WP engine is the best solution as a headless WordPress hosting provider during this research we have made. With headless hosting, the WordPress backend is decoupled from the frontend, allowing for greater customization and integration with other systems.
In this article, we'll explore the top headless providers for WordPress hosting and evaluate their performance based on several key factors.
The Top 9 Best Headless WordPress Hosting Providers
1. WP engine
Best Headless WordPress Hosting
- Decoupled architecture
- Scalability
- Fast performance
- Developer-friendly features
- Free
WP Engine is the best headless WordPress hosting solution for businesses seeking flexible, modern websites. They excel in delivering excellent performance and uptime, using advanced technologies like NGINX and PHP 7.4 to provide reliable server response and fast page load times.
Their scalable resources allow businesses to easily adjust their hosting plans as their website grows, with customizable options for dedicated CPUs, memory, and storage.
WP Engine also provides easy integration with third-party applications like AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and GitHub, making it simple for developers to build custom workflows and integrate with existing systems. Their plan for headless WordPress is called Atlas you can start using it for free.
Who should use it
WP Engine is a good option for businesses and enterprise-level websites that require high performance, reliability, and security. It's also a good choice for those who want a fully managed hosting solution, with a strong focus on WordPress development and optimization.
One potential downside to WP Engine is their pricing, which can be higher than some other providers.
2. Strattic
Best for developers
- Static Site Generation
- Automated Security
- Serverless Architecture
- Starting at $166/month
Strattic is a newer player in the headless hosting for WordPress space, but they offer a unique approach that is worth considering. The company is part of Elementor company the famous WordPress page builder.
Strattic is a provider that offers a unique approach to headless hosting for WordPress sites. Their platform takes a static-first approach, which means that instead of generating dynamic content on the server-side, Strattic pre-generates all of the content as static HTML files.
This approach has several advantages. First, it allows Strattic to deliver incredibly fast page load times, as static files can be served from a global content delivery network (CDN) without the need for server-side processing. Second, it provides a high degree of security, as there is no server-side code that can be exploited by hackers. Finally, it makes the site incredibly scalable, as the static files can be served from anywhere in the world with minimal latency.
Strattic also offers a range of other features that make it a compelling option for static WordPress hosting. They provide an intuitive dashboard that makes it easy to manage your site, including features like automatic backups and one-click staging environments. They also offer a built-in WordPress-to-static site converter, which can help you migrate your existing WordPress site to Strattic's platform.
Who should use it
Strattic is a good option for developers who want a simple and secure way to deploy WordPress sites. It's also a good choice for those who want to reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities and improve website speed and performance.
One potential downside to Strattic is that it requires a bit more technical expertise than some other hosting providers. Since the platform generates static files, you'll need to make sure that any dynamic content, such as contact forms or e-commerce functionality, is properly integrated with a third-party service like Formspree or Snipcart.
3. Kinsta
Best medium-sized businesses
- Scalability
- Nginx Servers
- Developer-friendly tools
- Support 24/7
- Starting at $35/month
Kinsta is a managed WordPress hosting provider that also offers headless hosting solutions through DEVKinsta. They are known for their high-performance hosting infrastructure, including their use of the Google Cloud Platform, which ensures lightning-fast page load times and reliable server response.
One of the standout features of Kinsta's headless hosting is their use of the REST API, which provides developers with an easy way to access the content stored in WordPress and build custom front-end applications using modern web technologies like React or Vue.js.
Kinsta's REST API is fully supported and offers a flexible and secure way to access WordPress content.
Kinsta's headless hosting also includes built-in support for popular development workflows, including continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), making it easy for developers to deploy new code changes quickly and efficiently.
In addition to their technical features, Kinsta offers excellent customer support, including a 24/7 support team that can help with any issues or questions that arise.
They also have a user-friendly dashboard that makes it easy to manage your WordPress site, including configuring SSL certificates, setting up backups, and monitoring website traffic.
Who should use it
Kinsta is a good option for small to medium-sized businesses, as well as developers and agencies who need a powerful, scalable, and customizable hosting solution. It's also a good choice for those who want a user-friendly interface and access to a variety of tools and features.
One downside of Kinsta is its pricing. While Kinsta offers a variety of plans to suit different needs, they tend to be more expensive compared to other providers in the market. This may make it less accessible for smaller businesses or those with limited budgets. Additionally, Kinsta charges extra for some features, such as additional backups or a staging environment, which can add up and further increase the cost.
4. Cloudways
Best for agencies
- Multiple Cloud Providers
- Easy API Integration
- Scalability
- Dev-Friendly Features
- Starting at $12/month
Cloudways is a popular managed cloud hosting platform that offers an excellent option for WordPress headless hosting. With a focus on ease of use and scalability, Cloudways provides a comprehensive platform that allows developers to easily build and deploy custom front-end experiences.
One of the key features that makes Cloudways a great option for WordPress headless hosting is its flexibility. The platform supports a wide range of cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, DigitalOcean, and Vultr. This means that developers can choose the cloud provider that best suits their needs, whether that's based on cost, performance, or specific features.
Cloudways also offers a range of powerful features for developers. For example, the platform includes built-in support for Git, allowing developers to easily manage code repositories and collaborate with team members. Additionally, Cloudways provides built-in support for popular development workflows like continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), which can help streamline the development process and improve efficiency.
Another key advantage of Cloudways is its focus on security. The platform includes a range of security features, such as regular security patches, 24/7 server monitoring, and automated backups. This can help give developers peace of mind knowing that their sites are secure and protected from potential threats.
Cloudways also provides excellent performance and uptime, with fast page load times and reliable server response. The platform includes advanced caching technologies like Varnish and Memcached, which can help improve site speed and performance. Additionally, Cloudways offers scalable resources, allowing developers to easily adjust server resources as needed to handle changes in traffic and usage.
Who should use it
Cloudways is a good option for developers and agencies who want a highly customizable and flexible hosting solution. It's also a good choice for those who want to easily manage multiple WordPress sites from a single platform, with a focus on cloud-based technologies.
One downside of Cloudways is that their user interface and dashboard can be overwhelming for some users, particularly those who are new to managing WordPress sites. While the dashboard is powerful and feature-rich, it can take some time to learn how to navigate and use all of the available tools and settings effectively. Additionally, Cloudways' pricing model can be somewhat complex, with different options and add-ons available that can add to the overall cost. This may be a drawback for some users who are looking for a simpler and more straightforward pricing structure.
Read More: Best WordPress Hosting Sites
5. Flywheel
Best for designers
- Easy site management
- Developer-friendly tools
- Fast and reliable hosting
- Headless WordPress support
Flywheel is another managed WordPress hosting provider that offers headless hosting capabilities. They are known for their user-friendly interface and focus on designers and agencies.
One of Flywheel's strengths as a headless hosting provider is their support for the WordPress REST API, which allows developers to easily retrieve content from WordPress and use it in their front-end applications. Flywheel also provides a custom dashboard that makes it easy to manage headless WordPress sites, including the ability to create and manage custom post types.
Flywheel's headless hosting also includes easy integration with popular front-end frameworks like React and Vue.js. Developers can use these frameworks to create custom front-end experiences that are optimized for performance and scalability.
Flywheel offers a range of plans to suit different needs, including a starter plan for small projects and a custom plan for larger enterprises. Their plans come with features like automatic backups, staging environments, and SSL certificates. They also offer a range of integrations with other tools and services, like Google Analytics and Mailchimp.
Who should use it
Flywheel is a good option for designers and agencies who want a user-friendly and easy-to-use hosting solution. It's also a good choice for those who want a fully managed hosting solution with a strong focus on WordPress development and optimization.
One downside of Flywheel is that they have limited storage options compared to other providers. While they offer plenty of bandwidth, the amount of storage you get with their plans may not be enough for larger websites or those with lots of media files. This can be a concern for businesses that need to store large amounts of data, as they may need to pay extra for additional storage or consider a different hosting provider altogether.
Flywheel was also featured as the fastest wordpress hosting provider after our measurements.
6. GridPane
Best for Customizability
- Automated deployment
- Developer tools
- Scalability
- Automatic server backups
- Starting at $500/month
GridPane is self managed hosting platform designed specifically for WordPress. They offer headless hosting solutions that are tailored to meet the needs of developers who require a more advanced infrastructure. Their hosting platform is built on top of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), ensuring high availability, scalability, and security.
One of the standout features of GridPane is their focus on automation. They provide a range of automation tools that help to streamline the deployment and management of WordPress sites. For example, their AutoSSL feature automatically generates SSL certificates for all WordPress sites hosted on their platform, ensuring that websites are secure and protected by default.
GridPane also offers a range of other features that make it an attractive choice for headless WordPress hosting. Their server stack is optimized for performance, with support for the latest versions of PHP, Nginx, and MariaDB. They also provide advanced caching options, including Redis and Memcached, which can help to improve the speed and responsiveness of websites.
Additionally, GridPane offers robust security features, including firewalls, malware scanning, and DDoS protection. They also have an expert support team available 24/7 to help customers with any issues they may encounter.
In terms of pricing, GridPane offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. Their plans start at $30/month and scale up based on the number of websites hosted and the amount of resources required. Overall, GridPane is an excellent choice for developers who require advanced infrastructure and automation tools to build and manage headless WordPress site.
Who should use it
GridPane is a good option for developers who want a highly customizable and flexible hosting solution. It's also a good choice for those who want a user-friendly interface and access to a variety of tools and features.
One downside of GridPane as a provider is that it may not be as user-friendly for beginners compared to other providers. GridPane is designed for developers and advanced users who are comfortable with command-line interfaces and server management. While the platform offers powerful features and granular control over server settings, it may require more technical knowledge to use effectively. This may make it less accessible for users who are new to WordPress or unfamiliar with server management.
7. Liquid Web
Best for performance
- Dedicated resources
- Managed services
- High availability
- Cloudflare integration
- Starting at $25/month
Liquid Web is a managed hosting provider that offers headless hosting solutions. Their cloud-based infrastructure is designed to deliver excellent performance and reliability, with 99.999% uptime guaranteed. They offer a range of plans to fit different needs, from entry-level to enterprise-level solutions.
One of the key features that sets Liquid Web apart is their focus on security. They provide a range of advanced security features, such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, and DDoS protection. They also offer 24/7 security monitoring and support, so you can be confident that your site is protected at all times.
In terms of scalability, Liquid Web's cloud-based infrastructure allows for easy resource scaling, ensuring that your site can handle sudden spikes in traffic without any downtime. They also offer easy integration with popular third-party services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), making it easy to manage your site's infrastructure from a single dashboard.
Liquid Web also offers a range of developer tools to help you build and deploy custom front-end experiences for your headless WordPress site. These tools include SSH access, Git integration, and support for popular development frameworks like Node.js and Ruby on Rails. They also offer automated staging environments and a range of other developer-friendly features that make it easy to build and deploy your site.
Who should use it
LiquidWeb is a good option for businesses and enterprise-level websites that require high performance, reliability, and security. It's also a good choice for those who want a fully managed hosting solution with a strong focus on WordPress development and optimization.
One downside of Liquid Web is that their pricing can be on the higher end compared to some other providers.
8. Pressable
Best for bloggers
- Easy Integration with JAMstack
- Scalable Infrastructure
- Built-in Performance Optimization
- 24/7 Expert Support
- Starting at $19/month
Pressable is a managed WordPress hosting provider that offers headless hosting solutions for businesses looking for a more modern and flexible approach to building their websites. Their platform is built on the popular WordPress CMS and offers a range of features designed to make it easy for developers to build custom front-end experiences using modern web technologies.
One of the key advantages of using Pressable for headless hosting for WordPress is the platform's built-in support for modern development workflows. Pressable offers easy integration with popular CI/CD tools like GitLab and Bitbucket, allowing developers to easily push code changes to their websites and see those changes go live automatically.
Pressable also provides developers with access to a range of powerful APIs, including the WordPress REST API and the Pressable API, which can be used to build custom front-end experiences that integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These APIs provide developers with a structured way to access and retrieve content stored in WordPress, making it easy to build custom front-end experiences that are tailored to the needs of their clients.
Who should use it
Pressable is a good option for small to medium-sized businesses and bloggers who want a simple and affordable hosting solution. It's also a good choice for those who want a fully managed hosting solution with a focus on WordPress development and optimization.
One downside of Pressable is that they don't offer as many customization options as some other providers, which may not be ideal for advanced users who need more control over their hosting environment.
9. Shifter
Best for security
- Serverless architecture
- Static site generator
- Security
- Built-in support for static site generation
- Free
Shifter is a headless hosting provider that offers a unique approach to WordPress hosting. Instead of using traditional servers, Shifter uses serverless technology to host WordPress sites, which provides a high level of scalability and flexibility.
One of the main benefits of using Shifter is its focus on security. Shifter utilizes a container-based architecture, which means that each WordPress site is isolated from other sites on the platform. This helps to prevent cross-site contamination and makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to the site.
Shifter also provides automatic backups and easy restoration options, so you can quickly recover your site in case of a problem. And because Shifter uses serverless technology, you only pay for the resources you use, making it a cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes.
In terms of performance, Shifter offers fast page load times and reliable uptime. It also includes built-in support for modern development workflows, like Git-based deployment and continuous integration.
Who should use it
Shifter is a good option for developers who want a simple and secure way to deploy WordPress sites. It's also a good choice for those who want to reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities and improve website speed and performance, with a focus on serverless technologies.
One downside of Shifter is that their platform is designed specifically for static WordPress sites, so it may not be the best option for sites that require more dynamic content.
What is Headless WordPress Hosting?
Headless WordPress hosting providers utilize a unique approach that separates the front-end and back-end of a WordPress site.
Unlike traditional WordPress sites, which have a monolithic architecture that tightly integrates the front-end and back-end, WordPress headless hosting providers decouple the content management system (CMS) from the front-end presentation layer.
This means that WordPress still manages the content, while the presentation layer is handled by a separate application that is typically built with a modern front-end framework such as React or Vue.js.
This decoupling of the CMS and presentation layer provides several benefits, including greater flexibility and scalability. With headless hosting, developers can build custom front-ends using the latest web technologies without being limited by WordPress themes.
Additionally, above hosting providers often offer built-in support for modern development workflows, such as continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD).
To enable this separation, providers use an API (Application Programming Interface) to expose the content stored in WordPress to the front-end application.
This API allows developers to query and retrieve content from WordPress in a structured way, making it possible to build unique front-end experiences.
Overall, headless WordPress hosting providers offer a modern and flexible approach to building WordPress sites that can help businesses remain competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Headless WordPress Hosting
Performance
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a WordPress headless hosting provider is performance. Your site needs to load quickly and reliably to provide the best user experience. To evaluate performance, we'll look at metrics such as uptime, page load speed, and server response time.
Scalability
Another important factor to consider is scalability. As your site grows, you'll need a hosting solution that can handle increased traffic and resource demands. We'll evaluate each hosting provider based on their ability to scale resources and handle sudden spikes in traffic.
Pricing
Of course, pricing is always a consideration when choosing a hosting provider. We'll evaluate each provider's pricing structure and compare it to their performance and features to determine overall value.
Features
Finally, we'll evaluate each provider's features and capabilities. This includes things like security, backup and restore options, developer tools, and integration with other systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several excellent options for Headless WordPress hosting. WP Engine, Strattic, Kinsta, and Cloudways all offer different strengths and pricing structures. When evaluating providers, consider your site's specific needs and budget, and choose the provider that offers the best performance, scalability, and features for your situation.
As one of the co-founders of Codeless, I bring to the table expertise in developing WordPress and web applications, as well as a track record of effectively managing hosting and servers. My passion for acquiring knowledge and my enthusiasm for constructing and testing novel technologies drive me to constantly innovate and improve.
Expertise:
Web Development,
Web Design,
Linux System Administration,
SEO
Experience:
15 years of experience in Web Development by developing and designing some of the most popular WordPress Themes like Specular, Tower, and Folie.
Education:
I have a degree in Engineering Physics and MSC in Material Science and Opto Electronics.
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