- March 31, 2023
- by Zac Geekie
- Web Hosting
- 0 Comments
You are probably here because you are looking to start a new WordPress website and can’t seem to decide on which type of hosting service to use.
If you are still taking your first baby steps as a website owner, you may be wondering: Should I use a simple cPanel web hosting plan or go with one of those fancy managed WordPress hosting services?
Before we get into the details and differences between these two options, let me quickly answer a total newbie question just in case you haven’t figured it out already:
What’s the different between cPanel and WordPress?
cPanel is a commercial web hosting control panel that has a graphical dashboard and various tools used for the management of server files, databases, email, DNS, FTP, SSL, etc.
Many web hosting companies use cPanel since it is easy to use, contains many useful features and tools, and well documented and supported.
WordPress, on the other hand, is a content management system and a website building tool. It is the engine that powers the website and allows its administrator to manage its content and design using a graphical interface.
So, in other words, you use cPanel to access and manage your web hosting service and server data, while WordPress is used to manage the website’s content.
cPanel Hosting vs. Managed WordPress Hosting
cPanel hosting is typically a shared web hosting service that comes with the cPanel control panel. You can use a cPanel hosting plan to host any type of content management system, including WordPress and others.
Managed WordPress hosting is a web hosting service that is specifically built and optimized to work with the WordPress system. This type of hosting usually comes with built-in features that are essential for WP sites.
One of the main differences between cPanel hosting and WordPress hosting is that the latter can provide more server resources leading to higher performance. This does vary from one service to another, and so does the price.
The following table shows a basic comparison between cPanel hosting and managed WordPress hosting. Keep in mind that specifications may vary from one provider to another.
| cPanel Hosting | Managed WordPress Hosting | |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Can host any CMS or custom app | Restricted to WordPress |
| Server resources | More limited | Higher quotas |
| WP installation | Manual or automatic | Automatic |
| Backups | Optional | Included |
| Server caching | Varies | WordPress optimized |
| Security | General settings | WordPress optimized |
| Cost | Generally lower | More expensive |
Conclusion: Which to Choose?
Both cPanel hosting and managed WordPress hosting are commonly used for hosting WP sites. Each option has its own pros and cons.
cPanel hosting is the cheaper option, but it may offer less server resources and lower performance.
Managed WordPress hosting comes optimized for better performance and security, but it has a higher price tag.
If you are looking to host a small business website and would rather spend as little time and effort as possible dealing with technical issues, managed WordPress hosting would be the better choice for you.
However, if you don’t mind learning and doing things on your own, or if your budget is a little tight, a generic cPanel hosting plan could be a more suitable option for you.
