Bucardo
What it is
Bucardo is a free, open-source system for asynchronous PostgreSQL replication across multiple sources and targets. It supports multi-way replication and one-direction master-standby setups. You define named syncs that copy selected tables between a server and one or more other servers. A Perl daemon listens for NOTIFY requests, then connects to remote databases to transfer data. Multi-source syncs can use Bucardo’s standard conflict handler or a custom handler assigned to each table. The configuration and replication databases must use PostgreSQL 8.1 or later, while the configuration database also needs PL/pgSQL and PL/PerlU. The daemon requires a Unix-like system and has been tested primarily on Linux and macOS; it does not run natively on Windows. Installation is available from source, RPM or Debian packages, and FreeBSD Ports. Bucardo does not replicate DDL or schema changes. Truncate replication requires PostgreSQL 8.4 or later and currently works fully only with pushdelta syncs.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under a BSD license
- Supports multi-source and multi-target replication
- Custom conflict handlers can be set per table
- Named syncs select specific tables
- Available through several installation methods
Against
- Does not replicate DDL or schema changes
- No native Windows daemon
- Requires PostgreSQL 8.1 or higher
- Truncate support has specific requirements
The verdict
Bucardo provides configurable, multi-way PostgreSQL replication for self-hosted environments. Check its PostgreSQL requirements and schema-change limitation before adopting it.
Who it suits
Bucardo suits teams running PostgreSQL replication across multiple servers, especially on Linux, macOS, or other Unix-like systems. It is intended for self-hosted, open-source deployments.
Plans and prices
Bucardo
Free and open source · BSD license
Read 9 Oct 2026 · bucardo.org
On the record
- Community support
- The project directs usage questions, bug reports, feature requests, and general discussion to its Bucardo-general mailing list, and also provides an IRC channel.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Conflict handling
- For multi-source syncs, Bucardo runs a standard conflict handler or a custom handler set per table.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Current published release
- The project page lists Bucardo 5.6.0 as its latest version and links to a downloadable archive and signature.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Daemon platforms
- The daemon requires a Unix-like system, has been tested primarily on Linux and macOS, and does not run natively on Windows.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data selection
- Users configure named syncs to copy specific sets of tables between a server and one or more servers.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- How it works
- A Perl daemon listens for NOTIFY requests and connects to remote databases to copy data.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Bucardo can be installed from source, with RPM or Debian packages, or through FreeBSD Ports.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- Bucardo does not replicate DDL or schema changes.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- PostgreSQL requirements
- The configuration database and replication databases must use PostgreSQL 8.1 or higher; the configuration database also needs PL/pgSQL and PL/PerlU.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Professional support
- End Point Dev offers professional support for Bucardo.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Bucardo is an asynchronous PostgreSQL replication system for multi-source, multi-target operations.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Replication modes
- It supports multi-source and multi-target replication, including one-direction master-standby replication.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security notices
- The Bucardo-announce mailing list is used for notices about new versions, important bugs, and security warnings.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Truncate support
- Truncate replication requires PostgreSQL 8.4 or higher and is currently fully working only for pushdelta syncs.bucardo.org · read 9 Oct 2026
