Starting a new website can be an exciting venture for someone. Whether you’re starting a new business or blog, there can be plenty to consider when getting started.
One of the first decisions is picking a company that fits your web hosting needs. A lot of factors come into play here. Price, features, and security are generally the top three factors to consider.
However, when most people pick a hosting company, the features and price are at the forefront, and security can be pushed back as an afterthought.
I couldn’t disagree with this thought process more. While features and price are tangible decisions you can see on-screen and in your bank account, security is what keeps it all together!
Not only does secure web hosting keep your protected information…protected…it also keeps your visitor’s vital information safe, which gives your web page credibility and allows you to build a trusting customer base!
I’ve researched and reviewed some of the best web hosting services in the world to determine whether each hosting provider has the security features to keep your information safe.
Not only that, but I want to find out which hosting provider fits your specific needs and what you should look for!
How did I choose?
- Hosting Security
- Hosting Security (Yes Twice)
- Hosting Speed
- Customer Service
- Price to Value Ratio
- Pros
- Cons
What are the Best Web Hosting Services In the World?
Trying to figure out which web hosting service to use can feel like an overwhelming decision. Many options offer plenty of features and different price points to lure you in.
But how do you know which web hosting service has legitimate website security and which one fits your needs the best?
Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!
Here is a list of some of the best web hosting services in the world that we’ll cover.
- Nexcess – Overall Hosting
- Bluehost – Dedicated Hosting
- Dreamhost – Hosting Bandwidth
- A2 Hosting – Customer Service
- Hostinger – Best for All Around Hosting
- HostGator – Best for Speed
- InMotion – Best for Server Location
- CloudWays – Best for Cloud Hosting
Below we’ll give an overview of all these web hosting providers and try to provide you with a good idea of which one would work best for your needs!
Nexcess
Why Did We Pick It?
Nexcess is one of our top picks for the most secure web hosting in 2023. Why?
For starters, they offer 24/7 support from security specialists, and their servers are optimized for speed, reliability, and performance. They also come with comprehensive DDoS protection to guard against any attack.
Plus, Nexcess offers free malware and vulnerability scanning for all new clients and periodic scans to keep your website safe.
They also have multi-factor authentication that ensures no one can access your account without authorization from you.
Finally, their security team is available 24/7 to help protect your site against any threats. That’s why Nexcess
Key Features
Security features are paramount when picking a web hosting provider. Here’s what Nexcess offers to make sure your website is secure and safe:
• 24/7 Security Monitoring – Their security team is available 24/7 to help protect your site against any threats.
• Comprehensive DDoS Protection – Keeps malicious attacks away with their sophisticated systems that detect, block, and notify of any potential issues.
• Malware Scanning & Removal – Periodic scans keep your website safe from malware while offering free one-time scanning for new customers.
• Multi-Factor Authentication – Additional layers of authentication ensure no one can access your account without authorization from you.
Nexcess also has cloud hosting available, where you can choose which data center you want your site to use. There are ten global locations to select from, including six in the United States.
Pricing Plans
Nexcess offers different pricing plans depending on which hosting plan you choose.
WordPress Hosting Plan– The Spark plan is the initial plan and is priced at $19/month. Some of the security features you receive are free SSL certificates, daily backups, and iThemes Security Pro.
Managed Magento Hosting plan- The initial plan is the XS plan, and it lasts for three months at $41/month. This plan includes free SSL certificates, daily backups, and PCI compliance.
Cloud Hosting Plan- The initial plan starts at $49/month. Security features include level 1 PCI compliance, SOC 2 data centers, and 24/7 server monitoring.
Pros
- 24/7 Security Monitoring
- Ten global data centers to choose from for cloud hosting
- Malware Scanning & Removal
Cons
- No free trial available
- Their plans can be expensive compared to other services
- Managed Magento hosting plan lasts only three months at the initial price, then goes up from there
Bluehost
Why Did We Pick It?
Bluehost is one of the best web hosting services for small businesses and individuals. It’s renowned for its security and reliability, making it an excellent choice for those who want to ensure their websites are safe and secure.
They offer two-factor authentication that strengthens user access security and daily malware scans to detect, remove, and prevent malicious threats.
Bluehost also has specialized services like the Domain Protection Plus plan, which gives you extra protection against domain hijacking and cybercrime.
Key Features
Here’s a look at some of BlueHost’s security features:
• Two-Factor Authentication – Strengthens user access security with an extra layer of authentication.
• Daily Malware Scans – Detects, removes, and prevents malicious threats with daily scans.
• Domain Protection Plus Plan – Gives extra protection against domain hijacking and cybercrime.
• Firewall Protection – Blocks malicious traffic before it can attack your website.
Pricing Plans
The pricing plans for Bluehost vary depending on what hosting service you’ll be using. The three main hosting options are shared, dedicated, and VPS.
Bluehost also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Take a look at the starting pricing for all three.
Shared Hosting- The starting plan is called Basic at $2.75/month. For this plan, you received 24/7 support, free SSL for the first year, and one CDN included. Shared hosting also has tools you’ll need to improve your SEO.
Dedicated Hosting- The starting plan is called Standard and starts at $79.99/month. You’ll receive RAID storage, dedicated support agents, and a free SSL certificate for this plan.
VPS Hosting- The starting plan is called standard and is $19.99/month. Security features included are singular server control by you, 24/7 support, and access control.
Pros
- Pricing is very reasonable for most plans
- Complete server control for dedicated hosting
- 24/7 assistance for most plans
Cons
- Free domain only for the first year under a basic shared hosting plan
- No free automated backup for the two cheapest shared hosting plans
- No seamless updates under the first two shared hosting plans
Dreamhost
Why Did We Pick It?
Dreamhost is one of the most secure web hosts out there.
Dreamhost is a hosting provider that prides itself on being a viable web hosting option for small businesses and personal websites, like blogs.
It provides its users with several security features to ensure their websites stay safe and uninterrupted, such as malware scans and DDoS protection.
All of Dreamhost’s servers are also PCI-DSS compliant, so customers can rest assured that their data is being kept secure.
Key Features
Here’s a look at some of Dreamhost’s primary security features:
• Malware Scans – Detects malicious threats on your website and prevents future attacks.
• DDoS Protection – Blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your website, improving uptime & reliability.
• PCI-DSS Compliance – Ensures that sensitive customer information is stored securely.
Pricing Plans
Dreamhost has extensive options when it comes to its pricing plans. And most of these price plans are some of the cheapest on the market.
They also offer a can’t beat 97-day money-back guarantee on their shared hosting services. Take a look at some of the options.
Shared Hosting– Starts at $2.59/month for a 3-year plan. This includes fast SSD storage, a free SSL certificate, and daily backups.
VPS Hosting– The VPS (virtual private server) starts at $10.00/month and includes unlimited 24/7 support, a secure hosting environment, and automatic software updates.
Dedicated server hosting– These plans start at $149/month and include a 100% uptime guarantee and DDoS protection.
Pros
- Reasonable pricing with short and long-term options
- 24/7 server monitoring
- 100% uptime guarantee
Cons
- Extra charge for Malware scanning and removal
- Email is extra on a beginner's plan
- Pricing is more expensive for shorter time frame plans
A2 Hosting
Why Did We Pick It?
Speed is the name of the game when it comes to A2 Hosting as a web host. As a hosting provider, A2 has high-speed turbo servers and dedicated servers focused on secure web hosting.
A2 Hosting is one of the market’s best secure web hosting providers. This provider offers a wide array of security features, ranging from web application firewall protection to domain protection.
A2 hosting also has plans that give you extra protection against cybercrime and domain hijacking. And all of their servers are PCI DSS compliant.
Key Features
In a hosting environment, A2 has plenty of security features to keep your site safe, such as…
• HackScan Protection – Automatically scans and blocks malicious threats before they reach your website.
• DDOS protection– Hosting plans include protection from DDoS attacks.
• SSH Access – Gives secure server access for added control and flexibility over configurations.
• SSL Support – Installs a free SSL certificate with any pricing plan allowing for secure data
Pricing Plans
A2 Hosting offers a wide variety of hosting plans and pricing options. A2 also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Their shared hosting plans are the most affordable, starting at just $2.99/month for a 1-year plan.
Shared Hosting– Plans start at $2.99/month with features like 99.9% uptime commitment, free SSL certificate, and 24/7 customer support.
VPS Hosting– Plans start at $39.99/month for a 3-year plan. Security features include managed installs/upgrades of software, security patches, and daily automatic updates.
Dedicated Hosting– Plans start at $159.99/month for a 2-year plan. The plan includes ROOT-level access, a smart system notification system, and automatic cPanel updates.
Pros
- Performance and uptime are 99%
- Pricing is very affordable
- Plenty of advanced security features are available
Cons
- Speed is affected if you don't buy turbo servers
- No free automatic backups for the startup plan of shared hosting
- No free domain included
Hostinger
Why Did We Pick It?
Hostinger is one of the most secure web hosting providers on the market. Don’t let some of their low prices fool you; they take secure hosting services as seriously as other web hosting companies.
They offer unbeatable security for all their plans, such as a web application firewall and DDoS protection, as well as advanced encryption that keeps your data safe from cybercrime.
Hostinger also complies with PCI-DSS standards, ensuring that sensitive customer information is stored securely. And they have an extensive pricing plan to fit any budget.
Key Features
When it comes to security, Hostinger has plenty of great options available. Some of these include:
• Firewall Protection – Blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your website, improving uptime & reliability.
• PCI-DSS Compliance – Ensures that sensitive customer information is stored securely.
• DDoS Protection – Protects your website from malicious attacks and offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
• Daily backups – Backups can be scheduled on all hosting plans, so you don’t have to worry about data loss. Some backups are daily, and others are weekly, depending on the plan.
Pricing Plans
Hostinger offers a wide variety of pricing plans for different web hosting options.
For security purposes, all plans include a free SSL certificate, automated weekly backups, a Cloudflare DNS firewall, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Web Hosting– The premium web host pricing plan costs $2.99/month and has free email, unlimited bandwidth, and secure servers.
VPS Hosting– The VPS 2 plan starts at $4.99/month and comes with full ROOT access, a dedicated IP address, and weekly backups.
Cloud hosting– Cloud professional starts at $14.99/month and comes with daily backups, options for multiple data centers, and a 99.90% uptime guarantee.
Pros
- Cheapest pricing you'll find for shared hosting
- Options for advanced security measures
- All plans come with a free SSL certificate
Cons
- No free domain for the entry-level plan
- Some plans only have weekly backups, not daily
- No free CDN for the cheapest plan
HostGator
Why Did We Pick It?
HostGator is another popular web hosting company that offers secure and reliable hosting services.
HostGator offers the latest security measures, including advanced encryption and malware scanning technology, to ensure your data is safe and secure.
They also offer free SSL certificates with any plan, allowing for secure data transmissions over the internet – something you wouldn’t usually get from a budget-friendly host.
Additionally, they have an extensive pricing plan to fit any budget.
Key Features
When it comes to security, HostGator has plenty of great options available. Some of these include:
• 24/7 Security Monitoring – Monitors all traffic for malicious activity or suspicious behavior & automatically blocks threats before they reach your website.
• Advanced Encryption – All data transmissions are encrypted using the latest technology to keep your website safe & secure.
• cPanel Updates – HostGator constantly updates its servers with the latest version of cPanel, ensuring that all security patches & updates are in place.
Pricing Plans
HostGator falls in line with many web hosting services in terms of the different pricing available.
First, HostGator offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.
They also have separate pricing for shared web hosting, dedicated hosting, or VPS hosting.
Shared hosting– They recommend the Baby plan for $3.50/month. As always, users would share the same server with other sites.
Secure hosting features include an SSL certificate, a 99% uptime guarantee, and courtesy backups.
Dedicated hosting– You will have your own dedicated server for $119.89/month. Choose from Windows or Linux servers, DDoS protection from DDoS attacks, and 100% web server control.
VPS Hosting– Recommended is the Snappy 4000 plan, which costs $34.95/month and has full ROOT access software, weekly backups, and 24/7 support.
Pros
- 24/7 customer assistance
- Unlimited domains (except basic package
- Unlimited disk space
Cons
- Website speed is a little slower than other websites
- CDN isn't included with all hosting price plans
- Backup restoration can cost additional fees
InMotion
Why Did We Pick It?
InMotion is one of the most secure web hosting companies offering various advanced security measures.
As a web host, Inmotion hosting takes its web hosting security duties to heart.
All plans come with a free SSL certificate and an optional SiteLock Security suite, which provides protection against malware and malicious attacks.
With InMotion’s hacker-proof servers, backed by firewalls and DDoS protection, you can rest assured that your website is safe from any potential cyber attack.
Key Features
InMotion Hosting offers several layers of website protection and security, including:
• Firewall Protection – InMotion’s servers are protected against cyber threats with the latest firewalls in place.
• DDoS Scrubbing Center – Their state-of-the-art scrubbing center automatically blocks any suspicious traffic.
• SiteLock Security Suite – This is one of several advanced security features. An optional add-on to any pricing plan, this suite can detect malware and suspicious activity.
Inmotion Hosting also has different hosting plans with varied server options.
Shared web hosting will use a shared hosting server or the same server as other site owners, while VPS or Dedicated hosting will use a VPS or dedicated server.
Pricing Plans
Inmotion hosting has plenty of varied pricing plans for you to choose from.
One unique aspect of their pricing plan is they have an industry-leading 90-day money-back guarantee.
Shared Hosting– This plan begins at $2.99/month with a free website builder, free domain, and cPanel included.
VPS Hosting– This plan starts at $19.99/month and includes isolated resources with hardened security, free website transfers, and server snapshots.
Dedicated Hosting– Starts at $89.99/month and comes with dedicated servers, 10 GB of backup storage, and a security suite.
Pros
- Solid 24/7 customer support
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Great for most small business websites
Cons
- Limited on advanced features
- Backups cost extra
- The site tends to be slower than other web-hosting companies.
CloudWays
Why Did We Pick It?
CloudWays offers a secure and reliable web hosting service with purely cloud-based technology.
There is no shared web hosting with CloudWays, only cloud hosting. And whenever you can get cloud hosting, you can get secure hosting!
This web host boasts state-of-the-art hosting security, such as an intelligent firewall, DDoS protection, SSL certification, and two-factor authentication to help protect your website from malicious attacks.
In addition to these comprehensive security measures, CloudWays also provides additional backups with one click so you can restore your website in minutes if something goes wrong.
The company has been around since 2011 and is trusted by more than 150,000 customers worldwide.
Key Features
CloudWays provides several key features to help secure your website, including:
• Cloud Platform– This includes Windows or Linux-based web servers custom configured for optimal performance and security.
• DDoS Protection – Protects against distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks with its automated cloud firewall.
• Database Security– Users can whitelist IP addresses to set up secure remote access.
Pricing Plans
Cloudways does its pricing model differently than other shared web hosting providers.
There is no money-back guarantee, but that’s for a good reason. Cloudways has a three-day free trial (actually free…as in you don’t have to give them your credit card free!).
They also don’t have locked-in pricing plans. They technically can charge by the hour, or you can get a monthly plan. However, you can cancel anytime you want!
Digital Ocean Data Center– This is their most affordable pricing plan at $12/month and includes regular security patching, 24/7 real-time monitoring, and optimization with advanced caches.
Pros
- Generally easy to set up
- The dashboard is straightforward to use
- Extremely secure
Cons
- The add-ups end up making it more expensive over time
- CDN isn't free
- It may be overkill for small businesses and websites.
Fastest Web Hosting Services
So we just got done covering some of the most secure web hosting available going into next year.
But what is the fastest and most securely managed hosting services out there?
Kinsta
Kinsta is undoubtedly one of the fastest and most secure web hosting services available today.
They stand out from the competition because it employs a unique approach to hosting called Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
The GCP allows for unparalleled performance and security, as well as maximum scalability for any business website – regardless of size.
Kinsta also uses the latest technologies like LXD containers and advanced caching technologies and offers a slew of other features to ensure your website is running smoothly.
Kinsta’s plans start at $20/month and scale up according to your required resources.
It’s worth noting that Kinsta isn’t just a web host for small websites either; they offer plans for larger businesses that include dedicated IP addresses. Check out our Kinsta review for more information.
Cloudways
Cloudways is another fast and secure web hosting provider that has been around since 2011.
It offers a cloud-based platform to host your website, making it incredibly secure while offering excellent performance.
Additionally, the web hosting company offers reliable customer support and detailed analytics to help you find out what’s working – and what isn’t.
Cloudways also offers an extensive range of features, including DDoS protection, SSL certification, two-factor authentication, and one-click backups for extra security.
Pricing plans start at $10/month and can be canceled anytime you want without being locked into any long-term contracts.
Overall, Cloudways offers an excellent balance between security and performance for any web host.
Why is Website Security Important?
Website security has got to be top of the list when you’re considering building a brand-new website! There are two BIG reasons why it is so important…
- It keeps your private information….secure.
- It keeps your visitor’s information secure!
Keeping your website secure is essential in today’s digital world. Hackers and other malicious actors are continually finding new ways to wreak havoc on websites, from defacing pages to stealing sensitive data.
This is important because it safeguards your business’s reputation and protects you from legal liability. It can also help prevent malware and other malicious cyberattacks and keep intruders from stealing sensitive information.
Web security solutions provide an additional layer of protection by offering features like DDoS protection, two-factor authentication, and more.
These features can help your website stay safe and secure while also providing peace of mind that your data is being adequately safeguarded.
Finally, website security is essential because it gives your customers and visitors confidence that their data is safe when they visit your site.
The last thing your new business needs is a reputation that all your visitor’s information is up for grabs! It keeps your site/business credible and secure.
What Should All Secure Web Hosts Provide?
SSL Certificates
All secure web hosts should offer SSL certificates, which help to encrypt the connection between a website and its visitors. This is especially important if you are accepting payment information or storing any other sensitive data on your site.
DDoS Protection
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are becoming increasingly common, and it’s important to ensure your web host is providing DDoS protection.
DDoS protection prevents malicious actors from overwhelming your server with traffic so that your site remains accessible to legitimate users.
Firewall Protection
Firewall protection is also essential for a secure web host. Firewalls help to protect your website from known threats and malicious traffic.
Additionally, they can be used to block suspicious IP addresses and keep out any unwarranted visitors trying to access your site.
Automatic (Daily) Backups
An essential feature provided by all secure web hosts is automatic (daily) backups.
Daily backups ensure that any data or information stored on your website is safe and recoverable in the event of a disaster.
Backups are particularly important for websites that contain sensitive customer information or financial transactions.
Daily backups can save you from losing data and provide an extra layer of security for your website.
Regular Updating of Hardware & Software
Any secure web host should also provide regular updating of hardware and software.
Nobody likes to be stuck with outdated technology! Regular updates ensure that your website is running the most up-to-date versions of programs and operating systems, which can help protect against bugs, malware, and other potential security risks.
Updating hardware and software also helps keep your website running smoothly and quickly so visitors have a good user experience.
Web Hosting Security Employee Training
Finally, all secure web hosts should provide web hosting security employee training.
Only properly trained staff will know how to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a breach or attack.
They should be aware of best practices for website security, such as regular testing and monitoring, as well as any changes or updates that need to be made to keep your website secure.
By ensuring that all employees are adequately trained and informed, you can help protect your website from potential harm and give customers peace of mind that their data is safeguarded.
Conclusion
Web security is vital to anyone running a website. We looked at the important reasons for web security, including containing personal data, protecting visitor’s information, and maintaining the credibility of the site.
We discussed the many security features that some of the best web hosting sites will use to keep your site up and running, including regular updates, backing up data, and implementing firewalls.
Let us know what you thought about our list and if there are any web hosting providers you recommend!
Secure Web Hosting Service FAQ
It is possible to host your own website securely; however, this requires you to have a good understanding of web security protocols and best practices.
Additionally, it can be difficult and time-consuming to keep up with the latest security updates and patch any potential vulnerabilities on your own.
For most users, it is much more secure to use a professional and reliable web hosting provider that provides secure website hosting services. They can handle the security protocols for you and make sure your website is safe, secure, and up-to-date.
Set up a secure web host by choosing a reliable and experienced web hosting provider that offers all the features listed above. This includes DDoS protection, firewall protection, automatic backups, hardware and software updating, as well as security employee training.
Once you have chosen your web host, they can help walk you through setting up and configuring your website for maximum security.
By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your website is hosted securely and protected from any potential malicious actors or threats.
The three main types of web hosting are shared, VPS, and dedicated.
Shared hosting is the most common option and involves multiple websites being hosted on one server. It’s generally the cheapest option but can be less secure due to the shared environment among all the sites on the same server.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting offers more control and flexibility than shared hosting. It allows multiple websites to be hosted on a single server, but each has its own virtual space or “slice” of the server’s hardware resources.
Finally, dedicated hosting is when one website is hosted on its own dedicated server. This is the most secure option as there are no other sites on the server, but it is also the most expensive.
Yes, web hosting can be hacked. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to access websites, steal data, or disrupt operations.
However, by taking the proper steps to secure your website using a reliable web host with the above features, you can greatly reduce your risk of being hacked.
Additionally, it’s essential to stay up-to-date on the latest security threats and make sure you’re aware of any potential bugs, malware, or other potential security risks.
By taking the proper steps to secure your website hosting and staying vigilant, you can keep your website safe from threats.
When looking for a hosting service, look for features such as SSL certificates, DDoS protection, firewall protection, automatic backups, hardware and software updating, and security employee training.
These features can help protect your website from potentially malicious actors or hackers and give you peace of mind that your data is safe.
Additionally, it’s always a good idea to read customer reviews and research the hosting service’s track record of uptime and reliability.
By taking the time to research and make sure you’re choosing a secure hosting provider, you can keep your website safe from potential harm.
