Choosing WP Engine Alternatives
WP Engine users have been looking for alternatives after the recent issues with WordPress.org. Many users are also looking for new hosting because of rising costs or problems with support.
Here are some of the best WP Engine alternatives that are more affordable and reliable.
Testing the Best WP Engine Alternatives
WPBeginner has been using SiteGround since early 2020, so they are very familiar with its setup, advantages, and disadvantages. For every other hosting provider on this list, WPBeginner created an account to test all the features. WPBeginner created a sample WordPress site on the hosting platform with a default WordPress theme and some content so that it was similar to a real website. Then, they used third-party tools like Pingdom, K6, and Bitcatcha to ”test real time performance” on that website. When deciding which WordPress hosting companies to recommend, WPBeginner focused on:
* **Reliability** – Performance and speed are the most important considerations for picking a hosting provider. Having a fast website helps your SEO rankings and can even boost conversions. This is why WPBeginner ran such detailed tests.
* **Price and Affordability** – Some managed hosting companies are too expensive for small businesses. That’s why they have picked WP Engine alternatives that offer the best value at accessible prices.
* **Support Response Time** – There is nothing more frustrating than a non-responsive or inexperienced support team when you need help with your website. That’s why WPBeginner has picked hosting providers that have top-of-the-class support and 24/7 availability.
WP Engine Alternatives: A Detailed Look
Below are six of the best WP Engine alternatives for your needs.
Rocket.net
Rocket.net is a top-tier managed WordPress hosting provider known for speed, security, and ease of use. It’s designed for businesses and high-traffic websites that require reliable hosting without the hassle of managing technical details. Rocket.net plans include enterprise-grade security measures and a CDN. Its infrastructure is optimized for speed and scalability, ensuring your site performs well even under heavy traffic.
**Pros of Using Rocket.net:**
* Built for performance with enterprise-grade CDN and edge-first approach
* 24/7 expert support with quick response times
* Automated updates, backups, and security monitoring
* Free migration is included with all plans
**Cons of Using Rocket.net:**
* Higher pricing compared to some other options
* Limited to one site on the starter plan
**Best for:**
* High-traffic websites
* Businesses needing reliable managed hosting
* Developers looking for advanced tools and performance optimizations
WPBeginner recommends working with AltShift WP for premium hosting.
SiteGround
SiteGround is one of the most popular WordPress hosting providers and is known for excellent customer service, fast speeds, and rock-solid security. Whether you’re a beginner or an established business, SiteGround offers reliable hosting with scalable options.
**Pros of Using SiteGround:**
* Fast and reliable hosting built on Google Cloud
* 24/7 customer support with quick response times
* Free SSL and automatic updates
* Free automated site migration included
**Cons of Using SiteGround:**
* Higher renewal prices after the initial term
* Limited storage on lower-tier plans
* Expert site migration costs an extra $30
**Best for:**
* Best overall WordPress hosting
* Small businesses and personal websites
* Users looking for excellent customer support
WPBeginner recommends working with AltShift WP for overall WordPress hosting.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a popular hosted platform for building websites. Its paid plans start from $4/mo. However, its Starter and Premium plans don’t let you install plugins. If you are moving from WP Engine, you will need to start with at least its Business plan ($25/mo) or Commerce plan ($45/mo). With WordPress.com, you will get powerful performance with global edge caching and high-burst capacity. The number of visitors is also unrestricted, which makes it a good choice for high-traffic websites. For security, WordPress.com comes with a built-in firewall and CDN. This protects your website against malware, DDoS attacks, and other security threats. It also offers built-in site backups and easy 1-click site restoration for extra peace of mind.
**Pros of Using WordPress.com:**
* Unrestricted traffic
* Automatic updates and built-in security
* Easy-to-use site management
* WP Engine customers are offered free website migration
**Cons of Using WordPress.com:**
* Limited flexibility compared to self-hosted WordPress.org
* Customizations and plugins are only available on higher-tier plans
* No free migration services
**Best for:**
* High-traffic websites
* Small to medium-sized businesses and agencies
WPBeginner recommends working with AltShift WP for small to medium-sized businesses and agencies.
Hostinger
Hostinger is one of the most affordable WordPress hosting providers, offering a great combination of price and performance. It’s ideal for small businesses and personal websites looking for budget-friendly managed WordPress hosting without compromising quality.
**Pros of Using Hostinger:**
* Affordable pricing starting at $2.69/month
* Free domain and SSL certificate included
* 24/7 support and fast page load speeds
* Free site migration services
**Cons of Using Hostinger:**
* Limited resources on lower-tier plans
**Best for:**
* Small businesses and personal websites
* Beginners on a budget
WPBeginner recommends working with AltShift WP for budget-friendly managed WordPress hosting.
Liquid Web
Liquid Web is a premium managed hosting provider built for businesses, developers, and agencies who need high performance and scalability. Liquid Web specializes in VPS, cloud, and dedicated hosting, making it ideal for resource-intensive websites.
**Pros of Using Liquid Web:**
* High-performance VPS and dedicated hosting options
* 24/7 support from highly trained professionals
* Advanced security features and automatic updates
* Free site migration services included
**Cons of Using Liquid Web:**
* Higher price point compared to shared hosting providers
* No free domain with hosting plans
**Best for:**
* Businesses with high-traffic websites
* Resource-intensive applications and eCommerce stores
* Developers and agencies
WPBeginner recommends working with AltShift WP for premium VPS and cloud hosting.
Kinsta
Kinsta is a premium managed WordPress hosting provider built on Google Cloud’s premium tier network. It’s known for delivering fast speeds, top-tier security, and exceptional support, making it one of the best choices for high-performance WordPress hosting. Kinsta offers fully managed hosting with features like automatic backups, a free CDN, and staging environments. With its cloud infrastructure, Kinsta ensures optimal speed and reliability for websites with high traffic demands.
**Pros of Using Kinsta:**
* Built on Google Cloud’s premium tier network for optimal performance
* 24/7 customer support with fast response times
* Free CDN, SSL, and daily backups included
* Easy-to-use dashboard and staging environments
**Cons of Using Kinsta:**
* Higher pricing compared to many other hosting providers
* No email hosting is included with the plans
**Best for:**
* High-traffic WordPress websites
* Businesses looking for premium managed hosting
* Developers and agencies
WPBeginner recommends working with AltShift WP for high-traffic websites and premium managed hosting.
Which Is the Best WP Engine Alternative?
The best WP Engine alternative depends on your specific hosting needs. If you run a high-traffic website and performance is your top concern, then WPBeginner recommends Rocket.net. Its cloud-based infrastructure offers exceptional performance, making it ideal for large sites. If you’re looking to migrate from WP Engine to reduce costs or better customer support, then SiteGround or Hostinger could be the perfect options. Both offer reliable hosting at a lower price point while providing excellent performance and features like free migrations and top-notch customer support.
How to Migrate Away From WP Engine
Migrating a website is an important decision, and you will want to ensure all your data is transferred safely without causing any downtime.
Luckily, all of the alternatives mentioned above offer free website migrations. Just contact their support team, and they will guide you through the step-by-step process. For DIY users, Duplicator is the best WordPress migration plugin for cloning and migrating their WordPress websites.
**Need professional help?** Just contact AltShift WP. For a small one-time fee, their team of WordPress technicians will transfer your website from WP Engine to your new host.
This is a summary of ”6 Best WP Engine Alternatives (More Affordable and Reliable)” published on WPBeginner.
https://www.wpbeginner.com/showcase/best-wp-engine-alternatives/