Your WordPress site is one bad plugin update away from a blank screen. 43% of the web runs on WordPress, and roughly 90,000 attacks hit WordPress sites every minute. A backup plugin is the difference between a 15-minute recovery and rebuilding from scratch.
This post compares UpdraftPlus against the other major backup plugins on what matters: coverage, storage options, and price.
UpdraftPlus: The Big Dog in the Ring
When it comes to WordPress backup plugins, UpdraftPlus is a household name. Why? Because it works, and it works well. UpdraftPlus boasts over 3 million active installs, with a 4.8-star rating from over 5,000 reviews. That's not from sheer luck.
What It Backs Up
UpdraftPlus covers everything: your database, plugins, themes, uploads, and even non-WordPress files. This comprehensive approach means you won’t find a nasty surprise when you try to restore your site.
Storage Options
Here’s where UpdraftPlus shines. You can store your backups in a variety of locations: Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, and even FTP. For the truly paranoid, it also supports multiple remote storage locations simultaneously.
Cost Analysis
There's a free version, but going premium unlocks a treasure trove of features—starting at $70 a year. For most businesses, that’s a small price to pay for peace of mind. Plus, if you're running multiple sites, there are multi-site discounts.
Other Contenders: What’s at Stake?
While UpdraftPlus is popular, it’s not the only fish in the sea. Let’s look at some worthy competitors.
| Plugin | Free Version | Premium Starting Price | Storage Options | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BackupBuddy | No | $80/year | Stash, Amazon S3, Dropbox, Google Drive | 1 GB of free Stash storage |
| Jetpack Backup | Yes | $120/year | WordPress.com, external destinations | Real-time backups |
| BackWPup | Yes | $69/year | Dropbox, Amazon S3, FTP, Google Drive | Multisite support in free version |
BackupBuddy
BackupBuddy has been a go-to for many since 2010. It’s robust, but it’s the price that might make you think twice. Starting at $80 a year, it includes 1 GB of free Stash storage, which is their own storage offering. The Stash Live feature is particularly useful for real-time backups.
Jetpack Backup
Jetpack Backup is perfect if you want a "set it and forget it" solution. Real-time backups and easy one-click restores make it very appealing. However, at $120 a year, it’s on the higher end of the spectrum, but it does offer a seamless experience if you're already using other Jetpack services.
BackWPup
BackWPup is a fantastic option if you’re on a budget. The free version is quite capable, supporting Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more. The best part? It supports multisite networks right out of the box, even in the free version, which is a rarity.
Real-World Examples: Who's Using What?
Let’s bring this into the real world. Company X, a mid-sized e-commerce site, suffered a catastrophic failure after a plugin update. They were using UpdraftPlus and managed to restore their site in under 15 minutes. That saved them an estimated $10,000 in lost sales. In contrast, a small blog using Jetpack Backup appreciated the real-time backups when their hosting provider accidentally wiped their database. They were back online in no time, without losing any content.
Choosing the Right Plugin for Your Needs
So, how do you choose? Here are a few key points to consider:
- Budget: If you're just starting out, a free plugin like BackWPup is tempting. But remember, you often get what you pay for.
- Ease of Use: If you want simplicity and integration with existing tools, Jetpack might be best.
- Feature Set: Need multiple storage options or multisite support? UpdraftPlus and BackWPup have you covered.
For a comprehensive list of backup plugins, check out our detailed comparison.
Which One Should You Pick?
For most sites, UpdraftPlus is the safe default -- it covers everything, stores backups in multiple locations, and the free tier is solid. If you want real-time backups and don’t mind paying more, Jetpack is the easiest option. If you run a multisite network on a budget, BackWPup is the only free plugin that handles it.
Whatever you pick, the important thing is to actually set it up and test a restore. A backup you’ve never tested is a backup you can’t trust.
