Looking for the best affordable WordPress host?

I’m currently using GoDaddy to build websites for clients, but I’ve been looking at other options like Hostinger, Namecheap, and Bluehost.

Most YouTube reviews seem to be just affiliate promotions, so I wanted to ask here instead.

What’s the best WordPress hosting for someone who builds sites as a side hustle? I need something affordable, but speed is a top priority. Ideally, I’d like a plan that allows me to host 3-5 sites under one account. If I could share the subscription with a friend, that would be even better.

I don’t need a ton of storage since I mostly build small business and agency websites.

Would appreciate any recommendations!

If performance is what you’re after, check out Platform InMotion from InMotion Hosting. Their WordPress-optimized VPS plans offer solid speed at a reasonable price.

Ira said:
If performance is what you’re after, check out Platform InMotion from InMotion Hosting. Their WordPress-optimized VPS plans offer solid speed at a reasonable price.

What makes their VPS better than others? First time hearing about them.

I use Cloudways for my small web agency, and it’s been great. You pay a fixed monthly price and can host unlimited sites.

Super fast, clean interface, and their support team is responsive. All my clients are on WordPress. If you want, I can share an affiliate link, but either way, I recommend them.

@Piper
Sounds good! Could you send me the link?

@Piper
Looks interesting. Which plan are you on, and how many sites does it handle?

Ronan said:
@Piper
Looks interesting. Which plan are you on, and how many sites does it handle?

I started on the lowest plan and had about 10-20 sites on it. Now I’m on the $50 plan, running almost 100 sites, and everything runs smoothly.

Cloudways, hands down.

If you’re comfortable managing a server, you could go with Digital Ocean, Vultr, AWS, or Azure and use RunCloud to handle the setup.

I personally avoid cPanel whenever I can.

Grant said:
If you’re comfortable managing a server, you could go with Digital Ocean, Vultr, AWS, or Azure and use RunCloud to handle the setup.

I personally avoid cPanel whenever I can.

Why do you avoid cPanel?

@Sadie
Too expensive, bloated, and has had a lot of security issues.

@Sadie
Some people just enjoy making things harder for themselves.

Just get a Digital Ocean VPS and set it up yourself.

If you’re okay with some command-line work, check out NearlyFreeSpeech.net.

It’s a unique pay-as-you-go model, and the pricing can be extremely low depending on your traffic.

If you’re looking for a solid option that allows multiple sites, Hustly is great for budget hosting.

For premium hosting, Rocket.net is better than WP Engine while costing about the same.

SiteGround used to be my go-to, but they’ve become pricey. Still a solid option, though much better than GoDaddy, Hostinger, and Bluehost.

Avoid:

  • GoDaddy, Hostinger, and Bluehost — plenty of horror stories.
  • Namecheap — good for domains, but their hosting is low quality and heavily restricted.

If you’re comfortable managing a VPS, you can install a panel like RunCloud or Plesk to make things easier.

You listed some of the worst hosting companies. GoDaddy is the worst of the bunch.

If you don’t want to deal with servers, go with SiteGround or WP Engine.

They have the best mix of performance, price, and support based on my experience.

@Zeke
I agree—SiteGround is solid.

I’ve been using SiteGround for myself and all my clients.

I have around 30 sites on one account, with five active ones getting traffic.

It’s not the best choice for enterprise-level sites with millions of visitors, but for small business websites, it’s great. Support is responsive, and clients can manage their own hosting easily.

If performance is your top priority, check out Servebolt. It’s not cheap, but it’s incredibly fast.

Chloe said:
If performance is your top priority, check out Servebolt. It’s not cheap, but it’s incredibly fast.

I was hoping for something in the Hostinger price range, but if it’s bad, I’d rather pay more for something better.