Comparison

Borg Backup Explorer vs BBS Manager

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Borg Backup Explorer

Features
Read full description

Borg Backup Explorer brings the power of Borg Backup (https://www.borgbackup.org) to your mobile device, enabling you to access your backups effortlessly. With this app, you can explore archives, browse folders, and download specific files directly from your Borg Backup repository. Once downloaded, files can be seamlessly shared or processed using your device's native functionality. Key Features: - Secure Repository Access: Connect to your Borg repository via SSH using a private key and repository password. - Multi-Repository Support: Easily manage multiple Borg repositories in one place. - Fast Browsing: Enjoy quick navigation through archives and files, even in large repositories. - File Downloads: Select and download specific files from your backups as needed. - File Management: Process downloaded files, share them effortlessly, or clear cached downloads to save space. Experience a smooth, efficient way to access your Borg Backup repositories on the go! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.insoso.at/borg-backup-explorer.html

About

BBS Manager

Features
Read full description

BBS Manager is an optional companion iOS application to your open-source Borg Backup Server. BBS Manager requires a paid monthly subscription in order to use the app with a 7-day free trial to test it out. BBS Manager does not provide any tunnel service to your Borg Backup Server installation – you'll need to provide the connectivity to access your server if it's behind your company firewall. KNOW BEFORE IT MATTERS Most backup failures are discovered weeks later, when you need the backup. BBS Manager gives you real-time status, errors, and even tells when a client goes offline for too long based on its client profile. Every alert is a per-device toggle, so your phone and your iPad can care about different things: • Backup failed, or completed with warnings • Backup completed — off by default, for those who like seeing "it ran" • Client offline, with how long it has been quiet • Scheduled backup missed because the client was offline • Storage running low • SSL certificate not renewing WATCH IT LIVE The dashboard shows your whole installation at a glance: clients online, jobs running with live progress, storage capacity, server health. Open a client for its plans, schedules, repositories and full backup history — including which runs finished with warnings, not just which failed. RUN IT FROM ANYWHERE • Trigger a backup now, edit, pause or resume a schedule • Manage local disks and remote SSH targets like Hetzner Storage Box, BorgBase and rsync.net • View, monitor, edit storage repos and perform maintenance tasks • Replace a client's API key instantly if one leaks • Organize machines with client profiles: laptops, servers, registers, each with its own schedule, retention and failure rules • Get notices about your SSL certificate that your agents depend on, and renew it with a tap if it's out-of-date • Even upgrade the server itself — it waits for running jobs, enters maintenance mode, upgrades and comes back on its own, with a single click YOUR SERVER, YOUR DATA BBS Manager talks directly to your server over your own TLS. Backup contents never pass through anyone else's cloud, and there is nothing to subscribe to on the server side — Borg Backup Server is an MIT-Licensed open-source orchestrator built on BorgBackup's proven deduplicating, encrypted backup engine created by Thomas Waldmann. For more info about Borg Backup Server, visit: https://borgbackupserver.com/ REQUIREMENTS Requires your own Borg Backup Server installation (v2.93 or later) — free download at borgbackupserver.com (MIT-Licensed). Spin it up on a Docker Container (or Bare Metal/VM) in just minutes and start backing up your data from Linux, Mac and Windows clients. Push notifications require the server's push service to be enabled. The BBS Manager app must be able to access your installation of Borg Backup Server over the internet or on your local LAN depending on how you have it configured. BBS Manager requires a monthly subscription in order to support the infrastructure and development of the app including the push notification service and the API integrations. BBS Manager is not open-source. Terms of Use: https://borgbackupserver.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://borgbackupserver.com/privacy

Screenshots

Borg Backup Explorer4 screens
BBS Manager4 screens

Verdict

The call

Borg Backup Explorer and BBS Manager are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Borg Backup Explorer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and BBS Manager sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Borg Backup Explorer versus BBS Manager: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBorg Backup ExplorerBBS Manager
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 11 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.216.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB65 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developerinsoso GmbHMarc Pope

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Borg Backup Explorer

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Account$3.991 Month
  • Pro Account$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Account$3.99
1 purchases

BBS Manager

Subscriptions1
  • BBS Admin$3.991 Month

Questions

Is Borg Backup Explorer free?
Borg Backup Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BBS Manager free?
BBS Manager is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Borg Backup Explorer or BBS Manager have ads?
Neither Borg Backup Explorer nor BBS Manager shows ads.

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