BackupBuddy Review: The Veteran Backup Plugin in 2026

BackupBuddy has been backing up WordPress sites since 2010. In the world of WordPress plugins, that is ancient history.

The plugin has changed hands over the years. iThemes originally developed it; after becoming SolidWP, BackupBuddy is now marketed as Solid Backups. The name you see depends on when you encountered the product.

Longevity matters in backup solutions. A plugin that has survived 15+ years of WordPress evolution, PHP version changes, and hosting environment shifts has proven its durability.

But the backup landscape has changed dramatically since 2010. SaaS solutions like BlogVault and Jetpack offer external processing and storage. UpdraftPlus has captured an enormous market share with its generous free tier. For a comparison of all the best WordPress backup plugin options, see our detailed guide.

Does BackupBuddy still compete? Here is our assessment.

What BackupBuddy Offers

BackupBuddy is a traditional WordPress backup plugin with one notable differentiator: Stash Live, a real-time cloud backup service that brings SaaS-style convenience to a plugin-based product.

Core Backup Features

BackupBuddy covers the fundamentals you expect from a mature backup plugin:

• Full site backups including database, files, themes, plugins, and settings
• Scheduled backups at daily, weekly, or monthly intervals
• Cloud storage to Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox, and BackupBuddy Stash
• One-click restore from the WordPress admin
• Site migration tools
• Database rollbacks

Stash Live: Real-Time Cloud Backups

Stash Live is BackupBuddy's answer to SaaS backup solutions. Instead of scheduled backups, Stash Live continuously monitors your site and captures changes as they happen.

Backups are automatically stored in the cloud, similar to how BlogVault or Jetpack handles storage. This eliminates the authentication expiration problems that plague traditional plugin-to-cloud-storage setups.

Stash Live restores work even when WordPress is partially broken, though not as independently as true SaaS solutions.

Malware Scanning

Unlike most backup plugins, BackupBuddy includes malware scanning functionality. This positions it as a broader site protection tool, not just a backup solution.

The SolidWP ecosystem (which includes Solid Security) is designed for tools that work together.

BackupBuddy Pricing

BackupBuddy uses the SolidWP pricing structure:

The pricing shown reflects current rates; SolidWP occasionally runs promotions. All plans include one year of updates and support, with annual renewal required for continued access.

Stash storage costs vary based on usage. The base plans include limited Stash storage; additional storage is available for purchase.

The Advantages

Proven Reliability

BackupBuddy has been around long enough to have weathered every major WordPress change since 2010. The plugin works, and it has worked for a long time.

When we recommend backup plugins, longevity matters; tools that disappear or break with major WordPress updates are worse than no backup at all.

Stash Live Differentiator

Stash Live bridges the gap between traditional plugins and SaaS solutions. You get real-time backup capability without fully committing to a SaaS vendor's infrastructure.

For users who want real-time protection but prefer a plugin they control, Stash Live offers a middle ground.

SolidWP Ecosystem

If you already use Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security), BackupBuddy integrates naturally. The products are designed to work together.

For organizations standardizing on SolidWP products, this consistency has value.

Migration Capabilities

BackupBuddy has always been strong for site migrations. The ImportBuddy restoration script makes moving sites between hosts straightforward.

If you frequently clone or migrate WordPress sites, BackupBuddy's migration tools are mature and reliable.

The Honest Limitations

No Free Version

Unlike UpdraftPlus or BackWPup, BackupBuddy has no free tier. You cannot try it without paying.

The entry price of $87.50 per year for two sites is reasonable for a premium plugin, but the lack of a free option limits who will discover and adopt it.

Higher Price Point

BackupBuddy's pricing sits above UpdraftPlus Premium ($70/year) and below BlogVault ($149/year). This middle position is awkward:

• Users willing to pay may choose BlogVault's SaaS reliability
• Budget-conscious users may choose UpdraftPlus's lower cost or free tier

BackupBuddy does not have a clear price advantage in either direction.

Interface Showing Its Age

BackupBuddy's interface reflects its long history. While functional, it feels dated compared to newer plugins designed with modern WordPress admin aesthetics.

This is cosmetic, but user experience matters when competing against polished alternatives.

Brand Transition Confusion

The iThemes-to-SolidWP transition and the BackupBuddy-to-Solid Backups naming change create confusion. Users searching for information find content under different product names.

This is not BackupBuddy's fault, but it complicates research and creates uncertainty about product continuity.

Fewer Storage Integrations

BackupBuddy supports Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox, and BackupBuddy Stash. That covers the major options, but it is fewer than UpdraftPlus's extensive list.

If your organization uses a cloud storage provider not on that list, BackupBuddy may not be a good fit.

Still Plugin-Dependent

Even with Stash Live, BackupBuddy runs inside WordPress. It depends on WordPress cron jobs, can conflict with other plugins, and can break during updates.

Stash Live improves reliability compared to traditional scheduled backups, but it is not as independent as true SaaS solutions or server-level backups.

The Maintenance Reality

We cannot tell you how many sites we have taken over from budget hosts, where backup plugins were installed but not functioning.

We go into the WordPress admin and see BackupBuddy, UpdraftPlus, or some other backup plugin. We check the status and see that the last backup was two years ago.

Or backups are configured, but the authentication with cloud storage expired months ago. Or the plugin is there but was never properly configured in the first place.

Multiple backup plugins installed is another red flag we see regularly. Two different administrators thought they should set up backups and did so in completely different ways.

It means no backup strategy actually exists. Nobody knows what the organization has.

BackupBuddy works. But only if someone maintains it. Only if someone checks that Stash connections are active. Only if someone verifies that backups are completing successfully.

The biggest problem with backups is that you don't think about them until you need them. And unless you gave them proper care beforehand, it might be too late.

Our Honest Take

When clients ask us point-blank which backup plugin they should use, we recommend UpdraftPlus or BackWPup. Both have been around for years, offer relatively easy configuration, and critically, both let you download your backups directly from the interface.

That download capability matters. When a backup runs, you can go right into the interface and download it. Download that zip file and open it. If it opens, it means it is not corrupted. If you see the SQL file and all your site files inside, and the file size matches what you would expect, you have a working backup.

BackupBuddy is not on that short list, but that does not mean it is a bad choice.

BackupBuddy's longevity is genuine proof of reliability. A plugin that has survived 15 years of WordPress evolution, PHP version changes, and shifts in hosting environments has earned credibility.

The challenge is that BackupBuddy occupies an awkward middle position. It costs more than UpdraftPlus but offers less SaaS-style reliability than BlogVault. Organizations choosing BackupBuddy need a specific reason beyond "I need a backup plugin."

That reason might be Stash Live, which offers real-time capabilities without committing to a SaaS vendor. It might be an existing investment in the SolidWP ecosystem. It might be BackupBuddy's mature migration tools.

For organizations already using Solid Security, BackupBuddy makes sense. For everyone else, we recommend UpdraftPlus for budget-conscious sites or BlogVault for business-critical sites.

Whatever plugin you choose, understand the trade-off you are accepting. By not using a managed host that handles infrastructure-level backups, you take on the responsibility for maintaining these systems. For more on why this distinction matters, see our guide on plugin vs server-level backups. Your job is to verify that connections work, check authentication tokens, and test that backups are actually restorable.

If you do not do your job, it could mean catastrophic results.

BackupBuddy vs the Alternatives

BackupBuddy vs UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus is the market leader with a strong free version and lower premium pricing.

Choose BackupBuddy if:

• You want Stash Live real-time backups
• You already use SolidWP products
• You value BackupBuddy's long track record
• You need strong migration capabilities

Choose UpdraftPlus if:

• Budget is the primary concern
• You want a free tier to start
• You need broader cloud storage options
• You prefer the larger user community and resources

BackupBuddy vs BlogVault

BlogVault is a SaaS solution with external backup processing and storage.

Choose BackupBuddy if:

• You prefer a plugin you control over a SaaS dependency
• You want to use your own cloud storage (not just vendor storage)
• Your budget is below BlogVault's $149 entry price

Choose BlogVault if:

• You need guaranteed restore reliability
• You want zero server load during backups
• You manage multiple sites and need agency features
• Your site is large (hundreds of GB)

BackupBuddy vs Jetpack Backup

Jetpack Backup is Automattic's SaaS backup solution with real-time backups on all plans.

Choose BackupBuddy if:

• You need WordPress Multisite support (BackupBuddy supports it; Jetpack does not)
• You prefer not to store backups on Automattic's infrastructure
• You want a focused backup tool without Jetpack's other features

Choose Jetpack if:

• You want a simpler setup and management
• You trust Automattic's infrastructure
• You already use other Jetpack features

Who Should Use BackupBuddy

BackupBuddy makes sense for:

Organizations already using SolidWP products. If you use Solid Security, BackupBuddy integrates naturally into your existing workflow.

Users who want real-time backups without a full SaaS commitment. Stash Live offers real-time capability while keeping the plugin model.

Sites that need strong migration capabilities. BackupBuddy's ImportBuddy and migration tools are mature and reliable.

Users who value proven longevity. A plugin that has worked since 2010 provides confidence it will continue working.

Who Should Consider Alternatives

BackupBuddy may not be the right choice for:

Budget-conscious users. UpdraftPlus offers a capable free version. BackupBuddy requires payment from day one.

Users wanting the latest interface design. BackupBuddy works, but it does not feel modern.

Organizations requiring broad cloud storage options. UpdraftPlus supports more storage destinations.

Sites needing guaranteed restore reliability. BlogVault's true SaaS approach offers higher restore confidence.

Users are confused by the brand transition. If the iThemes/SolidWP/BackupBuddy/Solid Backups naming creates uncertainty, that uncertainty may persist.

The Bottom Line

BackupBuddy is a veteran tool that still works. Its longevity is genuine proof of reliability, and Stash Live adds modern real-time backup capability to a traditional plugin architecture.

The challenge is positioning. BackupBuddy costs more than UpdraftPlus but offers less SaaS-style reliability than BlogVault. It occupies a middle ground with no clear advantage in either direction.

For organizations already invested in the SolidWP ecosystem, BackupBuddy is a natural fit. For users who value proven longevity over the latest features, BackupBuddy delivers.

For everyone else, the choice depends on priorities: budget points toward UpdraftPlus, reliability points toward BlogVault, and trust in Automattic points toward Jetpack.

BackupBuddy remains a solid choice. It is just not the obvious choice it might have been a decade ago.