Liquid Web vs Kinsta: guide for 2024

Liquid Web vs Kinsta: Final verdict

Looking over Example hosting one vs. Example hosting two, 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.

• 
  Kinsta (Overall grade: 8.5)
  
  
  offers excellent reliability with consistent 100% uptime and strong performance powered by Google Cloud’s infrastructure. Its user-friendly MyKinsta dashboard and focus on WordPress optimization make it a strong choice for users seeking ease of use and advanced features for managing their sites. Kinsta also brings robust security measures, competitive pricing for WordPress hosting, and high-quality support, though it lacks phone support and some of the detailed user management tools offered by Liquid Web. The primary drawbacks are its higher pricing and absence of email hosting, but these are mitigated by its comprehensive hosting features and exceptional customer satisfaction.
  
• 
  Liquid Web (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  
  is a versatile option providing a wide array of managed hosting services, including VPS and dedicated hosting not offered by Kinsta. It excels in delivering high-traffic and ecommerce site hosting with robust security measures and 24/7/365 support, including phone support. Its Plesk control panel offers detailed user management, making it ideal for businesses requiring extensive control and customization. While Liquid Web boasts impressive uptime guarantees and top-notch support responsiveness, issues with customer service and billing practices have been noted by some users. Despite these challenges, it remains a solid choice for enterprises and high-demand hosting environments.
  

Hosting types offered

Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.

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

🏆 Winner Kinsta: Consistently demonstrates 100% uptime and exceptional reliability.

Kinsta’s uptime guarantee of 99.9% is backed by strong performance in various tests, showing continued 100% uptime over extended periods. Their infrastructure, built on the Google Cloud Platform, ensures both high reliability and performance, with Cloudflare integration enhancing security and delivery. Regular monitoring and quick engineer responses further contribute to Kinsta’s reliable service.

Liquid Web offers a 100% uptime guarantee with significant credits for any downtime, alongside impressive multi-server environments and proactive monitoring. Their customer support is highly responsive, ensuring quick assistance and hardware replacements within 30 minutes. Despite these strong features, Kinsta’s consistent 100% uptime in various tests and robust infrastructure make it the leading choice for dependability and performance

Kinsta’s advantage is more pronounced in terms of server response time. It boasted an average response time of 389ms, which is significantly lower than the shared hosting industry standard and faster than Liquid Web’s average response time of 670ms, which can peak up to 1152ms. This suggests that Kinsta is not only more reliable in maintaining uptime but also in delivering faster website loading speeds, making it a preferable option for users prioritizing performance.

🏆 Winner Kinsta: Known for its advanced cloud-based infrastructure and top-notch performance features.

In comparing general performance, Liquid Web offers impressive speed with its NVMe and SSD storage options and robust AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon processors, providing excellent server performance. Meanwhile, Kinsta leverages Google Cloud’s premium tier network and fastest C2 and C3D virtual machines, optimizing for speed with features like edge caching and image optimization. Both offer free CDN, though Kinsta’s integration with Cloudflare enhances security and performance. Liquid Web has multiple data centers but doesn’t specify locations, whereas Kinsta boasts 35 global data centers, offering broader reach and flexibility.

Website speed

Liquid Web’s AMD and Intel processors combined with NVMe or SSD storage ensure fast data access, providing quick loading times. Kinsta, however, employs advanced technology like edge caching and early hints, reducing Time to First Byte significantly. Kinsta’s continuous MySQL optimization and built-in application performance monitoring further improve website speed, making it a strong performer in web speed metrics.

Scalability

Both hosting services offer scalable solutions, but Liquid Web emphasizes easy scalability with options to upgrade or downgrade VPS services with minimal downtime. They also offer free monthly autoscaling. Kinsta provides elastic scaling options but specifics on costs or detailed processes are not mentioned. Liquid Web provides dedicated servers, while Kinsta’s offering in terms of dedicated servers isn’t clearly detailed. Both provide options to increase resources, but Kinsta’s transparency in pricing for resource overages offers clarity.

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: Known for its extensive security measures across various compliance requirements.

Both Liquid Web and Kinsta, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Liquid Web excels with its robust firewall and VPN offerings, real-time DDoS attack prevention, and hardened server configurations. In comparison, Kinsta houses proactive site monitoring, an IP denial tool, and provides multiple backup options including hourly backups. While both hosts offer SSL certificates, Liquid Web provides a more detailed PCI compliance scanning service and a custom intrusion detection system. Kinsta stands out with its use of Cloudflare’s enterprise DDoS protection and automatic malware removal services.

Operational security measures:

Liquid Web offers 24/7/365 on-site support, data encryption at rest, and comprehensive compliance assistance for various security standards. Kinsta focuses on application performance monitoring, proactive site monitoring, and security vulnerability alerts. Both offer PHP version selection, although Liquid Web ensures compatibility and reliability with different PHP versions. With Liquid Web’s high-security data centers and extensive physical safeguards, it provides a more fortified infrastructure compared to Kinsta’s integration with Google Cloud Firewall and free malware removal services.

Compliance and certifications:

Liquid Web is highly versatile in meeting regulatory requirements, being compliant with GDPR, PCI, and HIPAA guidelines. Kinsta adheres to GDPR and SOC 2 standards but lacks explicit HIPAA compliance. Both hosts offer GDPR compliance and include necessary certifications to safeguard data, but Liquid Web’s additional certifications (SSAE-22 & Safe Harbor) and support for HIPAA give it an edge.

🏆 Winner
Kinsta: A fast and user-friendly hosting solution perfect for varying online needs.

Liquid Web and Kinsta both offer robust hosting features catering to distinct user needs. Liquid Web provides comprehensive managed hosting solutions, which cover everything from migration to proactive management, ensuring websites remain secure and operational. They support various environments, including Windows hosting, managed VPS, and even enterprise-level solutions. A distinct offering is their 24/7/365 support with impressive response guarantees. In contrast, Kinsta excels in ease of use, with a control panel designed for straightforward navigation. It’s especially optimized for WordPress and WooCommerce, incorporating a seamless site management experience.

Both providers offer FTP/SFTP and SSH access, critical features for developers who need direct server control. Liquid Web’s major appeal lies in its fully managed services and high-availability hosting tailored for enterprise requirements, while Kinsta stands out with its developer-friendly environment and clear instructions on accessing SFTP/SSH within their interface. Liquid Web does not explicitly mention a website builder, potentially requiring users to integrate one themselves. Kinsta’s focus on WordPress means its panel offers advanced customization and ease of site creation through built-in tools and integrations.

Both providers offer FTP/SFTP and SSH access, critical features for developers who need direct server control. Liquid Web’s major appeal lies in its fully managed services and high-availability hosting tailored for enterprise requirements, while Kinsta stands out with its developer-friendly environment and clear instructions on accessing SFTP/SSH within their interface. Liquid Web does not explicitly mention a website builder, potentially requiring users to integrate one themselves. Kinsta’s focus on WordPress means its panel offers advanced customization and ease of site creation through built-in tools and integrations.

Email services:

Liquid Web provides integrated email hosting, allowing users to set up email addresses with their domain. This can be especially crucial for businesses that need constant email communication without relying on third parties. Kinsta, however, does not offer email hosting directly; users have to use external services like Google Workspace. This might be a deterrent for those looking for an all-in-one solution but could be ideal for users preferring specialized email providers.

🏆 Winner Kinsta: Offers competitive pricing with a strong feature set for managing WordPress and other hosting needs.

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.

Liquid Web and Kinsta both offer a variety of hosting plans tailored to different user needs. Liquid Web provides diverse hosting options, including Managed WooCommerce, Managed WordPress, Managed VPS, and Cloud Dedicated Servers, with pricing starting as low as $20 per month. Kinsta focuses primarily on Managed WordPress Hosting, Application Hosting, Database Hosting, and Static Site Hosting. Kinsta’s robust WordPress plans begin at $35 per month and provide features such as free CDN and premium migrations not included in some Liquid Web plans. Kinsta offers more competitive pricing for WordPress hosting and includes unique features such as different billing options and extensive backup retention periods across its plans.

Enterprise plans

Liquid Web’s enterprise plans offer expansive storage options and high bandwidth capabilities suited for large-scale operations. The Enterprise plan in Liquid Web’s Managed WooCommerce Hosting provides 800GB storage and supports up to 30 stores at $1,095 monthly. Kinsta’s Enterprise Plan, starting at $675 per month, scales up to 60+ WordPress installs with a storage of 100+GB. Kinsta’s pricing options are more accessible for enterprises looking for WordPress hosting with extensive backup retention periods and free premium migrations.

🏆 Winner
Kinsta: Kinsta provides a streamlined setup and advanced support tools for diverse hosting needs.

Liquid Web offers a standard cPanel interface that includes features designed for both beginners and advanced users. This helps ensure that even someone with minimal technical experience can navigate their way through server management effectively. The dashboard allows for easy access to various hosting functionalities, including one-click installations and server monitoring. The interface is intuitive, minimizing the learning curve for users who may not be well-versed in technical aspects.

Kinsta, on the other hand, features the custom-built MyKinsta dashboard, which is designed specifically for ease of use. The dashboard has won awards for its user-friendly design and offers many advanced features easily accessible to both technical and non-technical users. You can manage backups, cache settings, and PHP versions with just a few clicks. The sleek interface and well-organized layout make it easy to navigate and complete tasks efficiently.

Both Liquid Web and Kinsta offer comprehensive migration tools. Liquid Web provides help migrating your site, store, or application with human support available to guide you through each step. These services are generally free and include assistance for complex environments. Kinsta also offers both basic and premium migrations, which users can request directly through the MyKinsta dashboard. The basic migrations are usually free, while more complex migrations may come with a fee, but clear steps and support are provided to ensure that everything proceeds smoothly.

Liquid Web’s help center comprises a comprehensive knowledge base filled with articles and tutorials on a wide range of topics. It includes common questions, featured articles, and continuously updated content to help users solve their problems quickly. Kinsta’s knowledge base is similarly detailed, with extensive documentation and tutorials covering a broad spectrum of hosting-related subjects. Kinsta also includes a community forum for static site hosting, allowing users to seek advice from experienced developers. Both hosting providers ensure that their resources are readily accessible and regularly updated to assist users effectively.

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: Liquid Web provides comprehensive and versatile user management through the Plesk control panel.

Liquid Web’s Plesk control panel offers extensive flexibility in managing user roles and permissions. Plesk allows users to define and create roles that fit their needs, right from a robust Administrator role to more restricted roles like Webmaster, Application User, and Accountant. The ability to create custom roles adds an extra layer of adaptability, ensuring precise control over user capabilities. On the other hand, Kinsta simplifies user management by dividing roles into Company Owners, Company Administrators, and Company Developers. It leans heavily on the customer’s responsibility to manage user access and ensure that the right roles are assigned. While effective, Kinsta’s approach may lack the granularity and customization provided by Plesk.

Liquid Web’s user interface through Plesk is user-friendly, offering a clear path to access user settings under both Service Provider and Power User views. The array of tools, like the ability to create, remove, and modify user roles or accounts, is presented logically within the UI, making user management straightforward. Kinsta’s MyKinsta interface also provides an intuitive experience, where users can handle account settings, enable Two-Factor Authentication, and manage Git access. However, the emphasis is on user responsibility rather than integrated tools, which might be less convenient for some users.

Both platforms have strong access control measures, but Liquid Web’s Plesk stands out in managing a large number of users efficiently. Plesk offers detailed roles and permissions that allow for a comprehensive hierarchical structure, facilitating structured user management and scalability. Kinsta, while effective, places more onus on the customer to manage roles and access, which may become cumbersome as the number of users grows. The detailed role management in Plesk provides a systematic approach that is more conducive to handling an expanding user base seamlessly.

Liquid Web user roles table:

Kinsta user roles table:

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: Excellent response times and high customer satisfaction with 24/7/365 support.

Liquid Web shines with its 24/7/365 availability across multiple support channels, including phone, live chat, and email. Their initial response guarantees ensure quick assistance, and they provide dedicated teams for Windows and Linux, along with a high Net Promoter Score indicating customer satisfaction. They also offer specialized support services, including migration assistance and account management for enterprise clients.

Kinsta offers 24/7 live chat support for paid customers and a variety of email support options. Their response time averages under two minutes, which is impressive, but they lack phone support and dedicated enterprise options. However, Kinsta does excel in multilingual support and proactive site monitoring. Both hosts have their unique strengths, but Liquid Web’s broader range of support features and high satisfaction levels make it the better choice.

Liquid Web vs Kinsta: User feedback

Customer feedback for this hosting provider is mixed, with significant polarization in user experiences. While some have praised the company for its reliable uptime, exceptional support, and proactive monitoring, others have experienced severe dissatisfaction due to frequent downtimes, unresponsive customer service, and unethical billing practices. Long-term customers, in particular, have noted a sharp decline in service quality and support efficiency, attributing it to recent management changes. Despite positive reviews highlighting excellent technical support and overall reliability, a growing number of users advise against using this provider due to these negative aspects.

Kinsta is highly recommended by users for its reliable and easy-to-use hosting services, particularly for WordPress sites. Customers appreciate the fast and responsive customer support, impressive speed, and robust security features provided by the platform. The user-friendly dashboard and extensive documentation also stand out as significant advantages, making it easy for both novices and tech-savvy individuals to manage their sites. However, some users find the pricing to be on the higher side, and a few have suggested improvements like expanding data center locations and providing direct access to all integrated services. Overall, Kinsta is praised for delivering a high-quality, dependable hosting experience.

Liquid Web vs Kinsta: FAQ