WP Engine vs 000Webhost: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over WP Engine vs. 000Webhost, we can see notable differences in target audiences and service offerings.

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  WP Engine (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  stands out as a premium managed WordPress hosting service, designed for users prioritizing high performance, security, and scalability. The platform’s EverCache® technology, 100% uptime, and priority support make it ideal for large businesses and high-traffic websites. While its plans are on the pricier side, the advanced features such as robust user management, automated backups, and advanced threat detection justify the cost. WP Engine’s specialized WordPress support and developer-friendly tools like SSH gateway and Git push deliver a seamless and efficient experience tailored for demanding WordPress applications, making it a top choice for agencies, e-commerce, and corporate clients.
  
• 
  000Webhost (Overall grade: 6.4)
  
  
  offers a more basic and highly affordable entry point with its free hosting plans, appealing mainly to beginners, students, or startups with tight budgets. Features like a no-code website builder, email hosting in premium plans, and relatively abundant resources in paid plans make it a viable option for simple website needs. However, with an average uptime falling below industry standards and slower response times, it’s less suitable for high-demand projects. The platform lacks some advanced functionalities and premium support options, which might prompt users requiring more robust solutions and performance to consider alternative providers.
  

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: Exceptional uptime and availability for managed WordPress hosting.

When comparing WP Engine and 000webhost in terms of uptime and availability, it is clear that WP Engine leads the race. WP Engine shows an impressive 100% uptime over two months, affirming its reliability. In addition, its server response time averages 489ms, which is better than the industry standard. The platform’s stringent 99.99% SLA provides an assurance of high reliability, making it a solid choice for projects requiring stable performance.

On the other hand, 000webhost falls short in several key areas. While it offers a free hosting service, its average uptime of 99.05% over four months is below industry standards. With frequent outages and slower response times averaging 1.87 seconds, 000webhost may not be suitable for demanding projects. The lack of global server locations can also affect performance for international users.

WP Engine’s advantage is more pronounced in terms of server response time. It boasted an average response time of 489ms, which is significantly lower than the shared hosting industry standard and faster than 000webhost’s average response time of 1.87 seconds. This suggests that WP Engine 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
WP Engine: Fast and reliable hosting with excellent support.

When comparing WP Engine and 000Webhost, WP Engine offers significantly faster load times and overall better performance. WP Engine employs EverCache® technology along with a global CDN of over 200 points of presence, while 000Webhost offers standard performance with its free and premium hosting plans but lacks advanced caching methods. Both hosts provide multiple data centers globally, but WP Engine’s infrastructure is designed to handle high-traffic sites with greater uptime reliability.

Website Speed

WP Engine is optimized for speed with features like EverCache® and the latest PHP versions, leading to consistently fast load times. Their proprietary technology and CDN ensure quick access for users worldwide, reducing bounce rates and improving SEO. 000Webhost, while offering free services, generally provides standard performance levels without the advanced caching or specialized technologies that WP Engine brings to the table.

Scalability

WP Engine offers scalable architecture, ensuring that your site can handle traffic spikes without manual intervention or plan upgrades. Their isolated resources provide optimized performance. The cost and specifics of scaling are not specified, but their infrastructure is designed for growth. 000Webhost provides limited scaling options, primarily through upgrading to premium plans, with no automated elasticity mentioned.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: A highly secure hosting environment for WordPress websites.

Technical security measures:

WP Engine boasts enterprise-grade technology with automated threat detection blocking 72 million attacks daily. It features live, always-on monitoring, proactive threat detection, and advanced DDoS mitigation. Additionally, WP Engine includes data encryption, managed Web Application Firewall (WAF), and offers two-factor authentication. In contrast, 000Webhost provides basic DDoS protection, supports multiple PHP versions, and includes a malware scanner. However, it lacks some advanced features like automated threat detection and edge protection found in WP Engine.

Operational security measures:

WP Engine excels with continuous site monitoring, automated plugin and theme updates, daily backups, and proactive security alerts. It provides 24/7 global customer support with a 97% satisfaction rate. On the other hand, 000Webhost has a dedicated admin team monitoring servers 24/7 and utilizes Cloudflare Protected Nameservers for additional security. While both offer SSL certificates, WP Engine includes free SSL certificates, while 000Webhost provides them by default only for subdomains.

Compliance and certifications:

WP Engine is SOC-2 compliant and ISO 27001-2013 certified, aligning with strict data security and management protocols. It also includes PCI vulnerability scanning scope. 000Webhost complies with GDPR, processes personal data according to regulations, and adheres to EU-U.S. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Frameworks. It relies on third-party payment processors, ensuring no direct handling of credit card information.

🏆 Winner 000Webhost: Offers competitive features and affordability for a wide range of users.

WP Engine and 000Webhost cater to distinct market segments with their unique offerings. WP Engine positions itself as a premium solution, especially for businesses needing high performance, premium support, and advanced features such as sophisticated performance monitoring and a managed Web Application Firewall. Their plans include daily backups, a global CDN for faster delivery, and development tools like Local WordPress Development and Node.js Frontend. These features make WP Engine a strong choice for businesses seeking robust performance and security.

On the other hand, 000Webhost provides an incredibly affordable entry point with its free hosting plan, which might appeal to individuals or startups with limited budgets. While lacking in some areas like email hosting in the free plan, it compensates with a no-code website builder, drag-and-drop functionalities, and abundant storage space and bandwidth in its premium plans. 000Webhost also includes advanced tools like AI-powered website creation, robust security features, and WHOIS privacy protection. Both services offer free SSL and SSH access, but 000Webhost’s provision of unlimited email accounts and databases in its premium packages is particularly advantageous for users seeking affordability and flexibility.

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 WP Engine and 000Webhost 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:

WP Engine does not provide email hosting services, which might require users to seek third-party solutions like Google Workspace. 000Webhost, on the other hand, offers email hosting, including free email accounts in its premium packages. This makes it convenient for users looking to handle everything in one place without additional costs. Additionally, 000Webhost supports transactional email capabilities, albeit details on specific limits were not provided. This gives 000Webhost a distinct edge for users who need integrated email solutions.

🏆 Winner
Example hosting two: Hostinger: Widely recognized for its commendable balance of affordability and extensive features, making it a popular choice for users.

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 WP Engine and Hostinger, the differences become apparent. WP Engine’s plans start at $20/month for its Startup Plan, catering to users requiring managed WordPress hosting with top-tier support. On the other hand, Hostinger’s Single Shared Hosting starts at a low $3.99/month even after renewal, offering an extensive feature set, including free SSL, domain, and managed WordPress. WP Engine relies heavily on its advanced support and high-performance guarantees, whereas Hostinger provides a more budget-friendly approach with significant features. While WP Engine targets users needing highly specialized WordPress hosting, Hostinger offers more versatile and cost-effective options suitable for a broader audience.

Enterprise plans

Enterprise-level plans from WP Engine are designed for those requiring high-performance, managed WordPress solutions with extensive support. The Custom Plan starts at $600/month and includes features like a dedicated technical account manager and advanced DDoS protection, making it suitable for businesses with complex needs. Hostinger’s highest-tier Business Web Hosting plan, priced at $8.99/month, provides more storage and daily backups, but lacks the specialized support found in WP Engine’s offerings. Hostinger’s plan is more suited for enterprises seeking affordability and reliability, while WP Engine caters to those needing advanced WordPress-specific services.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Provides a user-friendly setup process with extensive support and detailed migration guides.

WP Engine’s admin panel is a custom solution tailored specifically for WordPress users. It is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, catering to both technical and non-technical users. The platform includes accessible dashboard features such as staging environments, security settings, and performance monitoring, enabling users to manage their sites efficiently. The interface is streamlined, focusing on ease of use while still providing advanced options for developers, including Git Push and SSH Gateway setup.

On the other hand, 000Webhost offers a more standard setup route with options like a basic Website Builder and FTP uploads. Their admin panel may appear slightly more complex for non-technical users, especially when using advanced features like PHP and MySQL. Nonetheless, the panel includes essential website management tools that cover various aspects such as file uploads, database management, and website customization. It’s functional but may require a bit more time to get accustomed to, especially for beginners.

When comparing migration tools, WP Engine clearly stands out with its Automated Migration plugin, which is available for free and simplifies the process significantly. Users can migrate their WordPress sites with minimal hassle, supported by detailed guides and 24/7 support for troubleshooting. Additionally, WP Engine offers manual migration steps for cases where the plugin may not be compatible. Conversely, 000Webhost primarily provides basic guidance on transferring files via FTP, which can be more labor-intensive and requires more technical knowledge. There is no mention of a dedicated migration tool making it less convenient for users who are less technically inclined.

WP Engine’s help center is rich with resources including detailed articles, video tutorials, and step-by-step guides. Users can access support on various topics ranging from basic site setup to developer tools and performance optimization. Their 24/7 technical support is a valuable feature, ensuring expert assistance is always available. Meanwhile, 000Webhost has a comprehensive knowledge base covering numerous topics but it lacks the depth and specialized support for WordPress that WP Engine provides. Their help center also includes resources on learning web development and managing accounts, which can be helpful for beginners but may not cover the more advanced needs of experienced developers.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: An advanced platform with comprehensive user management features.

In terms of managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, WP Engine provides robust user management by offering a detailed hierarchy of user roles that are customizable according to the needs of the account owner. The platform offers roles such as Owner, Full (with billing), Full (without billing), and Partial users (with or without billing), each with specific capabilities clearly outlined. WP Engine allows granular control over which environments users can access and what actions they can perform, enhancing security and flexibility. In contrast, 000Webhost lacks detailed information on user roles and permissions capabilities, making it difficult to assess its flexibility and effectiveness comprehensively.

The user interface and tools WP Engine offers for managing users are accessible through a well-organized User Portal. It allows account owners to invite new users, edit existing user roles, and remove users with straightforward navigation. These tasks are streamlined with intuitive steps such as filling out forms, selecting roles from checklists, and sending invites directly from the portal. 000Webhost, on the other hand, does not provide specific details about their user management interface, which could indicate a less developed or less user-friendly system compared to the structured and detailed approach of WP Engine.

When evaluating the effectiveness of access control measures, WP Engine excels in effectively managing a growing number of users with its detailed and adaptable role definitions. Owners can track activities through an Account Activity Log, filter actions by user and environment, and ensure that access levels can be modified or revoked efficiently. This makes WP Engine suitable for larger teams and complex projects requiring high levels of control and adaptability. The absence of detailed access control measures and user management tools from 000Webhost highlights a significant limitation in its ability to manage users at scale effectively.

WP Engine user roles table:

🏆 Winner
WP Engine: A highly reliable option with extensive technical expertise and premium support.

WP Engine offers a comprehensive customer support system featuring 24/7 access through phone and live chat. The service provides WordPress-specific expertise, catering to various tech inquiries and troubleshooting needs. In addition, premium plans offer more specialized options with experienced support staff. The User Portal allows clients to manage their accounts, access error logs, and utilize other support documentation.

000Webhost also provides 24/7 support through multiple channels, including email and tickets. It has a knowledge base and a community forum for self-help. Users can submit support tickets for specific issues. Nevertheless, it lacks the dedicated premium support option that WP Engine offers. Both platforms adhere to data privacy regulations and maintain comprehensive contact methods for all their users.

User feedback

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.

000webhost is widely appreciated for its free hosting services, making it an excellent choice for beginners and those wanting to test websites without financial commitment. Users commend features like the one-click WordPress installation, PHP and MySQL support, and an intuitive website builder. However, some users find the service slow and restrictive, particularly with bandwidth limits and the presence of watermarks in the free plan. Additionally, the service lacks support for broader frameworks such as Python, and professional features are often disabled unless upgraded to a paid plan.

FAQ