How to Migrate from DreamHost to Bluehost (2026)
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we test and rate hosts.
DreamHost's custom panel means no cPanel-to-cPanel migration shortcut - but WordPress migration doesn't need one. Standard Duplicator or free-service migration works fine, and the move is clean. Here's the path.
Export from DreamHost
- DreamHost panel → Goodies → One-Click Backup - gives a downloadable zip of files + database
- Duplicator plugin on the WordPress install - most reliable method, independent of their panel
- SFTP + phpMyAdmin - both accessible through their panel for manual export
Method 1: Free Migration
Sign up at Bluehost, request free migration, provide your DreamHost credentials. Done in 2-5 business days with a staging URL to review before go-live.
Method 2: DIY via Duplicator
Install Duplicator on the DreamHost WP site → create package → download → install on fresh Bluehost WordPress → import → verify on temp URL → switch DNS. The migration guide covers the flow. DreamHost's SFTP works normally for grabbing the package files.
Don't Forget These
- Email mailboxes - recreate on Bluehost or external provider first
- Domain registration - if registered at DreamHost, it stays there; only nameservers change
- Remixer or builder sites - DreamHost's proprietary site builder content doesn't export; WordPress only
- Custom DNS records - screenshot the DNS zone before switching nameservers
Start the Switch
Bluehost's WordPress-optimized stack, official WordPress.org recommendation, and deeper WP support make it the natural next step after outgrowing DreamHost. Free migration handles the technical part.
Get Bluehost →Keep Reading
What are you building?
Tell us about your project so we can match the perfect hosting plan.
Hosting Cost Calculator
See exactly how much you'll spend on hosting over time. Compare Bluehost vs popular alternatives and discover your potential savings.
Used to calculate transaction fees (Shopify charges 2% on sales)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DreamHost's custom panel complicate migration?
Slightly - DreamHost uses their own control panel instead of cPanel, so there's no cPanel backup wizard path. But WordPress-level migration (Duplicator plugin or Bluehost's free service) works identically regardless of the panel. The panel difference only matters if you were doing manual file/database exports.
How do I export my site from DreamHost?
Three ways: their panel's backup tool (Panel → Goodies → One-Click Backup, gives a zip), Duplicator plugin on the WordPress install, or SFTP + phpMyAdmin (available through their panel). The One-Click Backup zip restores cleanly on Bluehost.
Does Bluehost migrate DreamHost sites for free?
Yes - request the free migration in your Bluehost dashboard after signup. You'll provide DreamHost SFTP/MySQL details and their team handles it in 2-5 business days.
What about DreamHost's email hosting?
DreamHost email doesn't migrate - either recreate mailboxes on Bluehost email hosting or move to Google Workspace/Zoho before the DNS switch. Export existing mail via IMAP sync to a mail client or mail backup tool.
Why leave DreamHost for Bluehost?
DreamHost is solid but their WordPress optimization and support depth lag Bluehost's. Renewal pricing also climbs sharply on their 'unlimited' plans. For pure WordPress work, Bluehost's officially-recommended stack, better dashboard, and deeper WP support usually win the comparison.
Ready to launch?
Get Bluehost from $3.99/month with a free domain, free SSL, and 30-day money-back guarantee.
Related Articles
How to Cancel Bluehost in 2026 (And Get Your Refund)
Cancel Bluehost in 4 steps: backup first, cancel via dashboard or chat, claim your 30-day refund, and keep your domain. Plus what to do before you leave.
Premium Domain Names in 2026: Pricing, Valuation & Buying Guide
What premium domains cost, how they're valued, where to buy them, and when a $2,000 domain beats a $12 one. The complete aftermarket guide.
What Is Domain Privacy? WHOIS Protection Explained (2026)
Domain privacy hides your name, address and email from public WHOIS lookups. Who offers it free, who charges $10/yr, and whether you actually need it.
Subdomain vs Subdirectory for SEO in 2026: The Definitive Answer
blog.example.com or example.com/blog? What Google actually says, what the data shows, and the 4 cases where a subdomain is genuinely correct.
WordPress Security Checklist 2026: 15 Steps in Priority Order
The complete WordPress security checklist — 15 actionable steps ranked by impact, from updates and 2FA to backups and hosting-level protection.
WordPress Hacked? The 7-Step Recovery Protocol (2026)
Your WordPress site is hacked — here's exactly what to do: isolate, scan, clean, rotate credentials, restore, harden, and monitor. Step-by-step recovery.