WP Engine is a managed WordPress hosting service provider that was founded in 2010.
Over the years, WP Engine has grown to become one of the most popular and highly regarded hosting services for WordPress websites.
In this WP Engine review article, we will let you know its features, performance, pricing, customer support, and many more to help you determine if it is the right hosting service for your website in 2023.
WP Engine Review 2023
WP Engine is offering managed WordPress hosting and eCommerce hosting for small businesses, freelancers, developers, enterprises, and agencies. There are 1.5M+ active websites hosted on WP Engine. They have served 185K+ customers from 150 countries.
WP Engine partners with Google, New Relic, and AWS to give you a high-performance and secure WordPress hosting solution.
Now let’s see what are the WP Engine features, plans, performance, support, and many more one by one.
WP Engine Features, Plans, and Pricing
WP Engine offers a wide range of features that are designed to make managing your WordPress website easier. And it is a premium hosting service, which means that it is more expensive than some other hosting services. It has five different plans: Startup, Professional, Growth, Scale, and Custom.
Managed WordPress Hosting
Features
- 1-Click Staging
- 10 Premium Themes
- Free Automated Migration Plugin
- Daily & On-Demand Backups
- Free SSL and SSH
- Automatic SSL Installation
- Website Caching
- Dev, Stage, Prod Environments
- Multi-factor Password Authentication
- Threat Blocking & Security
- Site Content In The Cloud (CDN)
- Transferable Sites For Easy Client Handoff
- Page Performance Monitoring
- Local Developer Tools
- WordPress Multisite (Available to Purchase)
- 24/7 Chat and Phone Support
- 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Plans and Pricing
| Startup | Professional | Growth | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20/mo | $39/mo | $77/mo | $193/mo |
| 1 Website 25K Visits 10 GB Storage 50 GB Bandwidth/mo | 3 Websites 75K Visits 15 GB Storage 125 GB Bandwidth/mo | 10 Websites 100K Visits 20 GB Storage 200 GB Bandwidth/mo | 30+ Websites 400K Visits 50 GB Storage 500 GB Bandwidth/mo |
The Custom plan is for larger websites and is priced according to your specific needs.
eCommerce Hosting
Features
- Free SSL and SSH
- Instant Store Search
- One-Click Store Creation
- Smart Plugin Manager
- Genesis Pro(Blocks & Themes)
- 10 Premium Themes
- Free Automated Migration Plugin
- Daily & On-Demand Backups
- Dev, Stage, Prod Environments
- One-Click Staging
- Website Caching
- Threat Blocking & Security
- Activity Log & User Permissions
- Site Content In The Cloud (Cdn)
- Multi-factor Password Authentication
- Transferable Sites For Easy Client Handoff
- WordPress Multisite (Available to Purchase)
- Page Performance Monitoring
- Local Developer Tools
- 24/7 Chat and Phone Support
- 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Plans and Pricing
| Startup | Professional | Growth | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| $24/mo | $50/mo | $93/mo | $233/mo |
| 1 Website 25K Visits 10 GB Storage 50 GB Bandwidth/mo | 3 Websites 75K Visits 15 GB Storage 125 GB Bandwidth/mo | 10 Websites 100K Visits 20 GB Storage 200 GB Bandwidth/mo | 30+ Websites 400K Visits 50 GB Storage 500 GB Bandwidth/mo |
The Custom plan is for larger websites and is priced according to your specific needs.
WP Engine Speed and Performance
When it comes to speed and performance, WP Engine has several features and technologies in place to ensure fast page load times and optimal website performance.
Firstly, WP Engine uses a proprietary caching system called EverCache that is designed to improve website speed and reduce server load.
EverCache stores frequently accessed content in memory, making it quickly accessible without the need to access the database or execute any PHP code. This reduces the server load and results in faster page load times.
WP Engine uses the latest technology and hardware to deliver optimal performance. All WP Engine hosting plans come with the latest PHP version, and the servers use solid-state drives (SSDs) for faster data retrieval.
WP Engine also has a proprietary system called “PHP workers” that dynamically assigns resources to different processes based on demand, ensuring the website can handle large traffic spikes.
Another feature that improves performance is the WP Engine page speed tool, which helps identify factors that can impact page load times and provides suggestions for improvement.
This tool analyzes the website’s code and suggests ways to optimize images, minimize JavaScript and CSS files, and reduce server requests.
Overall, WP Engine’s speed and performance are top-notch, thanks to its caching system, CDN, use of the latest technology, and the WP Engine page speed tool. These features make WP Engine a popular choice among businesses and individuals who prioritize website speed and performance.
WP Engine Data Center Locations
Google Cloud Servers:
Google Cloud Servers are available to all WordPress hosting plans.
- Iowa, North America
- South Carolina, North America
- Oregon, North America
- Montreal, North America
- Belgium, Europe
- London, Europe
- Frankfurt, Europe*
- Netherlands, Europe
- Finland, Europe*
- Taiwan, Asia/Pacific
- Tokyo, Asia/Pacific
- Sydney, Asia/Pacific
- Singapore, Asia/Pacific*
Note: The data centers which are denoted with an asterisk (*) are available with upgraded pricing.
Amazon Web Servers (AWS):
AWS data centers are available to premium or a custom dedicated WordPress hosting plan.
- Virginia, North America
- Ohio, North America
- Oregon, North America
- Montreal, North America
- Ireland, Europe
- London, Europe
- Frankfurt, Europe
- Singapore, Asia/Pacific
- Sydney, Asia/Pacific
Microsoft Azure:
Microsoft Azure data centers are available to premium or a custom dedicated WordPress hosting plan.
- Washington, North America
- Netherlands, Europe
WP Engine Content Delivery Network (CDN)
WP Engine offers a Content Delivery Network (CDN) called Global Edge Security, which is powered by Cloudflare. CDN is a network of servers located in different parts of the world that cache and serve static content like images, CSS files, and JavaScript files. When a user requests a website hosted on WP Engine, the CDN delivers the static content from the server nearest to the user, reducing the distance and time it takes for content to be transmitted.
Global Edge Security is integrated with WP Engine, making it easy to set up and manage. Once enabled, it automatically caches static content and optimizes the delivery of dynamic content, resulting in faster page load times and an overall better user experience.
One of the key benefits of the WP Engine CDN is improved website performance. Delivering content from servers closest to the user reduces the time it takes to load website content, resulting in faster page load times. This not only improves user experience but also helps with search engine optimization (SEO), as search engines like Google consider page speed as a ranking factor.
Another benefit of its CDN is its high security. Global Edge Security is designed to protect websites from malicious traffic, DDoS attacks, and other threats. It uses advanced security measures like Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection to safeguard websites from online threats. With the WP Engine CDN, website owners can rest assured that their website is secure and protected from cyber-attacks.
WP Engine Security Features
WP Engine offers a variety of security features that help protect websites from cyber threats and attacks.
One of the key security features of WP Engine is the built-in Web Application Firewall (WAF). The WAF is designed to protect websites from common web-based attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). It monitors all incoming traffic to the website and blocks suspicious requests before they can reach the website.
WP Engine also provides daily malware scans and virus detection to detect and remove any malicious code or files. The platform also has a proprietary security tool, called WP Engine Security Insight, which scans and analyzes the website’s security vulnerabilities and provides suggestions to improve security.
WP Engine also has a team of security experts who are available 24/7 to respond to any security incidents. The team monitors the platform for any potential security threats and takes immediate action to mitigate them.
In addition to these features, WP Engine also provides automatic updates for WordPress and plugins to ensure that the website is running on the latest and most secure version. WP Engine also enforces strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect against brute-force attacks.
Finally, WP Engine offers a feature called Disaster Recovery, which creates daily backups of the website and database. In the event of a security breach or other disaster, the website can be restored to its previous state quickly and easily.
Overall, WP Engine’s security features provide a comprehensive and robust solution to protect websites from online threats. From the built-in Web Application Firewall to automatic updates and daily malware scans, WP Engine offers a complete security solution for businesses and individuals who value website security.
WP Engine Control Panel
From the WP Engine dashboard, you can manage your all sites, access your databases, create new sites and environments, check account usage and billing, and many more.
This is how the WP Engine dashboard looks,
WP Engine Customer Support
Customer support is an important aspect of any hosting service, and WP Engine offers a range of support options. WP Engine provides 24/7 live chat support and ticket-based email support. In addition, WP Engine has a large knowledge base with articles and tutorials to help you troubleshoot common issues.
Note: Phone support is not available for the StartUp plan.
WP Engine Money Back Guarantee
If you do not like the WP Engine hosting service then you can request for refund within 60 days of the hosting purchase. WP Engine will refund the plan fees that you have paid.
Note: WP Engine does not offer any money-back guarantee on a custom plan.
WP Engine Reviews from Trustpilot
WP Engine has got 4.4 star ratings out of 5 stars from a total of 372 reviews on Trustpilot.
You can check and read all WP Engine reviews on Trustpilot from here.
Pros and Cons of WP Engine Hosting
Like other WordPress hosting providers, WP Engine also has some pros and cons.
Let’s check out them,
Pros of WP Engine Hosting:
- Top-notch security: WP Engine offers advanced security features such as malware scanning, automatic updates, and SSL certificates to ensure that your website is protected against cyber threats.
- Exceptional performance: WP Engine is optimized for WordPress and provides caching technology, a content delivery network, and other features that improve website speed and performance.
- Scalability: WP Engine offers a range of plans that can accommodate websites of different sizes, from small blogs to large e-commerce sites.
- Excellent customer support: WP Engine provides 24/7 support through live chat, email, and phone and has a comprehensive knowledge base with helpful resources.
- Hassle-free site management: WP Engine takes care of the technical aspects of hosting, such as backups, updates, and site migrations (with its automated plugin), so you can focus on creating content and growing your website.
Cons of WP Engine Hosting:
- High cost: WP Engine is a premium hosting service and can be more expensive than other hosting options, especially for smaller websites.
- Limited storage: WP Engine places limits on storage and bandwidth usage, which may be a problem for websites with large media files or heavy traffic.
- Lack of flexibility: WP Engine is a managed hosting service, which means that users have limited control over server configurations and customizations.
- Limited plugin options: WP Engine restricts the use of certain plugins to maintain optimal performance, which may limit functionality for some users.
- No email hosting: WP Engine does not offer email hosting, which means that users need to use a separate email service provider.
Overall, WP Engine is an excellent hosting service for those who value security, performance, and support. However, the high cost and limited flexibility may not be suitable for all users, especially those with smaller websites or specific technical requirements.
FAQs on WP Engine
When was WP Engine founded?
WP Engine was founded in 2010 and its headquarter is in Austin, Texas, and it has offices in San Francisco, California; San Antonio, Texas; London, England; Limerick, Ireland, and Brisbane, Australia.
What kind of hosting services does WP Engine offer?
WP Engine offers managed WordPress hosting and eCommerce hosting services.
Is WP Engine good?
WP Engine offers quality, fast, secure, and WordPress-specific hosting services so if you want to start a website on WordPress then WP Engine is good.
What is WP Engine used for?
WP Engine is used to host only WordPress websites. Anyone can choose it to create a WordPress website.
How much does WP Engine cost?
WP Engine pricing starts from $20/mo for a yearly subscription.
Does WP Engine offer a money-back guarantee?
Yes, WP Engine offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on new purchases.
WP Engine Discount Offers
Currently, WP Engine offers 4 months of free hosting on an annual subscription. Click here to get this benefit before it expires. The company also offers huge discount offers during the black friday sale.
What are the best WP Engine alternatives?
The following are the best alternatives for WP Engine hosting,
Conclusion on WP Engine Review
WP Engine is a premium managed WordPress hosting service that offers a wide range of features and top-notch performance. If you are looking for a hosting service that prioritizes security, speed, and reliability, WP Engine is an excellent choice.
However, the pricing may be a bit steep for some users, so it is important to weigh the cost against the benefits before making a decision.
Overall, WP Engine is a top choice for anyone looking for a premium managed WordPress hosting service in 2023.
What do you think about WP Engine hosting? Do you recommend it? Let us know your thoughts on WP Engine services by commenting in below comment section.
Check out other recommended WordPress hosting reviews and WP Engine comparison with other hosting providers,
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WP Engine Review 2023 $20/mo
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Summary
WP Engine is a premium managed WordPress hosting service that offers a wide range of features and top-notch performance. If you are looking for a hosting service that prioritizes security, speed, and reliability, WP Engine is an excellent choice.