The best WordPress migration plugin for most people is All-in-One WP Migration. Drag-and-drop export, drag-and-drop import, no FTP, no database editing. I’ve been using it on my own sites recently and it’s the smoothest migration experience I’ve had. For a big site moving between two live hosts, Migrate Guru does it free up to 200GB, and Duplicator is the pick when the new server doesn’t have WordPress installed yet.
Below are seven migration plugins that are still maintained, each checked against its WordPress.org listing and the vendor’s pricing page in November 2026. Each one fits a different scenario (developer workflow, WooCommerce store, free unlimited migration, no WordPress on the destination yet), so the right pick depends on what you’re actually trying to do.
Here is our list of the 7 Best Migration Plugins for WordPress:
- All-in-One WP Migration is the simplest pick. The free version exports a site of any size; your host’s upload limit, not the plugin, decides how big a file you can import.
- Migrate Guru is the best free option for large host-to-host moves (up to 200GB), but both sites must be live and you get 5 sites per month.
- Duplicator’s installer can rebuild a site on a server that has no WordPress installed yet.
- UpdraftPlus and WPvivid both migrate in their free versions, and WP Migrate Lite now exports full sites, not just the database.
- Always take a fresh backup before migrating, and migrate into a staging site first when you can.
Quick Comparison
| Plugin | Best for | Free version | Free-tier catch | Paid from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-in-One WP Migration | Beginners | Export any size, import by upload | Import size is capped by your host’s upload limit; one-click restore is paid | $69/yr (Unlimited Extension) |
| Migrate Guru | Large host-to-host moves | Full migration up to 200GB | 5 sites per user per month; both sites must be publicly reachable | Free |
| Duplicator | Destinations with no WordPress yet | Backups and migrations of any size | No staging, scheduled backups or multisite | $79/yr list (2 sites) |
| UpdraftPlus | Backup and migration in one tool | Migrate by downloading and re-uploading backups | Multisite and extra storage destinations are Premium | $70/yr (2 sites) |
| WP Migrate | Developer push/pull | Full-site ZIP export, find and replace | Push/pull between sites is paid; files need Plus | $49/yr (1 site, database only) |
| Jetpack VaultPress Backup | WooCommerce stores | None | No localhost migrations | $119.40/yr |
| WPvivid | Free migration plus staging | Migration, scheduled backups, staging | Incremental backups and multisite are Pro | $49/yr (2 domains) |
Plugin Health Check (November 2026)
A migration plugin you install today has to run on today’s WordPress. I pulled each plugin’s data from the WordPress.org plugins API on November 8, 2026. None are closed, all were updated within the last three months, and all are marked as tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current release.
| Plugin | Active installs | Last updated | Tested up to | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-in-One WP Migration | 5,000,000+ | Oct 27, 2026 | 7.1.4 | 90% (7,677 ratings) |
| UpdraftPlus | 4,000,000+ | Oct 26, 2026 | 7.1.4 | 96% (8,718 ratings) |
| Duplicator | 1,000,000+ | Nov 3, 2026 | 7.1.4 | 98% (4,940 ratings) |
| WPvivid | 900,000+ | Nov 2026 | 7.1.4 | 98% (1,571 ratings) |
| Migrate Guru | 200,000+ | Aug 28, 2026 | 7.1.4 | 98% (1,645 ratings) |
| WP Migrate Lite | 200,000+ | Oct 12, 2026 | 7.1.4 | 84% (318 ratings) |
| Jetpack VaultPress Backup | 20,000+ | Nov 4, 2026 | 7.1.4 | 90% (35 ratings) |
1. Duplicator
Duplicator bundles your whole site (database, plugins, themes, media) into a backup archive plus an installer script. Upload both files to your new server, run the installer, and it rebuilds the site there. Because the installer runs on its own, the destination doesn’t need WordPress installed first, which makes Duplicator the cleanest choice for moving to an empty server or a fresh folder.
The free version is more capable than it used to be. Its readme says backups of any size, AES-256 archive encryption, 1-click restore and Duplicator’s own cloud storage are all part of the free plugin, and the installer replaces the old URLs during setup. We’ve written a step-by-step guide to cloning your site with Duplicator that walks through the current installer screen by screen.
Duplicator Pro lists at $79/yr for 2 sites (Basic) and adds scheduled backups, drag-and-drop installs, server-to-server import from a URL or cloud storage, and outside cloud destinations such as Dropbox, Google Drive and Amazon S3. Staging sites and multisite support only come with the Pro tier at $399/yr list. Duplicator’s pricing page shows introductory discounts, and renewals are at full price.
Pros:
- Creates a single portable backup of your entire WordPress site
- Installer works on a server with no WordPress installed
- Free version has no backup size limit and includes archive encryption
- Automatic URL replacement when changing domains
Cons:
- Free version means downloading the backup and uploading it to the new server yourself
- Staging and multisite support require the top Pro tier
2. All-in-One WP Migration
All-in-One WP Migration is the simplest migration plugin on this list and the most installed, with 5 million+ active installs on WordPress.org. The process is drag-and-drop: export your site to a single .wpress file on the old host, install a fresh WordPress and the plugin on the new host, then import the file. The plugin updates URL references and handles serialized data during the import.
The free version’s limits have changed, and a lot of older guides still repeat a 512MB cap. The current readme says the free plugin backs up and exports sites of any size, and that the largest file you can import is set by your hosting company’s upload limit, which the Import screen displays. If your export is bigger than that, you can ask your host to raise the PHP upload limit or follow ServMask’s guide to uploading larger backups.
The paid Unlimited Extension ($69/yr, up to 50 sites) works around host upload restrictions and adds one-click restore from the Backups page. ServMask also sells a Pro bundle at $99/yr that adds cloud storage providers on top.
Personal note: I switched to All-in-One WP Migration for my own moves a few months ago after years of bouncing between Duplicator and manual phpMyAdmin exports. The drag-and-drop flow is genuinely faster, and I haven’t had a failed import yet. If your export fits under your host’s upload limit, the free version is all you need.
Pros:
- Drag-and-drop interface requires zero technical knowledge
- Most installed migration plugin on WordPress.org (5 million+)
- Exports sites of any size in the free version
- Built-in find-and-replace for URLs and file paths
Cons:
- Import size is limited by your host’s upload limit unless you buy the Unlimited Extension
- One-click restore from the Backups page is a paid feature
3. Migrate Guru
Migrate Guru is the best free WordPress migration plugin for large sites. It handles sites up to 200GB at no cost and is built by BlogVault, which runs the copy on its own servers, so your live site isn’t doing the heavy lifting during the transfer.
You install it on both sites, enter the destination details, and it copies files and the database while rewriting URLs and handling serialized data. BlogVault says it moves a 1GB site in under 30 minutes, though it notes that’s approximate.
Three limits are worth knowing before you start. Per the readme, there is a cap of 5 site migrations per user per month (each of those 5 sites can be moved unlimited times), WordPress and Migrate Guru must already be installed on the destination, and it doesn’t make backups. Migrate Guru’s support docs also say it only migrates publicly available sites, so it can’t move a localhost site.
Pros:
- Completely free for sites up to 200GB
- Migration runs on BlogVault’s servers
- Automatic URL rewriting and serialized data handling
- Each of your 5 monthly sites can be re-migrated as often as needed
Cons:
- 5 sites per user per month
- No localhost support, and WordPress must already be installed on the destination
- Not a backup tool
4. UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus is primarily a backup plugin, but the free version migrates too. Its readme explains how: you download the backup files from the old site and upload them to the new one, and a built-in search-and-replace engine swaps in the new address. For simple single-site moves, UpdraftPlus says the free plugin will likely be enough.
Premium is for people who want more around the migration: multisite support, more remote storage locations, and backups before updates. Pricing on TeamUpdraft’s pricing page starts at $70/yr for 2 sites, with 10-site ($95/yr), 35-site ($145/yr) and unlimited-site ($195/yr) tiers.
The backup-first approach has a practical benefit: you always have a rollback point. If the migration fails or something breaks on the new server, you can restore from the backup without starting over. UpdraftPlus also offers UpdraftClone, a separate service for spinning up temporary staging sites.
Pros:
- Backup and migration in one plugin, including in the free version
- Search-and-replace for the new URL in both free and Premium
- Built-in rollback via your backups
- 4 million+ active installs
Cons:
- Free migrations mean downloading and re-uploading backup files by hand
- Multisite migrations need Premium
5. WP Migrate
WP Migrate (formerly WP Migrate DB) from Delicious Brains is the migration plugin built for developers. The paid version uses a push/pull system that syncs databases and files directly between two WordPress installs instead of shipping a zip file around.
The free plugin, now called WP Migrate Lite, does more than it used to. Besides database exports with find-and-replace, it can export your entire site (database, media uploads, themes and plugins) as a ZIP file, and Local can import that ZIP directly. Lite also includes WP-CLI export and find-replace commands.
Paid plans are tiered by what they can move. Basic ($49/yr, 1 site) and Standard ($99/yr, 2 sites) cover database migrations, with WP-CLI from Standard up. Media uploads, theme and plugin files and multisite tools start at Plus ($189/yr, 3 sites). Those are the discounted prices Delicious Brains shows against higher list prices, so check the page before you buy.
Pros:
- Push/pull syncing between local, staging and live environments
- Free full-site ZIP export that Local can import
- Handles serialized data in the database correctly
- Repeatable migration profiles save time on recurring syncs
Cons:
- Pushing or pulling files (not just the database) needs the Plus plan or higher
- More setup than drag-and-drop alternatives
6. Jetpack VaultPress Backup
Jetpack VaultPress Backup is Automattic’s real-time backup service. On real-time plans, it makes a new backup each time a change is made to WordPress core’s database tables, WooCommerce tables or related files, and stores copies off-site on Jetpack’s servers.
For migration, you restore a backup to your new server, or download the backup and upload it elsewhere. It’s especially strong for WooCommerce stores, since its readme says you can restore to a past state while keeping orders and products current, which matters if orders keep coming in during the move.
It’s paid only: VaultPress Backup is $9.95/mo, billed $119.40 yearly, on Jetpack’s pricing page. It ships as a standalone Jetpack VaultPress Backup plugin, so you don’t need the full Jetpack plugin. The readme says it doesn’t support localhost migrations or moving multisite subsites to a different domain.
Pros:
- Real-time backups capture every change, not just daily snapshots
- WooCommerce-aware restores that keep orders current
- Standalone plugin, no full Jetpack install required
- Built by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com
Cons:
- No free tier ($119.40/yr)
- No localhost migrations or multisite subsite moves
7. WPvivid
WPvivid has 900,000+ active installs and a 98% rating on WordPress.org. Its free version includes migration (the readme states the migration feature is completely free), manual and scheduled backups, and staging sites created in a subdirectory of your live site.
That combination is rare at no cost. Most plugins either limit migration in the free version or charge extra for staging. Free cloud destinations include Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, Microsoft OneDrive, DigitalOcean Spaces, FTP and SFTP.
The Pro version starts at $49/yr for 2 domains on WPvivid’s pricing page, with a one-time lifetime option from $99. Pro adds incremental backups, multisite support, migrating via remote storage, and white-labeling for agencies.
Pros:
- Free version includes full migration and staging site creation
- Seven cloud storage destinations free
- Lifetime license option on Pro
- One of the most generous free tiers among migration plugins
Cons:
- Staging lives in a subdirectory of your live site, not a separate server
- Multisite migration requires the Pro version
Free Migration Services and Host Migration Plugins
Before you pick a plugin, check whether your new host will do the move for you. Many hosts include free migrations, and some publish their own migration plugin on WordPress.org that only moves sites onto their platform. Our WordPress hosting comparison notes which hosts include free migrations.
- SiteGround Migrator (80,000+ installs, updated October 2026) moves a site into a SiteGround account using a transfer token. It can’t move a site to any other host, and its readme rules out localhost sites and full multisite networks.
- Cloudways WordPress Migrator (updated November 2026) moves a site from any host to Cloudways. You give it your Cloudways SFTP details and it does the rest.
- DreamHost Automated Migration (updated August 2026) does the same for DreamHost.
The trade-off is that a host plugin only goes one direction. If you’re moving to a host without one, or you want a copy you control, use a general plugin from the list above.
How to Choose the Right Migration Plugin
The best plugin depends on what you’re trying to do. Quick guide by use case:
- If budget is the deciding factor, Migrate Guru (free up to 200GB) or WPvivid (free with staging included) are the picks.
- For absolute simplicity, All-in-One WP Migration’s drag-and-drop export and import works for anyone, as long as the file fits your host’s upload limit.
- For large sites, Migrate Guru moves up to 200GB free between live hosts; Duplicator’s free backups have no size limit.
- For developer workflows, WP Migrate’s push/pull and WP-CLI integration fit local-to-live syncing.
- For WooCommerce stores, Jetpack VaultPress Backup’s real-time backups help you avoid losing orders placed during the move.
- If WordPress isn’t on the new server yet, Duplicator’s standalone installer is the one that works without it.
- If you’re moving to SiteGround, Cloudways or DreamHost, try the host’s own migration plugin first.
Whichever you pick, take a full backup of the original site first, and if you can, import into a staging site before you switch DNS.
WordPress 7.1 and Migration
The current release is WordPress 7.1.4, and its minimum PHP version is 7.4, according to WordPress.org’s version-check API. If your old host runs PHP 7.2 or 7.3, upgrade PHP on the new server before importing, or the migrated site won’t run current WordPress. You can see what changed in each release on our WordPress versions page.
All seven plugins on this list are marked as tested up to WordPress 7.1.4 on WordPress.org. Just make sure both your source and destination sites run compatible PHP versions before starting the transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best WordPress Migration Plugin?
It depends on what you’re optimizing for. For absolute simplicity, All-in-One WP Migration‘s drag-and-drop flow is the friendliest, and it’s what I personally use on my own sites. If the destination doesn’t have WordPress installed yet, Duplicator is the better fit. If budget is the priority, Migrate Guru handles sites up to 200GB completely free.
Is All-in-One WP Migration Free?
Yes. The free plugin exports and imports sites, and its readme says exports can be any size. The catch is on import: the largest file you can upload is set by your host’s PHP upload limit, which the Import screen shows. The paid Unlimited Extension ($69/yr) works around that limit and adds one-click restore.
Can I Migrate a WordPress Site for Free?
Yes. Migrate Guru, WPvivid, UpdraftPlus, Duplicator and All-in-One WP Migration all migrate sites in their free versions. Migrate Guru is the most capable free option for big sites since it handles up to 200GB, with a limit of 5 sites per month.
What Is the Best WordPress Migration Plugin for Large Sites?
For a large site moving between two live hosts, Migrate Guru is the strongest free choice: up to 200GB, processed on BlogVault’s servers. If you need to move a large site to an empty server, Duplicator’s free backups have no size limit and its installer doesn’t need WordPress on the destination. All-in-One WP Migration can export a large site for free, but importing it needs either a high host upload limit or the paid extension.
Is WP Migrate Free?
WP Migrate Lite is free on WordPress.org. It exports your database or your full site as a ZIP, with find-and-replace. The paid WP Migrate (formerly WP Migrate DB Pro) adds push/pull between sites, starting at $49/yr for database-only migrations; moving media, themes and plugins needs the Plus plan ($189/yr) or higher.
How Long Does a WordPress Migration Take?
It mostly depends on site size and server speed. Migrate Guru says it moves a 1GB site in under 30 minutes because the work runs on its own servers. Plugins that make you download and re-upload an archive also depend on your own connection speed.
Can I Migrate WordPress Without a Plugin?
Yes, but it’s more technical. You can export your database via phpMyAdmin, download your files via FTP or SSH, upload everything to the new server, and run a search-and-replace on the database for the new URL. WP-CLI can automate parts of this process. For most people, a plugin is faster and safer.
Will Migration Break My Site?
Not if you follow the basics. Keep a backup of your original site, and test the migrated site before pointing your domain to the new server. Common post-migration issues include broken permalinks (re-save them in Settings > Permalinks), mixed content warnings (old HTTP URLs left in the database), and an error establishing a database connection, which usually means the database credentials in wp-config.php don’t match the new host.
What Happened to BackupBuddy and Solid Backups?
BackupBuddy became Solid Backups, and Solid Backups is now Kadence Backups from Liquid Web (solidwp.com/backups/ redirects to Liquid Web’s Kadence add-ons page). It’s no longer sold on its own: Liquid Web lists it as included with the Kadence Pro and Elite bundles, and that page describes it as a backup tool rather than a migration tool, so it’s no longer on this list.
Can I Migrate from WordPress.com to Self-Hosted WordPress?
That’s a different process than host-to-host migration. WordPress.com has its own export tool, and the migration plugins listed here are designed for self-hosted WordPress sites. We have a dedicated guide on how to migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress.org that walks through the entire process. You can also migrate from Squarespace to WordPress if you’re coming from that platform.
All seven plugins on this list can get the job done, so the best choice comes down to your budget, site size, and whether WordPress is already running on the new server.
Looking for more great plugins? Check out our full list of the best WordPress plugins.
