Comparison

Azivault vs Duplicati

Duplicati is a flexible open-source backup system with a web UI, command-line tools, and many storage destinations. Azivault is a native Mac backup app focused on encrypted repositories, Finder restore browsing, S3-compatible storage, and recovery without app-operated cloud services.

Last reviewed: June 21, 2026

Native Mac backup app or browser-based backup?

Duplicati is stronger when open-source, cross-platform, service-style backup and broad destination support are priorities. Azivault is for a native Mac workflow with Finder restore and a simpler storage model.

Can I restore from cloud backup files?

Duplicati can restore from backup files when the destination details and passphrase are available. Azivault's equivalent path is a portable encrypted repository that can be browsed in Finder or recovered with azi.

Product scope

Duplicati is an open-source backup client with a web-based management UI, command-line tools, and many destination backends. Its own documentation describes file destinations, S3-compatible storage, FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, OpenStack, Rclone, and provider-specific destinations such as Backblaze B2, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, and Google Cloud Storage.

Azivault is intentionally narrower. It creates encrypted backup repositories for selected Mac folders and stores them on folder destinations or S3-compatible object storage. It is not trying to be a cross-platform backup server or a browser-based backup console.

Native app vs browser UI

Duplicati's web UI is a real strength when the same tool needs to run on several operating systems, a NAS, Docker, or a headless machine. It can also be easier to manage remotely than a normal desktop app.

Azivault makes the opposite product bet. The app is native to macOS and leans on system features such as SwiftUI, Keychain, security-scoped bookmarks, a bundled scheduler helper, and File Provider integration. It only runs on the Mac, but it behaves like a Mac app rather than a local website.

Destination breadth

Duplicati is much broader on storage. Its destination documentation lists standards-based, provider-specific, file synchronization, and decentralized providers. That breadth is useful when the destination is already chosen and the backup tool needs to adapt.

Azivault supports a smaller destination set: folders and S3-compatible object storage. That is a limitation if you need WebDAV, SFTP, or a provider-specific OAuth workflow. It is also what keeps the product easier to explain: local, external, network, or S3-compatible storage that you control.

Repository and local database model

Duplicati's documentation says restore browsing is fastest when the configured backup and local database are available. If the database is missing, Duplicati can fetch enough information from remote storage to build partial restore state, but that is not the normal fast path.

Azivault's repository model is designed around a documented layout, encrypted catalog data, completed runs, and app-independent CLI recovery. For S3-compatible storage, Azivault mirrors the repository objects and can hydrate them back into a local repository for verification, search, restore, and export.

Encryption and recovery material

Duplicati can encrypt backup data and restore directly from backup files when the destination details and encryption passphrase are available. That is a strong recovery story for users who keep their configuration and passphrase safe.

Azivault makes encryption mandatory for supported repositories. File contents are encrypted, file and directory names are encrypted in repository metadata, and recovery can use Keychain-held material or the recovery password saved when the repository was created.

Restore experience

Duplicati restore is centered on Duplicati: choose a backup, provide destination details if needed, supply the passphrase, choose files in the UI, and restore to the desired location. Its documentation also notes direct restore from backup files for another machine, though it is not recommended for regular operations because more data must be downloaded and processed.

Azivault's day-to-day restore path is Finder. Completed backup runs are projected through a read-only File Provider domain, and missing S3-compatible blobs can be fetched by the app-owned restore service when the repository is unlocked. For disaster recovery or app-independent restore, azi can verify, search, restore, export, and hydrate repositories.

Frequently asked questions

Is Azivault a Duplicati replacement?

Not for every Duplicati user. Duplicati is broader and cross-platform. Azivault is a better fit when the main job is native encrypted backup for selected Mac folders.

Can Azivault use all the same storage providers as Duplicati?

No. Azivault supports folder destinations and S3-compatible object storage. Duplicati supports many more destination categories.

Can Duplicati restore without the original computer?

Yes, Duplicati documents direct restore from backup files when you have destination access and the encryption passphrase. It notes that this is useful on another machine, but not recommended for regular operations because more data must be downloaded and processed.

Which is better for a non-technical Mac user?

Azivault is usually easier to explain: choose folders, choose storage, keep recovery material, and restore through Finder. Duplicati is more flexible but has more concepts to configure.