UpdraftPlus vs Duplicator: A Comprehensive Comparison

While choosing the right WordPress backup plugin, it’s easy to get lost in features and reviews. Among the many names that pop up in this discussion, you will find UpdraftPlus and Duplicator rank among the top ten best WordPress backup plugins. But which one is the best fit for your site?

Choosing the wrong plugin could spell disaster. Imagine the horror of losing your site’s data because you bet on the wrong horse.

Fortunately, we’ve done the homework so you don’t have to. We’ve pitted UpdraftPlus vs Duplicator in a head-to-head showdown to give you a clear idea of which tool to trust with your website’s life without enduring the headache of trial and error.

TL;DR: Between the two plugins, UpdraftPlus comes forth as a great free option for WordPress backups and restoration within the plugin. However, for a more holistic backup approach, BlogVault stands out with multiple advanced features alongside flawless backups and seamless restoration, making it a superior choice.

Features	UpdraftPlus	Duplicator	BlogVault
On-demand backups
Scheduled backups
Complete backups
Partial backups
Complete and partial restores
Restore fully crashed sites from an external dashboard
Migration
Cloud storage
Staging

UpdraftPlus in a nutshell

UpdraftPlus offers many features, yet has some drawbacks. The plugin splits your backups into five distinct parts: Files, Database, Themes, Plugins, and Others. By default, it is set to take Manual backups, but you change it to Automatic as well.

You can schedule backups from every two hours to once a month. Be cautious with high-frequency backups, however, as doing so every two hours can impact your site’s performance—unless you’re running an e-commerce site, where frequent updates are a must.

A standout advantage of UpdraftPlus is its inclusion of site restoration in the free version. This is a great benefit for those on a tight budget, allowing you to get your site back up and running without paying extra. 

UpdraftPlus supports multiple cloud storage options for secure backup storage, although the free version lets you select only one among them. While the plugin includes basic migration features, you will need an additional plugin to fully utilize these capabilities.

Now, let’s talk about some of its quirks. UpdraftPlus does not back up critical core site files, leading to incomplete full-site backups.

The absence of incremental backups means your backups will consume significant server space, potentially slowing down your site. Additionally, backups are saved under Existing Backups and marked by date and time, but there’s no option to rename them or add notes for easier identification. It’s a bit like labeling all your storage boxes “Miscellaneous” and hoping for the best.

Managing multiple sites can be tedious with UpdraftPlus, as it requires you to log into each wp-admin panel individually. You’ll need an additional plugin to streamline this process, adding to the workload.

Migrating your site with UpdraftPlus also poses challenges. You might experience some downtime while backing up your site and restoring it on a new hosting server.

Duplicator in a nutshell

Duplicator offers backup capabilities through its Duplicator Lite version. Your backups are called Packages.

While you do get to back up your site, you cannot schedule your backups in the free version to automate it. This means you’ll be doing it the old-fashioned way: manually. And while creating backups are a few clicks away, restoring them within the plugin requires you to take the manual road or invest in the pro version.

Duplicator lets you create complete site backups, which include plugins, themes, and content, all neatly packaged in a single zip file. The setup process is quick and requires minimal configuration—like assembling IKEA furniture without needing the manual. With easy-to-follow on-screen prompts, you can package your entire site with minimal effort.

However, partial backups are limited to the database only and are absolutely not recommended. If your entire site crashes, you can’t restore it with just a part of your backup—it’s like trying to sew a ripped pair of pants with half the needle. 

Backup packages are stored locally on your server and can be downloaded to your computer for safekeeping. Since the free version doesn’t offer built-in cloud storage integrations, you’ll need to manually upload your backup files to your preferred cloud storage service, such as Google Drive or Dropbox.

While Duplicator Lite provides solid backup features, its manual processes and limitations mean you might need to consider the pro version for a more automated and comprehensive solution.

Test site setup

To evaluate UpdraftPlus vs Duplicator effectively, we set up two test WordPress sites: one at 800MB and another at 3.25GB. Why two sites with such different sizes? We wanted to see how each plugin performed under varying conditions, from a relatively lightweight site to a more complex, media-rich environment. 

This setup allowed us to objectively measure the performance, and ease of use of both plugins, providing a comprehensive comparison in real-world scenarios.

UpdraftPlus vs Duplicator backups

Verdict: When it comes to backups, UpdraftPlus takes the cake, as seen in numerous UpdraftPlus review.Unlike Duplicator, UpdraftPlus provides both on-demand and scheduled backups, offering greater flexibility. While our tests showed that both plugins succeeded in creating backups for our test sites, UpdraftPlus proved to be quicker.

However, it does have its limitations, like not providing full site backups in the free version. Despite its shortcomings, UpdraftPlus remains a better option than Duplicator for managing backups.

UpdraftPlus backup performance

Switching from manual to scheduled backups in UpdraftPlus is super easy; just change the default setting from Manual to Automatic by picking a schedule option. You can set separate schedules for files and databases, with options ranging from every two hours to monthly.

Note: Backing up every two hours can be overkill and it can waste server resources for non-e-commerce sites. It’s like setting an alarm every 15 minutes during the night—not very practical.

However, there’s a significant drawback. UpdraftPlus doesn’t take full backups of your site in the free version. It’s like taking an unwanted partial backup—this is a huge no-no for us. Although it’s not explicitly stated on the dashboard, it only backs up what’s in the wp-content folder. 

Core file backups? That’s a premium feature locked behind a paywall. For optimum restores, every backup should be a complete snapshot of your site. Anything less increases the chances of a failed restore, and no one wants a half-baked website.

On the performance side, UpdraftPlus doesn’t drag its feet. For the 800MB site, it took about one minute to complete the backup. For the 3.25GB site, the process took approximately four minutes. However, we did notice a spike in CPU usage, and the site’s performance dipped during the backup. 

This happens because the plugin uses site server resources. However, this is mostly a one-time issue, as UpdraftPlus uses incremental backups for subsequent backups, which are less demanding. Just remember, that your first backup must include all selected components; otherwise, incremental backups are disabled.

Despite these quirks, the backup process was seamless and encountered no major issues.However, it’s worth noting that users may occasionally encounter restore error 504 and restore error 524 during the restoration process.

Duplicator backup performance

Duplicator lacks an automatic backup feature, meaning everything must be done manually. While this can be a limitation for those seeking a hands-off approach, it does give you full control over when backups occur.

Duplicator allows for partial backups limited to the site’s database, but keep in mind that we do not recommend partial backups—they can’t fully restore your site in the event of a crash.

In our tests, a manual backup for the 800MB site took around five minutes, whereas the larger site took about eight minutes. However, unlike UpdraftPlus, Duplicator backs up your entire site, including plugins, themes, and content, all in a single zip file.

You can download your backups and manually store them offsite. However, without built-in offsite storage, keeping backups on your server can overload it. The backup process can be particularly resource-intensive for larger sites, so it’s advisable to perform backups during low-traffic periods.

UpdraftPlus vs Duplicator restoration

Verdict: UpdraftPlus vs Duplicator cannot restore a fully crashed site directly since both need wp-admin access. However, UpdraftPlus allows backup restoration in its free version, making it budget-friendly. Duplicator, on the other hand, requires a premium upgrade for restoration. While both plugins have limitations, UpdraftPlus is more user-friendly in its free version than Duplicator.

UpdraftPlus restoration performance

UpdraftPlus allows you to restore backup files directly from the plugin itself, making the process straightforward. However, the backup button may be disabled if you don’t delete old folders of your backups first. The plugin will notify you of this with a message at the top of your screen.

In our tests, UpdraftPlus took less than a minute to restore the smaller site. For the larger site, the process took about two minutes. We ran the restoration multiple times, and not all attempts were successful. Handling larger sites, particularly those with lots of media content, can be tricky for many plugins, including UpdraftPlus. On the plus side, UpdraftPlus can handle partial restores to some extent.

With UpdraftPlus’s premium version, you can restore backups created by other plugins. While importing a backup from a different plugin can be useful, we recommend sticking with the premium version of the plugin you are already using. This approach tends to be simpler and more reliable.

Duplicator restore performance

Duplicator, in its free version, falls short when it comes to restoring your site. If you want to restore your site, prepare to roll up your sleeves. You’ll need to manually restore your files and database separately through FTP and phpMyAdmin.

To do so, you’ll first need to dig through the large file you downloaded and separate your files and database. If you’d rather skip this manual labor and enjoy a more automated process, you’ll need to invest in the Pro version of Duplicator.

So, while Duplicator can get the job done, be prepared for some hefty manual work unless you’re ready to upgrade to the premium version of Duplicator or a better backup plugin like BlogVault.

UpdraftPlus vs Duplicator storage

Verdict: UpdraftPlus is the better choice as it offers more storage options compared to Duplicator. While UpdraftPlus limits free users to one remote destination, Duplicator does not allow for any remote storage options in its free version.

UpdraftPlus storage options

UpdraftPlus offers several options like Dropbox, Amazon S3, Google Drive, and so on to store your backups offsite, providing more flexibility for securing your data. In the free version, you can add one remote destination for your backups. However, the premium version allows multiple storage destinations simultaneously and includes 1GB of UpdraftPlus Vault storage.

If you need additional storage within UpdraftPlus Vault storage, you can choose from options ranging from 5GB to 250 GB. Keep in mind that after the first year, you will need to pay for each storage location separately.

While off-site storage is a fantastic feature, the costs can stack up over time like a tower of pancakes. So, weigh your options carefully to ensure it fits your long-term needs and budget.

Duplicator storage options

When it comes to storage options, Duplicator’s free version offers just one: your host. This is far from ideal, as it can be terrible for your server resources and your site’s performance. Think of it like trying to fit an elephant into a small car—it’s going to overload the system and lead to problems.

Most of Duplicator’s essential features, including offsite storage, are locked behind a paywall. So, if you’re looking for more storage flexibility, be prepared to open your wallet.

Other features

Migration

When it comes to migrating your WordPress site, UpdraftPlus edges out as the better option among the two. The free version offers basic migration capabilities. Note that because data can get corrupted, links can break, and compatibility issues can come forth, migration can get tricky. 

Duplicator, on the other hand, is ideal for users who prefer direct control and don’t mind a bit of manual labor. The free version requires you to handle two files: the archive and the installer, which you need to upload manually via an FTP client or cPanel’s File Manager. 

The Pro version of Duplicator simplifies the process significantly, allowing drag-and-drop functionality and offering more remote storage options and also provides added customization. Note that just like partial restores, these customizations are NOT recommended.

Update management

UpdraftPlus offers pre-update backups that automatically backup your site before applying updates to plugins, themes, or the WordPress core. This way, if an update causes issues, you can quickly revert your site to its previous state.

With Easy Updates Manager, you get better control over your WordPress, plugin, and theme updates, all within the UpdraftPlus suite. It’s like having an extra set of hands to hold everything together.

Unfortunately, Duplicator doesn’t offer these pre-update backup features, leaving you without that extra layer of security.

Pricing

When comparing Duplicator and UpdraftPlus, the pricing structures cater to different user needs and scales of operation. Duplicator offers tiered annual pricing, where higher costs bring more advanced features and support for a larger number of sites—ideal for users needing comprehensive migration tools and managing multiple websites.

Conversely, UpdraftPlus provides both one-time and annual pricing options, delivering flexibility and cost-effectiveness. It encompasses extensive backup and restore functionalities, with added benefits like UpdraftClone tokens and UpdraftVault storage—suitable for everyone from individuals to large enterprises.

UpdraftPlus emerges as the most preferable option compared to Duplicator. It impresses with its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and flexible licensing options. The combination of robust data protection, ease of use, and value-added services makes it ideal for a wide range of users, from novices to large organizations. 

Key features to look for in a backup plugin

When choosing a backup plugin, here are the essential features to look for:

• Automated backups allow you to set up regular backups at intervals like daily, weekly, or monthly. 
• Real-time backups provide continuous protection, especially useful for sites like WooCommerce ones with frequent updates. 
• Full backups capture all data, including files, databases, and system settings, while incremental backups save only the changes since the last backup, reducing server load and storage space.
• On-demand backups let you take a backup whenever you need it. 
• Remote storage integration with services like Amazon S3, Google Drive, and Dropbox ensures your backups are securely stored offsite.
• Easy restoration minimizes downtime and should be able to recover a completely crashed site. Partial restores allow you to restore specific files or databases without affecting everything else. 
• A staging environment to test restores. This helps to confirm the backup’s integrity and functionality. They also should be password-protected to preserve SEO. 
• Backup encryption and security protect your data during transfer and at rest.
• Zero-downtime migration ensures your website stays online during server changes.
• Uptime monitoring alerts you to any website downtime. 
• Activity logs keep detailed records of all backup and restore actions. 
• Effective update management ensures compatibility and stability during updates.

A better alternative—BlogVault

BlogVault offers a robust suite of features that make it a superior alternative for WordPress backups and site management. It automatically backs up your site every day, ensuring continuous data protection. Moreover, its incremental backup feature only saves changes made since the last backup. This approach reduces server load and storage space. In fact, you’ll find that BlogVault is the one plugin that doesn’t impact site performance.

Restoring your site is as simple as a single click, minimizing downtime and effort. BlogVault provides offsite storage on its secure servers instead of yours and integrates seamlessly with Dropbox. For WooCommerce and other dynamic sites, it offers real-time backup options to prevent data loss.

A standout feature is the staging environment, allowing you to test changes before they go live. This enhances site safety during updates. BlogVault also makes site migration effortless and supports over 5,000 hosts.

You can manage multiple websites from its centralized dashboard, saving time and effort. The platform also monitors your website’s uptime, sending immediate alerts if the site goes down. BlogVault regularly scans for malware and provides tools for easy removal, strengthening your site’s security.

You can also receive comprehensive reports on backups, restores, and migrations to keep track of all maintenance activities.

Parting thoughts

When it comes to safeguarding your WordPress site for free, UpdraftPlus is the better choice. It offers a comprehensive set of features that include automated and scheduled backups, cloud storage integrations, and basic migration tools. It balances ease of use and robust functionality to make it a compelling choice for anyone looking to keep their site safe.

Duplicator, on the other hand, provides precise, hands-on backups and migrations but lacks automated scheduling and restoration in the free version. While it offers control and precision, it demands more manual effort.

For those wanting stellar backup and site management, BlogVault is the way to go. It offers automatic daily and real-time backups, one-click restores, offsite storage, and centralized multi-site management. 

FAQs

​​Which backup plugin is best for WordPress?

BlogVault is the best choice for WordPress sites without a doubt. It offers automatic daily and real-time backups, one-click restores, offsite storage, and centralized multi-site management, providing comprehensive and reliable protection for your WordPress site.

Is UpdraftPlus free or paid?

UpdraftPlus offers both free and paid versions. The free version has basic essential features, while the premium version includes advanced options like incremental backups and multiple remote storage options.

What is the memory limit for UpdraftPlus?

UpdraftPlus claims to handle backups successfully up to 12GB. However, our tests showed that UpdraftPlus failed to restore a 10GB site.

Is Duplicator Pro worth it?

No, Duplicator Pro is not worth it; especially if you are looking to invest in a premium version of a plugin that has a limited number of advanced features. It offers full-site backups and cloud storage options, reducing manual intervention. However, it lacks many features that BlogVault offers, such as automatic daily and real-time backups and centralized multi-site management.