The Dockstash alternative to Duplicati
Duplicati (open-source gui backup client) and Dockstash overlap, but solve backup at different layers. Duplicati backs up generically; Dockstash knows a Postgres container needs a pg_dumpall, not a file copy, detects your whole Compose stack, and proves the restore works before you need it.
Duplicati — Open-source GUI backup client. Free / open-source.
How Dockstash compares to Duplicati
| Capability | Dockstash | Duplicati |
|---|---|---|
| Database dump adapters | Postgres/MySQL/MariaDB/Mongo dumped from the running container | None — file-level backup of whatever paths you select |
| Docker Compose detection | Auto-scans the stack: volumes, DBs, compose/.env, proxy config | Manual source and folder selection |
| Restore reliability track record | Restic engine plus automated restore-drill diff each schedule | Documented restore/consistency edge cases |
| Backup engine | Restic (widely audited, standard repo format) | Custom Duplicati block format |
| Failure alerting | Email alerts + dead-man’s-switch heartbeat | Email notifications on job result |
| Price | Free self-host tier; paid tiers for scale | Free and open-source |
| Storage backends | Your storage VPS over SSH (restic) | Many cloud and remote backends |
Where Duplicati is strong
- Free and open-source with a long history and large user base
- Friendly web GUI with scheduling and email notifications built in
- Wide range of storage backends (S3, B2, cloud drives, SFTP, and more)
- Client-side encryption and deduplication
Where Dockstash pulls ahead
- Documented restore and database-consistency edge cases in its issue tracker and forums
- Not Docker-aware: no adapters, so live database files get copied instead of dumped
- No Compose/volume/reverse-proxy auto-detection of a running stack
- No automated restore-drill to prove a backup actually recovers
Who should switch to Dockstash
You run production databases in Docker and need consistent dumps plus proof that a restore works, not a file-level copy you hope recovers.
Duplicati is the right choice when: Individuals backing up files and folders from a desktop or server who want a free GUI with many storage targets.
Migrating from Duplicati
Duplicati uses its own block/archive format, so there is no in-place repo conversion — you start fresh restic repos with Dockstash. Run both in parallel during the cutover: keep Duplicati until Dockstash produces a green restore drill, then retire it. Moving off Duplicati is also a good moment to switch database sources from file copies to container dumps.
Last updated: July 2026
Frequently asked questions
Can I reuse my Duplicati backups in Dockstash?
No — Duplicati uses its own archive format, while Dockstash writes standard restic repositories. You start new restic repos; run both tools in parallel until Dockstash’s restore drill passes.
Why does Duplicati’s restore reputation matter?
A backup is only as good as its restore. Duplicati has documented restore and consistency edge cases in its issue tracker. Dockstash uses restic and drills the restore automatically, so recovery is verified in advance.
Does Duplicati handle my Postgres container?
It can back up the files on disk, but copying a live Postgres data directory is not a consistent dump and may not restore. Dockstash runs pg_dumpall inside the container first.
Is Dockstash also free?
Yes, there is a free self-host tier that runs without any paid provider. Paid tiers add scheduling scale, alerts, and more projects.