Vanguard is an open-source backup solution built with Laravel and Livewire, designed for system administrators and DevOps teams needing a self-hosted, web-based tool to back up files and databases on Ubuntu and Debian servers. It addresses the need for a user-friendly, feature-rich backup system that avoids proprietary tools while supporting modern infrastructure like S3 storage and multi-channel notifications. Built for the community, Vanguard combines an intuitive interface with robust automation capabilities to simplify backup management without requiring deep infrastructure expertise.
Its AGPLv3 license and active community ensure transparency and long-term maintainability, making it ideal for organizations seeking control over their data backup processes without vendor lock-in. With native support for OAuth, encrypted storage, and a REST API, Vanguard is suitable for both small-scale deployments and enterprise environments requiring integration with existing workflows.
What You Get
- File and database backup support - Vanguard can back up both filesystems and databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL) with configurable retention policies and compression.
- Intuitive web interface with scheduling - Users can create, monitor, and schedule backup tasks through a visual dashboard built with Livewire, eliminating command-line complexity.
- Multi-channel notifications - Receive alerts via Email, Discord, Slack, and Pushover when backups succeed or fail, ensuring timely incident response.
- OAuth login and two-factor authentication - Secure access with GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket OAuth integration and optional 2FA for administrative accounts.
- REST API for automation - Integrate Vanguard with CI/CD pipelines or monitoring tools using its documented REST endpoints to trigger backups or retrieve status.
- Encrypted data storage and multi-language support - Backup metadata and configurations are encrypted at rest, with UI localization available for non-English users.
- Comprehensive reporting and statistics - View detailed metrics on backup size, duration, success rate, and storage usage over time through the web dashboard.
Common Use Cases
- Building a self-hosted server backup system for small businesses - A sysadmin uses Vanguard to schedule daily backups of web servers running PHP apps on Ubuntu, storing archives in S3 and receiving Slack alerts if any backup fails.
- Creating a compliance-ready data retention solution - A healthcare provider uses Vanguard to automate encrypted backups of patient databases and file shares, meeting HIPAA requirements with audit logs and encryption.
- Problem → Solution flow: Manual backups are unreliable → Vanguard automates them - A team was manually copying files and databases via cron scripts, leading to missed backups; they deployed Vanguard to centralize and monitor all backup tasks with real-time alerts.
- DevOps teams managing multiple servers across cloud providers - Engineers use Vanguard’s REST API to programmatically trigger backups on 50+ servers from a central orchestration tool, with S3 as the unified storage target.
Under The Hood
VanguardBackup is a comprehensive backup management platform built with PHP and Laravel, designed to handle both local and cloud-based backup workflows. It integrates modern frontend technologies and provides a modular, extensible architecture for managing complex infrastructure tasks.
Architecture
This application follows a layered monolithic architecture with well-defined separation of concerns.
- Implements a domain-driven structure with dedicated modules for backup logic, remote servers, and destination handling
- Employs design patterns such as Command and Action patterns to encapsulate business logic and console operations
- Uses middleware, events, and job-based processing to enable modular component interactions
- Adheres to Laravel conventions while introducing custom organizational layers for clarity
Tech Stack
Built using PHP and the Laravel framework, with a modern frontend and development toolset.
- Leverages Livewire for dynamic UI components and Tailwind CSS for styling
- Integrates Vite, Prettier, and modern testing tools like PHPUnit, PHPStan, and Rector
- Incorporates real-time communication via Reverb and navigation support through Breadcrumbs
- Supports multiple database systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite
Code Quality
Code quality is solid with a strong emphasis on testing and consistent Laravel practices.
- Comprehensive test suite covers various functional areas with extensive test files
- Error handling is consistently applied across the codebase with appropriate exception patterns
- Naming conventions and structure align with Laravel standards, promoting readability
- Some duplicated logic and refactoring opportunities are present, indicating minor technical debt
What Makes It Unique
VanguardBackup distinguishes itself through its modular and extensible approach to backup management.
- Combines infrastructure automation with robust monitoring and user-centric controls
- Offers flexible architecture designed for both local and cloud-based backup destinations
- Integrates real-time communication and dynamic UI components for enhanced user experience