TL;DR
While most web hosts today are equipped with robust DDoS defense mechanisms, not many offer them for free in standard hosting plans. Of the 30+ hosting companies we reviewed, Cloudways stands out to be the best hosting service with DDoS protection.
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 hosting picks address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements, as demonstrated in this article.
Cloudways
Cloudways delivers managed hosting built on top of major cloud platforms, including DigitalOcean, AWS, Vultr, and Google Cloud. It gives site owners access to cloud-level performance and scaling, but without the burden of handling server administration themselves. The service is geared toward agencies, developers, and fast-growing businesses that need flexibility. That said, Cloudways is not aimed at first-time site owners. Its pricing structure can be harder to follow than traditional shared hosting, and there are no low-cost entry plans. Still, for users who want managed cloud power with advanced features, Cloudways is a strong choice.
Other Security Features Besides DDoS Protection
Free Malware Scan?
Free SSL Integration?
Technical Support Channels
HostScore
Cloudways Pros
- Topnotch server uptime and speed performance
- Good abstration over complex cloud server setups with integrated dashboard
- High scalability; Autonomous plan supports auto-scaling
- Easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer
- Host unlimited applications in one account
- 30% discount for first two months with coupon “HOSTSCORE”
Cloudways Cons
- Getting expensive – Prices increased steadily for the past few years
- Limited trial period
- Excellent technical support, but poor billing practices and support
Kinsta
Kinsta is a premium managed WordPress hosting provider built on Google Cloud Platform. Known for its exceptional speed, strong security, and sleek user interface, Kinsta caters to users who want a hands-off experience with enterprise-grade infrastructure. It’s particularly attractive to businesses, developers, and agencies that prioritize performance and scalability over budget. While pricing is on the higher end, the platform delivers on its promise of stress-free, high-performance WordPress hosting, making it one of the top-tier choices for serious websites.
Other Security Features Besides DDoS Protection
Free Malware Scan?
Free SSL Integration?
Technical Support Channels
HostScore
Kinsta Pros
- Outstanding uptime and speed backed by Google Cloud’s premium tier network.
- 300+ CDN locations worldwide through Cloudflare Enterprise integration.
- Advanced firewall, DDoS protection, and built-in malware scanning.
- Specialized WordPress support in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Danish, Dutch, and Swedish.
- Free site migration assistance handled by Kinsta’s support team.
- MyKinsta dashboard with detailed analytics, staging environments, and one-click tools.
- Free premium Cloudflare features, including HTTP/3, wildcard SSLs, and edge caching at no extra cost.
Kinsta Cons
- Pricing is expensive and less suitable for those managing multiple small sites.
- No built-in email hosting, requiring a separate provider.
- Certain WordPress plugins are restricted due to performance or security issues.
LiquidWeb
LiquidWeb is a powerhouse in the managed hosting space, catering to mission-critical websites with high performance demands. From fully managed VPS and dedicated servers to enterprise cloud setups, the company is built for businesses that can’t afford downtime. With white-glove support, customizable plans, and excellent reliability, it’s a favorite among developers, agencies, and enterprises. Though pricing is well above average, the level of service and infrastructure quality justifies the cost for serious use cases.
Other Security Features Besides DDoS Protection
Free Malware Scan?
Free SSL Integration?
Technical Support Channels
HostScore
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
SiteGround
SiteGround offers strong uptime, fast support, and a refined experience tailored to WordPress users. Its platform is easy to use and packed with performance-enhancing features. Although its pricing has gone up a lot over time, SiteGround continues to deliver on reliability and user experience — making it a reasonable pick for small business sites that need dependable performance and hands-on support.
Other Security Features Besides DDoS Protection
Free Malware Scan?
Free SSL Integration?
Technical Support Channels
HostScore
SiteGround Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Excellent customer support
- Powered by Google Cloud Platform
- 1-click CDN included in all shared plans
- Specialized WordPress support staff
- Automatic geo-distributed daily backups
- White-label user dashboard and private DNS in GoGeek plans
SiteGround Cons
- Expensive renewal pricing
- Limited storage in shared hosting plans
- Still using traditional SSD instead of NVMe storage
- Staging tool not included in entry-level shared plan
WP Engine
WP Engine is a high-end managed WordPress host built for speed, security, and scale. Powered by Google Cloud and tailored specifically for WordPress, it offers developer tools, daily backups, and responsive customer support. While it comes at a premium price, the platform excels at handling traffic spikes and complex workloads. It’s ideal for agencies, enterprises, and professionals running serious WordPress projects that demand performance without compromise.
Other Security Features Besides DDoS Protection
Free Malware Scan?
Free SSL Integration?
Technical Support Channels
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
Understanding Your Web Host’s Role in DDoS Protection
What is DDoS?
DDoS, or Distributed Denial of Service, is a type of cyberattack where multiple compromised computer systems attack a target, such as a website, to make it unavailable to its intended users.
Web Host as Your Guardian Against DDoS Attacks
DDoS protection is crucial as it safeguards your website from significant downtime or slow performance. For a web hosting company, offering DDoS protection is a key part of ensuring their clients’ websites remain accessible and secure.
Some hosting companies charge extra for advanced DDoS protection as it involves deploying sophisticated tools and resources. On the other hand, basic DDoS protections are often included for free because they provide a fundamental level of security that’s essential for maintaining the overall health of the hosting environment and can be implemented with minimal additional cost.
How Can Hosting Companies Protect You from DDoS Attack?
To understand how hosting companies protect their users from DDoS attacks, it’s essential to explore the mechanisms and technologies they typically employ.
1. Traffic Analysis and Filtering
Detection and Mitigation
Hosting companies continuously monitor incoming traffic to detect unusual patterns that signify a DDoS attack. Once an attack is identified, they employ traffic filtering mechanisms to separate legitimate traffic from malicious requests. This process is crucial in preventing the server from being overwhelmed by unwanted traffic.
IP Reputation Lists
Some hosting providers use reputation lists to block traffic from IP addresses known to be malicious. This preemptive measure helps in reducing the risk of attack by known bad actors.
2. Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
With many good hosting companies, a WAF is deployed to monitor, filter, and block harmful traffic for all user accounts. WAF acts as a shield between the internet and the web server, analyzing HTTP requests based on a set of rules to identify and block malicious traffic, including traffic patterns typical of DDoS attacks.
3. Redundancy and Load Balancing
By distributing traffic across multiple servers and locations, hosting companies can ensure that no single server becomes a bottleneck. Load balancing helps in managing sudden spikes in traffic, while redundancy ensures that if one server is attacked or goes down, others can take over without disrupting the service.
4. Cloud-based DDoS Protection
Some web hosting providers partner with cloud-based security services (for instances: Cloudflare and Radeware) that specialize in absorbing and mitigating large-scale DDoS attacks. These services can provide an additional layer of protection by dispersing attack traffic across a global network of data centers, effectively diluting the impact of an attack.
5. Collaboration with ISPs
Hosting companies may also collaborate with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to mitigate DDoS attacks closer to the source. By working together, they can more effectively block malicious traffic upstream, reducing the load on the hosting infrastructure.
Choosing the Best Web Hosting with DDoS Protection
Importance of DDoS Protection
When choosing a web hosting provider, DDoS protection should be a top priority. The best web hosting services will offer robust DDoS protection to ensure your website remains accessible and secure, even in the face of a cyberattack. This is particularly important for businesses and high-traffic websites that cannot afford any downtime.
Features to Look For
In addition to DDoS protection, there are several other features to consider when selecting a web hosting service. These include uptime guarantees, speed, customer support, scalability options, and the ease of use of their management tools. A comprehensive web hosting solution will provide a balance of these features, ensuring your website’s optimal performance and security.
To learn more, read my detailed guide in how to choose a web host.
Difference Between DDoS and DOS Attack?
A DoS attack originates from a single internet connection or source. It floods the target with excessive requests, aiming to exhaust the resources of the targeted server or network, thereby rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users. In contrast, a DDoS attack is launched from multiple compromised devices, often spread across different geographical locations.
Generally, DoS attacks are less complex due to their single-source nature. They might target specific vulnerabilities in a system or simply aim to saturate the bandwidth or resources of a server. DDoS attacks, due to their distributed nature, can generate a vast amount of traffic from thousands or even millions of sources. This not only makes them more difficult to stop but also allows for a greater variety of attack vectors (e.g., volumetric attacks, protocol attacks, application layer attacks) that can be simultaneously employed, increasing their complexity and potential damage.
How Is This Related to Your Web Hosting Choices?
In essence, your choice of a web hosting provider should be influenced by their ability to defend against both DoS and DDoS attacks.
- For DoS Protection: Seek a web host that offers strong firewall protections, intrusion detection systems, and the ability to quickly identify and block malicious traffic from a single source. This is crucial for defending against simpler DoS attacks.
- For DDoS Protection: Given the complexity and scale of DDoS attacks, it’s essential to choose a hosting provider with a comprehensive DDoS mitigation strategy. This includes advanced traffic analysis, rate limiting, and the use of distributed denial-of-service protection services that can absorb and disperse large volumes of traffic.
Also, the ability of a hosting provider to respond quickly to an attack and support you during such incidents is vital. Providers with 24/7 monitoring and an experienced support team can make a significant difference in minimizing the impact of both DoS and DDoS attacks.
Final Thoughts: Better Safe Than Sorry
Whether you are new or seasoned webmaster, choosing a reliable web host with DDoS protection ensures that your site remains secure, accessible, and resilient against cyber threats. By selecting a host that offers robust DDoS defense mechanisms, you’re not just investing in uninterrupted service but also in the peace of mind that comes from knowing your digital assets are well-protected.
