Best Fully Managed WordPress Hosting

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TL;DR

The Best Fully Managed WordPress Hosting provides all-inclusive services, including WordPress updates, security, and performance optimizations. Our top pick Cloudways, offers excellent features for both beginners and advanced users. Although more expensive than traditional hosting, the benefits of managed WP hosting can be well worth the cost for those seeking reliable performance and premium support.

1. Cloudways

Best Fully Managed WP Hosting - Cloudways

Website: https://www.cloudways.com/managed-wordpress

About the Company

Cloudways is a managed cloud platform established in 2011, known for providing managed hosting solutions that emphasize simplicity, performance, and flexibility. The company allows users to choose from leading cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr, offering flexible deployment options across multiple data centers worldwide.

Cloudways’ Managed WordPress Hosting Plans

Cloudways’ managed WordPress hosting plans offer powerful performance with an emphasis on flexibility and ease of use. They provide a range of features, including built-in caching, CDN integration, and automated backups, ensuring optimal site performance and security. The platform’s innovative SafeUpdates feature automatically updates and tests WordPress core, plugins, and themes, minimizing risks and freeing up users’ time.

With a pay-as-you-go model and 24/7 expert support, Cloudways’ managed WP hosting provides a reliable and efficient solution for those seeking to focus on growth without technical hassles.

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

2. Kinsta

Best Fully Managed WP Hosting - Kinsta

Website: https://kinsta.com/

About the Company

Kinsta, founded in 2013, is a leading managed WordPress hosting provider that leverages Google Cloud’s premium infrastructure to deliver high-performance hosting solutions. With a focus on speed, security, and user experience, the company serves a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to large enterprises.

Kinsta’s Managed WordPress Hosting Services

Kinsta’s managed WordPress hosting plans offer a comprehensive set of features designed to optimize website performance and security. Their plans include benefits like free site migrations, edge caching, and access to over 260 CDN locations worldwide, ensuring fast page load times and global reach.

The web host provides advanced tools such as the Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tool, built-in Cloudflare integration, and automated backups, making it an excellent choice for those seeking reliable and high-speed WordPress hosting.

Additionally, their user-friendly MyKinsta dashboard simplifies site management, making it accessible for users of all technical levels. The service is also rock stable and running a Kinsta plan is like driving a Lexus with cruise control on and an automated driver in place. All you need to do is enter your destination, per se. They have fantastic support and are also fully optimized to accommodate eCommerce websites.

Kinsta Pros

  • Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
  • Choice of 30+ server locations
  • Optimized for best WordPress site performance
  • Plans auto-scale during visitor spikes
  • Specialized WordPress support staff
  • Highly developer-friendly

Kinsta Cons

  • Expensive; not suitable for owners with multiple small sites
  • No email hosting
  • No shared hosting
  • Some WordPress plugins banned

Visit Kinsta to learn more about the features

3. WP Engine

Best Fully Managed WP Hosting - WP Engine

Website: https://wpengine.com/

About the Company

Founded in 2010, WP Engine is another big name in the managed WordPress hosting business and has a reputation as firm as Kinsta. 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.

WP Engine’s Managed WordPress Hosting Services

WP Engine’s managed WordPress hosting plans offer an all-inclusive hosting experience with optimal server performance and security. Their ,managed WordPress hosting services include automatic updates, daily backups, and integrated security measures, such as SSL certificates and DDoS protection, ensuring a secure environment for your site.

WP Engine also provides powerful tools like one-click staging and the Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tool to enhance site management and performance. With 24/7 expert support and a 60-day money-back guarantee, WP Engine caters to businesses looking to maximize their WordPress site’s potential.

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

4. InMotion Hosting

Best Fully Managed WP Hosting - InMotion

Website: https://inmotionhosting.com/

About the Company

Founded in 2001, InMotion Hosting is a US-based hosting provider known for its high-performance services and excellent customer support. The company offers a wide range of hosting solutions, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, with a strong focus on speed and reliability.

InMotion’s Managed WordPress Hosting Services

InMotion Hosting’s managed WordPress hosting plans offer a combination of performance enhancements and user-friendly features. These plans include pre-installed WordPress, automatic updates, and advanced caching to optimize site performance.

Pricing for InMotion’s WordPress hosting starts at $2.79 per month (renews at $10.49/mo) for the WP Core plan, which includes essential features like 100 GB NVMe storage and 10 email addresses. The WP Launch plan, priced at $5.49 per month, offers additional storage and support for up to 25 websites. With scalable plans and 24/7 customer support, InMotion Hosting is a solid choice for WordPress users looking to grow their online presence.

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

5. DreamHost

Best Fully Managed WP Hosting - DreamHost

Website: https://dreamhost.com/

About the Company

DreamHost, founded in 1996, is a well-established web hosting provider recognized for its transparency, privacy protection, and commitment to sustainable practices.. With a long history of supporting over 1.5 million websites, DreamHost offers a variety of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, with a focus on reliability and performance.

DreamHost’s Managed WordPress Hosting Services

DreamHost’s managed WordPress hosting plans, branded as DreamPress, offer a hassle-free hosting experience optimized for WordPress sites.

DreamPress provides features such as built-in caching, automatic updates, and daily backups to ensure optimal performance and security. The plans also include 1-click staging, free priority site migration, and an intuitive control panel for easy management.

Pricing for DreamPress plans starts at just $16.50/mo, making it accessible for a range of budgets. With 24/7 WordPress expert support, DreamPress caters to both beginners and advanced users seeking a robust and reliable hosting solution.

DreamHost Pros

  • Reliable server uptime performance
  • Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
  • 97-day Money back guarantee
  • Extensive knowledgebase

DreamHost Cons

  • Price increase during the renewal
  • Live chat support can be better
  • Server location in the United States only
  • No free site migration assistance

Visit DreamHost to learn more about the features


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What is Fully Managed WordPress Hosting?

Fully Managed WordPress Hosting refers to a type of hosting service that takes care of all technical aspects of running a WordPress site. This includes server management, security enhancements, performance optimizations, automatic backups, and WordPress updates.

The result is often a more smoothly running WordPress site, freeing up some of your time and effort as the site owner. The downside is that by offering these services, web hosts increase their overhead and pass on those costs to you, resulting in hosting plans that cost more than the usual no-frills shared hosting.

Example: Cloudways' Managed Wordpress Hosting offers advanced tools and technologies  to boost your WordPress site’s performance
Example: Cloudways’ Managed Wordpress Hosting offers advanced tools and technologies  to boost your WordPress site’s performance

Managed WordPress hosting is often the crown jewel of many website hosting services. It is a chance for hosting companies to demonstrate their industry leadership in an area that is highly sought-after by customers. Some web hosts like WP Engine and Kinsta have started their entire businesses around nothing but WordPress hosting (though both companies have diversified their products and extended their offerings to other types of hosting users).

Normal WordPress vs. Managed WordPress Hosting

Key Differences

  • Standard WordPress Hosting: Involves basic hosting services where users manage updates, security, and performance. Users must configure the server, install WordPress, handle security measures, and manage backups.
  • Managed WordPress Hosting: Offers a hands-off experience where the hosting provider handles all technical aspects. This includes automatic updates, enhanced security, optimized performance, and dedicated support. Managed hosting is ideal for users who prefer to focus on content and growth rather than technical maintenance.

Our Personal Experiences

Managed WordPress hosting generally provides increased overall performance and reliability, enhanced security, specialized customer support, and WordPress-specific optimizations. It also includes automated updates and backups, among other features.

In my experience running unmanaged WordPress hosting accounts, a significant amount of time is spent on updates and performance tuning. Managed WordPress hosting improves site performance and lets you focus on running your website, though these services come at a cost that varies by host.

Worth the Cost?

Managed WordPress hosting typically costs more than traditional hosting due to the additional services provided. The cost is often justified by the time and effort saved, especially for those lacking technical expertise.

For example, Kinsta’s managed hosting service was crucial for F Technology, which experienced significant improvements in website speed and reliability. By leveraging Kinsta’s optimized infrastructure and expert support, F Technology enhanced user experience and achieved better performance. This case study highlights how managed hosting can be a worthwhile investment for those seeking premium hosting solutions.

Is Managed WP Hosting the Right Solution for You?

Managed WordPress hosting features aren’t always necessary. They are, however, very useful to certain types of users. To find out if it is right for you, you need to sit down and list the needs specific to your website to fully realize what hosting to go for.

Some of the questions you can ask yourself to achieve this are:

  • How much technical assistance would you need?
  • Are you comfortable installing and managing web applications?
  • What level of access to the server do you require?
  • Are you able and willing to invest time and effort into optimization?
  • How significant is the impact of website operational cost to you?

These questions and others like it will help you map out the features you may need or want to look for in a web hosting plan. Remember that there is a big difference between ‘need’ and ‘would be useful to have’.

Once you’ve worked out your requirements you will be in a much better position to embark on your quest to find the right plan for your WordPress site.

How to Choose?

When selecting the best fully managed WordPress hosting, consider these key factors:

  • Performance and Speed: Choose hosts with fast server infrastructure like SSD or NVMe storage, built-in caching solutions, and CDN integration to enhance load times and reduce latency.
  • Security Features: Look for malware scanning, firewalls, DDoS protection, and automated backups to safeguard your site and ensure data recovery.
  • Customer Support: Opt for 24/7 customer support with WordPress-specific expertise and multiple support channels, such as live chat, phone, and email.
  • Scalability: Ensure the provider offers scalable resources and seamless upgrades to accommodate site growth without downtime.
  • Ease of Use: Select hosts with user-friendly interfaces, intuitive management tools, and features like one-click staging and migration tools for efficient site management.
  • Value for Money: Compare pricing and features, including free SSL certificates, CDN services, and email hosting, to ensure a good return on investment.
  • Advanced Features: Look for options like Git integration, SSH access, and WP-CLI support for technical control, useful for developers and advanced users.

By focusing on these factors, you can choose a provider that balances performance, security, and ease of use, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for your visitors.

Final Thoughts: It Boils Down to Budget

Fully managed WordPress hosting offers a premium service that greatly simplifies site management and enhances performance and security. For those seeking to minimize technical headaches and ensure their site runs smoothly, investing in a managed hosting solution from provider is a smart choice.

At the end of the day the challenge that many people must struggle with is around the issue of price. Managed WordPress hosting can work out to become a relatively expensive long-term endeavor. Because of this, many people may opt for unmanaged hosting. Balancing cost with the extensive benefits can lead to a better online experience and improved site success.

For more hosting options tailored to your needs, check out our Best Web Hosting Guide.


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Article by Jerry Low

Jerry Low has immersed himself in web technologies for over a decade and has built many successful sites from scratch. He is a self-professed geek who has made it his life’s ambition to keep the web hosting industry honest. For latest personal updates and news, follow Jerry on Facebook and Twitter.
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