Kinsta vs Green Geeks: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over Kinsta vs. GreenGeeks, both web hosting providers excel in different areas, catering to varying user needs.

• 
  Kinsta (Overall grade: 8.5)
  
  
  specializes in managed WordPress hosting with a focus on performance and security. Built on the premium tier of Google Cloud Platform, Kinsta offers lightning-fast response times and advanced performance metrics. Users benefit from enhanced features like automatic image conversion, built-in APM, and extensive caching options, making it ideal for high-traffic and resource-intensive websites. However, Kinsta’s services come at a higher price point, and it doesn’t include email hosting or a free domain, which might be a drawback for some. Their user management and dashboard are highly intuitive, providing powerful tools for developers and businesses alike.
  
• 
  GreenGeeks (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  
  offers a wide range of hosting types including shared, VPS, and eCommerce hosting, often at more budget-friendly rates. Known for their eco-friendly initiatives, GreenGeeks matches 300% of energy consumption with renewable energy and plants a tree for every new hosting account. They provide comprehensive email hosting, a free domain for the first year, and a user-friendly website builder, making it an attractive choice for beginners and small businesses. Despite its strong performance, GreenGeeks has some limitations in manual plan upgrades for scaling and less detailed performance optimization features compared to Kinsta. Nonetheless, their excellent customer support and green energy commitment make GreenGeeks a solid choice for environmentally-conscious users.
  

Hosting types offered

Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.

Although both offer a variety of hosting plans tailored to different needs, in
certain cases, one platform may prove to be more suitable.

Detailed comparison

🏆 Winner
Kinsta: Exceptional uptime and availability with superior performance metrics.

Kinsta stands out with its strong uptime guarantee of 99.9%, consistently achieving 100% uptime in various tests. Their infrastructure on the Google Cloud Platform, complemented by Cloudflare integration, ensures quick response times and efficient load handling. With an average response time of 461ms and robust 24/7 monitoring, Kinsta delivers excellent reliability and performance.

GreenGeeks also provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee, though it lacks the same level of compensation as Kinsta. Tests show GreenGeeks achieving 100% uptime over 14 days and consistent server response times; however, their service credits for downtime stand out as a drawback. Despite this, GreenGeeks offers quick response times and strong performance across multiple data centers.

Kinsta’s advantage is more pronounced in terms of server response time. It boasted an average response time of 461ms, which is significantly lower than the shared hosting industry standard. This suggests that Kinsta is not only more reliable in maintaining uptime but also in delivering faster website loading speeds, making it a preferable option for users prioritizing performance.

🏆 Winner Kinsta: Faster performance and advanced features.

In terms of general performance, Kinsta and GreenGeeks offer different strengths. Kinsta is built on Google Cloud Platform’s premium tier network, leveraging Google’s C2 and C3D virtual machines, and features 35 global data centers, ensuring fast and optimized hosting. It also integrates Cloudflare, enhancing both speed and security. GreenGeeks uses LiteSpeed WebServer and boasts SSD storage, free CDN, and multiple global data centers, but focuses more on eco-friendliness with its 300% green energy match. Both providers offer multiple layers of caching, but Kinsta’s feature set is more extensive in terms of performance optimization.

Website Speed

Kinsta excels in website speed with edge caching that reduces TTFB by up to 50%, built-in APM, continuous MySQL optimization, and automatic image conversion to WebP. Additionally, Kinsta serves pages up to 30% faster using Early Hints and removes unnecessary elements from JavaScript and CSS through code minification. GreenGeeks offers built-in caching with LiteSpeed and the LS Cache plugin, as well as utilizing the latest PHP version and HTTP/3 for faster page loads. However, Kinsta’s extensive optimization features generally give it the edge in website speed.

Scalability

Kinsta offers elastic scaling with no hidden fees, making it easy to scale up as your application or website grows. Dedicated servers are available, and pricing is flexible with various application and database hosting tiers starting from $7 per month. GreenGeeks, on the other hand, requires manual plan upgrades for scaling and does not offer dedicated servers. Their scaling costs are built into their tiered pricing plans, which require moving to higher plans as resource needs increase.

🏆 Winner
Kinsta: Offers superior security features tailored for WordPress sites, providing a robust and managed hosting experience.

Technical security measures:

Kinsta and GreenGeeks both offer comprehensive technical security. Kinsta includes free SSL certificates, support for custom and wildcard SSL, and allows PHP version selection via the MyKinsta dashboard. GreenGeeks provides a wildcard SSL certificate, free SSL, and supports multiple PHP versions via their PHP selection tool. Kinsta’s advanced features like fully managed WAF, enterprise-level DDoS protection, and proactive site monitoring give it an edge. GreenGeeks’ strengths lie in robust firewall protection powered by AI and container-based technology for isolation and security.

Operational security measures:

Operationally, Kinsta offers free malware removal, multiple backup options, and proactive site monitoring, checking every site every 3 minutes. Secure remote access and IP deny tool further enhance security. GreenGeeks provides 24/7 network security monitoring, custom security rules, and free malware cleanups by their security experts. Both platforms support secure access via SSH and SFTP, but Kinsta’s additional focus on performance monitoring tools and edge caching gives it an operational advantage.

Compliance and certifications:

Kinsta and GreenGeeks both prioritize compliance. Kinsta is SOC 2 and GDPR compliant, giving a clear indication of its commitment to enterprise-grade security and data protection for EU users. While specific details about PCI compliance are not provided, Kinsta’s infrastructure supports achieving it. GreenGeeks suggests adherence to GDPR and PCI standards, although detailed information is not specified. Their green energy commitment does set them apart in environmental compliance.

🏆 Winner GreenGeeks: An eco-friendly hosting solution with superior performance and features.

When it comes to web hosting, Kinsta and GreenGeeks offer distinct advantages catering to different user needs. Kinsta is known for its managed WordPress hosting with high performance and security measures, thanks to features like SSH access, daily backups, and a dedicated IP for each site. Kinsta emphasizes the ease of use with tools like a staging environment for testing changes before going live, which is particularly beneficial for developers. However, Kinsta doesn’t provide a free domain and may have additional costs for some features, which could influence some customers’ decisions.

GreenGeeks, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive set of features across its plans, including a free domain for the first year, free SSL certificates, and daily backups. Known for its eco-friendly approach, GreenGeeks matches 300% of the energy it consumes with renewable energy and plants a tree for every hosting account provisioned. This can be a significant draw for environmentally-conscious users. Additionally, GreenGeeks offers a website builder, making it user-friendly for beginners while still providing advanced features like SSH access and on-demand backups for more experienced users. Their unlimited email hosting capability can be particularly advantageous for businesses.

Both providers support a range of users from beginners to experts with user-friendly website builders and WordPress staging areas. However, in terms of developer tools, both Kinsta and GreenGeeks offer robust options including SSH access, support for multiple programming languages, and Git for version control, thus appealing to developers looking for advanced capabilities.

Email services:

GreenGeeks offers comprehensive email hosting with unlimited email accounts and transactional email capabilities. Users can set up professional email addresses and manage their campaigns easily. Kinsta, however, does not provide built-in email hosting services, requiring users to use third-party services like Google Workspace for their email needs. For businesses or users who need robust email features included with their hosting plan, GreenGeeks presents a more integrated solution.

🏆 Winner Kinsta: A hosting provider with competitive pricing and a wide range of specialized plans addressing various user needs, including WordPress, application, database, and static site hosting.

Evaluating the pricing of plans among various hosting providers can be complex due to their differing pricing and renewal strategies. Additionally, certain plans require annual commitments, which adds to the difficulty of making comparisons. The prices listed are based on monthly commitments; plans requiring annual commitments are indicated. Additionally, although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

Kinsta and GreenGeeks offer diverse hosting plans catering to different needs. Kinsta stands out with its robust Managed WordPress Hosting plans starting from $35/month and its detailed breakdown of application and database hosting costs. GreenGeeks provides more budget-friendly options, with plans like the Lite plan priced at $2.95/month for WordPress hosting. While GreenGeeks offers various hosting categories like WooCommerce and cPanel, Kinsta is notable for its in-depth enterprise-level services with higher-tier plans starting from $675/month, offering extensive storage and CDN options. Kinsta’s varied plans show a balance of performance and cost but come at a higher price point in comparison to GreenGeeks’ more affordable packages.

Enterprise plans

Kinsta offers enterprise-level plans starting from $675/month with over 60 WordPress installs, 100GB+ storage, and extensive CDN capacities of 2,000+GB, making them ideal for large-scale businesses. GreenGeeks’ reseller hosting plans peak at RH-80, priced at $69.95/month, providing 80 cPanel accounts and 160GB SSD storage. While Kinsta’s plans cater more to WordPress-centric enterprises with high traffic, GreenGeeks’ RH-80 plan suits businesses needing extensive resources for multiple domains.

🏆 Winner Kinsta: A powerhouse in hosting with an award-winning dashboard and extensive support resources.

Comparing the admin panels of both hosting providers, Kinsta offers a custom-built MyKinsta dashboard, known for its award-winning, user-friendly interface. Non-technical users will appreciate features like one-click backup creation, easy cache management, and simple PHP version selection. Experienced users can take advantage of detailed monitoring tools and various other features that cater to both novice and expert users.

In contrast, GreenGeeks relies on the standard cPanel, which is widely recognized and understood by many. While cPanel is accessible and offers a range of features that suit various user needs, it may not be as intuitive for those unfamiliar with web hosting interfaces. However, it remains a reliable and functional option for both beginners and advanced users.

Both Kinsta and GreenGeeks offer comprehensive migration solutions. Kinsta provides both basic and premium migration services directly through the MyKinsta dashboard. Users can request these migrations at no extra cost for basic services, making the process straightforward. GreenGeeks offers free WordPress migration, which can be initiated by submitting a site migration request through their support section. Both services ensure websites are transferred efficiently and with minimal hassle for the user.

The quality and accessibility of help center resources differ between the two providers. Kinsta has a comprehensive knowledge base and offers 24/7 live expert support via chat, ensuring users receive immediate assistance. Their detailed documentation and support articles cover a wide range of topics, including extensive tutorials. GreenGeeks also provides a robust help center with numerous WordPress tutorials and cPanel how-to guides, accessible through various support channels, including live chat, phone, and support tickets.

🏆 Winner Kinsta: Streamlined user management and enhanced security features.

Both Kinsta and GreenGeeks offer efficient user management systems, but Kinsta stands out with more specialized roles such as Company Owners, Administrators, and Developers. This setup allows a nuanced assignment of responsibilities, whereas GreenGeeks opts for simpler roles like Collaborator and Client. GreenGeeks provides a straightforward method for adding or removing users via their Account Manager, but Kinsta’s approach to user roles offers a higher degree of granularity in permissions and access control, making it more flexible for diverse business needs.

In terms of user interfaces, GreenGeeks provides an intuitive Account Manager that allows for easy navigation and user management. The steps for adding and removing users are clearly outlined, and the interface is user-friendly. Kinsta’s MyKinsta dashboard is similarly user-centric, providing options for enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and managing user permissions efficiently. Both platforms offer tools that are easy to understand and use, but Kinsta’s added security features like 2FA give it a slight edge in ensuring user credentials remain protected.

With regards to access control measures, Kinsta excels in implementing advanced security protocols and user access levels that adapt well to growing teams and evolving project needs. Its emphasis on strong password policies and 2FA underscores a focus on security. GreenGeeks, while offering multi-user access and cPanel permissions, provides a simpler but less flexible model for access control. Both platforms are capable of supporting an expanding user base, but Kinsta’s layered access and additional security options make it more effective in managing a growing number of users.

Kinsta user roles table:

GreenGeeks user roles table:

🏆 Winner
GreenGeeks: Known for exceptional customer support and comprehensive 24/7 availability.

Both Kinsta and GreenGeeks offer extensive customer support options, but they have unique differences. Kinsta provides multilingual support and 24/7 live chat for paid customers, ensuring quick response times and human-only expert support. They also focus on proactive site monitoring and enterprise-grade security with SOC 2 compliance and Cloudflare integration for DDoS protection.

GreenGeeks stands out with 24/7 support through live chat, email, and phone, gaining praise for their quick resolution times. They also offer free migration services for cPanel and WordPress, helping new users transition smoothly. GreenGeeks is highly rated for customer care and accessibility, making it a preferred choice for users seeking comprehensive and dependable support.

User feedback

Kinsta is highly recommended by users for its reliable and easy-to-use hosting services, particularly for WordPress sites. Customers appreciate the fast and responsive customer support, impressive speed, and robust security features provided by the platform. The user-friendly dashboard and extensive documentation also stand out as significant advantages, making it easy for both novices and tech-savvy individuals to manage their sites. However, some users find the pricing to be on the higher side, and a few have suggested improvements like expanding data center locations and providing direct access to all integrated services. Overall, Kinsta is praised for delivering a high-quality, dependable hosting experience.

Users generally appreciate the hosting provider for its excellent customer support, fast and reliable performance, and user-friendly dashboard. The eco-friendly aspect of the service is also a significant plus for many users. However, there are recurring concerns regarding the pricing, which tends to increase after the initial years, and the performance during high-demand scenarios. Additionally, some users have experienced issues with strict resource usage policies and limited plans for specific hosting needs.

FAQ