· Hosting Mastery Hub · WordPress · 1 min read
Managed WordPress Hosting vs Shared Hosting: What Is the Difference?
Managed WordPress hosting and regular shared hosting explained in plain English, and how to decide which one your site needs.
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Both options can run a WordPress site. The difference is how much the host does for you.
Shared hosting
Your site shares a server with many other sites. It is the cheapest way to get online and works well for new blogs and small sites with modest traffic. You are responsible for updates, caching plugins and security settings.
Managed WordPress hosting
The host tunes its servers specifically for WordPress and takes care of much of the maintenance: automatic updates, built-in caching, daily backups, malware scanning and expert WordPress support. It costs more, but saves time.
Which should you choose?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Are starting your first blog on a budget | Shared hosting |
| Run a business site that must stay fast | Managed WordPress |
| Don’t want to deal with updates/backups | Managed WordPress |
| Want the lowest possible monthly cost | Shared hosting |
You can always start on shared hosting and move to managed WordPress hosting later as your site grows.