Seven backup types
for every failure scenario
Not seven ways to do the same thing — seven purpose-built mechanisms, each answering a different failure scenario. Free local backups included. Offsite storage is billed per GB.
Local backup
On-server · Free
Offsite backup
Object storage · per GB
7
Backup types
Per GB
Offsite storage, metered
5
App backups per app
Free
Local backups
Seven mechanisms, seven scenarios
Each backup type captures different data, lives in a different place, and recovers you from a different kind of failure. Understanding which to use when is the difference between a 5-minute recovery and a lost weekend.
Auto Backup
Whole server on the provider's schedule — recovers from losing the server
Snapshot
Whole server on demand — recovers from a change you want to undo
Server Image
Reusable template — recovers by building more servers like this one
Custom Backup
Nominated paths only — recovers from losing specific files
Portable Backup
Movable format — recovers by moving provider or leaving
Full Server Backup
Everything, panel-managed — recovers from most situations
Clone
A running copy — recovers by testing or scaling out to a new server
Free local, optional offsite
Local backups are stored on your server and are free. Offsite backups are uploaded to object storage and the local copy is then deleted — so an offsite backup exists in exactly one place. This is the only type that survives server loss.
- Local backups — free, stored on the server
- Offsite backups — billed per GB, uploaded to object storage
- Offsite is a move, not a copy — the server-side archive is removed after upload
- Offsite restore downloads first, then restores from the downloaded copy
Local backup
On-server · Free
Offsite backup
Object storage · per GB
Retention & scheduling that thinks ahead
Full server backups support configurable retention with auto-delete tracking. Schedule options include Manual, Daily, Weekly, 14 Days, and Monthly. The panel recommends a 7-day retention floor minimum.
- Named backups with Created At and Auto Delete On dates
- Frequency: Manual, Daily, Weekly, 14 Days, Monthly
- Configurable retention count with 7-day floor recommendation
- Restore, rollback, delete, and permanent-delete actions
daily-full
Auto-delete in 7d
weekly-snapshot
Auto-delete in 30d
manual-clone
No auto-delete
7-day retention floor recommended
Application-level backups with finer control
Each application has its own backup system with finer-grained control. Backups include a zip of the app root (including dotfiles like .env) and a database dump. Restore takes a safety backup first.
- Full Backup, Code Only, or Database Only scope options
- Max 5 backups kept per application
- Pre-restore safety backup taken automatically before overwriting
- Scheduled backups with Daily, Weekly, 14 Days, or Monthly frequency
Full Backup
Code + Database
Code Only
App root zip
Database Only
SQL dump
Restore with a safety net
Every restore path is designed so a failed recovery doesn't make things worse. Application restores take a safety backup before overwriting. Offsite restores download first, then restore from the local copy. You always have a way back.
- Pre-restore safety backup before any overwrite
- Offsite restore downloads first, then restores locally
- Rollback to any named backup in one click
- Permanent-delete for when you truly want it gone
$ restore --backup daily-full-0820
Taking safety backup before overwrite...
✓ Safety backup saved
Downloading from offsite storage...
✓ 2.4 GB downloaded
Restoring files and database...
✓ Restore complete — 3m 42s
$
Backup storage, priced simply
Local backups are free and stored on your server. Offsite backups are uploaded to object storage atbilled per GB — and the local copy is deleted after upload, so an offsite backup exists in exactly one place. This is the only backup type that survives server loss.
Free local backups
Offsite billed per GB
Auto-delete by retention
Everything around your backups
Pair backups with the tools that keep your applications fast, secure, and resilient.
SharkCluster offers seven backup types: auto backups, snapshots, server images, custom path backups, portable backups, full server backups, and cloning. Each solves a different failure scenario.
Local backups are free. Offsite backup storage to object storage is billed per GB, and is the only type that survives the loss of the server itself.
A portable backup stores your server in a movable format designed to leave the provider. It's for migrating to another provider or building a new server elsewhere.
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