Creating backups and restoring a site
Duplicator offers full or partial backups, with background processing and dashboard restores for routine recovery.
Backup scope includes full-site, database-only, media-only and custom backups. Chunked processing breaks the work into smaller steps; archive choices include DupArchive, ZipArchive and shell zip, while database processing can use mysqldump or chunked PHP. This gives site owners options to match their server setup.
AutoTune checks server configuration before a backup, explains problems and offers one-click fixes. Backups can be password-protected and AES-256 encrypted, then restored with one click from the WordPress dashboard. For off-site copies, Duplicator Cloud is available alongside local folders and automatic retention of recent backups.
Moving or cloning a WordPress site
The migration process packages a site for installation at a new location, including on an empty site.
- Create a package containing the site files and database in a single archive.
- Move the package to the destination and install it there; WordPress does not need to be pre-installed.
- Use the migration wizard or drag-and-drop import to guide setup, with options for custom search-and-replace rules.
- Clone the site when you need a separate copy for staging or sandbox use. This suits site owners preparing a move or creating a test copy without rebuilding the site manually.
Free and Pro features for cloud, multisite and staging
The free plugin includes core storage options, while several workflow and network features require Pro.
- Free storage: Send backups to Duplicator Cloud or save them in local folders, with retention for recent copies.
- Pro cloud integrations: Connect Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon S3, FTP/SFTP or an S3-compatible provider.
- Pro workflows: Scheduled backups, multisite support and staging directly from the dashboard are Pro features. The FAQ confirms that multisite networks are not supported in the free version.
A broad backup toolkit with support that follows through
Duplicator combines backup and restore tools with migration and cloning, but its broad feature set is divided between free and Pro.
That distinction matters when choosing it: core backups and migrations are available in the free plugin, while scheduled backups, multisite and dashboard staging call for Pro. The plugin is among the most widely installed in the directory and has excellent ratings across many reviews. All 18 reported support threads were resolved, a positive sign for support follow-through; free users rely on the WordPress.org forum, while Pro includes priority support. Updated within the last week, it also shows signs of active maintenance.
