A backup is useful only if you can recover the site from it. The original version of this article listed 20 plugins without checking what their free versions could actually restore. This shorter comparison focuses on three current options and the decision that matters most: how you will get the site running again.
What a WordPress backup must contain
WordPress separates the database from the site files. Posts, comments and many settings live in the database; uploads, themes, plugins and configuration live in files. A typical full-site restore needs both parts from roughly the same point in time. WordPress’s backup guide explains the distinction and recommends storing copies in different locations.
Also check what the plugin excludes. A database-only export will not recover your image library or custom theme files. A copy stored only on the same hosting account may disappear with the site. If a shop or membership site changes throughout the day, decide how much recent data you could lose before choosing a schedule.
Three free plugins worth comparing
UpdraftPlus: scheduled backups with remote storage
UpdraftPlus documents scheduled backups, file and database restores, and several remote destinations in its free plugin, including Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, FTP and email. Its restore screen lets you select components such as the database, themes, plugins and uploads. The publisher lists incremental backups, more destinations and some advanced controls as paid features.
Choose it when: you want a familiar backup-and-restore workflow and a separate storage destination without building a custom job. Before relying on it, confirm that your chosen destination connects, that a scheduled run completes, and that you can retrieve the backup if the WordPress dashboard is unavailable.
BackWPup: configurable jobs and cloud destinations
BackWPup says its free version includes full file and database backups, scheduling, several storage destinations and restore functionality. There is an important limit: free restores require you to upload the backup archive manually; restoring directly from a cloud destination is a paid feature. That distinction matters if the site is down and the archive is large.
Choose it when: you want to define backup jobs and can manage the archive-handling step during recovery. Run a test restore so you know exactly where the archive will come from and how it gets back into WordPress.
Duplicator: backups alongside migration
Duplicator describes full-site backup, restore and migration in its free plugin. Its current listing also describes cloud backup and scheduling, but feature limits can change; check the free-plugin screen and documentation for the storage service and schedule you intend to use. The listing says the free version does not support WordPress multisite networks.
Choose it when: you may also need to move the site to another host or staging environment. Do not assume a migration package alone is a complete ongoing backup plan: verify the schedule, offsite copy and restore route for your installation.
How to choose without trusting a feature list
- Map the recovery job. Are you restoring a deleted post, recovering a compromised site, or moving to a new host? The steps differ.
- Check the contents. Confirm the backup includes the database, uploads, theme, plugins and any custom files your site uses.
- Put a copy elsewhere. Use a storage destination you can access independently of the hosting account.
- Match the schedule to the site. A daily backup may be adequate for a rarely edited site and inadequate for a busy store. Check when scheduled jobs actually run.
- Test a restore. Use a staging site or other safe environment. Confirm pages, media, forms, logins and any checkout or member flow that matters to the site.
Keep the plugin updated and review its backup logs after major site changes. If the test restore fails, fix the process before counting on the next automated run. The WordPress backup handbook also describes manual file and database backups if you need a recovery route outside a plugin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free WordPress backup plugin?
There is no single best choice for every site. UpdraftPlus is a straightforward starting point for scheduled backups and remote storage; BackWPup suits people who want to configure backup jobs; Duplicator is also worth considering when migration is part of the job. Check the current free-plan limits and test a restore before relying on any plugin.
Do I need to back up both WordPress files and the database?
Yes. The database holds posts, comments and many settings. Files include uploads, themes, plugins and configuration. WordPress says a full restoration of a typical site needs both.
How often should I back up my WordPress site?
Set the schedule by how much content or order data you can afford to lose. A site that changes daily needs more frequent backups than a rarely updated brochure site. Make a fresh backup before major updates or migrations.
Is a backup stored on the same web server enough?
No. A server failure or account compromise can affect both the live site and a local backup. Keep a copy in a separate storage location and confirm that it can be downloaded and restored.
How do I know whether a WordPress backup works?
Restore a recent backup to a safe staging or test environment. Check that pages, media, logins and key site functions work. A completed backup notification alone does not prove the files are complete or recoverable.
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