# Kinsta alternative for WordPress and PHP hosting

Source: https://www.fortrabbit.com/alternatives/kinsta
Created: 2026-09-11
Reviewed: 2026-09-11


## About Kinsta

Kinsta is a well known managed WordPress host, founded in 2013. It offers some magic to make WordPress hosting less painful and maybe a little more secure: server-level caching, staging and automatic updates. Since February 2026 Kinsta sells WordPress hosting only. Application and database hosting moved to a separate brand, Sevalla.

## Why not Kinsta?

It's their WordPress, and their rules. There is a list of banned plugins, caching and backup plugins among them. Caching and backups happen the Kinsta way, or not at all. Plans are priced per site, from $35 a month. And the Laravel app for the same client now lives somewhere else.

## Why fortrabbit

fortrabbit is more flexible and more open to different workflows and other software, with good support for [WordPress](/software/wordpress). fortrabbit is a good fit for more sophisticated WordPress developers. Don't expect 1-click installers or auto-updates. Enjoy more freedom and a clean separation of concerns: WordPress lives in Git, Composer pulls core and plugins on deploy, WP-CLI runs over SSH, and there is no blocklist. The Laravel API or the Craft CMS site goes on the same account.

It might be mentioned that fortrabbit is more affordable than Kinsta.

## Kinsta and fortrabbit

| Feature    | Kinsta                  | fortrabbit             |
| ---------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Runs       | WordPress only          | Any PHP                |
| Other apps | Moved to Sevalla        | Same account           |
| Deployment | Installer, Git over SSH | git push, Composer     |
| Plugins    | Banned list             | No list                |
| Updates    | Managed                 | On push                |
| Pricing    | From $35 per site       | Per component, arrears |

## FAQ

### Does Kinsta still host non-WordPress apps?

**No** — Since February 2026 application, database and static site hosting live under a separate brand, Sevalla. Kinsta sells WordPress hosting only. fortrabbit hosts any PHP app under one account.

### Can I install any plugin on fortrabbit?

**Yes** — Kinsta bans plugins that conflict with its stack, such as caching and backup plugins. fortrabbit runs the plain WordPress codebase. There is no list.

### Is fortrabbit cheaper than Kinsta?

**Usually** — Kinsta's single-site plan starts at $35 a month. A small WordPress site on fortrabbit starts at about €5 a month, billed in arrears.

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- [WordPress hosting](/software/wordpress)
- [All alternatives](/alternatives)