TL;DR
The Best Magento Hosting offers exceptional server performance, scalability, and solid security features tailored to the platform’s needs. Cloudways, ScalaHosting, and LiquidWeb are our top three choices – each providing advanced speed features and 24/7 support. These web hosts ensure your Magento store runs smoothly, efficiently, and securely, with minimal down time.
ScalaHosting
Founded in 2007 by Hristo Rusev and Vladislav Georgiev, ScalaHosting has its headquarters in the Dallas, Texas. The company provides various hosting services like shared hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and email hosting. Renowned for its innovation, ScalaHosting sets itself apart with proprietary creations like sPanel and SShield, both designed in-house, providing users with intuitive server management and enhanced security.
ScalaHosting
If we’re being honest, ScalaHosting Managed VPS plans are pretty costly. However, they’re perfect workhorses for any eCommerce platform, whether Magento, PrestaShoop, or otherwise. Even the lowest tier has enough power to fuel the most demanding needs.
Their VPS plans are managed via SPanel, a custom control panel that comes free with the service. That lets you easily handle everything from OS and app deployment to fine-tuning cache handling or other environment parameters.
Aside from performance and stability, ScalaHosting also knows how essential security is for eCommerce sites. That’s why they’ve built a real-time security system to help protect your business. You also get automated backups, brute force protection, and much more!
Supported eCommerce Builders (Besides Magento)
Data Centers Locations
HostScore
ScalaHosting Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Affordable managed VPS hosting – 40% cheaper than its competitors
- Anytime unconditional Money-back Guarantee
- Automated backup with 7 restore points
- Generous offer in server resources – Even the lowest shared plan gets full NVMe storage, unmetered bandwidth and unlimited emails
- NVMe SSD storage for all shared hosting plans
- Innovative technology – SPanel, SShield, SWordPress
ScalaHosting Cons
- Renewal rates for shared hosting plans are rather expensive
Cloudways
Established in 2011 by co-founders Aaqib Gadit, Pere Hospital, and Uzair Gadit, Cloudways is a managed hosting platform that initially focused on leveraging partnerships with AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Digital Ocean to serve its customers better. The acquisition by DigitalOcean in August 2022 further solidified this partnership, enhancing Cloudways’ ability to provide superior managed hosting solutions.
Cloudways
One of the best reasons to opt for Cloudways if you’re running an eCommerce site is the sheet power and reliability of their plans. Everything is also easily manageable and scalable, so you won’t be paying for more than you use.
Regardless of the eCommerce platform you choose, Cloudways can manage it with aplomb. We’ve seen it efficiently work with everything from PrestaShop to Magento. Do not compare what you get here with a run-of-the-mill VPS; it’s much more capable.
Think of Cloudways as the ideal concierge virtual server where all you have to do is focus on handling your eCommerce shop. Their backend practically runs itself. However, fine-tuning options are still available if you need them.
Supported eCommerce Builders (Besides Magento)
Data Centers Locations
Cloudways Pros
- Topnotch server uptime and speed performance
- Good abstration over complex cloud server setups with integrated dashboard
- Outstanding customer support
- High scalability; Autonomous plan supports auto-scaling
- Easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer
- Host unlimited applications in one account
- 25% discount for first two months with coupon “HOSTSCORE”
Cloudways Cons
- Getting expensive – Prices increased steadily for the past few years
- Limited trial period
LiquidWeb
Founded in 1997 by Matthew Hill, Liquid Web has established itself as a leading player in the hosting and managed cloud services market, catering specifically to the needs of businesses, developers, and professionals. With its headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, the company has grown to serve over 45,000 customers in 150 countries, managing more than 500,000 sites globally. Liquid Web is renowned for its industry-leading customer service, exemplified by its 59-second support guarantee, and its commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance hosting solutions. The company’s offerings range from managed WordPress and WooCommerce hosting to dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and custom enterprise solutions. Liquid Web’s focus on security and compliance, including HIPAA and PCI-compliant hosting, makes it a trusted partner for industries with stringent regulatory requirements. Over the years, Liquid Web has earned numerous accolades for its innovation and customer satisfaction, reinforcing its position as a trusted provider in the competitive hosting landscape.
LiquidWeb
LiquidWeb has always been known as a provider of premium hosting services, and that remains true when it comes to eCommerce. Plans capable of hosting these are plentiful, from private VPS servers to managed platform plans and dedicated servers.
One notable divergence, though, is the Magento Cloud offerings sold via its sister brand, Nexcess. These are supremely robust and come with a minimum of 25 PHP Workers. More interestingly, they also come with Elasticsearch.
Most eCommerce plans at LiquidWeb are easily scalable via 1-Click scaling or auto-scaling. The plans are also primarily built on Cloud, which makes them incredibly robust and reliable. However, don’t expect them to come cheap.
Supported eCommerce Builders (Besides Magento)
Data Centers Locations
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LiquidWeb Pros
- Powerful enterprise hosting solutions with great scalability
- 100% network uptime, backed by detailed Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- Excellent customer support – 59-Second support response guarantee
- Self-operated data centres – Higher degree of security and data integrity compared to providers renting space from third-parties
- PCI-Compliant and HIPAA-Compliant hosting servers available
- Cheaper cloud VPS plan (starts at $5/mo) now available
LiquidWeb Cons
- Does not provide low-cost shared hosting plans
- No Asia-based data center
InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting, established in 2001 by Sunil Saxena and Todd Robinson in Los Angeles, California, has grown to become a well-regarded name in the web hosting industry. The company’s foundation by industry veterans is reflective of its deep commitment to offering reliable and user-friendly hosting solutions.
InMotion Hosting
Most eCommerce websites need robust and reliable hosting, which typically translates into VPS plans. InMotion Hosting hits a high note here, with VPS plans starting at reasonably low prices. The lowest tier is packed with 4 vCPU and 8GB of RAM for less than $15/mo.
However, the catch is that these plans are relatively barebones. Once you start adding options like a control panel or backup manager, the cost might skyrockets.
But then again, regardless of your preference – Magento, PrestaShop, or anything else, the speed and flexibility that InMotion offers are excellent. You are paying what you get for. If you are making money from your online store, we don’t see the reason why you should sweat on something that directly influences your customer experience at your site.
Supported eCommerce Builders (Besides Magento)
Data Centers Locations
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
- Limited advanced customization options for dedicated hosting plans
SiteGround
Established in 2004 by a group of university friends led by Ivo Tzenov, SiteGround has flourished into a prominent web hosting entity based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Boasting a workforce exceeding 600 employees, SiteGround proudly hosts almost three millions domains worldwide. With a powerful infrastructure spanning 11 data centers across 8 countries, the company offers an array of hosting solutions including shared, cloud, and enterprise hosting, alongside domain registration services.
SiteGround
The SiteGround brand is generally associated with excellent performance and world-class customer support—with a corresponding price tag. That makes it debatable whether many would take up its services. However, for eCommerce, SiteGround’s stability and speed give it an edge.
It doesn’t offer dedicated “eCommerce” plans, but you can run any eCommerce platform on Siteground Cloud hosting. These come with incredibly abundant resources, so whatever you choose, be it PrestaShop or an alternative, it will be blazingly fast.
However, prepare to pay as the cheapest Cloud plan at SiteGround starts at a jaw-dropping $100/mo. For that you get 4 CPU cores and 8GB of memory, with a paltry 40GB of SSD storage space tacked on as if an afterthought.
Supported eCommerce Builders (Besides Magento)
Data Centers Locations
HostScore
SiteGround Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Excellent customer support
- Choice of server locations in 11 countries
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Specialized WordPress support staff
SiteGround Cons
- Very expensive renewal pricing
- Limited storage in shared hosting plans
- Limited developer options on some plans
- NVMe storage not included
Running Magento Sites: What You Need to Know
What is Magento?
Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, is a powerful and flexible open-source eCommerce platform. Initially released in 2008, it has since evolved into one of the leading solutions for online retailers. Key users of Magento include small businesses, medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations like T-Mobile, Coca-Cola, and Krispy Kreme, all of which benefit from its scalability and extensive customization options.
Adobe Commerce offers two main versions: Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Commerce).
Magento Open Source
Magento Open Source is free and provides a comprehensive set of features, including flexible product catalog management, seamless order processing, and a highly customizable storefront. It is ideal for businesses looking to create a robust online store without the need for extensive initial investment.
Adobe Commerce
Adobe Commerce, on the other hand, is a premium product that builds on the capabilities of Magento Open Source with additional enterprise-grade features. These include advanced marketing tools such as customer segmentation and personalization, as well as sophisticated business intelligence capabilities and dedicated 24/7 customer support.
Why Use Magento to Sell Online?
One of the key strengths of Magento is its modular architecture, which allows developers to create and integrate custom extensions tailored to specific business needs. For example, a retailer could add a custom extension for enhanced product search functionality, integrate a third-party payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe, or implement a loyalty program to reward repeat customers. This flexibility makes it possible to design unique shopping experiences and streamline operations, ensuring that the platform can grow and adapt alongside the business.
What Makes a Web Host Great for Magento Sites?
Hosting a Magento site requires more than just a standard shared hosting environment. Given its resource-intensive nature, Magento demands a powerful hosting solution capable of meeting its substantial requirements.
Several key technical aspects make a web host suitable for Magento:
- Advanced Server Speed Features: Magento stores often house a large number of products and extensions. High server performance is crucial to ensure fast loading times and smooth operation. Opt for a host with NVMe storage rather than traditional HDDs or SSDs. NVMe drives significantly enhance I/O speeds, enabling quicker data retrieval. Additionally, implementing advanced caching mechanisms, such as Varnish or Redis, can further boost performance by storing frequently accessed data in memory, reducing load times and server strain.
- Scalability: As your online business grows, so will your hosting needs. A good Magento host should offer scalable solutions, allowing you to upgrade your resources seamlessly without experiencing downtime or performance issues. This flexibility ensures your store can handle increased traffic and transactions as it expands.
- Security: Security is paramount for eCommerce sites due to the sensitive customer information they handle. Features like firewalls, regular malware scans, and DDoS protection are essential to safeguard your Magento store against potential threats. Further, you’ll need a PCI-compliant server in case you are processing customer online payment. A secure hosting environment helps protect your business and your customers’ data.
- Magento-Specific Support: Expert technical support tailored for Magento can be a game-changer for store owners. Having access to a team proficient in Magento means you can quickly resolve platform-specific issues, avoiding prolonged downtime and potential loss of sales. These experts can assist with everything from one-click installations to configuring Magento-specific caching solutions, ensuring your store runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Hosting Uptime SLA: High uptime guarantees that your store remains accessible to customers around the clock, minimizing disruptions and potential revenue loss. Hosting providers that offer Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with guarantees for uptime and compensation for any unplanned outages are especially valuable. These SLAs provide a clear understanding of the expected reliability and performance of the hosting service. In the event of downtime, the compensation provided can help mitigate the financial impact on your business, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on running your store.
How to Choose the Right Magento Hosting Provider
So now you know the characteristics of a good Magento host – it’s time to pick one for your store. Here are some practical steps to help you make an informed decision:
1. Assess Your Business Needs
- Traffic and Scale: Consider your current traffic levels and future growth projections. If you expect high traffic or significant growth, choose a hosting plan that offers ample resources and scalability.
- Technical Expertise: Determine your level of technical expertise. Managed hosting services are ideal for those who prefer hands-off server management, while more technically inclined users might opt for self-managed hosting.
2. Compare Hosting Plans
- Performance Metrics: Look for providers offering high-performance features such as NVMe storage and advanced caching solutions. Check if they provide content delivery networks (CDNs) to improve load times for global audiences.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure the plan includes sufficient CPU, RAM, and bandwidth to handle your store’s demands. Some hosts offer burstable resources that can accommodate traffic spikes without impacting performance.
3. Evaluate Security Features
- Data Protection: Opt for hosting providers that prioritize security with features like regular backups, SSL certificates, firewalls, and malware scanning. These measures protect your store and customer data from cyber threats.
- Compliance: Ensure the host complies with industry standards and regulations, such as PCI-DSS for handling payment information securely.
4. Consider Support and Services
- Customer Support: Choose a host with responsive and knowledgeable customer support available 24/7. Look for providers with a good reputation for resolving issues quickly and efficiently.
- Magento Expertise: Hosting providers specializing in Magento can offer tailored support and optimized environments, simplifying the management of your store.
5. Check for Uptime Guarantees
- SLA Commitments: Review the provider’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) for uptime guarantees. High uptime (99.9% or above) is essential to keep your store accessible to customers at all times.
- Compensation Policies: Understand the compensation offered for any unplanned downtime. This can help mitigate potential revenue loss during outages.
6. Test the Waters
- Trial Periods and Money-Back Guarantees: Many hosting providers offer trial periods or money-back guarantees. Use these opportunities to test their services and ensure they meet your expectations before making a long-term commitment.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right hosting provider for your Magento store is vital. Hosting a Magento site efficiently requires a different approach compared to regular hosting. Pay extra attention to server performance features, scalability, security, support, and uptime guarantees.
Think of your host as a dance partner. They must be in sync with your needs. Choose wisely and watch your online store thrive.