Choosing a web host can be frustrating. Everyone promises fast servers, reliable uptime, and great support, but those claims start to blur together. To compare your options effectively, it helps to cut through the marketing and focus on what you actually get for your money.
GreenGeeks has been operating since 2008 and now manages over 600,000 websites for 55,000 customers worldwide. Our hosting plans offer a lot at price points hard to beat, especially given the technical features included. We combine high-performance hardware with environmental responsibility without charging extra for our commitment to sustainability. Here’s what you can expect when you sign up with us.
The Server Technology Behind the Scenes
The hardware running your website can make a real difference in performance. Here’s how we approach it:
- We store website files and databases on solid-state drives (SSD) in RAID-10 arrays.
- This setup leads to page-serving speeds significantly faster than traditional storage options.
- Internal testing showed page load improvements of 50% to 100% compared to previous SATA setups.
We focus on speed and reliability so your site delivers a better user experience.
All our servers use Intel Xeon processors and have at least 128GB of ECC-registered memory. This applies to every plan, so even entry-level customers have access to top-tier hardware. Your website performance depends more on how you build your site than which plan you’re on.
- All our data centers use BGP4 gigabit connectivity and RAID-10 SSD storage arrays.
- We have climate control, fire suppression, water detection, and backup generators to protect hardware.
- Our on-site staff, including technicians, engineers, and the security team, is available 24/7 at each location.
LiteSpeed Web Servers on Every Plan
Every shared hosting account with us, including our $1.95-per-month Lite plan, runs on LiteSpeed web servers. LiteSpeed delivers better performance than traditional Apache servers, especially for dynamic content such as WordPress sites.
Install WordPress on your account, and our system automatically includes the LiteSpeed Cache plugin. Here’s what it does:
- Stores frequently accessed data, so pages load faster
- Uses high-speed RAM to keep ready-to-serve HTML files
- Delivers cached pages instantly, reducing load on the server
This setup helps your site run faster, especially during busy periods.
Independent testing found our average load time was 1.29 seconds. Other results showed First Contentful Paint at 0.6 seconds and Largest Contentful Paint at 0.8 seconds. Test sites earned an A+ for global speed, with response times around 23 milliseconds from the East Coast.
For WordPress and WooCommerce sites, the LiteSpeed Cache plugin supports multi-site installations and integrates with popular plugins like Yoast SEO. Sites using this setup can perform up to four times faster than those on standard server setups, according to internal and third-party tests.
Database Technology That Keeps Pace
The database server is often the bottleneck for dynamic websites. Every time a visitor loads a page on a WordPress site, the server queries the database to pull content, settings, and user information. We run MariaDB databases that are continuously upgraded to improve performance.
MariaDB 10.5 introduces improvements, including the ColumnStore storage engine and enhanced InnoDB performance.
- You can host unlimited databases on any shared hosting plan.
- No caps on MySQL databases, so you can run as many sites or applications as you need.
With LiteSpeed web servers and MariaDB databases, properly configured sites often load in under 600 milliseconds, according to independent reviews. Testers reported responsive performance throughout their experience.
Global Data Center Coverage
Our data centers are located in Chicago, Montreal, Amsterdam, and Singapore. When you create your hosting account, you can choose where to host your website.
- Our Singapore data center provides faster response times for the Asia-Pacific region.
- This global spread lets you place your site closer to your audience.
Each of our facilities follows the same staffing, security, and redundancy standards. No matter which location you choose, you get the same infrastructure and monitoring.
- Proximity to a data center leads to faster local page load times for your visitors.
- Page speed can also positively affect search engine rankings.
The Content Delivery Network Advantage
Even with a well-placed server, visitors far from your data center still need pages delivered quickly. GreenGeeks includes a free CloudFlare-powered CDN with all hosting plans. The CDN caches your content on servers distributed worldwide and serves pages from the location closest to each visitor.
This setup reduces latency for international visitors. Someone in Tokyo accessing a site hosted in Chicago receives a cached version from a server closer to them rather than waiting for a round-trip to the United States.
The platform also supports HTTP/3, the latest network protocol for in-browser page loads. HTTP/3 requires encryption and delivers faster performance than older protocols. GreenGeeks was among the first hosting providers to adopt PHP 8, which provides faster PHP executions across all servers.
Security Without Extra Fees
Security features are often offered as paid add-ons by other hosting providers. We include comprehensive protection with every plan.
The hosting infrastructure uses container-based account isolation via LXC. This creates kernel-level isolation between hosting accounts on the same physical server. If one account gets compromised, the isolation prevents the breach from spreading to other accounts on that server. Your site remains protected even if a neighboring account encounters issues.
DDoS protection operates at both the network edge and the application layer. Response times for network filtering come in under 10 seconds. Networks receive 24/7 monitoring and protection against attacks through network-level mitigation services managed internally by our staff.
An AI-powered Web Application Firewall processes incoming traffic through behavioral analysis algorithms. This system identifies and blocks zero-day exploits at the application layer. The firewall receives continuous updates to its threat signatures and adapts its detection patterns to emerging attack methods.
Automated monitoring software checks servers every 10 seconds. Human server engineers perform additional checks every 30 minutes. This dual-layer approach catches problems quickly.
All shared hosting plans include a free Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate that you can activate from the main panel. The Premium plan adds a more advanced AlphaSSL certificate at no extra cost. Every plan includes free nightly backups, with on-demand backups available on the Pro and Premium tiers.
When malware is detected, our security team removes the malicious code at no additional cost. Many competitors offer this service only as a paid add-on. Including it with standard hosting plans removes the financial penalty for security problems that may not even be your fault.
Breaking Down the Shared Hosting Plans
We offer three shared hosting tiers. Each targets a different user segment while maintaining access to the same underlying server technology.
The Lite Plan
The entry-level Lite plan starts at $1.95 per month when prepaid for 12 months, representing 85% off the regular renewal price of $13.95 per month. This plan includes one website, 25GB of web space, unmetered traffic, 50 email accounts, a free SSL certificate, a free domain for the first year, free CDN, daily backups, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
For small websites or blogs, this plan covers the basics thoroughly. The 25GB storage capacity comfortably handles most personal sites. The 50 email accounts far exceed what many competitors offer at this price point. IONOS, for comparison, provides only one email account on all its shared hosting plans.
You get access to Softaculous for automatic installation of WordPress and over 150 other applications. The cPanel interface handles hosting management needs. Free migration services help you move existing sites from different hosts. The nightly backups protect against data loss.
The Pro Plan
The Pro plan costs $4.95 per month during promotional periods and renews at $17.95 per month. This tier allows unlimited websites with 50GB of storage. On-demand backups supplement the standard daily backups.
For users running multiple sites, the unlimited website allowance removes the need to purchase separate hosting accounts. The additional storage space accommodates larger sites or growing portfolios.
The Premium Plan
The Premium plan is $8.95 per month during the promotional period and renews at $29.95 per month. Storage increases to 100GB, and the plan includes a free dedicated IP address. This tier also adds object caching with Memcached and Redis to accelerate website performance further.
For small businesses with high-traffic sites or online stores, the Premium plan provides extra resources and business-focused features. A dedicated IP can improve email deliverability and support specific security configurations. The premium SSL certificate adds another layer of professional credibility.
All three plans include the free CDN, free SSL certificate, and daily backups. The server technology remains consistent across tiers. The differences center on storage space, the number of websites allowed, and additional features at higher tiers.
The Free Domain Saves Real Money
GreenGeeks provides a free domain name with shared hosting plans for the first year. But the value extends beyond that initial period. GreenGeeks covers domain registration costs for as long as you maintain your hosting account.
Over five years, this saves approximately $80-$100. The savings continue accumulating the longer you host with them. If you plan to keep your site running for years, the domain coverage adds substantial value.
The free domain offer applies to TLDs including .com, .ca, .net, .org, .info, and .biz. Popular extensions are covered, though specialty TLDs require a separate purchase.
Uptime That Matches the Guarantee
We offer a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Independent testing from 2025 measured actual uptime between 99.98% and 100%. Some tracking showed 100% uptime with no outages during extended testing periods.
Over a full year, we achieved 99.97% uptime, with a total downtime of only two hours. Performance testing found that fully loaded times typically ranged from 1.2 to 2 seconds. Sites remained stable throughout testing, with no downtime recorded.
For a WordPress test site monitored over three months, there were zero downtime alerts. Compared to Bluehost and A2 Hosting in stress tests, we held our ground and sometimes performed better under pressure.
Stress testing with 50 or more simultaneous users showed the platform holding steady with no slowdowns or failures. The LiteSpeed server stack handles both static and database-driven sites effectively because it is tuned for dynamic content. We matched or narrowly outperformed SiteGround across both static and dynamic content under stress.
Customer Support Availability
We provide support through three different methods. Live chat runs 24/7 with agents typically responding almost immediately. Email support averages 15 to 20 minutes of wait time. Phone support operates from 9 AM to 12 AM EST.
Third-party benchmark testing conducted in June 2025 showed average live chat wait times under 1 minute and phone wait times usually below two minutes. A well-stocked knowledge base addresses common user questions, enabling self-service.
The support availability matches SiteGround with 24/7 coverage across chat and phone channels. Having multiple contact methods lets you reach support however works best for your situation.
WordPress Optimization Built In
Our shared hosting plans are WordPress-ready with infrastructure optimized for WordPress performance. All plans include a one-click WordPress installer and Quick Launch Onboarding Wizard to get sites live quickly. Free WordPress migration is available with a team of specialists handling the process.
Automatic WordPress updates detect out-of-date versions and help update WordPress core and plugins. This keeps sites secure without requiring manual intervention. The LiteSpeed Cache integration helps WordPress sites perform up to four times faster than standard configurations.
Beyond core optimization, you can install WordPress without accessing cPanel, which simplifies the process for non-managed hosting users. A staging area feature lets you easily create staging environments to test changes before pushing them live. Auto-update features can automatically update WordPress core, plugins, and themes.
The Softaculous installer provides access to over 400 web applications organized by categories, including developer frameworks, script libraries, and database tools. All of this is accessible through the cPanel interface.
Developer Tools Included
Technical users get access to the command line via SSH and secure file transfer via SFTP. Development tools include Git, WP-CLI, Drush, and more for efficient project management.
These capabilities make GreenGeeks a good fit for developers who need greater control over their hosting environment. You can run custom scripts, manage version control, and use command-line tools for WordPress and Drupal administration.
The container-based technology provides scalability advantages. Accounts are provisioned with dedicated computing resources and a secure virtual file system. This ensures no single user can impact another, regardless of site traffic or computing resource demands.
If your site grows and needs more resources, the platform handles demand through plan options that allow upgrades to CPU and RAM allocations. The LiteSpeed setup automatically optimizes performance, enabling WordPress and other dynamic sites to scale to handle more visitors without requiring migrations to higher-tier plans.
Migration Services Remove Barriers
Switching hosting providers can feel risky. GreenGeeks provides free website migration assistance, with its technical team handling the transfer. The service covers one website per account, including moving files, databases, and email accounts.
Migration typically completes within 24 to 48 hours, depending on site size and complexity. The team coordinates the transfer to minimize downtime. The WordPress test sites were migrated within two hours. GoDaddy, for comparison, charges for migration services.
The 30-day money-back guarantee applies to all hosting plans. If you sign up and find the service does not meet your needs, you can receive a full refund of hosting fees. Some services, such as domain registration, are non-refundable, but hosting fees are covered.
The Environmental Factor
We match every unit of power used with three times that amount in renewable energy through a partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. For every kilowatt of electricity drawn from the power grid, three kilowatts are returned in the form of wind and solar energy.
Since 2009, we have been recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for our commitment to sustainability. The company is a recognized EPA Green Power Partner. Only three EPA Green Power Partner companies replace a higher percentage of total electrical use than GreenGeeks does, including IKEA and Netflix.
Beyond energy matching, GreenGeeks partners with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for each hosting account provisioned. Trees are planted in four regions, including North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
The 300% energy matching policy applies to all hosting plans. Whether you use shared hosting or a dedicated server, you support the same environmental initiatives. These programs do not carry premium surcharges. The eco-friendly commitment is baked into the standard pricing.
The data centers themselves use energy-efficient hardware and modern cooling systems. LiteSpeed servers are both energy-efficient and faster than traditional Apache setups, so the environmental approach does not compromise performance.
For users who care about sustainability, GreenGeeks offers a way to host websites with a negative carbon footprint. Not many hosting companies can make that claim.
How GreenGeeks Compares to Alternatives
The hosting market offers many options. What makes GreenGeeks competitive is the combination of factors rather than any single feature.
LiteSpeed servers on all plans, including the cheapest tier, set GreenGeeks apart from hosts that reserve better technology for premium customers. The free domain for the duration of your hosting account provides ongoing value that accumulates over time. Security features such as malware removal and AI-powered firewalls are included by default rather than as paid add-ons.
Independent performance tests consistently place GreenGeeks among the faster hosts. Uptime measurements meet or exceed the 99.9% guarantee. Customer support response times compare favorably with those of premium hosts such as SiteGround.
The environmental commitment does not affect pricing or performance. You get fast, reliable hosting while supporting renewable energy and reforestation programs.
We maintain an A+ rating with the BBB and have been in business for 16 years. That track record indicates that we consistently deliver on our promises and maintain customer trust over the long term.
VPS and Dedicated Options for Growth
Shared hosting is well-suited for most sites, but businesses that outgrow shared hosting can move to VPS hosting. GreenGeeks VPS plans provide full root access for developers who need to configure their server environment. Security features include DDoS protection, account isolation, and nightly backups.
For even larger operations, dedicated plans start at $169 per month with Intel Atom processors. Xeon-powered Pro servers run $439 per month. These options let you scale within the same hosting provider, without migrating elsewhere when your needs change.
The same environmental programs apply to VPS and dedicated hosting. The 300% renewable energy matching applies to the entire infrastructure, regardless of plan type.
Making the Decision
Value for money in hosting comes down to what you actually get for your money. We pack enterprise-level technology into plans starting at $1.95 per month. LiteSpeed servers, SSD storage, MariaDB databases, CDN integration, and comprehensive security are all included.
The free domain saves money over time. The 30-day guarantee reduces risk. The migration services remove obstacles to switching. The environmental programs add value for users who care about sustainability.
Performance data backs up the marketing claims. Independent testing shows fast load times, excellent uptime, and stable performance under stress. Customer support is available around the clock through multiple channels.
For beginners and small businesses, we offer an easy-to-use platform with reliable performance and a support team that responds quickly. For developers, the technical tools and container-based infrastructure provide flexibility. For environmentally conscious users, the 300% renewable energy matching and tree planting programs make hosting carbon-negative.
The combination of these factors creates value that goes beyond a simple price comparison. You get speed, reliability, security, support, and sustainability in a package that competes on cost with hosts offering far less. That comprehensive approach to hosting is what makes us a strong consideration when you are looking for a place to host your website.
