When comparing Bluehost vs Kinsta, we find Kinsta to be the better web host overall. Kinsta excels with its cloud-based infrastructure on Google Cloud’s premium tier, its WordPress expertise, and its advanced security features like proactive monitoring and enterprise-level firewalls. Bluehost offers cheaper pricing and more hosting types, but falls short in performance and coverage.
In this article, we compare Bluehost vs Kinsta on the grounds of plans, pricing, features included, and performance. We also compare their data center coverage, software supported, developer tools, customer support, and security features. Finally, we answer the question of “Bluehost vs Kinsta: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Type | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.95/mo – $13.95/mo | Not available |
| VPS Hosting | $46.99/mo – $94.99/mo | Not available |
| WordPress Hosting | $2.95/mo – $13.95/mo | $30/mo – $563/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $29.99/mo – $109.99/mo | Not available |
| Dedicated Hosting | $141.19/mo – $312.19/mo | Not available |
| Reseller Hosting | Not available | Not available |
| Managed Hosting Available | Shared Hosting, Cloud Hosting, WordPress Hosting | WordPress Hosting |
Bluehost offers 5 types of hosting: Shared, VPS, WordPress, Cloud, and Dedicated hosting. Kinsta specializes in Managed WordPress Hosting, but also offers Static Site, Web Application, and Database Hosting. Managed hosting is available in Bluehost’s Shared, Cloud, and WordPress hosting. Their wider range of services appeal to users needing different types of hosting.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.95/mo | $30/mo |
| Renewal Price | $11.99/mo | $30/mo |
| Monthly Payment Option? | Yes | Yes |
Bluehost offers a lower introductory price of $2.95 per month. Kinsta starts at $30 per month. Bluehost’s renewal price jumps to $11.99 per month, which is a 305% price increase upon renewal. Kinsta’s price remains consistent at $30 per month from the start, with no surprise increases. Bluehost is still the more favorable choice for budget-conscious users.
Features Included
| Feature | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | 10 GB SSD storage | 10 GB SSD storage |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | 25,000 visits/mo, $1/GB overage |
| Number of Websites | 10 | 1 |
| Email Hosting | Separate service | No |
| Free Domain | Yes | No |
| AI Website Builder | Yes, Bluehost WordPress Builder | No |
| Unlimited Storage? | No | No |
| Unmetered Bandwidth? | Higher plans | No |
| Additional Features | WonderSuite AI tools, Free Yoast SEO | DevKinsta Local Staging Tool, Kinsta APM |
Bluehost provides unmetered bandwidth for higher plans, supports up to 10 websites, and includes a free domain. Kinsta limits bandwidth by visits. They cap the number of visits at 25,000 per month for its cheapest plan, with a $1/GB overage fee. Kinsta also limits users to managing only one website per plan. Bluehost offers a broader range of features, including an AI website builder, WonderSuite AI tools, and complimentary Yoast SEO. Kinsta provides more inhouse and developer-oriented features and tools like DevKinsta and Kinsta APM.
Performance
| Performance Feature | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Yes, Cloudflare with Argo Routing | Yes, Kinsta CDN |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | SSD |
| Caching | Higher plans | Yes |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 99.9% |
| Additional Performance Features | HTTP/2, NGINX+ Cache | Kinsta CDN and Edge Caching |
Kinsta focuses on deeply optimizing WordPress performance with features like built-in caching and its proprietary Kinsta CDN. Bluehost uses Cloudflare with Argo Routing, but caching is only available on higher-tier plans. Both hosts offer fast SSD servers. Bluehost claims a 100% uptime, while Kinsta offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Kinsta’s inclusion of edge caching, advanced CDN architecture, and performance tools are more advantageous for users who prioritize speed and stability.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarter Location | Florida, United States | Los Angeles, United States |
| Number of Data Centers | 1 | 37 |
| Data Center Locations | USA (Utah) | South Africa (Johannesburg), Taiwan (Changhua County), China (Hong Kong), Japan (Tokyo; Osaka), South Korea (Seoul), India (Mumbai; Delhi), Singapore (Jurong West), Indonesia (Jakarta), Australia (Sydney; Melbourne), Poland (Warsaw), Finland (Hamina), Spain (Madrid), Belgium (St. Ghislain), UK (London), Germany (Frankfurt), Netherlands (Eemshaven), Switzerland (Zurich), Italy (Milan), France (Paris), Saudi Arabia (Dammam), Israel (Tel Aviv), Canada (Montreal; Toronto), Brazil (São Paulo), Chile (Santiago), USA (Council Bluffs, Iowa; Moncks Corner, South Carolina; Ashburn, Virginia; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; The Dalles, Oregon; Los Angeles, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada) |
Kinsta has a massive advantage in data center coverage. They have 37 data centers spread across 6 continents, while Bluehost runs a single data center located in Utah. Kinsta’s global network is better suited for businesses targeting international audiences.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux |
| Control Panel | cPanel | MyKinsta (proprietary) |
Both hosts support Linux and provide 1-click WordPress installations. Bluehost uses the widely known cPanel. Kinsta has its own proprietary control panel, MyKinsta which is fantastically user-friendly. Kinsta’s MyKinsta panel is streamlined for WordPress sites, with more advanced features tailored specifically for WordPress users. Bluehost’s cPanel is useful for those already familiar with the cPanel interface. This includes those who need more than just WordPress hosting.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Yes | Yes, proprietary DevKinsta local staging tool |
| Root Access | Yes for VPS and dedicated hosting | No |
| GIT access | Yes | Yes |
| WP-CLI | Yes | Yes |
| Cron jobs | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple PHP versions | Yes | Yes |
| SSH | Yes | Yes |
| Node.js Support | Yes | Yes |
| Python Support | Yes | Yes |
| Java Support | Yes | Yes |
| Django Support | Yes | Yes |
| Perl Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ruby on Rails Support | Yes | Yes |
| ASP.NET | No | Yes |
Kinsta and Bluehost provide robust developer tools, including GIT, WP-CLI, and SSH. Kinsta’s proprietary DevKinsta staging tool is highly specialized, and provides a local development environment specifically for WordPress. Bluehost offers root access for VPS and dedicated hosting plans, which is not available with Kinsta. Developers requiring access to broader tools choose Bluehost for its flexibility in handling different hosting environments.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, phone support, email | Live chat |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | For WordPress plans only | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Bluehost offers multiple support channels, including live chat, phone, and email. Kinsta limits its support to live chat but maintains the same 24/7 availability. Kinsta’s advantage here is the quality of its support, as you have direct access to very high-level WordPress experts. They also have a fantastic online Knowledgebase. Kinsta provides free website migration for all plans. Bluehost restricts this service to WordPress plans only. Both hosts offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Security Features
| Security Feature | Bluehost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Daily for Choice Plus and above plans | Automatic daily backups |
| DDoS Protection | Yes, in house | Yes, Cloudflare |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | No | Yes |
| Unique Security Features | SiteLock partnership, DDoS and attack defense | Enterprise-level firewall, Cloudflare, Google Cloud |
Both Bluehost and Kinsta offer essential security features, such as free SSL certificates and firewalls. Kinsta provides automatic daily backups for all plans. Bluehost limits this feature to higher-tier plans. Kinsta also offers proactive monitoring, which Bluehost lacks. Kinsta’s use of Cloudflare and enterprise-level firewalls further enhances its security. Bluehost provides a partnership with SiteLock for additional security, but this comes as a paid add-on.
Bluehost vs Kinsta: Which Is Better For You?
Kinsta is the better host. Use Kinsta if you’re hosting a WordPress site and need specialized managed hosting with tools like DevKinsta and the MyKinsta dashboard. Also use Kinsta if you require top-tier security features, including proactive monitoring, automatic daily backups, and built-in Cloudflare DDoS protection. Lastly, use Kinsta if you’re a business website or large blog targeting a global audience, as it offers 37 data centers across six continents.
Use Bluehost if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly hosting option with a variety of hosting types. Also choose Bluehost if you prefer a familiar interface like cPanel and need more flexible developer tools, such as root access on VPS and dedicated plans. Lastly, use Bluehost if you prefer multiple support options, including phone and email.
Explore more web hosting comparisons here.
Who is Bluehost?
Bluehost is a web host founded in 2003 and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It specializes in beginner-friendly hosting with WordPress integration. It offers affordable plans but lacks global data centers and advanced security features. Read our review on Bluehost to learn more.
Who is Kinsta?
Kinsta is a web host founded in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It focuses on premium managed WordPress hosting with global data centers and strong security. Kinsta lacks email hosting but excels in performance and providing expert support. See our Kinsta review for more details.