Shared hosting and managed WordPress hosting are popular choices for new website owners looking to publish their content online.
Choosing between the two isn’t just about budget — it’s about finding the right fit for your website’s needs.
This article will explore the differences between managed WordPress hosting and shared hosting, outlining essential factors to keep in mind when selecting the best option for your website. Let’s begin!
What is shared hosting?
Think of shared hosting as staying in a hotel. You get a private room (your website), but you’ll share hotel amenities (server resources) like pools and gyms with other guests.
When you purchase shared hosting, you’re renting space on a web server alongside other website owners. This means your site will share resources like RAM, storage, and bandwidth with all the other websites on that server.
Since multiple customers share resources, this type of hosting is typically an affordable solution. Shared hosting is not free of drawbacks, though. If another site on the server experiences a surge in traffic or suffers a cyberattack, it could impact your site’s speed and security.
Shared hosting plans can be both managed and unmanaged.
What is managed WordPress hosting?
With managed WordPress hosting, your web host optimizes your server environment to run the content management system (CMS) efficiently. These plans come with WordPress pre-installed and offer features like server-side caching and firewalls to boost your site’s performance and security.
With a managed WordPress solution, your host will take a more hands-on role in optimizing and securing your website. This may include performing core updates and backing up your projects. As a result, these plans tend to be more expensive than unmanaged options.
You can purchase managed WordPress hosting on a variety of server environments. So, technically, you could opt for a shared hosting environment on a managed WordPress hosting plan. This compromise might fit a tighter budget while providing a WordPress-centric service.
Managed WordPress hosting server types
Managed WordPress hosting plans are intentionally built to work seamlessly with the CMS. This means you can choose the server environment that best suits your WordPress site and budget. Here’s a quick overview of what each option offers:
- Shared hosting: A cost-effective solution where multiple websites share the same server resources. It’s ideal for small websites or blogs with moderate traffic.
- VPS hosting: This offers more control and reliability than shared hosting, and is a great option for medium-size websites. You’ll get dedicated resources for your WordPress site, but still share the server with other users.
- Dedicated hosting: With dedicated hosting, you get access to an entire physical server just for your site. It’s perfect for high-traffic websites or businesses that require robust resources and top-level security.
- Cloud hosting: This option uses multiple interconnected servers, providing scalability and flexibility. It’s ideal for websites with fluctuating traffic, as you can easily scale resources up or down as needed. Because of the built-in redundancies of the server network, it may also provide more uptime reliability for mission-critical sites.
The type of managed WordPress hosting plan you choose will impact the level of control and features provided by your host.
Advantages of using managed WordPress hosting
Now that you have a better understanding of managed WordPress hosting, let’s explore why it might be the right choice for your site, regardless of whether you opt for a shared, VPS, cloud, or dedicated server environment:
Optimized performance for WordPress websites
On a managed WordPress hosting plan, your provider optimizes their servers specifically for the software. These plans typically come with WordPress pre-installed or offer one-click installations.
Depending on the host, you may also benefit from features like built-in caching, access to content delivery networks (CDNs), and premium plugins for improved performance and security.
Enhanced security features
Thanks to server optimizations, managed WordPress hosting plans often include security features like firewalls to block malicious traffic, malware monitoring, and cleanup in the event of a hack.
Additional protections may include brute-force attack prevention, which blocks repeated login attempts from suspicious IPs to keep your site secure.
Automatic updates and backups
A major advantage of managed WordPress hosting is its hands-off approach to maintenance. Many plans offer automated backups — weekly, daily, hourly, or even real-time—so you can restore a recent version of your site if needed.
Plus, automatic updates ensure that WordPress Core, plugins, and themes stay up to date for optimal security and performance.
Scalability for growing websites
Managed WordPress hosting includes powerful features like CDNs and caching to keep your site running smoothly, even as traffic increases. This ensures fast loading times, enhancing the user experience.
Many shared hosting providers offer easy upgrades without needing a server migration. However, scalability ultimately depends on your hosting plan and server type. For the most flexibility, look for a cloud hosting plan. Cloud hosting allows you to scale resources seamlessly as your site grows.
WordPress-savvy customer support
One of the biggest advantages of managed WordPress hosting is access to expert support. Traditional hosting support teams get training on various platforms, which may limit their WordPress-specific knowledge.
With managed WordPress hosting, you get a team that specializes in the CMS, providing in-depth assistance when you need it. This can help you troubleshoot issues quickly, minimize downtime, and keep your site running smoothly.
Nine key differences between managed WordPress hosting and general shared hosting
Although shared hosting and managed WordPress hosting may seem similar at first, there are important differences between the two. Here’s a closer look at what sets them apart:
1. Performance optimization
Faster load times improve the user experience (UX) for your visitors, leading to higher conversions and more sales. Speed is also an important ranking factor for search engines like Google, which can help increase your site’s visibility.
With shared hosting, your site lives on a server with other websites, meaning its performance can suffer when those sites receive heavy traffic. This can lead to slower speeds and even downtime during peak periods.
Even if you opt for a managed WordPress hosting plan on shared servers, it will likely include features like caching technology and CDNs to ensure faster load times, even during traffic spikes. As you grow, look for cloud hosting plans.
2. Security measures
Many web hosts offer some level of security, like threat monitoring and data encryption, but shared hosting remains a bit risky. If one website on the server experiences an attack that results in malware infections, there’s a great chance of cross-contamination.
Of course, this can still happen if you opt for managed WordPress hosting on a shared server. However, you’ll have advanced security features that are designed for WordPress specifically, strengthening your site’s resilience to threats.
These features include WordPress-specific vulnerability scans, firewalls, spam protection, and more. Plus, there’s usually a support team on hand in case of emergencies.
3. Backup and restore solutions
A backup is a full copy of your website, including pages, posts, user data, plugins, themes, comments, and other content. While you can manually create backups, it’s important to do so regularly, as skipping a backup puts your content at risk.
Ideally, you should create a backup every time you make changes to your site, such as adding a new post. This way, if your site goes down, you can restore your content from the most recent backup.
With managed WordPress hosting, backups are usually automated on a daily or weekly basis. These copies are securely stored, and you can restore them with just a few clicks.
In contrast, shared hosting typically doesn’t include automatic backups. You’ll need to manually create backups and download them to your computer or another storage location.
Regardless of your hosting choice, you may want to look for a dedicated WordPress backup plugin to further strengthen your options in case of an emergency. Jetpack VaultPress Backup saves all site changes in real time and stores backup in secure, off-site locations so problems with your host don’t affect your backup files. As an added value, some hosts even include Jetpack as part of certain plans.
4. Resource allocation
Resources refer to elements like RAM, storage, and bandwidth that power and maintain your site. On a shared server, multiple accounts get a fixed amount of the entire server’s resources, creating a limited pool for all to use.
This usually isn’t a problem for smaller sites like personal blogs, but larger websites (such as ecommerce stores) may experience slower performance on shared servers.
With a managed WordPress hosting plan on a VPS or dedicated server, you get resources exclusively for your website. This means the activity of other sites won’t impact your site’s performance or resource availability.
5. Technical support
Shared hosting is the most affordable option, but providers may cut corners when it comes to support. You might have to wait in a queue to speak with a support agent, and some plans only offer basic assistance with issues like payments or domain name renewals, leaving you without help for more technical site-related problems.
In contrast, managed WordPress hosting provides support specifically tailored to the CMS. Experts offer proven solutions for plugin conflicts, WordPress errors, and optimizations. Depending on your plan, you might even get access to premium or priority support, allowing you to bypass wait times and get quicker assistance.
6. Server access and control
Shared hosting limits your control over server settings and configurations, as any changes could impact other accounts. If you need a specialized setup for your website, you may need to upgrade your hosting plan.
Managed WordPress hosting plans (even on shared servers) usually require fewer server adjustments because the host optimizes the environment for you. However, some WordPress hosts may install security and optimization tools that account owners can’t edit.
7. Scalability
Shared hosting offers fewer resources since it’s a more affordable option. While you can upgrade your shared hosting package if you exceed its limits, you’ll eventually run out of upgrade tiers and may need to find a different hosting solution.
Managed WordPress hosting plans can also have caps on RAM, storage, and other resources.
The key difference is that managed WordPress hosting makes it easy to switch plans without requiring manual website migrations. Some WordPress solutions even let you scale resources up and down based on your website requirements.
8. Staging environments
A staging environment enables you to work on your website privately. For instance, you can test plugins or themes on an offline copy of your site before installing them on the live version.
It’s unlikely that a shared hosting plan will provide staging environments. You would need to set this up yourself, using plugins or local hosts.
Managed WordPress hosting includes access to a staging environment. You’ll also be able to push changes on your offline site to the live one.
9. Website management tools
Most shared hosting services include a user-friendly control panel like cPanel. This allows you to access your website files, install your SSL certificate, manage domain configurations, and more.
Managed WordPress hosting also offers a control panel, but with added features that enhance website management. Additionally, many WordPress-specific hosts support WP-CLI, enabling you to interact with your site via SSH without needing to access the dashboard.
Limitations of shared hosting
Every hosting service has its drawbacks. Here are some limitations of shared hosting plans:
Resource restrictions
Resource restrictions are a lot tighter with shared hosting. That’s because power, storage, and memory are divided among multiple websites.
If a different website on the server overuses the resources, it can impact server performance, and in some cases, result in server crashes. This is why shared hosting is unsuitable for resource-intensive websites or high-traffic sites.
Security vulnerabilities
The nature of shared servers can make you more susceptible to a data breach. Even if you take the proper precautions to harden your website, you don’t know whether other site owners on the server are as diligent.
A breached site often compromises the security of others on the same server. If an account owner fails to authenticate sessions or block suspicious IP addresses, attackers could compromise it and put your site at risk.
You can run into further issues if you set up an email account with your shared hosting provider. All websites on the server will use the same IP address. This can cause email deliverability problems if another site gets flagged for spam or harmful activities.
A generic server environment
Although shared plans can host WordPress sites, they also support other platforms. On the surface, this may not sound like a problem, but a generic server environment lacks specific configurations and settings that enable WordPress sites to thrive.
You’ll also get basic support. Team members might be able to assist you with general troubleshooting tips, but they won’t know enough about WordPress to offer in-depth guidance.
Scalability challenges
Shared hosting plans allow you to scale up your resources with different packages that offer small increments of CPU, RAM, bandwidth, and other specs.
As your website expands, shared hosting may no longer meet your needs. If you outgrow it, migrating your project to a new provider can be challenging, especially without technical expertise.
Alternatives like cloud or VPS hosting provide more flexibility if you are looking for a highly scalable solution, as they don’t have strict traffic limits.
Performance inconsistency
Since shared servers house multiple websites, your website speeds will be slower than if you use a dedicated solution.
You’ll also experience performance inconsistencies, which occur when other websites overuse resources or experience traffic surges. Your load times will increase and this will negatively impact the user experience (UX).
On a shared server, you’re more likely to encounter downtime or server crashes. If your website is regularly unavailable, you’ll lose visitors and potential sales and conversions.
Limitations of managed WordPress hosting
Now, let’s turn our attention to managed WordPress hosting. These are the main drawbacks of choosing this solution:
Platform-specific restrictions
Managed WordPress hosting restricts you to the CMS. If you’re not planning to use WordPress, a general web hosting plan that supports multiple platforms is a better choice.
Higher costs
Managed WordPress hosting gives you access to an optimized environment, so it’s often more expensive than shared hosting.
When you select a managed WordPress hosting package, you can expect to pay an even higher price. This is because you receive extra services including automatic WordPress installations, ongoing maintenance, and security features.
While managed hosting is a great option for users who lack technical expertise or don’t have the time to maintain their sites, it might not be a budget-friendly solution for those just starting out or working with limited funds.
Over-optimization for WordPress
The server setup and other elements in managed WordPress hosting come pre-optimized, limiting your control over their configuration.
Depending on your hosting provider, you might even have to use specific optimization plugins or security tools. Some hosts don’t let you remove these features or replace them with similar software.
You might also not require all these built-in elements. If you’re only running a small website or blog, you can probably get by with a basic security plugin (and you may not even require additional optimizations).
Less control over the server environment
In order to maintain server stability and security, managed WordPress hosting companies set up and configure your website to function optimally.
This might be fine for general websites, but if you have more complex needs, it can pose a problem. For instance, with a managed WordPress hosting plan, you’ll usually lack the ability to build a completely custom website.
This is because most hosting companies limit server access. There might also be restrictions on editing database tables, which impacts the ability to store certain kinds of data or import external databases.
Factors to consider when choosing between shared and managed WordPress hosting
Still undecided between shared hosting and managed WordPress hosting? Let’s take a quick look at the main factors to consider when making your decision.
| Considerations | Shared Hosting | Managed WordPress Hosting |
| Nature and scale of the website | Great for small websites like personal blogs or new businesses with low traffic | Best for growing sites, especially those with high traffic or more complex needs |
| Budget constraints | Affordable, but you might need extra plugins for optimization and security | Higher costs, but offers better performance, stability, and security, reducing the risk of downtime or sales loss |
| Performance and security requirements | May experience performance or security issues due to shared resources and services | Optimized for speed and security, handling high traffic and large audiences more efficiently |
| Future growth prospects | Limited scalability, even with higher-tier plans | Offers more flexibility, optimized environments, and better support for growth |
In short, shared hosting is an affordable choice for small sites, but it may face performance and security issues as your site expands.
If you’re planning for growth, managed WordPress hosting is a more reliable option, offering better scalability and built-in features to manage high traffic and enhance security. You can also opt for managed hosting, which takes care of automatic backups and updates for you.
Recommended WordPress hosts
If you are looking for a dependable WordPress host for your website, choose one that runs on a secure, high-performance infrastructure like WP Cloud. Purpose-built for WordPress, WP Cloud delivers speed, security, and scalability, so you can focus on growing your business instead of managing servers.
Here are three top WordPress hosting providers powered by WP Cloud:
1. Pressable
Pressable tailors its hosting specifically for WordPress, ensuring fast, reliable performance with a 100% uptime guarantee. It includes a free SSL certificate, daily and hourly backups, a global CDN, malware scanning, and Jetpack Security. Their expert support team, backed by Automattic, is ready to help when you need it.
Key features:
- A 100% uptime guarantee
- A free SSL certificate
- Malware scanning and hack recovery
- A free global CDN
- Automated backups
2. WordPress.com
WordPress.com offers flexible plans, and its Business plan runs on WP Cloud for top-tier speed and reliability. It automatically scales to handle traffic spikes, includes built-in backups, and provides Jetpack Security. You also get a free domain for your first year and support from WordPress experts.
Key features:
- A 99.99% uptime guarantee
- A free SSL certificate
- A free global CDN
- Uptime monitoring
- Automated WordPress updates
- Auto-scaling
3. Bluehost
Bluehost builds its Bluehost Cloud plans for WordPress creators who want dependable performance. It includes automatic scaling, a free CDN, Jetpack-powered backups, and a 100% uptime guarantee. Their WordPress-focused support team provides knowledgeable help whenever you need it.
Key features:
- A 100% uptime guarantee
- A free SSL certificate
- A free global CDN
- Uptime monitoring
- Automated backups
Frequently asked questions
How does shared hosting affect the performance of a WordPress website?
Shared hosting means you’ll rent a portion of a web server that also hosts other websites. All server resources like CPU, RAM, and bandwidth get shared among multiple customers.
As a result, your site won’t have dedicated resources, and performance issues or downtime can occur if other websites use too many resources or experience traffic spikes.
How does support differ between managed WordPress hosting and shared hosting providers?
General shared hosting is an affordable option, but it typically offers very, well, generalized support. You may only be able to contact support via email, and the advice you receive is usually generic.
With managed WordPress hosting, you’re dealing with support staff who have in-depth knowledge of the platform. Therefore, you’ll get tried-and-tested solutions from WordPress experts.
If you opt for a managed WordPress solution, you’ll even have access to round-the-clock support via live chat or phone.
Are there any specific technical requirements for using managed WordPress hosting?
If you intend to set up your website using a managed WordPress hosting provider, you don’t have to worry about the technical aspects of configuring a server. Your web host will handle this for you.
If you want to configure your own server, there are some WordPress server requirements you’ll need to know. For instance, the server should support the current recommended PHP version.
The optimal server software for WordPress is Apache or NGINX. Your server should also support HTTPS to securely encrypt data exchanged between your server and visitors’ browsers. Additionally, you’ll need a database management system such as MySQL or MariaDB to store your site’s data.
There are also hardware specifications to consider. Be sure to review the official WordPress requirements page to ensure your site runs smoothly.
Can I install custom plugins and themes on managed WordPress hosting as easily as on shared hosting?
For the sake of server stability and security, some managed WordPress hosting providers place restrictions on the software you can use.
Typically, this isn’t much of an issue with WordPress themes, but you may have some limitations on plugins. Some WordPress hosts will have their own optimization and security tools, and you won’t be able to install alternatives by third parties.
Shared hosting gives you more control over WordPress plugins. This means you can install whatever tools you like.
What is managed WordPress hosting?
Managed WordPress hosting is a great option for beginners or site owners who don’t have the time or technical knowledge to handle regular maintenance tasks.
A managed WordPress host will perform auto updates and regular backups for you. You’ll also get access to additional optimizations and security measures, and premium support.
What is cloud hosting?
Traditional hosting relies on a single physical server (or a group of servers in one location), while cloud hosting utilizes a network of virtual servers spread across different locations. This setup ensures excellent performance and reliability.
Cloud hosting offers the added benefit of scalability, allowing you to quickly adjust resources as your needs change, without the limitations of physical hardware.
This makes cloud hosting a great choice if you’re anticipating significant growth or need to maintain fast loading speeds and minimize downtime during peak traffic periods.
What is reseller hosting?
Reseller hosting is a service that allows companies to purchase hosting plans and resell them to other businesses or individuals. Agencies and developers often use reseller hosting to provide an all-in-one solution for their clients.