The verdict
Bluehost takes it, 5–2 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, Bluehost takes 5 of 8 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Bluehost if…
- • You want Bluehost's edge on the price on the front page and the uptime promise
Choose WP Engine if…
- • You want WP Engine's edge on how long you can get your money back and how often your site is backed up
Round by round
- Round 1The price on the front pageBluehost winsWP Engine5/10
$35
Startup managed WordPress plan, per month (entry plans start around $30)
- $35, against $3.99
Source: wpengine.com ↗
Bluehost wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 2How long you can get your money backWP Engine winsWP Engine8/10
Not stated
no money-back guarantee found on wpengine.com
- money-back guarantee on Startup, Professional, Growth and Scale
Source: wpengine.com ↗
WP Engine wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 3The uptime promiseBluehost winsWP Engine5/10
99.95%
uptime in the service-level agreement
- 99.95%, against 99.99%
Source: wpengine.com ↗
Bluehost wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 4What customers say on TrustpilotBluehost winsWP Engine5/10
4.3 out of 5
TrustScore from 1,774 reviews on Trustpilot
- 4.3 out of 5, against 4.5 out of 5
Source: trustpilot.com ↗
Bluehost wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 5Who picks up when your site is downTieBluehost7/10
24/7 chat, no phone on Starter
phone support is not included on the Starter plan
Source: bluehost.com ↗
Nothing to separate them here.
- Round 6How many websites you can hostBluehost wins
Bluehost wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 7How often your site is backed upWP Engine wins
WP Engine wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 8How much traffic the plan is sized forBluehost wins
Bluehost wins this round on what the published sources say.
Side by side
- money-back guarantee on Startup, Professional, Growth and Scale
- $3.99, against $1.99
- Pro Email trial only, against 1 free mailbox
- $3.99, against $2.99
- 4.5 out of 5, against 4.9 out of 5
- $35, against $3.99
- 99.95%, against 99.99%
- 4.3 out of 5, against 4.5 out of 5
- 1 site, against 10 websites