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HostMetro vs WP engine

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Pros
  • Free website migration for new users
  • Free domain registration for the first year
  • Simple setup with cPanel and one-click app installations
  • Predictable pricing with a lifetime Price Lock Guarantee
  • 24/7 customer support via chat, email, and phone
Pros
  • Fast performance and optimized site speed
  • Strong built-in security and DDoS protection
  • Automated updates and staging environments
  • Global cloud infrastructure
Cons
  • Limited scalability for growing or resource-intensive websites
  • Some essential features, like SSL certificates and daily backups, cost extra
  • Uptime and performance may fluctuate under heavy load
  • Only shared hosting plans available — no VPS or cloud options
Cons
  • Higher pricing than standard shared hosting
  • No email hosting or free domain
  • Plugin restrictions limit customization
  • Traffic overage fees
Summary

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, HostMetro specializes in shared web hosting services that combine affordability with ease of use. They primarily cater to individuals and small businesses seeking straightforward hosting with no hidden costs. Their signature Price Lock Guarantee distinguishes them from competitors by keeping renewal rates fixed for the life of the account. Other notable features include unlimited email accounts, cPanel access, free site migration, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. While HostMetro receives praise for its budget-friendly plans and user-friendly setup, some users report slower performance and occasional downtime. The company’s U.S.-based customer support and transparent pricing model, however, remain strong points. Overall, HostMetro presents a reliable entry-level hosting solution for users prioritizing simplicity, stable costs, and basic website functionality.

Summary

WP Engine was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. They specialize in managed WordPress hosting, focusing on delivering reliable performance, enhanced security, and hands-off site management. Their services run on a global cloud infrastructure that includes Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure, giving users the flexibility to scale as their sites grow. The company offers shared managed hosting, premium dedicated hosting, Atlas headless hosting, and WooCommerce hosting for online stores. Key features include automated updates, daily backups, staging environments, a global CDN, and real-time security monitoring. WP Engine has earned industry recognition for its performance and developer-focused tools. On the Better Business Bureau, the company is listed but not accredited, and does not currently have a letter grade rating. Customers praise their 24/7 expert support and strong security measures, though some mention higher pricing and a learning curve for beginners. This combination of performance, security, and flexibility has made WP Engine a popular choice for businesses, agencies, and e-commerce owners looking for specialized hosting.

Quick Stats
  • Bandwidth : Unmetered
  • Price : Starting at $2.95/month (3-year plan)
  • Free Domain : True
  • Money-Back Guarantee : 30 days
  • Uptime Guarantee : 99%
  • Customer Experience : Fair
  • Storage : Unlimited
Quick Stats
  • Bandwidth : Unmetered
  • Price : $20 per month
  • Free Domain : Unavailable
  • Money-Back Guarantee : 60 Days
  • Uptime Guarantee : 99.95%
  • Customer Experience : Excellent
  • Storage : Between 10–50 GB
Selling Points
  • Price lock guarantee
  • free migration service
  • Beginner-friendly platform
  • U.S.-based support team
Selling Points
  • Specialized managed WordPress hosting
  • Atlas headless hosting for developers
  • Multiple cloud provider options
  • WP101 training and tutorials
Core Features
  • CDN Included
  • cPanel Included
  • Direct Hosting Provider
  • Reseller Hosting
  • Responsive Design
  • SEO Tools
  • Sitemap Support
  • SSD Storage
  • Unlimited Bandwidth
  • Unlimited Storage
  • Unlimited Websites
Core Features
  • CDN Included
  • cPanel Included
  • Direct Hosting Provider
  • Reseller Hosting
  • Responsive Design
  • SEO Tools
  • Sitemap Support
  • SSD Storage
  • Unlimited Bandwidth
  • Unlimited Storage
  • Unlimited Websites
Server & Hosting Types
  • Cloud Hosting
  • Dedicated Hosting
  • Green Web Hosting
  • Mac Hosting
  • Shared Hosting
  • VPS Hosting
  • Windows Hosting
  • WordPress Hosting
Server & Hosting Types
  • Cloud Hosting
  • Dedicated Hosting
  • Green Web Hosting
  • Mac Hosting
  • Shared Hosting
  • VPS Hosting
  • Windows Hosting
  • WordPress Hosting
E-commerce & CMS
  • Drupal Hosting
  • E-commerce Plans
  • Joomla Hosting
  • Magento Hosting
  • Online Store
  • WooCommerce Support
E-commerce & CMS
  • Drupal Hosting
  • E-commerce Plans
  • Joomla Hosting
  • Magento Hosting
  • Online Store
  • WooCommerce Support
Security Features
  • 24/7 Network Monitoring
  • Undisclosed
    DDoS Protection
  • Free Dedicated IP
  • Free SSL Certificate
  • Malware Scanning and Removal
  • Site Backups
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Security Features
  • 24/7 Network Monitoring
  • DDoS Protection
  • Free Dedicated IP
  • Free SSL Certificate
  • Malware Scanning and Removal
  • Site Backups
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Advanced Features
  • Custom Cron Jobs
  • Undisclosed
    HTTP/2 Support
  • MySQL Databases
  • Undisclosed
    PHP 7 Support
  • Undisclosed
    Python Support
  • Undisclosed
    Ruby on Rails Support
  • Secure Shell (SSH) Access
  • Website Builder
Advanced Features
  • Custom Cron Jobs
  • HTTP/2 Support
  • MySQL Databases
  • PHP 7 Support
  • Python Support
  • Ruby on Rails Support
  • Secure Shell (SSH) Access
  • Website Builder
Customer Support Options
  • 24/7 Support Availability
  • Community Forum
  • Email
  • Knowledge Base
  • Live Chat
  • Phone
  • Social Media
  • Ticketing
Customer Support Options
  • 24/7 Support Availability
  • Community Forum
  • Email
  • Knowledge Base
  • Live Chat
  • Phone
  • Social Media
  • Ticketing
Payment Methods
  • Bank Transfers
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Major Credit Cards
  • PayPal
Payment Methods
  • Bank Transfers
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Major Credit Cards
  • PayPal
Payment Options
  • Checks
Payment Options
  • Checks
Server Operating System
  • Linux/ Ubuntu Hosting
Server Operating System
  • Linux/ Ubuntu Hosting