Arq Review 2026: Pricing, Pros & Cons

Overview

Arq is a backup application for macOS and Windows that separates the software from the storage. Arq 7 is sold as a perpetual licence that the buyer keeps, and it backs up to storage the user configures: many cloud providers, an SFTP server, an external drive or a NAS, including several destinations at once^[15]. Data is protected with end-to-end encryption so that, in the vendor’s words, it is readable only by the owner^[15]. For users who do not want to manage storage, Arq Premium bundles the app for up to five computers with 1 TB of Arq-managed cloud storage and web access to backups^[15]^[16]. This model suits technically confident users who already pay for object storage, such as Backblaze B2, Wasabi or Amazon S3, or who want a local and an off-site copy from one tool. The trade-off is that storage charges, retention settings and the integrity of the target are the user’s responsibility when Premium is not used. Arq offers a 30-day free trial, and the vendor listed version 7.51 for both platforms, released on 5 November 2026^[15]. Updates after the first year cost US$25 per computer per year^[15].

Arq features

Back up to any of many cloud providers, SFTP, NAS or USB
Multiple destinations at once
End-to-end encryption
Premium plan with managed cloud storage
Web access to Premium backups

Arq pricing

Arq 7 licence: US$59.99 per computer, app only (one year of updates included; then US$25/year per computer). Arq Premium: US$69.99/year for 5 computers and 1 TB; additional storage US$0.00699/GB per month. 30-day free trial.