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Do you want to keep your WordPress site safe from any disaster? Then you need a reliable backup plugin that can create and store copies of your site regularly. A backup plugin will help you restore your site in case of any server issues, hacking attacks, or human errors.
But how do you find the best backup plugin for your site? There are many options available, but not all of them offer the same features and benefits. In this article, we’ll compare the top 12 WordPress backup plugins and help you pick the right one for your needs.
What to Look for in a WordPress Backup Plugin
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s first understand what makes a good backup plugin. Here are some of the key factors you should consider when choosing a backup plugin for your site:
- Complete website backup: The backup plugin should be able to backup both your files and database, which contain all your site’s content, settings, and functionality. Some plugins only backup one or the other, which can result in data loss or incomplete restoration.
- Incremental backups: The backup plugin should use incremental technology, which means it only backs up the changes made to your site since the last backup. This reduces the server load and storage space required for backups, and also makes the restoration process faster and easier.
- Safe storage: The backup plugin should encrypt your backups and store them in secure locations, such as cloud services or local drives. This will protect your backups from unauthorized access or corruption.
- Offsite storage: The backup plugin should allow you to store your backups on a different server than your website. This way, if your website server goes down or gets hacked, you won’t lose your backups as well.
- Scheduled backups: The backup plugin should let you set up automatic backups that run on a regular basis, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. This will ensure that you always have a recent copy of your site available for restoration.
- Real-Time backups: The backup plugin should offer real-time backups for sites that have frequent updates or transactions, such as eCommerce sites or membership sites. This will ensure that every new order, comment, or post is backed up immediately and added to the existing backup.
Top 12 WordPress Backup Plugins Compared
Now that you know what to look for in a backup plugin, let’s take a look at some of the best options available in the market. We’ll compare their features, pricing, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision.
1. Duplicator
Duplicator is one of the best backup plugins for WordPress, as it’s user-friendly and affordable. It allows you to backup all your WordPress files in zip format, so you can download them offline and store them locally. The plugin also supports cloud storage integrations with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon S3, and more.
Duplicator is not only a backup plugin but also a migration tool. It lets you easily clone, move, or transfer your site from one location to another. You can also use it to create staging sites or preconfigured sites.
Duplicator has a free version that offers basic backup and migration features. If you want more advanced features like scheduled backups, email notifications, multisite support, and premium support, you can upgrade to Duplicator Pro.
Pricing: Duplicator has a free version available in the WordPress repository. Duplicator Pro starts from $69 per year for 3 sites.
Pros:
- Easy to use interface
- Supports both backup and migration
- Offers cloud storage integrations
- Bundles site into a single archive
- Creates recovery points
Cons:
- Requires some technical knowledge
- Does not offer real-time backups
- Does not offer incremental backups
2. UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus is another popular backup plugin for WordPress, with over a million active installs. It offers a comprehensive set of features to backup and restore your site with ease.
UpdraftPlus lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
UpdraftPlus allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
UpdraftPlus has a free version that offers most of the essential features. If you want more advanced features like incremental backups, multisite support, cloning and migration tools, and premium support, you can upgrade to UpdraftPlus Premium.
Pricing: UpdraftPlus has a free version available in the WordPress repository. UpdraftPlus Premium starts from $70 per year for 2 sites.
Pros:
- Supports both backup and restoration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Allows selective backup and restoration
- Supports multisite backup (premium)
- Offers incremental backup (premium)
Cons:
- The interface can be overwhelming for beginners
- The free version has limited features
- The premium version is expensive
3. BackupBuddy
BackupBuddy is one of the oldest and most trusted backup plugins for WordPress. It has been around since 2010 and has backed up over half a million WordPress sites.
BackupBuddy lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including BackupBuddy Stash, Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
BackupBuddy allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
BackupBuddy is not only a backup plugin but also a migration tool. It lets you easily clone, move, or transfer your site from one location to another. You can also use it to create staging sites or preconfigured sites.
BackupBuddy does not have a free version, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also includes access to iThemes Sync Pro, which lets you manage multiple WordPress sites from one dashboard.
Pricing: BackupBuddy starts from $80 per year for 1 site.
Pros:
- Supports both backup and migration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Allows selective backup and restoration
- Includes access to iThemes Sync Pro
- Offers 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Does not have a free version
- Does not offer real-time backups
- Does not offer incremental backups
4. Jetpack Backup
Jetpack Backup is a premium backup plugin for WordPress that is powered by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. It offers a simple and reliable way to backup and restore your site.
Jetpack Backup lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including Jetpack Cloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
Jetpack Backup allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
Jetpack Backup offers real-time backups for sites that have frequent updates or transactions, such as eCommerce sites or membership sites. This ensures that every new order, comment, or post is backed up immediately and added to the existing backup.
Jetpack Backup does not have a free version, but it offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. It also includes access to Jetpack Security Essentials, which offers features like malware scanning, spam protection, brute force protection, and more.
Pricing: Jetpack Backup starts from $10 per month or $100 per year for 1 site.
Pros:
- Supports both backup and restoration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Allows selective backup and restoration
- Offers real-time backups
- Includes access to Jetpack Security Essentials
Cons:
- Does not have a free version
- Does not support migration
- Does not offer incremental backups
5. WPvivid
WPvivid is a new and fast-growing backup plugin for WordPress that offers a lot of features and flexibility. It lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including WPvivid Cloud Storage (free), Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
WPvivid allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
WPvivid is not only a backup plugin but also a migration tool. It lets you easily clone, move, or transfer your site from one location to another. You can also use it to create staging sites or preconfigured sites.
WPvivid has a free version that offers most of the essential features. If you want more advanced features like incremental backups, multisite support, remote management tools, and premium support, you can upgrade to WPvivid Pro.
Pricing: WPvivid has a free version available in the WordPress repository. WPvivid Pro starts from $99 per year for unlimited sites.
Pros:
- Supports both backup and migration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Allows selective backup and restoration
- Offers incremental backups (pro)
- Supports multisite backup (pro)
- Offers unlimited sites license (pro)
Cons:
- The interface can be confusing for beginners
- The free version has limited features
- The pro version is expensive
6. BackWPup
BackWPup is a simple and easy-to-use backup plugin for WordPress that lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
BackWPup allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
BackWPup has a free version that offers basic backup and restoration features. If you want more advanced features like encrypted backups, differential backups, multisite support, and premium support, you can upgrade to BackWPup Pro.
Pricing: BackWPup has a free version available in the WordPress repository. BackWPup Pro starts from $69 per year for 1 site.
Pros:
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Supports both backup and restoration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Offers encrypted backups (pro)
- Offers differential backups (pro)
Cons:
- Does not support migration
- Does not offer real-time backups
- Does not offer incremental backups
7. BlogVault
BlogVault is a premium backup plugin for WordPress that offers a comprehensive set of features and benefits. It lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including BlogVault Cloud Storage (free), Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
BlogVault allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
BlogVault offers real-time backups for sites that have frequent updates or transactions, such as eCommerce sites or membership sites. This ensures that every new order, comment, or post is backed up immediately and added to the existing backup.
BlogVault also offers incremental backups, which means it only backs up the changes made to your site since the last backup. This reduces the server load and storage space required for backups, and also makes the restoration process faster and easier.
BlogVault is not only a backup plugin but also a migration tool. It lets you easily clone, move, or transfer your site from one location to another. You can also use it to create staging sites or preconfigured sites.
BlogVault does not have a free version, but it offers a 7-day free trial. It also includes access to BlogVault Security Suite, which offers features like malware scanning, firewall protection, login security, and more.
Pricing: BlogVault starts from $7.4 per month or $89 per year for 1 site.
Pros:
- Supports both backup and migration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Allows selective backup and restoration
- Offers real-time backups
- Offers incremental backups
Cons:
- Does not have a free version
- Does not support multisite backup
- Does not offer unlimited sites license
8. VaultPress
VaultPress is another premium backup plugin for WordPress that is powered by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. It offers a simple and reliable way to backup and restore your site.
VaultPress lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including VaultPress Cloud Storage (free), Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
VaultPress allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
VaultPress offers real-time backups for sites that have frequent updates or transactions, such as eCommerce sites or membership sites. This ensures that every new order, comment, or post is backed up immediately and added to the existing backup.
VaultPress does not have a free version, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also includes access to Jetpack Security Essentials, which offers features like malware scanning, spam protection, brute force protection, and more.
Pricing: VaultPress starts from $10 per month or $100 per year for 1 site.
Pros:
- Supports both backup and restoration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Allows selective backup and restoration
- Offers real-time backups
- Includes access to Jetpack Security Essentials
Cons:
- Does not have a free version
- Does not support migration
- Does not offer incremental backups
9. BackupGuard
BackupGuard is a simple and affordable backup plugin for WordPress that lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including BackupGuard Cloud Storage (free), Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
BackupGuard allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
BackupGuard is not only a backup plugin but also a migration tool. It lets you easily clone, move, or transfer your site from one location to another. You can also use it to create staging sites or preconfigured sites.
BackupGuard has a free version that offers basic backup and migration features. If you want more advanced features like encrypted backups, differential backups, multisite support, and premium support, you can upgrade to BackupGuard Pro.
Pricing: BackupGuard has a free version available in the WordPress repository. BackupGuard Pro starts from $25 per year for 1 site.
Pros:
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Supports both backup and migration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Offers encrypted backups (pro)
- Offers differential backups (pro)
Cons:
- Does not offer real-time backups
- Does not offer incremental backups
- Does not include security features
10. WP Time Capsule
WP Time Capsule is a unique backup plugin for WordPress that focuses on incremental backups. It lets you backup only the changes made to your site since the last backup. This reduces the server load and storage space required for backups, and also makes the restoration process faster and easier.
WP Time Capsule lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including WP Time Capsule Cloud Storage (free), Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
WP Time Capsule allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
WP Time Capsule also offers real-time backups for sites that have frequent updates or transactions, such as eCommerce sites or membership sites. This ensures that every new order, comment, or post is backed up immediately and added to the existing backup.
WP Time Capsule does not have a free version, but it offers a 30-day free trial. It also includes access to WP Time Capsule Security Suite, which offers features like malware scanning, firewall protection, login security, and more.
Pricing: WP Time Capsule starts from $49 per year for 2 sites.
Pros:
- Supports both backup and restoration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Allows selective backup and restoration
- Offers real-time backups
- Offers incremental backups
Cons:
- Does not have a free version
- Does not support migration
- Does not support multisite backup
11. BackUpWordPress
BackUpWordPress is a simple and lightweight backup plugin for WordPress that lets you backup your entire site or select specific files and database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including local storage or email.
BackUpWordPress allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
BackUpWordPress has a free version that offers basic backup and restoration features. If you want more advanced features like cloud storage integrations, multisite support, and premium support, you can upgrade to BackUpWordPress Pro.
Pricing: BackUpWordPress has a free version available in the WordPress repository. BackUpWordPress Pro starts from $29 per year for 1 site.
Pros:
- Simple and lightweight interface
- Supports both backup and restoration
- Allows selective backup and restoration
- Offers local storage or email options
Cons:
- Does not offer real-time backups
- Does not offer incremental backups
- Does not support migration
12. WP Database Backup
WP Database Backup is a minimalistic backup plugin for WordPress that lets you backup only your database tables. You can also choose where to store your backups from a range of options, including local storage, Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, email, and more.
WP Database Backup allows you to schedule automatic backups or run them manually whenever you want. You can also restore your site from any of your backups with a few clicks.
WP Database Backup has a free version that offers basic backup and restoration features. If you want more advanced features like multisite support, database optimization, and premium support, you can upgrade to WP Database Backup Pro.
Pricing: WP Database Backup has a free version available in the WordPress repository. WP Database Backup Pro starts from $22 per year for 1 site.
Pros:
- Simple and minimalistic interface
- Supports both backup and restoration
- Offers multiple storage options
- Offers database optimization (pro)
Cons:
- Does not backup files
- Does not offer real-time backups
- Does not offer incremental backups
- Does not support migration
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many WordPress backup plugins available in the market, but not all of them are suitable for your site. You need to consider your site’s size, frequency, and budget when choosing a backup plugin.
To help you make a quick decision, here are our top recommendations based on different scenarios:
- If you want a free backup plugin that offers basic backup and migration features, go for Duplicator.
- If you want a premium backup plugin that offers comprehensive backup and migration features, go for Duplicator Pro.
- If you want a backup plugin that offers real-time backups for sites that have frequent updates or transactions, go for Jetpack Backup or WP Time Capsule.
- If you want a backup plugin that offers incremental backups for sites that have large files or databases, go for WP Time Capsule or BlogVault.
We hope this article helped you find the best WordPress backup plugin for your site. Remember to always keep a recent copy of your site stored in a safe location, so you can restore your site in case of any disaster.
Do you have any questions or comments about WordPress backup plugins? Let us know in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you!
