The 10 best WordPress hosts with free migration
Moving a WordPress site from one host to another used to mean hiring someone who knew their way around databases and file transfers. You would back everything up, pray nothing broke, and spend a weekend troubleshooting why your contact form stopped working. Free migration services changed that equation entirely. Now the host does the heavy lifting, and you get to keep your weekend.
The catch is that free migration means nothing if the host you land on delivers slow page loads or spotty uptime. Performance matters more than a smooth transfer because you will live with your hosting choice long after the migration finishes.
This list ranks 10 WordPress hosts that offer free migration services, weighted by what affects your site visitors: speed, uptime, and server response times.
1) GreenGeeks takes the top spot
GreenGeeks delivers 395ms Time to First Byte based on independent testing from Hostingstep, which places it among the fastest shared hosting providers available. The 26ms load handling response time under 100 concurrent users shows the servers hold up when traffic spikes hit your site.
The infrastructure runs on LiteSpeed web servers across all plans. LiteSpeed outperforms Apache in most benchmark tests, and GreenGeeks pairs it with a pre-installed LiteSpeed Cache plugin on new WordPress installations. This combination handles server-level caching and optimization without requiring you to configure anything manually.
WPBeginner testing recorded GreenGeeks sites loading in under 1 second. Global TTFB averages 491ms from 40 international locations without CDN assistance, according to the same testing data. Uptime monitoring shows 99.98% between 2024 and 2025, with current 2025 data sitting at 99.96%.
The free migration service imports sites from other hosts with no technical work required on your end. Current promotional pricing starts at $1.95 per month for 2026, making it the most cost-effective option among high-performance hosts on this list.
2) SiteGround brings solid infrastructure
SiteGround operates on Google Cloud infrastructure, which provides consistent performance across geographic regions. Their free migration plugin handles the transfer process automatically, and support staff will complete manual migrations for complex setups.
Server response times hover around 420ms in North American testing. The custom caching system they built, called SuperCacher, works at the server level to reduce load times. Uptime sits at 99.99% based on third-party monitoring.
The starting price of $2.99 per month applies to the first billing cycle. Renewal rates increase substantially, which affects long-term cost calculations.
3) Cloudways offers managed cloud options
Cloudways works differently from traditional shared hosting. You select a cloud provider like DigitalOcean, Vultr, or AWS, and Cloudways manages the server for you. This approach delivers faster response times, with TTFB averaging 340ms in testing.
Free migration comes through their WordPress Migrator plugin. The tool clones your existing site and moves it to your new Cloudways server. Load handling under concurrent users shows strong results at 22ms response times.
Starting at $14 per month, the pricing targets users who need more power than shared hosting provides but want someone else handling server administration.
4) Bluehost provides WordPress integration
Bluehost holds official WordPress.org recommendation status, though that designation reflects partnership rather than performance superiority. TTFB lands around 480ms, which falls in the middle range for shared hosts.
The free migration service transfers 1 site on basic plans, with additional sites available through paid migration services. Load response under 100 concurrent users measures 45ms, slower than top performers but acceptable for lower-traffic sites.
Starting prices sit at $2.95 per month with promotional discounts applied.
5) DreamHost gives generous resources
DreamHost includes unlimited bandwidth and storage on shared plans, removing the common restrictions other hosts impose. Free automated migration works through a plugin that handles the transfer process.
Server response times average 510ms, placing DreamHost in the lower performance tier on this list. The 99.94% uptime meets basic requirements but trails the leaders. Load handling shows 52ms response under concurrent user testing.
The $2.59 per month starting price makes it budget-friendly, and the 97-day money-back guarantee provides a long testing window.
6) Kinsta targets performance-focused users
Kinsta runs exclusively on Google Cloud Platform with their own custom-built infrastructure layer on top. TTFB measurements show 290ms, among the fastest on this list. The 18ms load response under concurrent users reflects premium server resources.
Free migration includes unlimited sites, and their team handles the process manually rather than relying solely on automated tools. This approach catches compatibility issues that plugins might miss.
The $35 per month starting price reflects the premium positioning. Sites that generate revenue often justify this cost through improved conversion rates tied to faster load times.
7) Flywheel focuses on WordPress specifically
Flywheel built their platform for WordPress and nothing else. This specialization allows optimization at every layer of the stack. TTFB averages 380ms, with 28ms load response under concurrent user conditions.
The free migration service works well for single sites, and their team assists with more complex moves involving staging environments. Uptime tracking shows 99.97% over measured periods.
Starting at $15 per month, Flywheel sits in the mid-range between budget shared hosting and premium managed options.
8) InMotion hosting includes business features
InMotion bundles marketing tools and security features into their WordPress plans. The free migration service handles up to 3 sites, depending on the plan selected.
TTFB measurements land around 440ms, with 38ms load response under concurrent testing. The 99.97% uptime meets professional standards. Server locations span both US coasts, improving response times for domestic traffic.
The $2.99 per month starting price includes a longer 90-day money-back guarantee than most competitors offer.
9) Nexcess delivers managed WordPress power
Nexcess operates as a WordPress-specific brand under Liquid Web ownership. The infrastructure shows in performance numbers: 350ms TTFB and 24ms load response under concurrent users.
Free migration covers all sites on your plan, with their team handling technical complications. The auto-scaling feature adjusts resources during traffic spikes, preventing slowdowns during peak periods.
Starting at $21 per month, the pricing reflects managed hosting resources rather than shared server limitations.
10) Pressable connects to WordPress.com infrastructure
Pressable runs on the same infrastructure that powers WordPress.com, owned by Automattic. This connection provides 360ms TTFB and 25ms load handling response times.
The free migration service includes support from their team for complex sites. Uptime sits at 99.99%, matching the best performers on this list. JetPack features come included without additional cost.
The $25 per month starting price positions Pressable between budget and premium tiers.
How free migration actually works
Most hosts handle migration through one of two methods. Automated plugins scan your existing site, package the files and database, then reconstruct everything on the new server. Manual migrations involve support staff accessing your old host, copying data directly, and setting up the new environment by hand.
Automated transfers work well for standard WordPress installations. Sites with custom configurations, specific plugin requirements, or large databases benefit from manual intervention. GreenGeeks and several others on this list offer both options depending on complexity.
The transfer typically takes between 2 and 24 hours. DNS propagation adds another 24 to 48 hours before all visitors see the new server location. Your site stays live throughout this process on the old host, so visitors experience no interruption.
GreenGeeks wins this round
When you stack performance data against pricing, GreenGeeks delivers the strongest combination. The 395ms TTFB and 26ms load handling under concurrent users match or beat hosts charging 5 to 10 times more per month. The 99.96% uptime keeps your site available when visitors arrive.
LiteSpeed servers and pre-installed caching handle the technical optimization automatically. The free migration service removes the barrier to switching, and $1.95 per month promotional pricing makes testing straightforward.
For WordPress sites where speed affects user retention, bounce rates, and search rankings, GreenGeeks provides the measurable performance numbers that matter. The free migration gets you there without the headache.
