Performance ~20%
Plan resources, architecture (shared vs managed cloud), and realistic expectations for the tier. Not a fabricated TTFB chart we did not run.
In one paragraph
- Five factors → category scores (~1–10) → overall editorial score.
- We emphasize pricing honesty (intro vs renew) and refuse fake uptime %.
- Affiliate commissions do not buy rank or Editor’s Choice.
Criteria definitions
What each factor means in practice on GetBestHost.
Features ~20%
WordPress tooling, staging, backups, SSL, scaling options, CDN/caching, and panel quality relative to the price tier.
Ease ~20%
Onboarding friction, documentation clarity, and how approachable the product is for non-experts. Cloud platforms score lower here by design when they demand more technical comfort.
Support ~20%
Reputation for helpfulness and available channels, based on publicly discussed patterns — not invented testimonials or fake chat transcripts.
Pricing honesty ~20%
Clarity of intro vs renewal, transparency at checkout, upsell pressure, and value for the feature set over a 24-month horizon.
Overall score
Category scores roll into an editorial overall (displayed out of 10). Editor’s Choice (gold) is reserved for the top overall pick in a given update cycle.
How scores become rankings
Each host gets five category scores. We average them into an overall editorial score (rounded for display). Rank tables on the homepage sort by overall score, while fit badges (Best for beginners, Best for support, etc.) can highlight a specialist even when another host leads overall.
Example: Bluehost can wear “Best for beginners” while Hostinger leads overall value. SiteGround can lead support while ranking behind Hostinger overall because renewals hurt its pricing factor.
What we refuse to fake
- Uptime percentages we did not measure in a controlled lab
- TTFB / load-test charts presented as proprietary science without a real harness
- Customer quotes we did not collect
- “Unlimited everything” claims without noting fair-use reality
Pricing language rules
Intro and renewal figures are approximate planning numbers. Hosts change promos constantly. Every review includes an intro-vs-renew table and a checkout warning. Verify on the provider site before you purchase.
Affiliate relationship
GetBestHost may earn commissions from partner Visit links (/go/{slug}). Commissions do not buy a higher rank. Editor’s Choice is editorial only. Contact hello@getbesthost.com with corrections.
Update cadence
Rankings on this site are dated October 2026. We revise when major plan or pricing structures change, or when a host’s product posture shifts enough to move a fit label.