Web hosting is one of the most important aspects of any successful website, but it is frequently overlooked. Choosing the best WordPress hosting for your needs can boost your SEO and sales. There are several types of WordPress hosting available, including free, shared, VPS, dedicated, and managed WordPress hosting. This guide will assist you in selecting the best WordPress hosting for your website.
Your Blog Master is the most popular free WordPress resource site, with millions of pageviews per month. With over 400,000 users served and years of experience with WordPress hosting companies, we understand the significance of selecting the best WordPress hosting company.
Our goal with this guide is to share our 12+ years of experience and insights on things to think about when selecting a hosting company for your business.
We’ve also done a side-by-side comparison of the top WordPress hosting companies, including speed tests, uptime tests, and reliability tests, to help you make the best decision (scroll to see the full comparison).
Detailed WordPress Hosting Performance Comparison
Your Blog Master is the most trusted WordPress resource site because our reviews are based on real-world data and experience.
Unlike other WordPress hosting review sites that simply copy and paste words from respective hosting companies’ press releases, we actually sign up with each individual WordPress hosting provider and thoroughly test their services.
We use independent third-party tools such as Pingdom, LoadImpact, and Bitcatcha to test each company’s performance and reliability so that we can assist you in selecting the best WordPress hosting for your business.
We create a sample WordPress site on each hosting provider and install the default WordPress theme to accurately measure performance across all WordPress hosting companies. Following that, we import dummy content such as images and media to make our test resemble a typical user website.
Following that, we use Pingdom, an industry-leading website speed test service, to compare the speed of our sample website across multiple hosting companies.
We also use the Load Impact (k6) service to send virtual users (VU) to each website to see how the hosting server handles increased requests from multiple connections at the same time. This allows us to see how each WordPress hosting company would perform during peak traffic periods.
Finally, we are using the Bitcatcha facility to check server response times in a variety of locations, such as the United States, London, Singapore, Sao Paulo, India, Sydney, and Japan. This assists us in determining which hosting company is best suited for which geographical location.
Now that you’re familiar with our testing procedure, let’s compare the performance of the best WordPress hosting companies to determine which one is the fastest on the market.
Bluehost WordPress Hosting
Bluehost is one of the world’s largest hosting companies and an official WordPress recommended hosting provider. WordPress is pre-installed on all of their hosting packages by default.
The following are the results of our Bluehost performance tests:
Our test site, as you can see, loaded in less than two seconds. That is faster than 85 percent of all websites tested. Given that our sample website did not use any caching plugins, this result is excellent.
Following the speed test, we performed the Load Impact test on Bluehost servers. We gradually increased the number of unique visitors to 100 at a time to see how the server would handle increased requests from multiple connections at the same time.
Here is a screenshot of the end result:
The green line represents the number of active virtual users on the site, while the blue line represents the server load time. As you can see, even during peak traffic, the server load remained stable throughout the test.
Following the load impact test, we used Bitcatcha to test more precise server response time from different geographical locations.
In the United States, the Bluehost server performed admirably, with pages loading in less than a fraction of a second. Response time was slightly faster in other locations, but still less than a second.
If your target audience is in the United States, this will be extremely beneficial to your website.
- PROS: Up to 63% off hosting + a free domain + a free SSL certificate (https://)
- PROS: WordPress officially recommends it.
- PROS: Site for Free Staging
- PROS: Includes a free CDN.
- PROS: Free WordPress themes and plugins are included.
- CONS: Support can be slow at times.
SiteGround WordPress Hosting
SiteGround is a well-known and highly rated hosting provider in the WordPress community. They provide premium hosting plans that are specifically optimized for WordPress, as well as proprietary speed and security solutions. That is why they are an official WordPress hosting provider.
Your Blog Master’s website is also hosted on SiteGround Enterprise servers, and we adore their customer service.
The following are the results of our SiteGround performance tests:
As you can see, our test site loaded in under a second (491 ms) for a server in Dallas, Texas. That means our site is faster than 95% of the sites we tested.
Next, we ran the Load Impact test on SiteGround servers, gradually increasing the number of unique visitors to 100 at a time to see how their server would handle increased requests from multiple connections at the same time.
The green line represents the number of active virtual users, while the blue line represents the server response time. SiteGround performed admirably throughout the test, with no hiccups.
Following the load impact test, we used Bitcatcha to test more precise server response time from different geographical locations.
In the United States, our SiteGround test site server performed admirably, and it responded in about a second in other locations.
SiteGround allows you to change the location of your server, and you can select a datacenter closer to your target audience for even faster response times in that region.
Their server infrastructure is powered by Google Cloud, and they have built high performance optimization features like Ultrafast PHP, SG Optimizer, and more to provide cloud hosting to even the most basic website. Except that SiteGround’s prices are 50% less than those of other popular managed WordPress hosts.
- PROS: Excellent WordPress support, high uptime, quick speed, and free SSL.
- PROS: A global network of data centers (USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia).
- PROS: Site Migration is free.
- PROS: Free CDN and WordPress themes, as well as a staging environment.
- Your Blog Master’s website is hosted on SiteGround servers.
- CONS: There is no free domain, and the pricing is slightly higher because it is premium hosting.
HostGator is a well-known web hosting provider that hosts over 8 million domains. They, like Bluehost, provide specialized WordPress hosting services.
The following shows the results of our HostGator performance tests:
Our test site, as you can see, loaded in 1.03 seconds. That is faster than 94% of all tested sites.
However, because this is a new website with no traffic, a speed test is not the best way to assess its performance. We wanted to see how it would perform during peak hours.
We ran the Load Impact test on HostGator servers, gradually increasing the number of unique visitors to 100 at a time to see how the server would handle increased requests from multiple connections at the same time.
The blue line in the graph represents page load time, while the green line represents the number of users on the site. As you can see, our test site performed admirably throughout the test, averaging 203 milliseconds in response time.
Because you share server resources with other sites hosted on the same server, these results are especially impressive for a shared hosting account.
Following the load impact test, we used Bitcatcha to test more precise server response time from different geographical locations.
Our HostGator review website performed admirably. The server response time stayed under a second. It was only 26 milliseconds in the United States.
PROS: Fast and dependable hosting with excellent 24/7 support
PROS: Low introductory prices and free site migration
PROS: Includes a free domain and SSL certificate.
CONS: The renewal fees are higher.
DreamHost has been in business for 18 years and is well-known for providing dependable web hosting. They provide one-click WordPress installation and are an official WordPress.org recommended hosting provider.
The following are the results of our DreamHost performance tests:
As you can see, our test site loaded in less than a second for a New York City server. That is faster than 93% of all tested sites.
We ran the Load Impact test on DreamHost servers after the speed test to see how it would perform during peak traffic hours. We progressively increased the number of unique visitors to one hundred at a time to see if the server will handle increased demands from connections at the same time.
Here is a screenshot of the end result:
The blue line represents the actual number of active virtual users on the site, while the green line represents the server load time. As you can see, even during peak traffic, the server load remained stable throughout the test.
Following the load impact test, we used Bitcatcha to test more precise server response time from different geographical locations.
The DreamHost server performed well in the United States, loading in less than a fraction of a second, and response times were generally good around the world.
Overall, DreamHost is an excellent host for websites in any location.
Following our research, we believe DreamHost is an excellent choice for businesses that value privacy. With each of their domains, they provide free domain privacy. They have also recently fought the US Department of Justice in order to protect the privacy of one of their customers’ websites.
PROS: Fast loading times, free SSL, a free domain with privacy protection, and one-click WordPress installation.
PROS: WordPress officially recommends it.
PROS: It is free to use a web application firewall. Included
CONS: The hosting control panel is a little out of date.
Hostinger is quickly becoming a household name in the WordPress hosting industry because they provide the most affordable WordPress hosting with a solid platform and live chat support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Our Hostinger hosting performance tests yielded the following results:
Our test site loaded in less than a second, which is fantastic. However, because our test site receives no traffic, this test does not provide a complete picture.
As a result, we used Load Impact to see how Hostinger’s hosting servers would perform during peak traffic hours.
We gradually increased the number of unique visitors to 100 at a time to see how their server would handle increased requests from multiple connections at the same time.
The blue line denotes page load time, while the green line denotes the number of users on the site.
Hostinger performed admirably in this test, as evidenced by the results. The response time remained consistent as we increased the number of virtual users.
This means that if you have a small business website, an online store, or a growing blog, your website can handle sudden traffic spikes with ease.
Following the load impact test, we used Bitcatcha to test more precise server response time from different geographical locations.
Hostinger hosting responded in less than a second for all locations. Response times were excellent across the board, especially in Europe and North America.
This makes sense given that Hostinger offers seven different data centers to choose from in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Hostinger is extremely fast and reliable if the majority of your target audience is located in North America, Europe, Asia, or South America.
In addition to their customer service, features, and pricing, we evaluated Hostinger Hosting in depth. Based on our research, we believe Hostinger Hosting is an excellent choice for small businesses that value fast and low-cost WordPress hosting. Their plans grow with your business, but they make getting started very affordable.
PROS: Fast speed, a free domain, a free SSL certificate, and free email.
PROS: The most affordable WordPress plans start at $0.99 per month.
PROS: Money-back guarantee for 30 days
CONS: Renewal fees are higher. PROS: WordPress acceleration and managed auto-updates are built in.
WordPress Hosting at its Best (Quick Recap)
Now that you’ve seen a performance comparison of the top WordPress hosting companies, it’s time to decide which one is best for your company.
We have created a table with a side-by-side feature list for your convenience, so you can easily compare the best WordPress hosting companies.
| Hosting | Cost | Free Domain | Free SSL | 1-Click WP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost | $2.75/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SiteGround | $6.99/mo | No | Yes | Yes |
| HostGator | $2.64/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DreamHost | $2.59/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hostinger | $2.19/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
In our in-depth WordPress hosting review, we concluded that if you want to start a blog, you can’t go wrong with Bluehost. It’s difficult to beat the fact that they provide you with a free domain and free SSL for the low price of $2.75 per month.
But, in reality, you can’t go wrong with any of the top WordPress hosting companies we’ve listed above. They all provide excellent uptime, quick servers, high-quality support, and extremely low prices.
WordPress Hosting Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve answered a lot of questions after assisting over 400,000+ users in launching their website. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress hosting.
Is WordPress hosting required to launch a website?
If you want to create a WordPress website, you’ll need web hosting. Your website records are kept on your hosting server. A web hosting provider is used by every website you see on the internet.
What does it cost to build a WordPress website?
The cost of developing a WordPress website varies depending on your requirements. It can range from $100 to $30,000 or more. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide that explains how much it really costs to build a WordPress website.
Do I have to get my domain and WordPress hosting from the same company?
No. You can buy your domain and then use one of the WordPress hosting providers listed above. However, if you do not already have a domain, it is preferable to use the same provider (specially since many are offering a free domain with hosting).
Can I use these WordPress hosting companies to run an eCommerce site?
Yes, you certainly can. All of the WordPress hosting companies we recommend above provide SSL certificates, which are required for running an eCommerce website. If you need specialized eCommerce web hosting, take a look at our comparison of the best WooCommerce hosting.
How can I keep my WordPress hosting account safe?
Your website records are kept in your web hosting account. As a result, it is critical that you secure it. The best way to protect your WordPress hosting account is to use a strong password and avoid logging in from public places.
What is the best way to install WordPress on my WordPress hosting account?
Every WordPress hosting provider we recommend includes 1-click WordPress installation.
Is cPanel WordPress hosting required?
cPanel is a type of control panel that is used by many WordPress hosting companies. No, you do not need cPanel, but it does make installation and managing email accounts easier.
With that said, many companies are now developing their own custom hosting platform dashboards to make overall site management easier and to provide startups with a managed WordPress hosting experience.
What is the maximum amount of traffic that these WordPress hosting companies can handle?
Every month, these WordPress hosting companies handle billions of impressions.
The amount of traffic your website can handle is entirely dependent on the WordPress hosting plan you choose.
If you’re just getting started with blogging or building a new website, any of the WordPress hosting companies on our list will be able to handle your website traffic on their most basic plan.
Is it possible to change my WordPress hosting provider later?
Yes, you can change WordPress hosting companies if you are dissatisfied with your current provider. Most WordPress hosting companies provide free migration services, making the process relatively simple. If you want to do the migration yourself, you can do so by following our step-by-step guide on how to migrate WordPress to a new host with no downtime.
Is the location of my WordPress hosting datacenter important?
Some of the WordPress hosting companies we recommend allow you to select your data center. The location of your data center has an effect on the performance of your website for specific geographic locations.
If the majority of your audience is in the United States, you should select a data center in the United States. If a large portion of your audience is located in Europe, you should use a European data center.
Should I buy monthly WordPress hosting plans or make a long-term commitment?
You will notice that almost every WordPress hosting company provides significant discounts for long-term plans. If you’re serious about your website, you’ll probably keep it for longer than a month.
We always advise against monthly WordPress hosting plans because they are nearly twice as expensive. If you choose a 12-month or 24-month plan, you will get a better deal.
Is it necessary for me to use any WordPress hosting addons?
WordPress hosting companies will frequently try to upsell you on a wide range of services such as website builders, professional email, SEO tools, and so on. When you first start out, you don’t really need these services.
We recommend unchecking everything in the order process and only purchasing what you truly require: WordPress hosting.
You can buy these WordPress hosting addons if you need them in the future, but most of those features have free alternatives.
Do these WordPress hosting providers provide website backups?
Yes, every WordPress hosting provider claims to maintain daily backups of your website. However, based on our experience, we recommend that our users install a WordPress backup plugin in order to keep their own backups, because you can never be too safe.
Are there any other WordPress hosting companies that we haven’t mentioned?
Yes, there are literally thousands of WordPress hosting solutions available, and we simply cannot list them all here because doing so would add to the confusion and cause non-technical readers to become paralyzed by choice.
WP Engine, Flywheel, Kinsta, Cloudways, GoDaddy, LiquidWeb, InMotion Hosting A2 hosting, iPage, Site5, Arvixe, Pantheon, GreenGeeks, JustHost, HostPapa, NameCheap, WordPress.com, and others have all been tried.
The top WordPress hosting companies we chose to include in our list offer the best features at the best price.
Which WordPress hosting companies do you think are the best?
Our top three recommendations for the best WordPress hosting companies are:
Bluehost – The best overall WordPress hosting provider (great value).
SiteGround – The industry’s best WordPress support (premium hosting).
HostGator – is the best WordPress hosting provider for small businesses.
No, this last question is not a prank. Even after referring people to this guide, we still get this question.
We hope this guide has assisted you in selecting the best WordPress hosting services for your website.
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