Hosting Guides · Migration
How to Migrate Your Website to Hostinger Without Downtime
Migration Guide • WordPress • Hostinger
Moving a website to a new host is easy to start and easy to get wrong. A missed backup, a switched DNS record too early or forgotten email can all cause trouble.
This guide walks through moving a site to Hostinger step by step, using what Hostinger publishes about its free migration service: who qualifies, what is covered, what is not and how to avoid downtime. We focus on one question: how do you move your site without losing data, traffic or email?
Still choosing? See our Hostinger review.
Editorial note: this article contains no affiliate links. Details were checked against Hostinger’s official pages on October 17, 2026, and we have not hands-on tested its migration service. Hostinger changes its process and limits, so confirm the current steps in your dashboard. We say “without downtime” as a goal: Hostinger itself notes some downtime is possible during DNS propagation.
Quick answer: To migrate a website to Hostinger, back up your site, buy a plan and add your domain, submit a free migration request (or upload your files and database), wait for it to finish, check the copy, then point your domain at Hostinger. Do not cancel your old host until the move is complete. Hostinger says a simple automatic WordPress migration is typically done in under two hours.
- Eligible: sites on another host using an open-source CMS such as WordPress or Joomla, on a Hostinger Web, Cloud or Agency plan.
- Not eligible: sites built on builders such as Shopify or Squarespace, and VPS plans.
- Not included: email, cron jobs, DNS records, custom SSL configuration and FTP accounts.
- One request per site; up to five active requests at a time.
- Point your domain only after the migration is complete.
Each block is one section, sized by how long it is. The orange block is the longest: Before You Migrate: Who Can Use Hostinger’s Free Migration? (about 1 min). Tap a block to jump.
Before You Migrate: Who Can Use Hostinger’s Free Migration?
Hostinger offers a free migration service with its hosting plans. It is meant for sites currently hosted elsewhere that run an open-source CMS, mainly WordPress. If your site is on a hosted builder, you will have to rebuild it. Not sure Hostinger is the right destination? Read our Hostinger review and the Hostinger alternatives guide first.
| Question | Answer from Hostinger |
|---|---|
| Which plans qualify? | Web, Cloud and Agency plans. VPS plans are not eligible. |
| Which sites qualify? | Sites on another host using an open-source CMS such as WordPress.org or Joomla. |
| Which sites cannot be migrated? | Sites on custom builders such as Blogger, Google Sites, Shopify, Squarespace, Zyro or GoDaddy Website Builder. |
| Is it free? | Yes for eligible sites from another host. Moves between Hostinger accounts are not free. |
| Can I do several at once? | No bulk migrations. One request per site, up to five active requests. |
| What about WordPress multisite? | Hostinger’s pages disagree: one says its team can migrate multisite, another says multisite is not supported. Ask support before you start. |
Source: Hostinger website migration and support pages, checked October 17, 2026.
The Hostinger migration path
Eight steps in order, from backup to going live.
Steps from Hostinger’s migration support page and website migration page, checked October 17, 2026. Menu names may change.
Step 1: Back Up Your Current Site
Take a complete backup of your files and database before you touch anything. Keep a copy somewhere other than your old host. Our backup software guide covers tools that help. Check that the backup has a database file; WordPress migrations fail without one when you upload files yourself.
Step 2: Prepare Access and Settings
- Have your WordPress admin login (an admin user) or cPanel login ready.
- Hostinger recommends disabling two-factor authentication and anti-bot or CAPTCHA protection on your current host and site admin page while the migration runs.
- Make sure you have enough free disk space at your old host for a backup.
- Note your current DNS records and any email accounts, since neither is moved automatically.
Step 3: Buy a Plan and Add Your Domain
You need an active Hostinger Web, Cloud or Agency plan with at least one domain added. Prices on a 48-month term are $2.99 (Premium), $3.99 (Business) and $7.99 (Cloud Startup) a month; see Hostinger pricing explained for renewals. If you are choosing a plan for the first time, our WordPress blog guide walks through plan choice.
Step 4: Submit a Migration Request
In Hostinger’s dashboard, use the Import website option. You have two routes:
- Migrate from another host: enter your site URL and choose WordPress or cPanel as the access method. Credential-based migration supports WordPress admin and cPanel logins only.
- Upload your website files: for offline sites or backups, upload your site archive (.zip, .tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .7z or .gz) and a database file (.sql).
Each site needs its own request, and bulk migrations are not available.
What Hostinger’s free migration does and does not cover
Based on Hostinger’s support page. Plan extra time for anything in the second column.
Source: Hostinger support and website migration pages, checked October 17, 2026. Timings are Hostinger’s estimates.
Step 5: Wait, Then Check the Migrated Site
Hostinger says simple automatic WordPress migrations are typically done in under two hours, while cPanel-based sites with other CMSs usually take more than 20 hours. Keep your old hosting active the whole time. When it finishes, check the new copy before you change DNS:
- Click through key pages, forms, checkout and login.
- Confirm images, menus and permalinks look right.
- Check that SSL will work on your domain.
- Compare speed using our page speed tools.
Step 6: Move Email and Other Items Manually
Hostinger says email must be migrated manually, and that cron jobs, DNS records, custom SSL configuration and FTP accounts are not included. Recreate them on the new host before you switch your domain.
Step 7: Point Your Domain to Hostinger
Change your domain’s nameservers or DNS records only after the migration is complete. Hostinger’s FAQ notes you might see some downtime after migration while DNS propagates. To reduce it, lower your DNS TTL a day before the switch if your registrar lets you, and make the change at a quiet time.
Step 8: Protect Your SEO After the Move
- Keep every URL the same. If URLs must change, set up 301 redirects; see our redirection plugins guide.
- Check that your sitemap and robots settings carried over.
- Watch Google Search Console for crawl errors in the first weeks.
- Re-test speed and uptime for a few days.
- Cancel the old host only when everything works. Our WordPress SEO services team can audit a migration.
Common Migration Problems and Fixes
- Migration fails on a WordPress upload: check that you included a .sql database file.
- Request is rejected: your site may be on an unsupported builder or plan type.
- Login fails during migration: two-factor or CAPTCHA may be blocking the process.
- Missing emails: email is not migrated automatically.
- Broken forms or cron jobs: recreate cron jobs and test plugins that depend on them.
- Downtime after the switch: allow time for DNS propagation.
Should You Migrate Yourself or Get Help?
For a simple WordPress blog, Hostinger’s free service may be all you need. For a store, a multisite or a site with custom email and cron jobs, a developer can save time and risk. Our WordPress development team handles migrations and speed tuning.
Check Hostinger Migration and Plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hostinger migrate websites for free?
Yes, for eligible sites coming from another host. Hostinger says unlimited free WordPress and other website migrations are included with its plans, subject to its Fair Usage Policy.
How long does a Hostinger migration take?
Hostinger says simple automatic WordPress migrations typically take under two hours, while cPanel sites with other CMSs usually take more than 20 hours.
Will my site go down during migration?
Hostinger says your site keeps working during the migration, but you might see downtime during DNS propagation when you switch your domain.
Can I migrate a Shopify or Squarespace site?
No. Hostinger says sites on custom builders such as Shopify, Squarespace, Blogger and Google Sites cannot be migrated and must be rebuilt.
Is email included?
No. Hostinger says email must be migrated manually.
Can I migrate several sites at once?
Not in bulk. Submit one request per site, with up to five active at a time.
Do I need to cancel my old host?
Only after the migration is complete and your domain points to Hostinger. Do not cancel early.
Will migrating hurt my SEO?
It should not if URLs stay the same and downtime is short. Test first, keep redirects ready and monitor Search Console.
Can I migrate manually instead?
Yes. Download your files and database, upload them to Hostinger, then point your domain.
Final Verdict
Hostinger’s free migration is a convenient way to move a standard WordPress site, as long as you prepare, back up and check the result before switching your domain. Know what is not included, plan extra time for email and cron jobs, and keep your old host until you are sure.
Sources
Jaykishan Panchal
Founder, TechCognate · SEO Strategist & WordPress Expert
Jaykishan Panchal is the founder of TechCognate and an SEO strategist with 15+ years of hands-on experience driving organic growth for businesses worldwide. He specialises in technical SEO, content strategy and GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation), helping brands stay visible in both traditional search and AI-driven discovery.
- Technical SEO
- Content Strategy
- AI & GEO
- Google Ads
- E-Commerce SEO