In the All in One WP Migration vs Duplicator decision, All in One WP Migration is the easier choice for small sites and first-time movers, while Duplicator gives you more control and copes better with large sites and tricky servers. Both plugins have a free version that can move a complete WordPress site, files and database included. The real differences show up in file size limits, how the import works and what you pay for scheduled backups. Below is our verdict, a side-by-side comparison, the cost of each and the exact situations where one beats the other.
Our verdict
- Choose All in One WP Migration for a brochure site or small blog under a few hundred megabytes when you want a simple export file and a drag-and-drop import.
- Choose Duplicator for larger sites, online stores, staging-to-live moves and any migration where you need to control the database settings or work around server upload limits.
- Use neither when your new host offers a free migration service. Our WordPress hosting includes one, so the people who run the server do the move.
All in One WP Migration vs Duplicator at a glance
These are the two most installed migration plugins on WordPress.org. When we checked the listings in July 2026, All in One WP Migration showed more than 5 million active installations with a 4.5 out of 5 rating, and Duplicator more than 1 million with a 4.9 out of 5 rating. Both are maintained and both work. If you are still deciding where the site will live, our comparison of shared hosting vs WordPress hosting is worth reading first. The table shows where the plugins differ.
| Feature | All in One WP Migration | Duplicator |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | ServMask | Duplicator (Snap Creek origin) |
| Export format | Single .wpress file | Archive (.zip or .daf) plus installer.php |
| Import method | Install the plugin on a fresh WordPress, then drag and drop the file | Upload the archive and installer, then run a step-by-step installer (Pro adds drag-and-drop import) |
| Needs a fresh WordPress install | Yes | No, the installer can build the site on an empty folder |
| Database setup | Automatic, uses the destination site's database | You enter or create the database details, which gives more control |
| Free version size limit | Import capped by the plugin and the server upload limit | No plugin cap, limited by server time and memory |
| Find and replace URLs | Automatic, with optional extra rules on export | Automatic, with options in the installer |
| Scheduled backups | Paid (Pro) | Paid plans |
| Cloud storage | Paid extensions or Pro | Paid plans |
| Multisite | Paid extension | Higher paid plans |
| Learning curve | Very low | Low to moderate |
How All in One WP Migration works
All in One WP Migration turns your whole site into one .wpress file. You install the plugin on the old site, choose Export, and download the file. On the new host you install a clean WordPress, add the same plugin, choose Import and drop the file in. The plugin replaces the destination's database and content with yours and updates the URLs.
That simplicity is why it is so popular with site owners. There are no database names to type and no installer scripts to upload. The catch is the import limit in the free version. Large sites, especially those with big media libraries or WooCommerce order history, hit the cap and the import stops. The paid Unlimited Extension removes it, or you can exclude media and copy uploads separately. It also overwrites the destination site completely, including users, so you log in with your old site's details afterwards. If you do not want to handle any of this yourself, our website maintenance team can run the move and the checks for you.
How Duplicator works
Duplicator builds a "backup" (older versions called it a package) made of two files: an archive of your files and database, and an installer.php script. You upload both to the new server, open the installer in a browser and follow the steps. It checks the server, asks for the database details, extracts everything and runs a search and replace for the new URL.
Because the installer runs on its own, you do not need WordPress installed first, and you are not limited by the WordPress upload form. That makes Duplicator the stronger tool for large sites, moves between very different servers and developer workflows such as pushing a staging copy live. The trade-off is that you need to be comfortable creating a database and uploading files through your hosting control panel or FTP. If a step fails, you get an error log rather than a friendly message.
Choose All in One WP Migration or Duplicator?
Choose All in One WP Migration if
- Your site is small, such as a five-page business site or a young blog.
- You have never touched a database and do not want to.
- WordPress is already installed on the new host.
- You want one file you can keep as a simple manual backup.
- You are happy to pay once for the Unlimited Extension if the site grows.
Choose Duplicator if
- Your site is large, or is a WooCommerce store with lots of orders and images.
- You move sites regularly, for example from staging to live for clients.
- You want control over database names, table prefixes and settings.
- The server has a low upload limit you cannot change.
- You want a free tool with no plugin-imposed size cap.
Moving to a new host? You may not need either plugin
Every plan on our WordPress hosting includes a free WordPress migration and the Plesk WordPress Migrator tool, so our team can move your site for you or you can pull it across from the old host in a few clicks. Plans start at R129 a month with NVMe storage, free SSL and LiteSpeed caching.
All in One WP Migration vs Duplicator pricing
Both plugins are free to start, and both charge for the features you need most once a site is important: scheduled backups and cloud storage. Both publishers price their paid plans in US dollars and change them often, so check the current price and the renewal price on the publisher's site before you buy.
| Option | All in One WP Migration | Duplicator |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Core plugin with import size cap | Duplicator Lite, manual backups and migrations |
| Entry paid option | Unlimited Extension, a once-off purchase that removes the size cap | Basic, an annual licence for a small number of sites |
| Full paid option | Pro, an annual plan with schedules, cloud storage and no size cap | Higher tiers for more sites, multisite and extra storage |
| Multisite | Separate paid Multisite Extension | Included on higher tiers |
For a single site that you migrate once, the free versions are usually enough. The paid plans only make sense if you also want them as your ongoing backup system.
Common migration problems and fixes
Most failed migrations come down to server limits rather than the plugin itself. This table covers the issues we see most often when clients move to us.
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| All in One WP Migration import stuck at 0% or 100% | Upload limit, timeout or a security plugin blocking the request | Raise PHP upload and execution limits, disable security plugins during import, retry |
| "Maximum upload file size" message | Free version cap or server limit | Exclude media and copy uploads by FTP, or use the Unlimited Extension |
| Duplicator build times out | Large site on a slow or shared server | Exclude cache and backup folders, use the DupArchive format |
| Database connection error in the installer | Wrong database name, user or password | Create the database in your control panel and copy the details exactly |
| Site loads but images or links point to the old domain | Incomplete search and replace | Run a search and replace again, then clear every cache |
| White screen after moving | PHP version mismatch or a broken plugin | Match the PHP version and disable plugins one by one |
If the site is still broken after the move, our checklist for when a WordPress site is not working walks through the usual fixes in order.
A safe migration checklist for either plugin
- Take a full backup first. Keep a copy of the files and database outside the old host.
- Match PHP versions. Make sure the new host runs the same or a newer supported PHP version.
- Clear caches and remove junk. Delete old backups, cache folders and unused plugins so the export is smaller.
- Migrate to a temporary URL or staging site. Test before you change any DNS.
- Test forms, logins and checkout. Send a test order or contact form message.
- Switch DNS. Point the domain to the new server and wait for propagation.
- Reissue SSL and check email. Confirm HTTPS works and that email records still point to the right place.
For the whole process from choosing a host to switching DNS, read our guide on how to migrate your website to a new host.
All in One WP Migration vs Duplicator for backups
Both started as migration tools, and both are weaker as a backup system unless you pay. A real backup plan needs automatic schedules, copies stored away from the server and easy restores. In their free versions both plugins are manual, and the files sit on the same server you are trying to protect.
If your site matters to your business, use server-level backups from your host as the foundation and treat a plugin backup as an extra copy. Our website maintenance plans include regular backups, updates and checks, so you are not relying on someone remembering to click Export. If you are still choosing a host, our comparison of the best WordPress hosting in South Africa explains what to look for in backup and restore options.
