Start with what your site needs
Before comparing providers, write down three things: the kind of site you run (blog, store, app), the traffic you expect and how much server work you want to do yourself. Those answers decide the hosting type.
- Shared hosting — lowest cost and simplest management; resources are shared. See [shared hosting vs VPS](/guides/shared-hosting-vs-vps).
- Managed WordPress — updates and caching are handled for you.
- VPS and cloud — guaranteed resources and more control, with more responsibility.
- Dedicated servers — a whole machine for demanding workloads.
Compare providers on the criteria that matter
Every WhichHosting score uses the same eight weighted criteria. Use them as your checklist:
- Performance (20%) — server response time and speed. See our [fastest web hosting](/fastest-web-hosting) test.
- Reliability (15%) — uptime commitments and infrastructure.
- Price (15%) — the real monthly price of the exact plan, including what it costs after the first term.
- Features (10%) — storage, bandwidth, websites, SSL, email and backups.
- Support (10%) — channels and availability.
- Ease of use (10%) — control panel and onboarding.
- Security (10%) — SSL, malware protection, backups and isolation.
- Value (10%) — what you get for what you pay.
Full details are on our [methodology page](/methodology).
Check the exact plan, not the brand
Prices and limits differ between plans from the same provider. Compare the exact plan you would buy, check the renewal price and confirm limits on the provider's own site. On WhichHosting, each figure shows its verification state and last-checked date; values still pending verification are not presented as confirmed facts.
Shortlist, then compare side by side
Pick two or three providers from our [rankings](/), read their [reviews](/reviews) and open a [side-by-side comparison](/compare). Before you buy, check current [deals and promo codes](/deals) — a discount usually applies only to the first billing term.
Traps to avoid
- Comparing intro prices instead of renewal prices
- Ignoring backup costs
- Assuming "unlimited" means no limits — check the fair-use terms
Quick checklist
- Hosting type matches your site and skills
- Renewal price fits your budget
- Storage, bandwidth and site limits cover your plans
- Free SSL and backups are included
- Support is available when you need it
- A money-back period lets you test it risk-free
Affiliate-Offenlegung: Wir können eine Provision verdienen, wenn Sie über Links auf unserer Website kaufen. Dies beeinflusst unsere Rankings oder Bewertungen nicht.