The right Bluehost alternative is a host that runs your WordPress site well on the server versions WordPress itself recommends, with support you can reach and backups you can restore. Managed WordPress hosts suit busy business sites, while shared hosts suit smaller ones. This page lists ten in no particular order, then shows what to check before you move.
WordPress sites rarely fail all at once. They get a little slower each month, a plugin update breaks something, and support suggests an upgrade. If that sounds familiar, the answer might be a host that's built around WordPress rather than one that simply allows it.
Below are ten hosts in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from managed WordPress specialists to independent shared hosts. Each description comes from the host's own website, re-checked today. Before you move, it's worth tidying your plugins too, and my list of WordPress plugins is a sensible place to start.
It's also worth checking what the host does when something breaks. Some will roll back a bad plugin update for you, while others will only confirm the server is running and leave the rest to you.
WordPress hosts at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the host's own site describes a free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Many hosts offer a refund period instead.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChemiCloud | WordPress and shared hosting | Small WordPress sites | No |
| FastComet | Managed cloud hosting | WordPress on managed cloud | No |
| GreenGeeks | Eco-friendly hosting | Green hosting for WordPress | No |
| Hostinger | Shared and WordPress hosting | Low-maintenance starter sites | No |
| Krystal | UK web hosting | UK-based WordPress sites | No |
| Pressable | Managed WordPress hosting | Agencies running several sites | Trial only |
| Rocket.net | Managed WordPress hosting | Speed-focused WordPress sites | No |
| ScalaHosting | Managed cloud VPS | Outgrowing shared hosting | No |
| SiteGround | WordPress and ecommerce hosting | Hands-off WordPress management | Trial only |
| WPX Hosting | Managed WordPress hosting | Fast WordPress with migrations | No |
Ten WordPress hosts to consider instead of Bluehost
ChemiCloud
Best for: Small WordPress sites that want shared hosting with a choice of server locations and fast support replies.
FastComet
Best for: Owners who want managed cloud hosting for WordPress with security and backup services bundled in.
GreenGeeks
Best for: Businesses that want WordPress hosting from a provider with an environmental focus.
Hostinger
Best for: Beginners who want an easy control panel, a website builder option and WordPress hosting in one account.
Krystal
Best for: UK businesses that want an independent British host with WordPress and cloud hosting.
Pressable
Best for: Agencies and businesses running several WordPress sites that want managed hosting from a WordPress-focused company.
Rocket.net
Best for: Site owners who want managed WordPress hosting delivered through Cloudflare's network with free migrations.
ScalaHosting
Best for: Growing WordPress sites that need cloud VPS resources without managing the server themselves.
SiteGround
Best for: Businesses that want WordPress hosting with built-in tools for speed, staging and site management.
WPX Hosting
Best for: WordPress site owners who want managed hosting with free migrations and fast support.
The server versions WordPress asks for
This is the check most people skip. WordPress.org's own requirements page recommends PHP version 8.3 or greater, MariaDB 10.11 or greater or MySQL 8.0 or greater, and HTTPS support. That's the whole list, and it's a quick way to compare hosts on substance rather than marketing.
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Ask any host you're considering which PHP and database versions your plan runs, and how often they're updated. An old version can slow your site and leave plugins unsupported.
Questions to ask a WordPress host
- Staging: can you test updates on a copy before they go live?
- Backups: are they daily, and can you restore one yourself?
- Caching: is page caching built in, or do you need a plugin?
- Migration: will they move your site, and is there a limit on how many?
- Support: do they help with WordPress problems or only server ones?
A safe order for moving a WordPress site
- Update WordPress, your theme and plugins on the old host.
- Back up the full site and database.
- Copy the site to the new host and test it on a temporary address.
- Switch DNS once everything works.
- Check forms, checkout and email after the switch.
Signs it's time to leave your WordPress host
- Slow admin screens even on a fresh install with few plugins.
- Frequent downtime you hear about from customers first.
- Old PHP versions with no clear upgrade path.
- Support that blames plugins without checking the server.
If you're rebuilding as you move, my notes on WordPress design for beginners cover the basics of a lean, fast setup.
Do you make WordPress hosting? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on WordPress hosting
Choose a host for the site you're growing into, not the one you have today. If you're adding a shop or a membership area, a managed WordPress host will save you a lot of evenings, and you won't have to learn server settings you'll never use again.
And whichever host you choose, check your own backups work. A backup you've never restored is only a hope, so try one restore on a staging copy in your first month.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Bluehost for WordPress?
There isn't one answer. Managed WordPress hosts suit busy business sites, and smaller shared hosts suit simple sites with little traffic.
What PHP version should my WordPress host run?
WordPress.org recommends PHP 8.3 or greater, with MariaDB 10.11 or MySQL 8.0 or greater and HTTPS.
Is managed WordPress hosting worth it?
It's worth it when your site makes money or you don't want to handle updates, caching and backups yourself.
Will my site be faster on a new host?
Often, if the new host runs newer software and has servers near your visitors, but a heavy theme can still slow it down.
Can a host migrate my site for me?
Many managed WordPress hosts offer free migrations. Check how many sites are included.
Do I need to change my domain when I switch?
No. You just point the domain's DNS records at the new host.
What is staging and why does it matter?
Staging is a private copy of your site where you can test updates before they go live, so a broken plugin never reaches customers.
How often should my host back up WordPress?
Daily backups are a sensible minimum for a business site, with an easy way to restore one yourself.
Can I move WordPress myself?
Yes. A migration plugin can copy the files and database, though a host's free migration is usually less stressful.
