Backing up your small website is one of the smartest things you can do. If something goes wrong, a good backup saves your time, data, and money. This guide shows you how to use Hetzner Object Storage to create reliable backups step by step. By the end, you will have a working backup system that runs on its own.
Why Use Hetzner Object Storage for Website Backups?
Key Benefits for Small Website Operations
Hetzner Object Storage is built on S3-compatible technology. This means it works with many popular backup tools. You get high uptime, strong data safety, and simple setup. For a small website, you do not need complex systems. Hetzner gives you exactly what you need at a fair price. Your data is stored in European data centers, which helps with privacy rules.
Hetzner Object Storage Pricing in 2026
In 2026, Hetzner Object Storage starts at around €3.29 per month for 250 GB of storage. This is very affordable for small website owners. You pay only for what you use. There are no hidden fees. Bandwidth costs are low compared to other cloud providers. This makes it a top choice for budget-friendly backups.
Supported Protocols and Regional Endpoints
Hetzner Object Storage supports the S3 protocol. This is the same protocol used by Amazon S3. You can connect from anywhere using HTTPS. The main endpoints are located in Falkenstein, Nuremberg, and Helsinki. Choose the one closest to your server for faster backup speeds.
Prerequisites: Creating Your Hetzner Object Storage Bucket
Step 1: Sign Up and Access the Hetzner Cloud Console
Go to the Hetzner website and create an account. You will need a valid email address and payment method. Once registered, log in to the Hetzner Cloud Console. This is where you manage all your cloud resources.
Step 2: Create a New Object Storage Bucket
- Click on “Object Storage” in the left menu.
- Click the “Create Bucket” button.
- Give your bucket a unique name, like “my-website-backup-2026”.
- Select your preferred location (Falkenstein, Nuremberg, or Helsinki).
- Click “Create” to finish.
Your bucket is now ready to store backup files.
Step 3: Generate S3-Compatible Access Credentials
- Go to the “Object Storage” section in the console.
- Click on the “Credentials” tab.
- Click “Create new credentials”.
- Give them a name like “backup-tool-access”.
- Copy and save both the Access Key and Secret Key. You will need these later.
Keep your Secret Key safe. Never share it with anyone.
Choosing the Best Backup Tool for Hetzner Object Storage
rclone: Best for Simple File Sync and Migration
rclone is a free command-line tool. It copies files between your server and Hetzner Object Storage. It is fast, simple, and works on Linux, macOS, and Windows. If you want basic file sync, rclone is a great choice.
Restic: Best for Encrypted, Deduplicated Backups
Restic is another free tool. It encrypts your data before sending it to Hetzner Object Storage. It also removes duplicate data to save space. This makes Restic ideal if you care about security and storage costs.
Duplicati: Best for GUI-Based Backup Management
Duplicati has a web interface. You can set up backups through your browser. It supports encryption and scheduling. This is good for users who prefer a visual tool over the command line.
Backup Tool Comparison Table
| Feature | rclone | Restic | Duplicati |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface | Command line | Command line | Web GUI |
| Encryption | Optional | Built-in | Built-in |
| Deduplication | No | Yes | Yes |
| Compression | No | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduling | Via cron | Via cron | Built-in |
| Best For | Simple sync | Secure backups | Easy management |
Hetzner Object Storage Backup Setup with rclone
Installing and Configuring rclone
- Open your terminal or SSH into your server.
- Run the install command:
curl https://rclone.org/install.sh | sudo bash - Wait for the installation to finish.
- Type
rclone versionto confirm it is installed.
Connecting rclone to Hetzner Object Storage
- Type
rclone configto start the setup. - Press “n” for a new remote.
- Enter a name like “hetzner”.
- Select “Amazon S3 Compatible” from the list (usually option 4 or type “s3”).
- Choose provider “Other” when asked.
- Enter your Access Key when prompted.
- Enter your Secret Key when prompted.
- Set the endpoint to your bucket region, for example:
https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com - Leave other settings as default.
- Test the connection by typing
rclone lsd hetzner:
If you see your bucket listed, the connection works.
Running Your First Backup with rclone
- Run this command to copy your website files:
rclone sync /var/www/html hetzner:my-website-backup-2026/website-files --progress - Watch the progress bar. Wait until it finishes.
- Verify the backup by running:
rclone ls hetzner:my-website-backup-2026/website-files | head
Your first Hetzner Object Storage backup is complete.
Hetzner Object Storage Backup Setup with Restic
Installing Restic and Initializing a Repository
- Download Restic from the official site or use your package manager:
sudo apt install restic - Set your access credentials as environment variables:
export AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID=your_access_keyexport AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=your_secret_key
- Initialize the repository:
restic -r s3:https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/my-website-backup-2026/restic-repo init - Set a strong password when asked. Save it in a safe place.
Configuring Restic for Hetzner S3-Compatible Storage
Restic works with any S3-compatible storage. You just need the correct endpoint URL. The format is s3:https://[location].your-objectstorage.com/[bucket-name]. Replace [location] with hel1, fsn1, or nbg1 depending on your bucket region. Restic handles encryption and deduplication automatically.
Creating and Verifying Your First Restic Backup
- Run the backup command:
restic -r s3:https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/my-website-backup-2026/restic-repo backup /var/www/html - Wait for the backup to finish. Restic shows progress and stats.
- List your snapshots:
restic -r s3:https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/my-website-backup-2026/restic-repo snapshots - Check the data integrity:
restic -r s3:https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/my-website-backup-2026/restic-repo check
If the check passes, your Restic backup on Hetzner Object Storage is working correctly.
Automating Hetzner Object Storage Backups
Scheduling Backups with Cron Jobs
- Open the crontab editor:
crontab -e - Add a line to run your backup daily at 2 AM:
0 2 * * * /usr/bin/rclone sync /var/www/html hetzner:my-website-backup-2026/website-files - Save and exit. Cron will now run this command every day.
Using Systemd Timers for Reliable Automation
- Create a service file at
/etc/systemd/system/backup.servicewith your backup command. - Create a timer file at
/etc/systemd/system/backup.timerto set the schedule. - Enable the timer:
sudo systemctl enable --now backup.timer - Check the status:
systemctl list-timers
Systemd timers are more reliable than cron because they log events and retry on failure.
Setting Up Backup Monitoring and Failure Alerts
You should know if a backup fails. Use a simple script that checks the exit code of your backup command. If it fails, send an email or a message through a service like Healthchecks.io. This free tool gives you a URL to ping after each backup. If it does not hear from you, it sends an alert.
Security Best Practices for Hetzner Object Storage Backups
Enabling Client-Side Encryption
Always encrypt your data before it leaves your server. Restic does this by default. With rclone, you can add a crypt remote on top of your Hetzner bucket. This means even if someone gets your access keys, they cannot read your files.
Managing Access Keys and Bucket Policies
Use separate access keys for each tool. Do not share keys between projects. Rotate your keys every 90 days. If you suspect a key is compromised, delete it immediately and create a new one. Hetzner lets you set bucket policies to limit access by IP address.
Backup Retention and Lifecycle Management
Do not keep backups forever. Old backups waste money. Set a retention policy. For example, keep daily backups for 7 days, weekly for 4 weeks, and monthly for 6 months. Restic has a built-in forget command: restic forget --keep-daily 7 --keep-weekly 4 --keep-monthly 6 --prune
Cost Optimization Tips for Hetzner Object Storage Backups
Minimizing Storage Costs with Deduplication and Compression
Use Restic or Duplicati to reduce storage size. Deduplication removes repeated data blocks. Compression shrinks file sizes. Together, they can cut your storage use by 50% or more. This directly lowers your Hetzner Object Storage bill.
Reducing Egress Traffic Expenses
Download traffic (egress) costs money. Only restore files when you truly need them. Test your restore process once a month instead of downloading full backups. Keep your backup server in the same region as your Hetzner bucket to avoid cross-region fees.
Choosing the Right Backup Frequency and Retention Policy
Not every website needs hourly backups. If your content changes once a day, a daily backup is enough. More frequent backups mean more storage and higher costs. Match your backup schedule to how often your data changes. This is the easiest way to save money on Hetzner Object Storage.
Troubleshooting Common Hetzner Object Storage Backup Issues
Connection and Authentication Errors
If you see “Access Denied” or “403 Forbidden,” check your access keys. Make sure there are no extra spaces. Verify that your endpoint URL matches your bucket region. If you get a timeout error, check your server firewall. Port 443 must be open for HTTPS connections to Hetzner Object Storage.
Backup Performance and Speed Issues
Slow backups usually come from large files or high latency. Use the --transfers flag in rclone to increase parallel uploads. For Restic, make sure your server has enough CPU for encryption. If speed is still low, try a different Hetzner region closer to your server.
Restore and Verification Problems
If a restore fails, first run a check command to verify data integrity. With Restic, use restic check --read-data to scan all data blocks. If corruption is found, you may need to restore from an older snapshot. Always keep at least two recent backups to stay safe.
FAQ: Hetzner Object Storage Backup Guide Questions
Q: Is Hetzner Object Storage safe for backups?
Yes. Hetzner stores your data in secure European data centers with high redundancy. When you add encryption, your backups are very safe.
Q: Can I use Hetzner Object Storage with any backup tool?
Yes. Any tool that supports S3-compatible storage will work. This includes rclone, Restic, Duplicati, BorgBase, and many others.
Q: How much does it cost to back up a small website?
For a typical small website (1-5 GB), you will pay around €3.29 per month. This includes storage and bandwidth within reasonable limits.
Q: Do I need a Hetzner cloud server to use Object Storage?
No. You can use Hetzner Object Storage from any server or computer. You only need internet access and valid access credentials.
Q: How fast are backups to Hetzner Object Storage?
Speed depends on your server location and file sizes. Most small websites finish a full backup in under 10 minutes. Incremental backups are even faster.
Conclusion and Next Steps for Your Backup Strategy
You now have a complete guide to setting up Hetzner Object Storage backups for your small website. You learned how to create a bucket, choose the right tool, automate backups, and keep your data safe. The next step is to pick one tool, follow the steps above, and run your first backup today. Then set up automation so you never have to worry about losing your website data again. A small effort now saves you from big problems later.