The wildly popular WordPress content management system (CMS) is a great option for a membership site, primarily due its library of thousands of plugins and add-ons — many of which are built specifically with members-only websites in mind. Tools such as MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro and WooCommerce Memberships (if you’re already using the free WooCommerce app) can turn any standard website into a fully-fledged membership site (complete with exclusive, members-only content) in minutes — usually with a little customization, of course. 

But before you can think about which of the myriad WordPress tools and plugins to use to ‘power up’ your membership website, you need to think about a more fundamental concern: your hosting options. Hosting isn’t merely an afterthought; it should be given careful consideration, as the strength of a hosting infrastructure could make or break a membership site. You need to think about your budgets, of course, but also factors such as performance and security — all of which are closely linked to your hosting provider. The quality of your provider is also linked with the quality of your WordPress hosting plan and thus, your website.

So, what are the best options for hosting a membership site on WordPress? In this article, we’ll review the 10 best WordPress hosting providers for members-only sites, whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to replatform your existing site.

1. Cloudways

We’ve already featured it as one of our top managed cloud hosting providers, and for good reason: WordPress hosting by Cloudways is one of the fastest managed WordPress hosting solutions around. Using Cloudways to host your membership site, you can choose from one of five leading cloud hosting providers (including Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud), while you’ll also have access to a built-in CDN (through an integration with Cloudflare). What’s more, Cloudways’ servers support all PHP apps, and there are multiple security features including an SSL certificate, a web application firewall (WAF), and DDoS and bot protection.

Key features of Cloudways:
  • Automated WordPress migrations
  • Cloudflare Enterprise CDN add-on
  • Free WordPress cache plugin
  • Auto-healing cloud servers
  • 24/7 real-time monitoring
  • Regular security patching
  • 24/7/365 live chat and ticketing system

2. Bluehost

Bluehost WordPress hosting is one of the more flexible (and affordable) options for hosting your membership site: whether you’re just starting out, you’re a small but growing business, or you’re a large enterprise that already has a high-traffic website, there’s bound to be a plan that’s tailored to your business needs. To benefit from optimal speed and performance you’ll need to be on the PRO plan, but you still get a decent bang for your buck on the cheaper BASIC and PLUS packages, including a free domain for the first year and unmetered bandwidth. Bluehost is ideal for ecommerce store owners looking to introduce a members-only site.

Key features of Bluehost:
  • Automatic WordPress installation
  • Free domain name for a year
  • Free CDN
  • Free SSL certificate
  • Automatic WordPress updates
  • 24/7 customer support

3. Kinsta

Powered by Google Cloud Platform, Kinsta’s WordPress hosting promises “industry-leading speed by the fastest CPUs”. In fact, Kinsta claims that some of their clients have seen performance improvements of up to 200% after switching to their hosting platform. With a built-in CDN and a choice of 35 worldwide data centers, Kinsta is perfect for your membership site if your priority is speed. But that’s not all, as it also comes with custom-designed application performance monitoring tools, enterprise-level security features, and 24/7 support from genuine WordPress specialists. It’s not cheap, but you do get 2 months free if paid annually!

Key features of Kinsta:
  • Free unlimited migrations from any host
  • Free SSL, CDN and staging site
  • Enterprise-grade firewall and DDoS protection
  • Powered by Google C2 machines
  • Custom MyKinsta dashboard to track usage and site metrics
  • 24/7 support from WordPress experts

4. DreamHost

Officially recommended by WordPress.org, WordPress hosting from DreamHost has a Basic plan for brand new membership sites, a managed WordPress package (called ‘DreamPress’) for larger sites, and a VPS hosting option for clients running up to 5 WordPress sites. Since their products are designed specifically with WordPress in mind, DreamHost seamlessly integrates with WordPress and provides optimum performance in the process. With a 100% uptime guarantee, an advanced yet easy to use panel, and 24/7, 100% in-house support from a dedicated WordPress team, it’s a great solution for new or existing membership sites built on WordPress. 

Key features of DreamHost:
  • 1-click WordPress installation
  • Free domain name
  • Automatic WordPress updates
  • Free privacy protection
  • Free SSL and email hosting
  • Automated backups
  • 24/7 US-based support

5. InMotion

When it comes to choice, InMotion WordPress hosting is probably one of the best options for hosting your membership site. With a number of available plans ranging from the affordable WP Core option (perfect for smaller sites with modest monthly traffic) through to the more advanced VPS hosting package (which includes dedicated resources and unlimited PHP workers), you’ll definitely find a solution that matches your site’s ambitions. If you’re building a brand new membership site from scratch, InMotion even includes an optional drag-and-drop page builder with over 200 templates. No coding knowledge required!

Key features of InMotion:
  • Free WordPress migration tools
  • Free WordPress themes
  • Advanced caching
  • Automatic backups
  • Unlimited professional email
  • 24/7/365 customer support from WordPress hosting experts
  • Industry-leading 90-day money back guarantee

6. WP Engine

The ‘WP’ in the name is a not-so-subtle clue that the WP Engine hosting platform is built specifically and exclusively for WordPress sites, making it an attractive option for membership sites using WordPress as their CMS. As a fully managed hosting solution, WP Engine boasts some of the best, most in-depth support available; from the pre-launch phase to go-live and beyond, they’ve got your back. But WP Engine is also one of the fastest WordPress hosting platforms out there, with a powerful and scalable network making it great for rapidly-growing membership businesses. In their own words, WP Engine “allows you to build, test, and deploy faster”.

Key features of WP Engine:
  • Free automated migration plugin
  • Daily and on-demand backups
  • Free SSL and SSH
  • 1-click staging environment
  • Page performance monitoring
  • 10 free premium themes
  • 24/7 live chat and phone support

7. HostGator

Key features of WP Engine:

Known primarily for its simplicity, WordPress hosting with HostGator is “awesomely easy” (their words) as well as speedy and secure. With WordPress pre-installed there’s no fiddly migration process, while the simplified control panel allows you to set up automatic backups, access 1-click restores and more, with minimal hassle. HostGator isn’t short on security features, however, with its SiteLock Fix tool protecting your site from malware, and CodeGuard facilitating daily automatic backups. With over 2 million websites already hosted by HostGator, it’s a powerful yet surprisingly affordable WordPress hosting solution. 

  • Free WordPress installation
  • Free domain and email
  • Free SSL certificate
  • Automatic malware removal
  • Automated daily backups
  • 24/7/365 WordPress support

8. SiteGround

Another hosting solution that’s officially endorsed by WordPress.org, SiteGround WordPress hosting is trusted by the owners of over 2.8 million domains. Offering full-service WordPress hosting for any type of site, it’s especially great if you’re just launching your first membership website: the WordPress Starter tool comes with WordPress automatically installed on your account, along with any plugins of your choice. If your site is already up and running, the SiteGround Migrator plugin will help you transfer your site quickly and without hassle. With automatic security updates and optimal performance thanks to the built-in SiteGround Optimizer, it’s an impressive WordPress hosting solution given its affordability. 

Key features of SiteGround:
  • Free WordPress installation
  • Automatic WordPress updates
  • Free SSL certificate
  • Free CDN
  • Automatic daily backups
  • Free staging environment
  • 24/7 support with 98% satisfaction

9. Flywheel

Trusted by agencies and creative brands such as Expedia and Lessonly, Flywheel’s hosting solution for WordPress is mainly targeted at agencies, but nonetheless it’s still a suitable option for users running membership sites — particularly if they’re running multiple sites and want to host them all in one place. With a powerful suite of WordPress-specific tools, Flywheel even provides free demo sites so you can test whether or not managed WordPress hosting is a good fit. In addition to 3 ready-made hosting plans, Flywheel offers custom-built packages that allow you to add or remove features depending on your site’s needs.

Key features of Flywheel:
  • Free WordPress migration
  • Free staging environment
  • Free CDN
  • Auto-healing technology to provide instant fixes
  • Automatic nightly backups
  • 24/7 expert support 

10. Hostinger

Hostinger’s WordPress hosting packages are certainly affordable, but it offers a combination of great performance, ease of use, and top-notch support despite the low cost of even its more premium plans. Its LiteSpeed WordPress servers ensure speedy loading times, while there’s also a 1-click WordPress installation tool, automatic updates, pre-installed performance plugins, in-built marketing tools, and a user-friendly control panel — all of which are aimed at simplifying WordPress hosting for its users. With expert support and robust security to boot, it’s a comprehensive yet affordable solution for hosting a membership site.

Key features of Hostinger:
  • 1-click WordPress installation
  • LiteSpeed WordPress module
  • PHP version control
  • Automated backups
  • WordPress staging tool
  • Free SSL certificate
  • 24/7/365 customer support