Arq review

Arq suits people who want to decide exactly where their backups live. The Arq 7 app for Mac or Windows sends encrypted, versioned backups to cloud storage you already have, an SFTP server, an external drive or a NAS, and it can back up to several of those at once. It uses compression, de-duplication and block-level incremental backup, so later runs move only changed data, and it keeps backups of USB drives even if you never reconnect them. Point-in-time recovery helps after ransomware, and you restore straight from the app. Schedules can run hourly or daily, skip specific Wi-Fi networks or battery power, and cap bandwidth. Arq 7 costs $59.99 per computer one time with a year of updates, and Arq Premium is $69.99 a year for 5 computers plus 1 TB of storage. The downsides are more setup than a consumer service and a separate storage bill with Arq 7.

Who it is for

Technically minded users who want control over where encrypted backups are stored.

Price

Arq 7 $59.99 per computer one time, with a year of updates; Arq Premium $69.99 per year for 5 computers and 1 TB of storage.

Arq 7 $ 59.99 per computer
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Back up to your own cloud storage, an SFTP server, an external drive or a NAS, or several at once
• Compression, de-duplication and block-level incremental backup
• Versioned backups with point-in-time recovery for ransomware
• Schedule hourly or daily and skip backups on battery or chosen Wi-Fi networks
• Open, documented backup format with an open-source restore tool

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Pay once for the app and keep it
• Strength: Backs up to several destinations at the same time
• Strength: Arq Premium covers 5 computers with 1 TB included
• Weakness: Arq 7 needs storage you set up and pay for separately
• Weakness: More settings than a set-and-forget service
• Weakness: Updates after the first year cost $25 per year per computer

Key facts

• Arq 7: $59.99 per computer, one time
• Arq Premium: $69.99 per year, 5 computers, 1 TB
• Platforms: Mac and Windows
• Free trial: 30 days
• Updates: 1 year included, then $25 per year per computer

Where it ranks

Arq is No. 6 in our Best Computer Backup Software verdict.