How to Migrate from Hostinger to Bluehost (2026)
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Hostinger's hPanel makes their hosting feel proprietary, but the WordPress underneath is standard - migrating out is exactly as easy as any other host. The only real gotchas are the LiteSpeed cleanup and making sure you're on WordPress, not their builder.
First: Confirm You're Actually on WordPress
Hostinger sells two things: WordPress hosting (migratable) and their site builder (not exportable). If your site is the builder, migration isn't possible - you're rebuilding. If it's WordPress, keep reading.
Method 1: Free Migration
Sign up at Bluehost, request free migration, provide Hostinger credentials. Their team handles the WordPress-level transfer in 2-5 business days. Works the same from hPanel as anywhere else.
Method 2: DIY with Duplicator
Standard path: Duplicator on the Hostinger WP install → export → import on Bluehost → switch DNS. The migration guide covers every step. Hostinger's File Manager (in hPanel) also lets you download the whole wp-content folder if you prefer manual.
The LiteSpeed Cleanup
One Hostinger-specific task: they run LiteSpeed servers, so you probably have LiteSpeed Cache plugin and LiteSpeed-specific .htaccess rules. On Bluehost's Apache stack: uninstall LiteSpeed Cache (it's dead weight), strip LiteSpeed rules from .htaccess, and enable Bluehost's built-in caching + Cloudflare. Performance is comparable or better.
What Transfers vs What Doesn't
- Transfers: all WordPress content, themes, plugins, media, database
- Doesn't: Hostinger email (recreate on Bluehost), LiteSpeed settings, hPanel-specific configs, Hostinger CDN
- Domain: if registered at Hostinger, it stays there - just change nameservers to Bluehost, or transfer the domain separately
Why Bluehost Next
If you're outgrowing Hostinger's entry tier, Bluehost gives you the official WordPress.org-recommended stack, US support, proper staging on higher plans, and a dashboard built for WordPress - not a generic panel.
Start Migration →Keep Reading
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bluehost migrate my Hostinger site for free?
Yes - Bluehost's free migration works from any host, including Hostinger. You give them your Hostinger hPanel credentials after signup and their team handles it in 2-5 business days. Hostinger's hPanel (not cPanel) doesn't matter for the migration - they connect at the WordPress level.
What's different moving from Hostinger vs other hosts?
Hostinger uses its own hPanel instead of cPanel - so you can't do a cPanel-to-cPanel backup transfer. WordPress-level migration (Duplicator) works identically though, and that's what the free service uses anyway. The only friction: LiteSpeed server at Hostinger vs Apache at Bluehost - your .htaccess rules from LiteSpeed plugins may need cleanup.
Why leave Hostinger if it's cheap?
Common reasons: renewal pricing tripling after the promo term, wanting US-based support, needing standard cPanel familiarity for client work, or outgrowing the LiteSpeed shared tier's resource limits. Hostinger is fine entry-level hosting; the move usually happens when the site or the budget matures.
Does Hostinger's website builder site migrate?
No - sites built with Hostinger's proprietary builder (Zyro) can't export to WordPress. Only actual WordPress installs migrate. If you're on their builder, you're rebuilding the site on WordPress at Bluehost, not migrating - which is exactly why people switch anyway.
What about LiteSpeed cache plugin after migration?
LiteSpeed Cache plugin only works on LiteSpeed servers. On Bluehost (Apache/Nginx) it's useless or harmful - uninstall it during migration and let Bluehost's built-in caching take over. This is the one Hostinger-specific cleanup item that catches people.
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