WP Engine is a WordPress hosting platform that lets you create high-quality websites through powerful yet easy-to-use developer tools. In this WP Engine review, we look at the pros, cons, features, and pricing of this web hosting solution. Find out if WP Engine is the best choice for your WordPress website creation needs.
Our Verdict
WP Engine is the right web hosting platform for you if you plan to set up and run business websites based on WordPress.org open-source software. The combination of handy workflow tools and user-friendly UI enables you and your team to form high-quality sites, whether you have coding skills or not. Plus, the excellent customer support grants you round-the-clock access to technical assistance.
To be realistic, be prepared to shell out major bucks if you want to maximize all the advanced features of WP Engine. Nevertheless, the startup tiers serve as viable alternatives if you have a limited budget to match your basic requirements.
- First-rate developer tools
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Flexible pricing options
- 24/7 customer service
- No domains or email addresses included
- Expensive rates compared to other web hosting services
- Confusing price listing
Pricing: Starts at $30 / month
WP Engine at a Glance
WP Engine is a web hosting solution that is dedicated to WordPress site creation and management. Powered by an award-winning technology company, this platform aims to boost your website development, enhance your online performance, and protect your privacy. Aside from managed WordPress services, it also provides ecommerce, enterprise, and agency client management solutions.
This web host stands out among other providers because it specializes in WordPress sites. Its features include website platform services, web hosting, traffic management, storage, bandwidth, developer tools, migration assistance, updates, speed optimization, security, and customer support.
Who WP Engine Is Best For
WP Engine is suitable for business owners and web developers whose main choice as a website building platform is WordPress.org. You need the help of a WordPress hosting platform like WP Engine to build complex business sites using the advanced WordPress.org open-source software. WP Engine could be the ideal solution for you if you want to streamline the way you create and maintain the professional site of your small business or corporation.
Pricing
WP Engine offers different plans that vary in terms of pricing and features. Learn how much each plan costs and what functions it includes.
Plans
Managed WordPress
ecommerce Solutions
Advanced Solutions
Price
Starts at $30 / month
Starts at $36 / month
Contact WP Engine to get a quote
Website Platform Services
WordPress sites
WooCommerce & WordPress sites
Dynamic headless WordPress sites
Web Hosting
1 to 30+ websites
1 to 30+ websites
Multiple high-traffic sites
Traffic Management
25,000 to 400,000+ visits / month
25,000 to 400,000+ visits / month
High-traffic sites supported. Contact WP Engine for details
Storage
10 GB to 50+ GB
10 GB to 50+ GB
Contact WP Engine for details
Bandwidth
50 GB to 500+ GB / month
50 GB to 500+ GB / month
Contact WP Engine for details
Developer Tools
Workflow tools plus customizable WordPress themes
Workflow tools plus customizable WordPress & ecommerce themes
Development, design & site management tools
Migration Assistance
Free automated migration plugin
Free automated migration plugin
White glove migration & launch support
Updates
Automated WordPress & PHP updates
Automated WordPress & PHP updates plus site safety updates
Automated WordPress & PHP updates, site safety updates, and real-time updates
Speed
Speed optimization w/ website caching
Speed optimization w/ website caching
Burst capacity for high-traffic sites & page-level speed tests
Security
Threat blocking & SOC2 Type 2 report
Threat blocking & SOC2 Type 2 report
SOC2 Type 2 security w/ managed web application firewall
Customer Support
24/7 chat support for basic tier plus 24/7 phone support for higher tiers
24/7 chat support for basic tier plus 24/7 phone support for higher tiers
24/7 phone & chat support plus dedicated technical success manager
To summarize, there are three main types of WP Engine plans. Aside from this, the WordPress and ecommerce plans each feature various tiers with different rates and levels of functionality.
- Managed WordPress
- Startup: $30 / month
- Professional: $59 / month
- Growth: $115 / month
- Scale: $290 / month
- Custom: Contact WP Engine for quote
- Ecommerce Solutions
- Startup: $36 / month
- Professional: $75 / month
- Growth: $140 / month
- Scale: $ 350 / month
- Custom: Contact WP Engine for quote
- Advanced Solutions: Contact WP Engine for quote
We concluded in this WP Engine review that it offers a broad range of pricing options so you can pick the plan that fits your budget and business needs. Admittedly, the premium plans are quite expensive, but you can go for a basic plan if you have limited resources and basic requirements.
Take note that the rate information displayed on the WP Engine website can be confusing because the overview highlights the discounted price, which is only applicable for the first month. Make sure to check the standard rates so you know how much you will be paying every month on a regular basis.
Keep in mind that you need to reach out to the sales team of WP Engine to request a pricing quote for the Advanced Solutions plan, as well as the custom versions of Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions.
WP Engine Features
WP Engine boasts an impressive arsenal of useful features that streamlines your web development and maintenance tasks. In this WP Engine review, let’s explore the various features of WP Engine, such as website platform solutions, web hosting, traffic management, storage space, bandwidth support, developer workflow tools, migration plugins, current updates, speed optimization, security options, and customer service.
Website Platform Services
The Managed WordPress plan, as well as other WP Engine packages, automatically includes WordPress support, whether you are building a new website from scratch or migrating your existing website from a previous platform.
In addition to this, the ecommerce Solutions allow you to set up your own ecommerce stores and landing pages using WooCommerce – here are some of the top web hosting solutions for ecommerce. On top of this, the Advanced Solutions make it possible for you to create dynamic headless WordPress sites for your enterprise.
Web Hosting
WP Engine can host your business websites, no matter how few or how many sites you want to establish. Both Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions have various tiers with hosting options, which range from a single site up to over 30 websites. The Advanced Solutions let you build multiple headless WordPress sites, although the exact number will depend on how you customize your enterprise package.
Traffic Management
WP Engine enables you to manage your website traffic, regardless of the number of visitors who typically check out your site on a regular basis. Depending on your preferred tier, the Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions alike can support from as little as 25,000 visits to as much as 400,000 visits every month. While the exact number of monthly visits supported by Advanced Solutions is not indicated in the product website, the enterprise plan can definitely handle high website traffic.
Storage
WP Engine provides you with local storage so you can upload data that you want to display or store in your website, such as text, photos, videos, documents, or downloadable resources. Both Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions can provide storage space from as low as 10 GB to as high as over 50 GB. Again, the exact storage capability of Advanced Solutions is not available in the official website, but you can contact the provider for more details.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data which you can transfer over the internet during a set period of time. WP Engine provides different bandwidth rates for each tier. For example, the Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions offer from 50 GB to more than 500 GB each month. You may inquire with WP Engine to find out the specific bandwidth rate for the Advanced Solutions plan.
Developer Tools
WP Engine equips you with web development tools that enable you to build websites whether you are a coding expert or not. The Managed WordPress plan comes with workflow tools, plugins, and StudioPress themes so you can make personalized WordPress websites, no matter which type of organization structures you plan to use for your web content.
In addition to this, the ecommerce Solutions package allows you to set up WordPress ecommerce and WooCommerce sites through store creation tools. Also, it comes with premium ecommerce themes and blocks which you can use to customize online stores.
On top of this, the Advanced Solutions plan empowers you to make dynamic headless WordPress sites through development, design, and site management tools. Plus, it allows you to keep track of these headless websites through code-level monitoring and insights.
Migration Assistance
The migration features make it possible for you to transfer your existing websites from your previous web host to WP Engine. Both the Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions packages include free automated migration plugins to streamline the process. Aside from this, the Advanced Solutions plan provides white glove migration and launch support for a smooth transition.
Updates
WP Engine continuously improves its services through various updates. The Managed WordPress plan includes automated WordPress and PHP updates, while the ecommerce Solutions plan throws in auto-plugin site safety updates into the mix. In addition to these, the Advanced Solutions showcases real-time updates to enhance performance and functionality.
Speed
All WP Engine plans boost the performance of your business websites and online stores. The Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions packages alike are designed to optimize site speed, SEO results, and website caching. To level up the speed even further, the Advances Solutions plan includes burst capacity to handle high-traffic sites and virtual stores. Plus, it showcases page-level speed tests so you can assess how fast your web pages are loading.
Security
WP Engine protects the privacy of your website data through industry-grade security features. It proactively blocks cyber threats that could compromise the confidentiality of your business information. While the Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions packages come with SOC2 Type 2 reporting, the Advanced Solutions plan amps it up via SOC2 Type 2 security with a managed web application firewall.
Customer Support
WP Engine has been recognized in the tech industry because of its outstanding customer service. The award-winning support team provides 24/7 chat support for the basic tiers plus 24/7 phone support for the higher tiers of the Managed WordPress and ecommerce Solutions plans. Beyond this, the Advanced Solutions package includes the exclusive services of a dedicated technical success manager.
Alternatives to WP Engine
WP Engine is a solid pick if you need a web hosting service that lets you maximize the potential of WordPress. Still, you could consider other options if you have other priorities aside from WordPress website creation. Here are some interesting alternatives to WP Engine:
Wix is one of the popular website builders that lets you design and develop websites through the Wix editor and customizable website templates. You can use it to start a blog or build a virtual store for your business. Wix is suitable for you if you want to create and manage your business sites with minimal effort. After all, Wix is easier to use than WP Engine. Still, WP Engine is a more scalable, powerful service compared to Wix.
- Simple website editor
- Cheaper plans than WP Engine
- Wix sites harder to scale than WordPress sites
- Not as featured-packed as WP Engine
Pricing:
- Connect Domain: $4.50 / month
- Combo: $8.50 / month
- Unlimited: $12.50 / month
- VIP: $24.50 / month
Shopify is one of the widely used ecommerce platforms that you can use to sell and ship products or process payments from customers. It comes with handy tools that allow you to set up an online store, increase sales, and manage daily operations. Shopify is ideal for you if the focus of your business is ecommerce. After all, Shopify specializes in online selling more than WP Engine does. Nevertheless, WP Engine is still better as an all-purpose web host compared to Shopify.
- Ecommerce expertise
- Domains available for purchase
- Expensive plan rates
- Feature set not as well-rounded as WP Engine
Pricing:
- Basic: $29
- Shopify: $79
- Advanced: $299
WordPress.com is a well-known website builder that lets you quickly set up a simple website or blog for your business. Take note that WordPress.com, which is an online web host, is distinct from the WordPress.org software. The blocks let you insert media, forms, reviews, and maps, while add-ons may be installed to boost your site’s functionality.
WordPress.com is appropriate for you if you want to experiment building a basic blog for free or at a minimal cost. After all, WordPress.com is way more affordable compared to WP Engine. However, the features and scalability options of WordPress.com are very limited so you might end up upgrading to WP Engine once you’re done experimenting.
- Free or budget-friendly pricing
- Very simple to use
- Extremely sparse features and storage compared to WP Engine
- No custom domain name for free version
Pricing:
- WordPress Free: Free
- WordPress Pro: $15
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for WP Engine Review
WP Engine can transform the way that you create and manage your business websites. Learn the answers to basic questions about WP Engine and WordPress to determine if this web hosting solution is a good match for you.
Bottom Line on WP Engine Review
WP Engine is a smart choice for you if your business website creation goals revolve around WordPress.org. It simplifies the way that you create business websites using the WordPress open-source platform, thanks to its top-notch developer tools, intuitive UI, versatile pricing options, and round-the-clock customer service. We hope that our WP Engine review has helped you decide if this web hosting service is the perfect fit for your business or not.