macup vs Arq Backup
Arq is the closest spiritual kin to macup — a power-user tool with encrypted, multi-destination backups and strong opinions about who owns the keys. Arq leads on platform breadth, maturity, and a one-time-purchase option. macup leads on Mac-native UX, managed cloud as a first-class option, ransomware-resistant defaults, and a multi-tenant console for teams and MSPs.
Where Arq Backup wins
- You need Windows support alongside Mac.
- You prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription for the client itself.
- You already operate your own storage and just want a client that talks to it.
- You want a tool with a long track record of unchanged fundamentals.
Where macup wins
- You want managed cloud storage as a first-class option, not just BYOS.
- You want ransomware-resistant snapshots on by default, not as a configuration choice.
- You manage more than one Mac, a team, or client Macs and need a multi-tenant admin console.
- You want a Mac-native menubar experience with a web dashboard rather than a settings-heavy window.
- You want verifiable recovery — passphrase plus one-time code — rather than a single-key model.
macup and Arq Backup, point by point.
Checked against publicly documented features as of the last review date. If we got something wrong, email us.
| Feature | macup | Arq Backup |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ransomware-resistant | ✓ | Partial · Supported on destinations that offer immutability; not enforced by default. |
| Deduplication | ✓ | ✓ |
| Continuous (file-system events) | ✓ | Partial · Scheduled intervals as short as every ten minutes. |
| External drive support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud destination included | ✓ | — |
| BYOS (S3-compatible) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Granular restore UX | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-device / multi-Mac | ✓ | Partial · Each machine configured independently; no aggregated dashboard. |
| Team / admin dashboard | ✓ | — |
| MSP multi-tenant console | ✓ | — |
| macOS-native design | ✓ | Partial · Mac app is functional and familiar; cross-platform parity takes precedence over Mac-specific polish. |
| Recovery passphrase + code | ✓ | Partial · Encryption password is the single recovery factor. |
| Supports multiple destinations | ✓ | ✓ |
The migration, one step at a time.
Run both tools in parallel until you trust macup. Here's the sensible sequence.
Keep your existing Arq backups running during the switch
Don't disable Arq yet. A switch is a moment when you have two systems and no gap; that's the goal. Leave Arq's schedule in place while macup builds its own history.
Install macup and pick your destination model
If you've been using Arq with your own S3-compatible storage, macup BYOS points at the same kind of bucket. If you'd rather stop operating storage, macup Cloud is a managed, end-to-end encrypted destination — no egress fees, compliance-mode immutability included.
Recreate your backup sets
Bring across the same sources you had in Arq. macup's per-app presets handle Final Cut, Logic, Lightroom, and others so you don't have to re-derive exclude lists for caches and proxies.
Run a restore test from macup before trusting it
Pick a non-critical folder, delete a file locally, and restore it from macup. Do this in the first week, not the first month. Restore-test early, restore-test often.
Decide how long to keep Arq running in parallel
Most switchers run both for 30 to 60 days. Once macup has enough snapshot history for your restore needs, you can retire Arq or keep it as a third copy to BYOS — both are reasonable.
Store your macup recovery material
macup issues a recovery passphrase and a one-time recovery code. The code lets us verify you without ever seeing your data. Keep both — password manager plus a second, offline copy.
See macup and Arq Backup side by side — on your own data.
14-day trial. No card. Decide at the end.