The best WordPress backup plugin is UpdraftPlus, whose free version will be enough for most users.
Backing up your site makes maintenance operations easier by preventing the risk of data loss and letting you roll back. Quite handy when the site is inaccessible, whatever the reason.
When a WordPress site backup is very useful
You have no idea in which cases a backup could really be useful to you, except when your site gets hacked ?
Here is a non-exhaustive list that should finish convincing you that this step is clearly essential:
- Your site has been hacked,
- To undo and roll back a plugin update that crashed your site or put some features out of service,
- You made a wrong move that took your site down or made some of your files inaccessible,
- You want to migrate and need your site’s files,
- To prevent data loss due to a hardware problem on your server.
Ultimately, it will help you avoid big unexpected expenses linked to calling in a professional.
Plugin price comparison table
| Plugin name | Free version? | Paid version price (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| JetBackup (Backup Guard) | ✅ Yes | 18,35€ |
| BoldGrid Backup | ✅ Yes | 28€ |
| Snapshot Pro | ❌ No | 34€ |
| WPvivid Backup Plugin | ✅ Yes | 37€ |
| WP Time Capsule | ⚠️ Yes (30-day trial) | 46€ |
| ⭐ UpdraftPlus | ✅ Yes | 55€ |
| BackWPup | ✅ Yes | 64€ |
| All-in-One WP Migration | ✅ Yes | €64 (premium extensions) |
| WPBackItUp | ✅ Yes | 73€ |
| SolidBackups (BackupBuddy) | ❌ No | 74€ |
| Jetpack VaultPress Backup | ❌ No | €110.40 (€9.20/month) |
| BlogVault | ✅ Yes | 138€ |
| WP Database Backup | ✅ Yes | Free only |
| XCloner | ✅ Yes | Free only |
UpdraftPlus
It’s the tool I’ve been using for years, its free version is quite complete.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: Yes (from €55 per year)
Advantages of UpdraftPlus
- Complete backups, scheduled and on demand
- Storage on various cloud services (Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, etc.)
- Easy restore from the WordPress dashboard
Disadvantages of UpdraftPlus
- Some advanced features require the premium version
- Interface that can seem complex for beginners
What the paid version adds
Here is, broadly, what the paid version includes on top of the free one:
- Incremental backups
- Site cloning and migration
- Multisite support
- Priority support
Jetpack VaultPress Backup
Offered by Automattic, the team behind WordPress.com, this plugin provides real-time backups, ensuring continuous data protection.
Its seamless integration with other Jetpack modules makes it a complete solution for site security and performance.
Personally, I’m not too fond of Automattic, which often has buggy solutions, but well… I have to present the top plugin objectively.
- Free version: No
- Paid version: Yes (from €9.20 per month, billed annually)
Advantages of Jetpack VaultPress Backup
- Real-time backups with one-click restore
- Integration with other Jetpack modules
- Secure storage on Automattic servers
Disadvantages of Jetpack VaultPress Backup
- Requires installing Jetpack
What the Pro version adds
- Real-time backups
- Priority support
- Access to other premium Jetpack features
SolidBackups (BackupBuddy)
In addition to backups, BackupBuddy offers tools to deploy and stage your site, making development and update processes easier.
It also offers a one-click restore feature, simplifying recovery after an incident.
- Free version: No
- Paid version: Yes (from €74 per year for 1 site, billed annually)
Advantages of SolidBackups
- Complete backups, scheduled and on demand
- Easy migration and restore
- Storage on various cloud services
Disadvantages of SolidBackups
- No free version
- High upfront cost for small sites
Premium: is it worth it?
- Support for database and file backups
- Deployment and staging features
- Priority support
BackWPup
This plugin stands out for its ability to export the database in XML format, making migrations to other systems easier.
It is also compatible with a variety of storage services, including Amazon Glacier and Google Drive.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: Yes (from €64 per year)
Advantages of BackWPup
- Complete backups with cloud storage
- Backup scheduling
- Database export
Disadvantages of BackWPup
- Restore requires the Pro version
- Less intuitive user interface
What you unlock with the license
- One-click restore
- Supports Google Drive
- Priority support
BlogVault
With its real-time incremental backups, BlogVault minimizes server resource usage while ensuring continuous protection.
It also offers a built-in staging feature, letting you test changes before deploying them to production.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: Yes (from €138 per year for 1 site)
Advantages of BlogVault
- Incremental backups to reduce server load
- Secure off-site storage
- Migration features
Disadvantages of BlogVault
- Higher cost compared to other plugins
- No free version
What the Pro version offers
- Real-time backups
- Support for WooCommerce
- Priority support
WPvivid Backup Plugin
In addition to backups and restores, WPvivid offers a free migration feature, making it easier to move sites between different hosts.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: Yes (from €37 per year, billed annually)
Advantages of WPvivid Backup Plugin
- Free backups, restores and migrations
- Storage on various cloud services
- Backup scheduling
Disadvantages of WPvivid Backup Plugin
- Some advanced features require the Pro version
- Limited customer support in the free version
Paid version: a real plus?
- Incremental backups
- Multisite support
- Priority support
All-in-One WP Migration
This plugin is known for its ability to handle site migrations without requiring technical skills, thanks to an intuitive interface.
It’s a bit of a reference, like UpdraftPlus.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: Yes (premium extensions from €64)
Advantages of All-in-One WP Migration
- Easy site migration without technical skills
- Compatible with a wide range of hosts
- Supports complete backups
Disadvantages of All-in-One WP Migration
- Upload size limit in the free version
- Limited backup features compared to other plugins
Is the premium version worth it?
- Removal of the upload size limit
- Support for cloud services
- Priority support
WP Time Capsule
By using real-time incremental backups, WP Time Capsule ensures that only recent changes are backed up, optimizing storage space.
It also lets you store backups on personal cloud accounts, offering full control over your data.
- Free version: Yes (but a 30-day trial: link)
- Paid version: Yes (from €46 per year for 2 sites)
Advantages of WP Time Capsule
- Real-time incremental backups
- Storage on your own cloud account (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
- Easy restore of specific changes
Disadvantages of WP Time Capsule
- No free version
- Initial setup can be complex for some users
The little extras
- Real-time backups
- Support for WooCommerce sites
- Priority support
BoldGrid Backup
This plugin offers automatic protection against crashes by creating backups before each update, ensuring easy restore if there is a problem.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: Yes (from €28 per year)
Advantages of BoldGrid Backup
- Automatic backups with one-click restore
- Protection against crashes
- Backup scheduling
Disadvantages of BoldGrid Backup
- Some features require the premium version
- Basic user interface
What the pro license adds
- Incremental backups
- Multisite support
- Priority support
JetBackup (Backup Guard)
In addition to backups, JetBackup (formerly Backup Guard) offers a one-click restore feature, simplifying recovery after an incident.
It also lets you back up specific parts of the site, offering greater flexibility.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: Yes (from €18.35 per year)
Advantages of JetBackup
- Offers complete and partial backups
- Ability to schedule automatic backups
- Backup storage on cloud services such as Dropbox
Disadvantages of JetBackup
- The free version is too limited in features
- One-click restore requires the premium version
The advantages of the license
- One-click restore
- Support for Google Drive and Amazon S3
- Priority support
WP Database Backup
Specialized in database backup, this plugin is ideal for users who want to protect only their data without including the site’s files.
It offers backup scheduling with email delivery, ensuring automated management.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: No
Advantages of WP Database Backup
- Easy backup of the WordPress database
- Backup scheduling with email delivery
- Storage on cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
Disadvantages of WP Database Backup
- Only backs up the database, not the site’s files
- Basic user interface
WPBackItUp
With minimal configuration, WPBackItUp lets you create complete site backups in a single click, ideal for users looking for simplicity.
It is compatible with multisite installations.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: Yes (from €73 per year)
Advantages of WPBackItUp
- Complete site backup in one click
- No configuration required
- Compatible with multisite installations
Disadvantages of WPBackItUp
- Restore requires the premium version
- No automatic scheduling in the free version
What the paid version adds
- One-click restore
- Backup scheduling
- Priority support
XCloner
XCloner offers differential backups, letting you back up only recent changes and thus reducing the time and storage space needed.
- Free version: Yes (link)
- Paid version: No
Advantages of XCloner
- Complete and differential backups
- Backup scheduling
- Storage on cloud services like Amazon S3, Google Drive, etc.
Disadvantages of XCloner
- Less intuitive user interface
- Limited support for the free version
Snapshot Pro
Included in the WPMU DEV subscription, Snapshot Pro offers scheduled and manual backups with storage on the WPMU DEV cloud.
- Free version: No
- Paid version: Yes (€34 per year)
Advantages of Snapshot Pro
- Scheduled and manual backups
- Storage on the WPMU DEV cloud
- One-click restore
Disadvantages of Snapshot Pro
- Only available via the WPMU DEV subscription
The bonuses of the paid version
Access to all WPMU DEV plugins
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