8 Best WordPress Backup Plugins for Protecting Your Website

As we speak, I’m going to cowl a number of the greatest WordPress backup plugins, clarify why you have to use one, and the way it may be an absolute lifesaver.

A backup plugin does exactly that – it backs up your information so that you’re by no means left along with your pants down after your website will get hacked otherwise you do one thing dumb like delete stuff you shouldn’t.

I’m responsible as charged of the latter situation. Not so way back, because of my lax angle towards backups, a specific chain of occasions coupled with stupidity on my half left me with a wrecked website that took a month of Sundays to repair. Nonetheless, that marvelous factor referred to as hindsight taught me that if I had a latest backup to roll again to, my website might have been again to its former glory with minimal downtime.

Why Ought to You Use a WordPress Backup Plugin?

It’d sound useless apparent, however backing up your website (and even your pc) needs to be as routine as brushing your tooth.

You could marvel why you need to be regimental about doing them, as you’ve by no means wanted to do them earlier than. However think about the fallout you’d undergo in any of the next eventualities:

• Hackers assault your web site.
• WordPress core, plugin, or theme updates trigger it to crash.
• You shift it to a brand new internet hosting supplier, nevertheless it then stops functioning altogether.
• It turns into contaminated with a virus or has a bug, inflicting it to cease working.
• You make vital adjustments to it, however when they’re full, you don’t like them, or they mess adversely with how the positioning capabilities.

That record isn’t exhaustive, and Murphy’s Legislation dictates any undesirable situation will happen on the most inopportune time. The end result? At greatest, you’ll be irritated and considerably inconvenienced as you will have to repair your website. At worst, your website may very well be out of motion for an prolonged interval – an absolute catastrophe when you run a busy eCommerce retailer.

Theoretically, you may get into the swing of doing common guide backups. Sadly, nonetheless, exterior of alcohol, nicotine, and different addictive substances, creating a brand new behavior is nigh on unattainable for many of us. Positive, many people begin with good intentions. However like New Yr’s resolutions, the great intent quickly fades. What’s extra, guide WordPress backups and restores are a ache within the rear to do.

So, what to do?

Get a WordPress backup plugin, that’s what. Many of those will do frequently scheduled backups mechanically at instances configured by you. Meaning you’ll all the time be capable of roll again to earlier functioning variations of your website within the occasion the unthinkable occurs.

Moreover, some plugins additionally can help you do unscheduled backups, both manually or mechanically. It will allow you to guard your information in circumstances like:

• When putting in new themes or plugins.
• Previous to implementing guide updates.
• Earlier than migrating your website to a brand new host server.
• Prior to creating any vital adjustments to your website.

Selecting the WordPress Backup Plugin

There are tons of WordPress backup plugins on the market. Meaning choosing the proper one for you requires some thought. Components to think about embrace:

• Worth – Do you could have some funds obtainable, or will you want a free one? Keep in mind that free ones are normally primary and will not retailer the backups optimally (see ‘Storage’ under).
• Backup and Restoring Choices – There are a number of backup and restore strategies, and every plugin could use one or a mixture of those. Learn on for extra particulars.
• Storage – The backup information wants encrypting and storing in a protected location, ideally a number of offsite ones.
• Assist – It’s extremely possible that you will want some help from the developer sooner or later, both in organising the plugin or when utilizing it. Due to this fact, select a well-supported plugin the place persons are praising the assist supplied, not moaning about it.

Backup Choices

There are a number of strategies of doing backups of your WordPress website:

• Full website backups – The backup features a full copy of completely all the pieces. Oddly, some plugins will solely backup the information and never the database, which received’t be of a lot use to you within the occasion of a catastrophic failure that obliterates all the pieces.
• Incremental backups – Full backups take appreciable time, processing energy, and cupboard space. Incremental backups – which focus solely on issues which have modified because the earlier backup – decrease this.
• Actual-time backups – These happen the second one thing in your website adjustments. That is particularly vital for websites like eCommerce shops, the place you need to shield orders and different transactions from disappearing into the ether.

It’s good to maintain a number of ‘rolling’ backups, the place the newest backup deletes the oldest saved one. The explanation for that’s you will have a difficulty along with your website that was dormant within the earlier backup, so it would be best to return to the backup instantly earlier than that one. I perceive all of it could sound somewhat difficult, however when you begin, the logic behind it falls into place rapidly.

Restoring Choices

Restoring your WordPress website ought to (in concept) be form of a reverse strategy of backing up.

Relying in your plugin, you might be able to do a partial (probably to particular person file degree) or a full restore. Moreover, when you do rolling backups, it is possible for you to to ‘wind again’ to one in every of a number of earlier dates, thereby leaping over any latest backups, which could be the supply of any issues you might now be encountering.

One-click restore options could make the file restoration course of far easier, so look out for these.

Cloud Storage

I all the time discover the time period ‘cloud storage’ completely deceptive. Opposite to widespread perception, your information isn’t floating round within the sky; as an alternative, it’s unfold throughout a number of servers which are firmly on the bottom.

There are a number of benefits to utilizing cloud storage, together with:

• It doesn’t crush your host’s server assets with fixed backups, which may impression your website pace.
• The lack of one server signifies that solely the portion of knowledge on that one is misplaced, with that on the others within the server ‘pool’ remaining intact. Assume alongside the strains of not placing all of your eggs in a single basket.
• Utilizing exterior cloud companies (Dropbox, Google Drive, and so on.) ensures you keep full management of the backup. That’s not often the case when saved in servers owned by your internet hosting supplier or plugin developer.

One Phrase of Warning

Chances are high, your internet hosting supplier has already knowledgeable you that they do computerized backups and are most likely making an attempt to upsell you a corresponding bundle. Some will attempt to let you know it’s nice to have all the pieces beneath one roof. That’s utter nonsense in terms of backups.

Think about this situation: your internet hosting supplier has a significant hack assault or a hearth that wipes out all the pieces. Not solely will you lose your web site, however you may probably lose the backups, too, leaving you with little to no probability of recovering it.

Even when your internet hosting supplier shops backups offsite (many don’t), they’re nonetheless linked to the host and, subsequently, not absolutely impartial. Sadly, which means the backup information might nonetheless be weak.

I imagine it’s best to maintain your backups as impartial from the host as doable. Solely then are you able to ensure that any virus, hacker, or different catastrophe bestowed on the host won’t be able to achieve your valuable backups.

My Steered WordPress Backup Plugins

I’m now going to record eight of the very best WordPress backup plugins obtainable in 2022.

In my choice, I attempted to incorporate one thing for everybody. Nonetheless, when you don’t discover one which tickles your fancy, there are many different good ones on the market to select from. The secret’s to know what you expect from the plugin. Studying critiques to see what different persons are saying about it is usually sensible.

Please notice that the plugins aren’t listed in any particular order of desire.

UpdraftPlus

Of all of the WordPress backup plugins on the market, if you’re searching for a free one with nice options which are upgradable later, UpdraftPlus can be a wonderful selection.

The free model of UpdraftPlus does each backups and restores (in contrast to many different free plugins that backup solely!) Moreover, it may possibly do scheduled computerized backups, plus it’s doable to backup information to a number of cloud-based places reminiscent of Dropbox or Google Drive.

If you wish to do incremental backups or must again up non-WordPress information and information to a number of distant locations, then you will have to improve to a premium plan. These begin from $42 per 12 months for the Private plan, which covers as much as two websites, and provides 1 GB of cloud storage plus additional cloud storage locations, plus it may possibly do website migrations additionally.

Execs

• Simple to make use of
• The free model consists of good performance
• Extensive select of backup places, even with the free model
• Automated scheduled backups
• The paid plans are competitively priced and add some helpful extras

Cons

• Some individuals have reported that the plugin has prompted points with auto-update plugins, though I can not confirm this

Pricing

• As already talked about, the free model of UpdraftPlus is upgradable from $42 per 12 months (limitless websites). After all, that features hundreds extra helpful options reminiscent of the power to revive backups from different plugins, obtain particular person information from WordPress backups, and extra.

Get UpdraftPlus

BlogVault

BlogVault is a premium-only choice that packs nice performance into one easy-to-use WordPress backup plugin.

As soon as configured, BlogVault mechanically does website backups and shops them in offsite cloud storage places (both BlogVault’s personal server or Amazon S3.) The backups will be completed each day and saved for 90 days, or it’s doable to improve to real-time backups retained for as much as a 12 months. Better of all, restores simply want one click on.

Different nice options included with BlogVault embrace the power to create staging websites. These can help you check issues like plugins, themes, and updates earlier than putting in them. Moreover, the plugin can migrate complete websites to new hosts or servers.

Execs

• Automated backups to cloud storage
• One-click staging
• Simple website migration
• Contains WooCommerce backups
• The dearer plans embrace safety features additionally

Cons

• A bit of on the expensive facet when you want the real-time backups

Pricing

• BlogVault prices $89 per 12 months for each day backups or $249 per 12 months for real-time backups. These costs are for a single area, however different plans can be found for a number of domains.

Get BlogVault

Jetpack Backup

Jetpack Backup is a refreshingly easy WordPress backup plugin that’s nice for novices.

After you have put in it, the plugin just about runs itself, doing offsite backups of your website mechanically. Moreover, all plans embrace real-time incremental backups, excellent for web sites reminiscent of eCommerce stress the place the information is consistently altering.

Execs

• Simple to make use of
• Actual-time incremental backups
• Contains 10GB to 1TB of storage, relying on the plan you select
• One-click restore from the earlier 30 days or one 12 months of backups, relying in your plan
• Contains Jetpack (safety) and Jetpack CRM
• Costlier plans embrace extra safety features

Cons

• Plans solely cowl one area, so masking a number of websites can get costly

Worth

• Jetpack Backup plans value $59 per 12 months with 10GB of storage and the power to revive information from the earlier 30 days, or $299 per 12 months for 1TB of storage and the power to revive information from the final 12 months.

Get Jetpack Backup

WP Time Capsule

WP Time Capsule is a premium-only WordPress backup plugin that may combine with your individual cloud storage, reminiscent of Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3. The advantage of storing information in these places is that it stays in your management, in contrast to information in clouds included with plugin plans or saved on the host server.

By default, backups are real-time incremental, which means adjustments get saved on an ongoing foundation. Moreover, the plugin backs up your website earlier than updates are carried out, permitting you to get well issues rapidly ought to one thing go awry. Incremental restores are additionally doable, giving an excessive amount of flexibility.

WP Time Capsule can create one-click staging environments, permitting you to check issues like updates or vital adjustments earlier than setting them dwell.

Execs

• One-click staging surroundings for testing updates, adjustments, new plugins, and so on.
• You keep possession and, subsequently, full management of the cloud storage
• Incremental restores are doable

Cons

• No free model, though a 30-day free trial is accessible

Worth

• WP Time Capsule prices from $49 per 12 months for as much as two domains, rising to $199 for limitless websites. Lifetime plans are additionally obtainable, costing between $149 and $699, respectively.

Get WP Time Capsule

BackupBuddy

BackupBuddy is a premium WordPress backup plugin that creates full or partial backups of your WordPress website. You might be at liberty to set your individual backup schedule, which will be hourly, each day, weekly, month-to-month, or another interval you need.

Backups will be saved both in Dropbox, Google Drive, and so on., or you should use the storage included with the plugin’s subscription. Full or partial restores are doable.

Different key options of BackupBuddy are the power to clone and migrate websites, plus you’ll be able to create a staging surroundings for testing functions.

Execs

• Configurable backup schedule
• Bundles cloning, staging, and migration options
• Contains 1GB or 5GB of cloud storage, relying on the plan bought
• Creates downloadable Zip information of backups
• Full or partial backups and restores

Cons

• Doesn’t do incremental backups
• The restore course of may very well be easier
• Assist isn’t nice

Worth

• The most cost effective BackupBuddy plan prices $80 per 12 months for one website. That features 1GB of storage. Conversely, the costliest plan prices $199 per 12 months for limitless websites and 5GB of storage.

Click here to read a WPLIft’s review of BackupBuddy.

Get BackupBuddy

WPVivid Backup & Migration Professional

WPVivid Backup & Migration Professional is a WordPress backup plugin that features all the pieces you have to backup, restore, and even migrate your web site.

In addition to the same old cloud options like Dropbox and Google Drive, WPVivid will even ship backups to lesser-known companies reminiscent of Wasabi, pCloud, and Backblaze.

Incremental backups are doable, which is helpful in case your website information is consistently altering (reminiscent of eCommerce shops). Moreover, a sturdy scheduling engine means that you can configure when different varieties of computerized backup ought to happen.

Execs

• Configurable backup schedule
• Can save a number of copies of backups to a number of completely different clouds for additional peace of thoughts
• Contains staging and migration options
• Creates downloadable Zip information of backups
• Full, partial, or incremental backups
• A skinny free version is also available to get you started

Cons

• No built-in web site safety that most of the different plugins embrace
• The most cost effective plan (Blogger) has restricted options (no staging, restricted domains, and so on.)

Worth

• WPVivid Backup & Migration Professional prices from $49 to $149 monthly, relying on what number of domains you have to cowl. Lifetime plans value from $99 to $299.

Get WPVivid Backup & Migration Pro

Duplicator

Duplicator is a freemium WordPress backup plugin that offers very usable performance within the free model, whereas the Professional model unlocks extra useful stuff.

With the free model, you are able to do full or partial guide backups, plus it’s doable to clone and migrate websites between domains or hosts with no downtime by any means. Moreover, it means that you can create a staging surroundings to pre-test issues like plugins and themes earlier than setting them dwell.

The Professional model allows you to do rather more, together with computerized scheduled backups to numerous cloud companies. Professional additionally consists of a number of different options to make life simpler when backing up, restoring, or shifting websites.

Execs

• Even the free model Contains staging and migration options
• Sends backups to impartial cloud companies (Dropbox, Google Drive, and so on.)
• Creates downloadable Zip information of backups
• Easy to make use of with a useful assist wizard
• Full or partial backups
• The Professional model consists of many helpful extras reminiscent of scheduled backups and extra

Cons

• Professional model vital for bigger databases
• The lifetime Professional subscription is considerably expensive

Worth

• Duplicator’s core plugin is free and obtainable within the WordPress plugin listing.
• The Professional model begins at $69 per 12 months for as much as three websites, rising to $149 when you want limitless licenses. Costs are decrease when you join a steady subscription somewhat than paying annually. A lifetime plan can be obtainable, costing $549 for limitless websites.

Get Duplicator

BackWPup

BackWPup is a freemium plugin providing strong performance each in its free and Professional variations.

After all, the free model is proscribed, having a restricted variety of backup choices. That stated, it does allow you to ship backups to locations like FTP or Dropbox, or you’ll be able to obtain them as Zip information to retailer wherever you select.

Nonetheless, issues get extra attention-grabbing once you improve to the Professional model. That provides you a lot extra storage choices, plus it is usually doable for backups to be encrypted and despatched to a number of storage places.

Execs

• The free model could be very usable and beginner-friendly, with an excellent vary of exterior storage choices
• You’ll be able to embrace or exclude particular file folders from backups
• The plugin has an app for doing emergency restores

Cons

• Professional variations are slightly expensive in comparison with most opponents, and no lifetime plans can be found
• Doesn’t do incremental backups

Worth

• The core version of BackWPup is accessible free within the WordPress plugin listing.
• Professional upgrades value from $69 per 12 months for a single area, rising to $349 for as much as 100 websites.

Get BackWPup

What’s Your Favourite WordPress Backup Plugin?

For those who don’t have any mounted regime for backing up your website, I hope this text has satisfied you why you have to change that quickly. WordPress backup plugins are a super-easy approach of doing it, and by having one, you might be much less prone to have vital complications ought to the unthinkable ever occur.

I’m to listen to what you might be doing relating to website backups. Are you utilizing a plugin, and in that case, which is your favourite? What are the professionals and cons of that plugin, in your opinion? And when you don’t at the moment do backups routinely, has this text impressed you to take action sooner or later?