pg_probackup
pg_probackup is a free utility for backing up and recovering PostgreSQL database clusters.
What pg_probackup is
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.
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
Watch out
- Remote SSH backup is not supported on Windows
- SSH operations require matching local and remote versions
- License disclaims maintenance, support, updates, and warranties
Who it suits
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.
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.
Plans and prices
From pg_probackup's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Community Edition | Free | Backup and recovery utility · PostgreSQL clusters |
The facts
Each one read from pg_probackup's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Backup modes
- It supports full backups and page-level incremental DELTA, PAGE, and PTRACK backups.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Cloud storage
- The Postgres Pro Enterprise edition supports S3 storage through MinIO, Amazon S3, and VK Cloud, transferring backup data without intermediate storage.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Installation
- Windows installers are provided in release assets and Linux installation packages are documented.checked 30 Sep 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Notable limits
- Remote backup through SSH is not supported on Windows, and remote and local pg_probackup versions must match for SSH operations.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Parallelization
- Backup, restore, merge, delete, validate, and checkdb operations can run on multiple parallel threads.checked 30 Sep 2026
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- The repository states compatibility with PostgreSQL 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- pg_probackup manages backup and recovery of PostgreSQL database clusters.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Recovery
- It supports incremental restore, partial restore, and point-in-time recovery using WAL archives.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Remote operations
- The utility supports backing up or restoring PostgreSQL instances on remote systems.checked 30 Sep 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Standby backups
- Backups can be taken from a standby server to avoid extra load on the master.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Postgres Professional offers 24x7x365 technical support for Postgres Pro, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 assistance.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Validation
- It provides automatic data consistency checks, on-demand backup validation, and PostgreSQL instance verification with checkdb.checked 30 Sep 2026
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