Knowledgebase

Managed WordPress vs Shared Hosting (Firstserv)

Both Managed WordPress (Onyx) and Shared Hosting run on Firstserv’s infrastructure, but they are designed for different use cases. This guide highlights the key differences to help you choose the best option for your needs.

What’s the Main Difference?

Shared Hosting is a flexible, general-purpose platform managed through cPanel. While it supports WordPress, you can also run a wide range of other applications such as Joomla, Drupal, Magento, Laravel, and more. You have full control over what you install and how you manage your environment.

Onyx Managed WordPress is purpose-built specifically for WordPress. It comes with WordPress pre-installed, automatically updated, and optimised for performance. It’s designed for users who want a streamlined, hands-off experience.

Performance and Reliability

• Shared Hosting:
  Runs on a single cloud server with allocated CPU and RAM. It uses LiteSpeed and fast storage for reliable performance.

• Onyx:
  Uses a multi-server architecture, distributing workloads across systems for improved performance, scalability, and redundancy. Each site runs in its own isolated environment, with resources that can scale to meet demand.

Resource Allocation

• Shared Hosting:
  Fixed allocation of CPU, RAM, and storage shared across all websites within your account.

• Onyx:
  Uses a visitor-based model. Resources automatically scale depending on traffic, helping your site handle spikes without disruption.

Management and Control Panels

• Shared Hosting:
  Uses cPanel, giving full access to:

  • File management
  • Email
  • Databases
  • DNS
  • SSH and cron jobs
  • 300+ one-click app installs

• Onyx:
  Uses a custom WordPress dashboard, including:

  • One-click staging environments
  • Built-in file management
  • SFTP access
  • Analytics and performance tools

WordPress Updates and Security

• Shared Hosting:
  You manage WordPress updates, plugins, and security. Firstserv provides server-level protection (firewalls, malware scanning), but site maintenance is your responsibility.

• Onyx:
  Automatically updates WordPress core and includes proactive security protection to guard against known vulnerabilities. This reduces risk with minimal manual input.

Content Delivery Network (CDN)

• Shared Hosting:
  No built-in CDN (you can integrate a third-party solution if required).

• Onyx:
  Includes a built-in CDN on higher-tier plans, improving load times globally.

Caching

• Shared Hosting:
  LiteSpeed is included, but caching plugins must be configured manually.

• Onyx:
  Comes with pre-configured LiteSpeed Cache and optimisation tools, ready to use out of the box.

Staging Environments

• Shared Hosting:
  Available but requires manual setup.

• Onyx:
  Includes one-click staging environments, allowing quick testing and deployment.

Email

• Shared Hosting:
  Includes email hosting with mailbox support as standard.

• Onyx:
  Email is not included by default but can be added as an optional extra.

Backups

• Shared Hosting:
  Daily backups (or more frequent on higher-tier plans) managed via cPanel tools.

• Onyx:
  Daily or hourly backups depending on plan, designed for fast restoration.

Applications and Flexibility

• Shared Hosting:
  Supports a wide range of technologies and applications beyond WordPress.

• Onyx:
  Exclusively designed for WordPress. You can install plugins/themes but cannot run non-WordPress applications.

AI Site Builder

• Shared Hosting:
  Not included.

• Onyx:
  Includes an AI-powered site builder to quickly create WordPress websites.

Support

• Shared Hosting:
  General hosting support across a wide range of technologies.

• Onyx:
  Specialised WordPress-focused support, including help with plugins, performance, and optimisation.

Quick Comparison

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Shared Hosting if:

• You need flexibility to run multiple applications
• You want full control via cPanel
• You require built-in email hosting
• You prefer a lower-cost entry point

Choose Onyx Managed WordPress if:

• You’re running a WordPress site
• You want automatic updates and built-in optimisation
• You prefer a managed, hands-off experience
• You need advanced performance and scalability

If you're unsure which option is best for your needs, the Firstserv support team will be happy to guide you.