Bnkr
What it is
Bnkr is a free, open-source application for backing up and migrating data associated with Kubernetes. It backs up files in Pods, Deployments, and StatefulSets, and supports databases including MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. Schedules can run hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or on a cron formula; manual backup and restore are also supported. Email notifications can report successful or failed backups and migrations, with multiple recipients available. Bnkr describes bidirectional migration of files and supported databases between Kubernetes, servers, and S3. The README describes it as a single-binary web server that can run as a Kubernetes deployment with a service account able to access the data being backed up. It recommends the official image because some dependencies are external tools. The project is intended for valuable data inside a Kubernetes cluster, not for backing up the whole cluster. Bnkr is available on the web and for self-hosting, is MIT licensed, and lists a free plan at no cost with no usage limit stated. The site credits Mohammed Al-Mahdawi as creator and lists more than 20 themes.
For and against
For
- Backs up files and four named database types.
- Supports schedules from hourly to yearly and cron.
- Sends backup and migration email notifications.
- Supports bidirectional migration to servers and S3.
- Free plan lists no usage limit.
Against
- Targets data inside Kubernetes, not whole-cluster backup.
- Some backup dependencies are external tools.
- Deployment needs a service account with sufficient data access.
The verdict
Bnkr brings scheduled backup, manual restore, notifications, and migration for selected Kubernetes data into a web application. Its stated scope is data within the cluster, so it is not presented as a whole-cluster backup tool.
Who it suits
Bnkr suits teams managing files or supported databases in Kubernetes that need scheduled backups, manual restoration, or migration to servers and S3. It is for data within a cluster rather than whole-cluster backup.
Plans and prices
Free & open source
no limit stated
Read 9 Oct 2026 · bnkr.is
On the record
- Creator
- The official site credits Mohammed Al-Mahdawi as creator.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
- Database backups
- It supports backups for MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The README says Bnkr can run as a Kubernetes deployment with a service account that has sufficient access to the data being backed up.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- File backups
- It backs up files in Pods, Deployments, and StatefulSets.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
- Implementation
- The project README describes Bnkr as a single binary application that runs as a web server and recommends its official image because some backup dependencies are external tools.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The project README states that Bnkr is licensed under the MIT license.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Migration
- Bnkr describes bidirectional migration of files and supported databases between Kubernetes, servers, and S3.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
- Notifications
- It sends email notifications for successful or failed backups and migrations, with support for multiple recipients.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Bnkr is a Kubernetes backup and migration application.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
- Restore
- The site says Bnkr supports manual backup and restore.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
- Scheduling
- Backups can run hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or on a cron formula.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
- Scope
- The README says Bnkr targets valuable data inside a Kubernetes cluster rather than backing up the whole cluster.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Themes
- The site says users can choose from more than 20 themes.bnkr.is · read 9 Oct 2026
