Freedom251 › Data Backup Software
BackupSheep
What BackupSheep is
BackupSheep is open-source control-plane software for backing up websites, databases, servers, volumes, and cloud infrastructure. It is available as self-hosted beta software through web, API, and Linux deployment; a hosted edition is not currently available. Depending on the source, it uses incremental file archives, native database dumps, or provider-native snapshots. After the first file mirror, later runs transfer only new or changed files and create standalone ZIP archives. PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MariaDB backups use native clients over direct connections or SSH tunnels. Listed snapshot providers include AWS, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Vultr, UpCloud, Oracle, Google Cloud, and OVH. WordPress and Basecamp are supported applications, with Basecamp using 37signals OAuth. The console restores files and databases, while cloud servers and volumes use provider recovery workflows. Destinations include S3-compatible storage, cloud drives, local storage, and NFS paths. Scheduled runs, retention, notifications, permissions, activity history, and REST API automation are included. Secrets are encrypted at rest and redacted from logs.
Who it suits
BackupSheep suits operators who can run self-hosted software and need backups across files, databases, servers, volumes, or cloud providers. It is also relevant for teams needing scheduled operations, notifications, permissions, and API automation.
What it does well
- Supports websites, databases, servers, volumes, and cloud infrastructure
- Incremental file transfers after initial mirror
- Native PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MariaDB backups
- 26 listed storage destinations
- Scheduled runs and REST API automation
What to know first
- Hosted version is not currently available
- Available edition is self-hosted beta software
- Installation recommends Ubuntu 22.04+ or Debian 12+
- Operators must harden self-hosted deployments
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted | GNU GPLv3 · beta · self-hosted | Free |
As backupsheep.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
BackupSheep provides a broad backup control plane while leaving deployment and hardening to the operator. Its free GNU GPLv3 edition is suited to organizations comfortable managing their own server environment.
Facts from BackupSheep's own pages
- Applications
- It supports WordPress and Basecamp, with Basecamp connecting through 37signals OAuth. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Backup methods
- It uses incremental file archives, native database dumps, and provider-native snapshots, depending on the source. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Backup scope
- mixed · backupsheep.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Cloud providers
- The site lists AWS, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Vultr, UpCloud, Oracle, Google Cloud, and OVH for provider-native snapshots. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Database support
- It supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MariaDB backups using native clients, with direct or SSH-tunnelled connections. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- File backups
- After the initial mirror, only new and changed files are transferred, and each run creates a standalone zip archive. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · backupsheep.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Operations
- It supports scheduled runs, retention, email, Slack, and Telegram notifications, team permissions, activity history, and REST API automation. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- web,api,self_hosted · backupsheep.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- BackupSheep is an open-source control plane for backing up websites, databases, servers, volumes, and cloud infrastructure. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The installation page recommends a fresh Ubuntu 22.04+ or Debian 12+ server and a Docker Compose deployment. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Restore modes
- mixed · backupsheep.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Restore workflows
- Files and databases can be restored from the console; cloud servers and volumes use the provider’s native recovery workflow. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The product page says secrets are encrypted at rest and redacted from backup and restore logs; Amazon S3 destinations can use Object Lock retention. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security policy
- The project security policy says security fixes target the latest main branch and operators are responsible for hardening self-hosted deployments. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The available edition is self-hosted beta software licensed under GNU GPLv3, and the site says a hosted version is not currently available. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Server backup
- Yes · backupsheep.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Storage destinations
- The site lists 26 destinations, including S3-compatible storage, cloud drives, local storage, and NFS paths. · backupsheep.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where BackupSheep stands on Freedom251
- Data Backup Software#5 of 25
- Backup software#46 of 151