Best Backup Plugins for WordPress (Free & Paid Options)

September 8, 2025
Best Backup Plugins for WordPress (Free & Paid Options)

Backups are the safety net for your WordPress website. Whether it’s a server crash, malware attack, or accidental deletion, having a reliable backup plugin ensures you can restore your site quickly. Here are the best backup plugins for WordPress, both free and paid, to keep your website secure.

1) UpdraftPlus

Most popular and beginner-friendly backup plugin.

  • Automatic scheduled backups (daily, weekly, monthly).
  • Cloud storage support: Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, OneDrive, and more.
  • One-click restore directly from the WordPress dashboard.
  • Free version: Suitable for most small to medium sites.
  • Premium version: Offers incremental backups, site cloning/migration, and priority support.

2) Jetpack Backup (VaultPress)

Best for real-time backups with automated restores.

  • Real-time incremental backups for posts, orders, and comments.
  • One-click restore from desktop or mobile app.
  • Activity log to see what changes triggered a backup.
  • Paid only: Plans start with daily backups and scale up to real-time solutions.

3) BackupBuddy

Longstanding premium backup solution by iThemes.

  • Complete site backups (database + files).
  • Remote storage integration (Dropbox, Amazon S3, Google Drive, and more).
  • Built-in site migration tool for moving domains or hosts.
  • Paid only: Annual license includes updates and support.

4) BlogVault

Best for agencies and large websites.

  • Real-time incremental backups (low server load).
  • One-click restore and staging environment included.
  • Integrated malware scanning and site migration tools.
  • Paid only: Affordable plans for single sites, higher tiers for developers.

5) BackWPup

Powerful free plugin with flexible scheduling.

  • Database and file backups with custom scheduling.
  • Store backups in cloud services like Dropbox, Amazon S3, or via email.
  • Easy restore with backup archives.
  • Free version: Great for beginners.
  • Pro version: Adds premium support, encryption, and multisite support.

6) Duplicator

Best for backups and site migration in one tool.

  • Create complete site packages (database + files) for backup or migration.
  • Great for moving WordPress sites to a new domain or host.
  • Supports scheduled backups in the Pro version.
  • Free version: Manual backups and migration.
  • Pro version: Automated scheduling, cloud storage integration.

Comparison Table

Plugin Free Version Paid Features Best For
UpdraftPlus Incremental backups, migration, priority support Beginners, small sites
Jetpack Backup Real-time backups, activity log, app restore eCommerce, high-traffic sites
BackupBuddy Full site backups, migration tools Professional sites
BlogVault Staging, malware scan, incremental backups Agencies, large sites
BackWPup Encryption, multisite, premium support DIY users
Duplicator Scheduled backups, cloud storage Developers, migrations

Summary

If you’re a beginner, UpdraftPlus is the most user-friendly free option. For real-time backups, Jetpack Backup or BlogVault are excellent choices. Developers and agencies may prefer BackupBuddy or Duplicator for advanced migration features. No matter which plugin you choose, setting up regular backups is essential to protect your WordPress site from unexpected disasters.

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Written by

satoshi

I’ve been building and customizing WordPress themes for over 10 years. In my free time, you’ll probably find me enjoying a good football match.