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Managed Drupal hosting is an excellent option that can save you time and hassle. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to find the right provider for your needs. This article will look at the 5 best managed Drupal hosting providers. This narrows your search and ensures you get the right provider on time.
Here Are the Top 5 Managed Drupal Hosting Providers
- Kamatera – Best Managed Drupal Hosting Overall
- Hostinger – Best Managed Drupal Cloud Hosting For Shared Hosting
- Ultahost – Best Managed Drupal Hosting For VPS
- IONOS – Best Managed Drupal Hosting For Support
The Best Managed Drupal Hosting Services of 2024 (Bought and Tested)
Kamatera is a global web hosting provider that offers enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure products. It operates 18 global data centers in North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Their client base includes start-ups, developers, international enterprises, and SaaS providers. Its managed cloud hosting plan is perfect for personal, business, and development purposes. It also offers flexible billing options.
- Overall Score – 5
- Pricing – 5
- Features – 5
- Performance – 5
- Support – 5
- User Friendly – 5
Pricing: Kamatera managed server service costs $50/mo. This is a flat fee attached to your server’s basic cost. The basic server configuration costs $4/mo. It features 1 vCPU (2667MHz), 20 GB SSD storage, 1GB RAM, and 5000 GB/month internet traffic on a 10 Gbit/sec port and 1 Public IP. You can test this plan for free, thanks to the 30-day trial sign-up.
Features: Aside from managed service, Kamatera offers a lot of features. These include data migration and sync, continuous backup, server protection, flexible billing, instant scalability, and NVMe SSD drives. Kamatera also offers full root access and support for all the popular operating systems and control panels.
Support: Regardless of whether you opt-in for managed support, you get access to 24/7 customer support. The support channels are email, live chat, and phone. The managed support includes hands-on support with server management, setup, and updates. The web host also offers dedicated support to enterprises.
Performance: When it comes to performance, the managed plan offers an edge. The web host will optimize it for the best Drupal hosting performance. Generally, Kamatera offers page loading speeds as fast as 147 ms. You can get faster results using a data center near your location. Kamatera also promises 99.95% server uptime.
User Friendly: Kamatera offers enterprise-grade hosting infrastructure, so its products may seem strange to beginners. The managed service relieves the client of server management and allows them to focus on content. The web host also offers an intuitive management dashboard and round-the-clock customer support.
Additional Parameter – Affordable and Reliable Cloud Hosting: Kamatera is our top recommendation because of its affordable and reliable cloud servers. The web host allows you to customize your server setup to get your exact specifications without paying for services/resources you don’t need.
Pros & Cons
- 24/7 customer support
- Hourly or monthly billing options
- Instant horizontal and vertical scalability
- Free Drupal cloud hosting for 30 days
- User-friendly management interface
- No shared hosting
Hostinger is a cloud hosting provider that offers reliable uptime, agile loading speed, and excellent support. It also has remarkable community support backed by its millions of customers. We included Hostinger in this list for its managed WordPress hosting, which can also be used to host Drupal websites. (Note that Hostinger VPS plans are unmanaged, and there is no dedicated server plan.)
- Overall Score – 4.9
- Pricing – 5
- Features – 4.5
- Performance – 5
- Support – 5
- User Friendly – 5
Pricing: The entry managed WordPress plan (Premium) starts at $2.99/mo and renews at $7.99/mo. The plan can host 100 websites and includes 100GB SSD storage and weekly backups. The other plans, Business and Cloud Startup, begin at $3.99/mo and $8.99/mo, respectively. They offer daily backup, 200GB storage, and free CDN. Note that only the Cloud Startup plan offers priority support. Hostinger also allows you three months for free on all plans.
Features: The key features of Hostinger-managed WordPress plans include LiteSpeed web servers, automatic backup, malware scanner, advanced web application firewall, professional email, SSL, Hostinger CDN, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Other features include a free domain on selected plans, the unique hPanel, and Drupal-optimized servers.
Performance: Hostinger achieves an impressive page load speed of under 2 seconds. Our testing showed an outstanding 180 ms loading speed while pinging from London. With data centers in France, the UK, the US, India, Brazil, Singapore, Lithuania, and the Netherlands, there is always a data center nearby.
Support: Hostinger offers round-the-clock assistance through live chat and email channels. It also maintains an extensive knowledge base that covers Drupal installation and management. For those new to web hosting, the Hostinger Academy on YouTube is a primer for everything you need to learn. Hostinger also offers priority support for clients using the Cloud Startup plan.
User Friendly: Hostinger is a user-friendly web host that caters to beginners and small businesses. Thanks to the one-click Drupal install, you can use Drupal on the shared hosting plan. The web host also offers step-by-step guidance for beginners launching a Drupal website for the first time.
Additional Parameter – Managed Shared Hosting: Hostinger assumes responsibility for your hosting environment with the managed WordPress plan. The in-house team will harden your server security, optimize web performance, perform backups, and implement updates. This option is perfect for beginners and developers seeking a hassle-free hosting setup.
Pros & Cons
- Free domain registration
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Beginner-friendly hPanel
- Globally positioned data centers
- Great for website owners and developers
- No managed VPS hosting plan
UltaHost is a cutting-edge web hosting provider with fully managed VPS hosting solutions. Its VPS plans run on cloud-based servers and support various control panels. Its also features unlimited bandwidth and priority support. These plans are perfect for seasoned developers, growing businesses, and even beginners. UltaHost shared hosting plans also support Drupal hosting but don’t include dedicated support.
- Overall Score – 4.8
- Pricing – 4.5
- Features – 4.8
- Performance – 4.8
- Support – 5
- User Friendly – 5
Pricing: UltaHost VPS plans begin at $5.50/mo for the free panel option. This entry plan offers 1 core, 1GB RAM, 30GB NVMe storage, a managed server, and 1 IPv4 dedicated IP. The Plesk control panel option costs $15.50/mo, while the cPanel option costs $24.50/mo. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Features: All managed VPS plans feature unlimited bandwidth, free backups, domain transfer, SSL certificates, dedicated firewalls, and CDN add-on. Developer features include a staging environment, SSH and SFTP access, team management, BitNinja security, advanced caches, 24/server monitoring, and unlimited app installations.
Performance: UltaHost performs above the 5-second average loading speed. Our assessment showed response times of 413 ms from London, United Kingdom, and 427 ms from Frankfurt, Germany. You can get better loading speeds by using a VPS plan and selecting a server near your target audience.
Support: UltaHost offers comprehensive customer support with 24/7 live chat, a ticketing system, an extensive knowledge base, and an active community. Its extensive knowledge base provides detailed guides for Drupal hosting. If you want more support, consider getting the advanced or premium support add-ons.
User Friendly: UltaHost offers a one-click install so you can start hosting within minutes. It also supports many control panels like Plesk, cPanel, CyberPanel, BrainyCP, and VestaCP. And since the plans are fully managed, you don’t have to worry about server maintenance and updates.
Additional Parameter – Drupal VPS: UltaHost VPS plans offer reliable Drupal hosting to business owners, website creators, and developers. These fully managed plans include unlimited bandwidth, DDoS protection, and automatic OS installation. Other features include malware scanning and regular backups.
Pros & Cons
- Generous storage space
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Free control panel options
- Unlimited bandwidth on all plans
- Support add-ons for personalized support
- cPanel VPS plans are expensive
IONOS is a Europe-based cloud hosting provider with superb web hosting packages. Its hosting plans are designed for businesses and individuals that want feature-rich, well-priced hosting. It offers a wide range of packages, including shared, VPS, WordPress, cloud, and dedicated hosting. One of the features that stand out is its personalized support. Upon sign-up, the web host will assign a personal consultant to help guide you through the web hosting process.
- Overall Score – 4.7
- Pricing – 4.5
- Features – 5
- Performance – 4.3
- Support – 5
- User Friendly – 4.8
Pricing: IONOS offers managed service on its shared web hosting plans. The shared hosting plans begin at $5/mo and continue at $6/mo six months later. It offers 10GB storage and 10 databases; you can only use it for one website. The Plus plan ($6.5/mo, then $12/mo) and the Ultimate plan ($13/mo, renews at $16/mo) offer unlimited websites, storage, and databases.
Features: IONOS shared hosting plans feature 99.9% uptime, PHP 8.2 with JIT compiler, SSL, DDoS protection, and backups. Other features include multiple data locations, instant scalability, one-click app install, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You also get one year of free domain upon registration.
Performance: When it comes to performance, you can expect more from the VPS plans. However, the shared hosting plans also offer decent performance with a page loading speed below two seconds. With data centers in Europe and the US, you can get a server that will offer fast loading speed to your web visitors.
Support: IONOS offers three kinds of support. There is the regular 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. There is also dedicated support via a personal consultant. This consultant will help you provide personalized advice to boost your online success. Lastly, the shared hosting, ASP.net and WordPress plan include managed support.
User Friendly: IONOS tries to make web hosting as simple as possible. The personalized consultant will help you choose the right tools and provide professional advice. The managed service also ensures you don’t have to focus on managing your hosting environment. Just focus on providing content and attending to your customers.
Additional Parameter – Drupal Hosting Specific Managed Support: IONOS has Drupal hosting experts on its support team. These support agents will help install, manage, and maintain your Drupal hosting environment. They are also available 24/7 to handle queries and resolve issues.
Pros & Cons
- 1-click Drupal installation
- SSL certificate
- PHP 8.2 with JIT compiler
- 24/7 customer support
- Expert-managed Drupal hosting service
- No managed support for VPS plans
Ranking comparison between the Top Providers
Best Managed Drupal Hosting Services: Final Recommendations
Our top recommendation for managed Drupal hosting is Kamatera. The web host offers affordable managed hosting powered by enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure. The plans are suitable for all purposes, and with 18 data centers, you can always find a close server. A strong alternative is Hostinger, with its managed WordPress hosting plans. These plans offer LiteSpeed web servers, automatic backup, malware scanners, and professional email. If you find Kamatera cloud server plans too complex, go with Hostinger.
Other equally good web hosts for managed Drupal hosting are UltaHost, InterServer, IONOS, A2 Hosting, and HostArmada. UltaHost is our recommendation for VPS plans, while HostArmada shines best regarding multiple-version support. If you want affordable Drupal servers, try InterServer’s affordable dedicated servers. IONOS offers a hands-on approach, which is great for beginners, while A2 Hosting is best for projects that rely on top performance.
Types of Managed Drupal Hosting and Which Is the Right One for You?
Drupal is a content management system that works with various hosting types. Right off the bat, we recommend VPS because it balances affordability and performance. Here are some of the popular hosting types that work with Drupal.
- Shared Hosting: Shared hosting is the most affordable option for hosting Drupal websites. As the name suggests, you are sharing hosting resources with other users. On the hierarchy of web hosting plans, it is on the lowest rung.
- Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting: VPS hosting is a step up from shared hosting. In this type of hosting, the web host divides a single server into multiple virtual servers. Each virtual server has its own resources and functions like a standalone server.
- Dedicated Hosting: Dedicated hosting is the most powerful and expensive option for hosting Drupal websites. This type of hosting allocates all of the server’s resources to just you. This gives you the most control and the best performance. But for many people, the high cost is not worth it.
- Cloud Hosting: Cloud hosting means the web host uses a cluster of cloud servers to host client projects. This form of hosting offers more resources, reliability, and scalability. However, it can be costlier than traditional VPS plans.
- Managed Hosting: Managed hosting is more of a variant of regular hosting. It means the web host handles maintenance and upgrades. You can find managed hosting with shared hosting, VPS, cloud, and dedicated server plans.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Managed Drupal Hosting Plan
Here are the top factors to consider when choosing a managed Drupal hosting plan:
- Support: The goal of managed hosting is to get all the support you can get. So, you should consider the level of support that the hosting provider offers. This includes the specific tasks included in the managed service and communication channels.
- Reliability and Uptime: You should also consider the hosting provider’s reliability and uptime guarantees. Reviews can help in this regard. Alternatively, you can use the trial period to test the web host’s reliability and uptime.
- Scalability: As your website grows, you may need to upgrade to a higher tier. Choose a web host that makes increasing your hosting resources or switching plans easy.
- Cost: Once you’ve ensured the provider ticks all the right boxes, you can check the pricing. Read the fine print for this aspect to know of hidden charges and renewal plans. Factor all these when calculating the cost-effectiveness of each plan/provider.
Managed vs Unmanaged Drupal Hosting: Which Is the Right One?
When it comes to Drupal hosting, there are two main options available: managed and unmanaged hosting. Managed hosting means the web host will handle all the technical aspects of running the website/application. These include server maintenance, security, backups, and updates. On the other hand, unmanaged hosting provides you with a server and allows you to manage everything yourself.
Which is the right option for you? It depends on your technical expertise and the time and resources you’re willing to invest.
- If you’re new to Drupal or don’t have much technical knowledge, managed hosting is the obvious choice. It is also great for experienced users who don’t have the time or patience for server management.
- On the other hand, unmanaged hosting is only for users who have the skill or are willing to learn how to manage a server. It offers the most control, so it is the obvious choice for people who want server-wide customization.
How do we rank, and how should you choose your Managed Drupal Hosting?
- Features20%
- Scalability Options10%
- Advanced Web Hosting Solutions10%
- Uptime15%
- Value for Money15%
- Customer Support15%
- User Reviews15%
At HostAdvice, we use an in-house ranking methodology for ranking web hosting providers. Here are the parameters we used in ranking the best-managed Drupal hosting providers.
- Features (20%): We look first for Drupal hosting features such as support for the latest versions and easy installation. We then consider the hosting features on the plans and those offered as add-ons.
- Scalability Options (10%): The dream of every website owner is to have more traffic. This means, at some point, you will need to upgrade your resources. For this reason, we ensure our recommended web hosts allow seamless addition of hosting resources and plan switching when necessary.
- Advanced Web Hosting Solutions (10%): Drupal CMS is typically reserved for complex websites and applications. For this reason, we focus on providers that offer enterprise-grade hosting infrastructure and flexible control options.
- Uptime (15%): Our standard mandates at least 99.9% uptime for a Drupal hosting provider. Aside from the uptime guarantee, we test to see if the web host lives up to its promise.
- Value for Money (15%): Some of the providers highlighted in this article are not exactly cheap. But when compared with the competition on value for money, they are the most affordable options. We only recommend providers that offer quality services at commensurate pricing.
- Customer Support (15%): Under customer support, we look at both the features of the managed service and the general customer support. Expert Drupal support is a must-have.
- User Reviews (15%): Lastly, we check reviews from users and in-house hosting experts to validate the claims made by web hosts and put our findings into proper perspective.
What is Managed Drupal Hosting, and who is it for?
Managed Drupal Hosting is specifically designed to support Drupal-based websites. The provider offers server management and optimization while the client focuses on their business. It is ideal for anyone who wants Drupal-based hosting without dealing with the technical aspects.
Here is a specific list of the target clients for managed Drupal hosting:
- Businesses that need a reliable, secure, and high-performance website
- Non-technical users
- Technical users who value assistance with managing their website
- Drupal developers and users who want to focus on building rather than management
