pg_probackup

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Score6.7

Rank#6 of 25

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, Self-hosted, Windows

Summary

pg_probackup is a free utility for backing up and recovering PostgreSQL database clusters. It supports full backups and page-level incremental DELTA, PAGE, and PTRACK backups, along with incremental and partial restores. Point-in-time recovery uses WAL archives. The utility can check data consistency automatically, validate backups on demand, and verify PostgreSQL instances with checkdb. Retention policies can be set by recovery time, backup count, or time-to-live; expired backups can be merged or deleted. Backup, restore, merge, deletion, validation, and checkdb operations can run across multiple threads. It can work with remote PostgreSQL instances and take backups from standby servers. Postgres Pro Enterprise edition supports S3 storage through MinIO, Amazon S3, and VK Cloud. The repository lists compatibility with PostgreSQL 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. Linux packages and Windows installers are provided. Remote backup over SSH is not supported on Windows, and SSH operations require matching local and remote pg_probackup versions. The license permits use, copying, modification, and distribution without a fee, but disclaims maintenance, support, updates, and warranties.

Who it is for

pg_probackup may suit administrators managing PostgreSQL or Postgres Pro clusters on Linux, Windows, or self-hosted systems. It is relevant for teams needing backup validation, retention controls, or point-in-time recovery.

What is good

Supports full and page-level incremental backups
Provides partial and point-in-time recovery
Can validate backups and verify instances with checkdb
Supports standby-server backups and remote instances
Free to use, copy, modify, and distribute

What to know first

Remote SSH backup is not supported on Windows
SSH operations require matching local and remote versions
License disclaims maintenance, support, updates, and warranties

Verdict

pg_probackup offers a broad set of backup, restore, validation, and retention options for PostgreSQL clusters. Account for the Windows SSH restriction and the license’s lack of support and warranty commitments.

pg_probackup plans and pricing

All plans

Community Edition Free Backup and recovery utility · PostgreSQL clusters github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on database backup software

Free plan: Yesgithub.com
Point-in-time recovery: Yesgithub.com
Backup frequency: continuousgithub.com
Restore verification: Yesgithub.com
Deployment model: self_hostedgithub.com
Supported databases: PostgreSQL; Postgres Pro Standard; Postgres Pro Enterprise; Postgres Pro Shardmangithub.com

Facts

Purpose: pg_probackup manages backup and recovery of PostgreSQL database clusters.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Backup modes: It supports full backups and page-level incremental DELTA, PAGE, and PTRACK backups.postgrespro.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Recovery: It supports incremental restore, partial restore, and point-in-time recovery using WAL archives.postgrespro.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Validation: It provides automatic data consistency checks, on-demand backup validation, and PostgreSQL instance verification with checkdb.postgrespro.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Retention: Retention policies can be based on recovery time, backup count, or a backup time-to-live value, with expired backups merged or deleted.postgrespro.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Parallelization: Backup, restore, merge, delete, validate, and checkdb operations can run on multiple parallel threads.postgrespro.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Remote operations: The utility supports backing up or restoring PostgreSQL instances on remote systems.postgrespro.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Standby backups: Backups can be taken from a standby server to avoid extra load on the master.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Cloud storage: The Postgres Pro Enterprise edition supports S3 storage through MinIO, Amazon S3, and VK Cloud, transferring backup data without intermediate storage.postgrespro.com · 30 Sept 2026
PostgreSQL compatibility: The repository states compatibility with PostgreSQL 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Installation: Windows installers are provided in release assets and Linux installation packages are documented.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Notable limits: Remote backup through SSH is not supported on Windows, and remote and local pg_probackup versions must match for SSH operations.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
License: The software may be used, copied, modified, and distributed for any purpose without fee, while the license disclaims maintenance, support, updates, and warranties.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support: Postgres Professional offers 24x7x365 technical support for Postgres Pro, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 assistance.postgrespro.com · 30 Sept 2026