Is Kinsta migration really free in 2026?
Yes — Kinsta migrations are free for all annual plan customers. Kinsta engineers handle the technical migration from any host (cPanel, SiteGround, Bluehost, WP Engine, GoDaddy, etc.) with no charge. Each annual subscription includes at minimum one free Premium migration, and most plans include multiple. Standard migrations (where access is straightforward) are unlimited on most plans.
What Kinsta migration actually includes
A free Kinsta migration includes: complete WordPress site transfer (files, database, configuration), DNS guidance, SSL certificate installation, WordPress core/plugin/theme update where needed, and basic post-migration testing. The Kinsta migration team manages the entire process from initial backup to going live, typically completing within 24-72 hours of receiving access credentials.
Standard migrations (from typical shared/managed hosts with standard cPanel or hosting panel access) are free and included. Premium migrations (for complex setups, multisite, e-commerce with custom backups, or unusual hosts) may also be included depending on your plan tier.
When Kinsta migration might not be free
Kinsta migrations may not be free in three cases: monthly billing plans (annual plans get migration credits, monthly typically does not), additional migrations beyond your plan’s included count, or extremely custom setups requiring engineering work outside the standard migration workflow. The vast majority of standard migrations are fully covered.
If you are migrating multiple sites simultaneously, check your plan’s migration credit count. The Business plan typically includes 1-5 migrations per year. Enterprise plans include unlimited migrations.
How long does a Kinsta migration take?
A standard Kinsta migration completes in 24-72 hours from when you submit the migration form. Complex sites (e-commerce with large databases, multisite networks, custom server configurations) may take 3-7 days. Kinsta schedules the actual cutover during a low-traffic window of your choice to minimize downtime, typically resulting in less than 5 minutes of downtime.
The migration form asks for the source host details, FTP/SSH/control panel credentials, your preferred cutover time window, and any custom configuration notes. Submit at kinsta.com/migrations after signing up.
Kinsta migration credits by plan tier
| Plan Tier | Free Migrations | Premium Migrations |
|---|---|---|
| Starter / Pro | Unlimited standard | 1 premium |
| Business 1/2 | Unlimited standard | 2-3 premium |
| Business 3/4 | Unlimited standard | 3-5 premium |
| Enterprise | Unlimited | Unlimited premium |
| Monthly billing | Typically 1 standard | 0 premium |
Kinsta migration — step-by-step
- Sign up for a Kinsta annual plan via the affiliate link to get the 2 months free benefit
- Log into MyKinsta dashboard and navigate to Migrations
- Submit the migration form with source host details, credentials, and preferred cutover window
- Kinsta engineers begin the migration — they may contact you for additional info via ticket
- Receive a staging URL where the migrated site is testable before going live
- Approve the cutover — Kinsta updates DNS guidance and your site goes live on Kinsta
Related questions
Will my site have downtime during the migration?
Typically less than 5 minutes during DNS cutover. Most users experience near-zero downtime because Kinsta schedules cutover during off-peak hours.
Can Kinsta migrate from any host?
Yes — Kinsta has migrated from every major host (cPanel, SiteGround, Bluehost, WP Engine, GoDaddy, Cloudways, Pantheon, AWS, custom VPS, etc.).
Will my plugins/themes survive the migration?
Yes. Kinsta migrations include all files, database, and configuration — your plugins and themes are preserved with identical settings.
Bottom line
Kinsta migrations are free on annual plans — engineers handle the full transfer from any host. Standard migrations are unlimited; premium migrations are credit-based by plan tier. Total downtime is typically under 5 minutes.
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Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. Kinsta referral codes are verified by direct testing on the Kinsta signup page. Information is for general guidance only — we are not financial, legal, or tax advisors.