Bluehost vs WP Engine: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right web hosting tool for your needs.

Our Pick: WP Engine (by a slight margin)

WP Engine edges out with a slightly higher rating (8 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
B
Bluehost
W
WP Engine(Winner)
Overall Rating
7.5/10
8/10
Starting Price
$2.95/mo
$20/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
large
Ease of Use
9/10
8/10
Features
7/10
9/10
Value for Money
7/10
6/10
Support
7/10
9/10

Overview

B

Bluehost

Bluehost is officially recommended by WordPress.org, offering reliable hosting with WordPress-specific features. Part of the EIG family of hosting companies.

W

WP Engine

WP Engine is the premium managed WordPress hosting provider, offering enterprise-grade performance, security, and support. Used by major brands worldwide.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Bluehost
B

Bluehost

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$2.95/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
W

WP Engine

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$20/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Bluehost
FeatureBluehostWP Engine
Shared Hosting
Vps Hosting
Cloud Hosting
Managed Word Press
Free S S L
Free Domain
Cdn Included
Paid add-on
Daily Backups
Paid add-on
Staging Environment
Higher tiers
Uptime Guarantee
99.9%
99.99%

3

features unique to Bluehost

1

features unique to WP Engine

Pros & Cons

B

Bluehost

Pros

  • WordPress.org recommended
  • Easy WordPress installation
  • Free domain for first year
  • 24/7 phone and chat support
  • Good for beginners

Cons

  • Higher renewal prices
  • Slower than premium hosts
  • Upselling during checkout
  • Basic plans are limited
W

WP Engine

Pros

  • Premium WordPress performance
  • Excellent security features
  • Free Genesis themes and StudioPress
  • Great staging and dev tools
  • Enterprise-grade infrastructure

Cons

  • Expensive for small sites
  • WordPress only
  • Visitor-based pricing
  • Some plugins restricted

The Verdict: WP Engine Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but WP Engine edges out Bluehost with a slightly higher overall rating of 8/10 versus 7.5/10. Both are solid choices, but WP Engine offers a marginally better overall package.

WP Engine's advantages include Premium WordPress performance and Excellent security features, though Bluehost counters with WordPress.org recommended and Easy WordPress installation.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to WP Engine, but don't count out Bluehost if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose Bluehost if you...

  • • Need wordpress beginners
  • • Need small business websites
  • • Need personal blogs

Choose WP Engine if you...

  • • Need business-critical wordpress sites
  • • Need agencies managing client sites
  • • Need high-traffic blogs and stores

Ready to Get Started?

Try BluehostTry WP Engine

Read our full reviews:

Bluehost Full ReviewWP Engine Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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Bluehost vs WP Engine FAQ

Based on our evaluation, WP Engine has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, Bluehost is more affordable with plans starting at $2.95/month, compared to $20/month for the other.
Bluehost scores higher in ease of use (9/10) compared to WP Engine (8/10).
Yes, migration between Bluehost and WP Engine is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, Bluehost is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Both tools require paid plans, so factor pricing into your runway calculations.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Bluehost excels at: WordPress beginners, Small business websites. WP Engine is better for: Business-critical WordPress sites, Agencies managing client sites. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
WP Engine rates higher in customer support (9/10) compared to Bluehost (7/10).
Bluehost offers better value for money with a rating of 7/10 compared to WP Engine's 6/10.
Consider switching if WP Engine's strengths (Business-critical WordPress sites) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.