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SPECIFICTION
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mariadb-backup

mariadb.com

Free plan WindowsLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.1 #12 of 27 in Database Backup Software

What it is

mariadb-backup is a free, open-source tool for physical backups of MariaDB tables, including while the server is running. Available on Linux and Windows for self-hosted deployments, it supports InnoDB, Aria, MyISAM, and MyRocks. Backup options include full, incremental, and partial copies, point-in-time recovery, and restoration of individual databases, tables, or partitions. It can make hot online InnoDB backups and uses a nearly non-blocking method for full backups on running systems. It also supports Galera Cluster state snapshot transfers, InnoDB page-compressed tables, and tables protected by data-at-rest encryption; encrypted tables stay encrypted in the backup. Output can be streamed to stdout for piping to tools such as OpenSSL or gzip. Restoring requires preparation with the --prepare option, and safe full or incremental restores require an empty MariaDB data directory. Backup operations connect to the running server and generally require global RELOAD, PROCESS, LOCK TABLES, and BINLOG MONITOR privileges. The listed plan is free.

Spec sheet

Purpose
mariadb-backup is an open source tool for physical online backups of MariaDB tables.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Platforms
The utility is available on Linux and Windows.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Headquarters
Silicon Valley and IrelandRead 28 Sep 2026 · mariadb.com
Backup access
For backup operations, the tool connects to the running server and MariaDB recommends using a dedicated user with backup privileges; restore operations do not require a database user.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Backup modes
It supports full, incremental, and partial backups, as well as point-in-time recovery.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Backup preparation
A backup must be prepared before restoring it so its files are made consistent for use by MariaDB Server.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Backup types
It supports full, incremental, and partial backups, plus point-in-time recovery and restoration of individual databases, tables, and partitions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Compression
It supports backing up and restoring tables that use InnoDB page compression.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Encryption
It supports backing up and restoring tables using data-at-rest encryption, and encrypted tables remain encrypted in the backup.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Encryption support
It supports tables using Data-at-Rest Encryption and can load the server's key management and encryption plugin to back up encrypted tables.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Galera integration
It can be used for Galera Cluster state snapshot transfers (SSTs).Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Online backups
It can make hot online InnoDB backups and provides a nearly non-blocking method for full backups on running systems.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Online operation
It provides a nearly non-blocking method for full backups on running systems, with hot online backups available for InnoDB.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Operational requirements
For backup operations, the database account generally needs the global RELOAD, PROCESS, LOCK TABLES, and BINLOG MONITOR privileges.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Partial backup limitation
Partial backups require many steps and cannot be restored directly onto existing servers containing other data.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Restore preparation
Backups must be prepared with the --prepare option before restoration so the data files become point-in-time consistent.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Restore requirement
For safe full and incremental restoration, the MariaDB data directory must be empty.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Storage engines
It supports InnoDB, Aria, and MyISAM tables, and also supports MyRocks backups and restores.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com
Stream integrations
It can stream backup output to stdout, allowing it to be piped to tools such as OpenSSL and gzip for encryption or compression.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com

Plans and prices

Open-source mariadb-backup Free Physical backups for MariaDB data; Linux and Windows Read 7 Oct 2026 · mariadb.com

Every mariadb-backup plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports full, incremental, and partial backups.
  • Offers point-in-time recovery.
  • Supports four MariaDB storage engines.
  • Handles encrypted and page-compressed tables.
  • Streams output for encryption or compression tools.

Limits

  • Partial backups require many steps.
  • Partial backups cannot restore directly onto existing servers with other data.
  • Full and incremental restores require an empty data directory.
  • Backups must be prepared before restoration.

Who it suits

It suits MariaDB operators who need physical online backups, point-in-time recovery, or support for multiple storage engines. Restores and partial backups require attention to preparation and data-directory constraints.

Verdict

mariadb-backup covers several backup modes and MariaDB storage engines, with online operation and encryption support. Its restore preparation and empty-directory requirements are important operational constraints.

Where Specifiction places it

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