WAL-G
github.com
What it is
WAL-G is a free, open-source archival and restoration tool for databases in cloud environments. It supports continuous backups and point-in-time recovery, with documented support for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and MS SQL Server; MongoDB and Redis are marked beta. Other listed database targets include Greenplum, Cloudberry, FoundationDB, and ETCD. Compression options are LZ4, LZMA, ZSTD, and Brotli, using multiple processors. PostgreSQL users can take non-exclusive base backups. Operators configure backup storage and interact with it through storage tools commands. Configuration accepts environment variables or JSON, YAML, and envfile formats. Encryption can use libsodium, OpenPGP, or Yandex Cloud KMS, but is disabled by default; envelope PGP configuration currently supports only Yandex Cloud KMS. Metrics can be sent best-effort over UDP to statsd or statsd_exporter. WAL-G runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows builds.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- WAL-G is an archival and restoration tool for databases in the cloud.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The project is licensed under Apache License 2.0, while LZO support is licensed under GPL 3.0+.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Backup deletion
- The delete command performs a dry run by default and requires a --confirm flag to execute deletion.Read 9 Oct 2026 · wal-g.readthedocs.io
- Backup storage
- WAL-G documentation describes configuring where backups are stored and provides a storage tools command for interacting with configured storage.Read 9 Oct 2026 · wal-g.readthedocs.io
- Compression
- WAL-G supports LZ4, LZMA, ZSTD, and Brotli compression, and uses multiple processors.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Configuration
- WAL-G can be configured with environment variables or a config file, including JSON, YAML, and envfile formats.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Database support
- The README lists PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, and MS SQL Server, with MongoDB and Redis marked beta.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Development support
- The README says WAL-G development is supported by Yandex Cloud.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Encryption
- The documentation describes encryption options using libsodium, OpenPGP, and Yandex Cloud KMS; encryption is disabled by default.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- KMS limitation
- Envelope PGP key configuration currently supports only Yandex Cloud Key Management Service.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Linux binary
- The installation section says a precompiled binary is available for Linux AMD 64 through the Releases tab.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Monitoring
- WAL-G can publish metrics to statsd or statsd_exporter over UDP on a best-effort basis.Read 9 Oct 2026 · wal-g.readthedocs.io
- Platform support
- The README gives installation instructions for Linux and macOS and describes building on Windows in its development section.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- PostgreSQL backups
- For Postgres, WAL-G supports non-exclusive base backups.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support channels
- The project README lists a Slack group and Telegram chat for discussing WAL-G usage and development.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free open-source licensing
- Continuous backups and point-in-time recovery
- Supports multiple database systems
- Several compression formats
- Configurable encryption options
Limits
- Encryption is disabled by default
- MongoDB and Redis support is beta
- Metrics delivery is best-effort
- Windows build guidance is developmental
Who it suits
WAL-G suits database operators who need self-hosted, continuous archiving and point-in-time recovery across several database systems. It is relevant where open-source licensing and configurable storage matter.
Verdict
WAL-G provides broad database archiving and restoration capabilities without a license fee. Its configuration and encryption choices are extensive, but some database and platform support is marked less mature.
Where Specifiction places it
- Database Backup Software#20 of 277.5