Gitbackups vs Cloudback
Cloudback is a bootstrapped GitHub backup service with around 1,300 GitHub App installs. It offers daily automated backups of GitHub repositories and metadata. If you are considering Cloudback, here is how it stacks up against Gitbackups.
What Cloudback Does Well
Cloudback is a straightforward tool that gets the basics right for small teams.
- GitHub App integration — Cloudback installs as a GitHub App, which means a quick OAuth-based setup. You authorize it and select which repositories to back up.
- Metadata coverage — Beyond code, Cloudback backs up issues, pull requests, and other repository metadata. This gives you a more complete snapshot.
- Multi-platform — Cloudback also supports GitLab and Azure DevOps, giving teams with mixed tooling a single backup option.
- Simple pricing — At roughly $10/month per 10 repos, the pricing is easy to understand for small accounts.
Where Gitbackups Differs
You Control the Storage
This is the fundamental difference. Cloudback stores your backups in their AWS S3 account by default. Some plans allow you to bring your own storage, but it is not the default path.
With Gitbackups, every backup goes to your S3-compatible bucket — AWS S3, Backblaze B2, DigitalOcean Spaces, MinIO, or any other provider. Your data never sits in a vendor's account. If you stop using Gitbackups, your backups remain exactly where they are, fully under your control.
Pricing at Scale
Cloudback's per-repo pricing works fine for a handful of repositories. But if you have 50, 100, or 500 repos, the cost adds up quickly. Gitbackups offers flat, predictable pricing that does not penalize you for having more repositories.
Authentication Flexibility
Cloudback relies on GitHub App authorization. Gitbackups supports access tokens, SSH keys, and access keys — giving you more control over the permissions and scope of access.
Focus and Reliability
Cloudback is a small, bootstrapped operation. That is not inherently a problem — Gitbackups is focused too. But when you are trusting a service with your code backups, the question of long-term reliability matters. With Gitbackups, your backups live in your own storage, so you are never dependent on the vendor's continued operation.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gitbackups | Cloudback |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub support | Yes | Yes |
| GitLab support | Roadmap | Yes |
| Azure DevOps support | No | Yes |
| Bitbucket support | Roadmap | No |
| Automated scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Storage destination | Your S3-compatible bucket | Vendor-managed (AWS S3 in their account) |
| Bring Your Own Storage | Yes | Limited (some plans) |
| Metadata backup (issues, PRs) | Partial | Yes |
| Setup time | Minutes | Minutes |
| Pricing model | Transparent, flat | ~$10/month per 10 repos |
| GitHub App install | Token / SSH key | GitHub App |
When to Choose Cloudback
Cloudback is the better fit if:
- You have a small number of repos and want a quick GitHub App installation with no configuration.
- You do not need control over where your backups are stored and are comfortable with vendor-managed storage.
- You also use GitLab or Azure DevOps and want one tool for all three.
When to Choose Gitbackups
Gitbackups is the better fit if:
- You want backups stored in your own S3-compatible storage, not a vendor's account.
- You have a growing number of repositories and need pricing that scales without per-repo charges.
- Data sovereignty and vendor independence matter to your team.
- You prefer token or SSH-based authentication over GitHub App OAuth.
The Bottom Line
Cloudback is a decent option for small teams who want a simple, no-fuss GitHub backup. But its vendor-managed storage model and per-repo pricing become limiting as you grow. Gitbackups gives you the same automation with full control over your storage and pricing that stays predictable at any scale.
Ready to own your backups? Get started with Gitbackups — setup takes under five minutes.