mariadb-backup
mariadb-backup is a free, open source tool for physical online backups of MariaDB tables.
What mariadb-backup is
mariadb-backup is a free, open source tool for physical online backups of MariaDB tables. It supports full, incremental, and partial backups, point-in-time recovery, and restoration of individual databases, tables, and partitions. It works with InnoDB, Aria, and MyISAM, and supports MyRocks backups and restores. For InnoDB, it can make hot online backups; full backups on running systems use a nearly non-blocking method. It can also be used for Galera Cluster state snapshot transfers.
The tool supports encrypted tables, including loading the server’s key management and encryption plugin, and encrypted tables remain encrypted in backups. Backup output can be streamed to stdout and piped to tools such as OpenSSL or gzip. It also supports InnoDB page-compressed tables. Before restoration, backups must be prepared with the --prepare option. Safe full and incremental restores require an empty MariaDB data directory. Backup operations connect to a running server and generally require global RELOAD, PROCESS, LOCK TABLES, and BINLOG MONITOR privileges; restore operations do not require a database user.
Good
- Supports full, incremental, and partial backups
- Provides point-in-time recovery
- Supports InnoDB, Aria, MyISAM, and MyRocks
- Encrypted tables remain encrypted in backups
Watch out
- Partial backups require many steps
- Partial backups cannot restore directly onto servers with other data
- Backups must be prepared before restoration
- Safe full and incremental restores require an empty data directory
Who it suits
mariadb-backup suits MariaDB administrators who need physical backups and can manage the required backup privileges and restore preparation. It is self-hosted and listed for Linux and Windows.
Verdict
mariadb-backup covers multiple backup types and MariaDB storage engines, including online InnoDB backups. Plan for preparation and an empty data directory when restoring full or incremental backups.
Plans and prices
From mariadb-backup's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source mariadb-backup | Free | Physical backups for MariaDB data; Linux and Windows |
The facts
Each one read from mariadb-backup's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Backup access
- For backup operations, the tool connects to the running server and MariaDB recommends using a dedicated user with backup privileges; restore operations do not require a database user.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Backup modes
- It supports full, incremental, and partial backups, as well as point-in-time recovery.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Backup preparation
- A backup must be prepared before restoring it so its files are made consistent for use by MariaDB Server.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Backup types
- It supports full, incremental, and partial backups, plus point-in-time recovery and restoration of individual databases, tables, and partitions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Compression
- It supports backing up and restoring tables that use InnoDB page compression.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- It supports backing up and restoring tables using data-at-rest encryption, and encrypted tables remain encrypted in the backup.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Encryption support
- It supports tables using Data-at-Rest Encryption and can load the server's key management and encryption plugin to back up encrypted tables.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Galera integration
- It can be used for Galera Cluster state snapshot transfers (SSTs).checked 7 Oct 2026
- Online backups
- It can make hot online InnoDB backups and provides a nearly non-blocking method for full backups on running systems.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Online operation
- It provides a nearly non-blocking method for full backups on running systems, with hot online backups available for InnoDB.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Operational requirements
- For backup operations, the database account generally needs the global RELOAD, PROCESS, LOCK TABLES, and BINLOG MONITOR privileges.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Partial backup limitation
- Partial backups require many steps and cannot be restored directly onto existing servers containing other data.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- mariadb-backup is an open source tool for physical online backups of MariaDB tables.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Restore preparation
- Backups must be prepared with the --prepare option before restoration so the data files become point-in-time consistent.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Restore requirement
- For safe full and incremental restoration, the MariaDB data directory must be empty.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Storage engines
- It supports InnoDB, Aria, and MyISAM tables, and also supports MyRocks backups and restores.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Stream integrations
- It can stream backup output to stdout, allowing it to be piped to tools such as OpenSSL and gzip for encryption or compression.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Silicon Valley and Irelandchecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The utility is available on Linux and Windows.checked 7 Oct 2026
Alternatives to mariadb-backup
- 1
MySQL
Free planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.9Free plan - 2
SqlBak
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted7.6From $6 a month - 3
DBDock
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.5Free plan - 4
Quemsi
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.5Free plan - 5
IBM Db2
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted7.4From $630 a month - 6
DBAegis
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted7.2Free plan