WP Engine vs Contabo: guide for 2024

WP Engine vs Contabo: Final verdict

When comparing WP Engine vs. Contabo, WP Engine excels in managed WordPress hosting with strong performance and security features while Contabo provides budget-friendly VPS plans with substantial resources.

• 
  WP Engine (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  focuses on specialized WordPress hosting with excellent performance, top-notch security measures, and round-the-clock global support. Its standout features include EverCache® technology for high page load speeds, proactive threat detection, and a global CDN with over 200 points of presence. The platform is especially suitable for handling high-traffic, eCommerce, and agency websites. Additionally, WP Engine offers a custom admin panel tailored for WordPress users, making site management efficient and straightforward. However, its higher price point may be a concern for smaller projects or startups.
  
• 
  Contabo (Overall grade: 7.6)
  
  
  delivers cost-effective VPS hosting solutions with powerful hardware, such as AMD EPYC processors and fast SSD storage. Its plans are budget-friendly, starting at $3.99/month, making them ideal for tech-savvy users who need control over their infrastructure. Key strengths include high traffic allowances, an impressive 99.996% uptime guarantee, and extensive customization options. Despite these advantages, Contabo faces challenges with limited phone support hours and occasional response delays in customer service. The control panel is functional but less user-friendly compared to WP Engine’s specialized tools, which may require more technical expertise to navigate.
  

	Overall grade:8.6	Overall grade:7.6
Uptime and Availability	9.6	9.4
Hosting Performance	9.1	8.2
Hosting Security	9.4	8.7
Price	8.1	8.3
Hosting Features	6.8	6.6
Ease Of Setup	8.3	7.4
User Management	8.8	5.0
Customer Support	8.9	7.1
User feedback	4.6/5	3.3/5

Hosting types offered

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

Shared hosting	No	No
Cloud hosting	No	No
WordPress hosting	Yes	No
Ecommerce hosting	Yes	No
VPS hosting	No	Yes
Dedicated hosting	No	Yes

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

9.6

9.4

🏆 Winner
WP Engine: It’s superior uptime and significantly faster response times make WP Engine a better choice for users who require high performance and stability from their hosting provider.

WP Engine shows a slightly superior performance in terms of reliability and speed. Both hosting services have impressive uptimes, with WP Engine slightly edging out Contabo with a 100% uptime over a 2-month period compared to Contabo’s 99.996%. This difference in uptime is reflected in the number and duration of outages, where WP Engine experienced no outages, while Contabo maintained an outstanding uptime performance.

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 Contabo’s industry-average response times. 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.

9.1

8.2

When comparing the general performance of WP Engine and Contabo, WP Engine stands out with its fast page load times, supported by its proprietary EverCache® technology and a fully-managed CDN with over 200 points of presence. WP Engine runs the latest PHP version for quicker requests and offers optimized Core Web Vitals for better SEO rankings. Contabo uses AMD EPYC 16-core processors and high-speed SSD or NVMe SSD storage options, with connection speeds up to 1Gbit/s and optional 10Gbit/s upgrades. It also includes a large data transfer capacity of 32TB for outbound traffic. Both providers have multiple data centers across various regions, ensuring global coverage.

Website speed

WP Engine excels in website speed with its EverCache® technology, providing fast page load times critical for user experience and SEO. The global CDN with over 200 points of presence further enhances speed by delivering content closer to users. In contrast, Contabo offers fast storage options like NVMe SSDs and robust processors but lacks the advanced cache technology and CDN integration that WP Engine provides for optimal page speed.

Scalability

WP Engine offers a scalable architecture that can handle traffic spikes without any hassle. However, details on automated scaling are not available, implying that users may need to manually upgrade plans. Contabo also provides easy upgrading of VPS packages but doesn’t mention automatic scalability or elastic scaling. Both offer scalable solutions, but specific details about dedicated servers and costs are not disclosed by either provider.

9.4

8.7

Both WP Engine and Contabo, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

WP Engine excels in technical security measures with its enterprise-grade technology, blocking an astonishing 72 million attacks daily. It boasts comprehensive layers of protection, including managed WAF, advanced DDoS mitigation, SSL, and daily backups. Contabo, while robust, offers always-on DDoS protection, SSL certificates, PHP version customization, and Imunify AV malware scanning. Both provide data encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA). Overall, WP Engine’s automated threat detection and proactive updates offer a slight edge.

Operational security measures:

WP Engine’s operational security is fortified through continuous monitoring and automated updates, ensuring proactive threat management. Its 24/7 global support with a 97% satisfaction rate, along with premium options, adds value. Contabo also emphasizes operational security with 24/7 data center surveillance, magnetic card access control, and strict role-based access controls. Both hostings emphasize robust operational procedures, but WP Engine’s dedicated security team and real-time management provide a higher level of operational security.

Compliance and certifications:

WP Engine meets high compliance standards, being SOC-2 compliant and ISO 27001-2013 certified. It also provides additional PCI compliance verification for e-commerce platforms. Contabo is fully GDPR compliant and suggests adherence to industry standards that support PCI compliance. While both hosts excel in compliance areas, WP Engine’s broader range of certifications places it slightly ahead in adhering to various regulatory requirements.

SSL certificate	Yes	Yes
Additional security features	Yes	Yes
PHP versions	Not specified	Customizable
GDPR compliance	Yes	Yes
HIPAA compliance	Not specified	Not specified
PCI compliance	Yes, with some scope	Industry standards suggest capability

6.8

6.6

Both WP Engine and Contabo offer unique hosting features tailored to different user needs. WP Engine excels in managed WordPress services, catering to users seeking optimized performance without managing technical aspects. Its plans, such as Essential WordPress and Enterprise WordPress, provide various levels of support and features like automated daily backups, a global CDN, and a free automated migration plugin. On the other hand, Contabo offers more of a DIY approach with powerful VPS plans that include full root access. Contabo’s hosting leverages AMD EPYC 7282 16-core processors with fast PCIe NVMe SSD storage, making it a choice for users needing control over infrastructure and application deployment.

WP Engine’s standout features include its EverCache® technology for speed, proactive security measures, and premium support options. It also offers 10 premium WordPress themes at no extra cost. Contabo, while not having as many managed services, excels in customization with multiple OS options like Ubuntu, Windows, and CentOS. Contabo also provides users with advanced control over their servers via their comprehensive control panel, making it a suitable option for more technical users. Pricing varies significantly, with WP Engine focusing on premium managed services, whereas Contabo provides budget-friendly options ideal for those needing extensive resources without the added managed services.

Hosting Features Comparison

Free domain	No	No
Free SSL	Yes	Yes
Email hosting	No	Yes
Website builder	No	No
Staging environment	Yes	No
FTP & SFTP accounts	Yes	Yes
Git and SSH access	Yes	Yes
Free backup	Yes	Yes, FTP backup
Money back guarantee	No	No

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 Contabo 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 offer email hosting but focuses on transactional email capabilities through third-party services configured for WordPress sites. Contabo, conversely, offers full-fledged email hosting with user management capabilities and integrates with third-party services like Google Workspace for more advanced email deployments. This ensures flexibility in setting up email services based on user needs.

By comparing these aspects, WP Engine stands out for managed services tailored for WordPress users needing robust performance and security, while Contabo offers flexibility and control suitable for tech-savvy users and businesses.

8.1

8.3

🏆 Winner
Example hosting two: Contabo offers competitive pricing and a wide range of features that cater to various 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.

When comparing WP Engine and Contabo, it is clear that Contabo offers more budget-friendly options. WP Engine provides specialized managed WordPress hosting starting at $20/month, whereas Contabo’s self-managed VPS plans begin at a very affordable $3.99/month. WP Engine’s plans are rich in WordPress-specific features such as automated updates and security patching. Conversely, Contabo offers greater flexibility and higher resources with its VPS plans, though it requires more technical expertise to manage. Both companies provide excellent customer support and a variety of plans to fit different needs.

Startup $20/month 1 site, 10 GB storage, 50 GB bandwidth, 24/7 chat support, 10 premium themes, EverCache®, Global CDN, SSL & SSH access, automated updates, backups, security patching, 99.99% SLA, Genesis blocks, staging environments. Value for price:8.0	N/A Value for price:N/A
Professional $40/month 3 sites, 15 GB storage, 125 GB bandwidth, 24/7 chat & phone support, 10 premium themes, EverCache®, Global CDN, SSL & SSH access, automated updates, backups, security patching, 99.99% SLA, Genesis blocks, staging environments. Value for price:8.2	N/A Value for price:N/A
Growth $77/month 10 sites, 20 GB storage, 200 GB bandwidth, 24/7 priority support, 10 premium themes, EverCache®, Global CDN, SSL & SSH access, automated updates, backups, security patching, 99.99% SLA, Genesis blocks, staging environments. Value for price:8.3	N/A Value for price:N/A
Scale $194/month 30 sites, 50 GB storage, 500 GB bandwidth, 24/7 priority support, 10 premium themes, EverCache®, Global CDN, SSL & SSH access, automated updates, backups, security patching, 99.99% SLA, Genesis blocks, staging environments. Value for price:8.1	N/A Value for price:N/A
Custom $600/month Contact Sales for sites, storage, bandwidth, advanced support, 10 premium themes, EverCache®, Global CDN, SSL & SSH access, automated updates, backups, security patching, 99.99% SLA, Genesis blocks, staging environments, DDoS & WAF optional, APM optional, multisite optional, tech health assessment, account manager. Value for price:8.0	N/A Value for price:N/A

N/A Value for price:N/A	N/A Value for price:N/A

N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS S $3.99/month 4 vCPU Cores, 8GB RAM, 50GB NVMe or 200GB SSD Storage, 1 Snapshot, 32TB Traffic. Value for price:8.5
N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS M $7.99/month 6 vCPU Cores, 16GB RAM, 100GB NVMe or 400GB SSD Storage, 2 Snapshots, 32TB Traffic. Value for price:8.6
N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS L $14.99/month 8 vCPU Cores, 30GB RAM, 200GB NVMe or 800GB SSD Storage, 3 Snapshots, 32TB Traffic. Value for price:8.7
N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS XL $26.99/month 10 vCPU Cores, 60GB RAM, 400GB NVMe or 1.6TB SSD Storage, 4 Snapshots, 32TB Traffic. Value for price:8.8
N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS 1 €15.99/month 4 vCPU Cores, 6GB RAM, 100GB NVMe or 400GB SSD Storage, Plesk Web Admin. Value for price:8.4
N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS 2 €22.99/month 4 vCPU Cores, 6GB RAM, 100GB NVMe or 400GB SSD Storage, 5 cPanel/WHM accounts. Value for price:8.5
N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS 3 €37.00/month 8 vCPU Cores, 16GB RAM, 200GB NVMe or 800GB SSD Storage, Meta Trading. Value for price:8.5
N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS 4 €70.00/month 12 vCPU Cores, 32GB RAM, 300GB NVMe or 1.2TB SSD Storage, App Development. Value for price:8.3
N/A Value for price:N/A	Cloud VPS 5 €86.25/month 16 vCPU Cores, 64GB RAM, 500GB NVMe or 2TB SSD Storage, Database Hosting. Value for price:8.4
N/A Value for price:N/A	WP Engine vs Contabo: Ease of setup Evaluates the ease of setting up and migrating websites on the hosting 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. 8.3 7.4 🏆 Winner WP Engine: WP Engine offers a user-friendly setup process and extensive support resources, making it a preferred choice for WordPress hosting. WP Engine uses a custom admin panel tailored for WordPress users. This panel is highly accessible, designed with simplicity in mind, and offers various features to manage your site efficiently. The user interface is intuitive, allowing both technical and non-technical users to navigate settings with ease. WP Engine also integrates advanced tools for developers, such as Git Push and SSH Gateway setup, enhancing the overall user experience. On the other hand, Contabo offers a more traditional Control Panel experience. The Control Panel at Contabo is straightforward and functional, providing essential server management features like status checks, server reboots, and OS reinstalls. While it is user-friendly, it lacks the specialized tools found in WP Engine’s interface, making it slightly less geared towards seamless WordPress management. WP Engine on the other hand, offers a dual interface that combines a custom dashboard with full cPanel access, catering to both beginners and technically advanced users. The platform includes a comprehensive help center filled with a wide variety of guides and tutorials, aimed at assisting users in managing and optimizing their websites effectively. Both WP Engine and Contabo offer migration services for websites, but their approaches and costs differ. WP Engine provides free automated migrations for WordPress sites specifically within the first 30 days after purchasing a new shared hosting plan. For non-WordPress sites, however, WP Engine charges $149 for migration services, although users have the option to undertake manual migrations, which demand considerable technical expertise. On the other hand, Contabo offers both automated and manual migration options for WordPress and non-WordPress or custom sites alike. Their paid migration service is considerably more affordable at approximately $30. WP Engine help center Contabo help center The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. WP Engine offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. Contabo 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 Assesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and 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. 8.8 5.0 🏆 Winner WP Engine: Comprehensive user management features with advanced role customization and detailed access control. When comparing WP Engine and Contabo in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, WP Engine offers more granular control. WP Engine provides various role options, including Owners, Full Users with billing, and Partial Users with and without billing capabilities. This flexibility allows administrators to fine-tune permissions and environment access, ensuring users have only the necessary level of access. In contrast, Contabo’s user management is more limited, focusing on basic permissions and the ability to authorize additional users for server management. The detailed role segmentation provided by WP Engine clearly surpasses Contabo, making it more suitable for complex organizational needs. WP Engine’s user interface and tools for managing users are robust and intuitive. The User Portal allows administrators to add, edit, and remove users with a few clicks. Additionally, WP Engine offers easy navigation to manage environment-specific permissions and technical contacts. Contabo, on the other hand, provides a straightforward but more limited control panel. While it does enable user management functionalities such as changing personal info and enabling two-factor authentication, the overall user interface lacks the depth and clarity found in WP Engine’s portal. In terms of access control measures, WP Engine excels with detailed account activity logs, SFTP user management, and a comprehensive approach to role-based access. WP Engine’s capability to handle a growing number of users efficiently is evidenced by its high level of control over permissions and detailed logging for auditing purposes. Contabo offers essential security features like mandatory two-factor authentication and basic authorization controls but falls short in providing the same depth of access control and scalability. WP Engine’s extensive role customization and activity tracking significantly enhance its effectiveness in managing user access and growth. WP Engine user roles table: Role Description Access highlights Owner Full administration, including site deletion and account closure Access all environments, add/edit/delete users, purchase add-ons, manage billing Full (with billing) Can access billing and modify Smart Plugin Manager settings Access all environments, initiate and accept transferable sites, manage SFTP and Git keys Full (no billing) Limited to non-billing functionalities Access all environments, manage Smart Plugin Manager and SFTP/Git keys Partial (with billing) Access only specified environments and billing Can copy/restore to accessible environments, manage billing for designated environments Partial (no billing) Restricted to specific environments without billing access Can copy/restore between accessible environments, limited modification rights Contabo user roles table: Role Description Access highlights Authorized Person Granted specific permissions for server management Manage certain server settings, access control panel features Control Panel User User with access to the control panel for general management tasks View and update personal information, change passwords, activate two-factor authentication Customer support Evaluates the quality, availability, and scope of the customer support offered by the 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. 8.9 7.1 🏆 Winner WP Engine: WP Engine offers comprehensive 24/7 support, making it a more reliable choice for those needing constant assistance. Phone support Live chat support Chatbot Email/ticket support Enterprise support (dedicated agent, priority support) WP Engine and Contabo both provide essential customer support, but their offerings differ significantly. WP Engine shines with its 24/7 phone and live chat support, ensuring immediate responses at any time. Customers can also access a user portal and benefit from premium support options and extensive self-help documentation. This level of availability makes it easier for users to manage issues swiftly and receive specialist WordPress support when necessary. Contabo, on the other hand, offers phone support only during specific hours and lacks live chat functionality. Email support is available but often redirected to a support ticket system, which may result in varying response quality. Though Contabo does provide managed services and a priority response upgrade, its limited support hours and no money-back guarantee can be drawbacks. While both companies offer knowledge bases and managed support upgrades, WP Engine’s continuous availability positions it ahead in terms of customer support. WP Engine vs Contabo: User feedback WP Engine 285 reviews 4.6 out of 5 stars Contabo 10 reviews reviews 3.3 out of 5 stars 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. Contabo offers affordable and powerful VPS plans, which are particularly beneficial for running demanding software and complex tasks. Several users have praised the reliability, stability, and cost-effectiveness of the service, highlighting its great value for money. However, frequent downtime, limited customer support, and a somewhat outdated control panel have been significant points of concern. Some users have experienced slow response times and unresolved service requests, suggesting areas for improvement in customer service and operational transparency. WP Engine vs Contabo: FAQ Which platform is better suited for hosting WordPress websites? WP Engine is specifically tailored for hosting WordPress websites with features like EverCache® technology, a global CDN, and optimized performance for WooCommerce and high-traffic sites. Contabo, while offering powerful VPS solutions, is not specialized in WordPress hosting. For a WordPress-focused hosting solution, WP Engine is the superior choice. Which hosting service offers better security features? WP Engine excels with its enterprise-grade security measures, including managed WAF, DDoS mitigation, SSL, and daily backups, blocking millions of attacks daily. Contabo also provides robust security with always-on DDoS protection and Imunify AV malware scanning but lacks the comprehensive layers and proactive security management offered by WP Engine. Therefore, WP Engine offers more advanced security features. What are the major differences in pricing and value between wpengine and contabo? WP Engine’s pricing starts at $20/month for managed WordPress hosting with numerous features such as automated updates and a global CDN, making it a premium service. Contabo offers more budget-friendly VPS plans starting at $3.99/month, providing greater resources but requiring more technical management. While WP Engine focuses on managed services with higher costs, Contabo offers cost-effective options for users needing control over their infrastructure. Which platform offers better customer support? WP Engine provides 24/7 phone and live chat support, along with a comprehensive help center and premium support options, ensuring constant assistance. Contabo, however, has limited phone support hours and no live chat, relying on email and ticket systems, which can result in delayed responses. Therefore, WP Engine offers more reliable and accessible customer support. How do the providers handle email hosting and what features are included? WP Engine does not offer email hosting directly but integrates with third-party services for transactional email configurations. In contrast, Contabo provides full-fledged email hosting with user management capabilities and the option to integrate with services like Google Workspace. For comprehensive email hosting, Contabo offers more features and flexibility. The making of this blog We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article. 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