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pg_probackup
What it is
pg_probackup is a free utility for managing backup and recovery of PostgreSQL database clusters on Linux, Windows, or self-hosted systems. It creates full backups and page-level incremental backups in DELTA, PAGE, and PTRACK modes. Recovery options include incremental restore, partial restore, and point-in-time recovery through WAL archives. Automatic consistency checks, on-demand backup validation, and PostgreSQL instance verification with checkdb help review backup and database condition. Retention rules can use recovery time, backup count, or a backup time-to-live, with expired backups merged or deleted. Backup, restore, merge, delete, validate, and checkdb tasks can run across parallel threads. The utility works with remote PostgreSQL systems and can back up from a standby server. Postgres Pro Enterprise supports S3 storage through MinIO, Amazon S3, and VK Cloud. Compatibility is listed for PostgreSQL 13 through 18, with Linux packages and Windows installers documented.
For and against
For
- Full and page-level incremental backup modes
- Point-in-time recovery using WAL archives
- Retention by time, count, or recovery time
- Parallel backup and restore operations
- Standby-server backup support
Against
- SSH remote backup is unavailable on Windows
- SSH operations require matching local and remote versions
- License disclaims support, updates, and warranties
The verdict
pg_probackup covers backup, recovery, validation, retention, and remote-operation needs for PostgreSQL environments. Check the Windows SSH restriction and licensing terms before adopting it.
Who it suits
It suits PostgreSQL administrators who need configurable backups, recovery options, validation, and retention controls. It is also relevant for teams managing remote or standby database systems.
Plans and prices
Community Edition
Backup and recovery utility · PostgreSQL clusters
Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Backup modes
- It supports full backups and page-level incremental DELTA, PAGE, and PTRACK backups.postgrespro.github.io · read 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.postgrespro.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Installation
- Windows installers are provided in release assets and Linux installation packages are documented.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Parallelization
- Backup, restore, merge, delete, validate, and checkdb operations can run on multiple parallel threads.postgrespro.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- The repository states compatibility with PostgreSQL 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- pg_probackup manages backup and recovery of PostgreSQL database clusters.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Recovery
- It supports incremental restore, partial restore, and point-in-time recovery using WAL archives.postgrespro.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Remote operations
- The utility supports backing up or restoring PostgreSQL instances on remote systems.postgrespro.github.io · read 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.postgrespro.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Standby backups
- Backups can be taken from a standby server to avoid extra load on the master.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Postgres Professional offers 24x7x365 technical support for Postgres Pro, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 assistance.postgrespro.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Validation
- It provides automatic data consistency checks, on-demand backup validation, and PostgreSQL instance verification with checkdb.postgrespro.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
