WP Engine vs Green Geeks: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Final verdict

• 
  GreenGeeks (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  
  stands out for its commitment to sustainability, offering a variety of hosting plans that cater to a wide audience, including shared and VPS hosting options. It combines eco-friendly initiatives with solid performance, providing a 300% green energy match and planting a tree for every hosting account. Feature-rich plans come with bonuses like free domain registration for the first year, daily backups, and unlimited email accounts, making it accessible yet powerful for small to medium-sized businesses. GreenGeeks’ affordability, user-friendly cPanel interface, and free migration services add to its appeal. However, its 99.9% uptime guarantee and basic user management roles may not cater to high-traffic or enterprise-level needs as comprehensively as WP Engine.
  
• 
  WP Engine (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  specializes in managed WordPress hosting, delivering exceptional performance and dedicated WordPress-centric features. It excels with high uptime, sophisticated caching mechanisms, and a superior global CDN, making it ideal for high-traffic sites and enterprises. Users benefit from a custom admin panel tailored to advanced WordPress management, including detailed user roles and scalable architecture, catering to developers and large teams. While WP Engine’s premium services come at a higher cost, the pay-off includes enterprise-grade security, 24/7 WordPress expert support, and robust performance tools. The lack of shared or VPS hosting and higher entry costs may be a downside for smaller ventures or budget-conscious users.
  

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: WP Engine offers superior uptime and availability for high-traffic sites.

WP Engine’s uptime performance is exceptional, with consistent reports of 100% uptime over a two-month period. The platform’s server response time averages at 489ms, significantly better than the shared hosting average. With a 99.99% SLA, it provides reassurance against downtime, even during significant traffic spikes. Global data centers enhance site performance for visitors worldwide.

GreenGeeks shows strong uptime performance with perfect 100% uptime in short-term tests. Their server response time is among the fastest, making it a reliable option. Despite their high uptime, the 99.9% guarantee lacks compensation for downtime below 1%. Data centers in multiple locations improve site performance, but WP Engine’s proactive security maintenance and higher SLA make it the better choice.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Known for exceptional performance, security, and support, WP Engine outshines its peers in managed WordPress hosting.

When it comes to general performance, both WP Engine and GreenGeeks offer impressive features, but WP Engine edges out with its enhanced speed and performance technologies. WP Engine leverages EverCache® technology, the latest PHP version, and a vast CDN with over 200 points of presence, leading to exceptional page load times. GreenGeeks utilizes LiteSpeed WebServer, SSD, and the latest PHP version, also offering a free CDN. Both hosts provide geographically dispersed data centers, though WP Engine’s global presence is somewhat more extensive. GreenGeeks emphasizes eco-friendly practices with a 300% green energy match, which is commendable.

Website Speed

WP Engine’s website speed is notable due to its highly optimized infrastructure. Fast page load times are achieved through their proprietary EverCache® technology, which efficiently manages cache to handle high traffic with ease. Their integration of the latest PHP version further ensures swift performance. GreenGeeks, on the other hand, also delivers fast speeds using LiteSpeed WebServer and SSDs. While both hosts are optimized for speed, WP Engine’s sophisticated caching mechanisms provide a competitive edge.

Scalability

WP Engine offers scalable architecture, allowing websites to handle traffic spikes seamlessly. There’s no need for manual upgrades, as the platform elastically scales resources. GreenGeeks supports scalability through their wide range of hosting plans that users can upgrade as needed. However, specific details on elastic scaling are not provided. Both hosts encourage the growth of websites but WP Engine’s automatic scalability and isolated resources give it an edge for sites with unpredictable traffic loads.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: A robust security solution suitable for WordPress websites and integrations like WooCommerce.

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

Technical security measures:

WP Engine focuses on enterprise-grade technology and always-on monitoring, blocking billions of attacks annually and offering data encryption, WAF, DDoS Mitigation, and automated updates. GreenGeeks, while also strong with features like AI-powered WAF and Immunify360 for malware detection, falls short in real-time threat blocking compared to WP Engine. WP Engine further enhances security with edge security solutions such as Cloudflare CDN and Argo Smart Routing, which GreenGeeks does not match comprehensively.

Operational security measures:

WP Engine provides extensive layers of protection including continuous monitoring, live team support, two-factor authentication, and daily backups. GreenGeeks, with 24/7 network security monitoring and free malware cleanups, offers a reliable operational security environment but lacks the continuous real-time monitoring and live proactive alerts found in WP Engine. WP Engine’s customer support boasts a higher satisfaction rate and more extensive support options at all times.

Compliance and certifications:

WP Engine is SOC-2 compliant and ISO 27001-2013 certified, ensuring high standards for security and availability. It also includes optional PCI compliance scanning for tailored needs. GreenGeeks mentions adherence to GDPR and PCI standards but does not specify GDPR or HIPAA compliance explicitly. Overall, WP Engine offers a clearer and more detailed compliance record.

🏆 Winner
GreenGeeks: Offers a wide range of services with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability.

Both WP Engine and GreenGeeks bring robust features to the table tailored to different niche requirements. WP Engine offers an impressive array of managed WordPress hosting solutions, covering everything from basic website setups to enterprise-level performance with detailed management and security features. Their hosting packages also come with advanced staging environments, daily backups, and high-performance tools designed for Developers, making it suitable for larger businesses or high-traffic sites. Meanwhile, GreenGeeks emphasizes eco-friendly hosting along with feature-rich plans that include free domain registrations for the first year, daily backups, and unlimited email accounts, which are appealing for small to medium-sized businesses.

GreenGeeks sets itself apart by focusing on environmental sustainability with a 300% green energy match, planting a tree for every hosting account provisioned. They offer user-friendly services such as free WordPress migration and auto-updates, which simplify the initial setup. Additionally, GreenGeeks provides a standard performance website builder with all their plans, making it accessible for beginners while also offering advanced features like SSH access and on-demand backups for those needing more control. In contrast, WP Engine offers high customer satisfaction rates and specialized technical support, ideal for users seeking premium managed WordPress hosting with detailed performance insights and security protocols.

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 GreenGeeks 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 comprehensive email hosting with unlimited accounts across all plans, accommodating various user needs from basic emails to advanced campaigns. WP Engine does not offer email hosting but focuses on transactional email services integrated into their managed WordPress environments, making their approach suitable for users who rely on third-party email services such as Google Workspace or Zoho for their email campaigns and management.

🏆 Winner GreenGeeks: With an affordable entry-level price and a commitment to sustainability, GreenGeeks is a solid hosting choice for many 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.

WP Engine and GreenGeeks offer a variety of hosting plans catering to different needs. WP Engine’s plans start at $20/month for managed WordPress hosting with a diverse set of features and premium themes, whereas GreenGeeks provides more budget-friendly options starting at $2.95/month with added bonuses like a free domain name for the first year and nightly backups. The higher-end plans from WP Engine are more expensive but include priority support and advanced features, while GreenGeeks emphasizes sustainability with a 300% green energy match and eco-friendly initiatives across all plans.

Enterprise plans

For enterprise-level needs, WP Engine offers the Custom plan at $600/month, which includes personalized support and advanced security features like DDoS protection and a dedicated technical account manager. GreenGeeks’ RH-80 reseller hosting plan provides a more budget-friendly solution with extensive storage and transfer capabilities, ideal for businesses needing multiple cPanel accounts and superior performance for $69.95/month. Both options cater well to larger organizations but differ in their approach, with WP Engine focusing on managed services and GreenGeeks highlighting cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

🏆 Winner GreenGeeks: GreenGeeks stands out for its easy onboarding process, quick resolution times, and eco-friendly approach.

WP Engine uses a custom admin panel tailored specifically for WordPress users. This panel integrates advanced developer tools and is designed for both technical and non-technical users who need a streamlined interface. The custom interface emphasizes performance and security, making it easier for users to optimize their WordPress sites. On the other hand, GreenGeeks relies on the standard cPanel interface, which is well-known and widely used across the hosting industry. This makes it user-friendly and accessible for users of all skill levels. cPanel offers a broad range of management tools, simplifying tasks such as file management, domain setup, and email configuration.

The custom admin panel of WP Engine offers accessibility features tailored to WordPress, including advanced options for developers that require deeper technical control. However, cPanel provided by GreenGeeks is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it helpful for beginners and seasoned users alike. Both panels offer solid user experiences, but GreenGeeks’ use of the familiar cPanel may provide a smoother transition for those switching hosting providers.

Both WP Engine and GreenGeeks provide efficient site migration tools. WP Engine offers a free Automated Migration plugin and a Manual Migration Checklist. This flexibility ensures that users can migrate their sites with ease, whether through an automated or manual process. GreenGeeks, on the other hand, simplifies migration by offering free WordPress migration services upon request, and their support team aids throughout the process. Both hosting providers do not charge fees for these services, but the automated plugin from WP Engine allows for quicker transitions for those opting for a more hands-on approach.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. WP Engine boasts a comprehensive Support Center filled with detailed articles, step-by-step guides, and developer resources focused on WordPress optimization, migration, and troubleshooting. The 24/7 technical support via phone and chat provides users with expert help at any time. GreenGeeks also offers a wealth of resources, including tutorials and guides specifically for WordPress and cPanel. Their support team is accessible 24/7 via live chat, phone, or support ticket, and they claim some of the industry’s quickest resolution times.

🏆 Winner: WP Engine: Comprehensive and detailed user management capabilities.

WP Engine and GreenGeeks offer distinct approaches to user management and roles. WP Engine excels with a detailed and structured hierarchy of user roles, allowing for precise control over permissions. It provides five categories of roles (Owner, Full with billing, Full without billing, Partial with billing, and Partial without billing) that cater to different levels of access and control. This versatility ensures a suitable permission model for varied user needs. On the other hand, GreenGeeks is simpler with its approach, offering just Collaborator and Client roles. While functional, it lacks the granularity found in WP Engine, which may limit flexibility for complex organizational structures.

When it comes to user interfaces and tools, WP Engine provides a more intricate set of tools for managing users, from inviting new users to modifying roles and specific permissions for environments. The user portal is structured to allow detailed configurations, which enhances administrative control. GreenGeeks, while providing the essential tools for user management, relies on simpler navigation through its Account Manager, making it accessible but potentially lacking the advanced features some users may require.

Regarding access control and scalability, WP Engine’s detailed role management system is highly effective. It allows for comprehensive access control where actions like transferring sites, enabling specific features, and even billing access are meticulously managed. This makes WP Engine more suited for larger teams or enterprises with complex needs. GreenGeeks, with its basic access controls, effectively manages user roles for smaller teams or individual projects but may not scale as efficiently for larger, multifaceted operations.

WP Engine user roles table:

GreenGeeks user roles table:

🏆 Winner
WP Engine: Offers around-the-clock customer support with WordPress expertise, and access to premium support options.

WP Engine and GreenGeeks both provide 24/7 customer support via multiple channels, including phone and live chat. WP Engine stands out with its specialized WordPress expertise and additional enterprise-grade security features. GreenGeeks also offers phone support from 9 AM to 12 AM EST, along with email and ticket support for different issues. Both hosting providers have comprehensive knowledge bases and migration assistance, making self-help resources readily available.

WP Engine shines with its premium support options, ensuring that experienced staff can handle advanced queries. GreenGeeks offers free cPanel and WordPress migrations, which can be particularly useful for new customers transitioning from another host. Overall, WP Engine’s higher customer satisfaction score reflects its strong customer service and technical expertise in managing WordPress environments.

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.

Users generally appreciate the hosting provider for its excellent customer support, fast and reliable performance, and user-friendly dashboard. The eco-friendly aspect of the service is also a significant plus for many users. However, there are recurring concerns regarding the pricing, which tends to increase after the initial years, and the performance during high-demand scenarios. Additionally, some users have experienced issues with strict resource usage policies and limited plans for specific hosting needs.

FAQ