7 Best PHP Hosting Providers 2023

Welcome to our insightful journey into the world of the best PHP hosting providers.

PHP, a revered scripting language, has been the backbone of web development for many years, offering flexibility and power to developers to create dynamic and interactive websites.

And choosing the right PHP hosting provider can make all the difference between a smooth, enjoyable experience and a world of frustrations.

In this resourceful article, we’ve delved deep to bring you top-notch PHP hosting options, ensuring you find a home for your websites that’s secure, reliable and tailored to your specific needs.

We understand that every project is unique, and our curated list reflects various hosting solutions that cater to diverse requirements, budgets, and levels of expertise.

We’re here to help you navigate the various options, highlighting the best PHP hostings that promise optimal performance, top-notch security, and stellar customer support.

This post covers:

Why PHP? The Power and Popularity

Let’s explore the rich tapestry of PHP, a scripting language that has significantly shaped the web development landscape.

PHP has been the silent force powering many websites, enabling them to be dynamic, interactive, and user-friendly.

But what makes PHP stand out? Why is it the choice of developers around the globe?

Join us as we delve into PHP’s history, power, and popularity!

A Glimpse into the History of PHP

PHP, or Hypertext Preprocessor, entered the world of web development in 1994, courtesy of Rasmus Lerdorf.

It started as a small set of Common Gateway Interface binaries written in the C programming language.

Since its inception, PHP has undergone immense evolution, from a simple scripting language for creating dynamic web pages to a robust, fully-featured programming language.

PHP’s journey is marked by continuous improvements, enhancements, and the release of new versions, each bringing forth better functionality, improved performance, and innovative features.

PHP’s Role in Web Development

PHP has been the go-to scripting language for developers due to its flexibility, simplicity, and versatility.

PHP can handle everything efficiently, whether a small-scale blog or a complex eCommerce platform.

Ease of use: PHP’s syntax is logical and well-organized, making it incredibly beginner-friendly. Its gentle learning curve lets newcomers get acquainted and quickly develop web applications.

Dynamic and interactive: PHP’s ability to interact with databases makes it ideal for creating dynamic, interactive websites. It breathes life into static HTML pages, enabling them to respond and adapt to user inputs and actions.

Flexibility and compatibility: PHP is renowned for its compatibility with various platforms and can seamlessly integrate with other technologies. It supports many databases and runs efficiently on different operating systems, making it a versatile choice for developers.

Strong community support: The expansive, active PHP community is one of its greatest assets. Developers worldwide contribute to its growth, create extensive documentation, and offer support, making problem-solving and learning an enriching experience.

PHP’s storied history and pivotal role in web development have cemented its place as a favorite among new and seasoned developers.

Essentials of a Good PHP Hosting Provider

Selecting the right PHP hosting provider is crucial. It’s like finding a cozy, secure, and well-located home for your website!

Here are the essentials that make a PHP hosting provider not just good but great.

Latest PHP Version Support

Having support for the latest PHP version is non-negotiable. It’s akin to having the latest amenities in your home.

The latest versions come with new features and offer enhanced security and better performance.

A top-notch provider should offer ongoing support and updates to ensure your website can utilize the benefits of the newest PHP versions.

Security and Backups

Security is the cornerstone of any reliable hosting provider. Imagine it as the sturdy locks and alarms of your website’s home.

A good PHP hosting provider should implement robust security measures, offer regular backups, and provide swift support to address security concerns, ensuring your digital place is safe from unwanted intruders and mishaps.

Speed and Performance

A well-optimized hosting environment, with high-speed connections and robust hardware, ensures your website loads in the blink of an eye, offering visitors a smooth and enjoyable experience.

In other words, it guarantees your website always functions optimally, retaining visitors and keeping them happy.

Compatibility and Integration

Compatibility is like the friendly neighborhood of your website’s home, where everything you need is within reach.

Your PHP hosting should play well with other technologies and allow seamless integrations.

Whether it’s database types, content management systems, or other software, a flexible hosting environment is vital to building a diverse and multifunctional website.

Top 7 PHP Hosting Providers

1. Bluehost

Welcome to a world where building your own website is a breeze with Bluehost hosting!

This service is your gateway to crafting impressive WordPress websites, offering many features, tools, and guidance.

Whether you are a budding blogger or an aspiring entrepreneur, Bluehost makes the process fun and straightforward.

Shared hosting is your economical ticket to establishing your presence on the Internet, allowing you to start building your dream project without any hassle.

Discover the wonders of Bluehost WonderSuite, where WordPress is simplified for everyone. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to swift, user-friendly site creation, customization, and feature addition.

Every plan is infused with the Wonder theme, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for all.

Whether learning the ropes with WordPress Academy or safeguarding your site with automatic malware scans, Bluehost has your back, providing 24/7 support via chat and phone to make your web creation experience delightful and worry-free.

Features:

• SSL certificate
• Easy onboarding
• WordPress academy
• Automatic WordPress installation
• Automatic malware scans
• Cloudflare CDN
• Daily backups

Price:

• Basic ($2.95/mo): 1 website, 10 GB SSD storage, custom WP themes
• Choice Plus ($5.45/mo): 3 websites, 40 GB SSD storage, free CDN, free SSL
• Online Store ($9.95/mo): 3 websites, 40 GB SSD storage, free CDN, free SSL
• Pro ($13.95/mo): 5 websites, 100 GB SSD storage, free CDN, free SSL

Get Bluehost

2. Hostgator

HostGator believes in providing top-notch PHP hosting that’s as robust as it is user-friendly. Their shared hosting solutions are ideal for everyone, from a newbie to a web pro.

They ensure you get fast storage, unmetered bandwidth, and unbeatable hosting to meet your needs. Hostgator’s been in the game since the Jurassic (2002, to be exact) and has successfully hosted 2+ million sites!

The extensive range of features, including one-click installs, SSL certificates, and domain registration, are all designed to make your life easier. Plus, you also get a free domain for the first year (have you seen our domain name statistics?).

Whether you are working late or during the day, the support is available 24/7/365 to help you via various channels (phone, chat, Twitter, etc.).

HostGator understands the importance of scalability, so their innovative hosting tools are built to grow as you do, offering a fantastic scalable solution.

If you’re unsatisfied, enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee on hosting fees.

From professional emails to SEO tools, HostGator ensures you have all the productivity tools you need to connect, organize, and get things done, so you can focus on what matters most – building and managing your site!

Features:

• Includes email
• Unmetered bandwidth
• Free domain
• SSL certificate
• One-click installs
• Supports latest PHP
• Multi-channel support

Price:

• Hatchling Plan ($3.75/mo): 1 website, 10 GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth
• Baby Plan ($4.50/mo): 2 websites, 20 GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth
• Business Plan ($6.25/mo): 3 websites, 40 GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth

Get Hostgator

3. Cloudways

Cloudways offers exceptional PHP hosting solutions that deliver performance, speed, and top-tier security.

With Cloudways, say goodbye to hosting complexities; enjoy managed tech stacks, cloud flexibility, and 24/7 expert support to drive higher revenues.

Cloudways prioritizes simplicity, ensuring that every operation on the platform is quick and hassle-free.

This approach lets you concentrate on development, avoid lengthy manual installation processes, and deliver seamless project management with 1-Click PHP web hosting. Users can instantly launch major apps and CMS to cater to diverse project needs.

Cloudways PHP hosting stands out with its features, including SSD-based hosting for complete control and fast global response times, built-in advanced cache technologies, and support for multiple PHP versions, allowing testing and switching versions based on compatibility.

With features like auto-healing servers, IP whitelisting, automated backups, and two-factor authentication, Cloudways ensures your servers’ optimal performance and security.

Cloudways also supports seamless vertical scaling and offers unlimited PHP workers to ensure quick data handling and unmatched performance.

Features:

• Free SSL
• Free migration
• Unlimited application installation
• Automated backups
• Staging environment
• Auto healing
• Cloudflare add-on

Price:

• Plan 1 ($14/mo): 1 GB RAM, 1 core processor, 25 GB storage, 1 TB bandwidth
• Plan 2 ($28/mo): 2 GB RAM, 1 core processor, 50 GB storage, 2 TB bandwidth
• Plan 3 ($54/mo): 4 GB RAM, 2 core processor, 80 GB storage, 4 TB bandwidth
• Plan 4 ($99/mo): 8 GB RAM, 4 core processor, 160 GB storage, 5 TB bandwidth

Get Cloudways

4. InMotion

InMotion Hosting offers top-notch PHP hosting tailored for blazing-fast PHP applications, perfect for new and professional users.

Their hosting plans, equipped with NVMe Solid State Drives, deliver content swiftly when your audience demands it, ensuring optimal user experiences.

The tuned Opcache, more PHP workers, and high max mem give an edge to PHP hosting, satisfying every PHP application’s needs.

For those who love variety, there’s a palette of databases to choose from, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB, along with one-click installs of over 400 applications like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.

Customer satisfaction is InMotion’s priority, offering a 90-day full money-back guarantee for long-term plans and professional, award-winning 24/7/365 U.S.-based support via chat, email, and phone.

Security is top-tier, with free SSL and premium malware and hack protection, ensuring your sites are secure. And managing multiple PHP websites is a breeze with their user-friendly cPanel.

Whether you are a developer or building the site yourself, InMotion provides access to all the necessary tools you need to manage your website effortlessly, making it a reliable choice for PHP hosting.

Note: We go even more into detail in our InMotion Hosting review.

Features:

• Free SSL
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Malware protection and DDoS protection
• Scaleable resources
• SSH command line access
• Easy management in cPanel
• Email hosting

Price:

• Core ($2.29/mo): 2 websites, 100 GB SSD storage, 2x speed and performance
• Launch ($4.99/mo): 25 websites, Unlimited NVMe SSD storage, 6x UltraStack speed and performance
• Power ($4.99/mo): Unlimited websites, Unlimited NVMe SSD storage, 12x UltraStack speed and performance
• Pro ($12.99/mo): Unlimited websites, Unlimited NVMe SSD storage, 20x UltraStack speed and performance

Get InMotion

5. DreamHost

DreamHost is a spectacular choice for PHP hosting, renowned for being an extremely user-friendly platform designed for everyone, from newbies to experts.

Offering shared hosting plans, it’s an ideal solution whether you’re establishing an e-shop, launching a business website, or starting a blog.

Their plans come with professional, customizable themes and essential plugins to enhance your site’s functionality. With over 1.5 million websites choosing DreamHost, users gain access to unlimited storage, easy account administration, and a user-friendly interface, helping to launch your site professionally and efficiently.

A 97-day money-back guarantee ensures your venture is zero risk, allowing you to explore their services confidently.

Not only does DreamHost provide every feature your site could ever ask for, but it also guarantees extreme speed, reliability, and 100% uptime.

Instant WordPress setups, daily automated backups, and optimized servers ensure your site’s smooth operation. A free domain registration, professional email addresses, privacy protection, and SSL security are integrated for no extra charge.

Being employee-owned, they’re dedicated to supporting your unique needs and ensuring everyone can find success online.

Features:

• Free domain and SSL
• Unlimited traffic
• Free WP migrations
• SSD storage
• WP website builder
• Automated daily backups
• Live chat and phone support

Price:

• Shared Starter ($4.95/mo): 1 website, unmetered monthly visits, unmetered bandwidth
• Shared Unlimited ($8.95/mo): Unlimited websites, unmetered monthly visits, unmetered bandwidth

Get DreamHost

6. SiteGround

Discover the seamless experience of PHP hosting with SiteGround, designed to usher you into a realm of reliability and superior performance.

SiteGround offers a complete hosting solution, making it a breeze to enter the online world with your choice of WordPress or Weebly as your site builder.

Whether launching an online shop or managing multiple PHP-MySQL-based CMS and CRM apps, SiteGround ensures optimal performance.

Enjoy the luxury of free installations of popular applications, free SSL, daily backups, and the assurance of top-notch security at both server and application levels.

SiteGround prides itself on its customer-centric approach, offering round-the-clock support from a proficient and friendly team known for their speed and eagerness to help.

The hosting is layered on Google Cloud infrastructure, promising ultra-fast sites and multiple custom speed optimizations.

Whether you’re a developer seeking easy Git integration and advanced priority support or an entrepreneur eyeing easy and intuitive site management, SiteGround’s PHP hosting is built to cater to all your needs.

Discover more goodies and insights by skimming through our extensive SiteGround web hosting review.

Features:

• Unmetered traffic
• Free CDN
• Free SSL
• Free email
• Daily backups
• Out-of-the-box caching
• Custom PHP setup

Price:

• StartUp ($2.99/mo): 1 website, 10 GB storage, 10,000 monthly visits
• GrowBig ($4.99/mo): Unlimited websites, 20 GB storage, 100,000 monthly visits
• GoGeek ($7.99/mo): Unlimited websites, 40 GB storage, 400,000 monthly visits

Get SiteGround

7. Kinsta

Kinsta offers top-notch PHP hosting, ensuring your site can handle simultaneous requests efficiently.

Starting with six or more PHP workers, generally available only on higher-tier plans, Kinsta prioritizes providing premium infrastructure.

Your site will be hosted on Google Cloud Platform’s high-end CPU machines on the premium tier network, availing 35+ data centers and 260+ CDN locations to deliver the fastest possible speeds to your visitors.

Rest easy knowing Kinsta upholds a 99.9% uptime SLA and monitors your site every 2 minutes, totaling 720 times per day.

Designed for growth, Kinsta runs on isolated containers where every site enjoys its own resources, ensuring optimal performance even during traffic spikes.

The migration to Kinsta is a breeze as their dedicated team handles the entire process, minimizing service interruption.

With Kinsta, experience peace of mind thanks to the enterprise-class security, 24/7/365 expert-only support, and efficient development environment setup.

Plus, make the most of Kinsta’s Edge Caching and free Application Performance Monitoring tool for an enhanced, user-friendly experience.

Finally, don’t miss our Kinsta hosting review.

Features:

• Isolated container for handling traffic spikes
• 35+ data centers and 260+ CDN locations
• Staging environment setup
• Automatic daily backups
• Auto-renewing SSL
• Self-healing database technology
• Application performance monitoring

Price:

• Starter ($35/mo): 1 WordPress install, 25,000 visits, 10 GB SSD storage
• Pro ($70/mo): 2 WordPress installs, 50,000 visits, 20 GB SSD storage
• Business 1 ($115/mo): 5 WordPress installs, 100,000 visits, 30 GB SSD storage
• Business 2 ($225/mo): 10 WordPress installs, 250,000 visits, 40 GB SSD storage
• Business 3 ($340/mo): 20 WordPress installs, 400,000 visits, 50 GB SSD storage
• Business 4 ($450/mo): 40 WordPress installs, 600,000 visits, 60 GB SSD storage

Get Kinsta

Comparing The Best PHP Hosting Providers

HostingFree domainFree SSLFree migrationCDNEmail hostingPrice rangeBluehostYesYesYesYesYes$2.95-$13.95HostgatorYesYesYes (limited)Yes (limited)Yes$3.75-$6.25CloudwaysNoYesYesYesNo$14-$99InMotionYesYesYesYesYes$2.29-$12.99DreamHostYesYesYesNoYes (limited)$4.95-$8.95SiteGroundNoYesYesYesYes$2.99-$7.99KinstaNoYesYesYesNo$35-$450

Benefits of Choosing a PHP-specific Hosting

PHP-specific hosting can be your trusted companion, ensuring your web projects shine bright and run smoothly.

1. Optimized Performance:

Imagine a tailor-made suit fitting you perfectly – this is what PHP-specific hosting does for your websites.

It’s meticulously optimized to ensure that PHP-based websites run swiftly and efficiently, offering visitors a seamless and delightful user experience.

2. Enhanced Security:

Security is paramount, and PHP hosting providers understand this well. They implement stringent security measures, finely tuned to protect PHP environments.

Regular updates, patches, and dedicated support ensure your PHP applications remain secure, shielding them from vulnerabilities and potential threats.

3. Regular Updates & Upgrades:

PHP hosting providers roll out regular updates and support the latest PHP versions, enabling you to leverage the newest features, improvements, and security enhancements, keeping your websites fresh and robust.

4. Seamless Integration & Compatibility:

PHP hosting ensures smooth integrations and compatibility with various databases and web technologies.

It’s like having a universal adapter for your digital needs, allowing your PHP projects to connect effortlessly with diverse tools and services, expanding their functionality and versatility.

5. Dedicated PHP Support:

Having a knowledgeable and friendly support team is like having a tech-savvy friend by your side, ready to help when encountering any roadblocks.

These providers offer expert support, guiding you through challenges and ensuring your PHP projects thrive and flourish.

6. Eco-System and Community:

You become part of a vibrant, like-minded community by opting for PHP-specific hosting.

The ecosystem is rich with PHP enthusiasts, developers, and experts, creating a nurturing environment for learning, sharing, and growing together.

Points to Consider Before Finalizing Your Choice

Let’s explore together a couple of crucial aspects you should consider to ensure that your hosting choice meets your needs, expectations, and dreams.

Pricing vs. Features: Striking the Right Balance

In the hosting world, going for the most economical option is tempting.

However, it’s crucial to balance pricing with the features you’re getting. Think of it as a delightful dish – it might look good on the outside, but does it have the substance and the flavor you crave?

Consider the value you are getting for your investment. Assess the features, reliability, security, and support the hosting provider offers.

Cheap might be easy on the wallet, but if it comes at the cost of poor performance and inadequate support, it might not be worth the savings.

Pro tip: Create a list of must-have features that align with your project’s needs and goals. Use this as a guide to find a provider that offers the best value, balancing cost and features.

Scalability Options: Planning for Growth

Your project, like a tiny seed, has the potential to grow into a flourishing tree.

It’s essential to consider whether your chosen hosting provider can accommodate your project’s growth and evolving needs. Scalability is about having the room and the resources to expand and adapt.

Evaluate whether the hosting provider offers options to upgrade your plan, acquire more resources, or even move to a different hosting type as your traffic and requirements increase.

A hosting environment that grows with you ensures your project’s development is seamless and unhindered.

Pro tip: Look for providers with various hosting plans and flexible upgrade options. This way, you can start with what you need and transition to a more robust solution as your project blossoms.

User Reviews: Listen to the Crowd

User reviews are like the whispers of the winds, revealing the unadorned truth about the experiences, challenges, and satisfactions encountered with the hosting provider.

Dive into forums, review sites, and community discussions to uncover the experiences of other users.

Positive reviews usually indicate reliability and good service, while recurring complaints might be red flags signaling potential issues.

Friendly advice: While user reviews are valuable, remember that each user’s experience is unique. Balance the information from reviews with your research and assessment of the provider’s offerings, ensuring a holistic view of what to expect.

Transitioning Between PHP Hosting Providers: Is it a Hassle?

Transitioning between hosting providers can seem challenging filled with uncertainties and technical intricacies.

However, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Heck, it can be exciting with proper preparation.

1. Planning is Your Best Friend

Before embarking on the transition journey, having a clear, detailed plan is paramount. It’s like having a roadmap for your trip, outlining each step, from backing up your data to configuring the new environment.

A well-thought-out plan minimizes the risk of overlooking crucial details and ensures a smoother transition.

2. Backup

Before making any moves, secure your valuables! Backing up your website data is like packing your belongings safely before moving.

It ensures that your precious digital possessions – files, databases, emails – are preserved and can be easily restored in case of any mishaps during the transition.

3. Seamless Data Transfer

Transferring your data to the new provider is like moving your packed belongings to your new home.

It’s essential to follow the outlined steps meticulously, ensuring that every piece of data is accurately transferred and correctly configured, laying the foundation for a harmonious start in the new environment.

4. Support and Assistance

Having a supportive and responsive hosting provider is like having helpful friends assisting you in moving.

A provider offering guidance and support during the transition can alleviate stress and promptly address concerns or issues, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Remember, some hosting providers do the migration for you – free of charge.

5. Testing and Verification

Once you’ve settled into your new hosting home, it’s crucial to ensure everything is in place and functioning correctly.

Testing your website’s features and verifying the data ensures that the transition is successful and your website is ready for new adventures.

Conclusion: Making the Right Call in PHP Hosting

Choosing the right PHP hosting provider is crucial for the success of your website.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned developer, having a reliable, secure, and high-performance hosting provider can make all the difference.

Our extensive research has brought us seven hosting providers, each best in its unique way, catering to diverse needs and preferences.

All ensure your journey in creating and managing websites is smooth and hassle-free.

Best PHP Hosting Providers Recap:

Bluehost is a user-friendly option with various plans to suit different needs, offering standard security and performance, making it a go-to choice for many beginners and small businesses.

Hostgator delivers reliable, user-friendly hosting solutions, making it a risk-free option for those trying to find the right fit.

Cloudways stands out for its cloud-based infrastructure and optimized speed and security features, ideal for those looking for high scalability and advanced features.

InMotion Hosting offers a diverse range of plans with fast speeds and a generous 90-day money-back guarantee, ensuring satisfaction and reliability.

DreamHost provides robust, reliable hosting with a 100% uptime guarantee and a 97-day money-back guarantee, the longest in the industry, emphasizing its confidence in service quality.

SiteGround blends top-notch security with ultrafast speeds on Google Cloud, and its excellent customer service makes it a preferred choice for those who prioritize support and performance.

Kinsta specializes in premium, high-performance hosting, offering enterprise-class security and innovative features, suitable for those who seek top-tier services and have specific advanced requirements.

Remember, the best hosting provider for you depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget.

Take the time to review each provider’s offerings and choose the one that aligns best with your goals.

FAQs

Why is PHP so widely used in web development?

PHP is widely used in web development primarily because it is an open-source, server-side scripting language that is exceptionally versatile, allowing developers to create dynamic and interactive websites efficiently. Its extensive compatibility with various databases and platforms, rich ecosystem, and strong community support make it a preferred choice for developers aiming to build a wide range of web applications.

Can I switch my non-PHP site to a PHP hosting provider?

Yes, you can switch your non-PHP site to a PHP hosting provider, as most PHP hosting providers support various languages and technologies besides PHP, ensuring that different types of websites can be hosted without any issues. However, confirming the compatibility and support for the specific technologies and databases you use with the prospective PHP hosting provider is crucial before making the switch.

How does PHP hosting differ from regular web hosting?

PHP hosting differs from regular web hosting because it is optimized explicitly for hosting PHP-based websites. It offers an environment tailored to run PHP scripts efficiently, securely, and swiftly. While regular web hosting provides a generalized hosting environment suitable for various programming languages and frameworks, PHP hosting often includes features like the latest PHP versions, PHP-specific support, and enhanced security configurations.

Is PHP hosting more expensive than traditional hosting?

PHP hosting is not necessarily more expensive than traditional hosting; the costs usually depend on the specific hosting provider, the plan selected, and the additional features and resources included. Some PHP hosting plans may even be more cost-effective, especially if they are optimized to offer exactly what a PHP-based website needs, eliminating unnecessary features and overhead.

How often should I update my PHP version?

It’s crucial to update your PHP version regularly, ideally as soon as a new stable release is available, as each update often includes important security patches, performance improvements, and new features. Staying updated helps mitigate vulnerabilities, ensure optimal performance, and take advantage of the latest enhancements and innovations in PHP development.