UpdraftPlus vs WPvivid 2026: we broke a site and restored it
We backed up the same site with each plugin, deleted a post and 185 images, then restored.
Short answer: Both restored our broken site completely. UpdraftPlus was much faster (backup about 3 s, restore about 2 s) and lets you restore just the database or images for free. WPvivid backs up WordPress core too, adds free staging, and its Pro version is cheaper with a lifetime option.
UpdraftPlus and WPvivid are WordPress backup plugins that copy your database and files so you can restore the site after a mistake or a hack.
How we tested
Our lab site (digitalpritam.in/lab/) on Hostinger: WordPress 7.1.3, 11 posts, 320 image files (115 MB), about 2 MB of database, 17 Oct 2026.
Back up with default settings
Database and all files, stored on the server.
Break the site
Permanently deleted our test article and a whole month of images (185 files).
Restore from wp-admin
UpdraftPlus: database and uploads.
Check the result
Counted posts and image files, opened the article, and checked that this main site was untouched.
Clean up
Removed each plugin and its files before testing the next.
UpdraftPlus vs WPvivid: results
| UpdraftPlus | WPvivid | |
|---|---|---|
| Backup time (2 to 3 runs) | 3.2 to 3.4 s | 15 to 16 s |
| Backup size | 103.6 MB in 5 files | 117.2 MB in 1 zip |
| WordPress core included | No (by default) | Yes (23.6 MB) |
| Restore after deleting a post and 185 images | About 2 s, database and uploads only | 13 s, whole site |
| Pick what to restore (free) | Yes: database, plugins, themes, uploads, others | No: restores everything |
| Everything back? | Yes: 11 posts, 320 files | Yes: 11 posts, 320 files |
| Free cloud storage | Google Drive, Dropbox, S3 and more | Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and more |
| Free staging | No | Yes |
| Version tested | 1.26.11 | 0.9.136 |
| Active installs, rating | 4M+, 4.8/5 | 900k+, 4.9/5 |
| Pro, 2 sites | $70/yr | $49/yr (or $99 lifetime) |
Small site, fast NVMe server: big sites take longer with both. WPvivid is slower partly because it backs up WordPress core (3,749 files), which helps when moving a site to an empty server.
Which should you choose?
Choose UpdraftPlus if
- You want quick daily backups to Google Drive
- You want to restore just the database or images
- You want the most used, best documented plugin
Choose WPvivid if
- You want free staging to test changes
- You want backups that include WordPress itself
- You want a cheap Pro with a lifetime licence
UpdraftPlus vs WPvivid price
From each official pricing page, 17 Oct 2026. Add 18% GST and forex fees in India.
| Plan | UpdraftPlus Premium | WPvivid Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 2 sites | $70/yr | $49/yr or $99 lifetime |
| 10 sites | $95/yr | $69/yr or $139 lifetime |
| Unlimited | $195/yr | $149/yr or $299 lifetime |
UpdraftPlus vs WPvivid: FAQ
UpdraftPlus vs WPvivid: which is better?
For fast, selective backups and restores, UpdraftPlus: on our test site it backed up in about 3 seconds and restored the database and images in about 2. For free staging and full-site backups that include WordPress itself, WPvivid. Both restored our deleted post and 185 deleted images perfectly.
Which is faster?
UpdraftPlus, partly because it skips WordPress core by default. It took 3.2 to 3.4 seconds against 15 to 16 seconds for WPvivid, which also packs core files (23.6 MB) into one zip.
Can I restore only the database in the free version?
With UpdraftPlus, yes: you tick the parts to restore. WPvivid’s free version restores the whole backup; choosing parts is a Pro feature.
Which is cheaper?
WPvivid Pro: $49 a year for 2 sites, or $99 once for a lifetime licence. UpdraftPlus Premium is $70 a year for 2 sites, with no lifetime option.
Do I need either on Hostinger?
On Hostinger Single or Premium, which back up weekly, yes: add one with Google Drive for daily database copies. See our guide to backups on Hostinger.
Did the restore affect anything else?
No. Our lab shares a database with this site under its own table prefix; both plugins backed up and restored only the lab’s tables. We checked the main site after each restore.
Methodology
How this page was built, so you can check it.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 Oct 2026 |
| Environment | Our lab site on Hostinger: 11 posts, 320 image files (115 MB), about 2 MB of database |
| Versions | UpdraftPlus 1.26.11, WPvivid 0.9.136 |
| Procedure | Three UpdraftPlus backups and two WPvivid backups; we then deleted one post and 185 images and restored from wp-admin (UpdraftPlus: database and uploads; WPvivid free: the full backup) |
| Measured | Backup time and size from each plugin’s log; restore time; posts and files counted afterwards |
| Limits | A small site on a fast server: large sites take longer. We tested the free versions only |
About this page
Pritam Sonone
Founder of Digital Pritam. WordPress developer and designer, WordCamp Kolhapur 2025 speaker. Builds WordPress sites for clients.
How we checked
- Our lab site (digitalpritam.in/lab/) on Hostinger: WordPress 7.1.3, 11 posts, 320 image files (115 MB), about 2 MB of database, 17 Oct 2026
- Backup and restore times from each plugin’s own log; restore checked by counting posts and files
- Prices from each official pricing page; installs from WordPress.org
Sources: UpdraftPlus pricing · WPvivid pricing · UpdraftPlus on WordPress.org · WPvivid on WordPress.org
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