pgBackRest
pgBackRest: A capable, free PostgreSQL backup system for Linux teams comfortable managing infrastructure. Ranked #6 of 27 in Database Backup Software by our editors (8.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for production PostgreSQL backups.
At a glance
- Editor score8.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forProduction PostgreSQL backups
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Point-in-time recoveryYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Parallel backup and restore with full, differential, and incremental modes
- Point-in-time recovery with WAL archives and asynchronous WAL handling
- Encrypted repositories, checksums, restore verification, and delta restore
Where it doesn't
- Supports PostgreSQL rather than multiple database engines
- Requires self-hosted Linux deployment and operational ownership
- Scheduling and retention require configuration instead of fixed plan defaults
Our verdict on pgBackRest
pgBackRest is open-source backup and restore software for PostgreSQL administrators managing production databases, replicas, disaster recovery workflows, and large database workloads. It supports full, differential, and incremental backups, giving teams several ways to balance recovery coverage, storage use, and backup duration. Deployments run on Linux in self-hosted environments, with local or remote repository hosts available for backup storage.
Its strongest technical fit is PostgreSQL recovery. Parallel processing supports backup and restore operations, while compression with lz4 and zstd can help manage repository size. Point-in-time recovery uses WAL archives, and asynchronous WAL push and retrieval support continuous archiving workflows. Multiple repositories can be configured, including Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, SFTP, and POSIX-compatible file systems. Repository encryption, backup checksums, restore verification, and delta restore add controls for protecting and recovering production data.
The trade-off is operational scope. pgBackRest is free and open source, but it is focused on PostgreSQL and expects teams to manage Linux infrastructure, repository configuration, scheduling, retention, and recovery procedures themselves. That makes it a strong choice for PostgreSQL administrators who want detailed control over backup architecture and storage destinations. Organizations seeking one backup product across several database types, or a managed service with a broader hosted operating model, should consider an alternative. Teams that already operate self-hosted PostgreSQL environments and need deep backup, WAL, and restore capabilities are the clearest fit.
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pgBackRest pricing
pgBackRest fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Point-in-time recovery | Yes |
| Backup frequency | Not verified |
| Retention period | Not verified |
| Restore verification | Yes |
| Deployment model | Self_hosted |
| Supported databases | PostgreSQL |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, SFTP, POSIX-compatible file systems |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | pgbackrest.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
pgBackRest integrations
pgBackRest lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- Amazon S3
- Azure Blob Storage
- Google Cloud Storage
- SFTP
- POSIX-compatible file systems
Alternatives to pgBackRest
- DatabasusA flexible self-hosted backup tool with strong PostgreSQL recovery capabilities.9.4
- DBAegisA centralized, open-source option for backup operations across many database engines.9.2
- DatabasementA flexible open-source backup manager for teams comfortable operating self-hosted infrastructure.9.0
See all pgBackRest alternatives →
pgBackRest vs the competition
- pgBackRest vs Databasus
- pgBackRest vs DBAegis
- pgBackRest vs Databasement
- pgBackRest vs SqlBak
- pgBackRest vs SQLBackupAndFTP
- pgBackRest vs Zmanda Recovery Manager for MySQL
Compare pgBackRest with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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