Kinsta vs WP Engine – Which Managed WordPress Hosting to Use?

Are you comparing Kinsta vs WP Engine and wondering which is best for managed WordPress hosting? If yes, then stay right here. 

When it comes to choosing the right managed WordPress hosting provider, the decision can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, it’s important to compare and contrast the features and benefits of the top contenders. 

Among the sea of hosting providers, two names stand out as leaders in the managed WordPress hosting realm – Kinsta and WP Engine.

In this article, we’ll dive into the battle of Kinsta vs WP Engine. So, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and goals.

So, buckle up, and let’s get started!

A. Brief Overview: Kinsta vs WP Engine 

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, a reliable and high-performing web hosting provider is the backbone of any successful online presence. 

For WordPress users, choosing the perfect hosting solution can be overwhelming. Given the plethora of hosting options available. Having said that, let’s start by introducing each platform briefly. 

Introducing Kinsta

Meet Kinsta, a top-notch hosting platform for WordPress websites! It’s best known for its super-fast speed and reliability. Further, making them a popular choice for businesses, developers, and agencies. 

Moreover, Kinsta’s servers are powered by Google Cloud. And they have data centers all around the world to make websites load quickly and work smoothly. Plus, their easy-to-use dashboard makes managing websites a breeze. With Kinsta, you can have a great hosting experience without worrying about performance!

On top of that, security is Kinsta’s core priority. You get advanced protocols, firewalls, and real-time monitoring. This helps you create a strong guard around your website, keeping it safe from online threats.

Need assistance? Kinsta’s expert support team is available 24/7 to guide you. Whether you’re a tech guru or a beginner, their friendly support makes hosting a breeze.

Ultimately, you can regard Kinsta as one of the best hosting companions that empowers your WordPress website for success. Considering its top-tier speed, top-notch security, and unmatched support.

So, say hello to hassle-free managed WordPress hosting with Kinsta!

Introducing WP Engine

Meet WP Engine, another renowned name in the WordPress world! It’s well-loved because it offers special hosting just for WordPress websites. Lots of websites, more than 1.2 million around the world, trust WP Engine for their services. 

With WP Engine, speed, and performance are at the forefront. Your website will load like lightning. This helps you captivate the visitors’ attention from the moment they arrive. So, say goodbye to slow loading times and hello to a seamless browsing experience.

Security is WP Engine’s core specialty. Its vigilant team of experts works tirelessly to protect your website from online threats. Consequently, ensuring your data and content remain secure at all times.

On top of that, it uses smart technology along with a team of experts who work hard to keep websites safe and fast. Also, you get lots of helpful tools and features just for WordPress. Further, making it easier for bloggers, businesses, and developers to run their websites. 

Not to forget, you also get help to move your website without any trouble! WP Engine is a great choice for taking your WordPress site to new heights!

Explore our comprehensive article on what managed hosting is for further detailed insights.  

B. Comparison Table – Kinsta vs WP Engine

Here’s a quick comparison table between two popular managed WordPress hosting providers, Kinsta and WP Engine:

C. Ease of Use: Kinsta vs WP Engine

User-friendliness is a top priority for any hosting service in the quick-paced world of website maintenance. As ease of use plays a pivotal role in attracting users and enhancing their hosting experience. 

So, here we’ll delve into the user interface, tools, and features offered by Kinsta and WP Engine. Exploring how both platforms strive to make website management a breeze for users of all levels of expertise. 

Is Kinsta Easy to Use?

Kinsta comes with an award-winning MyKinsta dashboard. This allows you to effortlessly manage all your WordPress websites, apps, or databases in one centralized location. And the best part is navigating the dashboard is simple and easy.

On the left-hand side, you’ll find a comprehensive set of tools and features to oversee your hosting platform and website. Precisely, you’ll find options like Dashboard, Applications, WordPress Sites, and DNS management. 

Meanwhile, on the right-hand side, you’ll access corresponding statistics and options based on your selections from the left.

Here are some incredible tasks you can perform within your dashboard:

• Keep tabs on your hosting resources, site stats, and plan consumption.
• Take advantage of numerous time-saving site tools to handle tedious tasks, such as cache management, site debugging, CDN (Content Delivery Network) activation, and more.
• Enjoy the freedom to add unlimited colleagues or clients. Further, manage their access settings, and customize the development workflow.
• Easily conduct manual and external backups as needed.

Is WP Engine Easy to Use?

WP Engine makes website management effortless through automated site maintenance features. Including daily backups, core and plugin updates, and one-click staging.

Additionally, you can easily maintain your dream site using a single, user-friendly portal provided by WP Engine. The user portal is straightforward, responsive, fast, and easy to navigate.

On the left-hand side, you will find all the necessary tools and features to manage your website, while the right-hand side offers corresponding statistics and options based on your selections from the left.

Here are some functions you can perform within the portal:

• Create new sites, add environments, group sites, and more.
• Access a list of users with permissions to your sites and have the option to add, remove, or edit users’ access.
• Inspect your website and receive automatic plugin updates.
• Scan your website for issues and receive notifications when a problem arises.
• Explore various helpful options, such as chat support, profile settings, and support features located in the top and bottom sections of the portal.

D. Major Features Comparison: Kinsta vs WP Engine

When it comes to selecting the ideal managed WordPress hosting, considering the major features offered by hosting providers is crucial. 

In this section, we’ll compare Kinsta and WP Engine based on three critical aspects: Server Infrastructure, WordPress-Specific Features, and Security & Backup. 

By evaluating these features, you can determine which platform provides the most comprehensive solutions for hosting your WordPress website. 

Let’s compare the managed WordPress hosting options and see which one comes out on top.

1. Server Infrastructure

Server Infrastructure on Kinsta

Kinsta boasts a powerful server infrastructure, powered by the cutting-edge Google Cloud Platform. With the support of Google’s premium tier network, Kinsta ensures lightning-fast loading speeds. Along with exceptional performance for your WordPress website.

On top of that, the strategic placement of data centers across the globe further enhances website speed and responsiveness. To be exact, you get to choose from 35 different data centers. Further, this helps you cater your website to visitors from various regions.

Server Infrastructure on WP Engine

WP Engine, on the other hand, leverages a robust server infrastructure optimized for WordPress. To be exact, it utilizes Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform. As a result, WP Engine delivers excellent performance and scalability. 

Similarly, the platform’s EverCache technology and global CDN integration contribute to faster page load times. You can pick from 20+ data centers on 4 continents. They are North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Ultimately, this helps you deliver a seamless browsing experience for your audience.

2. WordPress-Specific Features

WordPress-Specific Features on Kinsta

Here are the specific features offered by Kinsta for managed WordPress hosting:

• Automatically updates WordPress to the latest version. Including core, plugins, and themes. This helps keep your website secure and up-to-date.
• Optimized for WordPress performance. Uses a variety of techniques such as caching, CDN integration, and PHP optimization.
• Offers staging environments, to test changes to your website before you make them live. This helps you to avoid errors and unexpected problems.
• Plus, you can create staging environments for your WordPress websites with just one click.
• Provides a variety of developer tools to help you build and manage your WordPress website. Such as SSH access, WP-CLI, and Git integration.
• Includes free migration for all of your WordPress websites. This means that you can easily move your WordPress websites to Kinsta without any hassle.

WordPress-Specific Features on WP Engine

Here are the specific features offered by WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting:

• Includes WordPress local development tool (Local). This enables you to accelerate site building, testing, and deployment. Plus, setting up and utilizing local development becomes effortless.
• Offers Genesis Framework along with 30+ StudioPress themes to pick from for your WordPress website. 
• Incorporates numerous developer tools, such as WP-CLI, Xdebug, and MailHog, etc. This helps to access log files for PHP, NGINX, and MySQL, facilitating testing and debugging processes.
• Additionally, it provides tools for establishing GIT and SFTP connections.
• Comes with the Smart Plugin Manager tool to ensure automated plugin updates.
• The website monitoring tool offers precise insights and timely alerts concerning WordPress website performance.
• You can employ the WordPress website tester tool to gain speed and security insights with precision.

3. Security & Backup

Security & Backup in Kinsta

Kinsta incorporates Cloudflare Enterprise into all its plans at no additional cost, significantly enhancing your site’s security.

Now, let’s explore the various exceptional security and backup features provided by Kinsta:

• Comes with an enterprise-level firewall and DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection. To actively detect and block any malicious activities.
• Kinsta offers free SSL certificates for your websites and supports free wildcard SSL. To secure your root domains with unlimited subdomains.
• Daily backups are conducted automatically, while manual and external backups can also be performed.
• In case of any hacking activity, Kinsta guarantees free website restoration.
• All plans include SSH access and various developer-friendly features.
• Automatic updates for WordPress core, plugins, and themes are taken care of by Kinsta.
• Two-factor authentication is available for your hosting account.
• GeoIP blocking allows you to block IP addresses from specific locations.
• The activity log is stored to monitor user activities on your platform actively.

With these robust security and backup measures, Kinsta offers a secure and reliable hosting solution for WordPress websites.

Security & Backup in WP Engine

WP Engine ensures smooth site operations through its multitude of security features. Its infrastructure and tools are purpose-built for WordPress websites. Further, allowing you to focus on your business with peace of mind.

Here are some key security and backup features offered by WP Engine:

• Provides free SSL certificates to instill trust in visitors.
• Automatically performs WordPress core and PHP updates, along with managed plugin updates.
• Conducts daily backups to safeguard against data loss.
• Easily detects threats and blocks attacks with platform-level protection.
• Includes a WordPress-optimized WAF (Web Application Firewall).
• Mitigates DDoS attacks and other malicious activities through its CDN service.
• Supports multi-factor password authentication. Further, allows you to view and manage activity logs and user permissions.

Every year, WP Engine’s extensive security solutions successfully prevent 25B+ cyberattacks for its clients. This proves itself as an incredibly safe and dependable managed WordPress hosting provider.

E. Speed & Performance: Kinsta vs WP Engine

Speed and performance are critical factors that directly impact user experience and website success. We’re going to examine more closely the speed and performance of Kinsta and WP Engine in this section. 

So, let’s find out now which of these hosting providers is the best overall!

Speed & Performance of a Kinsta Hosted Website

As mentioned earlier, Kinsta boasts a powerful server infrastructure, powered by the cutting-edge Google Cloud Platform. On top of that, it provides you with various capabilities to improve the speed and performance of your website. 

Such as:

• Uses the highest-end CPUs and global availability via Google’s C2 machines. This results in a major performance boost from 30% to 200%.
• Fully supports the next evolution of the HTTP protocol, HTTP/3, which further improves site performance.
• With Cloudflare integration, it enables the Edge Caching function. Further, saving your site/page cache across all data centers to enhance site speed.
• Supports the latest PHP versions and allows users to easily switch between PHP versions 8.0 and 8.1.
• The platform utilizes Nginx servers known for their superior performance and scalability.
• Kinsta automatically performs database optimization every week.
• You can expect a 99.9% uptime service, continuously monitored and checked every 2 minutes for seamless performance.

Well, let’s not only go for the words! Rather, let’s use some of the popular online tools and check out the speed and performance of Kinsta-hosted websites. 

Google PageSpeed Insights:

Based on the PageSpeed Insights report under Diagnose Performance issued for the Kinsta-hosted website:

• Performance: Perfect score of 100, showcasing fast and efficient loading times.
• Accessibility: Score of 100, ensuring an inclusive and user-friendly website for all visitors.
• Best Practices: Score of 100, following industry standards and web development best practices.

In summary, the PageSpeed Insights report for the Kinsta-hosted website reveals excellent performance, accessibility, and adherence to best practices. Further, indicating a well-optimized and high-quality website.

Pingdom: 

Meanwhile, let’s test the speed and performance from one more portal i.e. Pingdom.

Here, you can see that the  Kinsta-hosted website receives an impressive A94 performance grade. Along with a loading time of just 534 milliseconds. Well, this ensures a fast and efficient browsing experience.

Speed & Performance of a WP Engine Hosted Website

WP Engine equally prioritizes the importance of speed and performance features. 

Therefore, it offers the following features to enhance your hosting and website speed and performance:

• Makes use of NGINX web extensions and cutting-edge SSD technology for optimum site speed.
• Combines WordPress-specific rules with EverCache technology to implement a faster server load time.
• Perfect for sites with significant traffic as it offers a 99.99% SLA (Service Level Agreement) and a 99.95% uptime service.
• Provides a choice of more than 20 data centers spread out over 4 continents (North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia).
• Enables users to view website material from the closest location and is entirely managed by a CDN provider.
• Make use of the GeoTarget add-on to optimize your website for local search engine results.

Again, let’s not only go for the words! Instead, let’s examine the performance and speed of the WP Engine-hosted website using the previous tools. 

Google PageSpeed Insights:

Based on the PageSpeed Insights report for the WP Engine-hosted website:

• Performance: Impressive score of 99, providing a fast and efficient user experience.
• Accessibility: Perfect score of 100, ensuring a user-friendly and inclusive website for all visitors.
• Best Practices: Perfect score of 100, adhering to industry standards for a well-structured website.

In summary, the PageSpeed Insights report for the WP Engine-hosted website showcases excellent performance. Along with perfect accessibility, and adherence to best practices. Further, reflecting a highly optimized and well-designed website.

Pingdom: 

Again, let’s test the speed from one more portal i.e. Pingdom.

As per the Pindom Report, the WP Engine-hosted website received an impressive A91 performance grade with a loading time of 1.17 seconds. Overall, this indicates the website is well-optimized. Along with a high-performance grade and fast load time. 

F. User Reviews: Kinsta vs WP Engine

User reviews offer an authentic and firsthand perspective on performance, features, and overall satisfaction. Thus, with these real-world testimonials, you can get a comprehensive comparison of Kinsta and WP Engine. Further, aiding you in making an informed decision for your WordPress hosting needs. 

So, discover what users have to say about their experiences with these hosting platforms and gain valuable insights. 

User Reviews of Kinsta 

• As per G2 Review, Kinsta scores 4.8/5 stars given by 470 real users. Check more recent reviews here.
• Similarly, according to Trustpilot, Kinsta scores 4.2/5 stars given by 549 real users. Check more recent reviews here.

User Reviews of WP Engine

• As per G2 Review, WP Engine scores 4.6/5 stars given by 261 real users. Check more recent reviews here.
• Similarly, according to Trustpilot, WP Engine scores 4.7/5 stars given by 701 real users. Check more recent reviews here.

G. Customer Support: Kinsta vs WP Engine

When it comes to managing your website, having reliable customer support can make all the difference. 

Let’s take a closer look at the customer support options provided by both Kinsta and WP Engine.

Available Customer Support Options in Kinsta

Kinsta takes pride in offering top-notch customer support that’s always ready to lend a helping hand. Their support team consists of WordPress experts who are available 24/7 through live chat for instant assistance. 

This implies Kinsta’s responsive support team is there to address your concerns promptly and efficiently. Whether you have a simple question or encounter a technical challenge.

In addition, to live chat, Kinsta also offers ticket-based support for more complex issues that require in-depth investigation. This allows you to track the progress of your inquiries and ensures that every problem is addressed thoroughly.

You can check out its Resource Center to access its knowledge base, documentation, and various blogs. 

Available Customer Support Options in WP Engine

Similar to Kinsta, WP Engine also provides exceptional customer support to cater to your needs. Their support staff is available 24/7 via live chat.

So you can get immediate help whenever you need it. Whether it’s a quick query or a technical challenge. WP Engine’s knowledgeable team is on standby to offer timely solutions.

Additionally, WP Engine also offers ticket-based support for more intricate issues that may require specialized attention. This ensures that your concerns receive thorough responses from the experts.

Just like Kinsta, you can access WP Engine’s Resource Center to access its help guides on various topics. 

H. Pricing Options: Kinsta vs WP Engine

Kinsta and WP Engine are both managed WordPress hosting providers. This means that they take care of all the technical aspects of hosting your WordPress website. So, you can concentrate on developing content and promoting your business.

One of the biggest differences between Kinsta and WP Engine is their pricing. Now, let’s explore the pricing structure of both platforms to see which one better fits your needs.

Kinsta Pricing Structure

The following table lists the managed WordPress hosting prices offered by Kinsta. 

For more detailed information, you can check out Kinsta’s pricing page.

WP Engine Pricing Structure

The following table lists the managed WordPress hosting prices offered by WP Engine.

For more detailed information, you can check out the WP Engine pricing page. 

I. Pros & Cons: Kinsta vs WP Engine

Now, let’s quickly sum up the pros and cons of both managed WordPress hosting companies in this section. 

Let’s proceed with Kinsta.

Pros & Cons of Kinsta 

Pros of Kinsta

• Powerful Server Infrastructure: Kinsta utilizes the cutting-edge Google Cloud Platform for high-performance hosting.
• HTTP/3 Support: Fully supports the next evolution of the HTTP protocol, enhancing site performance.
• Cloudflare Integration: Edge Caching function improves site speed by saving cache across all data centers.
• Latest PHP Versions: Supports and allows easy switching between PHP versions 8.0 and 8.1.
• Nginx Servers: Nginx servers ensure superior performance and scalability for websites.
• Automatic Database Optimization: Performs weekly database optimization for improved efficiency.
• High Uptime Service: Users can expect a 99.9% uptime, continuously monitored every 2 minutes.

Cons of Kinsta

• Higher Pricing for Some Plans: Kinsta’s premium features may result in higher costs for certain plans.
• Limited WordPress Installs and Monthly Visits: Entry-level plans have restrictions on the number of installs and monthly visitor limits.

Pros & Cons of WP Engine 

Pros of WP Engine

• NGINX Web Extensions: WP Engine utilizes NGINX technology for optimized and faster server response times.
• SSD Technology: Solid State Drives (SSD) ensure quicker data retrieval, enhancing website loading speeds.
• 99.99% SLA: Offers a strong Service Level Agreement, guaranteeing high availability and uptime.
• Choice of Data Centers: You can select from various data centers across different continents for global reach.
• GeoTarget Add-On: Provides a GeoTarget add-on for optimizing websites for local search engine results.
• Free Migration: Easy migration services for seamless transfer of websites to WP Engine’s hosting.
• Free SSL: SSL certificates are provided at no additional cost, ensuring secure data transmission.

Cons of WP Engine

• Limited Monthly Visits in Lower-Tier Plans: Entry-level plans have limitations on the number of monthly visits.
• WordPress Multisite Add-On Not Available for All Plans: Some plans may not offer the WordPress Multisite add-on.

J. Final Verdict: Kinsta vs WP Engine

Now, it’s time to answer the ultimate question i.e. “Which Managed WordPress Hosting to Use?” 

Well, the answer comes down to your personal preference and the overall hosting experience you desire. 

It’s no doubt that Kinsta wows with its powerful server infrastructure, support for HTTP/3, and Cloudflare integration. So, we’d definitely say to choose Kinsta over WP Engine.

However, you can also opt for WP Engine as you get the required cost-effective service without compromising on performance. 

So, all you need to do is consider your website’s needs, expected traffic, and your preferences in features. Both Kinsta and WP Engine offer reliable services, so you’re in good hands either way. 

It’s all about finding the perfect fit for your unique WordPress hosting journey.

Are you wondering if you can find the individual review of both these platforms? Well, then check out our detailed article on Kinsta review and WP Engine review. 

Conclusion

And that’s all, folks! We’ve come to the end of our comparison article on Kinsta vs WP Engine. 

We believe it was fruitful to you in deciding the right pick. Just remember, every website is unique, and the best choice depends on your specific requirements and goals. 

So, explore the plans, weigh the pros and cons, envision your website’s future success, and make the right deal. If you’ve any confusion, then do express your thoughts in the comments section below. We’re happy to help you out.

Also, do explore our other comparison reads. Such as LMS vs. CMS and WordPress Themes vs. Templates. 

Lastly, do follow us on our social media handles Facebook and Twitter to stay updated with our content.