Self-hosted or fully managed - which WordPress hosting is right for you? We dig into the pros, cons, and key differences to help you make an informed decision.

1. Self vs Managed WordPress Hosting : An
In-Depth Comparison [2023]
The main difference between Self Hosting and Managed WordPress hosting is that Self hosting
gives you full control and responsibility for your WordPress website’s server and infrastructure,
whereas managed WordPress hosting provides a hands-off approach, letting the host handle
security, updates, and performance optimization.
If you're starting a new WordPress website, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is whether
to go with self-hosted WordPress or use a managed WordPress hosting provider.
This choice affects everything from your monthly hosting bill to the amount of control you have
over your site. It's important to weigh the pros and cons carefully based on your specific needs.
In this guide, we'll dive deep into the self-hosting vs managed WordPress hosting debate and
equip you with everything you need to decide. Buckle up for a bumpy ride down the WordPress
hosting rabbit hole!
Self-Hosted WordPress Explained
Self-hosting means you rent a virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated server, install WordPress
yourself, and manage everything at the system and application level.
With self-hosted WordPress, you take complete ownership over your hosting environment.
Here's a closer look at what's involved :
Hardware Provisioning
The first step is sourcing the actual physical server your site will run on. You can rent a VPS or
dedicated server from providers like :
● DigitalOcean
● Vultr
● Linode
● AWS
● Google Cloud
VPS plans start around $10/month for basic setups. Dedicated servers are more expensive but
give you sole access to the underlying hardware.
Make sure to choose a provider with servers near your audience for fastest performance.
Software Setup & Configuration

2. Once you have your VPS or dedicated box, it's time to set up the software powering your
WordPress site :
● Install a Linux distro like Ubuntu or CentOS
● Configure the LAMP or LEMP stack (Linux, Apache/Nginx, MySQL, PHP)
● Tweak the Apache/Nginx config for optimal WordPress performance
● Secure MySQL, PHP, and other services
● Install caching like Varnish and php-fpm
● Set up a control panel like CPanel for easier management
This process requires deep Linux server and WordPress expertise. But the payoff is getting
everything finely tuned for your particular site's needs.
Ongoing Management
Server setup is just the beginning. With self-hosted infrastructure, you must handle all ongoing
management and maintenance yourself including :
● OS and software updates
● Security patching
● WordPress core, plugin and theme updates
● Backups and disaster recovery
● Monitoring uptime and performance
● Optimizing the stack as needed
● Troubleshooting any issues that arise
The work never stops when you self-host! You must stay vigilant to keep your site running
smoothly.
The Pros of Self-Hosted WordPress
Let's recap the biggest benefits of rolling your own WordPress hosting environment :
● Total control: You make all hosting decisions to perfectly fit your specific needs.
● Flexibility and customization: You can configure server software like PHP, MySQL, Nginx
however you want.
● Cost savings: Once optimized, self-hosted sites can cost less per month than managed
WordPress hosting.
● Performance and scalability: You can fully optimize and tune the server for your
particular site.
● No vendor lock-in: You can easily migrate between different server providers.
When to Consider Self-Hosted WordPress
Self-hosted infrastructure makes the most sense for :
● Developers and engineers with server administration expertise
● Sites that require total control over the stack
● Companies with large budgets for hosting costs
● Complex sites anticipating high traffic and load

3. ● Businesses wanting to scale sites across multiple servers
● Anyone running advanced stack configurations like HHVM or custom LEMP
Potential Downsides of Self-Hosted
Self-hosting isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Here are the biggest challenges to weigh :
● Time investment: Server setup and management is extremely time consuming and
complex.
● Technical skill required: You must have significant sysadmin, DevOps, and WordPress
expertise.
● Maintenance overhead: OS, software, and WordPress updates are a never-ending chore.
● Security liability: You're fully responsible for protecting against threats and
vulnerabilities.
● No support: If (and when) problems occur, you're on your own to fix them.
● Higher learning curve: Be prepared to invest many hours mastering server configuration.
As you can see, self-managed WordPress hosting is definitely not for the faint of heart!
Managed WordPress Hosting Overview
In contrast to the DIY approach of self-hosting, managed WordPress hosting providers take care
of everything related to your infrastructure and server environment.
Companies like WordPress Engine, Kinsta, and Pagely handle all aspects like :
● Server provisioning
● WordPress installation
● Software setup and configuration
● Ongoing maintenance and management
● Updates
● Security
● Backups
● Caching and performance optimization
● 24/7 WordPress technical support
This hands-off approach allows you to focus entirely on your site content and not worry about
hosting headaches.
How Managed WordPress Hosting Works
Let's look at how managed WordPress hosting operates under the hood :
Optimized Infrastructure
Hosts like WordPress Engine build their architecture specifically for WordPress. This includes :
● High-performance server hardware
● CDNs for blazing fast static file delivery
● Multiple app and database server clusters
● Batched updates and maintenance for minimal downtime
● Geographic redundancy to keep sites always online

4. The result is WordPress performance and reliability far exceeding what most self-hosted setups
can achieve.
Hardened Security
Managed hosts implement numerous security enhancements like :
● Automated malware detection and removal
● DDoS protection
● Advanced firewalls and access control lists
● Ongoing vulnerability scanning and patching
● Regular penetration testing
● Forced SSL to encrypt all connections
Your site stays locked down and safe from threats.
Hassle-Free Maintenance
Hosts take complete ownership of mundane but critical tasks like :
● OS and software updates
● Daily offsite cloud backups
● WordPress core and plugin updates
● Content delivery network (CDN) config
● SMTP email delivery management
● Performance monitoring and optimization
You'll never have to worry about this stuff again!
White-Glove Support
Managed WordPress hosting providers staff teams of WordPress experts available 24/7 to help
with :
● Site migrations
● Configuration questions
● Troubleshooting plugin and theme conflicts
● Diagnosing performance problems
● Outages and emergency response
● Any other issues that come up
For those times when you need a lifeline, support is just a phone call or support ticket away.
The Benefits of Managed WordPress Hosting
Let's recap the biggest perks of handing off hosting management :
● No technical skill required: You don't need any sysadmin or DevOps expertise.
● Blazing fast performance: Providers optimize WordPress speed right out of the box.
● Enhanced security: Hardened environments keep your data safe.
● 99.9% or better uptime: Clustering and redundancy eliminate downtime.
● Automatic updates: WordPress and plugins stay up to date automatically.
● Time savings: No need to manage infrastructure yourself.
● 24/7 expert support: Get help anytime you need it.
● Daily backups: Never lose data or worry about disaster recovery.

5. When to Consider Managed WordPress Hosting
Managed WordPress hosting is a perfect fit for :
● Bloggers who want to focus on content instead of backend complexity
● Ecommerce sites and client projects needing rock-solid reliability
● Publishers and media companies with large audiences
● Regulated businesses requiring security and compliance
● Sites where fast performance and SEO are critical
● Anyone looking to offload infrastructure management
Potential Downsides of Managed Hosting
Managed WordPress hosting isn't without some tradeoffs :
● Less control and flexibility: You must accept the provider's system configurations.
● Limited customization: Some hosts restrict plugins or forbid code changes.
● Higher cost: Managed WordPress hosting is more expensive than self-hosting.
● Vendor lock-in: Migrating between managed hosts is harder than switching servers
yourself.
● Overkill for simple sites: Lots of overhead and cost for basic blogs.
Self-Hosted vs. Managed Hosting: Key Differences
Let's recap the core differences between self-hosted and managed WordPress hosting :
Self-Hosted WordPress Managed WordPress Hosting
Skill Level Required High Low
Control Over Stack Total Limited
Performance Optimization DIY Included
Security DIY Built-in and Hardened
Support Level None 24/7 Expert Support
Monthly Cost $$ $$$

6. Ideal for Devs? Yes No
Ideal for Bloggers? No Yes
As you can see, managed WordPress hosting trades control for convenience, while self-hosted
offers flexibility at the cost of complexity. Choose whichever aligns closer with your site goals
and technical abilities.
Hybrid Hosting: Getting the Best of Both Worlds
If you like aspects of both self-hosted and fully managed WordPress hosting, hybrid options try
to give you the best of both worlds.
Platforms like Cloudways, Kinsta MyKinsta, and Pantheon combine easy WordPress setup and
management with more flexibility over your environment.
For example, Cloudways still handles core infrastructure like scaling and security. But you get
more configuration control, choice of server location, and the ability to install whatever software
you need.
Hybrid platforms can be a great middle ground. Evaluate options like :
● Cloudways
● Kinsta MyKinsta
● Pantheon
● Pagely
● WordPress-Engine Genesis
● DreamPress
The downside is hybrid hosts tend to offer less optimization and fewer enterprise features out
of the box compared to true premium managed WordPress hosting.
Migrating Between Environments
One final thing to note - don't get analysis paralysis worrying about picking the "perfect" option
upfront.
If your needs change down the road, you can always migrate from self-hosted WordPress to
managed hosting or vice versa.
Just make sure to choose a platform that provides tools to make the transition as smooth as
possible.
For example, hosts like WordPress Engine offer a migration service to safely transfer your site.
And they provide instructions on exporting your database and files for self-migration.
The takeaway? Don't let hosting decisions delay actually launching your WordPress site! Pick an
environment, get up and running, and optimize later.

7. Which is Right for You?
So which type of WordPress hosting should you choose? Here are some final recommendations
based on common use cases :
For Bloggers
Go with managed WordPress hosting. The last thing you want is dealing with servers and
infrastructure when you should be focused on creating content.
For Developers
Self-hosted is likely the best fit. You'll want access and control to run whatever stack and
configurations you need.
For Ecommerce Sites
Managed hosting is ideal. You'll benefit from optimized performance, tight security, and expert
support for your business.
For Enterprise Companies
Either self-hosted or managed enterprise-grade hosting. For large complex sites, leave it to the
experts.
When In Doubt
You really can't go wrong starting with managed WordPress hosting, even as a developer. Let
the provider handle infrastructure so you can focus on building an awesome site!
Don't Stress, Just Start!
I know that was a boatload of information to process. But don't overthink the self-hosted vs
managed WordPress hosting decision.
The most important thing is to get your site launched and start sharing your passion with the
world! You can always change environments later if you want more control or less complexity.
With the right host and a well-crafted strategy, you can build a WordPress site that achieves all
your goals and visions. So take a deep breath, review the options, and make the best decision
for today.
The perfect WordPress hosting fit for you is just a signup form away. It's time to stop dreaming
and start doing - now get out there and start that site!