Your Host’s Backups Are Useless: Here’s Affordable Backup Software You Can Trust
Written By:
Joella Dunn
Joella Dunn
Joella is a writer with years of experience in WordPress. At Duplicator, she specializes in site maintenance — from basic backups to large-scale migrations. Her ultimate goal is to make sure your WordPress website is safe and ready for growth.
Reviewed By:
John Turner
John Turner
John Turner is the President of Duplicator. He has over 20+ years of business and development experience and his plugins have been downloaded over 25 million times.
June 16, 2025
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June 16, 2025
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8:00 am
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You want to back up your WordPress site, but your budget is tight. You’ve looked at premium backup software and winced at the price tags.
That’s money you need for hosting, plugins, and actually running your business.
But skipping backups isn’t an option. Your website is too valuable to leave unprotected.
Here’s the good news: reliable WordPress backups don’t have to strain your finances. Affordable (even free!) options exist that provide solid protection without the premium price tag.
Your hosting provider experiencing an unexpected server crash
A moment of distraction where you accidentally delete something important
Malware silently corrupting your files
When disaster strikes, the cost isn’t just measured in dollars.
It’s measured in lost customers who can’t access your site, damaged reputation when your portfolio is unavailable, and the sheer frustration of rebuilding content from scratch.
Not to mention the time — that precious commodity none of us can get back.
The Myth: Backups Are Expensive
Maybe you’ve put off setting up backups because you think they’re only for big companies with IT departments and serious budgets. Another expense you just can’t justify right now.
Here’s the truth: reliable WordPress backups don’t have to drain your wallet. In fact, some solid options cost nothing at all, while others require a modest investment that’s trivial compared to what you’d lose without them.
When I talk about “affordable” backups, I mean solutions that actually fit real-world budgets. This includes options that cost literally zero dollars.
Affordability in WordPress backups is a spectrum. On one end, you have completely free solutions: open-source plugins and basic backups included with some hosting plans.
In the middle, you’ll find premium tools with reasonable one-time fees or annual subscriptions that won’t make you wince. We’re talking about costs that amount to less than a couple of coffee shop visits each month.
But here’s what affordable doesn’t mean: cutting corners on reliability. The sweet spot we’re aiming for balances cost with essential protection and usability.
After all, what good is a cheap backup solution if it fails when disaster strikes?
The Cost of Not Having Backups
A premium backup solution might cost you $50-100 per year, or perhaps nothing at all with a free option. Now compare that to what happens when things go south without a backup:
Emergency developer help to recover a broken site: $500-1,000+
Lost sales during downtime: Potentially hundreds or thousands, depending on your business
Rebuilding content from scratch: Dozens of hours of work you’ve already done once
Damaged customer trust: Immeasurable, but very real
The small price of prevention drastically outweighs the massive cost of recovery. It’s like home insurance — you don’t question its value after your house floods.
Types of Affordable WordPress Backup Solutions
Different backup approaches offer varying levels of control, convenience, and cost. Let’s examine the main backup options available to budget-conscious WordPress users.
WordPress Backup Plugins
These specialized tools integrate directly with your WordPress dashboard, making them a natural choice for site owners. They understand WordPress’s architecture and are designed specifically for backing up its unique structure.
Cost-wise, many excellent backup plugins offer great free versions, while others provide premium features at reasonable price points. The learning curve tends to be gentle since they operate within the familiar WordPress interface you already use.
The major advantage? You maintain control. You decide what gets backed up, when it happens, and where those precious backup files are stored.
Hosting Provider Backups
Your web host probably mentions backups as a feature in their hosting package. It sounds convenient — backups happening automatically in the background with no effort on your part.
The price seems right too. These backup services are often bundled into what you’re already paying for hosting, so there’s no separate line item in your budget.
But host backups often come with limitations. You have minimal control over the backup schedule. Many hosts only keep backups for a short period, sometimes just 7-14 days.
And when you need to restore? That process can range from a simple one-click operation to filing a support ticket and waiting anxiously for a response.
The fundamental question becomes: is this really your backup, or just a recovery point in your host’s system that you have limited access to?
Manual Backups
Manual backups involve downloading your site files via FTP using tools like FileZilla and exporting your database through phpMyAdmin.
The obvious advantage? It’s completely free.
But let’s be honest about the drawbacks. Manual backups are time-consuming, especially as your site grows.
They require technical know-how—particularly when handling database exports where one wrong setting can result in corrupted data.
There’s no automation, so you need to remember to perform backups regularly. And perhaps most importantly, the restoration process can be difficult if you don’t have technical experience.
I’ve seen too many site owners start with good intentions, manually backing up once or twice, then letting months pass before remembering to do it again—usually right after they needed that backup.
Deep Dive: Affordable WordPress Backup Plugins
Plugin-based backups offer the best balance of affordability, control, and reliability for most WordPress users. Let’s explore this category in more detail.
Why Plugins Are a Top Choice for Affordability & Control
Backup plugins consistently rank as the favorite option for budget-conscious WordPress users, and for good reason. They’re built to speak WordPress’s language, with interfaces that make sense to anyone familiar with the platform.
You decide exactly what gets backed up, when it happens, and where those backups are stored. This level of control simply isn’t available with most host-provided solutions.
Features to Look for in Affordable Plugins (Even Free Tiers)
When evaluating your options, prioritize these essential features. This ensures you get the best affordable backup software!
Backup Plugin Feature
Description
Complete site coverage
Your backup must include both files (themes, plugins, uploads) and your database (posts, pages, comments, settings). Missing either part could lead to incomplete restorations.
Automation
The ability to schedule regular backups is crucial—because let’s face it, we all get busy and forget manual tasks. Even some free plugins offer basic scheduling.
Storage flexibility
Your backups shouldn’t live on the same server as your website. Look for options to store backups in cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3.
Straightforward restoration
A backup is only good if you can use it when disaster strikes. The restoration process should be clear and well-documented.
Incremental backups
As your site grows, full backups become more resource-intensive. Incremental backups (only saving what’s changed) save time and storage space, though this is often a premium feature.
Custom backups
The ability to exclude unnecessary files helps keep backups efficient.
Popular Affordable/Free Backup Plugins
Let’s examine some of what many consider the best affordable backup software for WordPress!
In my opinion, Duplicator is the best free backup software available for WordPress sites. The free version gives you powerful capabilities for creating complete site backups.
You can also customize the backup to only include the data you need to download. There’s a database-only backup preset, as well as file and database table filters.
When you need to restore or migrate, Duplicator walks you through the process with remarkable clarity. All you’ll need to do is download both backup files.
Then, upload them to another server to start a migration. For a restore, upload the backup back onto your current server.
Where Duplicator really shines is its Pro version, which adds crucial features while maintaining affordability.
Duplicator Pro brings automated scheduling to the table, as well as cloud backup storage to many third-party providers.
It can restore any backup with one click and simplify any migration to a drag-and-drop process.
It’s packed with value that makes its price point feel like a bargain for the peace of mind it delivers. Starting at $49.50 a year, you’ll have a powerful backup and migration tool that developers love!
UpdraftPlus is a popular option with consistent reliability and straightforward usability. The free version includes scheduled automatic backups, a feature many competitors reserve for premium tiers.
The plugin separates database and file backups, giving you flexibility in restoration. The interface is clean and accessible to non-technical users.
However, incremental backups require the premium version. Migrations can also become complex for larger sites.
UpdraftPlus Premium adds more storage destinations and advanced scheduling flexibility. Incremental backups reduce server load and storage requirements.
Premium pricing starts at $70 per year. Additional features are available as separate add-ons, which can increase costs.
The free version provides genuine value with automated scheduling. However, the restoration process isn’t quite as elegant as some competitors, and migrations require more manual steps.
All-in-One WP Migration focuses primarily on site migration but creates full backups in the process. The simplicity is appealing — one click creates a complete site package.
The plugin excels at moving sites between hosts or domains. The export/import process is streamlined and user-friendly.
Even non-technical users can successfully migrate WordPress sites with minimal effort.
However, the free version has significant size limitations. Sites larger than 300MB require the premium version. This restriction eliminates many sites with substantial media libraries or extensive content.
The premium pricing is based on what features you need to add. There’s no comprehensive premium version, so you may need to spend a lot of money on individual extensions, which start at $99 each.
Comparing Free vs. Affordable Premium Plugin Features
Free backup software can certainly get the job done, but they typically come with limitations.
You’ll often need to manually initiate backups, have fewer storage options, and might encounter restrictions on site size or restoration capabilities. Support is usually community-based rather than dedicated help.
Paying for premium features unlocks significant advantages:
Automated backup scheduling becomes more flexible and reliable
Direct integration with multiple cloud storage services
Incremental backups reduce server load and processing time
Site migration becomes nearly effortless (a particular strength of Duplicator Pro)
Dedicated support to turn to when things get tricky
The price difference is often surprisingly small—many premium backup solutions run between $40-100 annually, which breaks down to just a few dollars monthly for significantly enhanced protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I back up my data for free?
Several methods let you back up WordPress sites without spending money. Free plugins like Duplicator offer solid backup capabilities.
Manual backups using FTP clients and phpMyAdmin cost nothing but require technical knowledge. Some hosting providers include basic backups in their plans.
You can also export your content through WordPress’s built-in export tool, though this only saves posts and pages, not your complete site.
Can I rely on my hosting provider’s backups alone?
Host backups are better than nothing, but they shouldn’t be your only protection. Many hosts only keep backups for a week or two. Some charge extra fees for restoration. You typically have no control over the backup schedule or storage location.
Consider host backups as a secondary safety net, not your primary backup strategy.
Are free backup plugins safe to use?
Reputable free backup plugins from established developers are generally safe. Check user reviews, update frequency, and developer reputation before installing any plugin.
Popular free options like Duplicator and UpdraftPlus have strong track records and active development.
Does Windows 10 have built-in backup software?
Windows 10 includes built-in backup tools called File History and Backup and Restore (Windows 7). File History automatically saves copies of personal files, while Backup and Restore lets users create system images and schedule backups. These tools help protect data without needing third-party software.
Protect Your Investment Without Overspending
Your WordPress site represents a significant investment — not just in money, but in time, creativity, and business potential.
Whether you’re running a small business website or a personal blog, protecting that investment doesn’t require a massive budget.
Start with a free solution if your budget is tight, but make sure you have some protection in place immediately.
As your site grows, consider upgrading to a premium option like Duplicator Pro that offers extra automation, cloud storage integrations, and peace of mind. Your future self will thank you the first time you need to use the recovery software!
Joella is a writer with years of experience in WordPress. At Duplicator, she specializes in site maintenance — from basic backups to large-scale migrations. Her ultimate goal is to make sure your WordPress website is safe and ready for growth.
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