Is this the best WordPress backup plugin?

Want to know if Duplicator is the right backup and migration plugin for your site?

Duplicator is undoubtedly the one best WordPress backup Plugin. It’s easy to use and offers a lot of flexibility. However, there is a slight learning curve, especially if you are new to WordPress.

We have tried and tested everything Duplicator offers and therefore speak from experience.

In this review guide, we’ll go over the features, pros, cons, pricing, and alternatives to consider. We’ll also examine the installation and backup process to show you how easy it is to secure your site with Duplicator.

Duplicator is the best backup and migration plugin for WordPress. The plugin is developed and maintained by the same team behind some of the biggest names in the WordPress world including driftkingsmedia, OptinMonster, WPFormsAnd MonsterInsights.

Additionally, the plugin has been downloaded over 40 million times, highlighting Duplicator’s popularity.

You can start with the free version of the plugin, which allows you to create backups at any time. This makes it the best free WordPress backup plugin for beginners and small websites on a budget.

As your website grows, you can upgrade to a Pro plan to get more advanced features like scheduled automatic backups, cloud storage integrations, and intelligent migration tools.

You’ll find a plan for every budget and website size. With that said, let’s take a look at the features of this plugin.

Duplicator Review: We tested their backup and migration features

Now, as mentioned before, we test all the tools and plugins during our review process. We also look at popular and unbiased blog reviews and testimonials to see what others are saying. This ensures that we offer a detailed look at the plugin.

For this Duplicator review, we have divided it into different sections to make it easier for you to follow. If you would like to skip a section, click on one of the links below.

With that said, let’s get started!

Installation and setup

As mentioned earlier, you can start with this Duplicator Lite or Duplicator Pro. Each plugin version is easy to install and set up, making it great for beginners.

To get started with the free version, all you need to do is access your plugin repository in your WordPress dashboard. Then install and activate the plugin like any other plugin.

And that’s it, you can use Duplicator Lite. In addition, you can also find it in the WordPress.org Plugin library that gives you installation options.

If you have problems, check out this article about installing plugins.

But to get Duplicator Proyou need to go to the official website of the plugin. Here are 4 plans for you to choose from to ensure you find a package that fits your budget and needs.

Once you have purchased a plan, go to your Duplicator account below Downloads.

Download the plugin ZIP file here. While you’re on this page, copy the too License key as you will need it later to activate the pro version of the plugin.

Then go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to All plugins » Add new plugin. Here you can upload, install and activate the plugin like any other. Once done, you should see a new menu option on your WordPress dashboard labeled “Duplicator Pro”.

Next, go to Duplicator Pro » Settings and select the “Licensing” tab. Then, on License key In the text bar, paste the activation code that you previously copied from your Duplicator account and select “Activate”.

That’s it! You have just installed Duplicator Pro on your WordPress site. As you’ve seen, it’s super easy and only takes a few minutes.

In this plugin review, we’ll focus on Duplicator Pro so we can show you everything this backup and migration WordPress tool can do.

Now let’s see how you can customize it for you and your audience.

Adjustment

Duplicator Pro lets you customize settings to improve the user experience for you and your team. The aim of this plugin is to make website backup, migration, storage and cloning as smooth and easy as possible.

Firstly, Duplicator Pro allows you to create an email summary.

This email contains an overview of the backups and storage locations you have created. You can also see whether the backup was manual or scheduled, helping you keep proper records.

Since every website is different, Duplicator Pro allows you to set the email summary frequency. You can decide whether you want to receive the notification daily, weekly, monthly or never. You can also quickly customize which email address you want the summary to be sent to.

The best part is that the summary can be sent to multiple email addresses, ensuring that you and the team members responsible for site maintenance receive it. This can streamline your workflow and eliminate the back-and-forth about what is needed for backups.

Duplicator Pro now allows you to customize the type of database in which you want to store your backups.

You get two options, each with pros and cons. It’s up to you to choose the one that works best for your website.

You can choose “Mysqldump” which is usually faster as it uses less PHP resources and is therefore great for large databases. However, it requires more technical experience which might make it difficult for beginners.

On the other hand, you can choose “PHP Code” which is easier to set up and use. Plus, you don’t need any special permissions or command line access. But PHP code can be slower than Mysqldump and timeouts may occur.

In addition, Duplicator Pro also allows you to select “Processing Mode”.

You can choose multithreaded, which speeds up backups and migrations by running multiple tasks at the same time but requires more server resources.

Or you can choose Single Threaded. This option is easier to manage and troubleshoot because tasks are processed one at a time. However, it can be slower, especially for larger websites.

Duplicator Pro allows you to customize Query size as well as.

You can choose between 8K. 32K, 128K, 512K and 1M. However, keep in mind that a larger query size will speed up the backup creation process but will require more memory.

To ensure your backup process is more effective, you can now enable compression via a checkbox.

Below you can also select the “Archive Engine”.

Here you have options like DupArchive, Shell Zip or ZipArchive. If you don’t know the difference between these options. Don’t worry; Duplicator Pro provides a brief explanation of each to help you make the best choice for your website.

Next you can activate Server throttling to manage server load, allowing you to adjust backup or migration speed based on server resource usage. You can set server throttling to Off, Low, Medium, and High. Remember: the higher the value, the slower the backup process.

Duplicator Pro has an interesting feature called “Installer Cleanup”.

It helps remove temporary files or data left over after a backup or migration. This feature ensures that no unnecessary files are stuck on your server, thereby optimizing security and storage.

Duplicator Pro offers automatic cleanup. You have the option to decide after how many hours the cleanup should begin. If you want to perform the installer cleanup manually, you can set up an email notification. This notification will be sent to your inbox every day until you clean your installer.

Now, backups are sensitive files that require access control to avoid problems.

Duplicator Pro allows you to grant different permissions depending on user role and features.

In the Access The Settings tab lists various features such as: E.g., Read Package, Create Package, Manage Schedules, Restore Backup, and more.

Next to each function, you can select who has permission to perform the task from a drop-down menu. This is very quick and easy.

As you can see, Duplicator Pro offers many customization options that you can set up with checkboxes and drop-down menus. In addition to the customization feature, you will also receive a brief explanation to ensure you understand more about the changes you made.

Next, let’s look at Duplicator Pro’s usability.

Ease of use

To see how easy it is to use Duplicator Pro, we’ll show you how to backup a WordPress site by creating a package and uploading an archive file.

A package is a group of files created by this plugin to secure your site. It allows you to migrate a WordPress site to a new domain and restore or duplicate your site in a quick and easy process. On the other hand, once you have created a package, you download it to your PC and save it in two parts; an archive file and an installation file.

The archive file contains the actual compressed backup WordPress files and the installer is a PHP script that helps you duplicate the WordPress site without any setup processes.

This means that with Duplicator Pro you don’t need to install WordPress, themes or plugins when migrating, restoring or duplicating your website.

With Duplicator Pro, creating a package is now easy.

Just go to Duplicator Pro » Packages in your WordPress dashboard. Then click “Create New” on this page to get started.

When you’re done, name your backup so you can easily distinguish it from other backups in your WordPress dashboard. If you have backup templates, you can choose one. However, if you don’t have one, leave it as “Unassigned” to keep your default backup settings.

Below that, mark the checkboxes of the locations where you want to save the files. You can select multiple storage locations, e.g. B. on your local drive, Google Drive and more.

Next, customize the type of backup you want to create Archive Section. You can backup the entire WordPress website which includes the database, core files, plugins, themes, media and others. You can only back up the database or the media files.

Or you can customize your backup by selecting the Custom tab.

Use the checkboxes to select what should be included in the backup. You can even go as far as selecting only active plugins and themes to ensure your new site or backup file doesn’t grow too large.

Then click “Next” below and Duplicator Pro will run a test.

When this is complete, a diagnostic window will appear containing all the details about the backup. This can help you detect errors before you create a backup, thereby preventing future problems. Finally select Buildand Duplicator Pro will automatically create the backup file for you.

When the construction process is complete, you will be redirected to the Packages Page in your WordPress dashboard where you can view all your backup files.

You will be provided with a download button that allows you to save both files or the installation and archive zip files separately to your computer. You also get a one-click restore button that overwrites your site and returns it to the version before the backup.

If you select the little arrow to the far right of the package details, you’ll open that Package overview Section. Here you will see your WordPress version, file format, number of files, folders and tables in the backup file.

In this section you can also copy the link to the archive file and the name of the archive installer. You can also download the archive file and archive installation file.

With Duplicator Pro, uploading an archive file is just as easy.

All you have to do is leave Duplicator Pro » Import in your WordPress dashboard. Here you will see an upload area similar to the standard WordPress upload page. This ensures that you have no learning curve and can quickly start migrating, restoring or duplicating your website.

You can quickly drag and drop your archive file into the upload area and Duplicator Pro will take care of the rest. The good thing about Duplicator Pro is that you can set the maximum file size to “No Limit” to ensure that you get every File size can be uploaded without any problems.

But we also really liked it Piece size Function that controls how large each segment of the backup archive file is during the backup process. This makes it easier to handle, transfer and store files without timeouts or errors. You can also adjust the chunk size to improve the transfer process and meet your website needs.

But sometimes, even with these features, your website may still be too large to upload effectively.

That’s why Duplicator Pro allows you to “Import URLs”.

You can paste a link from your cloud storage and Duplicator Pro will import the files for you. This saves you from having to download and re-upload the files. This can save you time and make your import process more effective.

That’s it! You now have a better understanding of how user-friendly this backup plugin is.

Next, let’s look at some of its features.

Features

Duplicator Pro is a powerful plugin that has a lot to offer. But as you saw above, the developers kept things really simple to make it easy to use.

Firstly, Duplicator Pro offers full site backups and gives you plenty of backup options. You can backup all WordPress files and databases, including media files, plugins, themes and database table filters. You don’t have to worry about data loss as long as you have the most current copy of your website saved.

But it can do much more than just create a full site backup. Let us break it down for you below.

1. Scheduled backups

You can create backups on demand or schedule them to run automatically on a day and time that works best for your site.

Additionally, Duplicator Pro allows you to set the exact time of day you want the scheduled backup to run. Each repeat setting also offers additional customization options. For example, you can set up a weekly schedule and then specify which days and times of day you want the schedule to be created.

For example, if you usually update your blog on Fridays, you can schedule the backup to run on Friday evening so that all of your latest changes are saved.

2. Easy recovery

You can restore your website with just a few clicks. The process is easy to understand for everyone. All you need to do is drag the bundled site archive to the site you want to overwrite.

And the best part? The process only takes a few minutes, so your website will have minimal downtime while the restore process is running.

In addition, Duplicator Pro saves restore points.

This protects your website from errors and incorrect updates by allowing you to quickly restore your website to a current state where it was in good condition.

3. Lots of storage options

First, unlike other plugins that create lots of hard-to-manage files, Duplicator Pro bundles your website into a single archive. This makes storage easier.

Next, you can send your backup to multiple cloud locations to ensure you always have a copy of your site that you can restore if necessary. With Duplicator Pro you can connect to Dropbox, FTP, Google Drive, OneDrive or Amazon S3 for secure storage.

You can also limit the number of backups saved to prevent your local or cloud storage from becoming full.

3. Smart migration

Duplicator Pro allows you to migrate a site to an empty directory or overwrite an existing site using drag and drop.

If you want to create multiple websites with the same theme, plugins or content, then Duplicator Pro is the right migration plugin for you. Pre-configuring your website can save you a lot of time. All you need to do is configure a site and bundle it into a Duplicator package.

You can then install the package to create a preconfigured site in as many locations as you want.

If you’re migrating to and from managed hosts, Duplicator makes it easy as it supports WordPress.com, WPEngine, GoDaddy Managed, Liquid Web Managed, and more.

You can even use it to transfer packets directly from server to server at lightning speed.

4. Disaster management

The reality is that sometimes your website can collapse at any time. This can result in you being completely banned from your website and you may need to contact your hosting provider for help. However, this can take a lot of time, meaning your website may experience downtime, crippling your business.

With Duplicator’s disaster management feature, you can quickly restore your website with just one click.

First, you need to create a complete backup package that includes all your themes, plugins, core files, etc. Then, on your Packages page, under Duplicator Pro’s menu options, locate and select the Disaster Recovery icon in your package details. All you need is the recovery file URL or Recovery Launcher setup and you’re done.

5. Duplicate site

Website duplication is one of Duplicator’s core features. It allows you to clone your entire WordPress site. This is particularly useful when migrating your site to a new host, setting up a staging site, or creating a development environment.

The plugin bundles your site’s files, themes, plugins, and database into a single archive. This makes it easier to move and install the files on another server and ensures an exact copy of your site is replicated.

Here are other features you can expect from Duplicator Pro.

• Support for multiple locations and large locations: You can use Duplicator Pro to backup WordPress sites and migrate them to other host sites even if they are large. It uses a redesigned packaging engine designed to work smoothly on larger websites. Duplicator Pro supports multisite network backup and migration. You can even install a subsite as a standalone site.
• Backup templates: This allows you to create and save backup settings. This means you can set up templates to include or exclude specific files, databases and folders, making the backup process faster and more efficient. Once a template is created, you can use it repeatedly to ensure consistency and save time by not having to specify the same settings for each backup operation.
• Built-in search and replace: This feature allows you to simplify the migration process. It automatically finds and replaces URLs or other content on your website. This is important when moving a site from one domain to another or changing subdirectory names. It ensures that all links, media and references on the website are updated correctly. This feature eliminates the need for manual updates, reduces the risk of broken links, and improves the overall functionality of the site after migration.

Documentation and support

What stands out about the Duplicator documentation is that it starts on the homepage.

You get well-designed screenshots to help you illustrate what you can do with this backup and WordPress website migration plugin. You will also receive a list of features and an FAQ section where you can answer your urgent questions immediately.

However, to access the full documentation page, select Help Center from the homepage. This will open a drop-down menu with links to various knowledge base pages.

Once you open the knowledge base, you will find the resources arranged in tile format in different categories. Each category lists the number of articles so you can quickly estimate how much reading material you have.

When you select one of the tiles, for example “Getting Started,” you open a page that lists all the articles in that category in order.

So you can easily follow them step by step without getting lost. This page also has a search bar and all knowledge base categories on the left for quick navigation. Below you will see the “Most Popular Articles” section, which makes it easy for you to quickly access frequently visited posts.

We went through the Duplicator knowledge base articles and found them very easy to read. They are also accompanied by screenshots that illustrate the steps you need to take to improve.

Now there are two ways to contact support.

If you are a logged in member, you can submit a support ticket to get help faster. You will be redirected to your Duplicator Pro account below Support.

This form pre-fills all your personal details to make it easier for you to fill out the ticket. All you need to do is check the box under “What can we help you with today?” and enter the subject and your message.

With this in mind, the support team will contact you within 24 hours. They are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm UTC -5.

If you do not have an active subscription, you must fill out the contact form. This is also a very simple process. All you have to do is enter your personal information, select a topic from the drop-down menu and enter your message.

Prices for duplicators

Duplicator offers 4 pricing plans:

• basic: $49.50 per year for up to 2 locations
• Plus: $99.50 per year for up to 5 locations
• professional: $199.50 per year for up to 20 locations
• elite: $299.50 per year for up to 100 websites

If you’re just starting out building a website, the free plan may be enough. However, if you regularly update your website content, you should schedule backups. The basic plan is a good choice for this.

You can choose between Plus, Pro, and Elite plans depending on how many sites you want to secure and what advanced features you may need.

Advantages and disadvantages

FAQs: Duplicator Pro Review

Final Verdict: Is Duplicator the best backup plugin?

Duplicator is free, easy to use and safe too! It is the best WordPress backup plugin for users.

We love that Duplicator allows any WordPress user to create a free backup of their website.

Additionally, in the Pro version you get first-class support from an extremely friendly team that is always ready to help you backup, migrate and restore your website.

Alternatives to the duplicator

Duplicator is our top choice when it comes to backups and migration. However, you may also want to explore other options. Here are the 2 best alternatives:

• UpdraftPlus: Easily set up manual or scheduled backups of your website – files, database, plugins and themes included. With Updraft Plus Premium you get incremental backups stored in multiple remote locations. It even automatically backs up your website before making updates.
• BackupBuddy: Easily create backups, encrypt them and store them easily. It allows you to scan and fix common problems, which is a big plus. With its Stash feature, the plugin also saves a lot of your server resources.

Congratulations! Through this review, you now have a better understanding of Duplicator. If you’re looking for even more alternatives, read this article about the 12 best WordPress backup plugins compared.

Additionally, here are other articles you may want to read.

The first article lists WordPress hosting companies that offer free migration. The next post will walk you through 5 ways to restore your website from a backup. The last article lists the 9 best staging plugins for your WordPress website.

To better understand how Duplicator Pro performs in different areas, take a look at the scorecard:

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