The best WordPress backup plugins copy your site's database and files on a schedule and store them somewhere other than your server. Some are free plugins you manage yourself, some are services that store backups for you, and some double as migration tools. Whichever you choose, test a restore, because a backup you've never restored is only a hope.
Every WordPress site owner has a backup story, and most of them start with the word 'thought'. I thought my host had a copy. I thought the plugin was running. A good backup plugin turns that into certainty.
Here are ten WordPress backup plugins in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from free plugins with cloud storage options to managed backup services and migration tools. Each description comes from the plugin's own website or WordPress.org listing, re-checked today.
Think about how often your site changes. A brochure site might only need a weekly backup, while a shop taking orders needs something far more frequent.
And understand what a full backup includes, because many people back up half their site without realising.
WordPress backup plugins at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site or store listing describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free versions usually come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backup Migration | Backup and migration plugin | Backups and site moves in one plugin | Yes |
| BackWPup | Backup plugin | Scheduled backups to cloud storage | Yes |
| BlogVault | Backup service | Off-site backups and staging | Yes |
| Duplicator | Backup and migration plugin | Cloning and moving WordPress sites | Yes |
| Jetpack VaultPress Backup | Managed backup service | Real-time backups for busy sites | No |
| Solid Backups | Backup plugin | Scheduled backups and restores | No |
| Total Upkeep | Backup plugin | Backups with update protection | Yes |
| UpdraftPlus | Backup plugin | Free backups to many storage services | Yes |
| WP Time Capsule | Backup plugin | Incremental backups to cloud storage | Yes |
| WPvivid | Backup and migration plugin | Backups, migration and staging | Yes |
Ten WordPress backup plugins
Backup Migration
Best for: Site owners who want backups and site migrations from one plugin.
BackWPup
Best for: Site owners who want scheduled backups sent to cloud storage.
BlogVault
Best for: Agencies and site owners who want off-site backups with staging and restores.
Duplicator
Best for: Developers who want to copy, move or clone WordPress sites.
Jetpack VaultPress Backup
Best for: Busy sites and shops that want frequent backups with easy restores.
Solid Backups
Best for: Site owners who want scheduled backups and guided restores.
Total Upkeep
Best for: Site owners who want backups that protect them when updates go wrong.
UpdraftPlus
Best for: Site owners who want free scheduled backups to cloud storage.
WP Time Capsule
Best for: Site owners who want incremental backups that only copy changes.
WPvivid
Best for: Site owners who want backups, migration and staging in one free plugin.
The two parts every WordPress backup needs
Here's the detail that catches people out. The WordPress.org handbook explains that there are two parts to backing up a WordPress site, the database and the files, and that you need both to fully restore a typical site. It also suggests keeping copies in different locations, such as your hosting server and cloud storage.
Your database holds your posts, pages and settings. Your files hold your theme, plugins and uploaded images. A plugin that only saves one of them leaves you with half a website on the day you need it most.
What to check in a backup plugin
- Database and files: does it back up both?
- Schedule: can you set how often it runs?
- Off-site storage: can backups go to the cloud, not just your server?
- Restores: how easy is it to restore, and can you test it?
- Site size: can it cope with a large media library?
A simple backup routine
- Choose a plugin and connect off-site storage.
- Schedule backups to match how often your site changes.
- Run a manual backup before every update.
- Test a restore on a staging copy.
- Check every month that backups are still running.
Backups and site security
Backups are your safety net, but security keeps you from needing them. Here's how AI-driven analysis tools improve code quality and security.
And if your site has ever had a bad patch, my story of the month my website started paying me again shows how much a working site is worth.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Do you make WordPress backup plugins? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice on WordPress backups
Test your restore. It's the step almost everyone skips, and it's the only way to know your backups work.
Keep at least one copy away from your host. If your hosting account has a problem, backups stored on the same server can disappear with it.
And back up before every update. Problems often show up straight after an update, so a fresh backup five minutes earlier is the simplest insurance you'll find.
If you look after sites for clients, don't rely on memory. Put a monthly backup check in your calendar, write down where each site's backups live, and you'll sleep better. It's the dull jobs that save a business when something breaks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best WordPress backup plugin?
One that backs up both your database and files, stores copies off-site and restores easily.
What does a WordPress backup include?
The WordPress.org handbook says a full backup has two parts: the database and the files.
Is there a free WordPress backup plugin?
Yes. Several plugins on this list have free versions.
Where should I store WordPress backups?
In more than one place, including somewhere other than your hosting server.
How often should I back up WordPress?
It depends on how often your site changes. Busy sites need more frequent backups.
Does my host back up my site?
Many do, but check how often and how to restore, and keep your own copy too.
Should I back up before updating plugins?
Yes. Updates are one of the most common causes of problems.
Can a backup plugin move my site to a new host?
Some plugins include migration tools for moving sites.
What's an incremental backup?
A backup that only copies what changed since the last one.
How do I test a backup?
Restore it to a staging site and check everything works.
Will a backup plugin slow my site?
Large backups can use resources, so schedule them for quiet times.
Do I need a backup if I use a page builder?
Yes. Your content and settings still live in the database and files.
What if my backup is too large?
Exclude caches and old files, or use a service that handles large sites.
