10 Best WordPress Backup Plugins: The Ultimate Guide for 2023

Are you tired of worrying about losing your WordPress website data due to unexpected crashes or security breaches?

Approximately 30,000 websites are hacked daily worldwide, many of which use WordPress as their platform. A robust backup plugin can save your WordPress site from data loss and keep your business running smoothly. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one is the best fit?

Fear not! We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to the best WordPress backup plugins of 2023. We’ll explore top WordPress backup plugins, free and premium options, essential features, comparisons, and more in order for you to make an informed decision when choosing the ideal plugin. Let’s dive into securing your WordPress website with confidence.

Why Use a WordPress Backup Plugin?

A good WordPress backup plugin offers peace of mind by safeguarding your website’s data. Here’s why using a dedicated backup plugin is essential:

Protection Against Website Crashes And Hackers

Using a dependable WordPress backup plugin ensures that even if the worst happens – such as losing your entire site due to an unexpected crash or attack – you’ll have a secure copy of all your files and databases stored safely offsite.

Automated backups

Manual backups can be time-consuming and prone to human error. Backup plugins automate this process, ensuring you never miss a backup.

Schedule backups

Set the frequency of backups according to your needs. Most backup plugins offer daily, weekly, or even real-time backups.

Offsite storage

A reliable backup plugin stores your data in secure, offsite locations like Google Drive or Amazon S3, reducing the risk of data loss.

Easy restoration

With a good backup plugin, you can quickly and effortlessly restore your site to a previous version in case of an emergency.

Saving Time And Money

Implementing a reliable WordPress backup plugin not only provides peace of mind for website owners and administrators but also saves substantial time and money in the long run.

Ensuring consistent, automated backups eliminates the need to perform manual backups, freeing up valuable resources that can be better utilized elsewhere.

What Makes A Good WordPress Backup Plugin?

A good backup plugin should have essential features that ensure your website is adequately protected. When selecting the best WordPress backup plugin, consider the following features:

Automatic backups

Look for a plugin that performs automatic backups on a set schedule.

Incremental backups

Incremental backups save time and server resources by only backing up changes made since the last backup.

Cloud storage integration

Choose a plugin that supports multiple cloud storage options like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Amazon S3.

Easy restore options

A user-friendly interface makes restoring your site a breeze.

Security features

Encryption and other security measures keep your backups safe from unauthorized access.

Best WordPress Backup Plugins Listed

1. UpdraftPlus
2. BackWPup
3. WPvivid
4. Duplicator
5. BackUpWordPress
6. BlogVault
7. Jetpack Backups
8. BackupBuddy
9. WP Time Capsule
10. WP Database Backup

WordPress Backup Plugins Compared

To help you choose the right backup plugin for your needs, we’ve created a comparison table of key features, pricing, and ratings for the top 10 plugins:

Top Free WordPress Backup Plugins

UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus is the most popular free WordPress backup plugin, with over 3 million active installations. It simplifies backups and restoration, making it an ideal solution for website owners looking for a full-service WordPress backup plugin.

Features

• Easy backup and restoration with a single click
• Scheduled and on-demand backups
• Supports multiple cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, and more
• Option to choose which files to backup
• Direct restoration of backups from the WordPress admin panel
• Premium version available with additional features

Pros

• Most popular free WordPress backup plugin, with over 2 million websites using it
• Comprehensive backup solution with multiple storage options
• Simple and intuitive interface for easy backup and restoration
• Incremental backups and multisite support available with the premium version

Cons

• Limited features in the free version

Pricing

UpdraftPlus offers a free version with essential features and a premium version called UpdraftPremium starting from $70/year. Pricing is valid as of May 17, 2023.

The premium version includes add-ons for website migration or cloning, database search and replace multisite support, and priority support.

Review

UpdraftPlus is a highly-rated and trusted backup plugin with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Users appreciate its ease of use, comprehensive features, and reliable performance. The plugin’s compatibility with multiple cloud storage services makes it a flexible choice for WordPress users. With its popularity and consistent updates, UpdraftPlus remains a solid option for securing your WordPress site.

BackWPup

BackWPup is a user-friendly WordPress backup plugin that offers complete backups of your site for free. With over 700,000 websites using the plugin, it has earned a reputation for reliability and ease of use. BackWPup supports storage on various platforms, including cloud services like Dropbox, Amazon S3, and Rackspace, as well as FTP, email, and local storage on your computer.

Features

• Simple and easy-to-use interface
• Supports manual and scheduled backups
• Seamless integration with various cloud services
• Offers easy website migration
• Compatible with multisite networks

Pros

• Used by over 700,000 websites, proving its popularity and trustworthiness
• Provides separate scheduling options for database and file backups
• Smooth integration with multiple cloud storage services
• Supports multisite networks

Cons

• Automated backups are not available in the free version
• Cloud backups are limited to the Pro version only

Pricing

BackWPup is available for free on the WordPress repository, while the premium version starts at $69/year. The premium version offers additional features and priority support.

Review

BackWPup is an excellent alternative to other backup plugins with a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, with a strong user base and positive feedback.

The premium version adds more powerful features, including easy and quick website restoration from the backend with a standalone app.

WPvivid

WPvivid Backup Plugin is a versatile WordPress backup solution offering a range of features, including backup, migration, and staging. It integrates additional functions like unused images cleaner and database snapshots, making it a comprehensive backup and migration tool. With both free and premium versions available, WPvivid is suitable for various users with different needs.

Features

• Backup, migration, and staging capabilities
• Scheduled automatic backups
• Website migration support
• Create staging environments for safe testing
• Incremental backups and multisite network backup support
• Unused images cleaner and database snapshots

Pros

• Scheduled automatic backups simplify the backup process
• Supports website migration, making it easy to move your site to a new host or domain
• Allows you to create a staging environment for testing changes safely
• Incremental backups ensure efficient and up-to-date backups
• Compatible with multisite networks

Cons

• Real-time backups are not supported

Pricing

WPvivid is free, but it also offers the premium version with a 14-day free trial for new users. WPvivid Backup Pro prices start from $29/year.

Review

With an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, WPvivid Backup Plugin has earned a reputation as a reliable and comprehensive backup and migration solution for WordPress users. Its wide range of features, such as automatic backups, website migration support, and staging environment creation, makes it a popular choice for users seeking a versatile and efficient backup plugin.

The premium version offers even more advanced features and customization options for those with more demanding backup and migration needs.

Duplicator

Duplicator is a widely-used WordPress plugin with over 30 million downloads, offering users the ability to migrate, copy, move, or clone their websites from one location to another. It also functions as a simple backup utility. This plugin handles standard WordPress migration and backups, as well as zero downtime migrations, making it an essential tool for many WordPress users.

Features

• Move, migrate, or clone a WordPress site between domains or hosts with zero downtime
• Pull down a live site to localhost for development
• Transfer a WordPress site from one host to another
• Manually backup a WordPress site or parts of a site
• Duplicate a live site to a staging area or vice versa
• Bundle up an entire WordPress site for easy reuse or distribution
• Perform a full WordPress migration without dealing with complicated import/export SQL scripts

Pros

• Offers a basic free version for users to try before purchasing
• Combines duplication, migration, and backup functionalities
• Provides simple controls for backup and restoration
• Supports scheduled and cloud backups
• Compatible with WordPress Multisite

Cons

• Some important features are locked behind the premium version

Pricing

Duplicator has a free version available, and the premium options start at $49.50/year.

Review

With an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, Duplicator is a popular and efficient plugin for WordPress users who need to migrate, backup, or clone their websites. The plugin offers a wide range of features, including zero downtime migrations, local development, and site bundling for easy distribution.

The premium version, Duplicator Pro, adds even more valuable features such as scheduled backups, cloud storage, and support for larger websites and databases. Overall, Duplicator is a comprehensive solution for users who require an all-in-one plugin for their backup and migration needs.

BackUpWordPress

BackupWordPress is a user-friendly backup plugin that requires no setup or configurations. It is designed to back up your entire site, including your database and all your files, on a schedule that suits your needs. The plugin is compatible with both Linux servers and Windows servers and offers multiple options to manage and store your backups.

Features

• Extremely simple to use with no setup required
• Works in low memory, “shared host” environments
• Manage multiple schedules for backups
• Option to have each backup file emailed to you
• Exclude files and folders from your backups
• Compatible with Linux & Windows servers
• Translations available in multiple languages

Pros

• Easy to use and lightweight
• Low server resource usage
• Compatible with both Linux and Windows servers

Cons

• No cloud storage support in the free version

Pricing

BackupWordPress is available for free.

Review

With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars and over 100,000 active installations, BackUpWordPress is perfect for users who want a simple, easy-to-use backup solution without the bells and whistles. However, the lack of cloud storage support in the free version may be a dealbreaker for some.

Top Premium WordPress Backup Plugins

BlogVault

BlogVault is a reliable incremental WordPress backup plugin that offers free cloud storage and a complimentary staging environment. Trusted by over 450,000 WordPress websites, BlogVault is known for its ease of use, security, and speed. It is an ideal choice for developers and agencies, providing a comprehensive set of tools for maintaining and managing multiple WordPress websites.

Features

• Incremental backups to minimize server load
• 100% successful website restore rate
• Free offsite storage and 90 days archive
• One-click staging and migrations
• Real-time backups for WooCommerce stores
• Manage multiple websites from a single dashboard
• White-label solution and client reporting

Pros

• Easy backup and restoration of websites
• Supports multisite networks and cloud backups
• Offers website staging and migration
• Monitors websites and alerts for issues
• Incremental technology for optimized performance

Cons

• No partial backup option
• Cloud-only, no local backup support

Pricing

Premium BlogVault plans starts from $89/year.

A 7-day free trial is available to explore the full range of BlogVault features without any commitment or credit card.

Review

With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars and over 100,000 active installations, BlogVault is a popular choice for users who want a secure and efficient backup solution.

Jetpack Backups

Jetpack Backups is a real-time WordPress backup plugin developed by Automattic, the same team behind WordPress. Designed to save your site changes automatically, Jetpack Backup ensures that you can quickly restore the most recent version of your site if it crashes. With support for WooCommerce stores and an easy-to-use mobile app, this plugin offers a comprehensive and user-friendly backup solution.

Features

• One-click restores
• Restore capabilities even when your site is offline
• Automated daily and real-time backups
• Unlimited backup archive
• Restore on desktop or through its mobile app
• Supports WooCommerce customer and order data
• Multiple storage options on offsite servers

Pros

• Scheduled automatic backups
• Quick restore functionality
• Real-time backup support
• Responsive customer support
• Comes with additional WordPress features

Cons

• Most features only available in the paid plan

Pricing

Jetpack Backup pricing starts at $3.95 per month.

A 7-day money-back guarantee is available for monthly plans.

Review

Jetpack Backup is a solid choice for those who value the backing of Automattic and the integration with the Jetpack suite of tools. However, the lack of a free version and the reliance on a Jetpack subscription may be drawbacks for some users.

BackupBuddy

BackupBuddy is a WordPress backup plugin created in 2010 to address the need for a reliable backup solution. Designed to take complete backups of your WordPress site, including all files and assets, BackupBuddy provides scheduled automated backups and easy restoration from a user-friendly dashboard.

Features

• On-demand, complete, and partial backups
• Scheduled automated backups
• One-click automatic restore
• Offsite backups available with Stash Live
• Integrated with cloud services
• Incremental backups available with Stash Live

Pros

• Full website backups, including files and media
• Simple restoration process
• Supports remote storage for backups
• Email notification features
• Independent dashboard with iThemes Sync

Cons

• No free version
• Premium version is expensive
• Backups stored on-site server by default
• Offsite backup storage is metered
• Restore for large sites may be difficult and prone to failures
• External dashboard doesn’t work as intended

Pricing

BackupBuddy pricing starts at $99/year.

Review

While BackupBuddy has been a long-standing backup plugin for WordPress, it has faced challenges in recent years due to a lack of updates and evolution. The plugin offers on-demand and scheduled backups, but issues have been reported with large site restores and offsite storage using Stash Live.

The plugin’s default storage on the site server can consume a significant amount of resources. Although BackupBuddy offers an independent dashboard, iThemes Sync, it doesn’t always function as expected. The recommended backup schedule may not be suitable for all users, and the plugin’s pricing is considered expensive compared to other alternatives.

WP Time Capsule

WP Time Capsule is a WordPress backup plugin designed to bring peace of mind and streamline the update process. This plugin uses cloud apps’ native file versioning systems to detect changes and only back up changed files and database entries, ensuring efficient use of storage space and server resources.

Features

• Scheduled automatic backups
• Incremental and real-time backups
• Integration with cloud services
• One-click restore
• Integrated staging
• Activity log
• Auto-updates
• Encrypted database backups and GDPR compatibility

Pros

• Option to encrypt database backups
• Calendar view of backups for easy navigation
• Efficient storage with incremental backups

Cons

• Backups may take a long time to complete
• Restores may not be quick or effective
• Limited offsite storage options

Pricing

WP Time Capsule offers a 30-day free trial starting from a $49/year subscription.

Review

WP Time Capsule is a popular backup plugin with a unique calendar view interface, allowing users to quickly locate and restore backups from specific dates. However, the plugin’s backup process can be slow, taking hours to complete in some cases, which raises concerns about its performance on larger sites.

WP Database Backup

WP Database Backup is a reliable WordPress plugin for backup, designed to simplify the process of creating, restoring, and managing database backups for WordPress websites. With a range of features, including automated backups, cloud storage integration, and an easy-to-use interface, WP Database Backup helps protect your website data while offering flexibility and convenience.

Features

• Create database backups easily with a single click
• Schedule automated backups
• Download backup files directly from the WordPress dashboard
• Store backups on multiple destinations, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, FTP, and email
• Restore database backups with a single click
• Exclude specific tables from backups
• Sort and search backup lists
• Save and send backup files in ZIP format

Pros

• Supports scheduled and automatic backups
• Allows storage of backup files in the cloud
• Fast backup and restore process
• Easy to use, even for beginners

Cons

• Does not take complete backups in the free version
• Most features are only available in the premium version

Pricing

WP Database Backup offers a free version with limited features. The premium version, WP All Backup, starts at $39.

Review

WP Database Backup is a comprehensive backup plugin with an extensive list of features, making it an excellent option for users on a budget. With over 50,000 active installations and an impressive average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, WP Database Backup has proven to be a popular and reliable choice among WordPress users.

Despite its limitations in the free version, the plugin remains an attractive option for users who need a straightforward and reliable backup solution.

How To Choose The Best WordPress Backup Plugin

To choose the best WordPress backup plugin, consider your backup needs, evaluate features and pricing, read user reviews and ratings, consider customer support, and check compatibility with your WordPress version.

Identify Your Backup Needs

Before choosing a WordPress backup plugin, you must identify the specific backup needs of your website. Consider the size and complexity of your site, as well as the frequency and level of changes made.

Another key factor is how quickly you will need access to those backups in case of an emergency. If downtime could cause major financial losses or damage to your reputation, real-time backups may be necessary for quick restoration.

Evaluate Features And Pricing

When choosing the best WordPress backup plugin, consider both the features and pricing of each option. While some plugins may offer a free version, others charge a fee for additional features such as automated backups or cloud storage options.

For example, BackupBuddy offers several premium options such as real-time backups and remote storage options but at a higher cost than some other plugins like WPvivid which provides similar functionalities in their free version.

Read User Reviews And Ratings

Before choosing a WordPress backup plugin, you should check user reviews and ratings. These reviews can give you an idea of how reliable and easy-to-use the plugins are.

You can also learn about any issues users may have experienced with customer support or compatibility with certain versions of WordPress.

For example, UpdraftPlus has over 3 million active installations and is highly rated by its users for its ease of use and reliability. On the other hand, some users have reported issues with BackupBuddy‘s customer support in resolving technical problems.

Consider Customer Support

In case you encounter any issues with the backup process, you want to be sure that there’s someone available to offer assistance and resolve the issue promptly, that is why considering customer support before choosing a backup plugin is vital.

One example of a plugin with excellent customer support is BlogVault. The developer provides users with 24/7 access to their dedicated team of experts who are available around-the-clock to help troubleshoot and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Similarly, UpdraftPlus offers premium support options for those who purchase their paid plans so that anyone can get immediate assistance when needed.

Check Compatibility With Your WordPress Version

Make sure that the WordPress backup plugin you choose is compatible with your website’s version of WordPress. Failure to do so could lead to issues and complications during the backup process, potentially damaging your site or causing data loss.

Checking compatibility can be done by looking at the compatibility information provided on the plugin’s page in WordPress.org or checking the developer’s website.

For example, UpdraftPlus is compatible with all current versions of WordPress and many older ones too, making it a reliable choice for those wanting peace of mind when backing up their site.

On the other hand, Backup Guard only supports sites running PHP 5.6 or higher and requires a minimum of WordPress 4.1 to function correctly.

How to Backup WordPress site with Plugin?

Following is a step-by-step guide for installing and configuring a plugin to backup your WordPress website:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the “Plugins” section, and click on “Add New.”
   
2. Search for the backup plugin of your choice.
   
3. Click on “Install Now” and then “Activate” once the installation is complete.
   
4. Locate the plugin’s settings page in your WordPress dashboard, usually under the “Settings” or “Tools” menu.
   
5. Configure the plugin according to your preferences, such as setting up automatic backups, scheduling, and choosing a cloud storage provider.
6. Save your settings and perform a test backup to ensure everything is working correctly.

Conclusion

So there you have it – our comprehensive guide to the best WordPress backup plugins of 2023. We hope this information empowers you to make an informed decision and choose the right backup plugin for your unique needs. Remember, investing in a reliable backup solution is not only about protecting your website but also about ensuring your peace of mind.

By now, you should have a clear understanding of the importance of having a reliable backup plugin for your WordPress site. With the right plugin in place, you can rest easy knowing that your hard work and valuable data are secure – even in the face of server crashes, cyberattacks, or other unexpected events.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take action today and safeguard your online presence with a top-notch WordPress backup plugin.

FAQs