Reliable backups are a critical part of any production infrastructure. Databases often contain the most valuable data in a system, and data loss caused by hardware failures, misconfigurations, or human error can lead to serious downtime and financial damage. While many backup solutions exist, not all of them are flexible, transparent, or easy to self-host.
Databasus is a free, open source, and self-hosted tool designed specifically for database backups. It allows teams and individual developers to create scheduled backups, store them in various external storages, and receive real-time notifications about backup progress and results.
Databasus focuses on simplicity, extensibility, and full control over your data — making it a solid choice for small teams, startups, and self-managed infrastructure.
What Is Databasus Used For?
The primary purpose of Databasus is to automate and centralize database backups while providing clear visibility into backup status and failures.
Key Use Cases:
- Automated backups for production and staging databases
- Centralized backup management for multiple databases
- Offsite storage of backups for disaster recovery
- Real-time notifications about backup success or failure
- Self-hosted alternative to managed backup services
Key Features:
Databasus provides a flexible and extensible backup pipeline designed for reliable database protection. It supports automated database backups through configurable backup jobs and allows storing backup files in multiple storage backends, including S3-compatible storage, Google Drive, FTP servers, and other pluggable destinations. The platform also integrates with popular notification systems such as Slack, Discord, and Telegram, making it easy to receive real-time updates about backup progress and results. Being fully self-hosted and open source, Databasus gives complete control over configuration, data, and infrastructure, while built-in backup monitoring helps track executions, failures, and successful completions in a clear and transparent way.
Architecture Overview
At a high level, Databasus works as a centralized backup service where databases are defined as backup targets and backup jobs can be executed either on a schedule or manually. During each run, backup artifacts are generated and uploaded to one or more configured storage providers, while notifications about the backup process and its results are sent to connected messaging platforms. All components of the system run entirely within your own infrastructure, which makes Databasus suitable for both simple single-server deployments and more complex, distributed environments.
Installation
Prerequisites
- A Linux server or container environment
- Docker and Docker Compose (recommended)
- Access credentials for your database(s)
- Access credentials for selected storage providers
Step 1: Clone the Repository
Step 2: Configure Environment Variables
Databasus uses environment variables for configuration. Copy the example configuration:
Edit the .env file and configure:
- Database connection settings
- Storage credentials (S3, FTP, Google Drive, etc.)
- Notification integrations (Slack, Discord, Telegram)
Step 3: Start Databasus
Using Docker Compose:
This will start Databasus and its required services.
Step 4: Verify the Service
Check that containers are running:
Review logs if needed:
Once running, Databasus will start executing configured backup jobs.
Backup Configuration
Databases and backup schedules are defined via configuration files or environment variables (depending on your setup). Each backup job can specify:
- Database type and connection
- Backup schedule
- Target storage(s)
- Notification channels
This allows flexible backup strategies, such as sending daily backups to S3 and weekly backups to Google Drive.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
- What databases does Databasus support?
Databasus is designed to work with common databases. Supported databases depend on the available backup drivers and configuration, and can be extended as needed. - Can I use multiple storage backends at the same time?
Yes. Databasus allows sending backups to multiple storage providers simultaneously for redundancy. - Is Databasus suitable for production use?
Yes, especially for small to medium-sized infrastructures. As with any backup system, it is recommended to test restore procedures regularly. - Does Databasus encrypt backups?
Encryption depends on the storage backend configuration. For example, S3-compatible storage can use server-side encryption, and additional encryption layers can be added externally. - Can I restore databases using Databasus?
Databasus focuses on backup creation and storage. Restoration is typically performed manually using the generated backup files.
Conclusion
Databasus is a practical and transparent solution for teams that want full control over their database backups without relying on proprietary services. With support for multiple storage backends, real-time notifications, and a fully open source codebase, it fits well into modern self-hosted and DevOps-oriented environments.
For developers and infrastructure teams looking for a lightweight yet flexible backup platform, Databasus provides a solid foundation for reliable database protection.
Repository:
Databasus — Open source, self-hosted database backup and notification tool:
https://github.com/databasus/databasus