WAL-G

What WAL-G is

WAL-G is a free, open-source tool for archiving and restoring databases in cloud environments. It supports continuous backups and point-in-time recovery, with documentation covering PostgreSQL, MySQL and MariaDB, and MS SQL Server; MongoDB and Redis are marked beta in the README. Other listed database targets include Greenplum, Cloudberry, FoundationDB, and ETCD. WAL-G supports LZ4, LZMA, ZSTD, and Brotli compression and can use multiple processors. PostgreSQL backups can use the non-exclusive base-backup mode. Operators can configure backup storage and use a storage tools command to interact with it. Configuration can be supplied through environment variables or a config file in JSON, YAML, or envfile format. Encryption options include libsodium, OpenPGP, and Yandex Cloud KMS, but encryption is off by default. Metrics can be sent over UDP to statsd or statsd_exporter on a best-effort basis. The project provides Linux and macOS installation instructions and describes Windows builds in its development section. It is licensed under Apache License 2.0, while LZO support uses GPL 3.0+.

Who it suits

WAL-G suits operators who manage database backups themselves and need continuous backup or point-in-time recovery. Its database coverage and configurable storage may fit varied database environments.

Limits

Encryption is off by default, and envelope PGP key configuration currently supports only Yandex Cloud Key Management Service. MongoDB and Redis are marked beta in the README; LZO support uses GPL 3.0+.

Getting started

1. Open the WAL-G GitHub project website.
2. Choose a Linux or macOS installation route, or follow the project's Windows build instructions.
3. On Linux AMD 64, get the precompiled binary from the Releases tab.
4. Configure storage and settings with environment variables or a supported config file format.
5. Select encryption options if needed; encryption is disabled by default.

Verdict

WAL-G offers broad database coverage, configurable storage, and continuous recovery options for self-managed environments. Note that encryption must be configured, and MongoDB and Redis are marked beta in the README.