Sanoid vs Docker Volume Backup
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted backup & recovery options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Sanoid
Policy-driven ZFS snapshot management and replication
VS
Docker Volume Backup
Backup tool for Docker volumes to local or remote storage
| Feature | Sanoid | Docker Volume Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Backup & Recovery | Backup & Recovery |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MPL-2.0 |
| Language | Perl | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,830 | ★ 3,944 |
| First released | 2014 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Time Machine | Veeam |
Why pick each one
Choose Sanoid if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Active community (3.8k GitHub stars)
- Written in Perl
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Choose Docker Volume Backup if…
- Released under the MPL-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3.9k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanoid or Docker Volume Backup better?
Docker Volume Backup is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Sanoid if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Sanoid and Docker Volume Backup free and open-source?
Yes. Sanoid is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Docker Volume Backup under MPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Sanoid and Docker Volume Backup with Docker?
Sanoid: check the project docs for container support. Docker Volume Backup: yes.