Database Development
Managing database backups properly is a core requirement for running any modern application. Whether you’re protecting user account data, securing financial records, preserving product catalogs, or safeguarding large-scale data pipelines, backup strategies change significantly based on the database engine and the way developers build the application.
There is a distinct difference in how you will plan for and execute backups based on whether you’re using a database engine that is based on MongoDB, MySQL or PostgreSQL. Each of these database engines has its own underlying storage architecture, method for ensuring data consistency and scalability; these three characteristics directly affect how a backup needs to be structured, planned and executed.
In this white paper we compare the different backup approaches across the three platforms. We’ll cover the different backup techniques, tools, reliability, speed and cost, storage efficiency, restore capabilities, automation support, and enterprise-readiness and ultimately help you determine how to implement a backup system that best fits your business model.
Backup Strategy with MongoDB
MongoDB is a NoSQL document database. It supports distributed systems using clusters, shards, and replicas. MongoDB does not require strict table schemas like relational databases. MongoDB backups match its distributed architecture and handle JSON documents across multiple nodes. This gives developers flexible backup options and reliable support for multi-node environments.
MongoDB Primary Backup Approaches:
1. Snapshots via Replica Sets
MongoDB primarily utilizes Replica Sets as a means of preserving data across different nodes. Backing up from Secondary Replicas does not interfere with the current running Production Workload on the Production Servers, and the user’s application will see no disruptions or slow-downs due to backups being made. File system or cloud-based Disk Snapshots made at the point of the backup are all Enterprise-Level Quick, Consistent and High Quality.
2. Logical Backups via MONGODUMP
mongodump backs up data and exports it into BSON format (Binary JSON). You can choose whether to back-up the entire collection or just a specific database. While this method is slower when compared to taking Disk Snapshots through Snapshots of Replica Sets, it does allow for more Fine-Grained Backups and provides portability of Backups and the ability to restore the Backup to an alternative Environment rather than restoring the entire Environment.
3. Backups via MongoDB Atlas Hosted Solutions
When you host MongoDB on Atlas (MongoDB Cloud), the platform creates backups continuously. It encrypts them at rest and supports cross-region copies. It gives you point-in-time restores, automatic scheduling, and high durability, without manual setup.
Backup Approaches for MySQL
MySQL is a very popular open source relational data base and the most widely used in the eCommerce sector. The MySQL Utilities are built around structured row formats, InnoDB storage engines, referential integrity, and transactional consistency.
The core MySQL Backup Methodologies
1. mysqldump (Logical Export)
mysqldump creates SQL dump files that create tables and add data into them as Insert Statements. This is the most common MySQL Backup Methodology. This method works for every MySQL platform, but it may take a lot of time to back up a very large MySQL database.
2. Percona XtraBackup (Hot Backup)
Percona XtraBackup is the market leader when it comes to the MySQL Hot Backup Methodology. It’s performs incremental backups of InnoDB layers without putting the database in a locked state. It supports incremental backups, compression, encryption, streaming, and has nearly zero production impact. As such, it is well-suited for large online retail stores, enterprise level transaction systems, and workloads that are heavily regulated by compliance standards.
3. Binary Log Replication Backups
The MySQL database leverages the uses of the Binary Logs feature to allow for data to be replicated and also to maintain a record of all the transactions that have occurred within that database. The Binary Logs also have the capability of linking together multiple backups and supporting a restore of data to a specific point in the past when they are used in conjunction with various dumps or Hot Backup tools. Therefore, the MySQL database is moving towards the ability to perform point-in-time disaster recovery.
4. Cloud-Based MySQL Backup Snapshots
In today’s world of Cloud-computing, there is an increasing number of users and companies taking advantage of the many features and benefits available to them by using Cloud-based backups. For example, Cloud-Backup Storage and Filesystem Snapshots are fast, do not require downtime, and are often used for full backups of servers instead of Logical Exports.
MySQL Backup Strengths
- Mature backup ecosystem
- Ideal for structured eCommerce and transactional integrity
- Cheap storage consumption
- Incremental backups well-supported via Percona
- Logical SQL dumps maximize compatibility
Backup solutions for PostgreSQL
Postgres is well regarded for its high level of ACID compliance, its reliable query through a consistent state, its ability to be extended, and its ability to sustain production-like environments. In order for PostgreSQL backups to maintain ACID compliance, they must contain WAL files, schemas, constraints, indexes, triggers, and the state of all transactions without losing any of these items. Below is a list of backup options for PostgreSQL:
1. Write-Ahead Log (WAL) Archiving
Every transaction must be written to a WAL before it is applied. The process of WAL archiving allows for continuous backups and permits point-in-time recovery (PITR) to be implemented. The use of WAL archiving is what differentiates PostgreSQL back from other database applications.
2. pg_dump and pg_dumpall
pg_dump generates a logical backup of one database in the form of SQL files. pg_dumpall generates SQL backups of all databases and role definitions within a cluster. Backups can be done using the following utilities: pg_dump and pg_dumpall.
3. pg_basebackup (Physical Backup)
pg_basebackup produces physical backups that include WAL storage, allowing for restoring the entire environment in the same state as it was prior to the backup. pg_basebackup is faster than pg_dump logical backups, it is more reliable, and it is designed for production use. pg_basebackup is best for restoring entire databases.
4. Barman and pgBackRest (Enterprise Level Tools)
Barman and pgBackRest are the most popular enterprise tools used for backing up and recovering PostgreSQL databases. They have features such as automated backup, the ability to manage backup retention policies, support for compression, incremental backup support, the ability to back up to multiple nodes in parallel, and remote storage of backups. Barman and pgBackRest are designed to provide disaster recovery and support for PITR.
PostgreSQL Backup Benefits
- Strongest consistency guarantees
- WAL enables continuous backup without data conflicts
- Best for systems where correctness > speed
- PITR recovery for mission-critical enterprise data
- Excellent ecosystem for compressed incremental backups
How to Choose a Backup Method:
When you are running clusters, analytics systems or distributed applications, then the ideal way to backup data would be using MongoDB’s snapshot feature.
If your app handles heavy traffic—like Magento or nopCommerce—use Percona XtraBackup for hot MySQL backups. If you build compliance-driven apps—like ERP, healthcare, or banking—use PostgreSQL WAL with pgBackRest or Barman.
The optimal backup solution for various infrastructures varies, so there is no single “one size fits all” solution.
Conclusion
MongoDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL use different architectures to back up data, and the biggest differences lie in how each system enforces consistency and supports scalability. MongoDB enables replication-based snapshots, while MySQL stands out by offering hot backup capabilities through Percona products. On the other hand, PostgreSQL relies on the WAL (Write-Ahead Logging) mechanism to create point-in-time recoveries for enterprises. Ultimately, selecting the ideal solution will guarantee durability, no downtime, a low storage cost per backup, and predictability at time of recovery for an organization.
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