TL;DR
If you’re using WP Engine and are considering alternatives, you’re likely looking for more flexibility, better pricing, or broader CMS support. While WP Engine is a solid choice for managed WP hosting, it may not suit everyone’s needs – especially if you’re working with a tight budget or want to stay away from current dispute between WP Engine and WordPress.
Our top pick is ScalaHosting for its affordability, strong performance, and custom cyber security solution (SShield). Other great options include Cloudways for a managed cloud experience and Kinsta for (similar) premium managed WordPress hosting with excellent support.About WP Engine
WP Engine was founded in 2010 in Austin, Texas, by Ben Metcalfe, Cullen Wilson, and Jason Cohen, with a mission to bring WordPress to a broader audience by simplifying its hosting through a managed platform.
The focus was on providing an environment where developers and content creators could work without worrying about technical complexities. Starting with just 30 customers, WP Engine has since grown to serve millions of websites, becoming one of the most popular managed WordPress hosting providers globally.
WP Engine has always centered its services around WordPress. Their managed hosting solutions cater specifically to WordPress users, offering high levels of performance, security, scalability, and customer support.
Over time, the company expanded its offerings, adding advanced tools such as the Genesis Framework and Local for WordPress development.
Today, they position themselves as the go-to provider for enterprises and high-traffic WordPress sites, with services that help users streamline everything from content creation to complex WordPress server management.
WP Engine Hosting Services
WP Engine distinguishes itself in the managed hosting space through its unwavering focus on performance, security, and ease of use. Their platform is specifically designed to optimize WordPress sites, ensuring fast load times and minimal downtime.
Key performance features like EverCache technology and integrated CDN services make it an ideal choice for users who prioritize speed and reliability. Additionally, WP Engine provides automatic WordPress updates and strong DDoS protection to secure websites from potential threats, along with daily backups to safeguard data.
Plans & Pricing
WP Engine offers a range of hosting plans designed to cater to different types of WordPress users. Below is a breakdown of their core hosting plans, which vary in terms of storage, bandwidth, and the number of websites you can host.
| Plan Name | Storage | Bandwidth | Websites | Price (Starting) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Startup | 10 GB | 50 GB | 1 | $24/month |
| Professional | 15 GB | 150 GB | 3 | $40/month |
| Growth | 20 GB | 240 GB | 10 | $77/month |
| Scale | 50 GB | 550 GB | 30 | $194/month |
It’s important to note that while these plans provide solid features, certain upgrades, such as the eCommerce package for Stripe integration ($40/mo), automated plugin updates for better maintenance (+$17/mo), and an SOC2-level of security (+$50/mo), require additional payment. These add-ons are beneficial for users seeking enhanced functionality and hosting security.
Recent Dispute with Matt Mullenweg and Automattic
Recently, WP Engine has become embroiled in a legal dispute with Automattic, the parent company of WordPress. Following public criticism by WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg, WP Engine issued a cease-and-desist letter accusing Automattic of defamation and coercion for financial gain. Automattic responded with its own cease-and-desist, and WP Engine has since been banned from accessing WordPress.org’s resources, pending ongoing legal claims.
This situation raises concerns about WP Engine’s future within the WordPress ecosystem, making it a pivotal consideration for users exploring hosting alternatives.
WP Engine Alternatives?
1. ScalaHosting
Website: https://www.scalahosting.com/wordpress/
Who is ScalaHosting?
ScalaHosting is a flexible hosting provider that has gained a reputation for its affordability and performance, particularly in the WordPress hosting space. With its proprietary technology and focus on security, ScalaHosting offers managed and unmanaged VPS hosting along with shared and cloud solutions.
Why ScalaHosting as a WP Engine Alternative?
ScalaHosting offers many of the same performance benefits as WP Engine, but at a more affordable price point. One standout feature is their SShield Security, a custom-built security solution that provides real-time protection against cyber threats, which adds a layer of security for WordPress users.
ScalaHosting also offers free website migration, making it easy for users to switch over from WP Engine. Its managed VPS hosting also provides greater flexibility for users who want more control over their hosting environment.
2. Hostinger
Website: https://www.hostinger.com/wordpress-hosting/
Who is Hostinger?
Hostinger is another well-known hosting provider, offering a variety of hosting solutions from shared hosting to cloud and VPS hosting. They are one of the few hosting providers recommended by WordPress.org, making it a popular choice for WordPress users globally.
Why Hostinger as a WP Engine Alternative?
Hostinger offers budget-friendly managed WordPress hosting plans, making it a great alternative for users seeking lower-cost options without sacrificing essential features. Hostinger’s plans come with easy WordPress installation, automatic updates, and strong customer support.
With features like LiteSpeed cache and free SSL certificates, the company ensures solid performance at a fraction of WP Engine’s price, making it ideal for those looking for affordable yet reliable WordPress hosting.
3. Cloudways
Website: https://www.cloudways.com/managed-wordpress/
Who is Cloudways?
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting provider that focuses on giving users flexibility by allowing them to choose from multiple cloud providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, and Vultr. Cloudways simplifies cloud hosting management while offering top-notch performance, security, and scalability.
Why Cloudways as a WP Engine Alternative?
Cloudways stands out because of its cloud flexibility and the ability to host on several cloud platforms. While WP Engine is heavily WordPress-centric, Cloudways is more flexible and provides support for other CMS platforms.
Also, Cloudways offers pay-as-you-go monthly pricing, which can be more cost-efficient compared to WP Engine’s monthly plans, especially for businesses scaling up and down frequently.
4. Kinsta
Website: https://www.kinsta.com/
Who is Kinsta?
Kinsta is a premium managed WordPress hosting provider that focuses on high-performance and enterprise-level solutions. Built on Google Cloud’s infrastructure, Kinsta offers a fully managed WordPress experience, similar to WP Engine.
Why Kinsta as a WP Engine Alternative?
Kinsta offers a very similar feature set to WP Engine, with a focus on high performance, reliability, and excellent customer support. Both platforms provide features like automatic backups, strong security measures, and CDN integration.
However, Kinsta is built entirely on Google Cloud’s premium network, which is known for its reliability and speed. Kinsta also boasts a user-friendly interface and superior 24/7 customer support, making it a strong alternative for those who prioritize top-tier support alongside managed WordPress hosting.
5. BlueHost
Website: https://www.bluehost.com/
Who is BlueHost?
BlueHost is WordPress.org’s longest running recommended host and has a close relationship with WordPress.org. The company offers a range of hosting solutions, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
Why BlueHost as a WP Engine Alternative?
BlueHost is a more budget-friendly option compared to WP Engine. While WP Engine focuses on enterprise-level performance, BlueHost targets beginners and small businesses, offering affordable plans that still come with essential features like free SSL, one-click WordPress installs, and 24/7 support. Their hosting platform also offers integrated WordPress tools and automatic updates, making it a good choice for users who want simplicity without sacrificing performance.
6. LiquidWeb
Website: https://www.liquidweb.com/wordpress/
Who is LiquidWeb?
LiquidWeb is a premium hosting provider offering a range of services, from managed WordPress hosting to dedicated and cloud hosting. Known for its high-performance infrastructure and enterprise-level support, LiquidWeb is a strong contender for businesses with complex or high-traffic websites.
Why LiquidWeb as a WP Engine Alternative?
LiquidWeb provides a similar managed WordPress hosting experience but with more flexibility in terms of infrastructure. Unlike WP Engine, which focuses exclusively on WordPress, LiquidWeb offers a broader array of hosting services. Their Managed WordPress Hosting includes advanced caching, staging environments, and free autoscaling with up to 70 PHP workers per account, making it an excellent alternative for large enterprise WordPress sites.
How to Choose? Practical Factors to Consider
When selecting a WP Engine alternative, it’s important to consider several factors that will ensure you’re choosing a WordPress host that meets your specific needs.
1. Budget and Pricing
WP Engine is known for its premium pricing, which may not suit every budget. When choosing an alternative, assess the total cost, including the base plan, renewal rates, and potential add-ons like security features, eCommerce capabilities, and automated updates. Ensure the host you select provides good value without compromising essential features like performance, security, and support.
If cost is a significant concern, focus on providers like Hostinger or BlueHost, which offer managed WordPress hosting at much lower price points. However, premium alternatives like Kinsta and LiquidWeb may still be worth considering if performance and support are your top priorities, even with their higher pricing.
2. Scalability
As your website grows, you’ll need a host that can accommodate increasing traffic, more storage, and added functionality. Look for a hosting provider that offers flexible scaling options, such as upgrading from shared hosting to VPS or cloud hosting with ease.
Scalable infrastructure ensures that you won’t face limitations as your site expands, whether you’re managing a small blog today or an enterprise-level platform in the future.
3. CMS Support
While WP Engine focuses exclusively on WordPress, your future needs may change. Consider whether the hosting provider supports other CMS platforms or provides multi-site hosting capabilities. Flexibility in CMS options allows you to diversify or migrate easily without needing to change your hosting provider in the future.
4. Performance and Uptime
Website speed and uptime are critical for maintaining user experience and search engine rankings. Check if the hosting provider offers features such as built-in caching, content delivery networks (CDNs), and high-performance server configurations. A host that prioritizes speed and offers consistent uptime guarantees will help ensure your site performs optimally, even during high-traffic periods.
Hosts like Kinsta (with Google Cloud infrastructure) and LiquidWeb (with enterprise-class servers) are known for their reliability and speed, making them strong alternatives if performance is your top priority.
5. Security Features
Security is a major concern for website owners, especially if your site handles sensitive customer data or eCommerce transactions. Look for hosting providers that include robust security measures like regular malware scanning, DDoS protection, automatic backups, and firewall protection. Some may offer more advanced features such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) or compliance with security standards like SOC2 or PCI DSS, depending on your website’s needs.
While WP Engine is known for its strong security protocols, some alternatives like ScalaHosting offer advanced security solutions like SShield, and LiquidWeb provides PCI-compliant hosting for eCommerce businesses. Make sure to evaluate what security measures are included, such as SSL certificates, firewalls, and automatic updates.
6. Ease of Use
For many users, especially those without extensive technical knowledge, ease of use is crucial. The hosting provider should offer a user-friendly interface, intuitive dashboards, and easy website management tools. Features like one-click WordPress installations, automated updates, and pre-configured settings can make the hosting experience smoother and less time-consuming.
7. Add-Ons and Extra Features
Depending on your website’s requirements, additional features like staging environments, email hosting, developer tools, or integrations with third-party services might be important. Make sure the hosting provider offers any additional features you might need, such as WooCommerce integration for eCommerce, advanced analytics, or marketing tools that help grow your business.
Final Thoughts
While we don’t take sides in the ongoing dispute between WP Engine and WordPress, it’s important to focus on how this situation could impact your website. If your user experience on WP Engine is affected due to the recent WordPress ban or any service disruptions, it’s only logical to consider switching hosts to ensure that your site and business continue to run smoothly without interruption.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great alternatives available. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a premium managed WordPress host – you have plenty of options in today’s hosting market.
Take the time to carefully evaluate your options and select a provider that aligns with your performance, security, and support needs. By making a thoughtful choice, you can avoid potential service issues and continue growing your website confidently.
