Shared Hosting vs. WordPress Hosting: What's the Difference?

When you’re hunting for the best platform to host your website, it’s important to know the difference between general shared hosting and specialist WordPress hosting options. While the two have some similarities, there are some critical distinctions that we’ll address here.

You’ll learn that both shared hosting and WordPress hosting have similar security features, backup policies, updates and patching schedules. In fact, many CMS WordPress websites sit within shared hosting solutions and you’ll often find crossovers in customer support too.

Where WordPress hosting really differentiates itself is in optimized performance.

Since WordPress is a content management system (CMS) and not limited to one type of hosting, you’ll find most data center providers have configured servers to work perfectly with the platform. WordPress hosting can involve shared, cloud, VPS and dedicated servers too.

If your website doesn’t run using WordPress, it doesn’t make sense to adopt a WordPress solution.

Resource Allocation

• Shared Hosting

With shared hosting, your website will be housed on one server with dozens of other sites. Resource allocation is strictly limited to prevent one site from eating up more bandwidth than the others, which can occasionally lead to slow-down.

• WordPress Hosting

WordPress hosting can be hosted on whichever platform you like, meaning resources could theoretically be unlimited.

Verdict

With options to use shared, VPS and dedicated hosting, WordPress wins this round.

Performance

• Shared Hosting

These days lots of shared hosting platforms deliver quite respectable performance for smaller websites. Unless you significantly exceed your data allowance you shouldn’t notice any problem.

• WordPress Hosting

WordPress-specific hosting takes performance to another level. This open-source software is backed by thousands of experts from across the globe, and your hosting provider will have staff with decades of experience optimizing WordPress sites to work effectively.

Verdict
Since WordPress hosting is specifically optimized for smooth running of websites built using the platform, it’s a clear winner for WordPress

Traffic Volume

• Shared Hosting Shared hosting plans will usually have a traffic limit on how many visitors your site can receive in any given month. On average shared hosting traffic limit might be around 10,000 hits, but, should you go over this you’ll likely hit performance issues.

• WordPress Hosting With WordPress hosting, how much traffic you want your site to handle is entirely up to you.

Verdict
The flexibility of WordPress packages means traffic volumes can be as high as you’d like.

Security

• Shared Hosting Web Hosting Providers usually take care of shared hosting security for you. Applying firewalls, antivirus and regular software updates. You can even add some additional third-party WordPress plugins to enhance your defenses.

• WordPress Hosting On the one hand, WordPress sites are very secure. They're backed by developers across the globe and the core CMS is sound. However, breaches can come from vulnerabilities in the thousands of third-party plug-ins that you’ll need to keep up to date.

Verdict
WordPress hosting is just that little bit more secure than standard shared plans.

Customization Options

• Shared Hosting Everything about shared hosting is controlled by the data host and you'll only have access to approved applications. This makes things easier for novice web developers but more restrictive for those looking for control.

• WordPress Hosting The level of customization all depends on the type of package you sign up for. In some instances, you’ll be able to install applications on the server, but you might find your list of plug-ins is quite restricted.

Verdict
The sheer range of plug-ins available for WordPress sites, and the ability to use VPS and dedicated hosting, makes WordPress much more customizable.

CMS Compatibility

• Shared Hosting One of the biggest benefits of shared hosting is your ability to choose any CMS you want, including WordPress. You can use Joomla, Drupal, Serendipity, Dotclear and a whole range of others.

• WordPress Hosting As the name suggests, you must use the WordPress CMS if you want an optimized service. This means you’re stuck with using the WordPRess CMS only.

Verdict
Shared hosting easily wins this one as you’re given total freedom to choose your CMS.

Backups

• Shared Hosting Almost all shared hosting plans now offer daily backups as standard. Hosting companies like Verpex recognize the importance of business continuity and getting your business up and running again in the event of an outage or cyber-attack. However, not all platforms offer this, or backup policies may vary so we’d recommend doing your research.

• WordPress Hosting The vast majority of managed WordPress hosting services come with automatic backups. Much like shared hosting though, you’ll need to check this before signing on the dotted line.

Verdict
Both types offer pretty much the same in terms of daily backups.

Price

• Shared Hosting

There’s no arguing with the price when it comes to shared hosting as it’s the cheapest on the market. You can even find some introductory offers that will only charge around $2 per month. However, not all platforms offer this, or backup policies may vary so we’d recommend doing your research.

• WordPress Hosting

WordPress Hosting is a little more expensive than shared hosting in general. Although you can on occasion find platforms that will charge the same price for shared WordPress hosting. However, get ready to pay more for a Managed WordPress Hosting solution.

Verdict
An easy win for shared hosting, and it’s clear why this is the best choice for small businesses.

Customer support

• Shared Hosting

Customer support for shared hosting packages tends to be staffed by a team of generalists. Since the data host has to deal with every single technical issue that arises, they need to have as broad a range of skills as possible.

• WordPress Hosting

WordPress customer support tends to be very highly focused, and service agents and engineers are experts in everything WordPress.

Verdict
Those opting for WordPress hosting will have access to more specialized customer service teams. Plus access to a global community of developers.

If you’re planning to use the WordPress CMS to build your website it’s really a no-brainer that you should use specialist WordPress hosting. The benefits in terms of performance, site traffic limits and additional expert support more than outweigh the extra costs involved.

However, that’s not to say shared hosting doesn’t have its advantages. If you’re a small business and are looking for the flexibility to choose between different content management systems, then you’ll find everything you need and more from a good shared hosting platform.