UpdraftPlus vs Jetpack: Which is the best WordPress backup plugin?

By Richard King Posted Updated Category Guides and resources Topics Backups, Plugin comparison,

When running your own website, it’s a given that the unexpected will sometimes rear its ugly head. One minute your WordPress website is running smoothly, the next, your entire site is compromised. That’s why keeping your WordPress site secure and having a reliable backup solution isn’t just practical – it’s critical.

In this blog, we’ll be putting two popular WordPress plugins head-to-head: UpdraftPlus (that’s us) and Jetpack. Both are big names when it comes to managing your WordPress site, but each have markedly different approaches to backups.

UpdraftPlus is a dedicated backup and migration plugin. We’re focused on doing those two things really, really well. Jetpack, on the other hand, is a multi-tool with a broader range of features, including backups alongside security, social sharing, and performance optimisation.

But which one is the right fit for you? Let’s find out.

UpdraftPlus vs Jetpack: Key features

Section titled UpdraftPlus vs Jetpack: Key features

Before we delve a little deeper, we want to note that we are primarily comparing UpdraftPlus Premium with VaultPress Backup – Jetpack’s backup add-on.

Feature UpdraftPlus Jetpack (VaultPress Backup)
Backup Type Manual and automatic. Automatic
Scheduling flexibility Highly customizable (hourly, daily, etc.) Limited (daily or real-time only)
Storage options Local, cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, UpdraftVault, etc.) Local or cloud (VaultPress storage only)
Restore options Easy one-click restoration Credentials which may require technical knowledge
Support Free and paid support options Free and paid support options
Free version? Yes No
Website migration Yes Yes
Additional features Multisite support, very old backups deleted, reports, incremental backups, database encryption, restore from other backup plugins. Offline restores, other security feature add-ons.

There are a few things that stand out here. Firstly, UpdraftPlus offers a free version. And while its features are more limited when compared to the premium version, it’s a great way to kickstart any website’s backup infrastructure. While Jetpack itself has a free version, you need to pay extra for VaultPress Backup.

Secondly, we should talk about storage options. Currently, Jetpack lacks the integration with popular cloud services that you’ll find on UpdraftPlus, but you will have access to Jetpack Cloud. This might not be a big deal to some, but if you’re already using Google Cloud or Dropbox (or plan to migrate to another server), UpdraftPlus might be a better choice.

We should also mention the wide range of additional products on offer from Jetpack. This includes packages such as security, SEO, statistics, and AI content creation, although none of these are included in VaultPress Backup.

UpdraftPlus vs Jetpack: Ease of use

Section titled UpdraftPlus vs Jetpack: Ease of use

Backing up and restoring your site should be smooth, stress-free, and ideally take no more than a few clicks. Here’s how the two plugins compare.

Jetpack has an array of additional features, besides its backup functionality. As a result, the interface can feel a little more cluttered, especially for less experienced users. Navigation is a little more complex, and while the process is still relatively simple, website restoration requires server credentials (FTP/SFTP/SSH) that some users may find difficult to locate. Depending on which of these have already been added to Jetpack’s backup page, restoration could take some time.

UpdraftPlus has a very straightforward interface, making it ideal for expert and non-technical users alike. The layout is clean and uncluttered, with clear buttons for each function. Backing up and restoring your site takes just a few clicks, while a guided setup wizard will get you quickly up and running.

Now let’s see how the two handle scheduled backups.

UpdraftPlus offers exceptional control over your backup schedule. Simply go to Settings -> UpdraftPlus Backups -> Settings, and you’ll find dedicated sections for scheduling both your website files and databases.

Even with UpdraftPlus’ free version, you can choose a frequency that suits your needs. Backup your site as often as every 2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 hours for maximum protection – or even at specific low-traffic times with premium – or schedule your backups once a month, depending on how often your content changes. UpdraftPlus Premium also offers incremental backups, meaning you can back up only changes made to your site since the last backup, saving server resources (vs backing up in full each time).

Moving your WordPress site needs to be smooth and efficient. Here’s how the two compare.

If you want to migrate your site using Jetpack, this can be done with a few clicks. And while the process is rather straightforward for the initiated, as mentioned above, the Jetpack dashboard might be a bit too busy for some.

UpdraftPlus eliminates the need for large backup files by segmenting backups for easier management. Behind-the-scenes clean-up tasks ensure compatibility with other plugins, and a search-and-replace function automatically fixes broken links or missing files.

With UpdraftPlus, migrating your WordPress website to another web host or domain takes just a matter of minutes – and it’s even included in the free version. With the premium version, there’s no need to download and upload backups – simply connect the source and destination sites and you’re good to go. This is perfect for keeping a test site in sync with your live environment. Additionally, UpdraftPlus Premium provides granular control over what gets migrated, allowing you to select specific themes, plugins, and database tables.

Let’s compare Jetpacks VaultPress and UpdraftPlus pricing to see how cost-effective they are.

  • Free – £0
  • Personal – £54 (2 sites)
  • Business – £72 (10 sites)
  • Agency – £111 (35 sites)
  • Enterprise – £150 (unlimited sites)
  • Gold – £306 (unlimited sites)

Jetpack VaultPress Backup pricing (per year)

Section titled Jetpack VaultPress Backup pricing (per year)
  • VaultPress Backup – £47.40 (renews at £95.40)

As you can see, after the first year, UpdraftPlus is more affordable, especially if you’re not running numerous sites.

UpdraftPlus vs Jetpack: The verdict

Section titled UpdraftPlus vs Jetpack: The verdict

UpdraftPlus and Jetpack are both popular options for a reason, but they take different approaches. UpdraftPlus is a dedicated backup and migration plugin, offering exceptional control over scheduling, storage (including popular cloud services), and restoration. It boasts a user-friendly interface, making backups a breeze.

Upgrade to UpdraftPlus Premium for features like incremental backups, automatic backups before updates, premium support and more.

It’s for these reasons that we have to give the nod to UpdraftPlus. As a dedicated backup and migration solution, it’s simply unrivaled in its field.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. Check out the reviews and see for yourself.

Back up your site with UpdraftPlus

Join over 3 million WordPress sites that trust UpdraftPlus for reliable, secure backups.

Is UpdraftPlus free?

UpdraftPlus has a free plan that lets you back up your website files and database. This is perfect for getting started or for simple websites. UpdraftPlus also offers premium plans with additional features like incremental backups, multi-site support, and premium support.

Is UpdraftPlus easy to use?

UpdraftPlus has a super user-friendly interface. Backing up,restoring or migrating your website takes just a few clicks. The layout is clean and uncluttered, with clear buttons for each function.

UpdraftPlus vs Jetpack VaultPress Backups: Which is better?

Both UpdraftPlus and Jetpack offer backup solutions for WordPress websites. UpdraftPlus is a dedicated backup and migration plugin that prioritises ease of use, flexibility, security, and affordability. Jetpack offers backups as part of a broader feature set, but it requires a paid add-on and offers less control over backups.

Can UpdraftPlus restore my website after a plugin conflict?

Yes! UpdraftPlus allows you to easily restore your website to a previous version in case of plugin conflicts, theme issues, or even hacking attempts. This can save you time and money from having to rebuild your website from scratch.

I already use Jetpack for other features. Can I use UpdraftPlus for backups?

UpdraftPlus integrates seamlessly with WordPress and works independently or with other plugins, including Jetpack.

About the author

Profile Image of the author - Richard

Richard King

Richard is an experienced technology copywriter with a background in IT who aims to simplify the complex world around us through words. He has worked with various sized B2B and B2C companies, from startups to tech giants like Dell and Lenovo.

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