DBDock

DBDock is a free database toolkit for operators who want command-line control over backup, restore and cross-database migration workflows. It is best suited to people comfortable managing self-hosted software and its dependencies. Its range of database and storage options is a strong draw; its CLI runtime and PostgreSQL tooling requirements add setup work.

Overview

The MIT-licensed CLI combines backups and restores for PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, SQL Server and Redis with migration support between MongoDB and PostgreSQL. That breadth makes it useful when one workflow spans several database engines, rather than only protecting a single database type. The trade-off is that a command-line tool asks operators to manage setup and automation themselves.

DBDock uses a hybrid model: the CLI is self-hosted, while DBDock Cloud offers a managed dashboard with scheduled jobs, managed storage, teams and alerts. The project says Cloud Sync sends non-secret metadata and keeps database passwords, storage keys, encryption secrets and webhook URLs on the user's machine. This separation may suit teams seeking cloud coordination while retaining those credentials locally.

Key features

Backup, restore and migration

Backup and restore support spans four database families, while migrations run in both directions between MongoDB and PostgreSQL. Schema mapping, dry runs and incremental sync give operators tools to plan a move and continue syncing changes. PostgreSQL backups require PostgreSQL client tools, an extra dependency that may complicate setup on machines without them.

Storage and automation

Storage options include local disk, AWS S3, Cloudflare R2, Cloudinary and managed DBDock Storage. That mix lets users choose local or hosted destinations, though the range alone does not remove the work of configuring a backup workflow. The CLI supports cron-based automation and email and Slack notifications, useful for scheduled jobs that need a way to surface alerts.

Security and integration

DBDock lists AES-256-GCM encryption with PBKDF2 key derivation, credential masking and .pgpass support. A TypeScript SDK also lets Node.js applications access DBDock programmatically. The CLI requires Node.js 18 or newer, so it is not a fit for environments that cannot meet that runtime requirement.

Pricing

The Open-source CLI plan costs nothing and is MIT licensed and self-hosted. DBDock is described as free forever; there is no paid CLI tier to weigh against a lower-cost feature set. The choice is whether to run the CLI yourself or use DBDock Cloud's managed dashboard, which includes scheduled jobs, managed storage, teams and alerts; Cloud pricing is custom pricing.

Platforms

DBDock is offered across API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows environments. The CLI's Node.js 18-or-newer requirement and the PostgreSQL client-tools requirement for PostgreSQL backups are practical constraints regardless of platform.

Who it's for

DBDock suits database operators who want a free, self-hosted command-line toolkit covering several engines, or teams planning MongoDB–PostgreSQL migrations. Its cloud dashboard may appeal to teams wanting managed scheduling and coordination. It is less suitable for users who want to avoid command-line setup, runtime dependencies or self-managed automation.

Pros and cons

• Pros: One CLI handles backups and restores for PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, SQL Server and Redis, plus migrations in both directions between MongoDB and PostgreSQL.
• Pros: Local and hosted storage choices, cron automation and email or Slack notifications support scheduled backup workflows.
• Pros: Cloud Sync keeps specified secrets on the user's machine while sending non-secret metadata.
• Cons: Node.js 18 or newer is required, and PostgreSQL backups need PostgreSQL client tools.
• Cons: The CLI is self-hosted, so users must manage its setup and cron-based automation rather than relying on the Cloud dashboard.

Alternatives

Database Backup Software is a broader category to explore when comparing backup tools. For database documentation needs, see Database Documentation Tools.

Choose MySQL instead if you want its Community Edition, described as GPL-licensed and covering SQL and NoSQL applications with replication and high-availability components. Quemsi is another freemium option; its agent is described as open source and auditable, modifiable or buildable from source.

SqlBak may suit users who want a free plan capped at one server, two databases and one month of backup history, with server-down alerts every 60 minutes. Databasus offers a free Apache 2.0 open-source plan with all described product features, for users who prefer that licensing and packaging.

DBAegis has a free Community plan capped at one admin, three connections and three schedules. For narrower needs, mariadb-backup provides physical backups for MariaDB data on Linux and Windows, while pg_probackup is a free backup and recovery utility for PostgreSQL clusters. Percona Backup for MongoDB is another free community option.

Verdict

Choose DBDock if you want a free, self-hosted CLI that combines multi-engine backups and restores with MongoDB–PostgreSQL migrations and flexible storage options. Its strongest reason to consider it is that breadth in one tool; look elsewhere if you need to avoid Node.js and PostgreSQL client-tool dependencies or do not want to manage a CLI workflow.