WP Engine vs ScalaHosting: guide for 2024

WP Engine vs ScalaHosting: Final verdict

Considering WP Engine and ScalaHosting, both offer strong hosting solutions with distinct advantages tailored to various user needs.

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  ScalaHosting (Overall grade: 8.8)
  
  provides a wide range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and cloud hosting, making it a versatile choice for different types of users. The platform excels in offering value with affordable plans, advanced developer tools, and robust security through features like SShield and SPanel. ScalaHosting supports high-traffic and multimedia websites well, but some users might find the need for manual resource upgrading less convenient compared to WP Engine’s automatic scaling. The standout support and broad array of functionalities make ScalaHosting particularly appealing for cost-conscious users who need comprehensive hosting capabilities.
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  WP Engine (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  is renowned for its specialized managed WordPress hosting, offering high uptime and robust security measures. It provides a tailored experience for WordPress users with features like EverCache® technology and a managed CDN for optimal performance. WP Engine’s security protocols, proactive updates, and premium support options make it ideal for mission-critical WordPress and WooCommerce websites. However, the higher cost and lack of email hosting may be restrictive for some budgets. Overall, WP Engine is a premium choice for those seeking exceptional performance and dedicated WordPress functionality.

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 premier choice for managed WordPress hosting with outstanding uptime and reliability.

WP Engine shines through its impressive uptime and availability. The platform boasts real-time monitoring, coupled with proactive security measures and automated updates. With a 99.99% SLA and quick server response times, it ensures optimal performance and minimal downtime for high-traffic sites. Globally distributed data centers further enhance site loading speeds by reducing latency for users from various regions.

On the other hand, ScalaHosting offers a commendable 99.9% uptime guarantee and compensation for any significant downtime. Custom monitoring tools, proprietary features like SPanel and SShield, and numerous global data centers ensure good performance. While the uptime is excellent, WP Engine edges out ScalaHosting slightly with its wider data center reach and higher SLA, making it the marginally better option.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Superior performance and comprehensive support for managed WordPress hosting.

WP Engine offers quick page load times leveraging EverCache® technology and a fully-managed CDN with over 200 points of presence, ensuring global reach. ScalaHosting, using OpenLiteSpeed and LiteSpeed Enterprise web servers, also promises excellent speed and performance. However, WP Engine’s extensive data center locations spread across multiple continents give it an edge in performance consistency. ScalaHosting’s best-in-class hardware and custom-built servers also guarantee high uptime, aided by a self-healing cloud setup.

Website Speed

WP Engine is distinguished by its fast page load times. The integration of EverCache® and a global CDN significantly boosts site speeds, ensuring users experience minimal latency, regardless of their location. Conversely, ScalaHosting’s use of OpenLiteSpeed and LiteSpeed Enterprise servers offers high performance but lacks the proprietary caching capabilities WP Engine provides. Both hosts support the latest PHP versions, optimizing server response times for all user interactions.

Scalability

Both WP Engine and ScalaHosting offer scalable options, but their approaches differ. WP Engine’s architecture supports automatic scaling to handle traffic spikes effectively, while ScalaHosting allows manual resource upgrades or downgrades with flexible, pay-as-you-go options. WP Engine focuses on isolated resources for optimal reliability and performance, whereas ScalaHosting offers dedicated resources and custom configurations. Detailed cost information for scaling on WP Engine isn’t provided, and ScalaHosting promises on-demand scaling without specifying exact costs.

🏆 Winner WP Engine: Delivers unparalleled security features for WordPress websites.

Technical security measures:

WP Engine’s technical security measures include enterprise-grade technology that automates threat detection to block 72 million attacks daily and ensures up-to-date website vulnerabilities. Always-on monitoring is another key feature, blocking over 26 billion attacks yearly and providing continuous oversight. WP Engine’s security layers also incorporate a managed Web Application Firewall (WAF), advanced DDoS mitigation, and a robust Cloudflare CDN with SSL encryption. ScalaHosting’s SShield security system offers real-time malware protection that blocks 99.998% of attacks, on-demand security scans, and comprehensive monitoring. Both providers support a wide range of PHP versions, with ScalaHosting supporting versions up to 8.2.

Operational security measures:

WP Engine excels with its proactive security approach, including live team management, real-time security alerts, and two-factor authentication. The hosting service also integrates automatic core WordPress updates, daily backups, and robust edge protection using Argo Smart Routing. ScalaHosting offers free SSL installation, disaster recovery backups, SPAM tools, and brute-force protection. Both services include automated backups and free CDN, though WP Engine includes platform-level protection and updates for plugins and themes with visual regression test rollbacks.

Compliance and certifications:

WP Engine is SOC-2 compliant and ISO 27001-2013 certified, ensuring it meets global standards for security and information management systems. While ScalaHosting does not specify GDPR compliance, it adheres to other standards such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC compliance through its US-based data centers. This distinction in compliance and certifications further elevates WP Engine’s standing.

🏆 Winner
ScalaHosting: ScalaHosting offers a comprehensive package for users seeking functional and versatile hosting solutions while maintaining an edge in performance and developer-centric tools. Their all-in-one approach comes with an impressive array of features and consistent user satisfaction.

When comparing WP Engine and ScalaHosting, it’s evident that both providers bring robust sets of tools to the table, tailored to various user needs. WP Engine specializes in WordPress environments, leveraging managed services with end-to-end management, high-performance capabilities, and extensive support options. They provide features like daily backups, activity logs, and advanced security measures, which are crucial for mission-critical websites. WP Engine also focuses on site speed enhancements with their EverCache® technology and offers premium support plans for businesses requiring dedicated expertise.

Conversely, ScalaHosting provides a broader array of functionalities, covering not only WordPress but other hosting requirements as well. They facilitate complex customizations through their custom PHP.ini editor and provide flexibility with a wide range of PHP versions. Unique selling points such as availability in multiple datacenter locations and advanced tools like Git and SVN support cater to developers looking for versatile and adaptable hosting solutions. Additionally, ScalaHosting offers robust email management systems, which include adding/removing email accounts and modifying email passwords, ensuring comprehensive email functionality. Users interested in more general hosting capabilities may find ScalaHosting a more versatile option.

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 ScalaHosting 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:

ScalaHosting excels in email functionalities, providing users with capabilities to manage email accounts, adjust quotas, and set up a range of forwarding or auto-responder options. This makes it suitable for businesses or individuals who need substantial email hosting services. WP Engine, on the other hand, does not offer integrated email hosting, which may necessitate an additional service for comprehensive email functionality.

🏆 Winner ScalaHosting:ScalaHosting offers more affordable and varied plans with superior performance metrics, making it the preferred choice for a wider audience.

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 ScalaHosting, ScalaHosting offers more affordable initial pricing across various plans. WP Engine plans start at $20/month, focused on managed WordPress hosting with comprehensive support and premium themes, while ScalaHosting plans start at $2.95/month for shared hosting, offering unlimited emails, databases, and daily backups even at entry levels. WP Engine’s higher-tier plans provide advanced security features suitable for larger businesses, but ScalaHosting matches this with their Entry Cloud plan at $14.95/month, featuring dedicated IP and scalable storage. Overall, ScalaHosting provides better value for those looking for cost-effective yet efficient hosting solutions.

Enterprise plans

WP Engine’s Scale Plan starts at $194/month and provides priority support, 50GB storage, and advanced security features such as automated updates and SSL/SSH access. ScalaHosting’s highest-tier managed VPS plan, Build #4, is priced at $94.95/month and offers included SShield security, dedicated IP, unmetered bandwidth, and full resource guarantees, offering better affordability. Both hosts provide substantial support and scalability for enterprises, but ScalaHosting’s more attractive pricing makes it a compelling option for corporations seeking enterprise-level solutions.

🏆 Winner ScalaHosting: ScalaHosting provides an exceptionally user-friendly experience with a higher overall satisfaction score.

WP Engine utilizes a custom dashboard specifically designed for managing WordPress sites, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical users. This dashboard facilitates easy navigation through various website management tasks, including SSL setup, performance monitoring, and backup management. Its clean interface and segmentation of tools ensure that even those new to website management can handle core functions without difficulty. While aimed at WordPress, the dashboard still provides robust control over various hosting features and developer tools like SSH Gateway setup.

ScalaHosting, on the other hand, offers SPanel, an all-in-one control panel designed to manage every aspect of your hosting account. SPanel is user-friendly enough for beginners and provides a streamlined experience encompassing website management, email configuration, and database control. Unlike many hosts, there are no additional licensing fees for SPanel, making it a cost-effective choice. For more tech-savvy users, SPanel includes advanced tools and features that offer granular control over their hosting environment. ScalaHosting’s focus on providing both ease of use and comprehensive tools makes SPanel a versatile option for a wide user base.

Both WP Engine and ScalaHosting offer migration tools to facilitate moving your website. WP Engine boasts an Automated Migration plugin that simplifies the process, with the option for a manual migration guided by a comprehensive checklist if needed. These services cater to both simple and complex migrations but require more user involvement in some scenarios. Conversely, ScalaHosting provides free website migration, entirely handled by trained technicians. This hands-off approach minimizes user effort and ensures a smooth transition, particularly beneficial for less technical users.

The quality and accessibility of help center resources differ slightly between the two providers. WP Engine offers a comprehensive Support Center with detailed articles, video tutorials, and 24/7 expert support via phone and chat, making it highly accessible for immediate help. ScalaHosting also has a well-structured knowledge base covering various topics, along with 24/7 support through live chat and a ticketing system with quick response times. Both platforms provide extensive resources, but WP Engine’s focus on WordPress might be limiting if users seek broader hosting knowledge.

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. ScalaHosting 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: Offers comprehensive user role management with detailed permissions and environment-specific access controls.

WP Engine and ScalaHosting differ significantly in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility. WP Engine provides a detailed breakdown of user roles, from Owners to various tiers of Full and Partial users, each with specific capabilities and access levels. This granularity allows for precise control over who can do what within the platform. On the other hand, ScalaHosting offers a simpler approach, allowing administrators to create and manage accounts with specific resource allocations and permissions like SSH access. While both platforms support creating and editing users, WP Engine’s roles offer finer control over specific tasks and billing privileges, making it more flexible for complex user management needs.

Both hosting providers supply robust interfaces for user management, but their user interfaces diverge in their approaches. WP Engine’s User Portal is structured to provide comprehensive control over various roles and detailed activity logs. Users can easily navigate to manage environments, billing features, and technical contacts. ScalaHosting leverages its SPanel, which combines administrative and user interface features in one place. SPanel enables administrators to add or remove email accounts, manage domains, and perform web server adjustments. Both platforms ensure ease of use, but WP Engine’s portal depth in terms of accessible options might appeal more to enterprise-level users needing detailed oversight.

Access control measures are critical for managing a growing number of users efficiently, and here WP Engine stands out with its structured approach to role definitions and extensive logging of user activities. WP Engine’s comprehensive logs and filtering options for specific users or actions provide a transparent view of account activities, simplifying compliance and security audits. Conversely, ScalaHosting ensures effective user management by allowing control over disk quotas, two-factor authentication, and enabling resellers to manage branding and packages. Both platforms support scalability, but WP Engine’s detailed access controls and logging offer superior tracking and managing capabilities for larger teams.

WP Engine user roles table:

ScalaHosting user roles table:

🏆 Winner
ScalaHosting: ScalaHosting provides highly rated customer support, comprehensive services, and a diverse range of global data centers.

WP Engine and ScalaHosting both offer 24/7 technical support, but their approaches differ. WP Engine’s support includes phone and live chat for all clients, along with access to WordPress experts and extensive documentation. Premium support options provide higher-level assistance for more complex issues. WP Engine ensures direct access to recent error logs, detailed guides for various processes, and robust enterprise-grade security.

ScalaHosting also provides 24/7 technical and customer support through live chat and a support ticket system, boasting an impressive 15-minute initial response time. Unique offerings include a 99.9% uptime guarantee, special offers for web design studios, and free website migration with no downtime. ScalaHosting’s customer service is highly praised in reviews, maintaining superior satisfaction ratings across multiple platforms.

WP Engine vs ScalaHosting: User feedback

WP Engine receives high praise for its exceptional customer support, user-friendly dashboards, and seamless integration with WordPress. Users consistently highlight the platform’s robust security features, automatic backups, and fast website performance. However, many reviews also point out that the service is costly compared to other hosting options, which might not suit smaller budgets or individual projects. Some issues with shared server performance and the costly nature of add-ons were also mentioned, but overall, WP Engine is considered a premium service worth its price for those who can afford it.

ScalaHosting has earned high praise from users for its exceptional customer support, reliable uptime, and innovative SPanel technology. Many reviews highlight the company’s fast and knowledgeable technical support team, which ensures a smooth and efficient experience for users. While some users feel the pricing could be more competitive, the overall sentiment is that the services offered justify the cost. Users appreciate the platform’s ease of use, robust security features, and the flexibility of hosting solutions, making ScalaHosting a top choice for web hosting needs.

WP Engine vs ScalaHosting: FAQ