The Ultimate Comparison of the Best WordPress Backup Plugins

The Ultimate Comparison of the Best WordPress Backup Plugins: Which One is Right for You?

Website backups are essential for every website owner, especially if you’re using WordPress, one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world. Whether it’s an unexpected server crash, malware attack, or a human error, having a backup can save your website from complete disaster. Choosing the right WordPress backup plugin ensures that your site’s content, databases, themes, and plugins are always safe and recoverable.

In this post, we’ll compare the best WordPress backup plugins to help you find the ideal solution for your website. From free options to premium features, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision. Let’s dive into our top picks.

1. UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus is widely regarded as one of the most popular and powerful backup plugins for WordPress. It offers both free and premium versions, with the free version alone boasting features that rival many premium plugins.

Key Features of UpdraftPlus:

Scheduled Backups: Automate your backups by setting schedules (daily, weekly, or monthly).
Cloud Storage Options: It supports multiple remote storage options such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more.
Restore Functionality: You can not only back up but also restore your site directly from the WordPress dashboard.
Backup Everything: From files, themes, and plugins to databases, UpdraftPlus covers it all.
Incremental Backups: With the premium version, you can back up only the changes made since the last backup, saving time and storage space.

Pros:

User-friendly interface.
Large cloud storage support.
Incremental backups in the premium version.
Free version offers a wide range of features.

Cons:

Premium features such as migration, multisite support, and advanced reporting require an upgrade.
Some advanced features may feel a bit complex for beginners.

Pricing:

Free version available.
Premium plans start at $70 per year.

Best For:

UpdraftPlus is ideal for beginners and small to medium-sized websites that need a reliable, easy-to-use backup solution. For those needing advanced features like incremental backups and migration, the premium version offers excellent value.

2. BackupBuddy

BackupBuddy is one of the oldest WordPress backup plugins and remains a favorite among website owners. Developed by iThemes, BackupBuddy is a premium solution offering extensive backup and restoration capabilities.

Key Features of BackupBuddy:

Full Website Backups: It allows you to back up everything from WordPress databases to themes, media files, and plugins.
Scheduled Backups: Automate backups by scheduling daily, weekly, or monthly backups.
Offsite Backup Storage: Store your backups in offsite locations like Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox, or even BackupBuddy’s own cloud service, Stash.
Database and File Restoration: Restore both database and file backups easily through the WordPress dashboard.
Site Migration and Cloning: BackupBuddy makes it easy to migrate your WordPress site to a new host or clone it for development purposes.

Pros:

Great for site migrations and cloning.
Extensive backup options, including custom backup profiles.
Secure storage in multiple locations.
One-time payment system instead of recurring subscriptions.

Cons:

No free version.
Slightly more expensive than other backup plugins.
The interface might seem outdated compared to newer plugins.

Pricing:

Plans start at $80 per year for a single-site license.

Best For:

BackupBuddy is a perfect fit for those who need reliable backups and often work with site migrations. If you’re looking for a complete backup and restore solution with powerful offsite storage and migration features, BackupBuddy is a strong contender.

3. Jetpack Backup (formerly VaultPress)

Jetpack Backup, which was previously known as VaultPress, is part of the Jetpack suite by Automattic, the company behind WordPress itself. It provides an automatic, real-time backup solution that saves every change you make to your site, so you never lose more than a few minutes of work.

Key Features of Jetpack Backup:

Real-Time Backups: Backups are made in real-time with every change, ensuring no data is lost.
Daily or On-Demand Backups: Choose between automatic daily backups or back up your site manually whenever you like.
One-Click Restore: Restore your site with a single click directly from the dashboard or the WordPress mobile app.
Unlimited Storage: Jetpack Backup provides unlimited backup storage with no caps on file size or retention period.
Security Scanning: With the higher-tier plans, you can also enable malware scanning and automated spam protection.

Pros:

Developed by Automattic, which means great compatibility with WordPress.
Real-time backups with no extra configuration needed.
Excellent for eCommerce sites or sites with frequent updates.
Simple one-click restores.

Cons:

Jetpack Backup requires a subscription to Jetpack, which comes with additional features you may not need.
The pricing structure is based on a monthly subscription, which can add up over time.
Can feel like overkill for smaller sites with infrequent updates.

Pricing:

Plans start at $9.95 per month for real-time backups.

Best For:

Jetpack Backup is best suited for websites that are updated frequently, such as blogs, eCommerce stores, and membership sites. Its real-time backup feature ensures that no changes are lost, making it invaluable for high-traffic websites.

4. WP Time Capsule

WP Time Capsule is a relatively unique backup plugin that focuses on incremental backups rather than backing up your entire site every time. This saves server resources and makes backups faster and more efficient.

Key Features of WP Time Capsule:

Incremental Backups: Only backs up files that have changed, reducing server load and backup times.
Cloud Storage Integration: Store your backups directly in services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3.
Test Restoration in Staging: Test your backup before you restore it to ensure it’s working correctly.
Auto Restore: Automatically restores backups after updates if anything breaks your site.
Detailed Backup Logs: View what has been backed up and when.

Pros:

Less server storage required thanks to incremental backups.
Ability to test backups before applying them live.
Works seamlessly with cloud storage solutions.
No complex configurations required.

Cons:

No free version (free trial only).
Lacks some advanced features like full-site migration.
Could be overkill for smaller sites.

Pricing:

Plans start at $49 per year.

Best For:

WP Time Capsule is best for users who want efficient, incremental backups without the hassle of storing large amounts of data on their server. It’s perfect for medium to large websites that need quick and resource-efficient backups.

5. BackWPup

BackWPup is another popular WordPress backup plugin, particularly favored for its generous free version. It provides many features found in premium plugins without requiring any upfront cost.

Key Features of BackWPup:

Complete Backup Solution: Back up your entire site, including databases, themes, and plugins.
Scheduled Backups: Automate your backups with daily, weekly, or monthly schedules.
Remote Storage: Supports various cloud storage options like Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more.
Backup to FTP: You can also send backups to FTP servers for added security.
Database Optimization and Repair: Includes tools to optimize and repair your WordPress database.

Pros:

Comprehensive free version with plenty of features.
Supports multiple storage options, including FTP and cloud services.
Easy to set up and configure.
Database repair and optimization included.

Cons:

No incremental backups (available only in premium version).
The interface can be slightly overwhelming for beginners.
Some advanced features require a premium upgrade.

Pricing:

Free version available.
Premium plans start at $69 per year.

Best For:

BackWPup is excellent for users looking for a robust free solution with plenty of flexibility. It’s particularly suited to website owners who need a simple backup solution with remote storage options but don’t necessarily need incremental backups or other premium features.

6. Duplicator

Duplicator is primarily known as a migration tool, but it also functions as a backup plugin. It allows you to create complete copies of your site, which can then be stored or used to migrate to a new host.

Key Features of Duplicator:

Complete Site Backups: Create a full backup of your site, including the database, files, themes, and plugins.
Site Migration: Easily move your site to a new domain or hosting provider.
Scheduled Backups: Automate backups at regular intervals.
Customizable Packages: Tailor your backup to include or exclude specific files and directories.
Manual Restores: Unlike other plugins, you’ll need to manually upload your backup files and database when restoring a site.

Pros:

Excellent for site migrations.
Allows customizable backup packages.
One of the few plugins that supports easy site duplication.
Free version available.

Cons:

Restoration requires manual effort.
No real-time backups.
Advanced features require a premium upgrade.

Pricing:

Free version available.
Pro plans start at $69 per year.

Best For:

Duplicator is ideal for users who frequently migrate websites or developers who work on multiple client sites. It’s a great backup plugin if you want the added functionality of site duplication and migration.

Conclusion: Which WordPress Backup Plugin is Best for You?

Choosing the right WordPress backup plugin depends on your website’s specific needs:

UpdraftPlus offers the best overall solution for beginners and small businesses with its ease of use and extensive free features.
BackupBuddy is excellent for advanced users who require powerful migration and cloning tools.
Jetpack Backup provides real-time backups, making it perfect for high-traffic sites that need constant updates.
WP Time Capsule shines when it comes to resource-efficient, incremental backups.
BackWPup is a great free solution for users who want a basic backup option with flexible storage.
Duplicator is best suited for developers who need easy migration and backup capabilities.

No matter which plugin you choose, having a reliable backup solution is critical to ensuring the safety and security of your WordPress site. Select the plugin that best meets your needs and provides peace of mind that your site’s data is always safe and recoverable.

Should you have a WordPress Hosting Plan with us, you’ll find that getting any of these backup plugins up and running is a breeze. If you run into any trouble, help is just a ticket away.

At Entexion, we prefer UpdraftPlus for its ease of use and robust features, but we recognize that other backup plugins also serve valuable purposes depending on specific needs.