Backups are like insurance for your WordPress site — you don’t think you need them… until you really do. From sudden plugin errors to full-blown server crashes, things can go south in seconds. And if you’re not prepared? You could lose everything. That’s why having a reliable, flexible, and easy-to-use backup plugin is more important now than ever before.
Today, I’m diving deep into one of the most talked-about plugins in the community: UpdraftPlus. In this detailed WP Remote: UpdraftPlus review, I’ll explore every corner of what it offers. Whether you’re a solo blogger, agency owner, or run a WooCommerce store, this post will help you figure out if UpdraftPlus deserves a permanent spot in your WordPress toolkit.
Why I Chose UpdraftPlus: Real Experience From the Frontlines
After running WordPress sites for over 10 years, I’ve tested nearly every major backup plugin out there. Some were too complex. Others lacked features I considered must-haves, like cloud storage or encryption. Eventually, I stumbled onto UpdraftPlus after a painful update wiped out one of my client sites — and I’ve never looked back.
Right from the start, UpdraftPlus felt intuitive. I didn’t need to read a 20-page manual or hire a developer to set it up. I just installed it, picked a cloud storage option, and hit backup. That was it.
Over the past few months, I’ve run the plugin across multiple sites — some with minimal content, others with over 100GB in media and database entries. This review is based on real-world use, not just theory.
What Makes UpdraftPlus Stand Out?
Before we dive into features, here’s a quick look at what makes UpdraftPlus different:
- One-click backup and restore
- Flexible scheduling (hourly, daily, weekly, etc.)
- Supports multiple remote storage options
- Secure database encryption
- Incremental backups to save space
- Built-in storage via UpdraftVault
- GDPR-compliant anonymization
In this WP Remote: UpdraftPlus review, I’ll break down these features to see if they really deliver.
Set It and Forget It: UpdraftPlus Automated Scheduling
Managing a site means juggling a lot of moving parts. One thing I love about UpdraftPlus is its custom backup scheduling feature. You don’t just pick “daily” and call it a day — you can separate file backups from database backups.
For example, I run a site that posts weekly articles but gets frequent comments. So I schedule:
- Database backups daily
- File backups weekly
This keeps storage use efficient and reduces strain on the server. UpdraftPlus lets me choose how many old backups to keep. Once the limit is hit, it automatically deletes the oldest ones.
That level of detail is something I didn’t even know I needed until I used it. Now, it’s a game-changer.
My tip: Start with higher backup limits, then scale down once you understand your site’s rhythm.
Backup Everywhere: Remote Storage Options
Let’s be honest — storing backups on your WordPress server is like hiding your house keys under the doormat. It’s better than nothing, but barely.
That’s why I always back up to remote cloud storage, and UpdraftPlus makes this easy.
You can connect with:
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Amazon S3
- Rackspace Cloud
- FTP/SFTP
- DreamObjects
- OpenStack Swift
- UpdraftVault (more on that later)
You can even email yourself a copy, which is great for quick fixes.
During this WP Remote: UpdraftPlus review, I set up backups to both Dropbox and S3 simultaneously. The setup took under 10 minutes. I just followed the on-screen prompts, connected my accounts, and done.
This dual backup feature alone has saved me twice — once when my Dropbox folder was accidentally cleared out by another user. Luckily, I had a copy waiting in S3.
Pro tip: Use multiple destinations. You’ll thank yourself later.
UpdraftVault: Your Built-In Safety Net
If setting up cloud storage feels like too much hassle, UpdraftVault is UpdraftPlus’ built-in answer.
Think of it as your personal backup vault, running on Amazon’s infrastructure with 99.999999999% durability. That’s 11 nines — basically saying it won’t fail you.
You get:
| Plan | Included Storage | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | 1 GB | Basic sites/blogs |
| Business | 10 GB | Small business websites |
| Gold | 50 GB | Media-heavy or large sites |
I used UpdraftVault for a WooCommerce client who didn’t want to mess with Dropbox or Amazon. The peace of mind knowing it just works, with no extra API setup, was huge.
Plus, integration is seamless — just activate it from the settings.
Multiple Backup Locations = Bulletproof Safety
One feature I didn’t know I needed until I used it: multi-location backups.
UpdraftPlus lets you back up to more than one remote location at the same time. You don’t have to run the backup twice or use complicated syncing tools. Just tick multiple checkboxes, and it’s done.
This adds another layer of redundancy that most plugins don’t offer unless you’re paying big bucks.
My use case: I back up one of my bigger content sites to Google Drive, S3, and email, all at once. That way, I’ve always got an option even if one platform has issues.
Tailor-Made Backups: Include or Exclude Files
Not all data is created equal. Some files don’t need to be backed up — like PDF manuals or temporary uploads.
With UpdraftPlus, you can exclude specific files or folders using simple rules. I’ve excluded .zip files, old video archives, and image folders I already have stored elsewhere.
Even better, UpdraftPlus supports file-type rules. You can ignore entire formats like .mp4 or .pdf.
This is perfect for:
- Saving storage space
- Speeding up backup processes
- Avoiding unnecessary clutter
It’s also really useful for development sites, where you might not want to back up certain large folders during frequent updates.
Security That’s Built In: Database Encryption
Let’s talk about security — because what’s the point of backups if they aren’t protected?
UpdraftPlus encrypts your WordPress database during backup, using a passphrase you set. This means if someone grabs your backup file, they won’t be able to read any data without the key.
Also, data is transferred via secure encrypted connections, especially to services like S3 and Google Drive.
I personally enabled encryption after a client’s site — which stored sensitive emails — got compromised. The peace of mind knowing that my backups were encrypted was worth everything.
Important tip: Store your passphrase somewhere safe. If you lose it, you can’t restore encrypted backups.
Instant Peace of Mind: Manual Backups on Demand
Even with automated schedules, sometimes you just want to hit that “Backup Now” button before making changes. Whether I’m updating plugins, switching themes, or migrating hosts, I always take a manual backup first.
UpdraftPlus makes this as easy as clicking one button.
You can choose:
- To include/exclude files or database
- Where to store it (default or override)
- Whether to label the backup with a note
I love this feature for site maintenance days — I’ll do a quick manual backup, test changes, and restore if needed. Simple and reliable.
FAQs About UpdraftPlus and WP Remote Backups
1. Can I use UpdraftPlus with WP Remote tools?
Yes, you can combine UpdraftPlus with remote monitoring tools to fully automate your maintenance stack.
2. Is UpdraftPlus free?
Yes! There’s a generous free version available in the WordPress plugin repo. Premium unlocks advanced features like incremental backups and cloud options like OneDrive and Vault.
3. Does UpdraftPlus slow down my site?
In my experience, no. It runs in the background and offers scheduling controls to avoid peak hours.
4. How often should I backup my WordPress site?
It depends on how often you update your site. For blogs, weekly is fine. For eCommerce or membership sites, go for daily or even hourly.
5. Is UpdraftVault worth it?
Absolutely, if you want a no-fuss, built-in storage system. It’s especially great for non-tech users or teams managing multiple sites.
Incremental Backups: The Hidden Gem That Saves Time and Space
If your site has frequent changes—say, new orders, comments, or posts—doing full backups every time can be a huge waste of time and bandwidth. That’s where incremental backups come in.
This feature, available in UpdraftPlus Premium, is a game-changer. Instead of backing up your entire site every time, it only backs up what has changed since the last backup. That means:
- Less load on your server
- Faster backup and restore times
- Reduced cloud storage usage
When I enabled incremental backups on a WooCommerce store, my backup times dropped from 12 minutes to just under 2. And restoring specific changes—like reverting a product update—became much more efficient.
You can set how often UpdraftPlus checks for changes (even hourly), which is perfect for high-traffic or data-heavy websites. For me, this is one of the most underrated features of the plugin.
Easy Restoration: One-Click Recovery That Actually Works
Let’s say the worst happens: your site crashes, a plugin update breaks everything, or your server gets compromised.
That’s when UpdraftPlus really earns its stripes. The restore process is simple, clear, and reliable. You don’t need to unzip files manually, mess with phpMyAdmin, or call your hosting provider crying at midnight.
Here’s how it works:
- Go to the “Existing Backups” tab
- Choose the backup you want to restore
- Select what to restore (files, database, plugins, themes, uploads)
- Click Restore
In just a few clicks, your site is rolled back to a working state.
Bonus: You can even upload a backup file from another site. This is huge for migrating or duplicating websites.
In one case, I migrated a 6GB WooCommerce site in under 20 minutes using just UpdraftPlus. No FTP, no database headaches.
GDPR Compliance and Anonymization
In a world of increasing data privacy regulations, GDPR compliance is more than just a checkbox—it’s a necessity. UpdraftPlus offers anonymization options to help you stay compliant.
When you back up your database, you can choose to exclude personal user data, like:
- Customer email addresses
- IP logs
- Form entries
You can also encrypt the backups and store them offsite to avoid potential leaks or unauthorized access.
For businesses based in the EU—or serving EU customers—this is crucial. A single data breach or mishandled backup can result in legal fines or loss of customer trust.
UpdraftCentral and WP Remote: Manage Multiple Sites Like a Pro
If you’re running more than one site (or managing client websites), switching between dashboards for backups can get annoying. This is where UpdraftCentral steps in.
It’s a companion tool that allows you to manage all your backups from a single remote dashboard. Think of it like a control center for:
- Scheduling backups
- Restoring individual sites
- Viewing logs and performance reports
- Installing or updating plugins/themes
It pairs nicely with WP Remote, a platform that adds full remote WordPress management capabilities. Together, they turn your workflow into a smooth, streamlined system.
You can even initiate backups or restores from your phone, which has saved me more than once while on the go.
UpdraftPlus Free vs Premium: What’s the Difference?
The free version of UpdraftPlus is powerful, but the Premium upgrade unlocks serious advantages.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Free Version | Premium Version |
|---|---|---|
| Manual + scheduled backups | ✅ | ✅ |
| Remote cloud storage (Dropbox, etc) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Incremental backups | ❌ | ✅ |
| Multisite support | ❌ | ✅ |
| UpdraftVault integration | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cloning and migration | ❌ | ✅ |
| Database encryption | ❌ | ✅ |
| Support and updates | Community only | Priority Support |
| Multiple cloud destinations | ❌ | ✅ |
If you’re managing a high-value site (eCommerce, membership, LMS, etc.), I highly recommend going premium. The extra features pay for themselves the first time something goes wrong.
Real-World Use Case: A Client Disaster Averted
To make this review more relatable, let me share a real story.
A few months ago, a client updated their WooCommerce plugin… without a backup. The update crashed their site, and they had over 300 pending orders.
Luckily, I had installed UpdraftPlus with remote backups to Google Drive set up hourly. Within 15 minutes, I was able to:
- Restore the site to the version from 30 minutes prior
- Export the customer order data
- Sync the orders via WooCommerce reports
No lost sales. No angry emails. No permanent damage.
That one restoration alone justified the entire Premium license for the year.
Pros and Cons of UpdraftPlus (Summed Up)
Here’s a quick breakdown of everything we’ve covered:
Pros:
- Easy to use—even for beginners
- Multiple remote storage options
- Reliable backup and restore
- Incremental backups (Premium)
- UpdraftVault for zero-config cloud storage
- One-click migration between sites
- GDPR-friendly encryption
- Integrates well with WP Remote and UpdraftCentral
- Active development and support
Cons:
- Incremental backups and multi-site support require Premium
- Interface could use a small visual refresh
- Some advanced settings might overwhelm new users
- Limited reporting/logs unless upgraded
Final Verdict: Is UpdraftPlus Worth It in 2025?
If you’re serious about your WordPress site, UpdraftPlus is a must-have plugin. Whether you’re using the free version for a personal blog or going Premium for a high-traffic store, it offers rock-solid backup and restore capabilities that work when you need them most.
Its integration with WP Remote, UpdraftCentral, and cloud storage options make it one of the most complete solutions available today.
In a world where one wrong click can wipe out your business, UpdraftPlus gives you peace of mind—without requiring a monthly IT budget or technical expertise.
If you’re still on the fence, start with the free version. But don’t wait until disaster strikes to realize how valuable a good backup system really is.
TL DR – Quick Summary
- UpdraftPlus is a powerful, flexible backup plugin for WordPress
- Offers automated, manual, and incremental backups
- Supports multiple cloud platforms and encryption
- Works with WP Remote and UpdraftCentral for remote management
- Free version is generous, but Premium adds essential features
- Ideal for solo bloggers, agencies, and eCommerce businesses alike