Not all backup plugins are created equal.  It’s not too hard to write a basic backup plugin that works 80% of the time.  But it’s crucial to install a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus that works in nearly every scenario – these are much rarer.

In addition, some other backups plugins charge extra for features such as automatic restoration which is included as standard within UpdraftPlus.

The following WordPress backup plugin comparison table 2016 come from ManageWP Plugins Comparison and WordPress.org Plugin Directory and compare all the major backup plugins and their functionality.  They relate to the free or paid version of the plugins as appropriate (source: https://managewp.org/plugins/compare and www.wordpress.org).

Be sure to check out all of our WordPress backup comparison pages:

UpdraftPlus vs. BackupWordPress comparison
UpdraftPlus vs. BackupBuddy comparison
UpdraftPlus vs. Akeeba comparison 
UpdraftPlus vs. Jetpack comparison 

Reviews of WordPress users comparing UpdraftPlus with BackWPUp, BackupBuddy, Duplicator, VaultPress

Great Backup Plugin with many Features!

By Mark Arambula

Works great on newest WordPress and works like a charm. Used BackupWP and had some issues with errors in the past, but this one works with no bumps in the road! Always use it before making any updates to my sites as you never know about unexpected changes with updates that may cause issues (long long night).

Best Backup Plugin

By AJD

I have been using UpdraftPlus for several years and it is hands down the best backup plugin around. It is easy to use and configure. I have backed up and restored many sites and migrated many as well with not a single problem.

I have also used backupbuddy and it is expensive, not easy to configure and has failed many times.)

I like that pro upgrades can be added one by one as needed. The new version of the clone/migrate tool (Pro addon) is probably the best tool of its kind anywhere.

Thanks!

Most reliable and does it all

By Rob Marlbrough

I’ve used most of the other plugins like BackWPUp, BackupBuddy, Duplicator, VaultPress, etc, and none compare to the free features found in UpdraftPlus out of the box, and the premium add-ons offer even more value at very reasonable prices. It offers scheduled backups, offsite uploads to Dropbox, and easy restoration.

I’ve had more than one site time out trying to do backups of all the folders at once, and UpdraftPlus is one of the only ones that split everything up into the separate folders, including the plugins, themes, uploads, DB, and other folders, and each one can be downloaded and easily restored independently.

Love it and use it on every single one of my sites, and I highly recommend it to all of my customers.

Rob

Comparison of UpdraftPlus and BackupBuddyl

By Bradley Charbonneau, https://www.likoma.com/backupbuddy-to-updraft-plus/ 

BackupBuddy is not expensive.  That’s not my problem. My problem is that it hasn’t been working. On cheap hosting packages, the plugin often times out or gives some other error suggesting that you tweak this line in some PHP file or increase the memory or ask the host to fix something or other. Hey, it’s cheap hosting, right? People should do better hosting, right?

If you’re in a shared hosting environment, you need a backup solution even more.

I agree that people should use “better hosting.” But if you’re on cheap hosting, you actually need a backup plugin even more desperately than on better hosting. Managed WordPress hosting even has automatic and regular backups, so you don’t even need a backup plugin. But if you need one, Updraft does the job.”

Backup Buddy is terrible.

By Greg, https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/7-best-wordpress-backup-plugins-compared-pros-and-cons/ 

I have been using Updraft Plus and BackupBuddy on a number of sites.

Backup Buddy is terrible. Lots of annoying messages about timeouts, errors even when it’s working fine, lack of information on remote transfer status, duplicate “Send to remote destination” messages, bad remote destination navigation policies, and makes it REALLY DIFFICULT TO PERFORM A RESTORATION! I can’t believe it.

Updraft works really well, even on sites that Backup Buddy can’t handle. Restoration is simple. The interface is a bit unpolished, but that’s the only downside.

What I love about UpdraftPlus

By Mark (https://wpscoop.com/comparisons/wordpress-backup-plugins-comparison/backup-buddy-vs-updraftplus-comparison/) 

What I love about UpdraftPlus that BackupBuddy doesn’t have is the unbelievably simple, one-click restore. This is essential for my needs as a developer who is consistently trying out new things, implementing new code, installing and modifying new plugins etc. With UpdraftPlus, I can make a whole site backup in about 15 seconds. Then, I can simply leave that tab open on my browser, open a new tab to make changes to my site. If the changes are garbage or result in an error, I just toggle over back to the UpdraftPlus restore tab I left open, click the button, and 15 seconds I have a full site restore. It’s absolutely brilliant. And it’s one area where this plugin succeeds all others that I have tried, including BackupBuddy.

UpdraftPlus vs BackupBuddy

By Tobiv (https://wpscoop.com/comparisons/wordpress-backup-plugins-comparison/backup-buddy-vs-updraftplus-comparison/) 

I recently learned that BackupBuddy does not backup a custom wp-content folder, especially if it is outside of the main wordpress folder. Everything is defined in wp-config: WordPress-URL, Home-URL, content folder directory and URL, etc. but BackupBuddy ignores these settings and just backs up the wordpress directory.

UpdraftPlus on the other hand takes it into account and correctly backs up the custom content folder.

It really works well

By digitalbest

I have used BackupBuddy for 2 years and it is horrible, I always have some sort of problem every time I use it and the tech support is really bad. I bought updraft and it just works. I don’t know if the tech support is any good because I never had to call them, I how I never find out. I have migrated 7 sites without a problem. I really like this plugin.