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Rancher Backup and Restore Operator

Free#23 of 32 in Kubernetes Backup Software

Rancher Backup and Restore Operator: An open-source Rancher resource backup operator with scheduling and migration support. Ranked #23 of 32 in Kubernetes Backup Software by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Open source; best for free Rancher resource backup and migration.

6.8/10Editor score

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Rancher Backup and Restore Operator6.8 Visit SUSE

At a glance

Editor score
6.8 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Free Rancher resource backup and migration
Paid from
Free
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Rancher Backup and Restore Operator screenshot

Where it wins
- Open-source operator for Rancher and Kubernetes resource backups
- Supports recurring schedules, encryption, and S3-compatible storage
- Enables cross-cluster Rancher migration and resource restoration
Where it doesn't
- Does not back up persistent-volume contents
- Focuses on selected resource metadata, not full cluster snapshots
- Requires self-hosted Kubernetes deployment and configuration

Our verdict on Rancher Backup and Restore Operator

Rancher Backup and Restore Operator is an open-source Kubernetes operator for backing up and restoring the Rancher application and selected Kubernetes resources. It is intended for teams managing Rancher deployments that need resource-level protection, scheduled backups, or migration to another Kubernetes cluster. The operator gathers configured Kubernetes resource objects through the Kubernetes API, packages them into compressed tar archives, and stores them using configured S3-compatible, MinIO, or persistent-volume storage.

ResourceSets provide control over which resources enter a backup, while Backup and Restore custom resources support one-time and recurring operations. Selected backup resources can be encrypted, and restores are handled through a Restore custom resource. This combination suits Rancher administrators who want a Kubernetes-native workflow for repeatable resource protection and migration rather than a separate backup service. Custom retention options and scheduled backup support add flexibility for ongoing operations.

Its scope is deliberately narrower than a full Kubernetes disaster-recovery system. Persistent-volume backup is not supported, and the operator does not create downstream cluster snapshots or capture persistent-volume contents. That makes it a fit for Rancher application and Kubernetes resource metadata, but not for workloads whose recovery depends on persistent data. Choose it when open-source Rancher resource backup, scheduled operations, and cross-cluster migration are the priority. Choose an alternative when persistent-volume protection or full downstream cluster snapshots are required.

Your product? Our editors can test Rancher Backup and Restore Operator in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Rancher Backup and Restore Operator pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on github.com

Rancher Backup and Restore Operator fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Application consistency	Not verified
Persistent volume backup	No
Cross-cluster restore	Yes
Backup frequency	Scheduled
Retention options	Custom
Immutable backups	Not verified
Deployment	Self-hosted
Support	Docs
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Open source
Website	github.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Rancher Backup and Restore Operator

See all Rancher Backup and Restore Operator alternatives →

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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Rancher Backup and Restore Operator for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

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Featured on iTechGuides

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update