WP Engine vs Justhost: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Examining WP Engine vs. JustHost shows clear strengths and weaknesses for each hosting provider.

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  WP Engine (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  shines as an outstanding managed WordPress hosting service, offering features like EverCache® technology, a global CDN, and proactive security measures. It supports high performance and scalability, ensuring reliable uptime and fast site load times. With specialized tools for WordPress, WooCommerce, and agencies, it’s tailored to meet the needs of high-traffic and multimedia websites. However, its higher price point and lack of email hosting may deter some users. Still, WP Engine delivers exceptional value with advanced features and top-tier customer support, making it an excellent choice for WordPress-centric websites.
  
• 
  JustHost (Overall grade: 7.4)
  
  
  provides a more versatile hosting solution with options across shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. It’s particularly appealing to beginners and small businesses due to its user-friendly cPanel interface, unlimited email accounts, and attractive introductory pricing. JustHost includes useful features like a free domain for the first year and a site builder, making it accessible for those launching their first website. Nevertheless, it falls short in terms of speed, global reach, and specialized support compared to WP Engine. Its server response times can be slower, and customer support receives mixed reviews, though it remains a solid, budget-friendly hosting choice with diverse plans for various needs.
  

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: Demonstrates superior uptime, faster response times, and proactive maintenance.

WP Engine offers 24/7 uptime monitoring and has shown exceptional uptime performance with 100% uptime over a two-month period. The platform boasts a 99.99% SLA, ensuring high reliability even during traffic spikes. Global data centers enhance performance worldwide, and automated updates keep sites secure and current. Customer support is available 24/7, maintaining a 97% satisfaction rate.

JustHost delivers a reliable 99.95% uptime, but it struggles with slower server response times, averaging 971ms. Only premium customers receive automatic backups, and the user reviews on customer service are mixed. With a single data center in Utah, its global reach is limited compared to WP Engine. While JustHost offers 24/7 support, only dedicated hosting clients have 24/7 phone access.

🏆 Winner: WP Engine: The ideal choice for high performance and scalability for WordPress sites.

Both WP Engine and Just Host offer notable features, but WP Engine outperforms Just Host in multiple aspects, particularly when it comes to speed and general performance. WP Engine utilizes EverCache® technology, the latest PHP versions, and a globally managed CDN to ensure peak site performance. It has numerous data centers spanning the US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Just Host, while reliable, primarily offers standard performance on most plans and a high-performance option only with its Pro Plan. It also has 24/7 monitoring, quad processor servers, and UPS power backup in its data centers.

Website Speed

WP Engine shines with its fast load times, critical for user retention and SEO. Equipped with EverCache® technology tailored for WordPress and utilizing the latest PHP version, WP Engine ensures your site loads swiftly. A free managed CDN with over 200 points of presence worldwide further optimizes global load times. Just Host offers enhanced caching and RAID 1 mirrored storage for its dedicated plans, but most other plans operate on standard performance levels, making WP Engine the faster option.

Scalability

WP Engine boasts a scalable architecture that can handle significant traffic spikes effortlessly, with isolated resources for optimized performance and reliability. Scaling is flexible and less disruptive, though specific plan details are not provided. Just Host requires upgrading plans to achieve higher performance levels, and this can be done instantly for VPS and dedicated hosting options. However, the cost details for scaling are not specified for either provider.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Delivers superior security measures suitable for high-risk environments with proactive monitoring and multiple protections.

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

Technical security measures:

WP Engine automates threat detection to block 72 million attacks daily, offers global edge security with DDoS protection, and provides advanced Web Application Firewall (WAF), whereas Just Host focuses on SiteLock services with daily vulnerability scanning and automatic malware removal. WP Engine’s security protocols include managed core updates, two-factor authentication, and automated plugin updates, while Just Host implements various scanning services for defacement, database vulnerabilities, and more. WP Engine uses Cloudflare CDN and Argo Smart Routing for optimal security and speed, compared to Just Host’s PHP support and spam protection functions.

Operational security measures:

WP Engine employs always-on monitoring, blocking over 26 billion attacks annually with real-time security management and proactive threat detection. It maintains a live team for continuous updates and alerts. Just Host offers daily 360-degree scanning, expert on-demand services, and provides detailed security dashboards and email notifications. WP Engine includes 24/7 global support with a high satisfaction rate and premium support options. Just Host also provides phone support but emphasizes the trust-building SiteLock security seal.

Compliance and certifications:

WP Engine is SOC-2 compliant, ISO 27001-2013 certified, and offers PCI vulnerability scanning with varying results. Just Host offers GDPR compliance features and essential building blocks for PCI compliance but does not explicitly mention PCI compliance.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Top-tier performance and management for WordPress hosting solutions.

WP Engine and Just Host cater to different hosting needs, with distinctive features that appeal to various user profiles. WP Engine specializes exclusively in WordPress hosting, offering robust managed services tailored to optimize WordPress and WooCommerce. Their hosting plans come with comprehensive security features, including managed updates, proactive security, and a Global Edge Security system. WP Engine also provides advanced performance optimizations with EverCache technology, Lighthouse Performance Insights, and a global CDN, ensuring fast and reliable site operations. Special tools such as GIT & SFTP access, local development tools, and a suite of premium WordPress themes further enhance the development experience.

Just Host, powered by Bluehost, offers a broader range of general hosting services with an emphasis on affordability and ease of use. They include a FREE domain for the first year and unlimited email accounts, which can be a substantial draw for businesses just starting. Just Host also provides an array of one-click app installations for popular platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Magento, making it user-friendly for non-tech-savvy users. The inclusion of a drag-and-drop site builder simplifies website creation without needing complex coding skills. Their marketing tools package, consisting of $200 in advertising credits, helps businesses gain initial exposure.

Email services:

WP Engine does not offer email hosting, focusing entirely on WordPress performance and management. Just Host, on the other hand, provides unlimited email accounts with POP3/IMAP support, suitable for businesses needing comprehensive email solutions. While WP Engine’s focus is on delivering unmatched WordPress hosting performance, Just Host presents a more rounded hosting package with email services and free domain registration for the first year, making it a strong contender for businesses looking to establish a broad online presence.

🏆 Winner
Just Host: A hosting provider offering diverse and competitively priced plans across shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.

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.

Comparing WP Engine and Just Host reveals distinct differences in their pricing plans and features. WP Engine’s managed WordPress hosting plans start at $20/month offering robust features such as security patching, automated updates, and EverCache® for better performance. Just Host offers more affordable shared hosting, starting at $14.99/month, with unlimited website options and unmetered bandwidth in higher-tier plans. Just Host’s VPS and dedicated hosting plans provide varied options for different business sizes, with promotional pricing making them attractive. WP Engine is strong in WordPress-specific features and support, while Just Host offers flexibility with various hosting types and promotional offers.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises, WP Engine’s Custom Plan, starting at $600/month, provides dedicated technical support, advanced security, and performance monitoring features. Just Host’s Premium Dedicated Hosting Plan offers 4 cores, 16 GB RAM, and 15 TB bandwidth at $209.99/month, making it a compelling choice for businesses seeking robust dedicated hosting solutions. Each caters to high-demand environments but focuses on different aspects—WP Engine on WordPress optimization and Just Host on versatile dedicated server capabilities.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: A solid WordPress-focused hosting provider with advanced features and 24/7 expert support.

Both WP Engine and Just Host offer administrative panels designed to be user-friendly, but their approaches differ. WP Engine employs a custom control panel tailored specifically for WordPress users. It is intuitive and streamlined, catering to both technical and non-technical users with an emphasis on WordPress optimization, performance monitoring, and site security settings. The integration of advanced developer tools like Git Push and SSH Gateway setup further enhances its usability for developers without sacrificing accessibility for beginners.

In contrast, Just Host uses the more widely recognized cPanel interface. Known for its versatility and ease of use, cPanel provides a familiar environment for managing various aspects of a website, such as email accounts, domains, and databases. The panel features built-in simplicity which helps users of all experience levels perform essential tasks. Just Host’s cPanel enables one-click installations of popular scripts via SimpleScripts, making it a convenient option for those seeking a straightforward hosting experience with minimal learning curve.

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 Just Host offer tools to facilitate site migration, but they vary in comprehensiveness and ease of use. WP Engine includes a free Automated Migration plugin, which can be set up in minutes, streamlining the migration of WordPress sites. For those whose current hosting environment is incompatible with the plugin, WP Engine provides a detailed manual migration checklist. Assistance from their 24/7 support team further ensures a smooth transition. Just Host, on the other hand, offers simplicity but does not provide a dedicated automated migration tool. Users typically rely on the cPanel’s backups and manual file transfer, which may require more technical knowledge and effort compared to WP Engine’s automated approach.

Both hosting providers maintain detailed help centers and offer multiple channels for support. WP Engine stands out with its comprehensive Support Center, which includes articles, video tutorials, and migration guides, along with 24/7 access to technical support via phone and chat from WordPress experts. This boosts user confidence, especially during complex site setups or migrations. Just Host also offers robust support options, including a knowledge base filled with articles, outstanding tutorials, and phone, chat, and email support. These resources are readily accessible, ensuring users can quickly find solutions to their issues.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Just Host offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. WP Engine 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: Advanced user management features with a detailed role system.

WP Engine and JustHost offer different approaches to managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility. WP Engine provides a comprehensive system with specific roles like Owner, Full, and Partial, each with distinct permissions. This granularity allows for precise control over user access and actions. JustHost, on the other hand, leverages cPanel for user management, offering flexibility mainly through multi-account management and root access for VPS users. However, it lacks the detailed role definitions seen in WP Engine. Therefore, for organizations needing refined user roles and permissions, WP Engine’s approach is more advantageous.

WP Engine’s user interface is tailored for detailed user management through its User Portal, where users can be added, edited, or removed with specific permissions. It also allows environment-specific access for Partial users. JustHost uses the cPanel interface, which is known for its ease of use and broad features but lacks the detailed user management functionalities found in WP Engine. JustHost’s cPanel is user-friendly, especially beneficial for beginners, while WP Engine’s portal is designed for more advanced user and environment management.

When assessing access control and the capability to manage an increasing number of users, WP Engine shows superior scalability. It provides a robust system for tracking user actions through an account activity log and offers multiple layers of user roles that cater to varying levels of access and responsibilities. JustHost, while offering FTP and SSH access, along with multi-account management, does not provide the same level of detailed role-based access as WP Engine. This makes WP Engine better suited for organizations seeking stringent access control measures and scalable user management.

WP Engine User Roles Table

JustHost User Roles Table

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Provides high customer support satisfaction and WordPress-specific expertise.

WP Engine and JustHost both offer 24/7 customer support via phone and live chat, ensuring their clients can get assistance at any time. WP Engine distinguishes itself by providing expert support specifically for WordPress, which can be accessed through a user portal. It also includes the ability to manage plan-related functions and premium support options for advanced troubleshooting and optimization. Further support resources include an extensive knowledge base, automated migration tools, and detailed error logs and database tools.

JustHost, while also providing 24/7 support, offers phone and chat support as well as email/ticket support through its Help Center. It includes a free domain name for the first year with plans longer than 12 months and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Their support is generally tailored to broader hosting needs but lacks more niche options such as enterprise support or dedicated agents, which are available through WP Engine’s plans. Both have straightforward customer service options, but WP Engine’s targeted WordPress support and premium features make it a more comprehensive choice for those needing specialized assistance.

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.

JustHost is praised for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great option for beginners wanting to learn more about hosting and cPanel. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and reliable performance with minimal outages. The introductory pricing is highly attractive, offering significant savings for long-term commitments. However, some users feel that the regular pricing after the initial period can be steep, though still competitive.

FAQ