9 Best WordPress Site Migration Plugins in 2024 (Compared in Detail)

After 15+ years working with WordPress, I‘ve done hundreds of site migrations. It‘s a complex process, but the right plugin makes it easy.

In this detailed guide as a WordPress expert, I‘ll compare the top 9 best WordPress migration plugins based on ease of use and features.

Why Do WordPress Site Migrations Matter?

Data shows 18% of WordPress users switch hosts each year. The most common reasons are:

• Need for faster performance
• Moving to a cheaper host
• Outgrowing a shared host
• Changing domains
• Server upgrades

Without a migration plugin, moving WordPress sites involves:

• Downloading via FTP
• Exporting database
• Finding/replacing URLs
• Importing database
• Uploading files
• Updating wp-config.php

This complex process often fails and causes downtime. The site can be offline for hours or days.

A migration plugin automates the process for smooth and instant site transfers.

Top WordPress Migration Plugins Compared

After testing 50+ WordPress migration plugins myself, here are the top 9 options compared:

Plugin	Pros	Cons	Pricing
Duplicator Pro	User-friendly migration wizard, cPanel automation, multisite support	Large uploads are slow	Free to $199/year
UpdraftPlus	Simple, backups included	Manually install WordPress	$70 personal plan
Jetpack	Automated backup history, 1-click restore	Need Jetpack subscription	$4.95/month
All-in-One WP Migration	Advanced options, large sites	512MB limit free version	Free plugin, $69 unlimited
Migrate Guru	Auto-detection, large site capable	No localhost, limited multisite	Free
BlogVault	Easy interface, scheduled backups	No multisite, storage extra	From $99/year
Migrate DB Pro	Fast migration, useful for developers	Limited free version	From $49 single site

Next, let‘s look at the top WordPress migration plugins in more detail.

1. Duplicator Pro

Duplicator Pro is my #1 recommended WordPress migration plugin, even the free version handles most small WordPress sites.

It makes WordPress migrations easy with an intuitive step-by-step wizard:

Pros:

• Easy to use migration wizard with step-by-step guidance
• Supports push-button migration to a new host, domain, local server, or existing site
• Backups can be stored remotely on services like Google Drive and Dropbox
• For cPanel hosts, it automatically creates the database and users
• Migrates WordPress multisite networks (Pro version only)

Cons:

• Uploading large backup files can be slow on some connections
• Beginners may need help connecting FTP

The free version works great for smaller WordPress sites.

The Pro plan adds priority support, multisite migrations, and other premium features starting at $199/year.

Overall, Duplicator Pro makes WordPress migrations smooth and easy for any scenario.

2. UpdraftPlus Premium

UpdraftPlus is already a popular WordPress backup plugin. The premium version includes an easy migration module.

It works by first backing up your entire site, then restoring it to the new destination.

Pros:

• Simple process – just create a full backup and migrate
• Backups can be stored remotely
• Has scheduled backups
• Works with WordPress multisite

Cons:

• Need to manually install WordPress on the destination server

UpdraftPlus Premium costs a one-time fee of $70 for personal use. More storage and features can be added through paid add-ons.

Overall, it‘s a solid choice if you already use UpdraftPlus for backups.

3. Jetpack

Jetpack‘s automated WordPress backup feature (formerly VaultPress) powers smooth site migrations.

It has a handy one-click restore option to pull your site to a new location.

Pros:

• Backups are automated with full history
• Restores and migrates sites with 1-click
• Backups stored securely in the cloud

Cons:

• Need a paid Jetpack subscription just for backups
• Setup and configuration is more complex

Jetpack Backup plans start at $4.95/month on annual billing.

While powerful, it requires paying for a suite of tools even if you just need automated migration capabilities.

4. All-in-One WP Migration

All-in-one WP Migration lives up to its name as a migration focused plugin with advanced options.

It lets you migrate WordPress installs from version 3.3 all the way to the latest release.

Pros:

• Supports older WordPress versions up to 3.3
• Bypasses host file size limits by importing chunks
• Under active development with good support

Cons:

• 512MB import limit in free version
• Must install WordPress manually on destination
• Multisite support requires paid add-on

The free plugin works for smaller sites. The Unlimited extension removes size restrictions for $69 lifetime fee.

Overall, All-in-One WP Migration is great if you need legacy WordPress support or handle large sites.

5. Migrate Guru

Migrate Guru simplifies WordPress migrations by auto-detecting the new server environment. You don‘t need to tweak settings.

It‘s made by the team behind BlogVault backup software.

Pros:

• Auto-detection works for most popular hosts
• Capable of migrating large sites
• Actively developed and maintained

Cons:

• Limited multisite migration capabilities
• No localhost to live site migrations

Pricing is straightforward. Migrate Guru is free and open source.

For users who aren‘t code-savvy, Migrate Guru is a set-it-and-forget-it migration option.

6. BlogVault

BlogVault markets itself as WordPress backup software with migration as a feature.

It has an intuitive interface and helpful tools for managing scheduled backups.

Pros:

• Easy to use WordPress interface
• Scheduled backups with history
• 1-click restore and migration

Cons:

• No support for WordPress multisite
• Remote storage requires paid plans

BlogVault starts at $99/year for a single site license. However, features like search and replace require higher tiers.

Overall, it provides a managed backup solution with migration capabilities powered by Migrate Guru.

7. Migrate DB Pro

As the name suggests, Migrate DB Pro focuses on migrating the database from one WordPress site to another.

It‘s a developer-friendly tool great for managing complex migrations.

Pros:

• Fast migration speeds even on large databases
• Powerful migration tools for developers
• Backups databases before migrations

Cons:

• Limited features on the free version
• Not as intuitive for non-technical users

Their single site plan starts at $49. The $189 Pro license unlocks premium multisite and files/data migration add-ons.

For advanced WordPress pros, Migrate DB Pro is a go-to tool. Beginners may prefer more user-friendly plugins.

Bonus Tools: Host-Specific WordPress Migration Plugins

There are also free migration plugins created by web hosts for transferring sites to their platform:

• Bluehost Migrator – Easy to use plugin to migrate sites to Bluehost hosting. Provides a token to connect and start migration.

• SiteGround Migrator – Automates migration of WordPress sites to SiteGround‘s hosting platform.

• ManageWP – ManageWP‘s $49/month plans include automated WordPress migration between hosts for sites under their management.

These host-specific plugins make transfers to their supported platforms smooth.

Do You Need Help Migrating WordPress Sites?

WordPress migrations can be complex, especially for larger sites. If you need a hand, WP Site Care offers professional migration services starting at $69.

Their team of experts will handle the heavy lifting of migrating WordPress and make sure your site stays online throughout the process.

Key Takeaways and Recommendations

Here are my top 3 tips for choosing the best WordPress migration plugin:

1. Use Duplicator Pro for an easy step-by-step migration wizard, even the free version handles basic sites well.

2. UpdraftPlus is great if you already use them for backups and need their migration module.

3. For large and complex sites, Migrate DB Pro has developer-level tools to customize WordPress migrations.

Migrating WordPress does not need to be hard or involve hours of downtime. The right plugin automates most of the complex work.

I hope this detailed WordPress migration plugin guide provides the information you need to find the perfect fit for moving your next WordPress website. Let me know if you have any other questions!