Five tools for downloading websites
Rip It!
Companies and private users sometimes need to back up their own online content. We examine five free solutions for Linux that can download and store web pages or whole websites.
A company's website is often the first point contact with new customers, which means that a website is an important business card for Internet users. The more complex and extensive the website is, the more important it is to have a backup in order to ensure a continuous presence on the Internet in the event of a disaster or cyber attack. A backup can also facilitate the migration of a website from one host to another, and backups taken at regular intervals ensure an archival record of the state of the site.
Conventional browser extensions have some capacity for backing up web pages, but they usually don't have the capacity to secure a complex website with numerous hierarchical levels. Browsers and their extensions typically only save the content currently visible in the browser in a single file. The need for a more complete backup solution has led to the development of native website rippers or website grabbers. This article examines some free alternatives.
Functionality
Website grabbers are always the tool of choice when you need offline access to a complete website. It does not matter whether you want to save a website for documentation purposes or just need a regular backup.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.