Every website owner knows that backups are essential, but finding a tool that’s truly reliable and easy to use can be a challenge. WordPress users in particular need a backup solution that not only secures data but also restores it with minimal fuss. Enter UpdraftPlus, a plugin that has earned the trust of millions but—more importantly—actually delivers on its promises. In this in-depth review, we’ll look at how UpdraftPlus performs, what sets it apart, and whether it’s worth your time and investment.
TL;DR
UpdraftPlus is one of the most reliable backup solutions for WordPress, offering automatic backups, easy restoration, cloud integrations, and a user-friendly interface. Both the free and premium versions provide solid features, though premium is well worth it for heavy users. Setup is easy even for beginners, and the backups consistently work. If you want peace of mind for your WordPress site, UpdraftPlus deserves your attention.
What is UpdraftPlus?
UpdraftPlus is a comprehensive backup plugin for WordPress that allows users to schedule backups of their website and easily restore them when necessary. It’s compatible with various cloud storage options such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more. With over three million active installations and thousands of five-star reviews, this plugin stands out in a crowded field.
Why Backups Matter
Imagine spending years building your website, developing a brand, writing content, and building SEO—only to lose it all because of a server crash, hacking attempt, or faulty plugin update. Backups are your safety net. But not just any backup will do. You need one that is:
- Reliable – Backups should run when scheduled and complete successfully
- Recoverable – It’s not enough to have a backup; it must be easy to restore
- Accessible – Cloud storage integration is a must for off-site safety
UpdraftPlus tackles these concerns head-on, which is why it remains a top choice among professionals.
Core Features and Functionality
What really makes UpdraftPlus stand out is the breadth of its feature set. Even with the free version, the plugin delivers robust capabilities, and with the premium upgrade, you gain a whole host of advanced options.
Free Version Highlights:
- Manual and scheduled backups
- Cloud storage support: Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, Rackspace, and others
- Restore from backup with a single click
- Database and file permissions options
- Simple, clean dashboard experience
Premium Features:
- Incremental backups for reduced server load
- Cloning and migration tools
- Multisite support
- Advanced reporting and encryption
- Premium support and 1GB of free UpdraftVault storage
Ultimately, even the free version covers the essential needs of most WordPress users, but the premium features are highly useful for developers, agencies, and high-traffic site owners.
Installation and Setup
Installing UpdraftPlus is as easy as other WordPress plugins:
- Go to your WordPress admin dashboard
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New
- Search for “UpdraftPlus”
- Click Install Now and then Activate
Once installed, the plugin is accessible from the Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups menu. From there, you can schedule automated backups, select your remote storage, and perform manual backups and restores. Everything is clearly labeled and makes logical sense, even to less experienced users.
User Experience and Interface
The interface is one of UpdraftPlus’ biggest strengths. While some backup tools overload users with technical jargon, UpdraftPlus is intuitive and organized logically. Buttons are well-marked, tooltips explain advanced settings, and progress indicators keep you informed throughout the backup or restore process.
For users who upgrade, the additional features integrate seamlessly into the existing UI, which means there’s no extra steep learning curve.
Performance and Reliability
In our testing, UpdraftPlus performed flawlessly. While many backup solutions promise seamless experiences and then fail silently, UpdraftPlus consistently delivered complete backups. We intentionally broke a test website and restored it successfully using the backup—without manual intervention or technical troubleshooting.
Backups were completed in a timely manner, and large sites (1GB+) did not slow down or crash during the process. Incremental backups in the premium version greatly reduced server strain for sites with frequent content updates.
Security Measures
Backup security is often overlooked, but UpdraftPlus takes it seriously. Features include:
- Encrypted backups – Protects sensitive information
- Lock settings option – Prevents unauthorized changes
- Custom backup keys – Adds another layer of safety
With UpdraftVault (their proprietary cloud system), users also benefit from secure, managed storage without needing to set up external services.
Support and Documentation
The free version offers community-based support forums, which are generally responsive. The premium version includes priority ticket support handled by knowledgeable staff. In addition, UpdraftPlus maintains an extensive knowledge base, how-to documentation, and even video tutorials.
If you ever need help, answers are rarely far away.
Pricing
UpdraftPlus offers scalable pricing for different needs:
- Free Version: Perfect for personal blogs and small websites
- Personal (1-2 sites): $70/year
- Business (10 sites): $95/year
- Agency (35 sites): $145/year
- Enterprise (unlimited): $195/year
Renewal discounts are also available. Given everything it offers, the pricing is extremely fair—especially when compared to alternatives that require costly managed hosting or third-party tools.
Pros and Cons
What We Love:
- Fast, reliable backups every time
- Excellent cloud storage integrations
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Free version is very generous
- Fantastic documentation and support
Room for Improvement:
- Some advanced features require premium upgrade
- Initial setup for cloud services may be technical for some users
- No real-time backup in free or basic premium plans
Final Verdict
Whether you’re managing a personal blog or running dozens of client sites, UpdraftPlus is an indispensable tool you can count on. It checks all the boxes: reliability, ease of use, transparency, and a supportive development team backing it all.
Backups shouldn’t just sit in your system collecting digital dust—they should be actionable, recoverable, and secure. UpdraftPlus excels across the board, proving that backups really can work exactly as you expect them to.
Should You Buy It?
If your website matters to you—and it should—then investing in a reliable backup solution is non-negotiable. UpdraftPlus offers peace of mind, performance, and practicality without unnecessary complexity.
Verdict: Highly Recommended
