Managed WordPress Hosting: Why It's Overpriced Marketing BS

Table of Contents

Managed WordPress hosting 😂, more like “managed marketing BS”. You’re being sold overpriced hosting, and I’m going to show you exactly how the markup works.

My actual affiliate relationships:

  • Hetzner ($0 commission) - no affiliate program, still rank #1 for VPS
  • ChemiCloud (~$100 commission) - has WordPress auto-updates, same as “managed”
  • Scala Hosting (+$100 commission) - VPS with free cPanel alternative

I’m NOT affiliated with: WP Engine, Bluehost, DreamHost, SiteGround, GoDaddy, or Rocket.net. I don’t promote them because they’re overpriced and/or under-deliver for what most users really need.

Let me show you exactly what “managed WordPress hosting” really is, and why you’re paying 4x more for features that either come standard with good shared hosting or cost $0 with a free plugin.

Quick Verdict: The “Managed” Label Is BS

TL;DR: “Managed WordPress hosting” often gives you better infrastructure (cloud servers, more resources) - but the “MANAGED” part is marketing BS. They run automated scripts for updates/patches/backups. When you need actual management (fixing code, removing malware, custom work), that costs extra. You’re paying $20-96/month for automation that any good host already does.

ProviderMonthly CostWhat “Managed” Actually MeansWhen You Need Real Help
WP Engine Startup$25/moAuto-updates, automated backups, scriptsCode issues, malware removal, optimization = extra cost or not covered
Bluehost/HostGator “WordPress”$3.95-13.95/moSame as shared hosting + WordPress pre-installedWon’t help with themes/plugins/code
DreamHost DreamPress$16.95-79.95/moAutomated checks, script-based optimizationCustom work costs extra
SiteGround GrowBig/GoGeek$4.95-9.95/moCloud hosting + CPU limits + aggressive upsellsHit CPU limit? Forced VPS upgrade ($30+/mo). Migrations cost extra ($30-100)
GoDaddy Managed WP$8.99-29.99/moAutomated updates, basic monitoringWon’t debug plugins or fix your site

The reality: “Managed” means automated scripts, not actual humans managing your site. When you need real management:

  1. Automated WordPress updates (literally a checkbox in WordPress settings)
  2. Server-level caching (good shared hosting already has this)
  3. SSL certificate (free from Let’s Encrypt everywhere)
  4. Daily backups (UpdraftPlus plugin: free)
  5. Staging sites (WP Staging plugin: free)

The “Managed WordPress” Marketing Playbook

Here’s how they justify the premium pricing:

1. Better Infrastructure (This Part Is Often True)

What they deliver:

  • Cloud servers (Google Cloud, AWS, DigitalOcean) instead of shared hosting
  • More RAM and CPU resources, more php workers and inodes
  • Better network infrastructure
  • Faster storage (NVMe SSDs)

The reality: This IS better than basic shared hosting. WP Engine’s cloud infrastructure is faster than Bluehost’s shared servers. SiteGround’s cloud platform outperforms budget hosting.

But here’s the thing: You can get similar infrastructure elsewhere:

  • Scala VPS: Cloud VPS, AMD EPYC CPUs, NVMe storage - $44.95/mo vs WP Engine $96/mo
  • Hetzner: Cloud servers, AMD EPYC, NVMe - €3.79/mo (~$4.50/mo)

The infrastructure might justify some premium, but not 4-10x markup.

2. The “MANAGED” Part Is Just Automation

What they claim: “We manage your WordPress site for you!”

What “managed” actually means:

  • Automated update scripts (cron jobs)
  • Automated backup scripts (scheduled tasks)
  • Automated security scans (monitoring tools)
  • Automated performance checks (alerting systems)

What “managed” does NOT include:

Most “managed” WordPress hosts explicitly won’t help with:

  • Fixing broken plugins or themes → “Not covered by support”
  • Removing malware from your site → Extra cost ($100-500) or not offered
  • Debugging WordPress errors → “Contact a developer”
  • Custom optimization work → Additional paid services
  • Plugin conflicts → “Disable plugins one by one yourself”
  • Theme customization → Not covered
  • WooCommerce configuration → Not covered (despite charging for “WooCommerce optimized”)

The truth: When you need actual MANAGEMENT (human expertise fixing your site), you’re on your own or paying extra.

Example from WP Engine support:

“We don’t assist with custom code, theme modifications, or plugin debugging. For that, we recommend hiring a WordPress developer.”

Translation: You’re paying for “managed” hosting where nothing is actually managed beyond automated scripts.

3. “Expert WordPress Support”

What they claim: “24/7 WordPress specialists!”

The reality check:

WP Engine: Support handles basic platform questions. Custom code, theme issues, plugin debugging → not covered.

GoDaddy: “WordPress experts” won’t help with theme or plugin issues. They’ll tell you WordPress is running, that’s it.

Bluehost: Managed WordPress support is literally the same team as shared hosting support.

DreamHost: Basic WordPress questions only. Malware removal costs extra.

What you actually get: Someone who can tell you if WordPress is installed correctly and maybe help with basic settings.

What you don’t get: Someone who actually manages your WordPress site.

Better alternative: Keep $200+/year you’d pay in “managed” hosting premiums. When you need help, hire a WordPress developer at $50-100/hour for actual management.

4. “Automatic Updates & Security”

What they claim: “We handle all updates automatically so you don’t have to worry!”

What this actually is: A cron job. Literally an automated script that runs updates on a schedule.

You can do this yourself:

WordPress has had automatic minor updates built-in since 2013. For major updates and plugins, you need exactly ONE click:

Dashboard → Updates → Enable automatic updates for plugins and themes

Done. You just replicated “managed” WordPress updates for $0.

The security features they brag about:

  • Malware scanning → Automated script (Wordfence plugin: free)
  • Firewall → Cloudflare (free) or automated rules
  • SSL certificate → Let’s Encrypt (free everywhere, automated installation)
  • Login protection → Automated rate limiting (free plugins available)
  • Vulnerability patching → Automated security updates

What they WON’T do when you’re actually hacked:

  • Remove malware by hand → Extra cost ($100-500) or not offered
  • Restore from backup → Some do this, many charge extra
  • Identify security holes → “We recommend hiring a security expert”

Total cost to “manage” your own WordPress security: $0-49/year (free Wordfence or $99/year for Wordfence Premium)

5. “Daily Backups Included”

What they charge: $20-80/month

What it actually is: A scheduled script that copies your files. Automated. No human involvement.

What it actually costs:

  • UpdraftPlus (free plugin) → Backs up to Google Drive/Dropbox automatically
  • BlogVault ($89/year) → Premium backup with staging and migration
  • Your regular host’s backup → ChemiCloud includes automated backups

The catch: When your site breaks and you need a backup restored:

  • Some “managed” hosts do this automatically (good)
  • Some make you restore it yourself (so much for “managed”)
  • Some charge extra for restoration

6. “Staging Environment”

What they charge: Only available on $25-96/month plans

What it actually is: A copy of your site in a subdomain with a script to sync changes.

What it actually costs:

  • WP Staging (free plugin)
  • All-in-One WP Migration (free)
  • ChemiCloud ($7.95/mo) includes staging on all plans

Bluehost includes staging on their $3.95/mo WordPress hosting - proving it’s not expensive to provide.

The Real Costs: Managed WordPress vs. Reality

WP Engine: Premium Infrastructure, Automated “Management”

WP Engine Startup Plan:

  • Cost: $25/month ($300/year)
  • What you get: 1 site, 25k visits, 10GB storage, cloud infrastructure, CDN, caching, automated updates

The infrastructure: WP Engine uses Google Cloud Platform. It IS faster than cheap shared hosting. The hardware is legitimate.

The “managed” part: Automated scripts. When your site breaks, has malware, or needs debugging - that’s not covered or costs extra.

ChemiCloud equivalent (for comparison):

  • Cost: $7.95/month ($95.40/year) with my link
  • What you get: Unlimited sites, unlimited visits, 50GB NVMe storage, LiteSpeed, free CDN, automated updates
  • Infrastructure: Not cloud (it’s optimized shared hosting with LiteSpeed)

The math:

  • WP Engine charges $204/year more for cloud infrastructure
  • But provides fewer sites (1 vs unlimited), visitor caps (with overage fees), less storage (10GB vs 50GB)
  • The “managed” support won’t debug your code or fix your hacked site

Is WP Engine’s cloud worth $204/year more? Depends on your traffic. For most small-medium sites, no.

Better cloud alternative - Scala VPS:

  • $44.95/mo ($539/year)
  • Cloud VPS with dedicated resources
  • 4 CPU cores, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe
  • SPanel management (actual tools, not just “managed” automation)
  • Unlimited sites, unlimited traffic
  • You save $613/year vs WP Engine Growth and get dedicated cloud resources

WP Engine Growth Plan ($96/month = $1,152/year):

Want to host 10 sites with 100k visits each? WP Engine wants $1,152/year for cloud infrastructure with automated scripts they call “managed.”

Alternatively:

  • Scala VPS: $539/year - dedicated cloud VPS, unlimited sites/visits
  • You’d save $613/year and get ACTUAL management tools, not just automation

This is remarkably transparent once you look at it:

Bluehost WordPress Hosting:

  • Basic: $2.95/mo (renewal $15.99/mo)
  • Features: 10 websites, 10GB NVMe, free SSL, WordPress pre-installed

Bluehost Shared Hosting:

  • Starter: $2.99/mo (renewal $15.99/mo)
  • Features: 10 websites, 10GB NVMe, free SSL, 1-click WordPress install

Spot the difference: There isn’t one. They’re the same shared hosting infrastructure with WordPress pre-installed instead of making you click “Install WordPress” once.

The marketing: They market it as “WordPress Hosting” to make you think it’s optimized. It’s not. It’s the same servers, same support, same everything.

Their “managed” WordPress plans ($19.95-49.95/mo):

Bluehost offers “managed WordPress” plans for $19.95-49.95/month that include Jetpack Premium features.

Reality check:

  • Jetpack Premium: $99/year by itself
  • So you’re paying $239-599/year for hosting + $99/year Jetpack
  • Better move: ChemiCloud ($95/year) + buy Jetpack Premium separately ($99/year) = $194/year total vs $239-599/year

You’d save $45-405/year.

DreamHost DreamPress: The “Half Price of Competitors” Lie

DreamHost claims to be “half the price of the other guys.” Let’s check their math:

DreamPress Plans:

  • Basic: $16.95/mo ($203/year) - 1 site, 100k visits
  • Plus: $29.95/mo ($359/year) - 1 site, 300k visits, Jetpack Pro
  • Pro: $79.95/mo ($959/year) - 1 site, 1M+ visits

DreamHost’s own shared hosting:

  • Shared Starter: $2.59/mo ($31/year for 3-year term)
  • Handles WordPress perfectly fine
  • 50GB storage (vs DreamPress 30GB)

The math:

  • DreamPress Basic: $203/year
  • Their own shared hosting: $31/year first term, $72/year renewal

You’re paying $131/year more for automated updates (free feature) and Jetpack Free (free plugin).

Even DreamPress Plus at $359/year is expensive when ChemiCloud offers unlimited sites, better hardware (AMD EPYC 9354 vs shared resources), and similar features for $95-263/year.

SiteGround: The CPU Limit Trap & Forced Upgrades

SiteGround markets themselves as superior to other shared hosting, and their infrastructure actually IS decent. But here’s where they get you:

SiteGround GoGeek Plan:

  • Cost: $4.95-7.95/mo promotional ($60-95/year), renewing $14.99/mo ($180/year)
  • What you get: 1 website, “WordPress optimized,” cloud infrastructure
  • The catch: CPU limits that are aggressively enforced

The CPU limit trap:

SiteGround uses Resource limits on all plans:

  • CPU limit: ~10% on GoGeek (ridiculously low)
  • What happens when you hit it: Site goes down or gets throttled
  • SiteGround’s solution: “Upgrade to VPS for unlimited resources!”

The math of their upsell:

  • GoGeek at renewal: $180/year
  • Hit CPU limits → forced VPS upgrade: $30+/month ($360/year minimum)
  • Suddenly you’re paying $360+/year instead of $95/year
  • And you still don’t get “management” - it’s just cloud infrastructure

The migration scam:

Want to move your site to SiteGround?

  • Free migration if you’re coming FROM certain hosts
  • But moving OUT of SiteGround? You pay $30-100 per site

“We provide exceptional customer service” = We’ll charge you to leave

Reality check:

  • SiteGround’s cloud infrastructure IS faster than $3/mo shared hosting
  • But ChemiCloud ($95/year) has LiteSpeed caching on ALL plans (no CPU limits)
  • Scala VPS ($539/year) gives you actual unlimited resources without forced upgrades

You’d save: $85-265/year compared to SiteGround’s true cost (GoGeek + eventual VPS upgrade)

GoDaddy: The Hidden Fees Champion

GoDaddy’s managed WordPress plans cost $5.99-20.99/month promotional, renewing at $14.99-29.99/month.

But here’s the GoDaddy special:

Initial year breakdown:

  • Base WordPress hosting: $6.99/mo ($84/year promotional)
  • But you need:
    • Website backup: +$3/mo ($36/year)
    • Managed SSL: +$150/year (Let’s Encrypt is free everywhere else)
    • Website security: +$192/year (Wordfence is free)

Real first year total: $462/year

Year 2 increases to $913.85/year because renewal rates jump 20-25%.

Better alternative:

  • ChemiCloud: $95/year includes everything above for free
  • You’d save $367/year in year 1, $818/year after renewal

GoDaddy’s response: “Our managed WordPress hosting makes WordPress management easier!” They won’t help you configure WooCommerce or debug plugins. Their “management” is checking a box for auto-updates.

Rocket.net: The Acquisition That Worries Everyone

Rocket.net was actually good. Fast, innovative, great support. Founded in 2020, they grew to be the 167th fastest-growing company in America by 2025.

Then in August 2025: hosting.com (owned by World Host Group) acquired them.

Why this matters: World Host Group is the lesser-known version of EIG/Newfold Digital. They own:

  • A2 Hosting (acquired 2025)
  • FastComet (acquired 2025)
  • Stablepoint (acquired 2023)
  • Many other hosts across multiple regions

The pattern: Buy independent hosts, consolidate infrastructure, cut costs, quality declines.

What happened to Rocket.net:

  • Ben Gabler (founder) became Chief Product Officer at hosting.com
  • Jessica Frick now runs Rocket.net as General Manager
  • They’re calling it a “strategic partnership” (it’s an acquisition)
  • Rocket.net platform will be rolled out to all hosting.com brands

The community reaction: KnownHost’s CEO predicts Rocket.net will be sold to a new owner in 1-2 years. Reddit is full of concerns about what happens when conglomerates buy good hosts.

Current status: Still seems good (for now). But A2 Hosting and FastComet were also good before World Host Group bought them. Time will tell if Rocket.net maintains quality under corporate ownership.

Pricing: $30-80+/month for managed WordPress hosting

The concern: You’re paying premium prices for a host that may decline in quality as it gets integrated into a conglomerate’s cost-cutting machine.

Better alternatives that are still independent:

I’m not saying Rocket.net is terrible now. I’m saying watch what happens when good hosts get bought by conglomerates. The pattern is depressingly consistent.

The Performance Reality: Cloud Infrastructure vs “Managed” Label

Multiple providers claim “2x faster than the competition” with their managed WordPress hosting.

What’s actually true: WP Engine and SiteGround DO have better infrastructure than budget shared hosting:

  • Google Cloud Platform (WP Engine)
  • Google Cloud / custom cloud (SiteGround)
  • Dedicated resources instead of overcrowded shared servers
  • Better CPUs, faster storage, optimized caching

This infrastructure IS faster than $3/month shared hosting.

But here’s what they don’t tell you:

You Can Get Similar Cloud Infrastructure Elsewhere

The components of WordPress performance:

  1. Cloud infrastructure (dedicated resources, not shared hosting)

    • WP Engine: Google Cloud - $300+/year
    • Scala VPS: Cloud VPS - $539/year (unlimited sites vs WP Engine’s 10 sites for $1,152/year)
    • Hetzner: Cloud servers - $54/year (unmanaged)
  2. Server-level caching (LiteSpeed, Nginx FastCGI, Redis)

    • WP Engine: Built-in
    • ChemiCloud: LiteSpeed built-in ($95/year)
    • Any VPS: Install LiteSpeed or Nginx yourself
  3. PHP-FPM optimization

    • Standard on every decent host
    • Not a “managed WordPress” exclusive feature
  4. Database optimization

    • MySQL Query Cache (standard feature)
    • Or use WP-Optimize plugin (free)
  5. CDN (Content Delivery Network)

    • Cloudflare: Free
    • BunnyCDN: $1/month
    • WP Engine includes it → but so does ChemiCloud

The comparison:

WP Engine Startup ($300/year):

  • Google Cloud infrastructure ✓
  • Built-in caching ✓
  • CDN included ✓
  • “Managed” (automated scripts) ✓
  • 1 site limit ✗
  • 25k visitor cap ✗

Scala Cloud VPS ($539/year):

  • Cloud infrastructure (AMD EPYC, NVMe) ✓
  • Install LiteSpeed/caching yourself ✓
  • Cloudflare CDN (free) ✓
  • Actual management tools (SPanel) ✓
  • Unlimited sites ✓
  • Unlimited visitors ✓
  • 10 sites = $539/year vs WP Engine’s $1,152/year

ChemiCloud shared ($95/year):

  • LiteSpeed shared hosting (not cloud)
  • LiteSpeed caching built-in ✓
  • CDN included ✓
  • Automated updates ✓
  • Unlimited sites ✓
  • Unlimited visitors ✓
  • Not as fast as cloud for high traffic, but handles most sites fine

The verdict: Yes, cloud infrastructure is faster. No, you don’t need to pay $300-1,200/year for “managed” automation to get it.

When “Managed WordPress” Actually Makes Sense (Rarely)

I’m cynical, not dishonest. There are edge cases where the infrastructure might be worth the premium:

1. High-Traffic Sites with 500k+ Monthly Visitors

If you’re running a site that gets half a million visitors monthly, cloud infrastructure matters.

But even then:

  • Scala VPS with 8GB RAM ($84.95/mo = $1,019/year) can handle it
  • Hetzner cloud server (€20/mo = $240/year) handles 1M+ visitors
  • You’re still paying for automation they call “managed,” not actual human management

WP Engine charges: $959-1,200/year for the same cloud infrastructure with automated scripts

2. You Absolutely Need Their Specific Infrastructure

Some sites genuinely benefit from:

  • WP Engine’s Google Cloud edge network
  • SiteGround’s custom cloud architecture
  • Specific integrations they offer

But understand: You’re paying for infrastructure, not “management.” When your site breaks, you’re hiring a developer anyway.

3. You’re An Agency Needing Centralized Dashboard

If you’re running an agency with 50+ client sites, centralized management tools might be worth it.

But consider:

  • Scala SPanel can manage unlimited sites
  • ManageWP (free for basic features) manages unlimited WordPress sites
  • MainWP (free) does centralized management
  • You’d still save thousands per year using VPS + management tools vs “managed” WordPress

4. You Genuinely Won’t Click “Enable Auto-Updates”

If you refuse to:

  • Click “Enable automatic updates” in WordPress (literally one checkbox)
  • Install a free backup plugin (5 minutes)
  • Use Cloudflare’s free CDN (10 minutes to set up)

Then yes, pay someone to run automated scripts for you. Just know you’re paying $200-1,000/year for 15 minutes of setup work.

Honest recommendation: Pay a developer $50-100 once to properly configure your site on ChemiCloud or Scala. You’ll save $150-1,100/year compared to “managed” WordPress hosting.

The bottom line: The cloud infrastructure might be worth paying for. The “MANAGED” label is automation, not actual management.

The WordPress.org Recommendation Reality

“But WordPress.org recommends Bluehost!”

Yeah, about that.

WordPress.org officially recommends three hosts: Bluehost, DreamHost, and Hostinger.

Why?

Sponsorship and partnership programs.

WordPress.org doesn’t test hosts for performance, security, or support quality. They recommend hosts that sponsor WordCamp events and participate in partnership programs.

The context:

The better test: Look at where WordPress professionals host their own sites:

  • WPBeginner runs on SiteGround
  • Many WordPress consultants use VPS hosting, not “managed WordPress”
  • Independent hosts like ChemiCloud and Scala aren’t on WordPress.org’s list (no WordCamp sponsorship budget)

What You Should Actually Do Instead

If You Want Simple Shared Hosting

Use ChemiCloud:

  • $7.95/mo ($95/year with my link)
  • AMD EPYC 9354 CPUs (faster than WP Engine’s infrastructure)
  • LiteSpeed caching (same tech “managed” hosts brag about)
  • Free CDN (same as WP Engine includes)
  • Free staging sites (costs $25/mo extra at some “managed” hosts)
  • WordPress auto-updates enabled by default
  • 10-200 free site migrations

vs. WP Engine Startup:

  • $25/mo ($300/year)
  • 1 site limit (ChemiCloud: unlimited)
  • Visitor caps with overage fees (ChemiCloud: unlimited)
  • 10GB storage (ChemiCloud: 50GB)

You save: $205/year minimum

If You Want VPS Power

Use Scala Hosting:

  • $44.95/mo ($539/year)
  • Managed VPS with SPanel (free cPanel alternative)
  • 4 CPU cores, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe
  • Handle unlimited sites, unlimited traffic
  • WordPress management tools included
  • 0% renewal increase (price stays the same)

vs. WP Engine Growth (10 sites, 100k visits):

  • $96/mo ($1,152/year)
  • Shared resources (Scala: dedicated VPS)
  • Site limits (Scala: unlimited)
  • Visitor caps (Scala: handle millions)

You save: $613/year and get better performance

If You Want Absolute Best Value

Use Hetzner:

  • €3.79/mo (~$4.50/mo = $54/year) for VPS
  • AMD EPYC CPUs, NVMe storage
  • I make $0 from Hetzner (no affiliate program)
  • Unmanaged, so you need basic Linux knowledge
  • Install WordPress with one command: sudo apt install wordpress

vs. any “managed WordPress” host:

  • $54/year vs $200-1,200/year
  • Same or better hardware
  • Full root access
  • 0% renewal increase

You save: $146-1,146/year

The catch: You need to know how to use SSH and install WordPress. If that scares you, stick with ChemiCloud.

The Bottom Line: You’re Paying for “Managed” That’s Just Automation

“Managed WordPress hosting” often includes:

  • Better infrastructure (cloud servers, more resources) ✓ Actually better for high traffic
  • Automated updates (cron jobs) → You can enable this yourself for free
  • Automated backups (scheduled scripts) → Free plugins do this
  • Automated security scans (monitoring tools) → Free plugins do this
  • SSL certificates (Let’s Encrypt) → Free everywhere
  • CDN integration (Cloudflare) → Free

They charge: $200-1,200/year

What “managed” doesn’t include:

  • Fixing broken plugins/themes → Not covered or costs extra
  • Removing malware → Extra cost ($100-500) or not offered
  • Debugging WordPress errors → “Contact a developer”
  • Custom optimization → Additional paid service
  • Actually managing your WordPress site → That’s not what “managed” means

The reality:

ProviderAnnual CostInfrastructure”Management”When You Need Real Help
WP Engine Startup$300Google Cloud (good)Automated scriptsPay extra or hire developer
ChemiCloud$95LiteSpeed shared (decent)Automated scriptsHire developer when needed
Scala VPS$539Cloud VPS (excellent)SPanel tools + automationSet up once or hire developer
Hetzner$54Cloud VPS (excellent)None (DIY)Set up everything yourself

The math:

Paying for better infrastructure: Reasonable if you need it (high traffic, performance-critical site)

Paying for “managed” automation: You’re spending $200-1,100/year extra for automated scripts that:

  • You can enable yourself (literally one checkbox for auto-updates)
  • Or pay a developer $50-100 once to properly configure

When you actually need WordPress management (fixing broken sites, removing malware, debugging code):

  • “Managed” hosts won’t do it or charge extra
  • You’re hiring a developer anyway
  • So you’re paying $200-1,200/year for automation, then paying a developer on top of that

My honest recommendation hierarchy:

  1. Hetzner ($54/year) - I make $0, still rank #1 because it’s the best value for cloud VPS
  2. ChemiCloud ($95/year) - ~$100 commission, LiteSpeed shared hosting with automation included
  3. Scala VPS ($539/year) - +$100 commission, cloud VPS with actual management tools (SPanel)

Commission disclosure:

  • I’m NOT affiliated with: WP Engine, Bluehost, DreamHost, GoDaddy, or Rocket.net
  • I make ~$100 from: ChemiCloud and Scala Hosting
  • I make $0 from: Hetzner (no affiliate program) - still rank #1 for VPS

I rank by value instead of commission. That’s why Hetzner (where I make nothing) is my top VPS recommendation.

Verify This Yourself

Want to see the raw data behind my claims? Check out the data spreadsheets - pricing comparisons, performance tests, feature lists, and more.

Don’t trust me. Verify everything:

Pricing claims:

Feature claims:

Performance testing:

  • Test any host yourself: gtmetrix.com
  • Compare load times: pingdom.com
  • Independent reviews: Reddit r/webhosting, r/wordpress

Try it yourself:

  • ChemiCloud: 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Scala: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Hetzner: Pay-as-you-go, cancel anytime

Legal Note: This article contains documented facts with sources and my opinions based on those facts. “Managed WordPress hosting” is a legitimate service, but in my opinion, it’s overpriced for what most users actually need. I rank hosts by value instead of commission - Hetzner pays me $0, I still rank them #1.

Affiliate disclosure: I make money from ChemiCloud (~$100/sale) and Scala Hosting (+$100/sale), and nothing from Hetzner ($0/sale) because they don’t have an affiliate program. I’m not affiliated with WP Engine, Bluehost, DreamHost, GoDaddy, or Rocket.net. I rank by value instead of commission.

The Angry Dev

Do NOT trust review sites. Affiliate commissions dictate their rankings. This is an affiliate site too, but I’m being honest about what I earn and I rank by quality instead of payout. Even if it means I get paid $0. Read about my approach and why I stopped bullshitting. Here’s the raw data so you can fact-check everything.

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