Methodology
Every host is graded the same way, from public plan data. The weights below come from the same file the grading code reads, so this page and the grades cannot disagree.
Categories and weights
| Category | Weight | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Real cost | 30% | Introductory price, renewal price and the three-year total. |
| Plan limits | 25% | Storage, bandwidth, CPU and RAM, visit caps and backups at each tier. |
| Store features | 20% | Staging, caching, backups, SSL and WooCommerce-specific tools. |
| Support and terms | 15% | Support channels and hours, refund window and cancellation terms. |
| Public reputation | 10% | Third-party review scores, summarized and linked to their sources. |
Where the data comes from
Figures come from each host's pricing page, documentation and terms of service. Each one is stored with its source link and the date it was checked, and the page shows both. If a host does not publish a figure we show "not stated by host" and we do not estimate. Introductory and renewal prices are always kept separate, because the gap between them is one of the most useful things for a buyer to see. Prices are shown in US dollars, and in pounds or euros where a host publishes them.
How category scores are calculated
[Pending. The formula that turns plan data into a 0-100 score for each category has not been decided. Grades stay hidden until it is published here.]
From scores to a letter grade
The overall score is the weighted average of the five category scores. If a category has no score, the host gets no grade.
| Grade | Minimum overall score |
|---|---|
| A | 90 |
| A- | 85 |
| B+ | 80 |
| B | 70 |
| C+ | 60 |
| C | 50 |
| D | 0 |
[Grade cutoffs are proposed and not yet confirmed.]
What grades do not measure
Grades are based on public plan data. They are not the result of hands-on speed, uptime or support tests. Where we have used a host ourselves, the page says so and shows dated evidence.
Independence and freshness
Commission rates are not an input to any score. See the affiliate disclosure and the editorial policy. Pricing and plan limits are re-checked monthly. A page is not published if its data is more than 90 days old.