TL;DR
The Best Scalable Hosting Solution is crucial for high traffic websites to maintain reliability and performance. Cloudways, particularly the new Cloudways Autonomous, stands out with its automated scaling, edge caching, unlimited PHP workers, and pay-per-use pricing model, so you only pay for the server resources you use.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our top scalable hosting picks address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements.
Hostinger
Hostinger traces its origins back to 2004 when it began as Hosting Media, a brainchild of enterprising youth in Kaunas, Lithuania. Their journey of innovation commenced with the launch of 000webhost.com in 2007, followed by the establishment of the esteemed cPanel brand Hosting24.com in 2008.
The pivotal year of 2011 heralded the rise of Hostinger, accompanied by its bespoke hPanel interface. In 2016, Hostinger unveiled its cutting-edge cloud hosting service, marking another milestone in its remarkable evolution. In 2021, the company celebrated a significant milestone with the addition of its 1,000th employee, reinforcing its status as a premier provider of web hosting solutions.
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Hostinger Review
Hostinger’s affordable sign-up prices are just one of the reasons why they are considered a top choice for cheap web hosting. Despite the low entry cost, Hostinger delivers impressive speed and strong uptime performance, which makes it a reliable option even for users with more demanding websites. However, be mindful of the higher renewal rates when planning your long-term budget.
Plans that Support Vertical Scaling
HostScore
Hostinger Pros
- Affordable – Lowest plan starts at $2.99/mo and support up to 100 websites
- Nine different data centers in four continents
- Good spread of web hosting plans
- User-friendly proprietary control panel (hPanel).
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- AI-powered website builder in all shared plans
- Additional 10% discount with coupon code “HOSTSCORE”
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
Visit Hostinger to learn more about the features
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 Review
ScalaHosting shines with powerful VPS plans and intuitive server management tools like sPanel and SShield. Their “Anytime Unconditional Money-back Guarantee” adds a daring edge for those keen on exploring without wallet worry. From novices to pros, it is a promising port of call for all web adventurers.
Plans that Support Vertical Scaling
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
Visit ScalaHosting to learn more about the features
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 Review
Cloudways is a top pick for website owners who prioritize premium support and high-performance hosting across various cloud platforms. While the platform is more suited for experienced users, it remains a top option for anyone looking to scale their online presence effectively.
Plans that Support Vertical Scaling
HostScore
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
Visit Cloudways to learn more about the features
Verpex
Founded in late 2018, Verpex was launched by a seasoned team with a history of successful ventures, some of which were later acquired by GoDaddy. As a privately funded, cPanel-based cloud hosting provider, Verpex places a strong emphasis on security and performance. By 2024, the company had grown to host over 250,000 websites across 181 countries, focusing on delivering fast hosting, expert support, and building long-term client relationships – all at competitive rates.
Verpex Review
Verpex delivers great value in web hosting with affordable pricing, strong developer features, and a focus on performance and customer support, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of users.
Plans that Support Vertical Scaling
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
Visit Verpex to learn more about the features
Kamatera
Established in 1996 by Yohay Azulay and Asaf Azulay, Kamatera is a cornerstone of the Israel-based OMCGroup Infrastructures and Computing business, founded in 1995.
With data centers located worldwide (24 locations!), the company offers a wide range of customizable plans, making it an attractive option for users who need specific cloud configurations. Its offerings include cloud servers, block storage, and managed cloud services, allowing businesses to scale their resources on demand.
Kamatera Review
Kamatera offers highly flexible cloud hosting – even their “standard” plans require you to customize the server configurations. Perfect for developers who love to customize without draining their wallets. But for beginners or the tech-timid? It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. Great for the tech-savvy, a puzzle for everyone else.
Plans that Support Vertical Scaling
HostScore
Kamatera Pros
- Excellent server speed performance
- Highly flexible hosting plans
- Wide range of support and use cases
- Affordable pricing at bare server unit
- Choice of 24 distributed data centers
- Free to create a $100 worth server during the first 30 days
Kamatera Cons
- Confusing pay-as-you-go pricing model
- Many vital add-ons require extra cost
Visit Kamatera to learn more about the features
WP Engine
Established in 2010 by Ben Metcalfe, Cullen Wilson, and Jason Cohen, WP Engine has its headquarters nestled in Austin, Texas. Through strategic acquisitions like Flywheel and key WordPress plugins such as Genesis Advanced Custom Fields and WP Migrate, WP Engine has fortified its position in the industry while expanding its global footprint.
Boasting a revenue surge to $192.4M in 2023 and a clientele exceeding 120,000, WP Engine, under the leadership of CEO Heather Brunner, continues to chart a path of innovation and growth in the web hosting domain.
WP Engine Review
WP Engine is one of those hosts which has forsaken all and chosen to focus their entire business on WordPress hosting only. They offer cloud-based managed WordPress hosting which is powerful, slightly justifying their rather hefty price tag. Aside from that, two core benefits stand out here – their in-house built caching system, knwon as EverCahce, and specialized WordPress support staff.
Plans that Support Vertical Scaling
HostScore
WP Engine Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Round-the-clock WordPress-specialized support
- Developer-friendly environment
- Genesis framework and StudioPress themes included
- Choice of 20+ server locations in four continents
WP Engine Cons
- Email hosting services not included
- Only WordPress plans available
- Bandwidth and some server resources are highly limited
- No white-glove site migration
Visit WP Engine to learn more about the features
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 Review
Backed by excellent performance and customer support, InMotion Hosting is easily one of the top web hosting choices in the market. There are extensive plans available for website to scale up with. And for those with an already existing site, free migration services for easy transfer.
Plans that Support Vertical Scaling
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
Visit InMotion Hosting to learn more about the features
What is Scaling in Web Hosting?
Scaling in web hosting means adjusting your server resources to match the needs of your website. As your site gets more visitors, you might need more power to keep it running smoothly. Scaling allows you to increase or decrease resources like CPU, RAM, and storage based on your traffic.
Two Types of Scaling
- Vertical Scaling: Adding more power to your existing server. This means increasing the CPU, memory, or storage to handle more traffic.
- Horizontal Scaling: Adding more servers to share the load. This helps distribute the traffic and makes your site more reliable.
Why is Scalable Hosting Important?
Scaling is crucial because it improves your website’s performance, ensuring it remains fast even as traffic increases. It also enhances reliability, preventing your site from crashing during traffic spikes. Additionally, scaling is cost-effective as it allows you to pay for only the resources you need, avoiding overpayment for unused capacity.
When your website grows, you need it to stay fast and reliable. If your web host can’t handle more traffic, your site can slow down or crash. Scaling up your hosting capacity helps prevent this by giving you more server power as you need it.
On the flip side, scaling down helps save up hosting cost during low season. By “returning back” part of the server power to the provider, it allows you to pay for only the resources you need and avoid overpayment for unused capacity.
How Scaling Works in Different Hosting Types
Scaling works differently across various hosting types. Here’s a quick overview of how scaling works in different hosting types.
| Hosting Type | Scaling Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Limited scaling options, usually better for small sites. | Hostinger, Verpex |
| VPS Hosting | Easier to scale by adding more resources to your virtual server. | ScalaHosting, Verpex |
| Cloud Hosting | Designed for scaling, allows you to add or remove resources quickly. | Cloudways, Kamatera |
| Dedicated Hosting | High scalability by upgrading hardware, best for large sites with heavy traffic. | LiquidWeb, InMotion Hosting |
| Premium Managed Services | The provider handles scaling for you, ideal for businesses that need expert support. | Cloudways, WP Engine |
In most cases, cloud hosting is considered the best option for scaling. It uses multiple servers and allows you to easily add or remove server resources (RAM, CPU, storage) – so your site stays reliable and available, even during traffic spikes. Also, Its flexibility and pay-as-you-go pricing make it a cost-effective option for growing websites.
When Do You Need a Scalable Hosting Solution?
You need scalable hosting when your website experiences growth or fluctuating traffic. If your site is getting more visitors and starting to slow down, it’s a sign that you need more resources. eCommerce sites, for example, often have traffic spikes during sales seasons like Black Friday or 11.11 Sales, requiring scalable solutions to handle the load.
A scalable hosting solution is also important for startups and growing businesses, especially when they are investing heavily in marketing campaigns. It would be a huge waste to spend so much to attract customers, only for them to end up on a slow website that provides a terrible user experience or, worse, an inaccessible site.
On the other hand, if you run a small personal blog or a static business website with little traffic, scalable hosting is likely not for you. Generally, we recommend small or new sites to start with shared hosting, such as Hostinger, which is budget-friendly and comes with all the essential features.
How to Choose the Right Scalable Host?
We’ve discussed how to choose a web host many times, but every website is unique. This means you need to look into different factors when choosing a hosting solution that fits your specific needs. For a scalable hosting solution that can support your website as it grows, below are some key features to consider:
Five Key Features to Look Into
1. Flexible Plans
Since our key consideration is to find scalable hosting we can rely on, flexibility is crucial. Choose a provider that offers a range of plans (shared, VPS, dedicated, cloud) and allows you to upgrade or downgrade easily. This way, you can start small and scale up as your website grows without needing to switch providers.
Ideally, you also want a hosting provider that lets you easily add or remove resources like CPU, RAM, and storage (vertical scaling). This flexibility helps you quickly adapt to changes in traffic without hassle. Look for hosting provider that comes with an easy user dashboard and makes it simple to adjust these settings on the fly.
Certain providers also come with customization options where users can tailor their hosting environment to specific needs. Look for providers that offer customizable server configurations and support for various software and applications. This can be particularly important for businesses with unique requirements or those running specialized software.
2. Cost-Effective Pricing Model
When choosing scalable hosting, cost-effective pricing is crucial. A pay-as-you-go plan is particularly beneficial because it allows you to pay only for the resources you actually use. This helps you manage your budget efficiently and avoid overpayment for unused capacity.
For instance, if you run an eCommerce site with seasonal traffic spikes, such as during the holiday season or special sales events like Black Friday, you can temporarily scale up your resources to handle the increased traffic. Once the traffic levels return to normal, you can scale back down. This way, you only pay for the extra resources when you need them, saving money compared to committing to a higher plan long-term.
However, it’s important to check for any hidden fees or charges that might not be immediately obvious. Some providers may charge extra for features like backups, security measures, or premium support. Make sure to read the fine print and understand all potential charges to avoid any surprises on your bill.
3. Customer Support
When hosting a high traffic website, we don’t know what kind of trouble we may run into. This is why good customer support is crucial for a scalable hosting solution. Choose a provider that offers 24/7 support through various channels like live chat, phone, and email. Check real user reviews to see how responsive and helpful their support team is.
If your site runs on a specific platform or CMS (like WordPress or SMF forum), look for a host that will go the extra mile to support technical issues related to that platform.
4. Performance Optimization
Performance optimization is another important key factor to look into. Ideally, search for web hosts that come with built-in caching mechanism, content delivery networks (CDNs), HTTP/2 or better HTTP/3 protocols, and NVMe SSD storage. These features can greatly improve your website’s loading times and secure a steady performance during high traffic time.
For instance, imagine you run an online educational platform that offers video tutorials and interactive courses. A CDN helps distribute your content across multiple servers worldwide and deliver swiftly to your students. Server-side and object caching reduces load time by also storing frequently accessed data closer to the user. NVMe SSD storage can drastically improve data retrieval speeds and make your website more responsive.
All these add up and lead to a better user experience for your website – which can result in higher engagement and retention rates. Additionally, improved performance can positively impact your search engine rankings, making it easier for new users to discover your educational platform. .
5. Automatic Scaling (Good to Have)
Automatic scaling is a good-to-have feature for any scalable hosting solution. This means your server can automatically increase its resources when traffic spikes (or decrease during low season), making sure that your site remains fast and responsive. This feature is particularly useful for eCommerce sites during sales or promotions, where traffic can unexpectedly surge.
Benchmark tests on Cloudways Autonomous (compared to Kinsta and WP Engine) show the benefits of auto-scaling. While Kinsta and WP Engine allow vertical scaling, it has to be done manually. With Cloudways Autonomous, server scaling happens automatically with Kubernetes technology. This means that during drastic traffic spikes, sites hosted on Cloudways can process user requests much faster than those on Kinsta and WP Engine, without any human intervention (see comparison chart below).
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right scalable hosting solution is essential for ensuring your website can handle growth and traffic spikes smoothly. Look for features like easy resource management, flexible pricing, good customer support, and automatic scaling to keep your site performing well in all weather conditions. Cloud hosting, especially with advanced options like Cloudways Autonomous, offers the flexibility and tools you need to manage varying traffic levels effortlessly.
