The Jetpack VaultPress Backup alternative that's no metered cloud, no account lock-in
Jetpack VaultPress Backup is a proven real-time backup, but it stores every backup in Jetpack's metered cloud, needs a WordPress.com account connection, and charges for more storage as your site grows. SafeGuard backs up to your own storage with no caps and no account lock-in. Jetpack is not on the public benchmark we publish, so we make no speed claim against it.
Why people move to SafeGuard
Top-rated overall
First of the nine plugins tested on a public benchmark that weighs what a plugin actually backs up, not only how fast it finishes. Some finish quicker than SafeGuard; the table below says which, on both counts.
Everything is included
Incremental, migration, multisite, staging and 20+ storage providers come on every plan. No per-feature addons or tiers to climb.
Claims you can verify
The benchmark is public and reproducible. Instead of trusting a marketing line, you can run the exact test yourself and check where each plugin lands.
SafeGuard vs Jetpack VaultPress Backup
Jetpack VaultPress Backup is a solid, popular plugin. Here is where the two differ in practice.
| Feature | SafeGuard | Jetpack VaultPress Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Public benchmark | Top-ranked overall | Not tested on it |
| Pricing model | Everything on every plan | Subscription, storage-metered |
| Where backups are stored | Your own storage (20+ providers) | Jetpack's cloud only |
| Storage limits | None (your account) | Metered (10GB entry, pay for more) |
| Works without a WordPress.com account | ||
| Real-time / incremental backups | ||
| One-click restore | ||
| Site migration + staging | ||
| Cloud relay for firewalled sites | ||
| Money-back guarantee | 14 days | Varies |
| Support | One-hour reply, 7am to 8pm UK time, Monday to Friday | Varies |
Jetpack VaultPress Backup is Automattic's managed backup; this compares its public cloud-only, storage-metered model against SafeGuard and the public Backup Arena benchmark. Verify anything for yourself.
Common questions
Is Jetpack VaultPress Backup good?
It is a proven real-time backup from Automattic. The trade-offs are that backups live in Jetpack's metered cloud, you need a WordPress.com account connection, and you pay for more storage as the site grows. SafeGuard uses storage you own, with no caps and no account requirement.
Does SafeGuard need a WordPress.com or Jetpack account?
No. SafeGuard runs entirely on your own site and sends backups to storage you control. There is no external account connection to set up or depend on.
Can I back up to my own cloud instead of Jetpack's?
With Jetpack, backups go to Jetpack's cloud only. SafeGuard supports 20+ storage providers you own, including S3, Google Drive and Dropbox, with no storage metering and no upgrade to buy more space.
Is there a free version of SafeGuard?
No, SafeGuard is premium only, with a 14-day money-back guarantee. For the first 5 sites I do the migration and the restore test myself.
Moving off Jetpack VaultPress Backup? The URL rewrite is free.
Whichever plugin moves the site, the database still points at the old domain afterwards. We publish Lucid Search & Replace on WordPress.org for that part. It handles serialized data and Elementor's escaped URLs, previews every change before it writes, and can undo the run.
Free, and free of SafeGuard. It works on its own and you never need a paid plan to use it.
Still weighing up the whole field? Our honest buyer's guide to the best WordPress backup plugin covers Jetpack VaultPress Backup alongside every other serious option, including the cases where they are the better pick.
Ready to switch?
Every feature on every plan, a 14-day money-back guarantee, and for the first 5 sites I do the migration and the restore test myself.
Get SafeGuard