WordPress hosting prices in 2025 might look simple at first glance, but scratch the surface and you’ll find a world of hidden costs, confusing offers and fine-print gotchas.
You’re probably here because you’ve seen different plans from a range of providers, starting from £7 to £400+, and you’re asking the right questions: what’s the real difference between them, and what am I actually paying for?
Let’s clear that up.
This quick guide will walk you through the types of WordPress hosting, what’s typically included (and what’s not), and what to watch out for before you commit to anything. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect – and why we think Krystal offers the most honest, high-value WordPress hosting on the market.
What kind of WordPress hosting do you actually need?
WordPress hosting isn’t a single product, it’s a spectrum. From basic shared plans to high-powered virtual servers, what you choose depends on your website’s size, traffic and how hands-on you want to be.
Here’s a clearer look at the three main options, and what they’re really offering.
Shared WordPress hosting
The most affordable place to start. Shared WordPress hosting means your site sits alongside others on the same server, sharing resources. That can be a great fit for simple websites that don’t see huge spikes in traffic - and thanks to WordPress-specific features, it’s more optimised than generic shared hosting.
At Krystal, these plans include one-click WordPress installs, automatic updates, LiteSpeed caching and daily backups as standard.
Good for: Personal sites, portfolios, hobby blogs
Pros: Cost-effective, WordPress-ready, easy to use
Things to know: Performance may dip during high-traffic periods if other sites on the server spike
Managed WordPress hosting
If you want a bit more power and less hands-on admin, managed WordPress hosting is worth considering. These plans are built from the ground up for WordPress - with server-level optimisations, automatic updates, enhanced security and performance tools pre-configured for you.
They’re ideal for growing sites, business owners, and anyone who’d rather focus on content than caching plugins.
At Krystal, our Managed WordPress hosting gives you a cleaner, faster, more secure WordPress experience, without you needing to touch a server setting.
Good for: Business websites, ecommerce stores, professional blogs
Pros: Faster load times, built-in performance tools, no manual updates
Things to know: Slightly more expensive, but often pays off in time saved and reliability
VPS or dedicated WordPress hosting
If your website has grown beyond shared or managed hosting, a VPS (Virtual Private Server) gives you the space, power and control to scale. Unlike shared hosting, you’re not jostling for resources - your slice of the server is yours alone.
This is ideal for larger businesses, developers, or agencies managing client sites - and at Krystal, you can choose between managed VPS (where we handle the technical setup) or unmanaged (for total control).
Good for: High-traffic sites, custom applications, scaling businesses
Pros: Dedicated resources, highly scalable, full control
Things to know: Can be more complex; a managed VPS is best if you’re not comfortable with server admin. (if you want to take control yourself, we’ve written an easy-to-follow beginner’s guide to setting up a VPS.)
Hidden costs to keep an eye on
Even seasoned web professionals get caught out by sneaky extras. Here are some of the most common costs that aren’t always advertised upfront:
Introductory vs renewal pricing
Many hosts offer a low first-year deal, but the renewal cost can be double or even triple. Always check what the price becomes after the discount expires.
Migration fee
Some hosts charge to move your site from another provider – or won’t help at all.
Premium support
Live chat might be free, but priority phone support could cost more. Outsourcing of support can affect quality control.
Email and backup add-ons
Don’t assume that features like email accounts or automated backups are included. Many hosts bundle them separately and charge extra.
Plugin limitations
Some managed WordPress hosts restrict the use of performance plugins, which can limit your flexibility.
The lesson? Always read the full breakdown of what’s included and what’s not. A host that seems cheaper may cost you more by the time you’ve added what you actually need.
Why choose Krystal?
We won’t pretend we’re the cheapest. But we’re honest, and we believe in giving you everything upfront, with no nasty surprises later.
Here’s what you get with every Krystal WordPress hosting plan:
- The price you see is the price you pay – no hidden fees, no intro gimmicks
- Free SSL certificate
- Daily offsite backups
- Free email accounts
- Free site migrations
- 99.99% uptime, UK-based data centres
- LiteSpeed caching for fast performance
- Award-winning UK-based support on phone, ticket and live chat
- B Corp-certified hosting that’s ethical and sustainable
- Your website powered by 100% renewable energy from the sun, wind and sea
- A tree planted on your behalf every month!
We’re proudly independent, committed to sustainability and built for people who value quality, performance and transparency.
So if you’re comparing plans, ask yourself this: what matters more – the price on the ad, or the price you’ll actually pay?
When you’re ready, feel free to explore Krystal’s WordPress hosting plans, or drop us a question if you need help choosing the right one. Our award-winning team are always happy to help.
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About the author
Darren H
I'm Darren and I'm the Senior Copywriter at Krystal. Words are what I do. Aside from writing, I play guitar and sing in my band Machineries Of Joy, work on getting my 2nd Dan in Taekwondo and seek adventure with my wife and daughter.