BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator: We Tested Them All

Your website is your digital lifeline. One wrong move, and everything you’ve built could vanish in an instant.

I’ve seen it happen too many times: entrepreneurs and businesses losing months (sometimes years) of work because they didn’t have a solid backup strategy.

That’s why choosing the right WordPress backup plugin is the key to your site’s survival.

Today, I’m breaking down three heavy-hitters in the WordPress backup world: BlogVault, Solid Backups (formerly BackupBuddy), and Duplicator.

Think of this as your no-nonsense guide to protecting your most valuable online asset. By the end, you’ll find the best backup plugin for your needs!

In this post, you’ll learn:

• How BlogVault, Solid Backups, and Duplicator compare across key features
• Which plugin offers the best value for different website types and budgets
• The pros and cons of each backup solution to help you make an informed decision
• Which plugin stands out as the top choice for most WordPress users

Quick Comparison of BlogVault, Solid Backups, and Duplicator

Feature	BlogVault	Solid Backups	Duplicator
Quick backups	❌	✅	✅
Easy restore process	✅	✅	✅
Staging	✅	✅	✅
Automatic backups	✅	✅	✅
Migrations	✅	✅	✅
Cloud storage	✅	✅	✅
Free version	❌	❌	✅
Affordable premium plans	❌	❌	✅

Table of Contents

What to Look For In a WordPress Backup Plugin

Although a WordPress backup plugin can offer easy ways to protect your website data, there are many different options to choose from. To narrow down your choices, here are a few factors to consider.

Reliability

It’s best to choose a backup plugin with a solid reputation and positive user feedback. Be sure to check out the reviews and ratings on WordPress.org.

Backup Solutions

Ensure the plugin provides reliable backup options, including both manual and automatic backups. Cloud storage is also important.

Flexibility

Look for options to schedule automated backups so that you can set and forget about your backups. Additionally, you may need to filter specific files or databases from a backup, so pick a customizable backup plugin.

Storage Options

You’ll want to check if the plugin supports popular cloud services or remote server backups. This allows you to send backups off-site and keep them safe from server errors. 

Easy Restoration

Choose a plugin that simplifies the restoration process for hassle-free recovery.

Support and Documentation

The best backup plugins will have responsive customer support and thorough documentation.

BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator: Compared

When you start looking for a WordPress backup plugin, three main options will probably stand out: BlogVault, Solid Backups (formerly BackupBuddy), and Duplicator. But which is the best one? Let’s find out!

Features: BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator

First, let’s take a look at the main backup features of BlogVault, Solid Backups, and Duplicator. This way, you’ll know exactly which plugin is right for your site!

Here are the key takeaways from our feature comparison:

• Duplicator offers the most comprehensive feature set with disaster recovery and drag-and-drop migrations
• BlogVault focuses on incremental backups and enterprise-grade security
• Solid Backups provides solid basics but fewer advanced features compared to competitors

Duplicator Features

Duplicator Pro is a powerful WordPress plugin that migrates, backs up, and clones websites. Its full range of features make site management more efficient and secure. 

With Duplicator Pro, you can easily create complete backups that include all your files, themes, plugins, and database tables. Then, you can set recovery points to instantly restore your backup in the case of an emergency.

And that’s not all! Here are some great features you can expect from Duplicator Pro:

• Manual and automatic backups
• File and database filters
• Supports migrations of large sites and Multisite networks
• One-click restores
• Disaster recovery
• Cloud storage integrations
• Server-to-server imports
• Step-by-step migration wizard
• Drag-and-drop migrations
• WordPress installation not required
• Set up pre-configured sites 

BlogVault Features

BlogVault is a comprehensive backup and security service that gives WordPress users a reliable way to protect their sites. It offers automated backups, real-time backup syncing, and one-click restoration. This ensures that your website’s data is always secure and easily recoverable.

Here are some of BlogVault’s main features:

• Complete and incremental backups
• Off-site backup storage
• Enterprise-grade backup encryption
• One-click restore
• One-click staging
• Migration to a new web hosting provider or domain
• Large site and WordPress Multisite support

Solid Backups Features

Solid Backups (formerly known as BackupBuddy) is another third-party backup service that can save copies of your WordPress website. As a website owner, you can use this tool to run scheduled backups, roll back your site after a bad update, and even migrate your content to a different location. 

Here are some features you’ll get with Solid Backups:

• Complete WordPress backups
• Scheduled backups
• Remote storage to Stash Live
• Restore options
• Migrations and cloning
• URL replacement

Usability: BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator

A backup tool will only be helpful to you if it’s easy to use. Let’s see how easy it is to create backups with BlogVault, Solid Backups, and Duplicator. 

Here are the key takeaways from our usability comparison:

• Duplicator provides the most intuitive interface with step-by-step guidance
• BlogVault offers the simplest setup but relies heavily on external dashboard management
• Solid Backups is user-friendly but requires more initial configuration

Duplicator Usability

Duplicator has a user-friendly interface, guiding you through backups and migrations step by step.

To get started, create a backup. This will compile your files, plugins, themes, and database into a zip file.

You can use dynamic tags to customize your backup names. Add the current month, day, hour, schedule name, or other details to help you better identify the right backup at the right time.

Feel free to select a cloud storage service. Once the backup is built, Duplicator will automatically send your data to this location.

Here are all the storage options you can use with Duplicator Pro:

• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• Amazon S3
• Backblaze B2
• Wasabi
• Google Cloud
• OneDrive
• DreamObjects
• Vultr
• DigitalOcean Spaces
• Cloudflare R2
• FTP
• Local server

Customizing a backup is as easy as checking a box. You can decide whether to include/exclude the database, core WordPress files, plugins, themes, and media files.

Then, hit Next. You’ll see that Duplicator scans your site for any issues.

Once you continue, Duplicator will back up your site! You’ll see your new backup on the Backups page.

If you hit Download, you can save copies of the archive and installer files.

The archive contains a copy of your WordPress site, while the installer deploys it. By downloading these backup files, you can easily restore a backup later or move a copy of your site to a different location. 

You can also save time and set up automatic backups. To do this, find the Schedule Backups page and hit Add New.

Give your backup schedule a name. If you need custom automatic backups, create a new backup template. Then, select a storage location.

Duplicator allows you to schedule weekly, monthly, hourly, or daily backups. Choose one of these options and specify a start time.

Lastly, enable the schedule. This will ensure your site is always backed up and secure from any unexpected errors.

See how Conceptstore Creative, a digital studio, made its clients’ websites accessible and secure with Duplicator’s automatic backups!

BlogVault Usability

To start using BlogVault, you’ll simply have to install the plugin and enter your email address. This will automatically send you to the BlogVault dashboard.

After it syncs with BlogVault, your site will automatically be backed up. To create a manual backup, simply sync your site again.

If you want to back up your site on a schedule, open the settings for your site. Click on Sync Time and update it.

BlogVault also allows you to automatically update your themes, plugins, and WordPress version. This WordPress maintenance service can be an effective time-saver for your e-commerce site.

Solid Backups Usability

Like Duplicator and BlogVault, Solid Backups makes it easy to create and schedule backups. After you sign up, you’ll fill out a form where you can customize your backup options. By the end, Solid Backups will start backing up your site.

Since many users prefer automated schedules to manual backups, Solid Backups provides this alternative. You can choose your backup interval, date, time, and remote storage location.

Using Solid Backups, you’ll even be able to set up multiple backup schedules. You could save your database every month, but perform a full backup every week. This removes the hassle of manually backing up every part of your site. 

Migrations: BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator

Many WordPress backup plugins can also migrate your website. If you want to limit the number of plugins installed on your site, it’s best to find one that also functions as a migration plugin.

Here are the key takeaways from our migration comparison:

• Duplicator offers the easiest drag-and-drop migration process with zero downtime
• BlogVault requires knowledge of FTP and database credentials
• Solid Backups involves manual file uploads and script execution

Duplicator Migrations

Often, moving to a new domain name or hosting plan can complicated and time consuming. With Duplicator, it’s easy. This plugin supports drag-and-drop migrations, so even complete beginners can migrate their websites without technical experience.

After you create a backup with Duplicator, download its archive file. Then, make sure Duplicator Pro is installed and activated on a second site. Find the Import Backups page and upload your backup.

Duplicator will then walk you through the steps of importing your original website. Your old site will still be live while you get the new one set up.

Since there’s no downtime, you can migrate your site to a new WordPress host without damaging your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ranking!

Duplicator can handle even the largest websites. Find out how Ergo Creative, a creative agency, effortlessly handles large site migrations with Duplicator!

BlogVault Migrations

To migrate your site with BlogVault, find a recent backup and hit the Migrate button.

You’ll then have to fill out your new URL, FTP details, and database credentials.

If you want, choose to only migrate specific files or database tables.

After this, BlogVault will transfer your WordPress website over to the new location. 

Solid Backups Migrations

With Solid Backups, you’ll start the migration process by creating a full backup of your site. When Solid Backups generates your backup zip file, download it.

You’ll also need to download the ImportBuddy.php file. Then, upload both of these files to your new server. You can do this with cPanel or a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client. 

To finish the migration, run the ImportBuddy script. This will show you the final steps you need to take to move your website to the new location. 

Restore Options: BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator

Your backups will only be useful if you can easily recover them. Let’s see how BlogVault, Solid Backups, and Duplicator compare in terms of restore options. 

Here are the key takeaways from our backup restoration comparison:

• Duplicator provides unique disaster recovery options that work even when locked out of WordPress
• BlogVault offers selective restore capabilities for granular control
• Solid Backups supports both full site and individual file restoration

Duplicator Restore Options

Unlike other backup plugins, Duplicator allows you to restore site backups without needing to use your WordPress dashboard. This can be an extremely helpful feature if you’re ever locked out of the wp-admin area.

To make sure your backup can easily be restored, you’ll need to set it as a disaster recovery point. First, find your most recent backup and hit the disaster recovery icon.

To set disaster recovery, you’ll need to create a full backup of your site and store it locally.

In the pop-up window, select Set Disaster Recovery.

Now, you’ll have two options to restore your site: the recovery link or the launcher file.

You can save the recovery link in a safe location. If your site ever crashes, simply paste this into a new browser window. Even if you can’t log into WordPress, this will automatically launch the Duplicator recovery wizard.

The recovery launcher works in a similar way. Download the file and open it whenever you need to restore your site.

With disaster recovery, you’ll get your site up and running again in a few minutes!

Duplicator also has a one-click restore button. Use this to instantly revert your site to a previous backup.

This can help developers test out new features and quickly roll them back if necessary.

Duplicator is the only backup plugin with multiple restore options, making it flexible and safe. Plus, every restoration is lightning fast. See how KOROVA used Duplicator to shorten backup restore time to under 3 minutes!

BlogVault Restore Options

To restore your site with BlogVault, you’ll need to find the Restore Site button.

Next, select the backup you want to restore. Since BlogVault supports selective restores, you can also exclude specific files and database tables from the restoration.

After this, BlogVault will convert your site to a previous version. 

Solid Backups Restore Options

Like other backup plugins, Solid Backups has an easy restore process. Simply navigate to the Restore Backup tab. Find the right backup and hit Restore.

If you don’t need to restore your entire site, you can restore individual files. You’ll also be able to roll back to a previous database state if you need to.

Pricing: BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator

To make sure your new small business website is successful, you’ll want to find the most cost-effective tools. Let’s compare the value of these backup plugins and see if they’re worth their price. 

Here are the key takeaways from our pricing comparison:

• Duplicator offers the most affordable solution with a free version and pro plans starting at $49.50/year
• BlogVault is the most expensive option starting at $149/year with no free version
• Solid Backups falls in the middle at $99/year but lacks a free alternative

Duplicator Pricing

Duplicator offers a free version with basic features for website backups, migrations, and cloning. You can use this tool to back up your site and even transfer it to a different server.

However, Duplicator Pro can make site management much easier. It comes with automated backups, drag-and-drop site migrations, cloud storage, and much more.

Pricing for Duplicator Pro starts at just $49.50 per year. Even the basic plan will give you access to unlimited backups and migrations. 

BlogVault Pricing

Although you can find the BlogVault plugin for free on the WordPress.org directory, it is a paid backup service. Once you download the plugin, you’ll have to sign up for a premium plan. However, you can try out BlogVault for free for 7 days. 

After your free trial, BlogVault starts at $149 yearly. You’ll get daily automatic backups, a staging site, and visual regression testing.

Unlike other backup plugins, BlogVault offers many different plans designed for specific use cases. For example, you might want a higher frequency of backups. For this case, BlogVault will back up your site four times a day for $299 per year. 

Solid Backups Pricing

Solid Backups is a premium backup plugin that starts at $8.25 monthly (or $99 yearly). A basic plan will only back up one site and provide 20GB of storage space.

Alternatively, you can purchase a Solid Backups in a bundle with other security plugins or multiple site management tools. For example, Solid Security and Solid Central are available in the Solid Suite bundle, which you can upgrade to for $199 yearly.

BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator: Pros and Cons

Now let’s quickly recap the pros and cons of BlogVault, Solid Backups, and Duplicator!

Duplicator

Pros:

• Backup, migration, and cloning features
• Easy-to-use interface
• Simple drag-and-drop migrations
• Provides a disaster recovery URL to restore backups after critical errors
• Fast one-click restores
• Can back up and migrate large websites and Multisite networks
• Automatic backup schedules
• Many cloud storage integrations
• Free version available
• Affordable premium version
• Email notifications for timeouts or other backup updates
• Daily, weekly, or monthly email summaries

Cons: 

• No built-in malware scanning or other security scans

BlogVault

Pros:

• Incremental backups for improved efficiency
• 7-day free trial
• Uptime monitoring
• Visual regression testing
• WordPress security features like malware removal and a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
• Off-site dashboard

Cons: 

• Backup process can take a long time, especially for large websites
• No live chat support
• No free version
• Limited cloud storage options

Solid Backups

Pros:

• Backup, migration, and cloning tools
• Individual file restore options
• Easy staging and deployment
• Database rollbacks
• Can bundle Solid Backups with other tools like Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security Pro)

Cons: 

• Expensive plans
• No free version or free trial period

BlogVault vs Solid Backups vs Duplicator: Which Should You Choose?

While all three plugins – BlogVault, Solid Backups, and Duplicator – offer valuable features, Duplicator emerges as the top choice for WordPress backup and migration needs. Its user-friendly interface, efficient backup creation, and migration capabilities make it an excellent option for both beginners and experienced users. 

And the best part? You can get all of these features without an expensive subscription. Unlike BlogVault and Solid Backups, Duplicator offers a completely free version of its plugin. If you need to upgrade, there are affordable payment options. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

While BlogVault and Solid Backups have their merits, Duplicator offers the perfect blend of affordability, functionality, and peace of mind. Its free version gives you essential protection, and the pro version? It’s like having a professional data recovery team in your back pocket.

Your website represents countless hours of hard work. Don’t gamble with its future by skimping on backups. Whether you’re running a small blog or a complex e-commerce site, a reliable backup solution is essential.

Are you ready to start using an affordable but feature-packed WordPress backup plugin? Download Duplicator Pro today!

While you’re here, I think you’ll like these other WordPress guides:

• 9 Best WordPress Backup Plugins
• How to Back Up a WordPress Database
• How to Create a Cloud WordPress Backup
• Best Automatic Backup Services For Stress-Free Data Storage
• Duplicator Review: Is It the Best Backup and Migration Plugin?
• 8 Best WordPress Restore Plugins For Quick Data Recovery