This article was written in collaboration with SiteGround. Thank you for supporting the partners who made SitePoint possible.
Selecting the right WordPress website hosting provider to ensure you get the features, performance and support you need is not an easy task. In the face of many choices, how to distinguish between high-quality and inferior quality, and how to get the most value for money?
This article will help you. In our previous article The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Hosting Service, we created a list of checklists to help you make informed decisions. This article goes a step further and evaluates five excellent hosting companies one by one for you to compare.
The following are five companies and their self-introductions:
These companies are not exactly the same. We're not just comparing apples with apples – because you probably don't need apples. After completing the checklist evaluation, you will have a clearer understanding of which type of company best meets your needs.
The top three offer shared hosting with powerful WordPress options, offering a large number of configurations at a low price. The latter two companies focus on low-maintenance WordPress hosting, but the price is higher. In the next list you will see these differences.
Key Points
Your top priority should be to make sure your website loads quickly. Using SSD for storage, supporting the new HTTP/2 protocol, and having servers in multiple continents can reduce loading time. Additionally, content delivery networking and caching options can further speed up your website.
| 性能清单 | Bluehost | DreamHost | SiteGround | Flywheel | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 多个大陆的服务器 | 是 | 是 | 是 | 是 | 是 |
| CDN（内容交付网络） | CloudFlare（高级套餐）12-29美分/GB | CloudFlare（每个套餐） | MaxCDN可选 | 包含在专业版及以上 | |
| SSD存储 | 否 | 是 | 是 | 是 | 是 |
| HTTP/2 | 否 | 共享托管不支持 | 是 | 是 | 是 |
| 备份 | 定期快照，DreamPress套餐包含Jetpack Premium | 每日 | 每夜 | 每日 | |
| 缓存选项 | 仅限云套餐的Varnish缓存 | 共享托管的OPcache，DreamPress的Varnish缓存 | SuperCacher | 服务器端缓存 | EverCache |
In a thorough WordPress hosting comparison, DesignBombs tested the performance. They tested the loading times of our four websites using LoadImpact and Pingdom. Here are the results, the fastest ones are at the forefront:
SiteGround is undoubtedly a strong competitor in performance. They have data centers on three continents, possess excellent performance-related features, and detail their infrastructure upgrades on their blog.
WP Engine has even better load times, although the price is higher. Their Pro (and above) has excellent performance features, though not as much as SiteGround.
Security and reliability should also be a priority when choosing a hosting provider. You need a website that is always online and resistant to hacking. WordPress (and your plug-in) needs to be kept up to date and should be patched quickly with known vulnerabilities. The host should take proactive measures to prevent attacks and should backup regularly in case the worst happens. Finally, your website should be monitored carefully so that the problem can be resolved immediately when the website goes down.
| 安全性清单 | Bluehost | DreamHost | SiteGround | Flywheel | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress更新 | 是，包括主题和插件 | 是 | 是，包括插件 | 自动更新保护 | |
| 漏洞处理 | SiteLock扫描漏洞 | SiteLock（可选） | 零日漏洞修复 | 免费修复被黑客攻击的网站 | 托管修补和更新 |
| 暴力破解检测/预防 | 自定义内部工具 | DreamPress套餐包含Jetpack Premium | 基于AI的机器人防护 CloudFlare WAF | 智能IP阻止，有限的登录尝试 | |
| DDoS缓解和规则集 | WordPress专用防火墙（DreamPress套餐） | 自定义WAF规则 | 智能IP阻止 | 防火墙组合 | |
| WAF（Web应用程序防火墙） | SiteLock WAF | ||||
| 备份 | 每日、每周、每月 | 每日 | 每夜 | 每日 | |
| 监控系统 | DreamPress套餐包含Jetpack Premium | 自动修复问题的自定义监控系统 | 内部漏洞扫描和补救措施 |
ReviewSignal's WordPress Hosting Performance Benchmark (2015) tests uptime for five of our hosting providers (and others) over 30 days. Here are the results:
DreamHost does appear to be downtime from time to time, including a 42-hour downtime during the testing of ReviewSignal. Other providers had 100% uptime during testing.
SiteGround actively protects websites at three levels through zero-day vulnerability fixes and custom WAF rules. For example, in 2015, they added 855 firewall rules and 43 kernel patches. This level of care is quite unique among hosting providers.
They also have their own complex monitoring system that actively checks all server processes twice a second, and will automatically fix it if a problem is detected. This means that even if a problem occurs, you are unlikely to realize it – it will usually be fixed in less than a second.
Some commenters find SiteLock (a security service used by Bluehost, DreamHost and other hosting providers) suspicious value. Other providers offer better custom security solutions, as does Jetpack Premium included in DreamHost's DreamPress package. We will cover WordPress security options in more detail in the coming weeks.
When you need to contact technical support, you need help, not arguing. What you need is the answer, not the long wait. You need support available 24/7, as well as a lot of self-service resources.
| 支持清单 | Bluehost | DreamHost | SiteGround | Flywheel | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 可用时间 | 全天候 | 全天候 | 全天候 | 美国中部时间上午9点至下午5点和全天候紧急支持 | 全天候 |
| 支持渠道 | 电话、电子邮件、聊天 | 电话回拨、聊天、工单 | 电话、聊天、工单 | 电话、聊天、工单 | 电话、聊天 |
| 内部或外包 | 内部 | 内部 | 内部 | 内部 | 内部 |
| 自助材料 | 指南、视频教程 | 知识库 | 教程和知识库、网络研讨会、设置向导 | 帮助文章、视频资源 | 指南 |
SiteGround quotes their support response time, and it's very good:
Designbombs decides to test support response time when doing web hosting comparisons. They asked these hosting providers (and some others) a simple question through online chat and timed the time it took to get a reply. Their conclusion is: "SiteGround absolutely beats the competitor." Here are the results:
SiteGround's response time is excellent, while DreamHost, WP Engine and Flywheel's response time is acceptable. Bluehost's slow response to chat inquiries is worrying.
Not everyone needs the same functionality. Geeks like staging and SSL, while beginners value website migration and easy-to-use control panels. Use the table below to determine which companies provide features you value.
| 功能清单 | Bluehost | DreamHost | SiteGround | Flywheel | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 预装WordPress | 是 | 是 | 一键式WordPress安装 | 是 | 是 |
| 控制面板 | 增强的cPanel，自定义WordPress控制面板 | DreamHost控制面板 | cPanel | 自定义简单仪表板 | WP Engine控制面板 |
| 网站迁移 | 149.99美元 | 测试版，并非免费 | 免费 | 免费 | 免费 |
| SSL | 可选 | 是，DreamPress套餐 | 是 | 是 | 是 |
| 暂存 | 否 | 否 | 是 | 是 | 是（Tiny计划以上） |
| 黑名单WordPress插件 | 否 | 否 | 否 | 那些重复功能或导致问题的插件 | 出于安全或性能原因而禁止使用的一些插件 |
SiteGround offers the best range of features at its price. Flywheel and WP Engine didn’t elaborate on their features when talking about features — their services are aimed at companies that are more willing to pay for others to set up and don’t need to know the details. They think the extra cost is cost-effective. They are great choices for these companies.
WordPress recommended web host
What better recommendation than WordPress recommendations when looking for a host for your WordPress site? Our four companies appear on the official WordPress web hosting recommendation page.
This page is updated several times a year and currently lists the following providers:
How is the company stable?
How long has the company been around? How many people choose them to host their website?
How human are they?
Without living with them for a while, it is difficult to determine the degree of "humanity" of the company. Here are some metrics from their website and social channels that will help you understand each company.
Bluehost's social channel mainly promotes new blog posts covering topics that are helpful to bloggers and webmasters. There are no mentions of employees or real people on their website. Their "About Us" page explains that the company is part of the Endurance International Group, which includes HostGator, iPage, SiteBuilder.com and Domain.com.
DreamHost blog covers topics related to web hosting, and their social channels are used to promote them. Their homepage explains that they are independently owned, “this allows us to stay true to our values and stick to our commitment to our customer community.” They embrace open source software and contribute code to OpenStack.
SiteGround displays photos and descriptions of employees on its friendly website. “We care for our employees as well as we care for our customers. We believe that happy employees bring happy customers, which is why we offer various benefits to inspire and inspire our employees.” They actively give back to the open source community— They participate in over 100 community events each year.
Flywheel website displays photos of all employees and has a section called "Life at Flywheel" written by employee experience coordinator Melanie Phelan. They seem to care about their staff. One of the listed positions is “Happy Engineer,” which is what they call customer support. The company is “the product we believe in” and they created it to “improve the lives of millions of web designers and developers.”
WP Engine website adopts a professional corporate style that matches the target audience. They showed photos of employees on the website along with their introduction. Here is the introduction from founder Jason Cohen: “I created WP Engine because I wanted to solve interesting, real-life puzzles that interesting, real customers encountered and excitedly worked with people around me every day. Somehow, we Luckily for being able to achieve this dream.” When it comes to recruiting opportunities, they used the word “join our big family”.
ReviewSignal WordPress Hosting Rating
ReviewSignal uses an algorithm to rate top hosting providers based on feedback shared on the web. Here is how it works:
Review Signal converts conversations on Twitter into web hosted comments. We have collected over 335,000 reviews about web hosting companies and posted them to consumers. Our mission is to leverage valuable insights that others share publicly and turn them into useful information.
All of our five hosting providers are among the top 13 of their top WordPress hosting companies. Here are their rankings:
Flywheel, ranked first, rated 84%
WP Engine, ranked third, rated 76%
SiteGround, ranked fourth, rated 73%
DreamHost, ranked eighth, rating 58%
Bluehost, ranked 13th, rating 39%
Price
Continuous Cost
Bluehost (Shared Hosting)
DreamHost (WordPress Hosting)
SiteGround (WordPress Hosting)*
* SitePoint readers can enjoy the current 65% special promotional discount.
Flywheel (Managed WordPress Hosting)
WP Engine (Managed WordPress Hosting)
Refund Policy
Bluehost offers a first-month money-back guarantee. "Try us, like us, or get a refund within 30 days of registration. Your satisfaction is our top priority and we are confident that you will be satisfied with our service."
Dreamhost provides a 97-day money-back guarantee for shared hosting.
SiteGround offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all shared hosting plans. “Our 30-day money-back guarantee gives you peace of mind and our service will meet expectations set out in the Terms of Service.”
Flywheel does not offer a refund, but you can cancel at any time as there is no contract.
WP Engine offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. "If you are not satisfied, you can cancel within the first 60 days and apply for a refund to retrieve your subscription fee! Premium and business packages are not included."
Which one should you choose?
A lot of information! Which company should you choose? It depends on whether you like apples or oranges.
If you want your hosting provider to do the heavy lifting for you—including making decisions for you and your website that they think are best for you—then check out WP Engine or Flywheel. Their package costs much more, but for many companies it will be worth the money.
If you are willing to do some work yourself and are looking for a value for money, SiteGround (our preferred hosting provider) is the best choice. They offer excellent performance and reliability, and their budget package includes more features and better support than competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions about WordPress Hosting Providers
When choosing a WordPress hosting provider, you must consider several key factors. These factors include provider uptime guarantees (ideally 99.9% or higher) and server speed (as this can severely affect the performance of your website). Other factors to consider include customer support from providers, security measures, and whether they offer features such as automatic backup and free domain registration. It is also worth considering the provider's pricing structure and whether they offer any money back guarantees.
WP Engine is a popular choice for WordPress hosting because of its powerful security features, excellent customer support and high-performance servers. However, it is worth noting that WP Engine packages are usually more expensive than those offered by other providers. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider other options like DreamHost or Bluehost, which offer competitive features at a lower price.
Global Edge Security is a security feature provided by WP Engine. It provides WordPress users with a range of benefits, including prevention of DDoS attacks, web application firewalls, and SSL/TLS encryption. By using Global Edge Security, you can help protect your website from malicious attacks and keep your user data safe.
DreamHost is another popular choice for WordPress hosting. It offers a range of features including unlimited bandwidth and storage, 100% uptime guarantee, and free domain names for the first year. However, some users have reported customer support issues with DreamHost, so it is worth considering when making a decision.
Shared WordPress hosting is a cost-effective option that is perfect for small websites and blogs. With shared hosting, your website shares server resources with other websites, which helps reduce costs. However, it is worth noting that shared hosting may not be suitable for large websites or websites with high traffic as it can cause slower website performance.
Bluehost is a well-known WordPress hosting provider that offers a range of features including a free domain name for the first year, 24/7 customer support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, some users have reported issues with Bluehost uptime and server speed, so it is worth considering this when making a decision.
Customer support is a crucial factor when choosing a WordPress hosting provider. Ideally, your provider should provide 24/7 support through multiple channels such as online chat, phone calls, and email. This ensures you can get help quickly if you have any website problems.
SiteGround is a highly rated WordPress hosting provider that offers a range of features including free daily backups, 24/7 customer support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, SiteGround packages are often more expensive than those offered by other providers, so it is worth considering this when making a decision.
Hosted WordPress Hosting is an advanced service where all technical aspects of running a WordPress website are managed by the host. This includes security, speed, WordPress updates, daily backups, website uptime, and scalability. The main benefit is that it provides a worry-free hosting experience that allows you to focus on running your business.
A2 Hosting is a reliable WordPress hosting provider known for its high-speed performance. It offers a range of features including free website migration, automatic backups and 24/7 customer support. However, some users have reported uptime issues with A2 Hosting, so it is worth considering when making a decision.
The above is the detailed content of 5 Hosting Providers for WordPress Users Compared. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
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