructions.
Choose somewhere separate to store backups. For a first attempt, use an external drive with enough free space. Give the backup folder a name you will recognize months later.
Create a repository. Open Add Repository, choose New Repository and select the destination folder.⁵ Enter a passphrase and store it somewhere safe.⁵
Choose a small starting set. Add folders under Sources and use Start Backup to create the first archive.⁵ Begin with a few documents so the first recovery exercise stays manageable.
Restore before expanding. Extract a sample into a separate folder and open it. Compare it with the original, including anything important such as photograph quality or document formatting.
Make it routine. Apply a schedule and enable startup at login in the Misc tab.⁴ Check the next scheduled time, then return after it passes to confirm a new backup exists. Choose conservatively when deciding how much history to retain.

Who should use Vorta and who might prefer something else?

Vorta is worth considering if you use a Linux or Mac desktop and want a backup routine you understand. It fits if you would rather choose the storage yourself. Allow time for setup and a recovery rehearsal; convenience matters most when you can actually retrieve the files.

If Vorta’s workflow does not suit you, compare Duplicati and Backrest before choosing. Read their platform and destination requirements against your own equipment. If your immediate question concerns encrypting working folders, consider the Academy’s gocryptfs guide alongside planning a separate backup routine.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vorta free?

Yes, the application is free.³ Consider storage costs separately, and start with a destination you can afford to maintain over time.

Does Vorta work on Windows or iPhone?

Vorta is aimed at macOS and Linux desktops.¹ Choose it for those computers; look for a solution designed for your device if you need an ordinary Windows or iPhone backup app.

Can Vorta restore just one file?

Yes, Vorta supports restoring individual files from saved archives.³ Practise this with a disposable document before trusting it with your only family photographs or financial records.

Will Vorta run backups after quitting the app?

Its integrated scheduler needs Vorta running.⁴ Make checking the latest successful archive part of your routine, especially after changing computers or your backup destination.