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WordPress has established itself as the most popular content management system (CMS) globally, powering millions of websites. However, your choice of a WordPress hosting provider can significantly impact your website’s performance, reliability, and security.
Below I’ll explore the essential factors to consider when searching for the best WordPress hosting provider and conduct an in-depth comparison of my three top recommendations: Rocket.net, Kinsta, and Cloudways.
Top 3 Best WordPress Hosting Providers
- Best for low traffic websites
1. Rocket.net – Fastest WordPress Host
Rocket.net is a managed WordPress hosting provider that excels in speed and security.
I have a couple of mission-critical websites hosted on Rocket.net including this one. Pretty fast isn’t it?
I also have several clients using Rocket.net. Some of them came to me with malware-infected websites, which Rocket.net completely fixed free of charge as part of their free migration. Other providers like Kinsta charge $100 to remove malware during a migration.
✅ Use Rocket.net IF:
- Use Rocket.net if you have a global audience
- Use Rocket.net if you want the fastest possible website
- Use Rocket.net if you want the best value for server resources like CPU cores and RAM.
❌ DON’T Use Rocket.net IF:
- You don’t need to use Rocket.net if your website doesn’t get much traffic. Use Cloudways instead.
- You don’t need to use Rocket.net if your website is not resource-intensive. Use Cloudways instead.
Key features of Rocket.net include:
- Server = All host nodes use a bare metal server with 32 cores, 128GB RAM, and NVMe storage
- Caching = Full page caching via CloudFlare Enterprise + Redis Object Cache. Rocket.net also recommends using WP Rocket for page/browser caching as a backup to CloudFlare.
- PHP Processing = NGINX as a reverse proxy to Apache for server-side handling
- PHP Workers = Unlimited
- Limits = Most importantly, there are no CPU or IO limits. The starter plan has a visitor limit of 250,000 per month, disk usage of 10GB, and a bandwidth limit of 50 GB. You pay an overage fee if you exceed these.
- CDN = CloudFlare Enterprise
- Uptime = 99.99% guarantee
- Malware Scanning = Yes, real-time malware scanning and protection using Immunify360
- Malware Removal = Yes
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) = Yes, through CloudFlare Enterprise
- DDOS Mitigation = Yes, through CloudFlare Enterprise
- Scalability = Yes, higher plans allow more WordPress installs, website visitors, storage, and bandwidth
- Customer Support = 24/7 live chat + email
- Pricing = First month is ONLY $1. Then plans start from $30 USD/month.
2. Kinsta – Best Managed WordPress Host
Kinsta is renowned for its performance-focused WordPress hosting, powered by Google Cloud.
✅ Use Kinsta IF:
- Use Kinsta if you have a global audience
- Use Kinsta if you want higher performance (but don’t need the absolute highest)
- Use Kinsta if you want the best customer support. Rocket.net support is good, but I think Kinsta’s better.
❌ DON’T Use Kinsta IF:
- Don’t use Kinsta if you have a website with lots of traffic
- Don’t use Kinsta if you have a resource-intensive website (e.g. WooCommerce site). You can, but you’ll need a much higher plan, which significantly increases ongoing costs. You are better off using Rocket.net.
Key features of Kinsta include:
- Server = Google Cloud compute-optimised C2 machines with 12 cores, 8GB RAM, and SATA storage
- Caching = Full page caching via CloudFlare Enterprise + page/browser caching via Kinsta Cache.
- PHP Processing = NGINX
- PHP Workers = Only 2 for Starter and Pro Plans
- Limits = The biggest limit is low PHP workers. The starter plan has a visitor limit of 25,000 per month, disk usage of 10GB, and a bandwidth limit of 100 GB per month.
- CDN = CloudFlare Enterprise
- Uptime = 99.9% guarantee
- Malware Scanning = Yes, real-time malware scanning and protection
- Malware Removal = Free malware removal if your site is already hosted at Kinsta. $100 if migrating.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) = Yes, through CloudFlare Enterprise
- DDOS Mitigation = Yes, through CloudFlare Enterprise
- Geo-blocking = Yes
- Scalability = Yes, higher plans allow more WordPress installs, website visitors, storage, and bandwidth. However, the higher plans are much more expensive compared to Rocket.net.
- Customer Support = 24/7 live chat and email support (phone support is only for sales)
- Pricing = Plans start from $35 USD/month.
I like that Kinsta offers Geo-blocking. i.e. They can block traffic from countries for security reasons.
3. Cloudways – Best Value WordPress Host
Cloudways offers cloud-based hosting solutions known for their flexibility and scalability.
I use Cloudways for testing and low-traffic websites. I also have many clients using Cloudways. The Digital Ocean Premium server option is fast, reliable, and relatively cheap compared to Rocket.net and Kinsta.
✅ Use Cloudways IF:
- Use Cloudways if you have a website with minimal traffic
- Use Cloudways if you want to host many WordPress websites on the same server. I have a 1GB Digital Ocean Premium server on Cloudways that currently has 15 WordPress websites on it.
❌ DON’T Use Cloudways IF:
- Don’t use Cloudways if you have a website with lots of traffic. If you do have lots of traffic, then you’ll likely need to upgrade to a higher plan. At this point, you are better off using Rocket.net. Better value for money!
Key features of Cloudways include:
- Server = Multiple server options from Digital Ocean, AWS, and Google Cloud. I recommend using the Digital Ocean Premium server option that comes with 1 Core, and 1 GB RAM on NVME storage. As you can see, your server won’t have anywhere near the power of Rocket.net or Kinsta. However, this doesn’t mean your website won’t be super fast, it just means that your website can only handle traffic up to a point. So, it will be fast, as long as your website doesn’t get a sudden spike in traffic that overloads the server. Note that Cloudways recommends at least 2GB servers for live websites. Not all live websites need this though. I have many clients with low-traffic websites that are perfectly fine on 1GB servers.
- Caching = Full page caching via CloudFlare Enterprise CDN, server-side page caching via Varnish, object caching via Memcached and Redis, and browser caching via their Breeze plugin. The Breeze caching plugin also extends the server-side caching with a range of optimisation settings.
- PHP Processing = NGINX as a reverse proxy to Apache for server-side handling
- PHP Workers = Unlimited
- Limits = The biggest limit is the 1GB RAM on starter plans using a Digital Ocean server. By comparison, Kinsta allows 8GB RAM for starter plans and Rocket.net allows 128GB RAM. Starter plans using a Digital Ocean server also have a disk usage limit of 25GB and a bandwidth limit of 1000 GB per month.
- CDN = CloudFlare Enterprise
- Uptime = 99.99% guarantee
- Malware Scanning = No
- Malware Removal = No
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) = Yes, through CloudFlare Enterprise
- DDOS Mitigation = Yes, through CloudFlare Enterprise
- Scalability = Yes, higher plans allow more RAM, storage, and bandwidth.
- Customer Support = 24/7 live chat, email and phone support (premium add-on)
- Pricing = Plans start from $11 USD/month
- I recommend using premium Digital Ocean servers though, which start from $14 USD/month
What is WordPress hosting?
Before we dive into the details, let’s understand what WordPress hosting is. WordPress hosting refers to a specific type of web hosting service that is optimised for websites built on the WordPress platform. It provides the server infrastructure and software necessary to run a WordPress website, making it easier to set up, manage, and scale your online presence.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a WordPress Hosting Provider
Performance and Speed
When it comes to WordPress hosting, speed is of the essence. Fast-loading websites not only provide a better user experience but also rank higher in search engine results. Consider the following aspects when evaluating a hosting provider’s performance:
- Server Location: Make sure you choose a server as close as possible to your target audience to reduce network latency. The closer the better!
- Caching Mechanisms: Explore the built-in caching solutions provided by the hosting provider. Effective caching mechanisms can greatly enhance your website’s performance.
- Server Infrastructure & Technology Used: Examine the hardware specifications of the hosting provider’s servers and enquire about the data centre locations. Server infrastructure plays a critical role in determining the speed and reliability of your website.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN) Integration: A well-integrated CDN can significantly enhance your website’s speed and global reach. Assess whether the hosting provider offers an integrated CDN service.
Reliability and Uptime
Downtime can be detrimental to your website’s reputation and user experience. Ensure that the hosting provider offers high uptime guarantees and check their historical downtime statistics. Look for a solid SLA (Service Level Agreement) that promises compensation in case of excessive downtime.
Security Features
When choosing a WordPress hosting provider, look for one that focuses on WordPress security. Hosting providers should offer robust security features to protect your site from threats. Look for features like:
- Malware Scanning and Removal: Ensure that the hosting provider offers regular malware scans and the capability to remove malicious code.
- Firewall Protection: Look for built-in firewalls that protect against unauthorized access and attacks.
- DDoS Mitigation: Protection against distributed denial-of-service attacks is essential to keep your site online during traffic spikes.
Scalability and Flexibility
As your website grows, you’ll need a hosting provider that can accommodate increasing traffic and resource demands. Assess the scalability options, such as the ability to upgrade server resources or move to a different hosting plan seamlessly.
Customer Support and Assistance
Responsive and knowledgeable customer support is crucial for resolving issues promptly. Check if the hosting provider offers 24/7 support with various contact methods, including live chat, email, and phone. Look for customer reviews to gauge the quality of their support. I prefer hosts that have 24/7 live chat.
Pricing and Value for Money
Hosting costs can vary significantly, so consider both initial and renewal costs when evaluating pricing. Additionally, analyze the features included in the hosting plans to determine the overall value for money.
Additional Considerations for WordPress Hosting Providers
WordPress-Specific Features and Optimisations
Evaluate if the hosting provider offers WordPress-specific optimisations, such as pre-installed WordPress, automatic updates (recommended for minor WordPress updates, e.g. security patches, but not plugins or themes), and compatibility with popular WordPress plugins and themes.
Ease of Use and User-Friendly Interface
A user-friendly control panel and easy one-click WordPress installations can simplify website management, making it a critical factor for beginners and experienced users alike.
Migration Assistance and Website Transfer Options
If you’re switching hosting providers, consider whether the host offers free migration services or DIY migration tools to make the transition smooth.
Backup and Restore Capabilities
Regular backups are essential for safeguarding your website. Check if the hosting provider offers automatic backups and easy restore options in case of data loss. Having the ability to take on-demand backups and easily restore a previous version of your website is very important IMO.
If you have been a website owner for long enough, you’ve probably experienced downtime due to a critical error. Sometimes it’s your fault, sometimes it isn’t. Regardless, it’s an absolute nightmare to deal with if you don’t have a backup and/or the ability to easily restore an available backup.
If this hasn’t happened to you yet, then it’s just a matter of time. Do yourself a big favor and make sure your WordPress host has automatic backups, on-demand backups and restore capabilities. Then read my guide about the best WordPress backup plugins to be extra safe.
SSL Certificate Availability
Ensure that the hosting provider includes SSL certificates or offers easy integration, enabling you to secure your site with HTTPS for improved security and SEO. It is usually best to avoid any hosting provider that does not provide free SSL certificates. e.g. GoDaddy.
Latest PHP Version
Ensure your hosting provider supports the latest PHP versions for improved performance, security, and compatibility with plugins and themes.
Latest PHP version = 8.2. You can read more about it here.
Which WordPress Hosting Provider is Fastest?
The fastest WordPress hosting provider is Rocket.net.
How do I Choose a WordPress Hosting Provider?
Unless you are a developer or have experience with sysadmin, you should be looking for a managed WordPress hosting provider. And if you run a business, especially an online business, then you should be investing in high-performance website hosting. Your website is crucial to your business success, so you should invest in the best for your specific situation. I don’t recommend using cheap shared hosting like Bluehost, GoDaddy, etc.
Ok, now that you know that web hosting is an investment in your business success, to choose the best WordPress hosting provider, you need to consider your specific situation.
Follow these steps:
- Target Audience: One of the most important steps to choosing a WordPress hosting provider is picking a server in a city closest to your target audience. Even if you end up using a content delivery network with edge caching to store your web pages on a server closer to your target audience, sometimes requests will need to come from your origin server. So make sure you choose one closest to your primary audience.
- Traffic Volume: How much traffic does your website get? If your website is only getting 500 visitors a month, you won’t need the high resource limits of Rocket.net. But if your website is getting decent traffic, e.g. 10,000 visitors per month or more in traffic, then you would likely benefit from the excellent value for server resources that Rocket.net provides. e.g. 32 CPU cores, 128GB RAM, etc.
- Static vs Dynamic Websites: If your website is relatively static, e.g. it’s a standard business website with a contact form, then you won’t need as many server resources as a dynamic website with eCommerce functionality (e.g. WooCommerce). If you have a static website, then Cloudways is usually enough, at least to begin with. As traffic grows, e.g. to 10,000 visitors per month, you would be better off upgrading to Kinsta or Rocket.net, as opposed to increasing your server size with Cloudways. If you have a WooCommerce website with low traffic, Cloudways can still be a good option, but if your online store is growing, then you’ll be better off moving to Kinsta or Rocket.net to easily handle more traffic.
- Customer Support: The customer support at Rocket.net, Kinsta, and Cloudways is all great. They all offer 24/7 live chat support and can help you sort out almost any problem. However, I think the support at Kinsta is the best. Again, it’s great at the others, but if you want the best support, then I recommend choosing Kinsta. In my experience, Kinsta support has the most experience and also goes above and beyond to help you troubleshoot and fix problems. Their claim of being world-class is on point!
Recommendation
Selecting the best WordPress hosting provider is a critical decision for your website’s success. Rocket.net, Kinsta, and Cloudways are all excellent options, but your choice should align with your specific needs and priorities. By meticulously considering the factors outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision that ensures your WordPress site performs at its peak while maintaining the utmost security and reliability. Remember, the need for speed is essential in the digital era, and your hosting provider can make all the difference. Choose wisely, and watch your WordPress website soar.
If you want the fastest WordPress website possible, I recommend Rocket.net.
Further reading:
Need help speeding up your website? Check out my WordPress Speed Optimisation Service.