Top 10 hosting with free migration: eliminate downtime and data loss.

1. Eliminating the pain point of website migration

Moving a website feels like trying to move a house while people are still inside eating dinner. The thought alone triggers significant anxiety for website owners.

You might worry about catastrophic downtime that drives away customers, the terrifying risk of data loss, or the sheer complexity of manually handling countless files, databases, and configuration settings. If done incorrectly, a poorly executed transfer can even result in immediate SEO penalties, erasing months of hard work.

We understand these fears. That is why we at NameCab built this definitive resource. The solution is simple: finding the top 10 hosting with free migration providers that take on this technical heavy lifting for you, guaranteeing a smooth, risk-free transition.

1.1. Defining migration included hosts

What exactly does “migration included hosts” mean?

It refers to a specific service where the new web hosting provider handles the entire process of moving your site from your old server to theirs. This is often an expert-led service, not just a simple automated script.

This full-service package typically includes:

• Moving all website files (HTML, images, media).
• Transferring databases (essential for WordPress or other Content Management Systems).
• Replicating control panel settings and configurations.
• Ensuring email accounts are set up correctly on the new server.
• Testing the site functionality before the domain name switch.

By choosing one of the robust migration included hosts listed below, you avoid touching command lines or worrying about broken database links.

2. Criteria for selection: Identifying true easy move providers

When we evaluate web hosting platforms, we look past the single word “free.” Nearly every host offers some form of migration, but few offer a service that truly guarantees zero risk and expert handling.

We define the metrics used to separate standard migration tools from genuinely premium services.

2.1. Beyond “free”: The metrics of quality

A quality migration service must excel in the following areas:

2.2. The value of an easy move provider

Users should prioritize a host that simplifies the technical process because the alternative often involves paying third-party contractors hundreds of dollars or risking total data integrity themselves.

The easy move providers listed below treat migration as a critical onboarding phase, ensuring your website infrastructure starts on a solid foundation. Their high-quality free transfer services turn a major technical hurdle into a simple ticket submission.

3. The top 10 hosting providers offering premium free transfer services

The providers listed here do not just offer a basic file transfer. They provide robust, high-quality free transfer services included in their qualifying hosting plans, backed by expert technical teams.

3.1. SiteGround

SiteGround is a leader in speed and specialized WordPress web hosting, and its migration process reflects this high-tech focus.

Service details:

SiteGround offers two effective migration methods:

• Proprietary WordPress Migrator Plugin: This is the automated, fast, and recommended approach for nearly all standard WordPress websites. Users install the plugin on their old site, generate a token from their SiteGround account, and the plugin pulls all files and databases across automatically.
• Manual, Support-Handled Migration: Available for complex websites, customized environments, or non-WordPress sites (e.g., Joomla or custom PHP applications) on their higher-tier plans (GrowBig and above). SiteGround’s support team handles this process directly.

Key feature: SiteGround is known for the speed and reliability of their in-house tools. Most standard WordPress moves can be completed in minutes using the automated plugin.

3.2. Kinsta (Managed WordPress)

Kinsta offers premium managed WordPress web hosting and excels in providing a truly stress-free transfer experience.

Service details:

Kinsta offers a “Premium Migration” service. This service is always expert-handled by their specialized support team—it is never fully automated.

The process emphasizes the staging environment feature. The Kinsta team moves your site, sets it up on a private staging server, and allows you to test every function, link, and configuration detail. Only once you confirm everything works perfectly is the final DNS change made, ensuring a zero-downtime transfer.

Scope: Kinsta typically includes at least one free basic site migration per plan, with more included on higher-tier subscriptions.

3.3. WP Engine (Managed WordPress)

As a top-tier managed WordPress host, WP Engine provides specialized tools designed to handle even the most massive and complex WordPress installations.

Service details:

WP Engine offers two tiers of migration assistance:

• Automated Migration Plugin: Their proprietary tool, ideal for standard or smaller WordPress sites, offering a fast, reliable, self-service transfer.
• Specialized “White Glove Migration”: This assistance is often included for complex, high-traffic sites or those with unusual database structures. This process is handled by dedicated experts who specialize in complex WordPress architecture moves, ensuring that bespoke themes and intricate configurations are preserved flawlessly.

Expertise: WP Engine’s support team are dedicated WordPress experts, making them ideal easy move providers for businesses that cannot afford any hiccups during the move.

3.4. A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting is famous for its fast “Turbo Servers” and its highly skilled technical support team, the “Guru Crew.”

Service details:

A2 Hosting commits to simplifying the move. They specify the standard scope: typically, direct cPanel-to-cPanel transfers. If your existing web hosting uses a standard cPanel interface, A2’s Guru Crew promises to handle all files, databases, and associated emails seamlessly.

They offer to move one site free of charge with most new shared, VPS, and reseller plans. If your old provider does not use cPanel, they will often still attempt the migration, though the scope may require more manual input from their team.

3.5. InMotion Hosting

InMotion Hosting offers a highly personalized onboarding service called “Launch Assist,” which guarantees a smooth setup and transfer.

Service details:

Launch Assist is included with many of their business web hosting plans (shared, VPS, and dedicated servers). This is more than just a migration; it is a full consultation and setup session (often two hours long) where their experts configure security, optimize performance, and manage the transfer.

The transfer process focuses specifically on the zero-downtime transfer promise. They use highly specialized methods to ensure the site is copied and running on the new server before they update the domain name servers, providing uninterrupted service.

3.6. Cloudways (Managed Cloud Platform)

Cloudways specializes in managed cloud infrastructure (DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, AWS, Google Cloud), offering advanced flexibility without the complexity of managing the servers yourself.

Service details:

Cloudways includes one free professional migration per new account setup. This service is managed by their specialized support team, who handle the intricacies of moving data between disparate server environments (e.g., from a shared host to a dedicated cloud server).

The process ensures database integrity and handles application-level configuration necessary for moving to a high-performance cloud stack. While subsequent migrations incur a small fee, the initial move is a seamless, white-glove experience.

3.7. Nexcess (A Liquid Web Brand)

Nexcess provides fully managed hosting solutions for platforms like WordPress and WooCommerce, where performance and reliability are crucial for e-commerce success.

Service details:

Nexcess bundles a fully managed, high-touch migration service with all their Managed WordPress and Managed WooCommerce hosting plans. This is not a partial service; their technicians take full ownership of the process.

This is especially critical for e-commerce sites, where inventory, transaction records, and payment gateway configurations must transfer perfectly. The Nexcess team validates these sensitive components post-transfer, giving users confidence that their online store is ready for high traffic.

3.8. DreamHost

DreamHost is known for its strong guarantees and commitment to open-source software, offering comprehensive plans ranging from shared to Managed WordPress.

Service details:

For shared hosting plans, DreamHost offers an automated tool for basic WordPress migrations. However, the truly professional, expert-led free transfer services are reserved for their premium plans, specifically DreamPress (Managed WordPress) and VPS plans.

These managed services provide dedicated support specialists who oversee the move, focusing on minimizing IP address changes and ensuring DNS propagation happens efficiently. This is vital for maintaining uptime.

3.9. GreenGeeks (Eco-Friendly Hosting)

GreenGeeks stands out not just for its commitment to environmental sustainability but also for its generous support offerings, placing it among the most competitive migration included hosts.

Service details:

GreenGeeks’ expert technical support team handles the transfer upon request. A significant benefit of choosing GreenGeeks is that they typically offer unlimited (or multiple) free site migrations.

For users managing several websites or those using a reseller account, this feature provides tremendous value. They ensure that all databases, files, and email accounts are moved and configured correctly across multiple applications (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, static HTML sites).

3.10. HostGator

HostGator is a well-established and large-scale provider that offers clear, defined parameters for their free migration service.

Service details:

HostGator specifies the typical conditions: the service is free for one site and one cPanel-to-cPanel transfer. This service must usually be requested within the first 30 days of purchasing a new hosting plan.

They detail a typical size limit for the transfer (e.g., up to 5GB of data and 1,000 email addresses). If your website is larger or requires multiple databases, it is crucial to check the exact specifications of your chosen plan. Their support team handles the necessary file management and database linking.

4. Detailed guide: What defines quality free transfer services?

When choosing a new host from this list of the top 10 hosting with free migration, you must look closely at the fine print. Not all “free transfers” are created equal. We provide criteria to ensure you select the right easy move provider that truly meets your needs.

4.1. Scope of the transfer

The scope dictates how much work is left for you once the host finishes their part. A quality free transfer services package must cover all major components of your web presence.

• Does it include databases (mandatory for CMS)? If you run WordPress, Magento, or any other content management system, the database is the most critical element. The host must correctly transfer and link the database to the new server environment.
• Does it include email accounts/mailboxes? Moving email data can be notoriously tricky. Top-tier hosts will migrate not just the account settings but also the stored emails within the mailboxes.
• Does the host handle DNS updates and configuration? Changing the Domain Name System (DNS) records is the final step. An easy move provider should guide you through this process or even handle the configuration changes at the domain name registrar for you.

4.2. The downtime imperative

Zero downtime is the gold standard for quality migrations. When your site is moved, there is a period between when the old site is copied and when the new site goes live. A gap in service means lost revenue and broken trust.

High-quality easy move providers employ a staging or cloning process.

1. The host copies your site onto their server without changing the live site’s location (the staging site).
2. You, the client, test the staging site thoroughly—checking forms, permalinks, and e-commerce functionality.
3. Only when testing is complete does the host coordinate the final DNS switch, which typically takes minutes to propagate locally.

This approach achieves a near zero-downtime guarantee, critical for successful web hosting transitions.

4.3. The human element vs. automation

Understanding the difference between an automated tool and specialized technical expertise determines how well complex sites are handled.

• Simple Automated Plugins: These are excellent for basic, standard WordPress blogs or small static sites. They are fast but struggle with custom coding, complex security layers, or unusually large file structures.
• Specialized Technician: Necessary for complex e-commerce platforms (like WooCommerce or high-volume stores), custom application environments, or sites integrated heavily with external services. When a dedicated specialist is assigned, they use their knowledge of robotic process automation (RPA) tools and manual checks to ensure every detail is copied exactly.

4.4. Post-migration validation

The job is not over when the files are transferred. The best free transfer services include a final, systematic check before giving you the all-clear.

Post-migration validation steps should include:

• Confirming database connection strings are correct.
• Checking the functionality of critical elements (contact forms, shopping carts).
• Verifying that all internal links and permalinks resolve correctly on the new server infrastructure.
• Ensuring SSL certificates are properly installed and active.

5. Decision matrix: Choosing your ideal migration included host

To help you quickly identify the best host from this selection of migration included hosts, we have organized our recommendations based on common user needs and site types.

6. Conclusion: Migrate smarter, not harder

Website migration used to be a necessary headache, often reserved only for those with deep technical knowledge or large budgets for contractors. Now, the landscape has changed.

By choosing one of the vetted easy move providers from our list, you secure the core benefit of selecting a web hosting provider that excels at free transfer services: peace of mind.

These companies have invested heavily in personnel and infrastructure to ensure your transition is seamless, fast, and secure.

Don’t risk downtime or data loss by attempting a complicated manual move. Selecting from the top 10 hosting with free migration is the smartest decision you can make for your website’s stability and future growth.

Review the options, select the host that matches your needs (especially if you require specialized e-commerce or managed WordPress support), and initiate your purchase and free transfer today. Let NameCab help you migrate smarter, not harder.

FAQ Section

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Site Migration

What exactly does a migration included host service entail?

A migration included host refers to a service where the new web hosting provider handles the entire process of moving your site from your old server to theirs. This is an expert-led, full-service package that typically includes moving all website files, transferring databases, replicating control panel settings, ensuring email account setup, and testing the site functionality before the domain name switch to guarantee a smooth transition.

What metrics are used to identify a high-quality free transfer service?

Quality migration services are evaluated based on four core metrics: Speed (how fast the transfer is completed, ideally 24–48 hours); Scope (whether it moves everything, including files, databases, and emails); Expertise Level (whether it is handled by a specialized migration technician); and a Zero-Downtime Guarantee (the ability to test the site fully on a staging server before the final domain name switch).

Why is zero-downtime migration is considered the gold standard?

Zero-downtime migration is crucial because any gap in service during the transfer process can result in lost revenue, SEO penalties, and broken trust with visitors. High-quality easy move providers use staging or cloning processes, allowing the client to fully test the site on the new server before coordinating the final DNS switch, thereby ensuring uninterrupted service.