PG Back Web
PG Back Web is an open-source web UI and service that manages PostgreSQL logical backups using pg_dump and psql. It provides scheduled backups, local or S3-compatible storage, basic encryption (environment-key based, details unverified), and restore controls from a browser-based dashboard. The project is AGPL v3 and self-hosted only.
It targets hobbyists, developers, and small teams that need simple GUI-managed logical backups and centralized visibility across multiple Postgres servers. It removes CLI-only workflows, simplifies storing dumps to local disk or S3-compatible buckets, and makes restores and scheduled retention observable without full DBA tooling.
Use Cases
- Home server Postgres backups for notes and home automation.
- Side projects needing quick restore or database cloning.
- Small teams needing scheduled logical backups and simple restores.
- Create staging clones by exporting and importing SQL dumps.
- Compliance use: encrypted backups and retention in EU S3.
- Local dev and test snapshotting, shared via object storage.
Strengths
- Schedule backups and enforce retention policies from the web UI.
- Store dumps to local disk or S3-compatible object storage.
- Web-based restore using psql -f for small-to-medium databases.
- Uses standard pg_dump and psql tools; predictable SQL dumps.
- Provides Docker Compose and Kubernetes manifests for repeatable deployment.
- Basic encryption configurable via
PBW_ENCRYPTION_KEY(details unverified). - GUI centralizes multiple Postgres servers and audit-friendly activity.
- Suitable for self-hosting; deploys easily on Coolify.
Limitations
- Logical-only backups use pg_dump; larger files and slower restores.
- No WAL-archiving or point-in-time recovery (PITR) features.
- Not suitable for strict low-RTO or very large production databases.
- AGPL v3 license requires care before offering managed services.
- Encryption scope and key-storage details are not fully documented.
Final Thoughts
Try PG Back Web now if your databases are small-to-medium and logical dumps meet your RTO/RPO expectations; it makes backups and restores visible to non-DBA teammates.
Consider managed cloud backups when you need WAL-based PITR, continuous archiving, faster RTOs, or provider-managed SLAs and operational guarantees.