Databasus

Databasus is a self-hosted database backup tool for teams that want to manage backups in their own environment. It is strongest for PostgreSQL operations that need point-in-time recovery, while its support for MySQL, MariaDB, and MongoDB broadens its role.

Overview

Databasus is free, open-source software under the Apache 2.0 license. It pairs scheduled backups with continuous PostgreSQL WAL streaming, access controls, audit logs, encryption, and restore verification. That makes it more capable than a simple backup scheduler, but self-hosting means the operator is responsible for maintaining the service and providing backup storage.

Deployment options include an automated Linux script, Docker, Docker Compose, and Helm for Kubernetes. The documented minimum is one CPU core, 500 MB of RAM, and 5 GB of installation storage, plus separate backup storage; Docker Engine 20.10 or later and Docker Compose 2.0 or later are required. These are concrete, modest baseline requirements, but backup capacity must be provisioned separately.

Key features

PostgreSQL recovery

PostgreSQL backups can be logical, physical full, or incremental, with WAL streaming for point-in-time recovery. This range suits teams that want more recovery options than periodic logical dumps. Physical, incremental, and WAL backups require PostgreSQL 17 or newer, so older installations cannot use those capabilities.

Scheduling and destinations

Schedules can run hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or on cron intervals. Backup destinations include local storage, S3-compatible storage, Cloudflare R2, Google Drive, Azure Blob Storage, NAS, FTP, SFTP, and rclone. The range gives operators flexibility to fit backups into existing storage arrangements, though they still need to manage the chosen destination themselves.

Notifications and verification

Slack, Discord, Telegram, Microsoft Teams, email, and custom webhooks can receive notifications. Databasus also periodically downloads the latest backup, restores it into a temporary database container, and reports the result. That verification can surface problems that a successful backup job alone would not reveal; it does not replace an operator's recovery planning.

Access and encryption

Separate teams and projects, database access management, and audit logs of access and changes make the tool more suitable for shared operational use than a single-user script. Databasus says it encrypts credentials and backup files with AES-256-GCM and uses read-only database access requiring SELECT permissions. These controls help limit access and protect stored data, but the service and storage remain under the deploying organization's care.

Pricing

The Free, open-source software plan costs nothing and is licensed under Apache 2.0. It includes all described product features, so there is no paid tier to unlock the PostgreSQL recovery options, integrations, or team features covered here. There is no free trial; the software is free rather than a trial of a paid plan.

This pricing suits individuals and teams comfortable operating their own deployment. The trade-off is not a feature cap but the work of running the service and supplying storage; Databasus is not a hosted backup service.

Platforms

Databasus is available for Linux, as self-hosted software, and through a web interface. Installation choices include an automated Linux script, Docker, Docker Compose, and Helm for Kubernetes. Those options accommodate several infrastructure setups, while the Docker Engine and Compose minimums matter for deployments using those components.

Who it's for

Individual developers can use Databasus to centralize scheduled backups across supported database engines. DevOps teams are a particularly good fit when they need PostgreSQL point-in-time recovery, multiple storage targets, notifications, or periodic restore checks—and can operate the infrastructure themselves. Its teams, projects, and audit logs also suit shared environments, though organizations seeking a managed service should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: PostgreSQL logical, physical, and incremental backups plus WAL-based point-in-time recovery provide a broad recovery toolkit, with PostgreSQL 17 or newer required for the physical, incremental, and WAL options.
• Pros: A wide choice of backup destinations and notification channels can fit varied storage and operations workflows.
• Pros: Periodic restore verification checks that the latest backup can be restored into a temporary database container.
• Pros: The free Apache 2.0 plan includes all described features, without a described feature-based paid tier.
• Cons: Self-hosting leaves service upkeep and backup storage to the operator.
• Cons: PostgreSQL users below version 17 cannot use physical, incremental, or WAL backups.

Alternatives

Database Backup Software is the broader directory for readers comparing backup tools across the category.

• MySQL is worth considering when replication and high-availability components for SQL and NoSQL applications are the priority.
• DBDock is another free, MIT-licensed self-hosted option, presented as an open-source CLI.
• Quemsi may suit readers who want an open-source agent they can audit, modify, or build from source.
• SqlBak may suit readers who prefer a freemium option with a free tier capped at one server, two databases, and one month of backup history.
• DBAegis may fit a small PostgreSQL setup that can work within its Community plan's one-admin, three-connection, and three-schedule limits.
• mariadb-backup is a focused alternative for physical MariaDB backups on Linux or Windows.
• Percona Backup for MongoDB is an alternative for readers seeking a free community product specifically for MongoDB backups.
• pg_probackup is a free backup and recovery utility for PostgreSQL clusters.

Verdict

Databasus is a strong choice for developers and operations teams that want a free, self-hosted backup system with broad storage integrations and especially capable PostgreSQL recovery. Its strongest reason to choose is the combination of WAL-based point-in-time recovery and restore verification; its clearest reason to look elsewhere is the need to operate the service yourself, or to support PostgreSQL versions below 17 for physical, incremental, or WAL backups.