When running a WordPress site, you've probably wondered at least once: "What happens
to my data if the server goes down?" "When switching
hosts, can I transfer all my settings and posts intact?"
This is precisely when you need a backup.
But there's one thing that can be confusing here.
It's the difference between cPanel backups and WordPress backups.
Today, we'll clearly distinguish these two backup methods and outline when to use each, focusing on practical applications.
1๏ธโฃ cPanel Backup vs WordPress Backup Comparison Chart
| Category | cPanel Backup | WordPress Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Execution Location | Server management tool (cPanel) | WordPress Admin Page |
| Permissions | Full Server Access (Files, DB, Email, etc.) | Access to WordPress internal data only |
| Included Scope | โ WordPress files + โ DB + โ Email + โ DNS settings + โ SSL | โ WordPress files + โ DB (only certain settings) |
| Restore Method | Execute "Restore Full Backup" in cPanel | Restore using the plugin's Restore button |
| Applicable Hosting | cPanel-based hosting (Gabia, Cafe24, Bluehost, etc.) | All WordPress sites |
| File Format | .tar.gz (server-wide compressed archive) | .zip or .wpress (plugin-only) |
In other words, cPanel backups are full server copies, while WordPress backups are site content-focused copies.
2๏ธโฃ To summarize for easy understanding
Many people think, "Isn't backing up just WordPress enough?" But in reality, a site isn't composed solely of WordPress.
- ๐ฅ cPanel Backup: Full server replica (includes FTP, email, DNS, SSL)
- ๐ WordPress Backup: Content-focused copy (Focuses on files + database)
WordPress is like the 'furniture inside the house,' while cPanel is the 'entire house' that holds that furniture. So, if you only back up WordPress, you might end up with just the furniture left behind while the house is gone.
cPanel backup handles everything at onceโincluding invisible settings like email, secure server (SSL), FTP accounts, and domain connection info (DNS)โmaking it ideal for "moving your site and server 100% as-is."
In other words, on hosting with cPanel installed, you can back up the entire server. To back up WordPress themes, posts, pages, etc., you use a WordPress plugin instead.
| Situation | Which backup should I use? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Full Site Migration (Hosting Change) | โ cPanel Full Backup | Allows transferring all server settings and data as-is |
| Lightweight storage of posts and images only | โ WordPress Plugin Backup | Daily content protection with automatic backups |
| For frequently updated blogs | โ Plugin backup + occasional cPanel backup | Prepared for frequent post edits + Ensures overall stability |
| Prepared for hacking / outages | โ Periodic cPanel backups | Full environment restoration capability |
3๏ธโฃ Features of cPanel Backups
- Full server-level copy Includes all server settingsโnot just WordPress files, but also email, DNS, SSL, etc.
- Restores an identical environment If the cPanel environment is the same, you can restore it immediately using 'Restore Full Backup'.
- Backup file location Stored in the format /home/username/backup-date.tar.gz.
- Not automatic backups You must manually download backups; server cron settings are required for automation.
A cPanel backup is not simply a "WordPress copy";
but rather a full server backup.
Therefore, it serves as the safest and most reliable restoration method during hosting migration or hacking/failure recovery.
For example, when moving from Gabia to Cafe24, if both are cPanel-based, a single Full Backup file enables complete replication.
4๏ธโฃ Features of WordPress Backup
- Plugin-Centric Can be done with various plugins like UpdraftPlus, Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration
- Only files + DB are backed up; server settings, email, and SSL are not included
- Automatic Scheduling Supported: Plugins allow setting automatic backups at regular intervals
- Simple restoration: Restore instantly with a single button click
WordPress backup works on all hosting environments, regardless of server setup.
For example, you can easily restore even in cloud environments like AWS Lightsail, Cloudflare Pages, and Vercel.
5๏ธโฃ Recommended Backup Plugins
| Plugin | Features | Backup Location |
|---|---|---|
| UpdraftPlus | Most popular backup plugin, supports automatic scheduling | Google Drive, Dropbox, FTP |
| All-in-One WP Migration | One-click full site migration | .wpress file (local or server) |
| Duplicator | Professional tool for duplication and migration | Local / Remote Server |
| WPvivid Backup | Free automatic backup + one-click restore | Cloud / Local Storage |
Most of these plugins are perfectly usable even in their free versions, while the paid versions support automatic scheduling and cloud upload features.
6๏ธโฃ Which backup should you use?
| Situation | Recommended Backup Method |
|---|---|
| When moving hosting while using cPanel (Gabia, Cafe24, etc.) | โ cPanel Full Backup |
| When you only need to clone or migrate a WordPress site | โ WordPress Plugin Backup |
| Development / Local Testing Environment | โ FTP + DB Export in parallel |
- โ๏ธ If you want to move the entire server (DB + Email +) as-is โ cPanel Backup
- ๐งฉ If you only want to safely store content + theme โ WordPress backup plugin
- โ๏ธ For cloud environments like AWS or Lightsail โ Plugin + automated script combination
7๏ธโฃ Conclusion: Tailor Your Backup Strategy to Your Situation
Let's summarize what we've discussed so far very simply.
A cPanel backup is literally "copying and storing the entire server as-is."
The server here is the house where WordPress lives.
Inside it are
- WordPress program,
- images, files,
- email accounts,
- domain settings,
- and even the security certificate (SSL).
So a cPanel backup is like packing your entire house into moving boxes. If the server crashes, gets hacked, or your site suddenly vanishes, you can restore everything perfectly from that single box.
On the other hand, a WordPress backup is like "packing only the contents inside the houseโfurniture, notebooks, photo albumsโseparately."
In other words, it's content-centric.
- The posts I wrote,
- pages,
- images,
- themes (site design),
- plugin settings, and so on are included here.
While it doesn't cover the entire server, you can manage it directly within WordPress and even set it to automatically back up daily, making it much lighter and simpler to handle. So these two backups aren't competing with each other.
They can be seen as partners who help each other.
- cPanel backup acts as the guardian protecting the house (server)
- WordPress backups safeguard the life records within (posts, images, design, etc.)
In other words, from a server management perspective: If you're a website development agency, use cPanel backups.
while if you're just running the site yourself, you should use backups via the WordPress plugin.
One protects the big picture, while the other safeguards the details.
Summary
- cPanel backup โ Entire server copy, only possible on hosting with cPanel
- WordPress backup โ Content copy, possible on all hosting platforms
- Using both together ensures complete restoration and a safety net
Ultimately, backup is the 'power to get back up even when problems arise'.
Just one click now can protect everything later.
Press the backup button today ๐