The Ultimate WordPress Backup Comparison

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Wordpress security

Image credit: Boutros AbiChedid

As the popularity of WordPress has exploded, so has the availability of backup plugins.

I’ve compiled a list of the most popular plugins, and compared them against each other.

All of the plugins listed backup your entire WordPress website, including database and files.  They can also be scheduled to perform backups automatically.

Not sure which to choose?  Check out my favorite free backup plugin at the bottom.

Comparison of WordPress Backup Plugins
WordPress Backup to Dropbox BackWPUp UpdraftPlus BackupBuddy Online Backup for WordPress BackUpWordPress Backup Scheduler
Price Free Free Free $80-150 Free Free Free
Backup To:
Downloadable file check mark check mark check mark check mark check mark check mark
Dropbox check mark check mark check mark check mark
Amazon S3 check mark check mark check mark
Email check mark check mark check mark check mark check mark check mark
FTP check mark check mark check mark check mark
SFTP/FTPS Paid Only
Rackspace Cloud check mark check mark
Google Drive check mark
WebDav Paid Only
Plugin’s Vault 1GB 100MB
Extra Features:
Easy Restore check mark check mark check mark
Compression Paid Only check mark check mark check mark check mark check mark
Encryption check mark check mark
Multisite Compatible check mark check mark Paid Only check mark check mark check mark check mark
Email Notifications Paid Only check mark check mark check mark check mark check mark

What about Backup Services?

There are quite a few backup services available for WordPress.  The two most popular ones are:

VaultPress: Monthly fee; premium plans can backup your blog in real time, perform daily security scans, and keep an unlimited history of changes.

BlogVault: Monthly fee; easy site migration; test restores; can also save to Dropbox; only 30 day history.

My Favorite Free Backup Plugin

WordPress Backup to Dropbox (WPB2D) is simple, powerful, and it just plain works.

I’ve used it for years to backup my WordPress sites.  There’s also a free Simple Restore script to get your site back up and running, should you ever need it.

Why You Should Backup to Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage service that offers 2GB for free.  This is more than enough to backup most WordPress sites.

With Dropbox, all your files are stored offsite.  So even if your web host goes up in flames (hey, it happens) your site can still be restored.

Also, with Dropbox file versions you can restore up to 30 days worth of backups (even if a hacker deletes them).  Awesome.

Happy backuping!

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund

Geoff Akerlund is the founder and editor-in-chief of BackupReview.com. He enjoys attending music festivals, whitewater kayaking on the American River, and board game nights in his free time.

Geoff Akerlund

@backupsoftware