Business owners, marketers, and developers spend untold hours seeking perfection on their websites. In the blink of an eye, though, all their work can completely disappear. Whether it’s a faulty plugin, a security breach, or simply human error, common occurrences often delete entire pages. This is why every professional with a website should utilize the best WordPress backup plugin they can access. Fortunately, there is no shortage of tools that can save websites from such disasters.
WordPress Backup Plugins
WordPress backup plugins aren’t the only option for ensuring an entire website doesn’t suddenly vanish one day. Some users manually backup their files via their host, while others use the export function in WordPress to save files to Dropbox or other external drives.
The thing is, none of these processes are as easy or efficient as the best WordPress backup plugins available. By utilizing the right plugin, site admins can make their backups automatic and reliable in every sense of the word.
1. VaultPress
Though it isn’t free, VaultPress is a solid and inexpensive plugin to protect files. Backups are automatic and restoring data can be done quickly from within WordPress. In fact, the company that created WordPress also created VaultPress. This means users rarely have anything to worry about when it comes to keeping their files safe.
Pros: Automatic backups, immediate restoration and cloud storage included.
Cons: VaultPress Cloud is the sole external storage, so if something goes wrong in their system, immediate restoring of files may not be possible.
Price: Pricing starts at $39/year for personal use. Business use starts at $99/year.
2. BlogVault
Like VaultPress, BlogVault automatically backs up files. It does this on a daily basis and even allows data to be exported directly to Dropbox. Restorations are automatic and backups are in offsite data centers. This WordPress plugin to backup a database even include archives so users can pull up previous versions.
Pros: Each backup has its own mini-menu that allows users to easily choose what is done with that specific backup. Platform also shows timestamps for previous and upcoming backups.
Cons: The basic package comes with no security, and it’s a bit pricier than other similar options.
Price: With BlogVault there’s a free 7-day trial, but their package pricing starts at $89/year.
3. CodeGuard
Rather than backing up your site on a fixed schedule, CodeGuard continually monitors your site and only performs a backup when it recognizes that changes have been made. This, combined with pain-free restoration makes it one of the most efficient WordPress backup solutions available, if not necessarily the most cost-effective.
Pros: CodeGuard can work with other platforms outside of WordPress. It’s also essentially always on “autopilot.”
Cons: Pricing can turn expensive when operating numerous sites.
Price: Pricing starts at $60/year for one site. For $468/year, you can use it to backup 12 sites.
4. UpdraftPlus
When it comes to free WordPress backup plugins, UpdraftPlus might be the best option. In the free version, users can set up their own automatic backup schedule. Storage options include Google Drive, Dropbox, personal computers, and even web hosts. Additionally, database and file backups can be scheduled separately, and multiple archives can be utilized for increased reliability. Premium versions add all available add-ons as well as 1GB of storage on UpdraftVault, their own storage product.
Pros: Easy customization offers and competitive pricing come standard. The basic interface is also easy to use.
Cons: Option for lifetime updates is unavailable. Advanced configurations can also be difficult to master.
Price: Basic version is free, but premium can range from $70-$145.
5. BackWPup
BackWPup’s free version offers some of the best capabilities relative to other free options. This tool allows for backups to be stored in Dropbox and other external drives, but users can also download backups as a .zip file and simply import the file later to restore the site. Automatic phpMyAdmin backups are also provided, so it’s easy to work with the database.
Pros: Provides a simple user interface. File and database backups can be scheduled separately, and the platform has various backup location options.
Cons: Backups must be scheduled – can’t be on-demand. No migration or cloning tools provided. Restore capability isn’t integrated in Pro version – it only works as standalone app.
Price: Free version available. Prices range from Standard for $69/year to Agency for $349/year.
WP Engine For Backup Reliability
Even the best WordPress backup plugins can only do so much in keeping a website functional. This is why you should utilize WP Engine to keep your pages running smoothly. Take a look at our managed hosting plans to find out about our numerous security and backup features.