Now that WordPress.com is offering website plans that include hosting, are they a better option than the other managed WordPress hosting options? In this comparison of WordPress.com vs SiteGround, we take a detailed look at Automattic’s WordPress.com hosting plans against one of the best choices for affordable managed WordPress hosting, SiteGround. Until recently, SiteGround was recommended by WordPress.org. Which one should you choose? Let’s take a look.
Advantages of Choosing WordPress.com over SiteGround:
Advantages of Choosing SiteGround over WordPress.com:
When it comes to the entry-level or basic plans, SiteGround has significantly better features in their StartUp plan. Unlike with WordPress.com, you have full use of plugins with speed and security optimization features.
When you get up to the more advanced level plans, it does get closer as WordPress.com provides global edge caching, website staging, increased security features, and more advanced features via JetPack. However, SiteGround also increasing the amount of premium features with their GrowBig and GoGeek upper-level hosting plans. Here, you also get full website staging, on-demand data backups, and more resources.
Overall, when it comes to features, SiteGround is the winner.
WordPress.com did surprise us with their impressive website speed and performance. In fact, they posted consistently better results than SiteGround in our testing. Page loading, core web vitals were superior along with better site performance and structure. In this category, WordPress.com is the winner. See our sample speed test results via GTmetrix below.
SiteGround has long been one of the most impressive web hosts when it comes to customer support. Their support agents go through rigorous training before they are allowed to assist customers. While in recent years, live chat support times have increased a bit, they still get high marks for assisting their customers.
WordPress.com also provides helpful support, however they provide automated chat and if you need specific assistance, you’ll need to wait for an email response. Therefore in the support category SiteGround is the winner.
Started Business: 2005
BBB Rating: A+
Data Center Location:Data Centers: Global
Price: $4 mo. – $45 mo. (Enterprise Plans also available)
Unlimited Bandwidth: Yes
Unlimited Storage: No
Email: Yes
Host Multiple Domains: No
Hosting Interface: WordPress Dashboard
Server Uptime: 99.999%
Full Refund Period: 14 Days
Dedicated Hosting Available: No
Advantages of Choosing WordPress.com:
Choose WordPress.com if:
Started Business: 2004
BBB Rating: A+
Data Center Location: Chicago IL, Amsterdam NL, Singapore SG, London UK
Price: $2.99 mo. – $7.99 mo.
Unlimited Bandwidth: Yes
Unlimited Storage: No (10GB – 30 GB)
Unlimited Email: Yes
Host Multiple Domains: Yes (except StartUp plan)
Hosting Interface: SiteGround Client Portal
Server Uptime: 99.9%
Full Refund Period: 30 Days
Dedicated Hosting Available: Yes
Advantages of Choosing SiteGround:
Choose SiteGround if:
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SiteGround is better suited for more WordPress hosting situations as they have plans for multiple website hosting, they include premium managed WordPress features, and they provide more responsive customer support.
The one area where WordPress.com is a better choice in our opinion is if you need a WooCommerce website and can afford the Commerce Plan. The specific WooCommerce and online store features included in the plan make it a better fit for eCommerce.
Overall however, in this comparison of WordPress.com vs SiteGround, SiteGround is the winner. See our Review Ratings below.
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