Green Geeks vs Pagely: Final verdict
Looking over GreenGeeks vs. Pagely, it’s clear why both hosts are so popular. They have both hosted millions of
websites that run on WordPress for decades, building up a loyal customer base.
-
Pagely (Overall grade: 8.1)
targets enterprise clients with a focus on high-performance hosting utilizing AWS infrastructure. With a 99.99% uptime guarantee, advanced security measures, and flexible configurations, it is designed to meet the needs of high-traffic and resource-intensive websites. Specific strengths include automatic load balancing, disaster recovery features, and an impressive support system with tierless assistance from highly knowledgeable staff. Nevertheless, its higher cost and absence of built-in email hosting make it less suitable for smaller businesses or those who require integrated email solutions. Pagely’s offerings are ideal for organizations that prioritize performance, security, and scalability over cost.
GreenGeeks (Overall grade: 8.4)
offers a comprehensive range of hosting services, including shared, WordPress, ecommerce, VPS hosting, and more. A key strength lies in its eco-friendly approach, matching 300% of its energy consumption with renewable energy credits. The service is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners and seasoned users alike, and includes essential features such as free SSL, daily backups, and robust customer support. However, its limitations include higher renewal costs and the absence of high-demand hosting plans, which might hinder its appeal to rapidly scaling businesses.
Overall grade:8.4 |
Overall grade:8.1 |
|
---|---|---|
Uptime and Availability | 9.2 | 9.5 |
Hosting Performance | 8.7 | 8.8 |
Hosting Security | 8.6 | 9.2 |
Price | 8.6 | 7.4 |
Hosting Features | 7.4 | 4.6 |
Ease Of Setup | 8.9 | 8.2 |
User Management | 6.9 | 8.4 |
Customer Support | 8.6 | 8.9 |
User feedback | 4/5 | 4.9/5 |
Hosting types offered
Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.
Shared hosting | ||
Cloud hosting | ||
WordPress hosting | ||
Ecommerce hosting | ||
VPS hosting | ||
Dedicated hosting |
Although both offer a variety of hosting plans tailored to different needs, in
certain cases, one platform may prove to be more suitable.
Detailed comparison
Uptime and availability
Evaluates the average uptime statistics, uptime guarantee and overall availability of the hosting
provider
Score Components:
- Uptime percentage (30%): evaluates the uptime statistics in given period of time
- Uptime guarantee (20%): Assesses if the platform offers an uptime guarantee and
whether the actual uptime matches the promised guarantee. - General performance (25%): Evaluates how fast is the average response time and overall
it’s stability. - Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Availability (25%): Reflects the total downtime and number of outages.
🏆 Winner Pagely: Exceptional uptime and scalability with impressive response times.
GreenGeeks offers an impressive 99.9% uptime goal, boasting performance metrics such as 100% uptime over a 14-day test period and a consistent response time of 0.302 seconds. With data centers in key global locations, GreenGeeks ensures users can choose the best server locations for their audience. Although the 99.9% uptime does not come with guaranteed compensation if unfulfilled, GreenGeeks offers a proportional credit system for significant downtime.
Pagely, on the other hand, provides a 99.99% uptime guarantee and comes equipped with high availability architecture, multi-region redundancy, and disaster recovery features. With an average response time of 211ms and the ability to handle 1,965 requests per second, Pagely provides exceptional performance with automatic load balancing and failover capabilities. Around-the-clock monitoring further assures users of maximum uptime and immediate issue resolution.
Which one has better hosting performance?
Score Components:
- Hosting speed (30%): This includes SSD quality, Load times, PageSpeed score ranges,
additional information on website speed, built-in plugins for performance enhancement, available caching
methods, and CPU/RAM options - CDN (20%): Considers whether CDN is available or not, whether it’s free or paid, and
the quality of the CDN service - Available data centers (30%): Evaluates the number of data centers and their locations
globally. - Scalibility (20%): Looks at whether elastic scaling is available, the process required
to scale (manual upgrade vs. automatic scaling), the presence of dedicated servers, and the costs
associated with scaling.
🏆 Winner: Pagely: Premium enterprise-level hosting with stellar security and support.
Pagely and GreenGeeks both offer unique advantages catering to different audiences. Pagely targets enterprise clients with high-stakes hosting needs, boasting up to 4 vCPUs and 8GB RAM, advanced network security, and a strong focus on redundancy and uptime. GreenGeeks, on the other hand, appeals to various user levels with competitive pricing, unlimited web space on higher plans, 300% green energy match, and the provision of global data centers in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Both hostings offer exceptional CDN integration, but only GreenGeeks offers it for free across all its plans.
Website speed
GreenGeeks leverages LiteSpeed WebServer and LS Cache Plugin, SSD storage, and the latest PHP versions, providing fast load times. With built-in caching, free CDN, and HTTP/3 support, websites hosted on GreenGeeks benefit from significant speed optimizations. Pagely, utilizing Amazon AWS infrastructure, features superior caching technology and decoupled database resources, ensuring high responsiveness even under heavy loads. Although GreenGeeks is impressive in its segment, Pagely’s advanced setup offers superior speed and reliability for enterprise needs.
Scalability
Scalability at GreenGeeks requires plan upgrades, with the Premium Plan providing the highest performance. GreenGeeks does not mention dedicated servers, focusing instead on shared and VPS hosting environments with unlimited resources in higher-tier plans. Pagely offers elastic scaling with flexible configurations and dedicated server options, starting at $2,500 per month and can go up to $3,600 for high-availability configurations. For businesses expecting rapid growth, Pagely’s scalable infrastructure provides a clear advantage with its tailored solutions.
Which one has better security features?
and regulatory requirements
Score Components:
- Technical security measures (40%): This includes encryption, firewalls, DDoS
protection, secure configurations, server monitoring, access control and availability of security addons
(e.g Sitelock security). - Operational security measures (30%): Encompasses data privacy, backups and data
redundancy. - Compliance and certifications (20%): Adherence to legal and regulatory requirements
(e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and possession of certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2). - Business and reliability (10%): Factors in the provider’s reputation, uptime
guarantees, and customer support.
🏆 Winner
Pagely: Pagely provides an extensive suite of security features and compliance guarantees for WordPress hosting.
Both GreenGeeks and Pagely, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.
Technical security measures:
GreenGeeks offers inclusive security with features like Wildcard SSL, multiple PHP versions, 24/7 network security, and an advanced firewall. In comparison, Pagely emphasizes PHP long-term support solutions and extensive use of AWS security tools which include customizable web application firewalls and DDoS protection. Both providers integrate malware detection and scanning, but Pagely’s PressARMOR™ and resource isolation add significant robustness to their offering. Overall, Pagely’s adoption of advanced proprietary tools and resource isolation techniques puts it a step ahead for enterprise-level security.
Operational security measures:
GreenGeeks provides a wide range of operational security measures such as daily backups, SSH & SFTP access, and free malware cleanups. Their AI-powered security solutions and container-based technology ensure websites are defended against zero-day vulnerabilities and DDoS attacks. Pagely, on the other hand, excels in incident response with 24/7 uptime monitoring, both chat and ticket support, and comprehensive vulnerability patching. Additionally, Pagely’s use of custom two-factor authentication and anti-spam filtering provides a robust shield against unauthorized access and spam, making their operational security measures more comprehensive and client-focused.
Compliance and certifications:
GreenGeeks suggests adherence to GDPR and PCI compliance but lacks specific certifications. Pagely excels with SOC 2 Type I & II certification, GDPR, and PCI-DSS compliance, ensuring a higher level of trust and regulatory adherence. Pagely’s dedicated data hosting in European jurisdictions further strengthens its commitment to GDPR. With specified regulatory compliance and detailed audits, Pagely offers superior assurance compared to GreenGeeks.
SSL certificate |
Wildcard SSL |
Let’s Encrypt and Custom |
Additional security features |
Immunify360, WAF, DDoS |
PressARMOR™, WAF, AWS Shield |
PHP versions |
PHP 8.2, 8.0, 7.4, 5.6 |
PHP 7.4 or newer |
GDPR compliance |
Suggested |
Yes |
HIPAA compliance |
Not specified |
Not specified |
PCI compliance |
Suggested |
Yes |
Hosting features
Score Components:
- Domains (20%): Assesses the availability of a free domain, domain purchase options, and
pricing - Email (15%): Considers if the provider offers full email hosting, or is reselling
third-party service, and if the email is only transactional or not - Website builder (15%): Checks if website builder is available, and it’s user
friendliness and overall the level of customization allowed. - Staging environment (20%): Determines if a staging environment is available, allowing
for testing changes before going live. - FTP & SFTP accounts (10%): Evaluates if and how easily users can access FTP and
SFTP accounts - Git and SSH access (20%): Assess whether Git is integrated into the hosting service and
if SSH access is provided
🏆 Winner
GreenGeeks: An eco-friendly hosting solution known for its strong feature set and sustainability initiatives.
Both GreenGeeks and Pagely bring a lot to the table, but they cater to very different needs. GreenGeeks offers a cohesive set of features across its three plans, with basics such as free SSL, daily backups, and unmetered transfers across all tiers. It also includes WP-CLI and SSH access, which is a significant benefit for developers. On the eco-friendly front, GreenGeeks matches 300% of its energy usage with renewable energy, making it a perfect choice for environmentally-conscious users. GreenGeeks stands out with a free domain for the first year and doesn’t tie customers into complex configurations or high initial costs.
Pagely, on the other hand, targets enterprise-level clients with demanding hosting needs. Utilizing AWS hardware ensures reliability and scalability, and it provides advanced security monitoring and 99.99% uptime SLA for critical uptime assurance. High-performance features such as PressCACHE™, PressCDN™, and customized staging environments cater to users needing optimal speed and flexibility. However, Pagely’s costs are much higher, starting at $375 per month with no free domain and personalized configurations that may be overkill for smaller websites. Pagely’s robust setup, including managed DevOps and customizable hosting solutions, is ideal for businesses that require heavy lifting and premium support.
Free domain |
Yes, for the first year |
No |
Free SSL |
Yes |
Yes |
Email hosting |
Yes |
No |
Website builder |
||
Staging environment |
No |
Yes |
FTP & SFTP account |
Yes |
Yes |
Git and SSH access |
Yes |
Yes |
Free backup |
Yes |
Yes |
Money back guarantee |
Yes, 30 days |
No |
a location.
As a result in rare cases the features mentioned here can differ from the ones you see on their websites.
Both providers support a range of users from beginners to experts with user-friendly website builders and WordPress staging areas. However, in terms of developer tools, both GreenGeeks and Pagely offer robust options including SSH access, support for multiple programming languages, and Git for version control, thus appealing to developers looking for advanced capabilities.
Email services:
GreenGeeks provides extensive email hosting services, allowing users to create up to 50 e-mail accounts on the Lite Plan and unlimited accounts on Pro and Premium Plans. This is optimal for businesses that need to manage campaigns directly from their hosting provider. Pagely doesn’t offer built-in email hosting and focuses on transactional email capabilities. Users requiring expansive email functionality might need to resell third-party services like Google Workspace or Zoho, making Pagely less ideal for those prioritizing integrated email solutions.
Price
Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
🏆 Winner GreenGeeks: Offers extensive plans with competitive pricing and comprehensive features.
Evaluating the pricing of plans among various hosting providers can be complex due to their differing pricing and renewal strategies. Additionally, certain plans require annual commitments, which adds to the difficulty of making comparisons. The prices listed are based on monthly commitments; plans requiring annual commitments are indicated. Additionally, although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.
When comparing GreenGeeks and Pagely, GreenGeeks emerges as the more affordable and feature-rich option across a range of hosting needs. GreenGeeks offers plans starting at just $2.95/month with various unlimited features and added bonuses such as a free domain for the first year and a 30-day money-back guarantee. In contrast, Pagely’s plans start at a much higher cost of $199/month but include advanced options suitable for high-demand applications, such as decoupled database resources and flexible configurations.
Lite$11.95
1 website, 50GB web space, unmetered transfer, free SSL, free domain 1st year, nightly backup, 300% green energy match Value for price:9.0
|
Developer 1$199
2 vCPU (burstable), 2GB RAM, 30GB SSD storage, PHP workers included, managed DevOps support Value for price:7.0
|
Pro$16.95
Unlimited websites, unlimited web space, unmetered transfer, free SSL, free domain 1st year, on-demand backups, WordPress repair tool Value for price:9.5
|
Developer 2$299
2 vCPU (burstable), 4GB RAM, 30GB SSD storage, PHP workers included, managed DevOps support Value for price:7.2
|
Premium$26.95
Unlimited websites, unlimited web space, unmetered transfer, free SSL, free domain 1st year, dedicated IP, AlphaSSL, object caching Value for price:9.8
|
Performance Lite$375
2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 50GB SSD storage, PHP workers included, managed DevOps support Value for price:7.4
|
Lite$11.95
1 website, 50GB web space, unmetered transfer, free SSL, free domain 1st year, nightly backup, 300% green energy match Value for price:9.2
|
N/A |
Pro$16.95
Unlimited websites, unlimited web space, unmetered transfer, free SSL, free domain 1st year, on-demand backups, WordPress repair tool Value for price:9.3
|
N/A |
Premium$26.95
Unlimited websites, unlimited web space, unmetered transfer, free SSL, free domain 1st year, dedicated IP, AlphaSSL, object caching Value for price:9.7
|
N/A |
RH-25$34.95
25 cPanel accounts, 60GB SSD disk space, 600GB transfer, free SSL, managed support, 300% green energy match Value for price:8.5
|
Performance$499
2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 50GB SSD storage, PHP workers included, managed DevOps support Value for price:7.8
|
RH-50$49.95
50 cPanel accounts, 80GB SSD disk space, 800GB transfer, free SSL, managed support, 300% green energy match Value for price:8.6
|
Performance+$999
4 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 50GB SSD storage, PHP workers included, managed DevOps support Value for price:7.9
|
RH-80$69.95
80 cPanel accounts, 160GB SSD disk space, 1600GB transfer, free SSL, managed support, 300% green energy match Value for price:8.9
|
Scale$2500
Custom CPU, Custom RAM, Custom SSD storage, PHP workers included, managed DevOps support Value for price:8.0
|
Enterprise plans
GreenGeeks’ enterprise-level options include their RH-80 Reseller Hosting Plan at $69.95/month, which offers a high number of cPanel accounts, generous SSD storage, and bandwidth alongside free SSL and managed support. On the other hand, Pagely focuses on high-performance hosting starting from $2,500/month, offering custom CPU and RAM, no cap on PHP workers, and dedicated database resources—catering specifically to large-scale needs. Pagely’s enterprise plans come with added support features like enhanced SLAs and personalized technical account management, making it a premium choice for heavy-duty applications.
Green Geeks vs Pagely: Ease of setup
platform.
Score Components:
- Site migration (25%): Assesses whether the provider offers tools for site migration,
either automated or manual, and whether these services are free or require a fee. - Admin panel usability (35%): Evaluates the type of admin panel provided, such as the
standard cPanel or a custom solution, focusing on its accessibility and user-friendliness for both
technical and non-technical users. - Setup features (20%): Examines the availability and ease of use of various setup
features, including FTP accounts, file managers, email account setup, PHPMyAdmin, and easy CDN
configuration. - Help center quality (20%): Measures the quality and accessibility of the provider’s
help center resources, including articles and tutorials.
🏆 Winner
GreenGeeks: In terms of ease of use, GreenGeeks stands out due to its flexible and affordable site migration options, intuitive custom admin panel, advanced setup features, and a highly praised help center.
GreenGeeks utilizes the standard cPanel, making it accessible to users familiar with this widely-used admin panel. The setup process is straightforward, and users are guided through with ample tutorials and step-by-step instructions. The interface is intuitive, ensuring that even those without technical expertise can navigate their way through account setup, file management, and domain configurations. Their 24/7 support further eases initial setup and ongoing site management.
Pagely, on the other hand, offers a custom admin panel designed specifically for managed WordPress hosting. While it may not provide the familiarity of cPanel, it does offer specialized tools for WordPress deployment and management. Although the setup process can take up to a day, Pagely ensures that users are equipped with comprehensive onboarding guides and support via ticket and chat. The interface is more suited to users with some level of technical knowledge but is bolstered by detailed documentation and efficient support mechanisms.
GreenGeeks provides free WordPress migration services, simplifying the transition process for users switching from another hosting provider. This service is not only free but also facilitated by their 24/7 expert support to ensure a seamless migration. Pagely also offers site migration services, though it is suggested that the process may require more involvement from the user, especially given the one-day setup time. The nature of Pagely’s custom solutions might necessitate personalized attention during migration, making their migration tools more suited for those with technical expertise.
The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. GreenGeeks offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. Pagely also boasts a detailed help center with an intuitive search function and around-the-clock support via live chat, phone, and ticketing, ensuring comprehensive user support.
User management
accessibility.
Score Components:
- Role customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
🏆 Winner Pagely: Advanced user management features and extensive role-based access options.
GreenGeeks offers a straightforward approach to user management, allowing administrators to invite collaborators or clients and assign them access to specific services. The process involves accessing the Account Manager, navigating to My Profile and Account Access, and sending an invitation via email. User roles are limited to Collaborator or Client, which can be somewhat restrictive. In contrast, Pagely boasts a more extensive range of user roles and permissions, making it highly flexible. With roles ranging from Account Owner to Sub-Admin and more specialized roles like Billing and App-Only, Pagely caters to various administrative and technical needs more comprehensively.
GreenGeeks provides a user-friendly interface for managing users, requiring just a few steps to add or remove access via the Account Manager. While functional, it lacks the detailed granularity found in Pagely’s system. Pagely’s user management tools are more intricate, with separate sections for managing 2-factor authentication, SSH/SFTP keys, and site-level access. This complexity gives administrators more control but may require a steeper learning curve. Overall, Pagely offers more sophisticated tools for seasoned administrators.
In terms of access control measures, GreenGeeks allows multi-user access and provides cPanel access for developers to manage websites. Though effective, this system may fall short in scalability as user roles and permissions are less granular. Pagely, with its multiple user roles and permissions, excels in efficiently managing larger teams. Its ability to enforce 2-factor authentication and provide SSH/SFTP access at different levels adds an extra layer of security and control, making it better suited for organizations requiring robust access control measures.
GreenGeeks User Roles Table:
Role | Description | Access Highlights |
---|---|---|
Collaborator | Suitable for web developers | Access to cPanel, ability to contact support, manage websites, install scripts, make file changes |
Client | Suitable for clients managing their own website | Limited to managing their own website and contacting support for related issues |
Pagely User Roles Table:
Role | Description | Access Highlights |
---|---|---|
Account Owner | Main administrative role | Full account management, including creating users, managing sites, and enforcing 2FA |
Super-Admin | Secondary administrative role | Similar to Account Owner but without the ability to create Admin users |
Sub-Admin | Intermediate administrative role | Manages site-level users and sites, enforces 2FA |
Tech | Technical user role | Manages sites and technical configurations, including SSH/SFTP |
Billing | Financial administrative role | Manages billing-related tasks without access to technical settings |
App-Only | Minimal technical access | Manages limited site configurations and backups |
App-Only-Minimal | Restricted technical access | Restricted to managing personal SSH/SFTP keys and accessing backups |
Customer support
hosting provider.
Score Components:
- Support communication channels (30%): Measures the variety of customer support types
provided (live chat, chatbot, email, phone, etc.) - Availability (20%): Assesses the availability hours for each channel, including 24/7
support options. - Technical support quality (30%): Assesses whether the provider offers comprehensive
technical support, including hardware upgrades (e.g., HDD to SSD), software installations, and web
server configuration changes. - Enterprise support (20%): Checks if there are dedicated or priority support services
for enterprise-level customers.
🏆 Winner Pagely: Pagely stands out for its tierless support system and impressive customer satisfaction metrics.
Phone support |
||
Live chat support |
||
Chatbot |
||
Email/ticket support |
||
Enterprise support (dedicated agent, priority support) |
GreenGeeks provides 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and phone. They offer free migration services and have a highly-rated customer care team. They also provide extensive self-help resources, including knowledge bases and tutorials. However, some customers have noted issues with auto-renewal policies and limitations on “unlimited” resources.
Pagely also offers 24/7 support via tickets and live chat, but their phone support is only available on select plans and their Slack channel support is limited to business hours. Pagely excels with their tierless support system, where every support team member is equipped to handle issues without escalation. They boast high response rates and customer satisfaction scores, making them a winner for those who prioritize quick resolutions and expert support.
Green Geeks vs Pagely: User feedback
GreenGeeks is highly praised for its exceptional customer support and user-friendly interfaces, making it a popular choice for many. Users appreciate its reliable uptime, fast hosting speeds, and environmentally friendly initiatives, which appeal to those seeking sustainable hosting solutions. However, some reviewers mention higher costs after initial promotional periods and limited high-demand hosting plans, which may be a concern for scaling businesses. Additionally, there are occasional complaints about strict firewall rules and payment processing issues. Overall, GreenGeeks is seen as a solid option, especially for beginners and eco-conscious users.
Users highly appreciate this hosting provider for its exceptional reliability and top-notch customer support, often comparing it to having an on-call DevOps team. The platform is praised for its speed, security, and a suite of features designed specifically for WordPress hosting. Many find the management tools intuitive and effective, though some express a desire for improvements in specific areas like the Atomic dashboard and multi-user access. The main criticism revolves around the high cost, which is noted as a barrier for smaller operations, but many users agree the premium price is justified by the service’s quality and reliability.
Green Geeks vs Pagely: FAQ
Which platform is better suited for hosting WordPress websites?
GreenGeeks and Pagely both offer comprehensive WordPress hosting services. GreenGeeks is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive features ideal for WordPress websites. Pagely, however, provides high-performance hosting on AWS infrastructure, making it suitable for enterprises that require robust performance and scalability. The choice largely depends on specific requirements like budget and server performance.
Which platform offers better customer support?
Pagely stands out for its tierless support system and impressive customer satisfaction metrics, offering 24/7 support through tickets and live chat. GreenGeeks also provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone but does not offer a tierless system. Pagely’s high response rates and expert support make it a winner for those prioritizing quick resolutions and knowledgeable assistance.
Which hosting service offers more scalability options for growing websites?
Pagely offers superior scalability with elastic scaling and flexible configurations, ideal for businesses expecting rapid growth, starting at $2,500 per month. It provides dedicated server options and custom solutions for high-availability configurations. GreenGeeks, while offering numerous plans, requires plan upgrades for scalability and does not mention dedicated servers, focusing mainly on shared and VPS hosting environments.
Are both platforms suitable for beginners?
GreenGeeks is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners. It provides ample tutorials, a straightforward setup process, and 24/7 support to assist new users. Pagely, on the other hand, offers a custom admin panel more suited to users with some technical knowledge, thus making GreenGeeks a more beginner-friendly option.
What are the major differences in pricing and value between greengeeks and pagely?
GreenGeeks is more affordable with plans starting at $2.95/month and includes features like a free domain for the first year, free SSL, and daily backups. Pagely’s plans start at $199/month, targeting high-demand applications with features like decoupled database resources and managed DevOps support. While Pagely provides high-performance features for enterprise needs, GreenGeeks offers better value for individuals and small businesses with its competitive pricing and comprehensive features.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.