The best PCI-compliant hosting ensures your website processes payment data in accordance with PCI DSS standards. Atlantic.Net, our top recommendation, provides fully compliant infrastructure, while other hosts in our list offer configurations that comply with PCI standards, from pre-configured PCI servers to managed compliance support.
Choosing the right PCI host depends on how your business processes transactions. High-volume eCommerce sites require managed compliance and integrated security suites, whereas smaller businesses benefit from infrastructure that simply passes PCI scans.
In this guide, we compare leading PCI-compliant hosting providers and explain which options fit different transaction models and security requirements.
| Hosting Provider | Key Features | Managed PCI Support | Staring Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic.Net | Fully managed, VPN licenses included, Flexible private, public, & hybrid hosting supported | Yes. Managed PCI compliance with SOC 2, SOC 3, and HIPAA audits. | $416.89/mo |
| Liquid Web | Fully managed, Dedicated IP, Advanced security | Yes. Supports PCI compliance with custom configurations. | $354.00/mo |
| OVHcloud | DDoS protection, High availability, Flexible hosting | Infrastructure only. Offers PCI DSS-certified servers for businesses in Europe. | $3,194.60/mo |
| InMotion Hosting | Bare metal & dedicated servers, Managed security | Partial. Helps with configuring PCI-compliant environments. | $35.00/mo |
| Verpex | Cloud, VPS hosting with managed services | Partial. Assistance provided to achieve PCI compliance. | $23.34/mo |
Note: Our HostScore ratings offer a broad view of web host performance, but your specific needs in a PCI-compliant host may vary. This guide is designed to help readers who are actively looking for the best PCI hosting based on real-world use cases and key decision factors.
1. Atlantic.Net
Website: https://www.atlantic.net/pci-compliant-hosting/
Atlantic.Net specializes in compliance-ready hosting environments designed for industries that handle sensitive data, including healthcare, finance, and eCommerce. The company operates U.S.-based SSAE 18 data centers with HIPAA, HITECH, and PCI DSS support built into its infrastructure.
Businesses that choose Atlantic.Net can opt for pre-configured PCI-compliant servers or request managed assistance to ensure ongoing compliance. Unlike hosts where PCI setup is left to the customer, Atlantic.Net integrates security and auditing into its core offering. This makes the company one of the most reliable options for businesses that cannot afford downtime, data breaches, or failed PCI scans.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Atlantic.Net?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| PCI DSS, HIPAA, and HITECH compliance out of the box | Higher starting price ($247/month) than budget competitors |
| Data centers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Singapore | |
| Unmetered 1 Gbps bandwidth included with all plans | |
| Optional managed support for compliance |
2. LiquidWeb
Website: https://www.liquidweb.com/pci/
Liquid Web positions itself as a fully managed hosting provider with strong support for PCI compliance. The company focuses on mission-critical workloads, especially for eCommerce platforms such as Magento and WooCommerce, as well as agencies managing client stores.
For businesses that need help, Liquid Web’s support team assists directly with scans, remediation, and configuration. Their infrastructure includes dedicated servers and private cloud solutions backed by a 100% network uptime guarantee. For growing businesses that want to offload both hosting and compliance management, Liquid Web is a strong contender.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Liquid Web?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fully managed PCI-compliant environments available | No PCI options on shared or basic VPS plans |
| Strong focus on eCommerce (Magento, WooCommerce) | Premium pricing compared to budget providers |
| High uptime SLA (100% network guarantee) | |
| Excellent managed support reputation |
3. OVHcloud
Website: https://www.ovhcloud.com/compliance/pci-dss/
OVHcloud is a Europe-based global hosting provider with a strong focus on cloud and bare-metal server offerings. Founded in 1999, it operates over 30 data centers across multiple continents and serves customers ranging from startups to enterprises.
While OVHcloud does not automatically enable PCI DSS compliance on all plans, its enterprise-grade bare-metal servers and private cloud options can be configured to meet the standard. The company’s data centers carry ISO/IEC 27001 certification and feature a wide selection of network, storage, and security configurations. This makes OVHcloud a practical choice for enterprises that already have internal compliance expertise and want to deploy PCI-ready systems on a global scale.
What Are the Pros and Cons of OVHcloud?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible infrastructure for custom compliance setups | PCI compliance not turnkey; requires customer-side configuration |
| Affordable pricing for high-performance bare-metal servers | Limited managed support compared to competitors |
| Large global network of data centers | |
| ISO/IEC 27001 certified facilities |
4. InMotion Hosting
Website: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/
InMotion Hosting is a long-established U.S.-based host known for business-friendly services and responsive support. Founded in 2001, they offer a range of hosting options including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
InMotion Hosting does not provide PCI-compliant environments by default, but its VPS and dedicated servers can be configured to pass PCI scans. This makes InMotion a middle-ground choice for small businesses and developers who want affordable infrastructure but are comfortable handling their own compliance setup. InMotion includes DDoS protection, optional cPanel, and U.S.-based 24/7 support.
For startups or SMBs that process a moderate transaction volume and have some technical expertise, InMotion offers a cost-effective entry point into PCI-capable hosting.
What Are the Pros and Cons of InMotion Hosting?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable entry points for PCI-capable environments | PCI compliance requires manual configuration by the customer |
| Free website transfers and optional cPanel | Fewer data center options compared to others |
| Strong support and documentation for SMBs | |
| Free SSL and site migrations included |
5. Verpex
Website: https://verpex.com/
Verpex is a newer hosting provider offering cloud hosting with a focus on flexibility and support. Though founded in 2018, the company has grown quickly with a global network of data centers and white-label reseller solutions.
Verpex does not provide PCI-compliant environments by default. Users who require PCI DSS hosting will need to configure VPS or dedicated servers manually to meet compliance requirements. While Verpex includes features such as NVMe SSD storage, free SSL, and 24/7 support, these do not replace the specialized controls needed for PCI. As such, Verpex is best suited for developers or businesses with the expertise to customize their setup, rather than merchants looking for turnkey PCI compliance.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Verpex?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very affordable entry pricing | No PCI-compliant environments by default |
| Scalable cloud infrastructure | Limited enterprise-grade support or advanced compliance help |
| Multiple global data centers | |
| 45-day money-back guarantee |
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Explore Our ServicesHow Do the Best PCI-Compliant Hosting Providers Compare?
The best PCI-compliant hosting providers serve different business needs depending on budget, technical resources, and compliance expectations. The table below shows a side-by-side comparison of features, compliance support, and pricing:
| Hosting Provider | Key Features | Managed PCI Support | Staring Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic.Net | Fully managed, VPN licenses included, Flexible private, public, & hybrid hosting supported | Yes. Managed PCI compliance with SOC 2, SOC 3, and HIPAA audits. | $416.89/mo |
| Liquid Web | Fully managed, Dedicated IP, Advanced security | Yes. Supports PCI compliance with custom configurations. | $354.00/mo |
| OVHcloud | DDoS protection, High availability, Flexible hosting | Infrastructure only. Offers PCI DSS-certified servers for businesses in Europe. | $3,194.60/mo |
| InMotion Hosting | Bare metal & dedicated servers, Managed security | Partial. Helps with configuring PCI-compliant environments. | $35.00/mo |
| Verpex | Cloud, VPS hosting with managed services | Partial. Assistance provided to achieve PCI compliance. | $23.34/mo |
Which PCI Hosting is Best for eCommerce Stores?
Atlantic.Net offers the strongest fit for eCommerce stores that must meet strict PCI DSS requirements. Their hosting environments include security features such as firewall provisioning, encrypted backups, audit logging, and intrusion detection. For store owners processing credit card payments directly, Atlantic.Net’s managed compliance framework significantly reduces the risk of failed scans, fines, or transaction blocks.
Liquid Web is another strong choice for online stores. Their managed PCI services simplify compliance for WooCommerce or Magento users who may not have the resources to handle technical adjustments themselves.
Which Provider Offers Managed PCI Compliance?
Managed PCI compliance means the host not only delivers compliant infrastructure but also assists with day-to-day requirements. This can include configuring servers, applying security patches, maintaining logs, and providing documentation during audits.
Atlantic.Net delivers a fully managed PCI-compliant service designed for industries handling sensitive data, including healthcare and finance. Their team helps configure environments, monitor systems, and guide customers through documentation and remediation.
Liquid Web also provides managed PCI hosting with strong support for eCommerce and SaaS platforms. Their specialists assist with gap analysis, configuration, and audit preparation, which helps businesses without dedicated DevOps teams maintain compliance more easily.
What is the Cheapest PCI-Compliant Hosting Provider?
Verpex offers the lowest entry cost among the providers on our list, with managed cloud hosting starting at about $23.34 per month. However, Verpex does not include PCI compliance by default. Instead, its infrastructure can be manually configured to pass PCI DSS scans.
This makes Verpex attractive for developers or agencies with the technical expertise to manage compliance themselves. But for businesses actively processing credit card transactions, relying on a budget host without turnkey compliance increases the risk of failed scans or costly misconfigurations. In most cases, the cheapest host is not the safest option for PCI-sensitive workloads.
Can Shared Hosting be PCI Compliant?
No, shared hosting cannot meet PCI DSS standards because the environment runs multiple customers on the same server. This lack of isolation prevents businesses from enforcing their own firewall rules, logging systems, and security controls. For PCI compliance, you need at least a VPS, cloud server, or dedicated server where you can configure access, apply patches, and maintain audit-ready settings.
What Features Should You Look For in PCI-Compliant Hosting?
A PCI-compliant hosting environment must protect cardholder data and support secure configurations. At minimum, the server should include strong access controls, encrypted storage, vulnerability scanning, and reporting features to demonstrate compliance during audits.
Key PCI features to look for include:
- Dedicated IP address and SSL certificate – basic requirements for secure transactions.
- Firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS/IPS) – to block unauthorized access.
- Encryption – protecting cardholder data both in transit and at rest.
- Vulnerability management – regular scans, patching, and updates.
- Access control – restricting data and system access to authorized users only.
- Continuous monitoring – logging and alerting for suspicious activity.
- Compliance reporting – PCI scan reports, audit documentation, and patch records.
Which Hosts Offer Pre-Configured PCI-Compliant Servers?
Some hosting providers deliver servers that are already configured for PCI DSS compliance, saving you the time and technical work of setting up security controls yourself. These pre-configured environments include firewalls, logging, encryption, and audit support as part of the package.
- Atlantic.Net provides pre-configured PCI-compliant servers with managed support. Their environments are validated for PCI, HIPAA, and HITECH, making them one of the most turnkey solutions available.
- Liquid Web also offers managed PCI hosting, where the compliance setup and maintenance are handled by their support team. This is a strong fit for eCommerce stores or SaaS platforms without in-house DevOps expertise.
- OVHcloud, InMotion Hosting, and Verpex do not ship PCI compliance by default. Their infrastructure can be configured to meet PCI DSS standards, but the responsibility for setup and ongoing compliance falls on the customer.
Which Popular Hosts Are Not PCI Ready by Default?
It’s important to clear up some of the misinformation published by affiliate blogs. Many articles list general-purpose hosts as “PCI compliant” even though they do not provide the necessary environment:
- Hostinger – Hostinger does not offer PCI-compliant environments. Their shared and cloud plans lack the isolation and logging required. While their VPS can technically be configured, PCI compliance is not supported out of the box.
- WP Engine – WP Engine provides secure managed WordPress hosting, but it is not PCI DSS certified. They explicitly recommend using third-party payment gateways (like Stripe or PayPal) rather than processing cardholder data directly on WP Engine servers.
- Bluehost – Bluehost shared and VPS hosting does not meet PCI requirements. Achieving compliance would require manual server adjustments, and their support documentation confirms they are not PCI compliant by default.
These hosts may be excellent for other use cases (WordPress, budget sites, small businesses), but they are not suitable for businesses that must meet PCI DSS. If you see them recommended as “PCI compliant,” the source is likely prioritizing affiliate commissions over accuracy.
Why This Distinction Matters?
Businesses that process credit card payments directly risk fines, transaction blocks, or higher processing fees if they rely on a host that is not PCI compliant. Choosing a pre-configured PCI host like Atlantic.Net or Liquid Web reduces that risk and ensures your systems are audit-ready from day one.
What Tools and Services Support PCI Compliance?
Hosting providers set the foundation, but maintaining PCI compliance requires additional tools and services. These solutions enforce encryption, run vulnerability scans, detect intrusions, and generate reports to demonstrate compliance during audits.
Below is a list of recommended PCI compliance tools, grouped by function:
| Category | Examples | What They Do |
|---|---|---|
| Vulnerability Scanning & Assessment | Qualys, Trustwave, ControlScan | Perform PCI DSS–required quarterly scans, identify misconfigurations and known exploits. |
| Intrusion Detection & Prevention (IDS/IPS) | OSSEC, Snort | Monitor server traffic, detect suspicious activity, and block intrusion attempts. |
| Encryption & Key Management | Let’s Encrypt (SSL/TLS), HashiCorp Vault | Encrypt cardholder data in transit and at rest; manage encryption keys securely. |
| Log Monitoring & SIEM | Splunk, AlienVault (AT&T Cybersecurity) | Aggregate system logs, flag anomalies, and provide audit-ready reporting. |
| Access Control & Authentication | Duo Security (MFA), Okta | Enforce multi-factor authentication, restrict access to authorized personnel only. |
| Audit Reporting & Compliance Dashboards | Trustwave, ControlScan | Provide compliance dashboards, remediation guidance, and downloadable PCI reports for banks or auditors. |
For most businesses, the hosting provider does not supply all of these tools out of the box. Combining PCI-ready hosting with the right third-party services reduces risk and improves the chances of passing compliance audits on the first attempt.
What Happens If Your Website Fails a PCI Compliance Scan?
Failing a PCI compliance scan puts your business at immediate financial and operational risk. Acquiring banks and payment processors rely on PCI DSS scans to verify that your website can securely handle cardholder data. If you fail, several consequences can follow:
- Higher transaction fees – Payment processors may increase your rates until you remediate the issues.
- Transaction blocking – In severe cases, banks can suspend your ability to accept credit card payments.
- Fines and penalties – Non-compliance fines can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month.
- Brand and customer trust damage – A failed PCI status can undermine customer confidence and hurt sales.
- Increased liability after a breach – If a data breach occurs while you are non-compliant, you may be held fully responsible for damages and fraud losses.
Failing a scan does not always mean your business loses PCI status immediately. Most providers and scanning vendors give you a remediation window to patch vulnerabilities, reconfigure servers, or update software before resubmitting your scan. However, repeated failures signal that your environment is insecure and that can lead to stricter monitoring or termination of your merchant account.
For businesses that rely on credit card payments, choosing a host with pre-configured PCI compliance and strong support (like Atlantic.Net or Liquid Web) greatly reduces the risk of failing a scan in the first place.
What Does PCI Compliance Mean in Web Hosting?
PCI compliance in web hosting means the server environment and operational processes comply with the PCI DSS standard set by the PCI Security Standards Council. Any website that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data must implement technical and administrative controls to protect that data at every stage.
In hosting terms, PCI compliance requires a secure and well-maintained environment. Your server must support encrypted connections, enforce hardened configurations, apply regular patching, deploy firewalls, restrict access by least privilege, retain logs, and record audit trails. Responsibility for these tasks varies by hosting type — managed PCI hosts usually cover most controls, while VPS, cloud, or dedicated servers transfer more responsibility to the customer.
If your workload falls within PCI scope and the environment fails compliance, you risk audit failure, increased processing fees, financial penalties, or loss of card acceptance privileges.
How Does PCI-Compliant Hosting Differ from Regular Hosting?
A PCI-compliant environment implements specific technical and operational controls required by PCI DSS. Regular hosting prioritizes availability and performance but does not attest to audited security baselines.
| Area | PCI-Compliant Hosting | Regular Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Isolation & Control | Dedicated/VPC segmentation; customer controls configs | Shared or generic isolation; limited control |
| Security Baseline | Hardened OS, secure configs, change control | Best-effort hardening; varies by plan |
| Encryption | TLS in transit; encrypted storage and keys | TLS only; at-rest encryption may be optional |
| Firewalls & IDS/IPS | Managed firewalls, WAF, IDS/IPS supported | Basic firewall; IDS/IPS rarely included |
| Logging & Monitoring | Centralized logs, retention, tamper protection | Basic logs; retention not guaranteed |
| Vulnerability Management | ASV scans, patch SLAs, remediation tracking | Ad-hoc updates; no ASV workflow |
| Access Control | MFA, role-based access, least privilege | Standard panel access; MFA optional |
| Audit Support | Scan reports, evidence packs, documentation help | No compliance documentation |
| Cost & Complexity | Higher cost; lower audit risk | Lower cost; compliance left to you |
What Does It Mean When Hosts Say “We Help You Pass a PCI Scan”?
When a hosting provider says it helps you pass a PCI scan, it means their support team assists with the technical setup required to meet the Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) checklist — not that the provider itself is certified on your behalf.
In practice, this support typically includes:
- Installing and validating TLS/SSL certificates
- Disabling weak ciphers or legacy protocols
- Hardening core services such as SSH, PHP, and database engines
- Configuring and tuning firewall or WAF policies to block unauthorized traffic
- Closing open ports and removing default system services
- Applying system and application patches to remediate vulnerabilities
- Preparing / reviewing the documentation required for ASV verification
These actions improve your environment’s security posture and enable it to clear PCI vulnerability scans. However, they do not certify your business as PCI compliant.
Ongoing compliance still depends on your own operational controls, including continuous patching, log auditing, access management, vulnerability scanning, and submission of the required SAQ or ROC.
Think of this service as scan alignment, not full PCI certification.
What Does It Mean When a Host Isn’t PCI-Compliant?
When a provider says it doesn’t offer PCI-compliant environments (common with general-purpose hosts like BlueHost, WP Engine, or Hostinger), the platform hasn’t been designed or validated against PCI DSS. You may lack required isolation, hardened baselines, and audit support—even if performance is excellent.
You still have viable paths forward:
- Reduce scope with a third-party processor. Use Stripe, PayPal, or Square so card data never touches your server. This can move you to a lighter SAQ and lower risk.
- Configure a VPS/dedicated/cloud server for PCI. With the right controls (firewall, logging, encryption, ASV scans, MFA, patching), you can pass scans — but you work on your own.
- Migrate to a turnkey PCI host. Providers like Atlantic.Net or Liquid Web offer pre-configured environments and active support for audits and remediation.
Choose the path that fits your risk tolerance, budget, and team skills. If you plan to process card data directly, a pre-configured PCI host often costs more up front but reduces audit friction and breach exposure later.
Do Cloud Hosting Platforms Meet PCI Requirements?
Cloud hosting scales resources across distributed servers, but that flexibility does not guarantee PCI compliance. Large platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure provide the infrastructure and security controls needed for PCI DSS, yet compliance is never automatic.
You must configure firewalls, apply encryption, manage access, and complete PCI scans on their own.
For example:
- AWS offers PCI DSS–validated services, but customers remain responsible for securing workloads, managing keys, and maintaining logs.
- Google Cloud and Azure also maintain PCI DSS certifications at the platform level, but compliance applies only to the services they operate, not to your applications or configurations.
- DigitalOcean provides secure cloud hosting (see screenshot above) but does not advertise PCI DSS–ready environments. Customers must configure servers and pass scans independently.
This arrangement is known as the shared responsibility model. The provider secures the underlying infrastructure, while you remain accountable for operating systems, applications, and data. Cloud hosting can absolutely support PCI compliance — but only if you have the expertise, processes, or a managed partner to configure and maintain it properly.
How Is PCI Compliance a Shared Responsibility?
Even when you choose a fully managed PCI provider, compliance isn’t something you can hand off entirely. Hosts like Atlantic.Net and Liquid Web cover the heavy lifting — firewalls, intrusion detection, logging, and audit documentation — but businesses still need to manage their own applications, user access, and security hygiene.
Think of it this way: the host locks down the infrastructure, while you control how your website and team interact with that environment. Both sides must do their part for compliance to hold up during an audit.
Here’s a breakdown of how responsibilities are usually divided:
| PCI Host Providers | Business Owners |
|---|---|
| Network firewall & WAF in place | Keep app/CMS updated; remove risky plugins |
| Network segmentation (web/app/db) | Keep dev/stage/prod separate; don’t share secrets |
| DDoS/IDS protection running | Respond to alerts; investigate unusual logins |
| Centralized logs enabled & retained | Review logs regularly; set simple alerts |
| Server backups & restore tooling | Test restores; know retention and locations |
| OS hardening & patches (managed plans) | Patch app, themes, libraries quickly |
| TLS/SSL supported | Force HTTPS; fix mixed-content issues |
| Access tools & roles provided | Least privilege; enable MFA; remove old accounts |
| Physical security at data centers | Pick regions that fit your needs/compliance |
| ASV scan–friendly setup | Schedule scans; fix findings; track status |
| Control/architecture docs available | Keep policies: deploy, change log, incident steps |
The key takeaway: You can outsource infrastructure, but not accountability.
Managed PCI hosts shift most of the technical work off your plate, while cloud platforms like AWS or GCP expect you to manage nearly everything yourself.
Final Thoughts: Which PCI-Compliant Host to Choose?
The right PCI-compliant hosting depends less on specific brands and more on how your business handles payments. If you process a high volume of transactions or operate in a regulated industry, you’ll likely need a managed hosting environment where compliance controls, such as firewalls, logging, and audit reporting, are maintained for you.
Smaller businesses or technically capable teams may prefer more flexible infrastructure that can be configured to meet PCI DSS requirements, even if it isn’t compliant by default. This path can save money but requires in-house expertise to manage scans, patches, and security audits.
In every case, PCI compliance is about more than passing a quarterly scan. It is an ongoing process that protects your ability to accept card payments, safeguards customer trust, and reduces liability in the event of a breach.
If you’re unsure which path fits your situation, HostScore offers free guidance and tools to help you compare hosting solutions, estimate costs, and make a confident decision.
