TL;DR
The Best Drupal Hosting ensures top server performance, strong security, and excellent support. After extensive research, we picked ScalaHosting as our #1 choice (which is also officially recommended by Drupal.org) for its outstanding performance, advanced security features, and scalability.
ScalaHosting
ScalaHosting plans mainly cater to diverse platforms. Regardless of shared hosting or Managed VPS, you can use their 1-Click installer to deploy most apps. So, it’s available here whether you want a large info portal, wiki site, forum, or anything else. Incidentally, they also have a close partnership with both Joomla and Drupal.
Included in all plans are free SSL, unlimited email, daily backups, auto malware scanning, and the latest versions of PHP, MySQL, and MariaDB. The best part is their in-house built control panel, SPanel, and defense system, SShield. SPanel offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies website management, while SShield provides robust security by protecting your site from cyber threats. Additionally, ScalaHosting’s infrastructure ensures high performance and reliability, making it an excellent choice for hosting your site.
VPS (Best for Drupal Sites) Plans
HostScore
ScalaHosting Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Affordable pricing
- Anytime unconditional Money-back Guarantee
- Automated backup with 7 restore points
- Generous offer in server resources – Even the lowest shared plan gets unmetered bandwidth and unlimited emails
- NVMe SSD storage for all shared hosting plans
- Innovative technology – SPanel, SShield, SWordPress
ScalaHosting Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
Verpex
Since VPS plans are essentially blank slates, you can run any platform at Verpex. Their broad range of VPS (managed and unmanaged) offers you a choice of entry at various prices. Anything is possible whether you want to operate a Joomla site or a Wiki.
While running Windows-native platforms on their Windows servers is possible, these cost a fair bit more, thanks to Microsoft licensing fees. However, you get more resources and free use of the Plesk control panel.
For those wanting to run forums or anything else that needs a LAMP stack, their Linux plans are more reasonably priced. You can choose managed or unmanaged plans to run the apps you prefer.
VPS (Best for Drupal Sites) Plans
HostScore
Verpex Pros
- Budget-friendly shared and VPS hosting plans
- 45-day money back guarantee
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Unlimited free site migrations
- Choice of 12 distributed data centers across five continents
- Wide hosting selections including Windows and dedicated hosting
Verpex Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
TMDHosting
TMDHosting goes the extra mile when it comes to meeting diverse hosting needs. However, this mostly comes via its 1-Click app deployment, which is standard on most web hosts. They generally don’t tell you which platforms are supported, though.
At TMDHosting, you can be almost sure that everything is available. That ranges from various dev frameworks to JS-friendly plans and even LMS and ERP platforms. You can deploy a Personal Cloud here if you’re so inclined.
That last bit is interesting since we’ve encountered several hosts that explicitly don’t allow you to use their space to store things like non-website-related files. In any case, TMDHosting has you covered.
VPS (Best for Drupal Sites) Plans
HostScore
TMDHosting Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Choice of global data centres in six continents
- Easy-to-use centralized dashboard
- Free white glove migration
- Host unlimited websites in Business or Enterprise plans
- Outstanding customer support
- Reinforced DDoS protection for all shared hosting accounts
TMDHosting Cons
- Lowest shared plan does not support automatic backup
- Free domain has no privacy protection
- Price increase during the renewal
Ultahost
Due to its exciting hosting plan lineup, UltaHost can cater to almost any platform needs, whether Drupal, LMS, or whatever else you like. It offers regular VPS plans but also Virtual Dedicated Servers and, something new to us, Mac hosting.
Its VPS plans start dirt cheap at $5.50/mo, which is amazingly on managed plans. That means you get assistance with your server needs and a control panel. While the low prices mean you use Hestia & CyberPanel, it’s better than nothing.
The Mac plans are the most interesting because they’re so agile. While Macs are capable enough for web hosting, these plans mean you get a full-blown Mac in the Cloud for business, even regular office use.
VPS (Best for Drupal Sites) Plans
HostScore
Ultahost Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Highly competitive pricing
- Easy-to-use user dashboard
- NVMe SSD storage in all shared hosting plans
- Free malware scan & web applications firewall (WAF) in all shared hosting plans
- Choice of 5 server locations in four continents
Ultahost Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited disk space.
InMotion Hosting
If you intend to run any other kind of website apart from WordPress, InMotion plans are generally agile enough to handle them. For example, a wiki site can likely run on their shared hosting plans, while heavier apps like Joomla or Drupal sites will shine on VPS.
The keynote of interest is that these plans can likely support any customization you need. That is way beyond the locked-in shared hosting generally available in the market. At InMotion, you will have tons of backend tools at your disposal.
There’s no issue here, even if you don’t know what you want to deploy. They provide a one-click installer that instantly installs hundreds of apps. Ghost? Forums? Anything you need can be deployed in a few clicks.
VPS (Best for Drupal Sites) Plans
HostScore
InMotion Hosting Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Lowest shared hosting plan supports Python, Node.JS, Ruby and GIT version control
- Choice of data center locations in the United States and Europe
- Free AutoSSL
- Built-in hack, DDoS, and malware protection
- 90-day money back guarantee
- Free website migration services
InMotion Hosting Cons
- Lower shared hosting plans lack speed optimization
- Price increase during the renewal
Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Drupal Host
What is Drupal?
Drupal is a powerful content management system (CMS) known for its flexibility and scalability, making it a popular choice for complex websites with high traffic. Among its users are prestigious organizations and high-traffic websites such as The Economist, NASA, and the University of Oxford. These sites leverage Drupal’s robust framework to manage extensive content and provide a seamless user experience.
Drupal’s extensive customization options make it an ideal choice for developers and site administrators looking to build intricate, high-performance websites.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Hosting for Drupal Websites
Drupal’s hosting needs are unique due to its resource-intensive nature and the demand for solid security features. Here are the system requirements stated on Drupal.org, the official website:
For Drupal 10
- Apache 2.4.7 or higher, Nginx 1.1 or higher, or any other web server with proper PHP support.
- MySQL 5.7.8 / MariaDB 10.3.7 / Percona Server 5.7.8 / PostgreSQL 12 / SQLite 3.26 or higher
- Memory 1 GB or more
- PHP 8.1 and above
- Disk space 100 MB minimum
For Drupal 11
- Apache 2.4.7 or higher, Nginx 1.1 or higher, or any other web server with proper PHP support.
- MariaDB 10.6+ / MySQL / Percona 8.0+ / PostgreSQL 16 / SQLite 3.45 or higher
- Memory / Disk space unconfirmed
While most hosting providers would tell you that their system meets Drupal’s system requirements; to run a Drupal site smoothly in the real world, you need something way above the minimum.
Flexibility to scale, up-to-date database and PHP versions, and comprehensive security measures are three vital factors. Which explains why we picked ScalaHosting as our #1 choice. With features such as SPanel, free daily backups, and built-in security tool SShield, it ensures that your Drupal site remains secure and can handle increasing traffic demands effortlessly.
To learn further on how to choose a Drupal site hosting – read on.
How to Choose the Best Drupal Hosting Provider?
Choosing the best Drupal hosting provider involves several key considerations that align with the unique demands of this powerful CMS. Below are five key factors you must look into.
1. Performance
Performance is paramount for any website, and Drupal sites are no exception. High-traffic websites like those of The Economist, NASA, and the University of Oxford require fast load times and reliable uptime to provide a seamless user experience.
Look for web hosts that offer high uptime guarantees and fast server speeds. Features such as NVMe storage, CDN integration, and optimized server configurations can significantly boost your site’s speed and uptime performance.
2. Security
Security is a top priority for Drupal sites – given the frequent updates and patches required to keep the CMS secure. High-profile sites leveraging Drupal’s capabilities need to be protected from potential threats.
Opt for hosting providers that offer strong security features such as free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, daily backups, and regular malware scans. A well-secured hosting environment ensures your site and data are protected from malicious attacks.
3. Scalability
As your site grows, your hosting needs may change. Drupal itself requires high resources to run smoothly, even without high traffic. Therefore, it’s best to run Drupal on a VPS for optimal performance.
For high-traffic sites, it’s crucial to select a web host that offers scalable solutions. This allows you to upgrade to cloud or dedicated hosting plans as needed. Providers like ScalaHosting and TMDHosting offer these options. Scalable hosting plans ensure your site can handle increased traffic and resource demands as it expands. This helps maintain optimal performance without significant downtime.
4. Customer Support
Reliable customer support is essential, especially if you encounter technical issues with your Drupal site. For complex websites, timely and knowledgeable support is crucial. Choose hosts that provide 24/7 customer support. Live chat is particularly important as it offers immediate assistance.
Additionally, look for comprehensive self-help documentation. This allows you to troubleshoot and resolve issues on your own. Knowledgeable and responsive support teams, combined with robust self-help resources, can save you time and hassle. This ensures your site stays up and running smoothly.
5. Pricing
While cost is always a consideration, it’s crucial to balance pricing with the features offered. Look for hosting providers that offer competitive pricing without compromising on performance and essential features. Avoid choosing a host solely based on the lowest price, as this can lead to higher costs down the road due to inadequate performance or missing features.
Evaluate the overall value provided by considering what you get for your money, ensuring you receive the best return on your investment.
Final Thoughts
You need the right web host to unlock the full potential of Drupal. By focusing on performance, security, customer support, scalability, and pricing, you can find the perfect hosting solution to ensure your Drupal site runs efficiently.
