WP STAGING – Backups & Restore, Migration & Clone Plugin – Cloud Backups, Scheduled Backups

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WP STAGING – Backups & Restore, Migration & Clone Plugin – Cloud Backups, Scheduled Backups

by Rene Hermenau

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Description

WordPress Backup, Restore, Staging, Cloning & Migration — All in One

WP STAGING is the all-in-one WordPress backup, restore, staging, cloning, and migration plugin, built for professional workflows with 100% unit-tested code, thousands of automated tests, and extensive end-to-end testing across supported PHP versions.

Create a full backup or an exact clone or copy of your website in minutes. Use it to duplicate your site, test plugin and theme updates safely, restore your site when needed, move or migrate WordPress to another server, transfer your site to a new host, or build a staging copy before making changes. WP STAGING also works as a WordPress duplicator, so you do not need a separate duplicator plugin to copy your website.

WP STAGING reliably backs up, clones, and migrates WooCommerce stores too, including orders, products, and customer data.

WP STAGING is developed in Germany and designed for agencies, developers, and businesses that need reliable WordPress backup, recovery, staging, restore, and migration workflows.

WP STAGING | PRO also includes advanced workflows such as Remote Sync, which lets you pull a WordPress site securely from one server to another using an API key, and WP STAGING CLI, which can turn a WP STAGING backup into a local Docker-based development site.

All data stays on your server unless you choose a transfer or remote storage workflow. WP STAGING is designed for speed, reliability, and low-resource environments, including shared hosting.

WP STAGING automatically performs search and replace for links and paths during cloning, backup, restore, and migration workflows.

This staging and backup plugin can clone your website quickly and efficiently, even if it is running on a weak shared hosting server.

WP STAGING FREE – BACKUP & STAGING FEATURES

  • Clone the entire production site into a subdirectory like example.com/staging-site.
  • High-performance backup and cloning, even for websites with very large databases.
  • Create full or partial backups — full-site backup, database-only, or files-only backups.
  • Scheduled backups with automatic daily backups.
  • Easy to use: create a clone or backup in one click.
  • Efficient background processing without slowing down your website.
  • No Software as a Service and no external account required.
  • All your data stays on your server. Your data belongs to you only.
  • No server timeouts on huge websites or weak servers.
  • Fast backup, clone, and restore workflows depending on site size and server resources.
  • Use the clone as part of your backup and update strategy.
  • Only administrators can access the cloned or backup website.
  • SEO-friendly staging sites with login protection and no-index handling.
  • The admin bar on the staging / backup website is orange colored and shows when you work on the staging site.
  • Extensive logging features.
  • Supports Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, and LiteSpeed Server.
  • Every release passes extensive automated tests to keep the plugin robust, reliable, and fast.
  • Fast and professional support team.

WP STAGING | PRO – BACKUP & STAGING FEATURES

The features below are available in WP STAGING | PRO.

  • Remote Sync – Pull a WordPress site securely from one server to another.
  • WP STAGING CLI – Turn a backup into a local Docker-based development site.
  • Migrate and transfer WordPress to another host or domain.
  • Push staging changes to production (staging to live), including plugins, themes, and media files, with one click.
  • Clone a backup or staging site to a separate database.
  • Choose a custom directory for a backup or cloned site.
  • Select a custom subdomain destination like dev.example.com.
  • Define user roles for accessing the clone or backup site. This can be clients or external developers.
  • Multisite support for migration, backup, and cloning.
  • Schedule recurring backups by time and interval.
  • Download and upload backups to another server for migration and transfer.
  • Backup retention settings.
  • Custom backup names.
  • Email notifications if a backup cannot be created.
  • WordPress multisite backup and restore.
  • Cloud backup, offsite backup, and remote backups to external storage providers.
  • Backup to Google Drive.
  • Backup to Amazon S3.
  • Backup to (S)FTP.
  • Backup to Dropbox.
  • Custom backup folder destinations for cloud storage providers.
  • Priority support.

DOCUMENTATION

How to Backup and Restore WordPress
Backup and Restore WordPress

Backup & Transfer WordPress Site to Another Host
How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to a New Host

Remote Sync
Pull a WordPress Site from One Server to Another

Local Docker Development with WP STAGING CLI
WP STAGING CLI – Upgrade Now

All Backup Guides
All Backup Guides

Working with Staging Sites
Working with Staging Sites

FAQ for Backup & Cloning
FAQ for Backup & Cloning

Troubleshooting Backup & Cloning
Troubleshooting Backup & Cloning

WP STAGING BACKUP & CLONING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS & INFORMATION

  • Works on latest version of WordPress
  • Minimum Supported WordPress Version 3.8
  • Cloning and Backup work on all webhosts
  • No extra libraries required
  • Backup & cloning supports huge websites
  • Custom backup format is much faster and smaller than any tar or zip compression
  • Backup & cloning works in low memory & shared hosting environments

SUPPORT

WP STAGING Backup & Cloning

Installation via admin plugin search

  1. Go to Plugins > Add new. Select “Author” from the dropdown near search input.
  2. Search for “WP STAGING”. Searching for “WPStaging” in one word works as well.
  3. Find “WP STAGING – WordPress Backup, Restore & Migration” and click the “Install Now” button.
  4. Activate the plugin.
  5. The plugin should be shown below settings menu.

Admin Installer via zip

  1. Visit the Add New plugin screen and click the “Upload Plugin” button.
  2. Click the “Browse…” button and select the zip file of our plugin.
  3. Click “Install Now” button.
  4. Once uploading is done, activate WP STAGING – WordPress Backup, Restore & Migration.
  5. The plugin should be shown below the settings menu.
  1. Create new WordPress staging / backup site (Dark Mode)

    Create new WordPress staging / backup site (Dark Mode)

  2. Create new WordPress staging / backup site (Lite Mode)

    Create new WordPress staging / backup site (Lite Mode)

  3. Select name for staging / backup site (Lite Mode)

    Select name for staging / backup site (Lite Mode)

  4. Create Full Site Backup (Dark Mode)

    Create Full Site Backup (Dark Mode)

  5. Create Full Site Backup (Lite Mode)

    Create Full Site Backup (Lite Mode)

  6. Cloning / backup processing (Dark Mode)

    Cloning / backup processing (Dark Mode)

  7. Backup Complete (Dark Mode)

    Backup Complete (Dark Mode)

  8. Login to staging site

    Login to staging site

  9. Staging demo site

    Staging demo site

Why should I use a staging site and backup workflow?

Plugin updates, theme changes, and custom code should be tested before they reach your live site. A staging workflow lets you clone your production website, test changes safely, and keep a working backup ready in case something goes wrong. Safe updates and update testing on a staging copy protect your live site from broken releases.

Usually, it is best to run the staging site on an environment as close as possible to the production server. That is the best way to catch compatibility issues before they affect your live site.

WP STAGING combines backup, restore, staging, and migration in one workflow, so you can protect your live website, reduce downtime risk, and ship changes with more confidence.

Is WP STAGING a backup plugin?

Yes. WP STAGING started as a staging plugin and grew into a complete WordPress backup plugin, with restore, staging, cloning, and migration in one tool.

Even the free version lets you create backups and restore them when needed. WP STAGING | PRO adds more advanced backup workflows, cloud storage destinations, migration tools, and developer-focused features.

How is WP STAGING different from other backup plugins?

WP STAGING combines backup, restore, staging, cloning, and migration in one workflow. While many backup plugins focus mainly on archive-based backups or simple migration, WP STAGING also helps you create a working staging copy, test updates safely, and restore your site when needed.

Some backup plugins focus mainly on creating backup archives, while WP STAGING also creates working staging copies for safer testing and rollback workflows. This is especially useful when you want production-like validation before pushing changes live.

Some backup plugins may not fully support custom tables in all scenarios. WP STAGING is designed to work reliably with staging workflows and custom table prefixes used by its own cloned environments.

WP STAGING | PRO also includes advanced workflows such as Remote Sync and WP STAGING CLI, which can turn a backup into a local Docker-based development site. That makes WP STAGING especially attractive for developers, agencies, and site owners who want more than a basic backup plugin.

How do I back up and restore a WordPress site?

After installing WP STAGING, go to the backup section in the plugin and create a full-site backup. You can then restore that backup if a plugin update, theme change, deployment, or unexpected issue breaks your site.

WP STAGING is designed to make backup and restore simple, even on shared hosting and large WordPress installations.

What is Remote Sync in WP STAGING Pro?

Remote Sync is a Pro feature that lets you pull a WordPress site securely from one server to another using an API key. Instead of manually exporting databases and copying files, you connect the two sites and start the sync from inside WP STAGING.

This is especially useful for agencies, developers, and site owners who want a faster and more reliable workflow for moving content between WordPress installs.

Learn more:
Remote Sync: Pull a WordPress Site from One Server to Another

How can I turn a backup into a local Docker development site?

WP STAGING | PRO includes access to WP STAGING CLI, which can turn a WP STAGING backup into a local Docker-based WordPress site with one command.

This is ideal for debugging, QA, development, and reproducing client issues locally. It helps you create repeatable local environments without building custom Docker setups for every project.

Learn more:
WP STAGING CLI – Upgrade Now

How do I move, migrate, or transfer a WordPress site to a new host?

WP STAGING | PRO includes migration and transfer workflows that help you move a WordPress website to another host, transfer your WordPress site to a new host, change the domain, or move to another server. You can move your website between hosts without manual database exports.

If you want a guided step-by-step walkthrough, see:
How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to a New Host

How do I duplicate or clone a WordPress site?

WP STAGING works as a WordPress duplicator: it can duplicate or clone a WordPress site in a few clicks and create an exact copy of your site for testing, development, or as a safety net. Duplication runs in the background, so you can duplicate even large WordPress sites on shared hosting. If you have used a plugin like Duplicator before, WP STAGING covers the same clone and copy workflows and adds backup, restore, and staging.

Is WP STAGING a good Duplicator alternative?

Yes. If you are looking for a Duplicator alternative, WP STAGING covers the same use cases: duplicate a WordPress site, create a full-site copy, and move or transfer it to another host. In addition to the duplicator workflow, you get one-click staging sites, scheduled backups, and restore in the same plugin.

Why do I need a backup plugin at all?

Consistent website backups are the foundation of a robust disaster recovery strategy. They protect your website against failed updates, user mistakes, malware cleanup, hosting issues, hardware failures, software malfunctions, and data loss.

Backups should include website files, databases, user data, and configuration data. A combination of full backups and incremental backups can improve storage efficiency while keeping restore points current.

If your website generates leads, sales, traffic, or customer trust, regular backups are not optional. A reliable backup, restore, and recovery workflow lets you roll back your WordPress site and can save hours of downtime and expensive recovery work.

Can I activate permalinks on the staging site?

Permalinks are disabled on the staging site after the first cloning process.

Read this guide to activate permalinks on your staging site:
Activate Permalinks on the Staging Site

I cannot log in to the staging or backup site

If you use a security plugin such as Wordfence, iThemes Security, All In One WP Security & Firewall, or a plugin that hides the default WordPress login URL, make sure you are running the latest version of WP STAGING.

If you still cannot log in, go to WP STAGING > Settings and disable WP STAGING extra authentication. Your admin dashboard will still remain protected.

Can I just use my local WordPress development system for testing and backup?

You can always test your website locally, but if your local hardware and software environment is not an exact clone of your production server, there is no guarantee that every aspect of your local copy will behave the same way.

Differences in PHP version, server stack, memory, CPU performance, and filesystem behavior can all lead to unexpected results on production. That is why staging on infrastructure close to production remains valuable.

WP STAGING | PRO also gives you a more advanced local workflow through WP STAGING CLI, which can turn a backup into a local Docker-based development site.

Is WP STAGING available in multiple languages?

Yes. WP STAGING is available in multiple languages, and several translations are already complete or nearly complete.

You can view translated plugin pages here:

English
French
German
Spanish
Croatian
Dutch
Finnish
Greek
Hungarian
Indonesian
Italian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese (Brazil)
Russian
Turkish
Vietnamese

If you want to help improve translations, please get in touch with us through the support forum.

Can I give feedback for WP STAGING?

Yes. If something does not work as expected, please open a support request and describe the issue in as much detail as possible.

We continuously improve WP STAGING based on user feedback, real-world hosting environments, and developer use cases.

Open support:
WP STAGING Support Forum

Excellent software

By (marcosebastian) on October 19, 2026

Always helped me stage my clients WordPress website so they can see the changes before anything went into production. Company is responsive and fast to provide support over the years. Appreciate everything, WP-Staging.

Helpful plugin and best customer service

By Nili (niliagent) on October 14, 2026

I’ve had a great experience with the WP Staging plugin. The plugin is very useful, easy to use, and makes creating a staging environment quick and hassle-free. What impressed me most was their excellent customer service. The support team was responsive, professional, and genuinely helpful in resolving my questions. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a reliable staging solution for WordPress websites.

Hace lo que dice, sencillo y práctico

By Tio Tom (treswdoble) on October 9, 2026

Es un plugin excelente de sencilla manejo, es un excelente servicio para los que tienen un hosting que no dispone del servicio de staging, crea un clon 100% operativo y la opcion de backup funciona a la perfección.

Buen plugin

Super Plugin

By katzenfluestern on October 7, 2026

Super Plugin. DANKE.

Awesome plugin

By Filippo Tinnirello (tinnydev) on September 15, 2026

A delightful plugin, a life saver when updating wordpress core, themes, plugins.
You can do much with the free version, but the pro version is the non plus ultra.

Fantastic Support

By auteur on September 9, 2026

I’m on the PRO version. This plugin has made my life easier. No more migrating databases. BONUS was the fast support response for an emergency (GOING LIVE NOW) moment. The error was on my side but they were very fast, responsive and helpful. When you have a ton of balls in the air at one time, it’s nice to have support like this available.

Great Tool, Great Support

By Ray (raywebde) on August 28, 2026

Really great tool for staging, backup and developing. The desktop client helps a lot to develop on local machine and bring it to the live server.

Support fast, friendly and always with detailed informations.

Would recommend it.

Wonderfully simple, yet complex

By lilaeule on August 20, 2026

Offers everything you need. Clear. Easy to understand. Helpful. Unobtrusive. Multi-layered.

Great for testing Updates

By Holger Wassenhoven (wasiwarez) on August 2, 2026

I use it to test updates on customer sites before I do them on the production site. This makes trobleshooting after a buggy update much easier.

A dependable plugin with support that actually helps

By 01fari on June 17, 2026

We used WP STAGING across our WordPress work and it did exactly what we needed: a reliable way to create staging copies, run backups and test changes safely without any risk to the live site. It is well built and easy to get to grips with.

Problems were rare and far between, but on the few occasions we had a question or hit something we were unsure about, the support team were genuinely excellent. Replies were prompt, clear and knowledgeable, and they stayed with the issue until it was properly sorted rather than fobbing us off.

A solid plugin backed by people who clearly know it inside out. An easy recommendation.

4.18.0

  • Enh: Apply security hardening. Updating is strongly recommended. #7051
  • Enh: Back up large databases much faster. #7011
  • Fix: A backup restore no longer stops when the database is briefly unreachable. #5561
  • Fix: Backup plans keep their own schedule when edited, so saving one unchanged no longer makes it run hourly. (Pro) #6473
  • Fix: Create staging sites inside wp-content when the site root is not writable. #6846
  • Fix: Keep live media files intact when updating or pushing a Next-Gen staging site with symlinked uploads. #7017
  • Fix: Large backups uploaded to Dropbox no longer stay at 99%. (Pro) #6986
  • Fix: Long backup names and notes in Japanese, Chinese, Cyrillic or emoji no longer break the backup. #7014
  • Fix: Stop a push when its safety backup fails, instead of pushing without a restore point. (Pro) #6903
  • Plus 40 more fixes. #7163

WP STAGING Backup & Cloning | Full changelog:
https://wp-staging.com/wp-staging-changelog