We earn commissions when you shop through the links on this page.

Bluehost vs WP Engine

Bluehost

Bluehost

VS
WP Engine

WP Engine

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and performance to help you choose the right hosting provider.

Share:
Bluehost
Bluehost No reviews yet
19 plans
from
$3.99/mo
WP Engine
WP Engine No reviews yet
3 plans
from
$28.00/mo
Hosting Type
Billing Period

Feature Comparison

Feature
Bluehost
WP Engine
RatingN/A N/A
PriceNot offered Not offered
Storage10 GB10-50 GB
BandwidthN/A75 GB
Websites101-30
Free Domain
Free SSL
Server Locations
Regions6 7
Locations
US West, Provo, Utah Central Europe, Frankfurt Western Europe, London, Paris India, Mumbai Australia & Oceania, Sydney South America, Sao Paulo
US East, Virginia, Iowa US West, Oregon Western Europe, London, Belgium East Asia, Tokyo, Taiwan Australia & Oceania, Sydney Central Europe, Frankfurt Southeast Asia, Singapore
Plan Details
BackupsIncluded
Support24/7
Free Migration
CDNIncluded
Uptime Guarantee
Monthly Visitors~40k25,000-400,000
Email Accounts1 Month Free
Features
CMS & Platforms (7)
Languages & Frameworks (9)
Databases (4)
Developer Tools (8)
Performance & CDN (4)
Caching
CDN
LiteSpeed
SSD Storage
Security (6)
2FA
Backups
DDoS Protection
Malware Scan
SSL
WAF
Support (4)
Extras & Guarantees (5)
Slight discrepancies are possible. We recommend verifying details on the provider's website.
Visit BluehostVisit WP Engine

Pricing & Plans

Bluehost Plans

STARTER shared
Storage: 10 GB
Websites: 10
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
STARTER wordpress
Storage: 10 GB
Websites: 10
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
NVME 2 vps
Storage: 50 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unmetered
CPU: 1 cores
RAM: 2 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
BUSINESS wordpress
Storage: 50 GB
Websites: 50
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
BUSINESS shared
Storage: 50 GB
Websites: 50
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
NVME 4 vps
Storage: 100 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unmetered
CPU: 2 cores
RAM: 4 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
PRO shared
Storage: 100 GB
Websites: 100
CPU: 5x
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
NVME 8 vps
Storage: 200 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unmetered
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 8 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
PREMIUM shared
Storage: 150 GB
Websites: 100
CPU: 6x
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
ECOMMERCE ESSENTIALS woocommerce
Storage: 100 GB
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
ECOMMERCE ESSENTIALS wordpress
Storage: 100 GB
Websites: 100
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
ECOMMERCE ESSENTIALS shared
Storage: 100 GB
Websites: 100
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
ENHANCED shared
Storage: 200 GB
Websites: 100
CPU: 8x
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
ELITE shared
Storage: 250 GB
Websites: 100
CPU: 10x
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
ECOMMERCE PREMIUM woocommerce
Storage: 100 GB
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
NVME 16 vps
Storage: 450 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unmetered
CPU: 8 cores
RAM: 16 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
STANDARD NVME 32 dedicated
Storage: 1000 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unmetered
CPU: 8 cores
RAM: 32 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
Enhanced NVMe 64 dedicated
Storage: 2000 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unmetered
CPU: 16 cores
RAM: 64 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
Premium NVMe 128 dedicated
Storage: 3000 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unmetered
CPU: 32 cores
RAM: 128 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No

WP Engine Plans

Essential wordpress
Storage: 10-50 GB
Bandwidth: 75 GB
Websites: 1-30
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: Yes
Essential eCommerce woocommerce
Storage: 15GB
Bandwidth: 125–200GB
Websites: 1
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: Yes
Core eCommerce woocommerce
Storage: 100GB
Bandwidth: Unmetered
Websites: 1
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: Yes

Pros & Cons

Bluehost

Pros

  • Officially recommended by WordPress.org
  • Wide range of plans: shared, cloud, VPS, dedicated, WooCommerce
  • Free domain for the first year on all plans
  • Free SSL certificate on all plans
  • 99.99% uptime SLA
  • 24/7 phone and chat support
  • Up to 250 GB storage on higher plans
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Significant price increase on renewal (up to 2.5x)
  • Starter plan limited to 10 GB storage
  • All pricing requires a 3-year commitment
  • No monthly billing option on shared plans
  • Add-on upsells can increase the total cost

WP Engine

Pros

  • Proprietary EverCache technology for superior WordPress performance
  • 24/7 expert WordPress support (chat on all plans, phone on Professional+)
  • Automated WordPress and PHP updates with rollback
  • Daily and on-demand backups included on all plans
  • Global CDN with Layer 3+4 DDoS protection
  • 1-click staging and dev environments
  • 10 premium WordPress themes included
  • Dedicated eCommerce plans with WooCommerce optimization
  • GitHub Actions CI/CD integration
  • 60-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Premium pricing starting at $30/month (annual)
  • WordPress-only hosting -- no general-purpose hosting
  • No free domain included with any plan
  • Storage is limited (10-50 GB on Essential plans)
  • Many features are paid add-ons ($3-$31/month each)
  • First-year promotional pricing -- renewal prices increase
  • No email hosting included
  • Shared environment on all Essential plans (Isolated only on Core+)

Frequently Asked Questions

Bluehost

How do i register the free domain included with annual hosting plans?

You can register your free domain during checkout when purchasing an annual Bluehost hosting plan. Just enter your desired domain name or use AI to generate domain names for you. After checkout, you’ll manage the domain in your Bluehost dashboard. You can also buy extra domains later using Bluehost domain purchase options, keeping your domain and hosting price in one place.

How do i activate the free ssl certificate?

Your free SSL certificate (Let’s Encrypt) is included with all hosting plans at Bluehost. Here are steps to activate a free SSL certificate on Bluehost: Log in to your Bluehost Account Manager.From the left menu, click Websites.On the website management page, look for the SSL certificate option.Under the SSL card or Security tab, click Manage.You’ll see the type and status of your SSL listed.Click the vertical ellipsis (⋮) on the right to open more options.From here, you can view SSL logs, gener

Why do different hosting plans cost different amounts?

Bluehost plans vary in price because each package offers different features, storage, performance and support levels. Bluehost Shared hosting has the beginner friendly hosting cost, while VPS and dedicated hosting are higher due to more resources. For example, Bluehost WordPress hosting is optimized for WordPress sites, while Bluehost VPS hosting provides advanced performance. The right plan depends on your website goals and budget. This flexible Bluehost Pricing structure ensures you only pay f

Are there any hidden fees with bluehost hosting plans?

No, there are no hidden fees with Bluehost hosting plans. The hosting cost you see at checkout is what you pay. Optional add-ons, like domain privacy or Bluehost email hosting, may affect your total. But you’ll always know upfront if you choose extras like Bluehost buy domain services.

Can i upgrade my bluehost plan later?

Yes, you can upgrade your Bluehost plan anytime. As your site grows, you can move from shared hosting to Bluehost VPS hosting or even dedicated servers. Upgrading ensures you get more resources without switching providers. This flexibility helps keep your hosting packages aligned with your business needs.

Does bluehost offer ecommerce hosting?

Yes, Bluehost offers eCommerce hosting through optimized WordPress and WooCommerce plans. These plans support secure payments, inventory tools and free SSL. SSL is part of your Bluehost pricing plan, so there’s no hidden cost. With hosting with Bluehost, you get reliable solutions that grow with your business. You can often find a Bluehost discount when signing up for longer terms. For WordPress users selling online, Bluehost’s eCommerce Bundle includes premium tools like YITH plugins, Jetpack,

Can i build a website on wordpress and host it with bluehost?

Yes, you can easily build a WordPress website and host it with Bluehost. We are officially recommended by WordPress.org and offer plans optimized for speed, security and ease of use. With premium hosting services offered by Bluehost, you can avail one-click WordPress installation, automatic updates and a free SSL certificate. Your domain and hosting are bundled for a simple setup and you can enjoy discounts when choosing annual plans. You may also benefit from a Bluehost discount when choosing a

How much does bluehost charge for domain renewal?

Domain renewal costs depend on the extension (.com, .org, etc.). The most Bluehost domain purchase renewals follow standard renewal rates, which can be viewed in your account. If your domain expires, you usually have up to 45 days in the Renewal Grace Period to renew it at the standard domain and hosting price. After that, it may enter a 30-day Redemption Grace Period, where you can still renew but a $99.95 reactivation fee plus the renewal fee associated with the specific domain. Note: Prices a

Are backups included in bluehost hosting plans?

Yes, Bluehost provides weekly backups with most plans and you can add advanced backup tools for extra protection. Since backups are part of your hosting package, they help reduce your overall website hosting services cost, as you don’t need a separate backup provider. Advanced users can upgrade to Bluehost’s Security Bundle for automated malware removal, daily backups and enhanced SSL.

Can i change my plans if my circumstances change?

Yes, you can change your Bluehost plan anytime. If your needs shift, you can upgrade or downgrade to match your budget and resources. This flexibility ensures your hosting cost always fits your situation, whether you’re scaling up or simplifying your website needs.

Can i host multiple websites on one plan or do i need a separate plan for each site?

Yes, Bluehost allows you to host multiple websites under a single hosting plan, specifically through our diverse “High Performance” shared hosting packages. These tiers let you run fully independent websites, each with its own specifications.

Do i get a discount if i pay annually?

Yes, Bluehost offers discounted rates when you choose annual or multi-year plans. Paying yearly lowers your overall hosting cost compared to monthly billing. These Bluehost discount options make it easier to manage your budget while getting reliable website hosting services.

I'm a professional web developer, which is better for me, web hosting, cloud hosting or vps hosting?

For developers, Bluehost VPS hosting or cloud hosting is often better than shared hosting. VPS gives dedicated resources, while cloud hosting offers scalability. Your choice depends on project size and client needs. Standard hosting with Bluehost works for small sites, but advanced options deliver more control and performance.

Can i install third-party applications on my bluehost hosting plan?

Yes, you can use third-party tools like Adobe Dreamweaver or Aloha Editor with your Bluehost plan. The cost of hosting varies by plan, but your website hosting services cost includes support for these applications. For easy file management, we recommend using FTP accounts and consulting the software’s help guides.

WP Engine

How do I access the error logs for my site?

Error logs are necessary for most WordPress troubleshooting. You can access the most recent 24 hours of PHP/Apache error logs in two different ways: how to access WordPress error logs.

How do I reset my password to login to WordPress?

We’ve outlined two methods for resetting your password, a traditional method and a method directly from the database: two ways to reset a WordPress password.

What platform does WP Engine use?

Here you will find a comprehensive list of WP Engine platform settings. Please reach out to our 24-hour Support team with any questions.

How do I access my site’s database?

This article will cover how to import a database file into your WP Engine environment.

How do I update a WordPress URL?

Follow this link for detailed instructions about how to update WordPress URLs.

How to troubleshoot problems when updating a WordPress website URL?

Follow this link to learn more about how to solve problems when updating WordPress URLs.

How can I understand WP Engine error logs?

Follow this link to learn more about understanding the WP Engine Error Logs.

How do I backup or restore my WordPress website?

Learn more about WordPress Backups and Restoring your website.

How do I copy a website or landing page to staging?

Learn more about copying to staging.

What are some common WordPress errors?

Learn more about common errors that WordPress users face and how to resolve them.

How do I purge my site cache?

Learn how to purge your site cache in this detailed article.

How do I improve cacheability for my WordPress website?

Learn more about Improving Cacheability for WordPress websites.

Does WP Engine support Amazon S3 storage configurations?

Yes, learn more about how WP Engine works with LargeFS: Configuring Unlimited Storage with Amazon S3.

What sort of uptime guarantees does WP Engine provide?

WP Engine will make the services available 99.95% of the time, excluding any excused downtime. The WP Engine SLA amends the agreement between WP Engine and customer and addresses the uptime guarantees in relation to the services we provide to you and your remedies for our failure to meet such guarantees.

What plans does WP Engine offer?

We offer hosting solutions for WordPress websites and businesses of all sizes, from SMB to enterprise. We also offer eCommerce hosting and advanced solutions with customizable packages. See which hosting plan is right for your needs.

If WP Engine is not a good fit, can I cancel my plan?

If you’re experiencing a technical issue on your website, please reach out to our 24-hour Support team and give us the opportunity to help you resolve it. Per our terms of service, account cancellations require a 30 day notice via our cancellation form.

Why is WP Engine better than self-hosting?

WP Engine provides everything a WordPress website needs. Learn more about our award-winning hosting platform.

What plans does WP Engine have for enterprise businesses?

WP Engine is the most trusted enterprise platform for WordPress. Learn more about our enterprise hosting plans.

How much does it cost to migrate my site to WP Engine?

It’s free to migrate a site to WP Engine. Our automated migration plugin makes it simple.

Is it possible to migrate my site manually?

Yes! Here’s the information needed to do a manual site migration.

How can I launch a WordPress site with WP Engine?

It’s easy to launch a site with WP Engine, here’s how.

How can I use a hosts file to emulate a DNS change?

It’s possible to test your site on WP Engine after migrating without changing your DNS, just by editing a file on your computer.

How do I export a WordPress database from another host?

This guide will take you through the process of exporting your database from your previous host, so that you can then migrate it to WP Engine.

How do I upload a wp-content folder to WP Engine?

Once you’ve downloaded your wp-content folder from your previous host, you can easily upload this folder or zip file to our Support Team so we can help you with this step of the manual migration process.

How can I create a transferable site and transfer an environment successfully?

Learn more about transferable sites and environments.

How can I manage User Portal roles?

Learn how to manage user roles on WP Engine.

How can I change billing information?

The billing menu in your User Portal provides access to several plan-related functions, such as invoices, modifying billing info or changing your plan level.

How does WP Engine count site visits?

Our pricing is partially based on the number of monthly visits to your site, we’ve provided as clear of guidelines as possible about which visits are considered billable.

How does WP Engine handle overage pricing?

When your number of visits exceeds your plan limit (here’s how we count visits), we charge you a small overage for each 1,000 visitors over your limit. If you are on a Startup, Professional, Growth, or Scale plan, the overage is $2 per 1,000 extra monthly visitors.

How do I upgrade my hosting plan with WP Engine?

The WP Engine User Portal enables users to make many adjustments to their plans through upgrades, downgrades, and add-on features.

What is the best plugin to migrate my WordPress website?

Follow this link to learn more about WP Engine’s Automated Migration plugin.

Is there a plugin that will update my plugins automatically?

Yes, we recommend following this link to update plugins automatically with Smart Plugin Manager.

What WordPress plugins should I use on my WordPress eCommerce site?

Follow this link to see our list of essential WordPress eCommerce plugins.

What are the best WordPress plugins?

Follow this link to see the top 10 WordPress plugins on WP Engine.

Is it possible to create a site that’s customized for specific locations?

Yes, follow this link to learn more about creating geographically customized content.

What is WP Engine’s file transfer protocol?

When hosting your WordPress site on WP Engine, you may need to connect directly to your website’s file system. On other platforms you may already be used to using FTP. At WP Engine we use SFTP which works the same, except it uses a layer of encryption for security and is restricted to a secured port. Read more about using SFTP on WP Engine.

How do I transfer the wp-content folder?

Once you’ve downloaded your wp-content folder from your previous host, you can easily upload this folder or zip file to our Support Team so we can help you with this step of the manual migration process.

How can I use Git Push on WP Engine?

Git is a powerful development tool which enables developers or a development team to securely push code changes from their local machine to their site on WP Engine with the benefit of version control. Read more about using Git Push on WP Engine.

How do I get started with SSH Gateway?

Here’s how to setup and connect to SSH Gateway. SSH, also known as Secure Shell, is the method of connecting from your computer to the web server where your site is hosted.

What are SSL certificates?

SSL/TLS certificates enable visitors to connect to your site with HTTPS, a secure protocol for exchanging information on the Internet. See more information on SSL (secure sockets layer) certificates.

How do I add SSL to my WP Engine website?

Click here to learn more about adding SSL to your WP Engine site.

Is it possible to upload 3rd party SSL certificates to my WordPress site?

Yes, learn more about how to upload 3rd Party SSL Certificates.

How do I secure my URLs with SSL?

Learn more about securing all URLs with SSL.

How do I get a free SSL certificate with Let’s Encrypt?

Learn more about obtaining free SSL Certificates with Lets Encrypt.

Does WP Engine provide email services?

While we manage many parts of your website hosting, default email functionality on WP Engine is limited. Normal emails, such as password resets, will not typically have any issues sending. However, for robust email functionality, monitoring and scalability, we highly suggest utilizing a 3rd party email host.

What 3rd party email providers does WP Engine recommend?

We typically recommend using a 3rd party transactional mail provider such as Mailgun, Gmail, or Sendinblue. These services allow you to send emails from a specialized mail IP and will include a higher level of customization, such as more robust logging. See our full list of recommended email providers.

What do I need to know about DMARC policies for email deliverability?

Learn more about DMARC Policies for Email Deliverability.

Is it possible to send email blasts on WP Engine hosted websites?

Learn more about sending Email Blasts on WP Engine.

Is WP Engine website hosting secure?

Yes! With a dedicated security team specializing in WordPress behind it, our platform’s enterprise-grade technology automates threat detection to block 72M attacks daily while keeping your website vulnerabilities up to date. See more about WP Engine security protocols.

Does WP Engine offer enterprise-level security?

Yes, learn more about WP Engine’s enterprise-grade security.

What is the process for updating my WordPress website?

Learn more about how to handle the WordPress update process.

What is WordPress multisite?

Multisite for WordPress is a feature that allows you to create a “network” of subsites within a single instance of WordPress. Learn more about multisite for WordPress.

How do I add a new website and map to a custom domain?

/support/what-is-wordpress-multisite/#Custom_Main_Site_DomainFollow this link to learn more about how to Add New Sites and Map a Custom Domain.

How do I change a multisite primary domain?

Follow this link to learn more about changing your Multisite Primary Domain.

How do I enable multisite on my WordPress website?

Follow this link to learn more about Enabling Multisite on your WordPress website.

Ready to Choose?

Both providers offer great features. Visit their websites to see the latest deals and pricing.

Related Articles

Related Comparisons (55)