gitlab-backup review
An open-source, self-hosted CLI for exporting and restoring GitLab projects and groups.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
gitlab-backup is an open-source Go command-line tool for exporting GitLab projects or groups and restoring archives to GitLab. It fits teams that want a self-hosted backup workflow across Linux, macOS, or Windows, from small teams to enterprise organizations. Its scope is GitLab-centered: exports use GitLab’s native API, and the companion gitlab-restore command imports through GitLab’s Import/Export API. This makes it a practical fit for GitLab teams that need project or group transfer and recovery workflows rather than a general-purpose backup service.
The workflow covers more than archive creation. Archives can be written to a local folder or Amazon S3, and optional age encryption can be applied before storage. Configurable pre-backup and post-backup hooks allow teams to attach their own steps, while API rate limiting and concurrent group exports offer control over export behavior. The listed category capabilities include issue, pull request, and wiki backup. For restore, the tool supports local or S3 archive sources, progress reporting, and checks that destination projects are empty, with optional overwrite. These features make the restore path an important part of the product rather than an afterthought.
Because the product is open source with a free plan, there are no paid tiers to compare; teams should account for operating and maintaining a self-hosted CLI workflow. Support is through documentation and the community. The published scope does not specify scheduling or retention policies, so teams that require managed recurring jobs or retention controls should assess whether to supply those processes themselves or choose a different tool. Choose gitlab-backup when GitLab-native export/import, storage control, and restore validation matter; look elsewhere for broader source-platform coverage or built-in scheduling and retention.
gitlab-backup pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Exports individual projects or groups through GitLab’s native export API
- Supports local or Amazon S3 archives, with optional age encryption
- Restores through GitLab’s Import/Export API with empty-target validation
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on GitLab as its source platform
- Requires command-line and self-hosted operation
- Scheduling and retention policies are not specified
gitlab-backup fact sheet, pricing and score →
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