Network Solutions vs WP Engine: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over networksolutions vs. WP Engine, 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.

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  WP Engine (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  excels as a premium managed WordPress hosting provider, offering exceptional uptime, security, and performance, backed by a 99.99% SLA. Its EverCache® technology, global CDN, and real-time updates cater to high-traffic and eCommerce sites, providing an environment suited for businesses with demanding needs. While its advanced features and dedicated support justify a higher price, it may not be the best fit for budget-conscious users. The strong focus on WordPress, including dedicated tools for developers and agencies, solidifies WP Engine as a top choice for those who prioritize optimized site management and security.
  
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  Network Solutions (Overall grade: 7.4)
  
  
  provides a user-friendly hosting experience, particularly suitable for small businesses and individuals new to web hosting. Its shared hosting plans, inclusive of domains and email hosting, offer reliable uptime and basic security features like daily malware scans and SiteLock integration. However, it lacks the advanced performance optimizations and global infrastructure of WP Engine, making it less suitable for highly trafficked websites or those requiring extensive scalability. Customer support is available round-the-clock but has room for improvement according to user feedback. Network Solutions delivers a solid foundation but falls short in comparison to WP Engine’s high-end offerings.
  

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 WP Engine: A managed WordPress hosting provider known for superior uptime and availability.

WP Engine excels with its excellent uptime performance, demonstrating 100% uptime over a two-month period. The service offers a 99.99% SLA, ensuring reliable site accessibility even during high traffic spikes. With an average server response time of 489ms and high stability, it meets the needs of demanding websites.

Network Solutions guarantees a 99.9% uptime, with observed performance slightly above at 99.917% over a month. The service had a total downtime of 42 minutes, and speed performance is average with a B rating. It offers 24/7 support and reliable infrastructure, making it a viable choice for some users.

WP Engine leads in uptime and availability with proactive maintenance and global data centers reducing latency. Daily backups, real-time threat detection, and automated updates enhance security and performance. Network Solutions is a solid option, but WP Engine’s superior uptime and performance give it a clear advantage.

🏆 Winner
WP Engine: Fast page load times and extensive scalability options.

When it comes to performance, WP Engine stands out with its advanced features designed to optimize speed and reliability. WP Engine offers fast page load times thanks to its proprietary EverCache® technology and a global CDN with over 200 points of presence. Running the latest PHP version further enhances performance. Network Solutions, meanwhile, guarantees a 99.9% uptime and includes daily malware scanning and auto-renewal features, but doesn’t match the specialized caching methods and CDN reach of WP Engine. Both services offer multiple data centers, but WP Engine’s are more globally distributed.

Website Speed

WP Engine excels in delivering swift website speeds, leveraging EverCache® technology and the latest PHP versions to handle significant traffic loads effortlessly. Their Service Level Agreement offers 99.99% uptime, ensuring minimal downtime for high-traffic sites. Network Solutions guarantees 99.9% uptime and includes daily malware scans and automatic backups but falls short in providing the same rapid performance levels due to the lack of advanced web-specific optimizations found in WP Engine.

Scalability

WP Engine offers scalable architecture designed for handling any traffic spikes without manual intervention. Their isolated resources approach ensures optimized performance and reliability. Network Solutions offers more traditional scaling, where upgrading to higher-tier plans like Premium Plus is necessary for unlimited resources. WP Engine also integrates headless WordPress features for added flexibility, but there’s no detailed cost breakdown for scaling with WP Engine beyond the scope of standard plans. We don’t have enough information on whether both providers offer dedicated servers.

🏆 Winner
WP Engine: WP Engine stands out for its robust threat detection, global edge security, and advanced monitoring mechanisms.
Both Network Solutions and WP Engine, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Network Solutions provides comprehensive security with various SSL Certificates and daily malware scans. WP Engine, known for its enterprise-grade technology, automatically blocks 72 million attacks daily and offers global edge security. Both platforms offer data encryption and automated updates, but WP Engine takes an edge with more extensive threat detection mechanisms and superior edge protection. WP Engine also includes SSL at a platform level, while Network Solutions focuses primarily on different types of SSL Certificates.

Operational security measures:

Network Solutions offers SiteLock for malware protection, CodeGuard for backups, and nsProtect Assured Website Seal for added legitimacy. Conversely, WP Engine excels with always-on monitoring, proactive threat detection, and automated WordPress core updates. WP Engine’s real-time security management provides continuous security alerts, while Network Solutions’ click-time anti-phishing and Lazy Expunge features enhance email security. Both hosting providers provide 24/7 support, but WP Engine offers a highly responsive premium support service.

Compliance and certifications:

Both Network Solutions and WP Engine emphasize the importance of GDPR and PCI compliance through their extensive use of SSL Certificates and data encryption. WP Engine is notably SOC-2 compliant and ISO 27001-2013 certified, demonstrating higher standards in security management. WP Engine also offers features tailored for PCI-secured environments, whereas Network Solutions primarily focuses on SSL encryption as its compliance backbone.

🏆 Winner
WP Engine: A highly versatile hosting provider designed for businesses seeking premium performance and dedicated support.

Network Solutions and WP Engine address the diverse needs of website owners with unique offerings. Network Solutions offers a range of packages that cater to different levels of user requirements. Their hosting is user-friendly, featuring reliable uptime, daily malware scans, and CodeGuard for automatic backups. The inclusion of a free domain starting from their Essential plan makes it accessible for newcomers. Their packages provide generous email hosting, which is beneficial for small businesses. However, Network Solutions doesn’t explicitly offer a website builder, potentially requiring users to explore third-party solutions for building their sites.

On the other hand, WP Engine stands out with a strong focus on managed WordPress hosting. They provide advanced features like end-to-end management, developer tools, and specific plans tailored to ecommerce and high-traffic sites. WP Engine’s automatic updates for WordPress, PHP, and MySQL reduce the maintenance load on users. The inclusion of a Global CDN, free automated migration plugin, and robust performance insights makes it an excellent choice for businesses looking to optimize site performance and security. WP Engine’s higher starting price reflects its premium services but may deter users with limited budgets.

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 Example hosting one and Example hosting two 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:

Network Solutions offers robust email hosting with its plans, supporting a significant number of email boxes, and provides full email hosting capabilities to set up email campaigns. WP Engine, while it does not offer native email hosting, focuses on transactional email capabilities crucial for eCommerce sites and high-traffic businesses. This distinction can affect users based on their email management needs.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: WP Engine: Efficient and feature-rich managed WordPress hosting ideal for businesses of all sizes.

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 the pricing plans of Network Solutions and WP Engine, WP Engine tends to offer more comprehensive features at higher pricing tiers, particularly for those looking for managed WordPress hosting. Network Solutions provides a range of pricing options suited for various needs, from basic shared hosting to more advanced WordPress plans. Network Solutions’ plans, such as Starter and Essential, are budget-friendly but limited in features compared to WP Engine’s highly specialized plans. WP Engine offers plans starting from the Startup Plan at $20/month with advanced security features, automated backups, and a performance-focused CDN, making it a robust choice for enterprise-level needs.

Enterprise plans

For enterprise-level hosting, WP Engine leads with its Scale and Custom plans, offering substantial site and storage capacities, high bandwidth, and premium 24/7 support. Network Solutions’ Premium Plus plan, while featuring unlimited disk space and email boxes, does not compete in terms of advanced enterprise-grade features and support options compared to WP Engine’s higher-tier offerings. WP Engine’s comprehensive set of tools for performance, security, and site management provides a well-rounded package suitable for businesses requiring robust hosting solutions.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Offers streamlined setup with powerful automated migration tools.

WP Engine uses a custom control panel specifically designed for WordPress, simplifying the management process for users. The panel is intuitive, making it easy for non-technical users to navigate while still offering advanced features for developers. The layout is clean and straightforward, which helps users quickly access essential functionalities such as backups, staging environments, and security settings. Network Solutions, on the other hand, provides a more traditional cPanel interface. While cPanel is widely recognized and has a broad range of features, it can be less intuitive for new users compared to WP Engine’s tailored solution. Both admin panels are functional, but WP Engine’s custom interface offers a more user-friendly experience tailored to WordPress users.

When it comes to migration tools, WP Engine clearly stands out with its free Automated Migration plugin, designed to streamline the process with minimal effort. Users can usually complete a migration within minutes. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach or have specific needs, WP Engine also provides a comprehensive Manual Migration Checklist. Network Solutions offers migration services with support to ensure minimal downtime and service interruption, but it does not offer an automated tool, making the process potentially more labor-intensive for the user. Both platforms support migrations, but WP Engine’s automated plugin makes the task significantly easier.

The quality and accessibility of help center resources vary slightly between the two providers. WP Engine has an extensive Support Center with detailed articles, video tutorials, and troubleshooting guides, catering especially to WordPress users. Their 24/7 support through phone and chat adds another layer of accessibility. Network Solutions, while also offering a comprehensive Online Support Center, relies more on user guides and tutorials and provides substantial customer support by phone or chat. Both providers offer strong help centers, but WP Engine’s resources feel more integrated and specialized for its user base.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. networksolutions offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. wpengine 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.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: A comprehensive user management system with extensive roles and permissions capabilities.

Network Solutions and WP Engine both provide robust user management features, but WP Engine stands out with its extensive range of user roles and permissions. Network Solutions offers three defined roles—Primary Contact, Admin Contact, and Technical Contact—with varying degrees of access and control. The Primary and Admin Contacts can edit account information and manage user roles, while the Technical Contact is more restricted. WP Engine, on the other hand, features a more granular system with five distinct user roles. These roles include Owner, Full (with billing), Full (no billing), Partial (with billing), and Partial (no billing). Each role offers specific capabilities, with the Owner role having the most comprehensive access. This level of granularity allows for more customized user management, making WP Engine more versatile in accommodating varied user needs.

In terms of user interfaces and tools for managing users, both platforms provide clear and straightforward methods. Network Solutions allows users to manage roles through a centralized “Accounts & Users” section, where they can add, edit, and delete contacts easily. WP Engine also offers a user-friendly portal where users can manage account users, invite new users, and modify roles seamlessly. Both interfaces are designed to be user-friendly, but WP Engine’s inclusion of detailed checklists for Partial user roles adds an extra layer of clarity and control, ensuring that specific environments can be managed more precisely.

Access control measures are crucial for managing a growing number of users, and both platforms perform well in this regard. Network Solutions lets the Primary and Admin Contacts control who has access to what information and roles, ensuring a hierarchical structure to user management. WP Engine, with its multifaceted user roles and detailed Account Activity Log, provides a comprehensive system for auditing and tracking user actions. This audit capability is particularly important for larger organizations looking to monitor and manage user activities across numerous environments effectively. The ability to filter logs by user, environment, and action type ensures that administrators can maintain tight control over user access and activities.

Network Solutions user roles table:

WP Engine user roles table:

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Known for high customer satisfaction and extensive WordPress expertise.

Network Solutions and WP Engine both offer extensive customer support options, ensuring round-the-clock assistance. Network Solutions provides 24/7 support through multiple phone lines, a sales and support chat, and has dedicated teams for business consultants, product support, and domain support. Their offices are located in Jacksonville, FL, and Burlington, MA, providing ample regional support. Their long history and trusted reputation add confidence to their service offerings, with a clear structure for assisting users.

WP Engine sets itself apart with its focus on WordPress-related issues, featuring 24/7 phone and chat support, along with a comprehensive user portal. Additionally, WP Engine users benefit from targeted support tools, including error logs, database import guidelines, and security features such as DDoS protection and managed WAF. The extensive knowledge base further empowers users to resolve issues independently. Their 60-day money-back guarantee adds a layer of customer satisfaction assurance, emphasizing their confidence in the services they offer.

User feedback

User feedback on this hosting provider highlights several key strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, many users find the interface user-friendly and appreciate the ease of navigating through the platform, particularly when managing domains and webpages. However, there are significant concerns about the provider’s customer service, which many describe as unresponsive and ineffective at solving technical issues, often resulting in prolonged waits and unmet assurances. Additionally, users criticize the high costs, frequent upselling, and lack of timely communication during server outages, which collectively detract from the overall user experience.

WP Engine exudes excellence in managed WordPress hosting, boasting top-notch technical support that’s often highlighted as a standout feature. Users appreciate the user-friendly dashboard, seamless migration tools, daily backups, and solid security measures, all of which contribute to high performance and reliability. However, the service does come at a higher price point, which some users find steep, especially for entry-level plans or smaller projects. Despite occasional concerns about costs and some technical nuances, WP Engine’s premium service quality justifies the expense for many, making it a highly recommended solution for businesses and developers alike.

FAQ