How UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin Affects Your WordPress Speed

How is this scored?
Our Benchmark Methodology
Every speed score on MakeWPFast is based on real performance measurements, not estimates. We install each plugin on a clean WordPress 6.9 setup (PHP 8.3, MariaDB, GeneratePress theme) and measure the difference in three metrics:
TTFB (Time To First Byte) — how many milliseconds the plugin adds to server response time. This is the most important factor (50% of the score) because it directly affects every page load.
Memory usage — how much additional PHP memory the plugin consumes per request (30% of score). High memory usage can cause crashes on shared hosting.
Database queries — how many extra SQL queries the plugin runs per page load (20% of score). More queries mean more database work on every request.
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| A / A- | Negligible impact. Safe to install on any hosting. |
| B+ / B / B- | Light impact. Adds some overhead but manageable on most setups. |
| C+ / C / C- | Moderate impact. May noticeably slow down budget hosting. |
| D+ / D | Heavy impact. Will affect page load times. Consider alternatives. |
| F | Severe impact. Significant resource usage that hurts performance. |
Plugins marked "Not Yet Tested" have not been benchmarked yet. We do not estimate or guess scores — if there is no measured data, there is no grade.
Note: Benchmarks measure a plugin in isolation on a clean install. Real-world impact varies based on your hosting, other plugins, and how the plugin is configured.
Performance Analysis
UpdraftPlus is a backup plugin that lets you backup your WordPress site, restore it, or migrate to another host or domain. It can schedule backups or run them manually. It’s aimed at anyone who wants automated backups without needing to set up external services.
It adds virtually no memory overhead and only one extra query, so it won’t slow your site. However, if you already use a built‑in backup method or have a limited server you don’t want to add a single query, you should skip it.
Maintenance Status
Last updated: 2026-01-19. Trusted by 3.0M+ active installations.
Benchmark data measured in an isolated Docker environment (WordPress 6.8, PHP 8.3, GeneratePress). See our full methodology.
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Alternatives to UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin
| Plugin | Speed Score | Active Installs |
|---|---|---|
| All-in-One WP Migration and Backup | A | 5M+ |
| WordPress Importer | A | 2M+ |
| Duplicator – Backups & Migration Plugin – Cloud Backups, Scheduled Backups, & More | A | 1M+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin slow down WordPress?
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