A WordPress backup plugin is your last line of defence when things go wrong — and things will eventually go wrong on any WordPress site. Plugin conflicts, failed updates, malware, server failures, accidental content deletion — the list of ways a site can break is long, and "we'll fix it manually" isn't a strategy when you're dealing with a complex database and weeks of content.
The question isn't whether to use a WordPress backup plugin. It's which one.
This guide compares every major WordPress backup plugin in 2026 — UpdraftPlus, BlogVault, BackupBuddy, Jetpack Backup, and Duplicator — across the criteria that actually matter: reliability, ease of restore, remote storage options, pricing, and real-world performance.
What a WordPress Backup Plugin Must Do
Before comparing, establish the standard:
1
Backs up files AND database — both required for a complete backup
2
Stores backups remotely — off-site storage survives server failures
3
Schedules automated backups — manual backups are forgotten
4
Actually restores — a backup that can't be restored is worthless
5
Keeps 14–30 days of history — malware isn't always discovered immediately
Any plugin that doesn't meet all five criteria isn't a serious backup solution.
UpdraftPlus is the most-installed WordPress backup plugin and the go-to recommendation for most sites. Its free tier is genuinely capable — covering automated scheduled backups to remote storage — and its premium version adds real-time backup, multisite support, and more advanced features.
Free Features
- Scheduled backups (files weekly, database daily)
- Remote storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, S3, FTP, email
- Configurable retention (2 to unlimited copies)
- Restore individual components from dashboard
- Manual on-demand backup anytime
Premium Features
- Incremental backups (only changed files)
- Multisite network backup
- Google Cloud, Azure, SFTP, OneDrive
- Migrator: move to new domain/host
- Database encryption
- Email summary reports
Limitations: Large sites (10GB+) can time out on shared hosting. Free version doesn't include incremental backups — every backup copies everything. Interface is functional but not as polished as premium alternatives.
Best free backup plugin available. For small-to-medium sites on a budget, UpdraftPlus free with Google Drive storage is the standard recommendation.
BlogVault is a cloud-based backup service — unlike UpdraftPlus, the backup engine runs on BlogVault's servers, not on yours. This has significant advantages: backups don't consume your hosting resources, and the management interface is separate from WordPress (accessible even if your site is completely down).
- Real-time WooCommerce backups: Orders backed up in near-real-time — critical for stores where orders between backups would be lost
- Off-site storage: All backups on BlogVault's own AWS-based cloud storage — not on your server
- One-click restore: Simple, reliable restore process tested and verified to actually work
- Migration tool: Built-in migration to new domain or host
- Staging: Create a staging site directly from a backup
- Malware scanning: Included with backup plans
- External dashboard: Manage multiple sites from BlogVault's dashboard — not through individual WordPress installs
Why WooCommerce store owners choose BlogVault: For a store with daily orders, a nightly backup means potentially losing an entire day of orders if something goes wrong at 11pm. BlogVault's real-time WooCommerce sync captures each order as it happens — reducing maximum data loss to minutes. This single feature justifies the premium for any store with meaningful daily order volume.
Professional-grade choice for business-critical sites. More expensive but better reliability, WooCommerce protection, and agency management. Worth it where downtime has real financial consequences.
BackupBuddy by iThemes (now Solid) has been around since 2010 — one of the oldest WordPress backup plugins. It provides comprehensive backup functionality with strong migration tools.
- Complete site backups (files + database)
- Multiple remote storage: Dropbox, S3, Google Drive, Rackspace, FTP, Stash
- Separate schedules: complete, database-only, and file-only
- Malware scanning integration
- Email notification of backup status
Standout Feature: ImportBuddy. BackupBuddy's restore process uses a standalone PHP file called importbuddy.php. Upload it to your server and run it — it works even if WordPress is completely broken or missing. This is a genuine advantage over plugins that require WordPress to work to restore.
Solid, well-tested premium option. Not as polished as BlogVault's modern interface, but reliable with good migration tools. Best for those already in the Solid/iThemes ecosystem.
Jetpack Backup (formerly VaultPress) is Automattic's own backup service — the company behind WordPress.com. Backups are stored on Automattic's infrastructure.
- Real-time backups (on premium plan)
- One-click restore from Jetpack's activity log
- Activity log showing all site changes
- Restore to any point in time (within retention window)
- No separate configuration — connects to your Jetpack account
Limitations: Requires a Jetpack account and active connection. More expensive than UpdraftPlus for equivalent functionality. Less flexibility in remote storage (Automattic's servers only). If you're not already using Jetpack, adds the overhead of the full Jetpack plugin.
Convenient if you're already on Jetpack. For sites not using Jetpack, UpdraftPlus or BlogVault provides better value.
Duplicator is primarily a migration plugin that also functions as a backup tool. It packages your entire WordPress site into a portable installer that can be deployed anywhere.
- Creates complete site packages (files + database) in one archive
- Self-contained, self-installing — deployable on any server
- Excellent for point-in-time snapshots before major changes
- Not designed for automated scheduled backups like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault
- Remote storage options require Pro version
- Better as a migration tool than a daily backup solution
Use Duplicator for migrations and one-off snapshots. Use UpdraftPlus or BlogVault for ongoing automated backup.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature |
UpdraftPlus Free |
UpdraftPlus Premium |
BlogVault |
BackupBuddy |
Jetpack Backup |
| Automated scheduling |
|
|
|
|
|
| Remote storage |
|
|
(own cloud) |
|
(Automattic) |
| Incremental backups |
|
|
|
|
(real-time) |
| Real-time WooCommerce |
|
Partial |
|
|
(higher plan) |
| One-click restore |
|
|
|
|
|
| External dashboard |
|
|
|
|
|
| Migration tool |
|
|
|
|
|
| Annual cost |
Free |
$70 |
$89 |
$99 |
~$60 |
Which Backup Plugin Should You Choose?
UpdraftPlus Free
- Budget is a constraint
- Blog, brochure site, or low-traffic business site
- Comfortable with free-tier limitations
- Can set up Google Drive remote storage
UpdraftPlus Premium
- Larger site needing incremental backups
- Multisite network
- Budget allows but no real-time WooCommerce need
BlogVault
- WooCommerce store (real-time order backup)
- Manage multiple sites — need centralised dashboard
- Restore reliability is the top priority
BackupBuddy
- Already in the iThemes/Solid ecosystem
- Want standalone ImportBuddy for disaster recovery
Jetpack Backup
- Already using Jetpack
- Want simplest possible setup, no configuration
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is one backup plugin enough, or should I use two?
A: Using your hosting provider's backup system alongside a plugin gives you two independent backup sources — which is ideal. Using two plugins doing the same thing (e.g., both UpdraftPlus and BlogVault) is unnecessary duplication. One plugin + hosting backups = sufficient redundancy.
Q: How often should WordPress be backed up?
A: Database: daily minimum, real-time for WooCommerce. Files: daily for frequently changing sites, weekly for mostly static sites. Keep at least 14–30 days of history.
Q: My backup is 20GB. Is there a better option than UpdraftPlus free?
A: For large sites, UpdraftPlus Premium's incremental backups (only backing up changed files) or BlogVault's cloud-based approach are significantly better than copying the entire site nightly. Both handle large sites more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
For most WordPress site owners, UpdraftPlus free with Google Drive storage is the right starting point. It's free, reliable, and well-documented. For WooCommerce stores and agency-managed sites, BlogVault provides the reliability and real-time WooCommerce backup that business-critical sites need.
Whatever you choose, set it up today. Test the restore quarterly. Keep at least 30 days of history. Store backups off-site. These four practices protect your WordPress investment against the inevitable day when something goes wrong.
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