When you’re running a website, you need to prepare for all types of situations.
For instance, your website could disappear tomorrow due to server crashes, hacking attempts, accidental deletions, or plugin conflicts.
Any of these could wipe out months or years of hard work in seconds. So what’s the solution?
Use a backup plugin that provides a reliable backup to restore your site in case something goes wrong. Our testing showed that Duplicator, UpdraftPlus, and Jetpack VaultPress are the top options.
In this article, we’ll show you the best WordPress backup plugins. Here’s a quick overview of the plugins we tested.
| # | WordPress Backup Plugins | Best For | Pricing |
| 1. | Duplicator | Site migration & cloning | Paid |
| 2. | UpdraftPlus | Free automated backups | Free |
| 3. | Jetpack VaultPress Backup | Automatic daily backups | Paid |
| 4. | Solid Backups NextGen | All-in-one solution | Paid |
| 5. | BlogVault | Large websites | Paid |
| 6. | WPvivid | Free with premium features | Free |
How We Test WordPress Backup Plugins
When we test backup plugins, we create real WordPress sites with actual content, then put each plugin through situations you might face.
This includes testing full site restores, partial file recovery, and database-only restores to see how each plugin handles different emergency scenarios.
We also test backup speed with sites of various sizes. For example, some plugins work great on small blogs but struggle with large eCommerce sites that have thousands of products and images.
Besides that, the most important test isn’t how well a plugin creates backups, it’s how reliably it restores them. For example, if you’re improving WordPress search, then it’s a good idea to have backups and easily restore them in case something goes wrong.
That’s why we restored test sites dozens of times using each plugin, checking for missing files, broken links, and database errors. Some plugins create perfect backups but fail during the restore process, leaving you worse off than before.
The best backup plugins should also get your site back online quickly with minimal technical knowledge required. So we test restores to different hosting environments to ensure the backups work even when moving between hosting providers.
That said, let’s dive into the details for each backup plugin.
1. Duplicator – Best for Site Migration and Cloning
Duplicator is the best WordPress plugin for backups we have tested so far. When you need to move a WordPress site or create an exact copy for testing, most backup plugins fall short.
That’s not the case with Duplicator, as it creates a backup and also help migrate sites between hosting providers or create staging environments.
What sets Duplicator apart is how it packages your entire site (files, content, database, and all) into a single installer package that works anywhere.
It’s like having a complete copy of your website that you can deploy on any hosting provider.
The plugin creates two files: an archive containing all your website files and an installer script that rebuilds your site automatically. We found this approach much more reliable than traditional backup methods when moving between different hosting environments.
The installer handles all the technical details like updating database URLs and file paths.
We’ve used Duplicator to migrate over 50 websites in the past two years, including moving WPBeginner’s development sites between different servers.
Another interesting thing we found was Duplicator’s scheduling feature that lets you create regular backup packages automatically. Besides that, the Pro version also includes cloud storage integration and larger site support.
Pros:
- Excellent for site migrations between hosting providers
- Creates complete, portable site packages
- Handles complex sites with custom configurations
- Free version works well for basic migrations
- Professional migration service available
Cons:
- Free version offers limited features for larger websites
Why Select Duplicator: After testing, Duplicator is the go-to choice when you need daily backups, migrate WordPress sites, or create exact copies for development.
Pricing: Duplicator offers premium plans starting from $49.99 per year. There is also a Lite version that you can use for free.
2. UpdraftPlus – Best Free Backup Solution
Finding a backup plugin that’s both powerful and free seems impossible, but UpdraftPlus delivers exactly that. We recommend UpdraftPlus to beginners because it offers automated backups without charging a monthly fee.
The free version handles everything most small websites need, including scheduled backups and one-click restores.
When we installed UpdraftPlus on our testing site, we were pleased to see that it automatically creates backups to our chosen schedule and stores them in the Google Drive account. When we restored some accidentally deleted posts, the process took less than five minutes from start to finish.
That said, the plugin separates your backups into logical components, such as database, plugins, themes, uploads, and core files. This means you can restore just your database if you need to recover posts, or only your uploads folder if you accidentally deleted images.
UpdraftPlus also works with different cloud storage services, including Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3. The free version limits you to basic cloud storage options, but that’s perfect for most sites.
Pros:
- Completely free for basic automated backups
- Works with popular cloud storage services
- Advanced restore options for specific components
- User-friendly interface perfect for beginners
- Large community and excellent support
Cons:
- Advanced features require premium upgrade
- Can be slow with very large sites
- Limited backup destinations in free version
Why Select UpdraftPlus: UpdraftPlus offers the best balance of features and affordability we’ve found in a backup plugin. The free version handles routine backup needs perfectly, making it ideal for small business websites and personal blogs.
Pricing: UpdraftPlus is a free WordPress plugin. It also offers premium plans from $70 per year.
3. Jetpack VaultPress Backup – Best for Automatic Backups
When you want backups that happen automatically without any setup or maintenance, Jetpack’s VaultPress Backup is hard to beat.
Once installed, it creates daily backups automatically and stores them securely on Jetpack’s servers without requiring any configuration.
This feature impressed us the most because it doesn’t impact your site’s performance, as the backup process doesn’t take place on your hosting service.
The restore process is exceptionally smooth through Jetpack’s dashboard. We were able to restore entire sites and individual posts with ease.
VaultPress also integrates seamlessly with other Jetpack features, creating a unified management experience. The security scanning and uptime monitoring complement the backup service well, giving you a complete site protection package.
However, this integration means you’re committed to the Jetpack ecosystem.
Pros:
- Completely automated with zero maintenance required
- Real-time backup capabilities for active sites
- Excellent restore interface with granular control
- Integrated security scanning and monitoring
- Reliable cloud storage on Jetpack’s servers
Cons:
- More expensive than standalone backup plugins
- Requires Jetpack installation and account
- Limited customization options
My Verdict: VaultPress Backup excels when you want a premium, fully automated backup solution. It’s particularly valuable for busy sites where manual backup management isn’t practical.
Pricing: Jetpack VaultPress Backup prices start from $4.95 per month. This is also a free version of the plugin you can try.
4. Solid Backups – Cloud Based Backup Solution
Solid Backups by SolidWP (formerly known as BackupBuddy) is the next backup plugin for WordPress on our list. What sets it apart is how it combines automated backups, easy restores, and site migration tools into one comprehensive package.
The standout feature for us was the Solid Backup Stash, their cloud storage service that comes included with every plan. It is a secure, remote storage destination for your Solid Backups.
Unlike other plugins that require you to connect your own storage accounts, Stash provides cloud-based backup storage right out of the box.
We also tested the restoration process extensively, and the plugin handles both complete site restores and granular file recovery exceptionally well.
Pros:
- Comprehensive solution combining backups, migration, and security
- Included cloud storage eliminates setup complexity
- Strong restore and migration capabilities
- Malware scanning adds extra security layer
- Good support and documentation
Cons:
- Higher price point than specialized backup plugins
- Interface can feel overwhelming for simple backup needs
- No free version
My Verdict: Solid Backups works best when you want a cloud based plugin to handle all your backup and migration needs.
Pricing: Solid Backups NextGen prices start from $8.25 per month for 1 website.
5. BlogVault – Best for Large Websites
BlogVault specializes in managing backups for large WordPress sites and is a SaaS based backup solution for WordPress.
The plugin’s incremental backup system only captures changes since the last backup, dramatically reducing the time and server resources required.
We tested the plugin on a large eCommerce site, and BlogVault completed daily backups in under 10 minutes. On the other hand, a few other plugins would take hours to complete the backup process.
Another thing we really liked was the staging environment feature that’s invaluable for testing updates on large sites. You can create a complete copy of the production site for testing, then push approved changes back to the live site with confidence.
Pros:
- Excellent performance with large, complex sites
- Incremental backups reduce server load and backup time
- Integrated staging environment for safe testing
- Real-time monitoring and detailed reporting
- Handles high-traffic sites without performance impact
Cons:
- Higher pricing than simpler backup solutions
- High learning curve for advanced features
My Verdict: We recommend BlogVault for anyone looking for a SaaS based solution. It justifies its premium pricing for large websites where backup speed and reliability are critical.
Pricing: BlogVault prices start from $149 per year for 1 site with the Plus plan. The price goes up if you add more sites or require more features.
6. WPvivid – Best Free Alternative
WPvivid surprised us by offering premium-level features in its free version that many paid plugins charge for. We recommend the plugin to users who need advanced features but can’t justify premium plugin costs.
The free version includes automated scheduling, multiple cloud storage destinations, and advanced backup options.
For instance, you can easily set up automated backups to Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, Microsoft Onedrive, DigitalOcean Space, and FTP services in the free version.
The backup process is also reliable, and the restore functionality works smoothly through the WordPress admin interface.
Pros:
- Substantial features available in free version
- Staging site functionality without premium cost
- Reliable migration and restore capabilities
- Multiple cloud storage options included
- Regular updates and active development
Cons:
- Some advanced features still require premium upgrade
- Documentation could be more comprehensive
My Verdict: WPvivid offers remarkable value by including premium features in its free version. It’s an excellent choice for users who need advanced backup capabilities but want to minimize costs without sacrificing functionality.
Pricing: WPvivid is a free WordPress backup plugin. It also offers a Pro version with prices starting from $49 per year.
Which WordPress Backup Plugin Should You Choose?
Protecting your WordPress site doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The right backup plugin gives you peace of mind while running automatically in the background.
Based on our extensive testing, our top recommendation is Duplicator. It provides reliable site migration capabilities and solid backup functionality that covers the essential protection most websites need.
The plugin’s ability to create complete site packages makes it invaluable for both routine backups and emergency site moves.
Duplicator also offers additional cloud storage options and automated scheduling make it worth the investment for growing businesses. The professional migration service can save hours of technical work when moving complex sites between hosting providers.
FAQs about Backup Plugins for WordPress
Here are some questions about WordPress backup plugins.
1. How often should I backup my WordPress site?
We recommend daily backups for active websites that get regular updates or new content. For static sites that rarely change, weekly backups are usually sufficient. However, you should always create a manual backup before making major changes like updating themes or plugins, regardless of your regular schedule.
2. What’s the difference between full and incremental backups?
Full backups create a complete copy of your entire website every time, while incremental backups only save files that have changed since the last backup. We prefer incremental backups for large sites because they’re faster and use less storage space, but full backups are simpler to manage for smaller websites.
3. Can backup plugins slow down my website?
Well-designed backup plugins run in the background and shouldn’t affect your site’s loading speed for visitors. However, backup creation can temporarily use server resources. We recommend scheduling backups during low-traffic periods, typically late at night or early morning.
We hope this article helped you pick the best WordPress backup plugins. You may also want to see our pick for the best WordPress search plugins and how to create a professional-looking search page.
If you’re ready to create a smart search page on your site, you can get started with SearchWP here.
