Best WordPress Hosting
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I’ll get straight to it. I’ve tested dozens of WordPress hosting companies, and most aren’t worth your money.

This isn’t another generic list copied from Google. I personally set up real sites, tested speed, checked uptime, and tracked costs.

Why bother? All of us got burned by a host at some point in our online journey. The host looked great until they raised prices or slowed down your site. A bad host wastes your time and your cash – and I’ve seen enough of both.

Below, you’ll find my honest ranking of the best WordPress hosts for 2025 (current data). I included only companies I’d trust myself. Each provider had to prove itself in speed tests, reliability, ease of use, customer support, and clear pricing. No hidden surprises or complicated setups allowed.

If you’re short on time, jump straight to the quick comparison chart. It’s designed to give you clear answers fast. Want more details? Read the full reviews. I share exactly what worked, what didn’t, and why each company earned its spot on my list.

HostBest forPrice fromLoad time av.Uptime av.Info
1. Kinsta💪 best for power use$29.17 / mo.0.87s99.98%(more)
2. Bluehost🏆 editor’s choice$1.99 / mo.0.45s100%(more)
3. SiteGround🌟 users love it$2.99 / mo.0.94s100%(more)
4. Namecheap💵 best cheap host here$2.91 / mo.1.52s99.99%(more)
5. Rocket$25.00 / mo.0.27s100%(more)
6. Hostinger$2.69 / mo.1.31s99.86%(more)
7. Flywheel$13.00 / mo.0.47s100%(more)
8. WP Engine$20.00 / mo.1.01s100%(more)
9. A2 Hosting$1.99 / mo.1.61s100%(more)
10. Cloudways$11.00 / mo.0.74s100%(more)
11. WordPress.com$2.75 / mo.n/an/a(more)
🔄 DATA UPDATED FREQUENTLY🧐 WHY LISTEN TO US

This post has received 70+ updates over the last five years. Last updates done:

  • Pricing data and features listed updated on Apr 11, 2025.
  • Long-term hosting costs added on Apr 11, 2025.
  • All performance and uptime data updated on Apr 2, 2025.

Over the years, we’ve put dozens of WordPress hosts to the test, focusing on key factors like uptime, speed, and user experience. To start, we’ve monitored uptime using tools that track exactly when a host’s servers go offline (live status page). Even brief downtime can lead to missed opportunities, so we’ve gathered literally years of data to see which hosts can actually deliver on their promises of reliability.

We’ve also spent a lot of time measuring site performance, especially load times and server response speeds. A slow website can quickly turn users away, and it doesn’t help your search engine rankings either. Similarly to uptime, we have lots of this data as well – we’ve done 18,000+ tests so far over the years.

On top of that, we gather feedback from real users who rely on these hosts daily. This feedback comes from our annual WordPress hosting surveys that we do over at WPShout (latest one). By combining this feedback with our own data, we’ve pinpointed the hosts that truly balance speed, reliability, and affordability.

Best WordPress hosting services: IN DETAIL

Here are the platforms that have made our shortlist of the very best offerings on the market for hosting WordPress websites in 2025. Important! The initial pool of hosts was around 20, but I narrowed it down here to just the ~10 best.

💡 How to read this comparison? Click here.

For each host, I cover the pricing in several key ways:

  • ✅ First, I focus on the entry-level plan in their lineup, since that’s probably what you’re most interested in. I’ll show you the introductory price * you’ll get as a new customer during the first term.
  • ✅ I’ll also provide a longer-term calculation **, showing you what it would cost to stick with that host for five and ten years.
***

Web hosts do a lot to try to convince new users to sign up. The main thing being that the intro price is highly discounted compared to what long-term customers get. Keep in mind, however, that you’re getting this low price for your first term only. Meaning, if your initial contract is valid for one year, then after that year, the price will increase.

Bluehost-promo-price
Intro prices highlighted

Once your first contract is done, you’re going to need to renew at an increased price. In this guide, I help you calculate what those long-term costs would be if you stay with the host for five and then ten years.

SiteGround-renewal-pricing
Renewal prices

1. Kinsta

  •  BEST FOR POWER USE 💪 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 99.98%
  • Load time: 0.48s (US), 0.84s (EU)
  • From: $29.17 / month, renews at $29.17 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $1,750
  • Full 10-year cost: $3,500
  • Sites allowed: 1
  • Traffic/bandwidth: ~35,000 visits monthly
  • Disk space: 10 GB
  • Free domain:

Kinsta

Ever since I got serious about testing WordPress hosting, Kinsta has always ranked near the top. But let me be clear, it’s not cheap. Their lowest-priced plan starts at $29.17 per month (when paid for a year up front).

While that’s higher than many other hosts, you genuinely get your money’s worth. Their entry option handles up to 35,000 visits each month, enough for most sites to grow comfortably. No, they don’t include a free domain, but what they offer instead is way more valuable, especially if your visitors come mostly from the US or Europe.

What makes Kinsta unique is its intense focus on WordPress. Their entire setup is built specifically to boost WordPress performance. With servers spread globally, your site loads fast no matter where your readers live. Managing your site through their simple, custom dashboard makes things easy even if tech isn’t your thing.

Bottom line: Kinsta isn’t cheap, but if you’re serious about your WordPress site’s speed, stability, and ease of use, it’s worth every dollar.

Key features for WordPress

  • Free CDN and edge caching
  • Automatic WordPress backups with a 14 day retention
  • Free one-click staging environments
  • Free malware removal
  • Unlimited free migrations
  • Human-only expert support
  • Fully managed WAF with DDoS protection
  • Built-in APM tool
Performance this month:
Kinsta loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.37s ⭐West Coast USA: 0.69s ⭐
Central USA: 0.37s ⭐London, UK: 0.91s ⭐
Paris, France: 0.76s ⭐Mumbai, India: 2.13s
Uptime last three months:
Kinsta uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐99.93%

See the live status page and historical data for Kinsta.

We track the performance metrics of each of our test setups continuously. This includes their load times from multiple locations around the globe, and uptime percentage over the years. See the live status page of Kinsta linked above.

Long-term cost:
Kinsta long term cost

2. Bluehost

  •  EDITOR’S CHOICE 🏆 
  •  User rating: 7.10 /10 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 100%
  • Load time: 0.38s (US), 0.52s (EU)
  • From: $1.99 / month, renews at $9.99-$11.99 / month (depends on contract length)
  • Full 5-year cost: $417.96
  • Full 10-year cost: $1,041.36
  • Sites allowed: 10
  • Traffic/bandwidth: ~40,000 visits monthly
  • Disk space: 10 GB
  • Free domain: (first year)

Bluehost

Bluehost gets recommended a lot for beginners, and after testing it myself – and repeating the tests every now and then – I see why. With plans as low as $1.99 per month (at least for year one), it’s hard to beat their pricing.

They even give you a free domain for the first year, and setting up WordPress is simple – with a couple of clicks and you’re online.

In my tests, Bluehost performed reliably. Uptime was solid, and load times were pretty good, especially if most of your visitors live in the US or Europe. The basic plan includes 10 GB storage and comfortably handles about 40,000 visits per month, enough for most new sites. The control panel is clear and easy to use, even if you’re not into tech.

In our user survey, Bluehost got a solid 7.1 out of 10, confirming that it’s dependable and straightforward. Just remember, prices do jump after the first year(!), so factor that in if you’re sticking around. Overall, if you’re starting fresh and want an affordable, no-fuss host, Bluehost is a smart choice.

Key features for WordPress

  • Free WordPress migration tool
  • Free CDN – Cloudflare with argo routing
  • Managed WordPress updates
  • Managed PHP updates
  • Static content caching
  • Object caching
  • WordPress staging site
  • Web application firewall
  • DDos protection
  • Free malware scanning
  • SSH and WP-CLI
Performance this month:
Bluehost loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.39s ⭐West Coast USA: 0.40s ⭐
Central USA: 0.36s ⭐London, UK: 0.63s ⭐
Paris, France: 0.41s ⭐Mumbai, India: 0.48s ⭐
Uptime last three months:
Bluehost uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐

See the live status page and historical data for Bluehost.

Long-term cost:
Bluehost long term cost

Learn more: full Bluehost review

3. SiteGround

  •  USERS LOVE IT 🌟 
  •  User rating: 8.33 /10 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 100%
  • Load time: 1.2s (US), 0.34s (EU)
  • From: $2.99 / month, renews at $17.99 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $827.40
  • Full 10-year cost: $1,906.80
  • Sites allowed: 1
  • Traffic/bandwidth: ~10,000 visits monthly
  • Disk space: 10 GB
  • Free domain: (first year)

SiteGround

SiteGround is a favorite among WordPress users – and it’s been like that for a while – especially if you value top-notch customer support and reliable performance. Starting at $2.99 per month, it’s easy to set up with a simple WordPress installation. Their basic plan includes 10 GB of storage, which is more than enough for most small- to medium-sized sites.

What really sets SiteGround apart is its 24/7 customer support. Whether you prefer live chat or phone assistance, their team is known for being responsive and helpful. That said, phone support availability varies by country, so keep that in mind. In our user survey, SiteGround scored an impressive 8.33 out of 10, showing just how satisfied customers are with their service. It’s been one of the highest ratings actually.

On the performance side, SiteGround delivers where it counts. With strong uptime and fast loading speeds, your visitors will get a smooth browsing experience.

The only catch? The price hike after your first term. Many users are caught off guard when their monthly rate jumps from $2.99 to $17.99 after renewal. If you’re considering SiteGround, it’s worth factoring in the long-term cost (more on which below).

Key features for WordPress

  • Free WordPress auto-install
  • Free WordPress auto-migrator
  • Automating WordPress updates
  • SiteGround’s custom speed optimizer plugin
  • SiteGround’s security optimizer plugin
  • WP-CLI and SSH
  • One-click WordPress staging
  • Free CDN
  • Anti-hack systems and help
  • Spam protection
  • Automated daily backup
  • WooCommerce-capable
Performance this month:
SiteGround loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 1.04sWest Coast USA: 1.28s
Central USA: 1.29sLondon, UK: 0.31s ⭐
Paris, France: 0.37s ⭐Mumbai, India: 1.35s
Uptime last three months:
SiteGround uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐

See the live status page and historical data for SiteGround.

Long-term cost:
SiteGround long term cost

4. Namecheap

  •  BEST CHEAP HOST HERE 💵 
  •  User rating: 8.03 /10 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 99.99%
  • Load time: 0.71s (US), 1.44s (EU)
  • From: $2.91 / month, renews at $4.07 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $230.28
  • Full 10-year cost: $474.48
  • Sites allowed: 1
  • Traffic/bandwidth: ~50,000 visits monthly
  • Disk space: 10 GB
  • Free domain:

Namecheap

Namecheap is one of the most affordable WordPress hosting options I’ve come across, with plans starting at just $2.91 per month. Scratch that, it’s actually THE most affordable there is. On the basic plan, you can host one website, handle 50,000 monthly visitors, and you get 10 GB of storage. The only downside is that it doesn’t include a free domain, but with prices this low, it’s still a great deal overall.

Even though Namecheap is one of the cheaper hosts, I’ve found that it holds up pretty well when it comes to performance. The uptime is reliable, and the load times are solid, especially for sites targeting US visitors. It also scored a reliable 8.03 in our survey among users.

If you’re like me and want a hosting provider that keeps things simple and affordable without sacrificing too much in the way of reliability, Namecheap is definitely worth considering. It’s perfect for anyone looking to get a site online without breaking the bank – just keep in mind that you’ll need to buy a domain separately. Namecheap is also one of the cheapest long-term hosts out there.

Key features for WordPress

  • Easy-to-use dashboard to manage WordPress websites
  • Easy backups and restores
  • SFTP and database access
  • Free CDN
Performance this month:
Namecheap loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.82s ⭐West Coast USA: 0.67s ⭐
Central USA: 0.64s ⭐London, UK: 1.40s
Paris, France: 1.48sMumbai, India: 4.08s
Uptime last three months:
Namecheap uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
99.99%100.00% ⭐99.98%

See the live status page and historical data for Namecheap.

Long-term cost:
Namecheap WordPress long term cost

5. Rocket

  •  BEST KINSTA ALTERNATIVE ⚡ 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 100%
  • Load time: 0.28s (US), 0.27s (EU)
  • From: $25.00 / month, renews at $25.00 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $1,500
  • Full 10-year cost: $3,000
  • Sites allowed: 1
  • Traffic/bandwidth: 50 GB bandwidth
  • Disk space: 10 GB
  • Free domain:
rocket

Rocket is one of the newer players in the WordPress hosting world, but it’s already made a strong impression with its fast, secure, and easy-to-use setups. Starting at $25.00 per month, Rocket is in the Kinsta-range of pricing, but it’s also similarly designed to handle high traffic. You get 50 GB of bandwidth and 10 GB of storage to consume. While they don’t include a free domain, Rocket makes up for it with exceptional performance. In fact, it’s been at the top of our fastest hosting analysis for a longer while now.

One of the reasons we chose Rocket to host some of our sites is its user-friendly control panel and top-notch security features. They offer a enterprise level CDN, a web application firewall, and strong protection against malware. This means you don’t have to worry about security because Rocket handles that for you.

In the end, Rocket is a host that offers great performance, excellent security, and an easy-to-use platform. You should consider it if you don’t mind paying a bit more for all that.

Key features for WordPress

  • Enterprise level CDN
  • WAF
  • Malware protection
  • Free migrations
  • Automated daily backups
  • Backup retention of 14 days
Performance this month:
Rocket loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.30s ⭐West Coast USA: 0.35s ⭐
Central USA: 0.20s ⭐London, UK: 0.16s ⭐
Paris, France: 0.38s ⭐Mumbai, India: 0.23s ⭐
Uptime last three months:
Rocket uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐

See the live status page and historical data for Rocket.

Long-term cost:
Rocket long term cost

Learn more: full Rocket review

6. Hostinger

  •  CHEAPEST FOR MULTIPLE SITES 💵 
  •  User rating: 8.11 /10 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 99.86%
  • Load time: 1.68s (US), 0.5s (EU)
  • From: $2.69 / month, renews at $10.99 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $261.00
  • Full 10-year cost: $776.40
  • Sites allowed: 25
  • Traffic/bandwidth: ~25,000 visits monthly
  • Disk space: 25 GB
  • Free domain: (first year)

Hostinger

When I first started considering Hostinger for this ranking, they surprised me by hitting the sweet spot between price and performance.

With entry plans at just $2.69 per month, it’s genuinely affordable without skimping on quality. They include a free domain for your first year, free SSL, and quick one-click WordPress installation.

In my testing, Hostinger provided steady uptime and impressive speeds. Our user survey backs that up, with Hostinger scoring an 8.11 out of 10, plus it was also THE most popular choice among respondents. Their cheapest plan gives you a generous 25 GB of storage and even lets you host up to 25 different sites. That’s a lot for very little money.

If you’re on a tight budget but still want strong performance and plenty of features, Hostinger is one of your best options. It’s cheap, easy, and reliable – exactly what most people need from a WordPress host.

Key features for WordPress

  • Free one-click WordPress installation
  • Free pre-built templates
  • WordPress auto updates
  • WordPress vulnerabilities scanner
  • WordPress compatibility checker
  • WordPress multisite enabled
  • WP-CLI and SSH
  • Starter WooCommerce package – sell up to 10 products
Performance this month:
Hostinger loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 1.35sWest Coast USA: 1.98s
Central USA: 1.71sLondon, UK: 0.43s ⭐
Paris, France: 0.56s ⭐Mumbai, India: 1.84s
Uptime last three months:
Hostinger uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐99.59%100.00% ⭐

See the live status page and historical data for Hostinger.

Long-term cost:
Hostinger long term cost

Learn more: full Hostinger review

7. Flywheel

  •  SUPER-EASY TO USE MANAGED HOST 🫶 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 100%
  • Load time: 0.25s (US), 0.84s (EU)
  • From: $13.00 / month, renews at $13.00 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $780
  • Full 10-year cost: $1,560
  • Sites allowed: 1
  • Traffic/bandwidth: ~5,000 visits monthly
  • Disk space: 5 GB
  • Free domain:

Flywheel

Flywheel has consistently landed among my top recommendations because it makes hosting WordPress sites effortless, and I really mean it.

What sets Flywheel apart is simplicity. The control panel is intuitive, clean, and designed specifically for WordPress users who don’t want to fuss with server configs. I’ve found it incredibly easy to navigate.

Their lowest-priced plan starts at $13.00 per month, allowing one site and up to 5,000 monthly visitors, ideal for smaller blogs or personal projects.

Another reason Flywheel ranks highly for me is speed. It’s reliably among the top three fastest hosts I’ve tested. The performance is just outstanding, and no matter the location we’re testing from.

Flywheel is a hassle-free hosting, offering a straightforward management panel, and impressive site speeds. It’s also one of the cheaper managed WordPress hosts on the market.

Key features for WordPress

  • FlyCache (with custom exclusions for common WordPress plugins and themes)
  • CDN (powered by Fastly)
  • 10 StudioPress themes included
  • Genesis framework included
  • Plugin security alerts
  • Blueprints (save your existing site as a blueprint and reuse in other projects)
  • Billing transfer (when developing for clients)
  • Local development environment (called Local)
  • Staging sites
  • Nightly backups
  • SSH gateway
  • Site cloning
Performance this month:
Flywheel loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.20s ⭐West Coast USA: 0.25s ⭐
Central USA: 0.29s ⭐London, UK: 1.34s
Paris, France: 0.33s ⭐Mumbai, India: 0.38s ⭐
Uptime last three months:
Flywheel uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐

See the live status page and historical data for Flywheel.

Long-term cost:
Flywheel long term cost

8. WP Engine

  •  User rating: inconclusive 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐ 
  • Uptime: 100%
  • Load time: 0.44s (US), 1.33s (EU)
  • From: $20.00 / month, renews at $30 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $1,440
  • Full 10-year cost: $2,940
  • Sites allowed: 1
  • Traffic/bandwidth: ~25,000 visits monthly
  • Disk space: 10 GB
  • Free domain:

WP Engine

WP Engine is perhaps the most well-known brand in WordPress hosting, but it’s not cheap. Starting at $20.00 per month, it delivers exactly what it promises. You get one WordPress site with room for about 25,000 visitors monthly and 10 GB of storage. You won’t get a free domain included, but the real selling point is its performance.

Our tests here prove that WP Engine lives up to its reputation: uptime has been near perfect, and page load speeds stay consistently fast. It’s not flashy, but it’s entirely focused on making WordPress run smoothly. This means fewer headaches, simpler management, and more time for your actual content.

You also get a lot of interesting extra features bundled in, so your day-to-day work with your site will be easier than if you’d hosted with other companies.

WP Engine may cost more, but if you want speed and stability, it’s worth the price for most WordPress setups – especially those that have a bit more traffic. Just be aware that WP Engine does put an embargo on some popular plugins – meaning you cannot use them.

Key features for WordPress

  • 24/7 customer support for WordPress
  • Edge content delivery with global CDN
  • Managed WordPress, PHP & MySQL updates
  • Security patching and plugin risk scans
  • DDoS protection
  • Automatic and on-demand backups
  • EverCache®
  • 10 premium themes included
  • 1-click staging and dev. environments
  • Transferable sites for client handoff
Performance this month:
WP Engine loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.63s ⭐West Coast USA: 0.32s ⭐
Central USA: 0.36s ⭐London, UK: 1.33s
Paris, France: 1.32sMumbai, India: 2.12s
Uptime last three months:
WP Engine uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐

See the live status page and historical data for WP Engine.

Long-term cost:
WP Engine long term cost

9. A2 Hosting

  •  User rating: 7.76 /10 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 100%
  • Load time: 1.12s (US), 1.67s (EU)
  • From: $1.99 / month, renews at $11.99 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $395.40
  • Full 10-year cost: $1,114.80
  • Sites allowed: 1
  • Traffic/bandwidth: unmetered
  • Disk space: 10 GB
  • Free domain:

A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting mainly caught my attention because it’s affordable, straightforward, and surprisingly flexible. Their entry-level plan starts at $1.99 per month, making it accessible for everyone basically. On that, you get 10 GB of storage, reliable uptime, and solid loading speeds, especially in the US and Europe.

What sets A2 Hosting apart is their flexible payment options. You’re not forced into long-term contracts if you don’t want to since month-to-month payments are possible. That’s a big plus if you’re wary of commitment.

Their uptime and speed are dependable, as I said earlier, and our user survey supports this, with A2 earning consistently positive feedback. Another thing I appreciate is their “Guru Crew” support team, who are going to be able to assist with any WordPress problems. It’s reassuring to have knowledgeable support out there, available if something breaks or if you’re stuck.

For smaller sites or personal projects that need a reliable host without breaking the bank, A2 Hosting makes a solid, flexible choice.

Key features for WordPress

  • Free white glove site migration
  • Comprehensive security suite
  • Core automatic backups
  • WP Toolkit by cPanel (lets you manage your installation, update elements, lists possible vulnerabilities, helps debug, control wp-cron, shows the overall status and condition of your WordPress installation)
  • A2’s own A2 Optimized plugin that helps to make your site faster
  • The higher tier Managed WordPress hosting has more WordPress-specific features, but frankly it’s not that worth the investment
Performance this month:
A2 loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.97s ⭐West Coast USA: 1.33s
Central USA: 1.05sLondon, UK: 1.70s
Paris, France: 1.63sMumbai, India: 2.97s
Uptime last three months:
A2 uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐

See the live status page and historical data for A2.

Long-term cost:
A2 Hosting long term cost

10. Cloudways

  •  CHEAPEST CLOUD HOSTING ☁️ 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐⭐ 
  • Uptime: 100%
  • Load time: 0.88s (US), 0.26s (EU)
  • From: $11.00 / month, renews at $11.00 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $660
  • Full 10-year cost: $1,320
  • Sites allowed: not limited
  • Traffic/bandwidth: 1 TB
  • Disk space: 25 GB
  • Free domain:

Cloudways

Cloudways stood out from the typical WordPress hosting crowd because it lets you fully control your setup. What this mainly means is that you can choose your cloud provider from options like DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, AWS, and more.

The proces start at $11.00 per month for the DigitalOcean option. If you want to host with another cloud provider, the prices go up slightly.

That entry-level plan comes with 25 GB of storage and 1 TB bandwidth, easily supporting multiple sites or projects. From my tests, Cloudways delivered consistently reliable uptime and strong speeds, particularly because you can pick a server near your audience.

It’s also great that Cloudways has a really nice, user-friendly platform, despite the advanced features sitting underneath. Just note, email hosting isn’t included, neither is domain name.

Cloudways’ real strength is flexibility. If you want more control over your hosting without complicated setups, it’s definitely worth considering.

Key features for WordPress

  • Lets you run WordPress on established cloud hosting platforms like Digital Ocean, Vulture, AWS, without the hassle of having to deal with the server setups by hand
  • Easy installers for WordPress
  • Free Object Cache Pro (Worth $95/mo)
  • Free SSL certificates
  • Free migration
  • Built-in Cloudflare CDN
  • Dedicated firewalls
  • Staging environment
  • Auto healing
  • Free migration
  • Automated backups
  • Unlimited application installations
Performance this month:
Cloudways loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.67s ⭐West Coast USA: 1.03s
Central USA: 0.94s ⭐London, UK: 0.32s ⭐
Paris, France: 0.20s ⭐Mumbai, India: 1.27s
Uptime last three months:
Cloudways uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐

See the live status page and historical data for Cloudways.

Long-term cost:
Cloudways long term price

Learn more: full Cloudways review

11. WordPress.com

  •  CHEAPEST 100% HOSTED EXPERIENCE 
  •  Editor rating: ⭐ 
  • From: $2.75 / month, renews at $2.75 / month
  • Full 5-year cost: $177
  • Full 10-year cost: $345
  • Sites allowed: 1
  • Traffic/bandwidth: unmetered
  • Disk space: 6 GB
  • Free domain: (first year)
WordPress.com

Here’s a pick you might not expect – WordPress.com itself. Built and managed by the same people who now contribute the most to the WordPress project itself, it’s ideal if you prefer zero hassle. At its most basic, plans start at just a few dollars per month, offering a fully hosted, no-maintenance experience.

What makes WordPress.com attractive is its simplicity. You don’t need to think about software updates, backups, or security since they handle everything.

But there’s a trade-off: you can’t customize your site’s backend, and if issues arise, you’re completely dependent on their support team. Their cheaper plans limit themes and customization, giving you just the basics to launch quickly.

To unlock advanced options and flexibility, you’ll have to pay for higher-priced plans. The biggest drawback? The entry-level plan doesn’t support full plugin use, meaning advanced features aren’t easily added.

If you only need a simple, reliable website without technical headaches, WordPress.com works well. But if control and customization matter, it might feel too restrictive for you.

Key features for WordPress

  • Frankly, the features of WordPress.com are the features of WordPress, just a bit limited
  • You get basic security and backups handled for you
  • Everything about the technical performance of your website is handled by the team behind WordPress.com
  • Offers a limited number of themes for you to choose from
  • Comes with limited customization options
  • Allows you to use third-party plugins only if you get the $17.50 per month plan
Performance this month:
WordPress com loading times 🔃
East Coast USA: 0.63s ⭐West Coast USA: 0.66s ⭐
Central USA: 0.64s ⭐London, UK: 0.78s ⭐
Paris, France: 0.94s ⭐Mumbai, India: 1.75s
Uptime last three months:
WordPress com uptime 📶
January 2025March 2025March 2025
100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐100.00% ⭐
Long-term cost:
WordPress.com long term cost

Final recommendations

I don’t want to recap everything once again here, so let me just give you my top three recommendations based on some common use cases:

💵 Best cheap host here: Namecheap

We’ve done our fair share of hosting analysis over the years, and no matter how we slice it, Namecheap consistently comes out as the most affordable long-term option for WordPress. The fact that you can host your site for five years for only ~$230 or so is unbeatable. Some hosting providers charge that much for just one year!

Go to Namecheap

I hope this guide has helped you find the best WordPress hosting option for your site! Whether you’re looking for something affordable, feature-packed, or built for power users, there’s definitely a host here that’ll fit your needs.

If you have any questions or want to share your experience with any of the hosts mentioned, feel free to drop a comment below! I’m happy to help clarify anything.

WordPress hosting FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions 🤔💭
What is WordPress hosting?

It’s web hosting made to run WordPress sites better. It’s often faster, safer, and easier to manage from a WordPress point of view.

Are there any free WordPress hosting providers?

Yes, but they come with limits. Think slow speed, small storage, and ads on your site. We say more about the available options for free hosting in this post.

Does hosting matter for SEO?

Absolutely! Hosting affects speed, uptime, and safety. These things help your site rank higher.

Which is the best WordPress hosting for developers or agencies?

WP Engine, Flywheel, and Kinsta are easy to recommend and come with lots of tools a developer or agency might need. Cloudways gives you more control on a server stack level.

Is managed WordPress hosting worth the cost?

That’s for you to decide. It handles updates, backups, and security for you. This saves time and stress. The only question is if you want to pay roughly double what you’d pay for shared hosting.

Can I switch hosts later if I pick the wrong one?

Yes. Most hosts help you move your site without downtime or extra cost.

How much traffic can shared hosting for WordPress handle?

Nowadays, surprisingly a lot. However, if your site grows a super-lot, you can still encounter problems. It’s best to always check the setup’s rating for traffic before signing up. We share this info in this post above.

Yay! 🎉 You made it to the end of the article!

1 Comment
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Seamus Jennings
February 10, 2025 4:48 pm

Nice review with a lot of detail. However, you then select Kinsta above Rocket.net even though it lags behind on all the data you provide! They are both obviously very good, but Rocket.net is the clear winner based on your own measurements!

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