Are you looking for the perfect WordPress hosting? With so many choices out there, it’s hard to know which is the best WordPress hosting for your site!
Finding the best hosting company for your WordPress website is not as easy as it should be. Is reliability and uptime most important to you? Or fast servers and page load times? What about the cost? Why does one host charge so much more than the other? What if you want it all?
Our goal in this post is to simplify the process and help you choose the best WordPress hosting partner for you.
Since this is an extensive guide, we’ve created a table of contents that you can use to navigate this post.
- Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Host
- Best Web Hosting Providers for WordPress Sites
- Types of WordPress Hosting to Choose From
Overview: Top WordPress Hosting Providers
| Pricing | Free Domain | Free SSL | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost | $2.75 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Beginners, Affordable |
| Hostinger | $2.99 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Budget-friendly, Good Performance |
| SiteGround | $2.99 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Speed, Security |
| HostGator | $2.52 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Affordable, Easy to Use |
| WPEngine | $20 per month | ❌ | ✅ | Managed, High Performance |
| GreenGeeks | $2.95 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Eco-friendly |
| GoDaddy | $3.99 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | User-friendly |
| LiquidWeb | $20 per month | ❌ | ❌ | High-performance, Managed |
How We Test and Review WordPress Hosts
For over a decade, we’ve put dozens of WordPress hosting companies to the test. Unlike other reviewers who rely on press releases, we take a hands-on approach.
First, we sign up for the hosting service and create a sample WordPress site that mimics a real user’s website, ensuring accurate results across all providers.
Then we use industry-standard tools like Pingdom, K6, and Bitcatcha to measure speed and reliability. We focus on what matters:
- We test speed and server response time, high-traffic handling, and stress situations.
- We check on affordability and value for money taking into account free domains, SSL, and CDN, along with money-back guarantees.
- Websites are critical, and downtime can be devastating. We look for companies with knowledgeable support teams available 24/7/365.
Based on our rigorous testing, we recommend carefully selected providers. They offer exceptional value without breaking the bank.
Why Trust WP101
At WP101, we have 16+ years of experience teaching WordPress to thousands of people. Our team of WordPress experts reviews every plugin and tool on real websites. We also regularly update our content to keep up with changes in WordPress and the marketing world to make sure you get the latest information.
Just getting started with WordPress? Want to learn how to use this platform to maximize your online reach? Sign up for our video tutorials and unlock your website’s full potential:
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There’s a 7-day free trial along with a 14-day no risk money back guarantee so you can join with peace of mind and start learning today.
Let’s get started with choosing the best web host for your site.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Host
Every web host has something unique to offer and you can find this under their pricing plans like this:
This may be confusing if you’re new to hosting and creating your own website. So let’s break down the key things you should keep in mind when choosing the perfect host for your WordPress site:
- Performance and Uptime: Pick a web host that is known for great performance. This will impact how fast your site loads and how often it experiences any downtime. You can find this out by checking the reviews of other customers. Some web hosts also display their uptime guarantee on their websites.
- Resources and Scalability: Make sure your hosting plan offers enough space, memory, and power. As your website grows, you should be able to scale your plan easily to accommodate a higher level of traffic and server load.
- Backup & Security Features: Having a backup lets you restore your site if things go wrong. Most web hosts offer free daily or weekly backup plans, some charge a fee for it. Also, ensure your host provides security features and SSL certificates for encryption and tools to keep cyber attackers away.
- Customer Support: More often than not, you’ll need help with your hosting plan, configuring DNS records, and other technical aspects. Choose a host with a 24/7 customer support team. When you’re in a tight spot, responsive and knowledgeable support can be a lifesaver.
- User-Friendly Control Panel and Interface: This is your dashboard – your command center. Look for a host with an easy-to-use control panel. It should feel like second nature, allowing you to manage your website with ease.
Added to all this, one of the best ways to know if a host is good is to look for online reviews. Web hosting services like Bluehost, Hostinger, and SiteGround have a solid reputation and positive feedback from other users.
Please note that we only recommend hosting providers who offer all these core features:
- Pre-installed or 1-click WordPress installation.
- Automatic backups for peace of mind.
- Automatic WordPress updates, ensuring your site is always up to date.
- 24/7 security monitoring for malware or attempts to hack your site.
- Web servers that are specifically built for hosting WordPress sites… fast.
- Innovative features you can’t get anywhere else.
- Stellar support from people who know WordPress inside and out, not just reading from a book of scripts.
That said, let’s take a look at some of the best WordPress web hosting providers.
Best Web Hosting Providers for WordPress Sites
Here are 8 top-notch web hosting providers that have earned a reliable reputation in the world of WordPress:
1. Bluehost
- High performance with 99.9% uptime
- 1-click WordPress installation
- Free domain, SSL, CDN, and email
- Free website migration
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Starts at $2.75 per month »
Known for its WordPress-friendly features, Bluehost is one of the best and most reliable WordPress hosts. In fact, they are even officially recommended by WordPress.org. With easy setup, strong performance, and a user-friendly interface, it’s a go-to option for those looking for a well-rounded hosting experience.
Bluehost plans are affordable so it’s great for beginners as well who want to start a blog or create a simple online presence. They have a robust infrastructure that can also handle large sites for businesses, agencies, and corporates. Their plans are scalable too so it’s easy to grow your business.
2. Hostinger
- Increased performance
- 1-click WordPress Installation
- Free backups, SSL, email, and CDN
- 99.9% uptime
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Starts at $2.99 per month »
Hostinger offers budget-friendly plans without sacrificing quality. Their optimized WordPress hosting ensures great performance and excellent customer support, making it a solid choice for both beginners and experienced users.
You get a lot of things included in your hosting plan that other web hosts charge for as add-ons. You’ll get free backups, email accounts, CDN, firewall, and a free domain name too (for the first year)! Plus, depending on your plan, you’ll get 100GB SSD storage up to 200 GB NVMe storage.
3. SiteGround
- Superior speed
- Enhanced security
- Unmetered traffic
- Free SSL, CDN and Email
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Starts at $2.99 per month »
SiteGround is another official WordPress-recommended host. Their managed WordPress packages give you a high-quality blend of speed, security, and exceptional customer support. This makes them a favorite among WordPress users seeking a reliable and user-friendly hosting solution.
All plans are eCommerce enabled so you can start your online store with ease. Added to that they include advanced features and functionality like caching, faster PHP, and automatic updates to keep your site performing at its best.
Their main data center partner is Google Cloud which offers a 100% renewable energy match to maintain a carbon-neutral commitment.
4. HostGator
- 2.5x speed and unmetered bandwidth
- Free site migrations
- Free SSL and domain
- Daily backups and security
- 99.9% uptime
- Starts at $2.52 per month »
HostGator is a popular choice for its affordable plans and easy-to-use platform. With a range of website hosting options and strong customer support, it’s a great fit for small businesses and individuals alike.
Their WordPress hosting plans come with WordPress pre-installed for you. You simply log in and get started. If you already have a WordPress site located somewhere else, HostGator will migrate it over for free.
One thing that really stands out is their easy-to-use control panel. This is perfect for beginners to manage everything about their hosting and website.
5. WPEngine
- Proactive security
- Auto-renewing SSLs
- Daily backups
- Automated WordPress & PHP updates
- Starts at $20 per month »
WP Engine is a premium managed WordPress hosting provider. While it comes at a higher price point, its focus on performance, security, and hassle-free management appeals to businesses and professionals seeking top-tier hosting.
WP Engine specializes in WordPress-optimized hosting and their platform is built purely for WordPress sites. They automatically update your WordPress install, PHP, WordPress plugins, and WordPress themes too!
When you sign up, you’ll get access to 24/7 phone and chat support with WordPress hosting experts that help you troubleshoot in minutes.
6. GreenGeeks
- 300% green energy match
- 1 tree planted for every plan
- Unlimited disk space
- Free domain, backup, SSL, and email
- Starts at $2.95 per month »
GreenGeeks is one of the best web hosting companies that stands out for its eco-friendly approach to hosting. Their WordPress hosting combines high performance with a commitment to environmental sustainability. Added to that, there’s a quick launch onboarding wizard that helps you set up your WordPress site in minutes.
Other features include one-click WordPress installation, automatic WordPress updates, on-demand WordPress backups, and 24/7 support.
7. GoDaddy
- Free domain and email
- Automatic WordPress updates
- 24-hour malware scans and removal
- Global Cloudflare CDN
- Backup and 1-click restore
- Starts at $3.99 per month »
A well-known name in the industry, GoDaddy offers a range of hosting packages, including specialized WordPress hosting. With a user-friendly interface and strong customer support, it’s a reliable choice for those seeking a straightforward hosting experience.
They offer 3x faster performance with global Cloudflare CDN. Plus, you get free professional email as well.
8. LiquidWeb
- 99.999% uptime
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Plesk and cPanel
- CloudFlare CDN
- Starts at $20 per month »
LiquidWeb offers managed WordPress hosting designed for high-performance websites. You can choose from VPS, Dedicated and cloud hosting plans. Their fully managed services cater to those seeking optimal speed, security, and hands-on support for complex WordPress projects.
Liquid Web is best suited for entrepreneurs and online startups that need advanced hosting features, security, and performance at affordable rates.
That’s our list of the top-performing WordPress hosting companies in the world.
Each of these hosting providers brings something unique to the table. Whether you’re looking for affordability, top-notch performance, or specialized managed hosting, there’s an option on this list that can help you create a successful online presence with your WordPress site.
With that, you’re ready to choose the right web host for your WordPress site.
Recommendation: Building a website can be exciting, but it also requires technical expertise and ongoing maintenance. If you want to focus on your content and growing your audience, consider partnering with professionals like WPBeginner’s Pro Services.
They offer a comprehensive suite of website design, optimization, and maintenance solutions to take the burden off your shoulders. Their team of experts will handle everything from:
- Crafting a Stunning Design: They create websites that are not only visually appealing but also resonate with your target audience and brand identity.
- Optimizing for Success: Their focus is on building a website for performance and user experience, leading to faster loading times and better search engine ranking.
- Handling Ongoing Maintenance: This includes regular updates, security checks, managing backups, and troubleshooting any issues that might arise.
You can custom tailor your plan according to what you need. Get started here »
Which is the Best WordPress Hosting Service?
We recommend choosing the best host based on what your website needs. We recommend Bluehost and Hostinger as the top providers. Here’s a quick recap of the best and most popular WordPress hosting providers:
| Pricing | Free Domain | Free SSL | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost | $2.75 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Beginners, Affordable |
| Hostinger | $2.99 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Budget-friendly, Good Performance |
| SiteGround | $2.99 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Speed, Security |
| HostGator | $2.52 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Affordable, Easy to Use |
| WPEngine | $20 per month | ❌ | ✅ | Managed, High Performance |
| GreenGeeks | $2.95 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | Eco-friendly |
| GoDaddy | $3.99 per month | ✅ (First year) | ✅ | User-friendly |
| LiquidWeb | $20 per month | ❌ | ❌ | High-performance, Managed |
What’s Next?
Once you sign up for a hosting plan, you can install WordPress and start building your website. You can use the default WordPress customizer or choose a website builder like SeedProd or Thrive Theme Builder.
Added to that, here’s our The Ultimate WordPress Toolkit: Everything You Need For Your Website. We recommend bookmarking this toolkit – it’ll come in handy while you build and grow your site.
If you are looking for trusted and reliable WordPress experts to build your WordPress site, improve your site’s performance, or help with WordPress maintenance, check out Pro Services from WPBeginner.
Their experts will:
- Design the website you’ve dreamed of complete with your professional logo and branding
- Audit your site for speed and performance and also take measures to improve loading time
- Handle everything behind the scenes, monitor uptime, and update your WordPress core
- Clean up your WordPress site in case it gets hacked
If you want to learn how to setup, design, launch, and maintain your site on your own, then you’ll want to check out our step-by-step video tutorials that are easy to follow and always up to date to help you unlock the full potential of WordPress.
Sign up for WordPress 101 course »
There’s a 7-day free trial along with a 14-day no risk money back guarantee so you can join with peace of mind and start learning today.
Bonus: Types of WordPress Hosting to Choose From
Managed WordPress hosting is our recommendation but it’s good to know the options available to you. Let’s break down these choices in a clear and simple way:
1. Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is like renting a room in a budget-friendly apartment. Your website shares space on a server with other websites. It’s cost-effective, making it a popular choice for beginners or small websites. You can get started for as low as $2.75 per month with Bluehost. Just keep in mind that sharing resources can sometimes lead to slower load times if your neighbors’ websites are busy.
Best for: Cost-effective and entry-level hosting
2. Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting
VPS hosting is like having your own apartment in a larger building. You still share a server, but you get a private space with dedicated resources. This offers better performance and more control over your site. It’s a step up from shared hosting plans and suits growing websites.
Best for: More privacy and control
3. Dedicated Hosting
With dedicated hosting, you get an entire server for your website alone. This option is more expensive but it provides maximum control, customization, and resources. Dedicated hosting is ideal for large websites with high traffic volumes, strict data privacy regulations, or specific requirements.
Best for: Complete privacy and security
4. Managed WordPress Hosting
Managed hosting is like having a personal assistant for your website. The hosting provider takes care of technical tasks like updates, backups, and security. This option is perfect if you want to focus on content creation and leave the technical details to experts.
Best for: Reduced admin time and quick assistance
As you consider these choices, think about your website’s current demands and future growth. With the right hosting, your WordPress site will have a solid foundation to thrive online.
Next, we answer most frequently asked questions from users.
FAQs on WordPress Hosting
Which hosting is best for WordPress?
We recommend Bluehost as the best WordPress hosting. Their plans are affordable and you get fast, reliable, and high-performing WordPress hosting plans.
The best hosting provider for WordPress depends on your specific needs, such as budget, technical requirements, and expected website traffic.
Which WordPress hosting is fastest?
WordPress hosting providers known for speed include SiteGround, Bluehost, and WP Engine. Keep in mind the speed of WordPress hosting can vary based on factors like server performance and optimization.
How do I choose a WordPress hosting provider?
To choose a WordPress hosting provider, consider factors like performance, customer support, pricing, scalability, and any specific features you need (e.g., e-commerce support or staging environments). Reading hosting reviews, comparing plans, and assessing your website’s needs will help you make an informed decision.
Can I get free WordPress hosting?
Yes, there are WordPress hosting companies that offer free hosting plans. However, they aren’t reliable and come with a catch so we advise you to stay away from them. First, they put ads on your site. Some hosts who are connected to malicious practices can even defraud your users by distributing malware through your site.
If they are reliable, they won’t let you use a domain of your own like mysite.com. You’ll have to use a domain with their branding like mysite.examplebloggingplatform.com.
Do I need to have my domain and WordPress hosting from the same provider?
No, it’s not necessary to have your domain and WordPress hosting from the same provider, but it can be more convenient in some cases. It’s easier to manage and configure settings when they are from the same provider.
Does WordPress hosting let you create eCommerce sites?
Yes, WordPress hosting lets you start online stores. You need to install a plugin called WooCommerce to get started. You may also want to check out WooCommerce-specific hosting plans that offer features tailored to eCommerce sites.
Can I change my hosting provider later?
Yes, you are never stuck with one host. You can switch any time you want. Most web hosts let you migrate to their hosting platform for free.
Does WordPress hosting affect SEO?
Yes, your hosting plan can affect SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Search engines, especially Google, consider page loading speed as a ranking factor. If your hosting is slow, it can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Fast hosting can help your website load quickly, enhancing user satisfaction and potentially improving your search engine rankings.
Added to this, if your hosting provider experiences frequent downtime, search engines might have difficulty accessing your website. This can lead to decreased indexing and potentially lower search rankings.
To prevent this, choose a hosting plan with these features:
- Sufficient resources like RAM, CPU and storage
- Secure hosting environment
- Backup and security features
- Free SSL certificate
Is AWS a managed WordPress hosting provider?
No, AWS (Amazon Web Services) is not a managed WordPress hosting provider in the traditional sense. Managed hosting typically includes services like automatic updates, security monitoring, and technical support, which might need to be configured separately on AWS.
Are there any WordPress hosts that offer unlimited email?
Most web hosts offer free email accounts but limit them to just 1 or up to 100. You’ll need to purchase additional accounts once you reach these limits.
Are there other WordPress hosts that are not included here?
Yes, there are other hosts like Kinsta, Dreamhost, Namecheap, A2 hosting, iPage, IONOS, and Inmotion hosting. However, we’ve limited our guide to just the top 8 so as to not confuse our users with too many options.
Which Is the Best WordPress Hosting for Me?
That depends entirely on what you need. Your needs will likely be different than the next person. To decide which Managed WordPress host will best fit your needs, consider how important each of the following features are to you:
- Price
- Support
- Scale
- Simple Setup
- Security
- Speed
We hope that this guide helped you choose the best WordPress hosting services for your website. We hope you’ll take our advice and consider using managed WordPress hosting instead of cheap, shared hosting. There really is no replacement for peace of mind when it comes to keeping your WordPress site secure, flexible, and online.