Incremental vs Differential Backup: Which is Right for Your Website?

Selecting the appropriate backup type for your website can be a daunting task. Should you choose incremental backups or differential backups? They both sound conceptually very similar, but each comes with its own benefits and drawbacks that can affect your site’s performance and data recovery process. 

But don’t worry—we’re here to help. We will break down all the backup types so that you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs.

TL;DR: Incremental backups only save changes since the last backup, making them efficient in terms of storage and speed. Differential backups save changes since the last full backup, making data recovery simpler but using more storage. In both cases, initial full backups are necessary, however after that incremental backups (done well) are the clear winner. 

Different types of backups

Backups are the most effective way of safeguarding your website and its information. Understanding the different types of backups available can help you choose the right one for your specific needs.

Full backups

A full backup involves backing up all your data in its entirety at a specific time. While this method is thorough and makes data recovery straightforward, it is often time-consuming, requires significant storage space, and hogs site resources. 

This is why storage is a major criterion for site backups, and often makes or breaks a solution. BlogVault is the only WordPress backup plugin, which stores your backups off-site, encrypted on independent servers, and comes with unlimited storage space.

Incremental backups

Incremental backups save only the data that has changed since the last backup, making them highly storage-efficient and reducing the time required for backups. 

For example, if you perform a full backup on Sunday, an incremental backup on Monday will save only the changes made since Sunday. On Tuesday, it will save the changes made since Monday, and so forth.

Traditional incremental backups require all preceding backups and the initial full backup to restore data fully, which can be cumbersome and risky if any backups are missing or corrupted.

However, BlogVault employs a more advanced method. BlogVault creates a full backup of your site and then saves only the incremental changes to avoid overloading your site. Unlike traditional incremental backups, every BlogVault backup point functions as a complete restoration point. This means that BlogVault does not need the original full backup or any previous incremental backups to restore your site fully.

If older backups are deleted after the 90-day retention period, any backup within the retention window can still be used to fully restore your site. This ensures the storage efficiency of incremental backups with the reliability of full restorations.

Differential backups

Differential backups save all changes made since the last full backup collectively. While they use more storage than incremental backups, they simplify the recovery process since you only need the last full backup and the most recent differential backup.

For instance, let’s assume you take a full backup on Sunday. A differential backup on Monday will save the changes made since Sunday. On Tuesday, it will again save all changes made since Sunday. Each differential backup accumulates all changes since the last full backup.

Incremental vs differential backups

Understanding each backup type is essential when creating your backup strategy. Here are some primary factors that differentiate these two backup types: 

Storage efficiency

Incremental backups are more storage-efficient as they save only the changes made since the last backup. Differential backups save all changes made since the last full backup, which means they use more storage space over time.

Backup speed

Incremental backups are quicker as they only back up the data modified since the last backup. Differential backups take longer because they back up all changes made since the last full backup.

Restore process 

For differential backups, you only need the last full backup and the most recent differential backup to restore everything. Restoring data from traditional incremental backups can be more complex because you generally need the last full backup and each subsequent incremental backup in the correct sequence to restore everything properly. 

However, with advanced tools like BlogVault, the restore process is simplified as every backup point functions as a complete restoration point, eliminating the need for the original full backup or any previous incremental backups.

System load 

Incremental backups place less demands on your system when taking backups. This is because they involve smaller sets of data. Differential backups place more load on your system as they back up more data due to the accumulated changes.

When to use incremental backups?

Take incremental backups when you need daily backups but have limited storage space. They are particularly useful in scenarios where data changes frequently. For example, in an e-commerce site. You need your backup to capture every change without duplicating the entire data. 

Incremental backups are also ideal if you have a limited backup window and need quick backups. In these cases, minimizing the load during backup operations is important. This makes incremental backups the preferred choice.

Benefits of incremental backups

• Storage efficiency: Requires less storage space as it only saves changes since the last backup.
• Speed: Completes quickly because only changed data is saved.
• System performance: Has a lower impact on system performance during backups.
• Frequency: Backups can be taken frequently without significantly increasing storage requirements.

Downsides of incremental backups

• Risk of failure: Restoration may fail if you use the wrong backup solution or if any incremental backup in the sequence is corrupt or missing.

When to use differential backups?

Take differential backups when you need quick data recovery. They are suitable for manual or less sophisticated backup tools. This is because they involve a simpler restore process, reduced complexity, and are less error-prone.

Differential backups are best if you prefer a less complicated restore process. Restoration requires only the last full backup and the most recent differential backup. They work well for systems with frequent changes but where additional storage requirements are not a concern.

Benefits of differential backups

• Simpler and quicker restoration: Differential backups only need the last full backup and the most recent differential backup to recover your data. This makes recovery faster and easier.
• Short recovery time: Since only two backup files are required for restoration, the recovery process is quicker compared to incremental backups.
• Lower risk of data inconsistency: Fewer backup files are needed for a full restore, reducing the chances of data corruption or inconsistency.

Downsides of differential backups

• Requires more storage: Differential backups require more storage as they save all changes since the last full backup.
• Increasing backup time: Backup times increase as more data accumulates since the last full backup.
• Higher system load: Differential backups put a higher load on the system during backup operations.
• Potentially higher storage costs: Over time, increased storage needs can lead to higher costs.

How to choose the right type of backup? 

Choosing the right type of backup for your site ultimately boils down to your specific needs. Here are some things to consider:

How much data are you backing up?

If you have a lot of data to back up, use a combination of full and incremental backups. Full backups provide a complete snapshot. When clubbed with incremental backups, they capture and save only the changes made since the last backup. This strategy balances efficiency with thorough protection, ensuring you don’t miss anything important.

How frequently should you back up?

Regularly scheduled backups help keep your data safe. If your site’s content changes frequently, schedule automatic backups to run daily or even in real-time. Automatic backups make sure everything is captured without you having to remember to do it manually.

What about the restoration of backups?

A backup method must make recovery quick and easy during unexpected events. Make sure your chosen method lets you restore your backup quickly and efficiently. 

BlogVault blends the benefits of full and incremental backups to your advantage. Your site is automatically and incrementally backed up every day. But BlogVault maintains full site backups. This means that no load is put on your site (advantage of incremental backups), and you can restore your site with any single BlogVault backup (advantage of full backups). Additionally, your site backups are stored on independent servers, so there are no storage considerations.

Parting thoughts

Backups are non-negotiable when you want to protect your data. Understanding the differences between incremental and differential backups helps you make an informed decision.

Incremental backups save only the changes since the last backup, making them efficient in terms of storage and speed. Differential backups save all changes since the last full backup, which makes restoring your data simpler and quicker.

BlogVault makes this even simpler. It offers daily and incremental backups that can be restored in just one click. This means your data stays up-to-date and can be recovered quickly if something goes wrong. It also lets you regularly test and check your backups. This ensures everything works perfectly if you ever need to restore your data. Think of BlogVault as having a reliable safety net for all your important stuff.

FAQs

When should I use differential backup?

Use differential backups when you need a quicker and simpler restore process. They save all changes since the last full backup. This makes restoration easy as you only need the last full backup and the most recent differential backup.

Is incremental backup the fastest?

Yes, incremental backups are generally the fastest. They save only the changes made since the last backup. This makes the backup process quicker and more efficient in terms of storage.

Which backup is most efficient?

Incremental backups are the most efficient in terms of storage and speed. They minimize the amount of data backed up each time by only saving the changes made since the last backup.

What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?

The 3-2-1 backup rule means having three total copies of your data: two on different storage devices and one offsite. This rule helps ensure your data is protected against various types of failures.

Which backup type is best?

The best backup type depends on your needs. Incremental backups are excellent for storage efficiency and speed, while differential backups offer a simpler restore process. Combining these types with full backups and adhering to the 3-2-1 rule provides robust data protection.