Dockstash alternatives
The best Dockstash alternatives are Backrest (open-source restic UI), SimpleBackups (managed cloud SaaS), Duplicati (GUI backup client), hand-written restic + cron scripts, and provider volume snapshots. Each backs up generically; Dockstash is Docker-project-aware — it dumps each database correctly and drill-tests the restore.
At a glance
| Tool | Category | Pricing | Docker-aware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backrest | Open-source restic web UI | Free / open-source (self-hosted, no paid tier) | No — Dockstash is |
| SimpleBackups | Managed cloud backup SaaS | Paid SaaS, monthly subscription tiers | No — Dockstash is |
| Duplicati | Open-source GUI backup client | Free / open-source | No — Dockstash is |
| Manual restic + cron scripts | DIY do-it-yourself backup scripts | Free (your time is the cost) | No — Dockstash is |
| Provider volume snapshots | Whole-disk cloud snapshots | Cheap add-on billed per GB by your provider | No — Dockstash is |
Compare each alternative
Backrest
Open-source restic web UI
SimpleBackups
Managed cloud backup SaaS
Duplicati
Open-source GUI backup client
Manual restic + cron scripts
DIY do-it-yourself backup scripts
Provider volume snapshots
Whole-disk cloud snapshots
Dockstash vs Backrest
Head-to-head comparison
Self-hosted vs cloud backup
Category comparison
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest alternative to Dockstash?
Backrest is the closest — it is an excellent open-source restic web UI and scheduler. The gap is that Backrest is not Docker-aware: it backs up host paths, so a live Postgres data directory gets copied instead of dumped, and it has no automated restore-drill.
How do I choose between these backup tools?
If your data runs in Docker and you need consistent database dumps plus proof the restore works, choose a Docker-aware tool. If you only back up plain files, a generic restic UI is enough. If you want a fully managed service and will pay for it, a cloud SaaS fits.
Do all of these use restic?
Backrest, manual scripts, and Dockstash all use restic, so repositories are portable between them. Duplicati uses its own archive format, and provider snapshots and most cloud SaaS use their own storage layer.