Bluehost vs WP Engine
When it comes to web hosting, Bluehost and WP Engine are frequently compared, and for good reason. Both offer reliable hosting, but their target audiences and strengths differ significantly. Bluehost scores 8.7/10 in our testing, though your specific needs might favor the other option.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
Quick Answer
Bluehost beats WP Engine for most users. It scores 8.7/10 vs 8.4/10 and officially recommended by wordpress.org. Choose WP Engine if you need excellent wordpress-specific optimization.
Bluehost
WinnerWordPress recommended hosting with beginner-friendly setup
Starting from
$2.95/mo
WP Engine
Premium managed WordPress hosting for businesses
Starting from
$20/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Starting Price | $2.95/mo | $20/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Resources | ||
| Storage | 50GB SSD | 10GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | 50GB |
| Websites | 1 | 1 |
| Email Accounts | 5 | None |
| Features | ||
| Free Domain | ||
| WordPress Optimized | ||
| CDN Included | ||
| Security & Reliability | ||
| Free SSL | ||
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.99% |
| Backup | Daily | Daily |
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Bluehost
- Officially recommended by WordPress.org
- Free domain name for first year
- Free SSL certificate included
- 24/7 customer support
- One-click WordPress installation
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Renewal prices are higher
- Site migration costs extra
- Upsells during checkout
WP Engine
- Excellent WordPress-specific optimization
- Automatic daily backups
- Free CDN and SSL
- Genesis framework included
- Staging environments
- Enterprise-grade security
- Most expensive option
- No email hosting
- Visitor limits on all plans
Key Difference
The most significant difference is value positioning. Bluehost offers excellent quality at a lower price point ($2.95/mo), while WP Engine ($20.00/mo) targets users who want premium features and are willing to pay for them.
Which Should You Choose?
Bluehost
Choose Bluehost if you prioritize officially recommended by wordpress.org, or value free domain name for first year.
WP Engine
Choose WP Engine if you prioritize excellent wordpress-specific optimization, or value automatic daily backups.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Bluehost is our winner with a rating of 8.7/10 compared to WP Engine's 8.4/10. Bluehost stands out for its officially recommended by wordpress.org and free domain name for first year. Bluehost also offers better value at its price point. However, WP Engine remains an excellent choice if excellent wordpress-specific optimization is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Migrating between Bluehost and WP Engine requires moving your files and databases. Both offer migration assistance, but plan for potential downtime. Consider timing your switch with your renewal date to avoid paying for overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bluehost better than WP Engine?
Bluehost scores higher in our testing (8.7/10 vs 8.4/10). Bluehost excels at officially recommended by wordpress.org, while WP Engine is better for excellent wordpress-specific optimization.
Which is cheaper, Bluehost or WP Engine?
Bluehost is more affordable at $2.95/mo vs $20.00/mo. Bluehost offers 85% savings.
Bluehost vs WP Engine: which should I choose?
Choose Bluehost if you prioritize officially recommended by wordpress.org. Choose WP Engine if you need excellent wordpress-specific optimization. Both are solid web hosting options.
What's the main difference between Bluehost and WP Engine?
The main difference is Bluehost offers wordpress recommended hosting with beginner-friendly setup, while WP Engine focuses on premium managed wordpress hosting for businesses.