I quickly realized that choosing the wrong payment solution could mean the difference between a thriving business and lost customers.

The right payment plugin can help you securely process transactions, reduce cart abandonment, and boost your conversion rates. But what works for a small nonprofit accepting donations won’t necessarily work for a consultant selling services or an online store processing hundreds of orders.

That’s why I’ve personally tested over 20 WordPress payment plugins across different business scenarios. Each plugin on this list has been thoroughly vetted for reliability, ease of use, and real-world performance.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, you’ll find a solution that fits your needs and gets you paid without the headaches.

Quick Overview: Best WordPress Payment Plugins

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick overview of the best WordPress payment plugins:

How I Test And Review WordPress Payment Plugins

You might be wondering how I actually tested all these payment plugins before recommending them. Well, I didn’t just skim the features on different blogs and move on.

I’ve worked directly with plugins like WP Simple Pay, MemberPress, and WPForms to accept payments on my own websites.

Plus, I personally tested every other plugin on this list to make sure it worked well and could process payments without issues.

Here’s what my testing process looked like:

• 🛠️ I installed each plugin on a test site: I set up a clean WordPress site and installed each payment plugin just like you would. This helped me see how easy (or complicated) it is to get started, connect payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal, and configure the basic settings.
• 💳 I simulated real payments: Next, I ran test transactions using test mode. I checked if payments went through smoothly, how the plugin handled errors, and whether things like taxes, coupons, or recurring payments worked as expected.
• 🔍 I checked for compatibility issues: I tested the plugin alongside popular WordPress tools and themes to make sure everything plays nicely together.
• 🔒 I reviewed security and updates: Payment data is sensitive, so I also looked at how the plugin handles security, whether it’s regularly updated, and if the developers follow WordPress best practices.
• 👍 I rated user-friendliness: Finally, I looked at how beginner-friendly the plugin is. Are the settings clear? Is the setup wizard helpful? Would a first-time user get overwhelmed or feel confident?

By the time a plugin makes it onto my recommendation list, it’s been through all of this and more. Having said that, let’s take a look at the best WordPress payment plugins.

1. WP Simple Pay – Best for Stripe Payment Forms

WP Simple Pay is the best WordPress payment plugin if you’re using Stripe, especially if you want to sell services or subscriptions without building a full-blown online store.

When I first tested this plugin, I was impressed by how quickly I could create a working Stripe payment form without any of the complexity that comes with complete eCommerce platforms.

This plugin solves the biggest headache most service providers and subscription businesses face: getting paid without the technical nightmare of setting up complex store solutions.

We covered all the details and our hands-on experience in our WP Simple Pay review, so you can get the full picture there.

When I started creating my own payment forms, I found the drag-and-drop builder incredibly user-friendly.

Creating attractive, custom payment forms took minutes instead of hours. No coding skills are required, which is a significant advantage for many business owners.

I was also impressed by the payment options. It supports Stripe Checkout, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH bank transfers, and even Buy Now, Pay Later options like Afterpay and Klarna.

Plus, you can set custom pricing fields, coupon codes, and multi-step payment forms.

However, what really stood out to me was the customization control. You can brand the entire payment form page to match your business.

Clean URLs, custom background colors, and layout adjustments can all work together to create a professional checkout experience that feels like part of your site.

All in all, I recommend WP Simple Pay for anyone looking to sell services and subscriptions without setting up an online store.

It handles the payment complexity while keeping your WordPress site fast and reliable. No bloated code or performance issues that slow things down.

To get started, see our tutorial on how to accept Stripe payments in WordPress.

Pros of WP Simple Pay

• Pre-made templates speed up form creation
• Set up partial payments (for deposits) and installment plans for high-value services
• Stripe handles all sensitive data for maximum security
• One-click payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Flexible billing intervals for subscriptions
• Built-in coupon codes and promotional discounts
• Option to pass processing fees to customers
• Easy purchase restrictions and limits

Cons of WP Simple Pay

• Advanced features locked in free version
• Only works with Stripe (no other payment processors)

Pricing: WP Simple Pay’s paid plans can range from $49.50/year to $209.65/year.

Why I recommend WP Simple Pay: What makes WP Simple Pay stand out is how easy it is to accept Stripe payments on WordPress with no need to build a full online store.

It’s a great fit if you’re offering services, running a membership site, or collecting subscriptions, one-time payments, or even deposits. The payment forms are simple, flexible, and work right out of the box.

2. WPForms – Best for Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.Net, and Square Payment Forms

WPForms is the best WordPress payment plugin for collecting customer information alongside payments, such as registration forms, order forms with custom fields, or surveys that include payment options.

The plugin also supports multiple payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and Square. This flexibility allows you to offer your customers a variety of payment options without needing to juggle different plugins.

We use WPForms here at WPBeginner for our contact forms and annual surveys, so I’ve seen firsthand how reliable and flexible this plugin can be. If you’re curious about all the things it can do, we go over them in more detail in our WPForms review.

A key advantage of WPForms is how it combines powerful form building with payment processing. You’re not limited to simple “pay now” buttons.

Instead, you can create comprehensive forms that gather the information your business needs while processing payments securely.

WPForms also comes with a variety of payment fields.

You can add single-item payments, multiple items, dropdowns for selecting products or quantities, and even donation fields with preset or custom amounts.

This makes building complex payment forms super easy, even if you’re new to it.

One feature I found particularly helpful is the plugin’s AI-powered form builder.

It helps speed up the design process by generating form templates that you can customize with simple prompts. This can save you hours when creating new forms with payment integrations.

Additionally, the conditional logic feature is very powerful. Forms can show or hide fields based on user selections, creating a smooth experience that only displays relevant options.

Your customers see exactly what they need without confusion.

Overall, WPForms strikes a great balance between being powerful and user-friendly.

It’s perfect if you want to build payment forms combined with surveys, registrations, or quotes, all while securely processing payments through your preferred gateway.

For more information, see our tutorial on how to add a PayPal payment form in WordPress.

Pros of WPForms

• Over 2,000 pre-made form templates
• Drag-and-drop builder that’s genuinely beginner-friendly
• Supports one-time payments and recurring subscriptions
• Coupon code fields for checkout discounts
• Automatic email notifications and confirmations
• Complete spam protection
• Secure data storage accessible from the WordPress dashboard

Cons of WPForms

• Payment add-ons locked in free plan

Pricing: WPForms pricing starts at $49.50. However, to unlock the extensions for PayPal, Stripe, and Square, you will need the pro plan for $199.40/yr.

Why I recommend WPForms: It’s a great solution that gives you the flexibility to build forms that go beyond simple contact fields. Whether you’re setting up a survey, registration form, or quote request, WPForms makes it easy to include payment options right inside the form.

3. WooCommerce – Best for Selling Physical Products

If you’re planning to build a full-fledged online store, I always recommend starting with WooCommerce. It’s the best WordPress payment plugin for selling physical products and managing inventory, shipping, taxes, and payments, all from one dashboard.

The plugin stands out as a complete eCommerce solution when you need more than simple payment collection.

You’re not just processing payments. Instead, you’re running a real business with product catalogs, inventory tracking, shipping calculations, and tax management.

I’ve been working with WooCommerce since its early days and have used it to build online stores for clients across different industries.

You can check out our full WooCommerce review to see why it’s such a solid choice.

One thing that has improved significantly over the years is the built-in payment integrations. PayPal and Stripe used to need separate plugins, but now they work smoothly right out of the box.

During my recent WooCommerce testing, I was particularly impressed with how plugins like FunnelKit’s Stripe integration can make the checkout process even better.

You get fully customizable, high-converting checkout pages that feel modern and fast.

The ability to design checkout pages, offer upsells, and accept express payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay can make a significant difference in conversion rates.

In my opinion, WooCommerce is ideal if you want complete control over your store’s design and functionality. Whether you’re selling five products or five thousand, it scales well and gives you all the tools you need to grow.

If your goal is to turn your WordPress site into a full eCommerce platform, then WooCommerce is the payment plugin I’d trust every time.

To get started, see our beginner’s guide on WooCommerce made simple.

Pros of WooCommerce

• Accepts diverse payment methods, including cash on delivery and bank transfers
• Credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local methods via Stripe
• Supports one-time and recurring payments with subscription addons
• Accept Square and Authorize.net payments with addons
• Custom tax rules with flexible pricing options
• Hundreds of payment-related extensions in the marketplace
• Built-in refund management and order status controls

Cons of WooCommerce

• Can feel like overkill for simple service payments or single digital downloads
• Extensions required for certain payment gateways (costs vary)

Pricing: WooCommerce is free to use, but you’ll need to purchase extensions to add certain payment options like Square or Authorize.net. The pricing for these extensions can vary.

Why I recommend WooCommerce: In my opinion, WooCommerce is well-suited if you want extensive control over your store’s design and functionality. Whether you’re selling five products or five thousand, it scales well and offers a comprehensive set of tools to help you grow.

4. Easy Digital Downloads – Best for Selling Digital Products

If you’re selling digital products, like eBooks, software, PDFs, or music, then Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is the ideal WordPress payment plugin for the job.

Unlike general payment plugins, EDD offers effective solutions specifically built for the unique challenges of selling digital goods.

It is particularly effective for digital product sales, where you need instant delivery, license management, and customer download tracking.

Our partner brands have been using EDD to sell their premium plugins for years, and it’s consistently delivered excellent results. We’ve also spent a lot of time testing it on demo sites to see how it performs in different scenarios.

We explain it all in our detailed review of EDD if you want a closer look.

What makes EDD perfect for digital sales is how it handles the entire customer journey. When someone buys your digital product, they instantly receive download links, account access, and professional receipts. No manual work required on your end.

The plugin accepts Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay right out of the box.

I found the payment setup process much faster than configuring similar functionality with other plugins. The setup is straightforward and functions well without complicated integrations.

The one feature that impressed me most was the ability to pass payment processing fees to customers. This might seem minor, but over time, it saves significant money in transaction costs, especially when selling lower-priced digital items.

You can also set up one-time or recurring payments, offer discount codes, and even create custom checkout fields without needing a developer.

Another key strength of EDD is its scalability. With premium extensions, you can add license key generation, affiliate tracking, and customer email automation while keeping your payment flows smooth and secure.

If your site revolves around digital content, then this is a plugin I can confidently recommend for handling your transactions.

For step-by-step instructions on using Easy Digital Downloads, see our tutorial on how to sell digital downloads in WordPress.

Pros of Easy Digital Downloads

• Cart and checkout system optimized for digital products
• Customizable purchase receipts and confirmation emails for better branding
• Test mode for simulating transactions before going live
• Built-in sales and earnings reports for revenue analysis
• Tax settings with VAT support for EU compliance
• Customer account area for re-downloading purchases
• Instant digital delivery after payment

Cons of Easy Digital Downloads

• Advanced features are locked in the free plan.
• Not suitable for physical product sales

Pricing: EDD’s pricing starts at $99.50/year for one site. You can also opt for the All Access Pass for $499.50/yr to unlock all the features.

Why I recommend Easy Digital Downloads: We use EDD to sell our premium plugins and software, and it’s always worked great. If you’re selling eBooks, PDFs, plugins, courses, or music, then EDD offers a payment processing and delivery system specifically designed for your business model.

5. WP Charitable – Best for WordPress Donation Forms

WP Charitable is the best payment plugin for accepting donations in WordPress, especially if you’re running a nonprofit or a cause-based website.

It stands out as the specialized solution when you need more than basic payment collection for charitable causes. The tool makes it super easy to manage donor relationships, track campaign progress, and build long-term fundraising success.

Our team has tested this plugin extensively, both through demo campaigns and real-world use for our founder’s education nonprofit, the Balkhi Foundation.

WP Charitable makes the donation process seamless for supporters and removes a lot of the friction that usually gets in the way. You can get the complete details in our review of WP Charitable.

Instead of complicated checkout flows, you get simple, clean donation forms that integrate well with Stripe, PayPal, and other popular gateways.

The user experience feels designed specifically for donors who want to give quickly and easily.

One of the things that stood out during my testing was how customizable Charitable’s donation forms are. You can set suggested amounts, let donors enter custom amounts, create recurring donation options, and even add goal meters to encourage participation.

Plus, it supports campaign management, so you can run multiple fundraisers at once and track their progress easily. Each campaign gets its own dedicated page, donation tracking, and goal visualization, which helps create urgency and transparency for donors.

I think most will also appreciate Charitable’s email integrations.

They help make it easy to automate thank-you emails and provide donors with donation receipts right away, something I know is important for nonprofit transparency and tax purposes.

Plus, built-in reports can help you make data-driven decisions, so you can maximize your fundraising efforts.

The bottom line? With a strong focus on donor experience and campaign management, Charitable is the best WordPress payment plugin for nonprofits.

You can start building your website easily by following our article on how to create a non profit website in WordPress.

Pros of WP Charitable

• Dozens of pre-made templates for quick form creation
• Unlimited donation campaigns with individual goals and forms
• Custom checkout fields for collecting donor details and dedications
• Multi-currency support for international fundraising
• Offline payment tracking for checks and cash donations
• Built-in reporting tools with donation history and data export capabilities
• Goal meters and progress tracking to encourage donations
• Automated donor communication and receipt generation

Cons of WP Charitable

• Only PayPal is included in the free plan; Stripe and other gateways require paid plans
• Limited to donation forms (not general-purpose like WPForms)

Pricing: Charitable’s pricing starts from $69 to $299 per year.

Why I recommend WP Charitable: The plugin is great for nonprofit fundraising, with features designed for charitable organizations. If you’re running fundraising campaigns and need more than basic payment buttons, I recommend Charitable.

6. MyPayKit – Best WordPress Square Payment Plugin

MyPayKit is a great WordPress payment plugin for when you want to accept payments through Square without the complexity of a full eCommerce platform.

You get clean, professional payment forms that connect directly to Square’s payment processing system.

Since it’s a new plugin, I wanted to see how well it worked—and it delivered on its promise: offering a simple way to accept Square payments online.

This makes it excellent for collecting deposits, one-time payments, or even donations without forcing customers through a complicated checkout process.

Another thing I really appreciate is how lightweight MyPayKit is compared to other payment solutions.

Unlike WooCommerce or other store-focused plugins, it doesn’t overload your site with extra features you might not need. It focuses specifically on payment collection and does it well.

Plus, it’s not just limited to Square. You can also accept Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay if you want to expand your options.

But if Square is your go-to processor, MyPayKit makes accepting payments very easy and straightforward.

Pros of MyPayKit

• Seamless Square integration
• Clean, professional payment form design
• Supports multiple payment processors (Square, Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay)
• Handles both one-time and recurring payments
• Simple 2-minute setup process for non-technical users
• Perfect for service businesses and local retailers

Cons of MyPayKit

• Limited advanced features compared to full eCommerce solutions
• Primarily focused on Square (other processors feel secondary)
• May not suit complex payment scenarios

Pricing: MyPayKit has a free plan with unlimited forms and transactions. However, there’s a 3% application fee. Paid plans start at $49.50 per year to remove the application fee and access premium features.

Why I recommend MyPayKit: It’s a great choice for accepting Square payments on your WordPress website. When I tested it, I found that it worked smoothly and allowed me to collect payments in just a few clicks.

7. MemberPress – Best for WordPress Membership Websites

If you are planning to sell subscriptions, memberships, or online courses on your WordPress website, then MemberPress is my top pick.

It’s a powerful payment plugin that offers payment processing combined with content protection and access control for your membership business.

We’ve used MemberPress to set up free online courses at WPBeginner, and we love its advanced (yet straightforward) access control and content protection features.

The plugin manages the entire member lifecycle from signup to content delivery without requiring manual work. If you want a full look at how it works, check out our MemberPress review.

MemberPress comes with built-in support for Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net, so you can start accepting payments securely from day one.

The payment gateway setup is straightforward and reliable across all supported processors. You can offer one-time payments, free trials, recurring subscriptions, and even charge based on access tiers.

This flexibility lets you create sophisticated pricing strategies that grow with your business.

What makes the plugin particularly well-suited for membership sites is how well everything integrates. When someone signs up, their access is instantly managed, and there’s no need to manually approve or update anything.

The tool is also great for building online courses. With the built-in MemberPress Courses addon, you can create lessons, lock premium content, and drip content based on membership levels.

If you’re a creator or educator looking for a simple way to monetize your content, MemberPress makes it easy to get started. To learn more, see our ultimate guide on how to create a membership site.

Pros of MemberPress

• Multiple membership levels with different pricing tiers for upselling
• Built-in coupon system for promotions and discounts
• Immediate content access after payment processing
• Automated payment reminders and failed transaction handling
• Built-in tax support for compliance
• Paywall feature for teasing premium content

Cons of MemberPress

• Advanced features are locked behind paid plans
• Higher starting price than simple payment plugins

Pricing: The pricing for the MemberPress basic plan is $179.50/year. However, to unlock its full LMS potential, including quizzes, assignments, and gradebooks, you will have to buy the pro plan for $399.50/year.

Why I recommend MemberPress: It’s an excellent WordPress plugin for building a membership site or selling courses. While WP Simple Pay works well for basic subscriptions, MemberPress takes it a step further by handling payments, locking down your content, and controlling which members have access to specific pages, lessons, or downloads.

8. Formidable Forms – Best for Advanced Payment Forms

If you’re looking to build advanced forms that calculate pricing and process payments based on user selections, then Formidable Forms is a great option.

It offers powerful form-building tools for creating interactive calculators, quote generators, and custom workflows.

During testing, I was able to easily build loan applications, pricing estimates, and shipping calculators that automatically updated totals based on user input.

And these aren’t static forms—they’re dynamic tools that adapt using conditional logic, changing fields, prices, or redirects based on answers.

This makes Formidable Forms well-suited for legal consultations, service quotes, and custom product estimates.

To learn more about what the plugin can do, check out our Formidable Forms review.

I also really like how easily you can connect Stripe, PayPal, or Authorize.net to charge users after form completion.

Plus, the multi-page form support and integrated data tracking make it easy to manage both submissions and payments from one dashboard.

Overall, if your business needs intelligent forms that do more than collect payments, like guiding users through personalized pricing or registration steps, then Formidable Forms is a solid choice.

Pros of Formidable Forms

• Advanced conditional logic for dynamic form behavior
• Multi-page forms with integrated payment processing
• Supports Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net
• Comprehensive data management and submission tracking
• Custom field types for specialized information collection
• AI form builder to speed up initial setup

Cons of Formidable Forms

• More complex than needed for simple payment collection
• Steeper learning curve compared to basic form builders

Pricing: Formidable Forms starts at $39.50/year. However, to unlock calculations, you will need the business plan for $199.50/year.

Why I recommend Formidable Forms: It is a great option if you need more than just a simple payment form. You can build smart forms that automatically calculate the total based on user selections, and then let them pay right away using Stripe, PayPal, or Authorize.net—there’s no coding required.

9. WishList Member – Best for Paywalls and Memberships

WishList Member is a reliable WordPress payment plugin if you’re building a membership site or want to protect premium content behind a paywall.

When I tested WishList Member, I found the integration with Stripe, PayPal, and other gateways to be quite easy. I didn’t need any third-party addons to start charging users for access.

For more details about how the plugin works, see our WishList Member review.

I also appreciate the tool’s ability to create different pricing tiers and offer upsells inside your membership flow.

You can even pair it with your favorite page builder or LMS plugin if you’re offering courses.

If you want to build a paid membership community or sell gated digital content, WishList Member is worth checking out.

Pros of WishList Member

• Automatic management of member upgrades, downgrades, and cancellations
• Drip content feature for gradual content release
• “Pay Per Post” option for selling individual content pieces
• Strong integrations with email marketing tools (Kit, ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp)
• Fully customizable login and registration forms
• Granular content protection controls
• Multiple membership levels with flexible pricing

Cons of WishList Member

• No free plan available
• User interface can feel overwhelming for beginners

Pricing: WishList Member’s basic plan at $149.50/year works well if you are just starting out. It offers unlimited memberships, upgrade paths, and restriction rules.

Why I recommend WishList Member: It is a great option if you’re building a membership site and want to protect your content. It’s designed to help you set up multiple access levels, build a community, and accept payments through Stripe or PayPal, without needing extra tools.

10. Thrive Apprentice – Best for Selling Online Courses

Thrive Apprentice is a great choice if you’re building an online course business and want to control how students access your courses after they’ve paid.

It integrates seamlessly with Stripe and ThriveCart, which makes it easy to sell one-time courses, bundles, or memberships. The payment integration is very intuitive and doesn’t require complicated setup processes.

Want to learn more about what the plugin can do? We did a deep dive for our Thrive Apprentice review.

The best part? It also connects with Thrive Suite tools like Thrive Leads and Thrive Architect, so you can design your entire sales funnel—from opt-in forms to checkout to course delivery—without writing any code.

It makes it very easy to create a polished course experience. You can set access rules, offer free previews, lock lessons until payment is made, and even integrate it with WooCommerce for added flexibility.

If you’re looking for a powerful course builder that doubles as a payment solution, Thrive Apprentice is one of the best options available, especially if you’re already using other Thrive tools.

Pros of Thrive Apprentice

• Access restriction tools for locking courses or individual lessons
• Course bundle creation tied to specific pricing tiers
• Free preview feature for showcasing content quality
• Seamless WooCommerce integration for complex pricing
• Custom login pages and thank you pages for smooth post-purchase experiences
• Built-in student progress tracking and auto-enrollment

Cons of Thrive Apprentice

• Limited to Stripe as the only payment gateway
• No free plan available

Pricing: Thrive Apprentice costs $149/year for the standalone plugin. However, to unlock all the Thrive Themes plugins, you can opt for the Thrive Suite plan at $299 per year.

Why I recommend Thrive Apprentice: It’s a solid choice for anyone building an online course business. Thrive Apprentice provides a seamless course creation experience with built-in Stripe integration, allowing you to start selling immediately without the need for additional plugins or a complex technical setup process.

11. MemberMouse – Best for Enterprise-Level Membership Sites

MemberMouse is a comprehensive membership plugin designed for larger businesses and enterprises running premium membership sites.

Even when you are managing hundreds or thousands of paying members, it handles complex payment processing without any issues.

MemberMouse offers built-in support for major payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and Braintree. This means you don’t need any extra plugins to start collecting payments—it’s all ready to go right after installation.

If you’re curious about the tool’s other features, check out our full MemberMouse review.

The plugin handles one-time payments, subscriptions, and even free trials seamlessly.

Where MemberMouse really shines is in its advanced automation and customer management tools. You can set up smart rules to drip content, offer upsells after checkout, and downgrade or cancel access automatically based on payment status.

If you’re looking for an enterprise-level solution to manage paid memberships, MemberMouse is definitely worth considering.

Pros of MemberMouse

• Create custom checkout pages and upsell offers
• Automated access management based on payment status
• Drip content scheduling
• Has a ‘dunning’ system which automatically follows up on failed payments and helps reduce churn
• Comes with an analytics dashboard
• Supports gift memberships and free vs. paid trials for flexible offers

Cons of MemberMouse

• No free plan
• Limited design customization options

Pricing: Its basic plan starts at $149.50/year.

Why I recommend MemberMouse: If you’re building a membership site with tiered pricing, time-released content, and advanced automation, MemberMouse is built for that level of complexity. From what I’ve seen, it goes beyond basic membership plugins by offering enterprise-level tools, such as smart member segmentation, upsells, and detailed analytics.

My Verdict: What Is the Best WordPress Payment Plugin?

In my opinion, WP Simple Pay is the best WordPress payment plugin for accepting Stripe payments.

It’s perfect for anyone who wants to accept subscription or service payments through clean, customizable forms, without the need to build a full online store. You can offer deposit options, installment plans, and coupon codes, all while keeping the setup super simple.

If you need to build more advanced forms and want to accept Stripe, PayPal, Square, or Authorize.net payments, then WPForms is my top recommendation.

When it comes to selling physical products, you can’t go wrong with WooCommerce. It’s the most powerful option for creating a full-fledged online store, with built-in support for major gateways and powerful extensions like FunnelKit for optimizing your checkout flow.

For digital products specifically, I recommend Easy Digital Downloads. It’s more lightweight and built for selling software, downloads, and licenses.

Meanwhile, if your goal is to raise donations, WP Charitable is the best fit. I’ve tested it for several nonprofit sites, and its donation-focused features, like recurring giving, goal tracking, and customizable campaigns, make it stand out from generic form plugins.

Frequently Asked Questions: WordPress Payment Plugins

Here are some frequently asked questions about WordPress payment plugins.

Can I test WordPress payments before going live?

Most quality plugins, including WP Simple Pay, WPForms, WooCommerce, and Easy Digital Downloads, offer a sandbox or test mode that allows you to test payments with just a few clicks.

I recommend enabling this before launching to avoid errors and ensure everything works smoothly. To get started, see our tutorial on how to test Stripe payments in WordPress.

Can I charge a processing fee to customers in WordPress?

Yes, plugins like Easy Digital Downloads, WooCommerce, and WP Simple Pay let you pass the Stripe or PayPal processing fee directly to the customer. This is especially useful if you’re selling digital products with thin margins.

For step-by-step instructions, see our tutorial on how to pass the payment processing fee to customers in WordPress.

What’s the best plugin for accepting recurring payments or subscriptions?

MemberPress is ideal for subscriptions and membership sites. It supports recurring billing, access control, and integrates with major payment gateways out of the box.

Can I accept payments on WordPress without WooCommerce?

Yes, absolutely. Plugins like WP Simple Pay, WPForms, and MemberPress let you accept payments without setting up a full online store. They’re great for selling services, subscriptions, or digital downloads through custom forms.

For more information, see our guide on how to sell on WordPress without WooCommerce.

💡Related Guides: Managing Payments in WordPress

Looking for more information on how to manage payments in WordPress? Check out these additional guides:

• Best WooCommerce Payment Gateways for WordPress (Compared)
• How to Add Stripe QR Code Payment in WordPress
• How to Reduce Stripe Transaction Fees in WordPress (Expert Tips)
• Important Online Payment Statistics, Data, and Trends
• WordPress Payment Processing: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
• Stripe vs. PayPal: Which Is Better for Your WordPress Site?
• How to Create Invoices for Clients Using WordPress

Whether you need step-by-step tutorials, tips for boosting conversions, or guidance on securing your transactions, these resources will help you optimize your payment setup.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post 11 Best WordPress Payment Plugins (Tested & Verified) first appeared on WPBeginner.

RingCentral is a great option for many companies and entrepreneurs (in fact, we often recommend it to WPBeginner readers). However, it’s not the perfect solution for every single business.

That’s why I’ve done the research for you, testing a ton of business phone systems to find the best RingCentral alternatives. I looked at everything from pricing and ease of use to call quality and customer support, focusing on solutions suitable for all kinds of business owners.

Whether you’re looking for advanced features or just want something simple and affordable, I’m confident I’ve found a RingCentral alternative to fit your needs.

Quick Pick – The Best RingCentral Alternatives

In a hurry? No worries! Take a look at my top picks so you can quickly choose the right RingCentral alternative for your site.

How I Tested & Reviewed Ring Central Alternatives

I know that finding the right communication platform can be daunting and high-stakes. Make the wrong decision, and your remote team may struggle to collaborate. Even worse, you might miss urgent customer queries, provide a terrible customer experience, or lose out on potential leads.

With so much at stake, I’m committed to giving you the best possible advice about RingCentral alternatives.

That said, here’s how I tested the different options in this article: 

• We have actually used them at WPBeginner: For instance, we have used Nextiva for our own business phone system for many years and Zoom for company meetings. This real-world experience means we understand how these tools perform in a real business, and not just in a perfect demo environment.
• I put the most popular ones to the test: I dug deep into these solutions, analyzing them based on the stuff that really matters: How easy are they to use? What features do they offer? Do they have any time-saving artificial intelligence tools? And of course, how much do they cost? 
• I tried customizing them: Your business is unique, so your communication system should be, too. With that in mind, I personally tested each RingCentral alternative to see whether you can customize the call flows, greetings, and overall experience. For example, do you have the flexibility to fine-tune the VoIP or communications solution to better suit your business, or are you stuck with the default settings?
• I categorized them: The truth is, there’s no single ‘best’ RingCentral alternative that’s perfect for everyone. I understand that a small startup has different needs than a large call center. With that in mind, I categorized each solution to help you find the right platform for your unique needs. 

6 Best RingCentral Alternatives

Now, let’s look at the best RingCentral alternatives you should consider for your business.

1. Nextiva – Best for Remote Teams

I can confidently say that Nextiva is an excellent business phone service, especially for remote teams. Since it’s a cloud-based platform, you can answer calls from anywhere using an app on your computer or phone.

We also use it across our own business. We ultimately chose Nextiva because it offered the best balance of features, ease of use, and affordability for a business phone system, especially for remote teams like ours.

You can check out our Nextiva review for more information.

Another standout feature is Nextiva’s ability to handle multiple communication channels, including phone, SMS, live chat, video, team messaging, and social media. 

This makes it particularly well-suited for customer support, as it allows for seamless customer interactions. 

Nexitva’s IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system is also incredibly useful. This automated phone menu allows callers to interact with Nextiva using their keyboard or voice.

If you’ve ever rang a phone number and heard a pre-recorded greeting say something like “Press 1 for…” then you’ve encountered an IVR system before.

This feature enables you to route callers to the right department or person automatically, allowing you to better handle high call volumes. By automating simple routine tasks like this, you’ll be free to focus on more complex customer issues.

Plus, Nextiva has some great call analytics and reports. These call metrics allow you to see how many calls your team can handle and improve your customer service and sales teams.

Overall, Nextiva’s feature set is very impressive and includes automated reminders, video calls, an auto-attendant, and screen sharing.

It also integrates smoothly with other business tools like HubSpot, Zendesk, Zoho, and Salesforce.

✅ Pros of Nextiva:

• Cloud-based business phone service that’s perfect for remote work
• Affordable VoIP phone service
• Automated call forwarding based on your schedule
• Built-in contact management features
• Supports video chat, including screen sharing and file sharing
• Handles multiple communication channels
• Email and text voicemail transcription
• Detailed call analytics 
• Easily connects with other business tools

❌ Cons of Nextiva:

• No matter what plan you buy, you’ll need to pay for each additional user. This may make Nextiva difficult to scale, especially if you’re a rapidly expanding company that regularly onboards new employees. 
• The desktop app uses many resources and can slow down your computer.

Why I recommend Nextiva: As remote work continues to grow, I’m hearing from more and more businesses that need a reliable cloud-based phone solution. If this sounds like you, then Nextiva may be your ideal solution.

It lets you answer calls from anywhere using an app on your computer or phone, so it’s perfect for remote teams. I can also see this being a good option if your employees regularly travel or work in the field.

Pricing: Plans start at $20 per user per month for the Digital Plan and go up to $60 per user per month for the advanced Power Suite plan. 

2. Ooma – Best for Small Businesses on a Tight Budget

For small businesses, every dollar counts. Luckily, Ooma offers advanced features like auto-attendant, call forwarding, and voicemail transcription at a surprisingly budget-friendly price.

One of Oooma’s standout features is its virtual receptionist, which lets you create custom messages with general information such as your business hours and locations. It will then read these messages to anyone who calls your business number.

This helps callers get essential information right away, even if you don’t have a huge support team available 24/7.

But here’s where Oooma gets really smart.

The Virtual Receptionist isn’t just some basic answering machine. It can actually figure out who the caller needs to speak with and automatically forward them to the right person or department. For example, the virtual receptionist can ask callers to press different buttons for specific extensions, such as “Press 1 to speak with our refunds department.”

This makes your business look incredibly efficient and organized, allowing you to compete with the big guys (even if you’re a small team behind the scenes).

I also appreciated the drag-and-drop call flow designer, making it easy to create custom call flows. Even if you don’t have a technical expert on staff, you can still create custom call routes in minutes.

During my testing, I found Ooma’s call quality to be consistently clear and reliable. The mobile app is also pretty handy, allowing you to make unlimited domestic calls.

Even better, you can save up to 90% on international call rates when you dial through the app. That’s a massive saving if you call overseas a lot!

The Ooma app also uses your phone’s Wi-Fi or data connection to make calls. That means you can chat away without worrying about using up all your mobile data or sacrificing call quality.

✅ Pros of Ooma:

• Toll-free number with 500 minutes of inbound calls each month.
• Assign multiple devices to the same user.
• Automated call forwarding based on a schedule.
• The Caller Info Match feature automatically fetches customer information from sources like LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, HubSpot, ServiceNow, or Zoho.
• Supports video chat, including noise suppression, host muting, and HD streams.
• Convenient ‘meet now’ link for instant virtual meetings.
• Automatic voicemail transcription, plus a voicemail-to-email option.
• Easily connects with other business tools, including Microsoft Dynamics 365, Zoho, FreshDesk, and Salesforce Lightning.

❌ Cons of Ooma:

• A few users have experienced issues setting up the mobile app.
• Some features, such as the IVR system, can be complex to set up and require technical expertise.

Why I recommend Ooma: If you’re a small business or have a limited budget, then Ooma Office Essentials is a great starting point. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up and manage your phone system, even if you don’t have a team of technical experts on staff.

Ooma is also designed to be affordable. It includes unlimited calling to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, so it’s a great, budget-friendly solution if you regularly call these locations.

Pricing: Ooma Office Essentials is priced at $19.95 per month, and is our recommendation for startups, small business owners, and WordPress freelancers.

However, you can unlock additional features such as call recording and call blocking, voicemail transcriptions, and video conferencing by upgrading to either Ooma Office Pro ($24.95) or Ooma Office Pro Plus ($29.95).

3. Grasshopper – Best for Solo Entrepreneurs in the US/Canada

Setting up and maintaining a professional phone system can be overwhelming, especially when you’re flying solo. That’s where Grasshopper comes in.

This is a powerful virtual business phone service specifically designed to help solo entrepreneurs establish a strong brand image and communicate effectively with customers.

Solo entrepreneurs often work from home or remotely, which can make it difficult to establish a professional phone presence. Grasshopper solves this problem by allowing you to create a toll-free number, a vanity number, or a local number in any city of your choice.

I particularly like the option to create a local number, as it helps you appeal to customers outside of your immediate area. You could potentially take your solo business international!

Even better, the Grasshopper app lets customers and potential leads reach you at any time. It doesn’t matter whether you’re working from home, your local coffee shop, or on the go. The app helps you grow your business by ensuring you don’t miss important calls.

The best part? You don’t need to buy any additional phones or equipment—your existing smartphone or computer will do. This makes it an affordable solution for solo entrepreneurs who need to establish a reliable phone system on a limited budget.

It’s also a good option for startups or even some small businesses that may not have invested in professional equipment yet.

To make sure customers always get a response, Grasshopper can automatically send a text to new callers when you can’t answer them right away. This feature is especially useful when you’re flying solo – even the most dedicated solo entrepreneur can’t be available 24/7.

However, keep in mind that Grasshopper is only available to customers in the US or Canada.

✅ Pros of Grasshopper:

• Send and receive texts on your Grasshopper business number.
• Forward any incoming calls to multiple phones at once.
• Automatic voicemail transcriptions.
• Use your internet connection when cell reception is poor.
• Receive faxes as PDF attachments, sent straight to your email inbox.
• Monitor your business with detailed call reports and analytics.

❌ Cons of Grasshopper

• No advanced features like video conferencing or team messaging.
• Limited integrations with other software (Skype and Google Voice only).
• $500 deposit is required to enable international outgoing calls.
• Only available in the US and Canada.

Why I recommend Grasshopper: With Grasshopper, you don’t have to worry about complicated technical setup, maintenance, or equipment. This makes it a good option for startups and small businesses, but I particularly recommend it for solo entrepreneurs.

Grasshopper’s choice of toll-free, vanity, and local numbers helps you establish a professional phone presence, while the app allows you to answer calls from any location at any time.

The end result? Your business projects a more polished and professional image, which is essential for building trust and driving sales.

Pricing: Starts at $14/ month for the True Solo plan. This plan includes 1 user, 1 phone number, and 1 extension – basically, everything you need to support a solo-person business.

4. Zoom Phone – Best for Video Conferencing & Team Messaging

Managing calls, video conferencing, and team chat can be a challenge for any business. However, it’s particularly tricky for remote teams where most of the communication happens virtually.

Zoom Phone offers a solution to this problem by providing an all-in-one platform for managing all your communication needs. This includes answering customer calls, following up on leads, hosting video conferences, and chatting with team members.

As a 100% remote team, we use Zoom for some of our large company meetings.

We need a reliable and efficient platform with built-in team chat and video conferencing. This is essential for keeping our employees connected across different time zones.

With Zoom, we have hosted one-on-one reviews, town hall meetings, team chats, and even team-building social calls, all from the same platform.

Despite being a comprehensive all-in-one platform, Zoom Phone is incredibly easy to set up. Simply choose a cloud phone plan, and you can start making calls immediately using the Zoom mobile or desktop app.

Additionally, Zoom has an AI Companion that can streamline your workflows with advanced features like meeting and call summaries, real-time AI queries during meetings, and AI-powered whiteboard generation.

These features are ideal for video conferences in general, but they’re particularly useful for remote teams where most communication happens via video meetings. They let you keep everyone in the loop, including people who could not attend the video chat.

I also like the ability to switch between voice and video calls with one click. Once again, this is ideal if you need to handle a mix of customer calls, internal meetings, and remote collaboration.

✅ Pros of Zoom Phone:

• Unified interface for phone, video, and chat.
• One-click switch between voice and video calls.
• Convenient, centralized admin portal (monitor users, call quality, usage data, and more).
• Supports multiple devices and apps.
• Unlimited auto-attendants.
• Call queuing with automatic call distribution.
• Integrates seamlessly with Salesforce, Contact Center, Slack, and other popular solutions. 

❌ Cons of Zoom Phone:

• No free trial available (although there is a free version that’s limited to 40-minute call durations and 100 participants).
• The metered international calling fees are a bit expensive for small businesses.

Why I recommend Zoom Phone: With its advanced video conferencing and team chat features, Zoom Phone is a great option for teams that host regular virtual meetings. It’s particularly good for remote teams that rely on chat and video conferencing to work together effectively.

Pricing: Zoom plans start at $15 per user, per month for domestic US and Canada calling, with prices going up to $22.49.

5. Phone.com – Best for International Businesses

Do you have customers all over the globe? Phone.com offers competitive international calling rates to communicate with your existing customers and find new ones without breaking the bank.

Another feature that caught my attention was Phone.com’s AI-powered Answer Bot service. This service can pick up the phone using your company’s name and give a pre-written answer. This is a fantastic way to make your business appear more professional.

It’s also a great addition if you have customers in different time zones, but don’t have call center staff available 24/7. With Phone.com’s Answer Bot service, you can be confident that callers always get some form of response.

Do you work in the healthcare industry? Then I really recommend checking out Phone.com’s HIPAA compliance features.

Keeping patient data private is a huge deal, and Phone.com understands this. For example, if a patient tries to contact you via SMS, then Phone.com can automatically tell them to contact your office in a different way to discuss medical information. This is because text messaging usually isn’t HIPAA compliant.

Setting up Phone.com is also fairly straightforward. Their dashboard is user-friendly, so you can customize call routing, voicemail, and other settings without any hassle. They even have a smart call routing system where you can define custom rules based on the time of day, caller ID, and more.

Once again, these features can be particularly useful for international businesses that want to provide personalized service to customers in different locations. For example, you might route callers to a customer service agent who speaks their preferred language.

✅ Pros of Phone.com:

• Low rates for international calling.
• Connect to any traditional analog telephone.
• HIPAA compliance features.
• Track your top performers and busiest hours with built-in analytics.
• Get additional insights via call logs and call recording.

❌ Cons of Phone.com:

• Customer service response times can sometimes be slow.
• Only includes call analytics and CRM integrations in the most expensive plan.

Why I recommend Phone.com: While Phone.com has limitations, including slower customer service response times, it’s still an excellent option. Its competitive international calling rates, in particular, make it a really attractive platform for companies with customers all over the globe.

And here’s a little something extra that really stood out to me: if you work in the healthcare field, then Phone.com has dedicated HIPAA compliance features. This immediately makes it stand out from every other solution on this list.

If you’re willing to overlook some minor drawbacks, then Phone.com could be your perfect solution, especially for businesses that sell or operate globally.

Pricing: Users can choose between Basic ($15), Plus ($22.50), and Pro ($33.33), with all plans billed per user, per month. 

6. Vonage – Best for Call Centers

As a well-established name in VoIP, Vonage is an excellent option for call centers and larger businesses. After trying out their business phone service, I was impressed by its wide range of features and capabilities.

I was really surprised by how easy it was to manage company phone numbers from my admin dashboard. You can even generate local and toll-free numbers directly from the dashboard (although you will need to contact Vonage to generate international numbers). 

Vonage is a great option for call centers due to features such as team messaging, video conferencing (with up to 200 participants!), call recording, and auto-dialing.

It also supports VoIP desk phones, so you can use traditional office phones alongside the desktop and mobile apps.

However, it’s worth noting that Vonage is one of the more expensive options on this list. So, if you’re a startup or small business, then you may be better off with a different RingCentral alternative.

✅ Pros of Vonage:

• Capture more potential leads with Call Forwarding and Simultaneous Ring.
• Dedicated dial-in numbers from 60 countries.
• Record inbound and outbound calls for any or all users within your organization.
• Call center-specific features like call logs, call recordings, AI routing, and advanced call analytics.
• Admin portal for call management.
• Connects with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and other tools.

❌ Cons of Vonage:

• Expensive for small businesses.
• Long contract periods.

Why I recommend Vonage: Vonage has some seriously advanced features built explicitly with call centers in mind. That makes it a fantastic pick if you need a rock-solid VoIP solution that can handle the demands of a busy customer service team.

However, while Vonage offers many powerful features, it is pricier than some other options. If budget is a major concern for your business, then I’d definitely recommend choosing one of the other RingCentral alternatives in this guide.

Pricing: Vonage’s base plan starts from $13.99 per month, per line, and goes all the way up to $27.99 per month, per line.

What Is the Best RingCentral Alternative? 

After thoroughly testing and comparing various business phone systems and platforms, I’m excited to share my top pick for the best RingCentral alternative: Nextiva.

It’s a reliable, flexible, and secure platform with an impressive feature set. It’s also a cloud-based solution, so your team can answer calls using any computer or phone. Overall, Nextiva is a perfect fit for remote teams or employees who travel a lot, or perhaps even work in the field.

Nextiva can also automatically forward calls based on each team member’s schedule. This can help remote team members work together more seamlessly, even when they’re spread across multiple time zones.

But what about other options?

If you’re a small business with a limited budget, then Ooma and Grasshopper are both great starting points. They both offer affordable plans, and they’re easy to use, making them ideal for solo entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses alike.

However, the best RingCentral alternative for your business will ultimately depend on your specific needs and requirements. I recommend considering factors like budget, scalability, features, and user interface to help you make the right decision for your business.

Best RingCentral Alternatives: Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve been part of the WPBeginner team for a while, so I’ve definitely heard my fair share of questions along the way.

To help you out, I’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions we get asked about RingCentral and potential alternatives. 

Why should I avoid RingCentral?

The main issue I hear from businesses is that RingCentral is considerably more expensive than other VoIP providers. Often, this means it simply isn’t an option for solo entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, since they typically have smaller budgets.

RingCentral also has many features, so its learning curve tends to be steeper than its competitors. Once again, this tends to be a problem for smaller businesses, as they’re less likely to have a technical expert who can help them set up and maintain RingCentral.

Don’t get me wrong: RingCentral is still a great platform. In fact, it has all the features you’d expect from an advanced communication tool, including call forwarding, number sharing, call waiting, and call management. It also integrates with popular CRMs like Salesforce and Zendesk. 

So, while Nextiva is my top recommendation, RingCentral is a fantastic tool that I still recommend to larger businesses with bigger budgets or more complex needs.

If you want to learn more, then you can see our detailed RingCentral review for a deeper dive.

And if you do decide that RingCentral is the right fit for you, then you’re in luck – we have a RingCentral coupon, so you can get a discount.

Is there a free version of RingCentral?

While there isn’t a completely free version, RingCentral does offer a free trial. This means you can see if the platform is right for you before investing in a paid plan.

What is the best RingCentral alternative?

In my experience, Nextiva is the best virtual business phone service on the market. It’s loaded with advanced features, offers truly excellent support, and is designed to scale as your team grows. 

We use Nextiva across our company, and in our opinion, it’s the best cloud phone system and platform on the market, especially if you have a remote team.

Which is better, Nextiva or RingCentral?

When it comes to finding the absolute best VoIP phone provider and platform for small businesses, everything points to Nextiva.

Nextiva offers competitive pricing, a ton of features, the best call quality, lower rates for international calls, and a wide range of numbers to choose from (local, international, toll-free, and vanity numbers).

Curious to learn more? Our in-depth post compares Nextiva vs RingCentral vs Ooma, exploring their key features.

Bonus: How to Get Started With Your Business Phone System

Choosing which communication platform to use is a big step, so great job deciding! Now that you’ve got that sorted, let’s help you set up a seamless business phone system.

We’ve put together some handy guides that will show you how to set up call forwarding, voicemail greetings, and other essential features to make sure customers and potential leads can reach you with ease:

• Beginner’s Guide: What is VoIP and How Does it Work? (Explained)
• How to Set Up an Auto Attendant Phone System for Your Website
• How to Set Up Business Call Forwarding From Your Website
• How to Set Up a Business Voicemail Greeting (With Examples)
• Ways to Get an 800 Toll-Free Number for Your Business
• Best Call Center Software (Expert Pick)

I hope this article has helped you find the best RingCentral alternative for you. Next up, you might want to check out our guide on how to add a WhatsApp chatbox and share buttons in WordPress or how to get a virtual WhatsApp number for your business.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post 6 Best RingCentral Alternatives & How They Compare (2025) first appeared on WPBeginner.

But as my online businesses grew, so did traffic, including on WPBeginner. Shared hosting started slowing me down—literally. I had to deal with downtime, slow page loads, and frustrating support.

Since then, I’ve tested just about every type of hosting you can think of—shared, VPS, dedicated, cloud, and even custom enterprise setups. I’ve seen what works, what breaks, and what actually helps websites grow without stress.

Today, most of my websites run on cloud hosting, and I couldn’t be happier with it. I can scale resources as needed and handle millions of pageviews without worrying about downtime.

This guide is based on my own experience, my team’s experience, and real testing. Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to scale, I’ll help you find the best cloud hosting—without wasting time or money.

Here’s why you can trust my recommendations:

• My team and I have used many of these cloud hosts for our own sites and side projects. (See our editorial process.)
• I test each provider using real WordPress installs, load testing tools, and performance monitors.
• With my annual survey, I review support experiences, pricing changes, and real user feedback from WPBeginner readers.
• My team and I have spent over 16 years working with WordPress hosting, and I still use these platforms today. (Meet my team members.)

If you want fast, secure, and beginner-friendly cloud hosting for WordPress, here are my top picks for 2025.

Top Picks (Quick Comparison)

Host	Starting Price	Load Time	Best For	User Score	WPBeginner Rating
	$100/mo	397 ms	🏆 Best All-Round Hosting	4.9/5	A++ (Review)
	$7.99/mo	374 ms	💸 Best Budget Cloud Hosting	4.9/5	A++ (Review)
	$75/mo	255 ms	🚀 High-Traffic Sites	4.8/5	A+ (Review)
	$30/mo	448 ms	⚡ Premium Performance	4.8/5	A+ (Review)
	$12.50/mo	636 ms	🛒 eCommerce & Small Business	4.8/5	A+ (Review)
	$4.50/mo	439 ms	🔧 Developer-Friendly Cloud Hosting	4.7/5	A (Review)
	$12.71/mo	362 ms	📦 VPS-Like Hosting on a Budget	4.8/5	A
	$25/mo	750 ms	👥 WooCommerce Store Owners & Agencies	4.9/5	A (Review)
	$30/mo	635 ms	💼 Premium Managed WordPress Hosting	4.9/5	A
	Varies	415 ms	☁️ Advanced Users & Server Controls	4.7/5	B+
	Varies	684 ms	🏗️ Infrastructure-Level Hosting	4.6/5	B+

Cloud hosting has become the go-to solution for WordPress users who need faster load times, better uptime, and the flexibility to handle growing traffic. But if you’re not familiar with how cloud hosting works, this section will help you understand the basics and how I test each provider.

What Is Cloud Hosting for WordPress?

Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting where your website runs on a network of connected servers, instead of being tied to just one physical machine like with shared or VPS hosting.

This setup allows your site to use more resources when it needs them, making it faster and more reliable, especially during traffic spikes.

Unlike shared hosting, cloud platforms don’t slow down when someone else’s site gets busy. And compared to VPS or dedicated servers, you don’t have to worry about manual upgrades or server maintenance.

It’s perfect for WordPress users who want better performance, more control, and room to grow without jumping through technical hoops.

The Best Cloud Hosting Providers for WordPress

Have you ever noticed how every cloud hosting provider claims to be the fastest, most reliable, and most scalable option for WordPress?

With dozens of companies offering similar-sounding features and using buzzwords like “infinite scalability” and “next-gen infrastructure,” finding the right cloud hosting solution can feel like trying to spot the differences in identical twins.

I’ve narrowed down the best WordPress cloud hosting providers based on real-world performance, value for money, and user experience. Let’s look at each one individually to see why it made the cut and what type of website it works best for.

1. SiteGround

SiteGround is one of the fastest and most dependable cloud-based hosting providers I’ve used. It’s one of the top-rated hosting companies and consistently delivers strong performance and top-notch support.

It’s built on Google Cloud infrastructure, which gives your site high-speed SSD storage (faster hard drives) and automatic scalability. I also like how beginner-friendly its custom dashboard is – no cPanel needed.

SiteGround includes a free CDN, daily backups, SSL, email hosting, and one-click staging. These features are especially helpful when managing multiple sites or testing changes before going live.

Most importantly, their live chat support is consistently helpful and WordPress-savvy. That’s a big reason I keep recommending SiteGround to business owners and bloggers.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 397 ms

Avg. Response Time: 123 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A++

User Rating: 4.9/5

Discount: SiteGround Coupon Code

Best For: Best all-round cloud hosting 🏆

Pros of Using SiteGround

• Built on Google Cloud for maximum speed and uptime
• Free daily backups, SSL, email, and staging tools
• Beginner-friendly custom dashboard (no cPanel)
• Excellent live chat support, available 24/7
• Highly rated by WordPress users and developers

Best For

• Bloggers and small business owners who want fast, scalable hosting
• WordPress users who value top-tier support and simplicity

SiteGround Performance Tests

Uptime

I recorded 100% uptime on my SiteGround test site — a great result for any cloud host.

Page Load Speed

The average page load time was 397 ms in my Pingdom tests across North America and Europe.

Stress Testing

Using K6 to simulate 50 users, SiteGround maintained stable speeds with no major slowdowns or errors.

Global Response Times:

Due to Google Cloud Infrastructure, SiteGround’s response time was great from all geographic locations. It was slightly higher in India, but still within an acceptable range.

My Experience: I host several sites on SiteGround, including WPBeginner. I’ve found it to be fast, dependable, and easy to use, which is everything you want in a WordPress cloud host. You can read more about it in the case study discussing why I moved WPBeginner to SiteGround. For a more in-depth analysis, take a look at my full SiteGround review.

2. Hostinger

Hostinger offers some of the most affordable cloud hosting for WordPress. Despite the low price, I’ve found their platform surprisingly fast and easy to use.

Their custom control panel (hPanel) is one of the cleanest interfaces I’ve tested. It’s simple enough for beginners but gives you control over advanced features like backups, staging, and caching.

Hostinger also includes LiteSpeed caching, a built-in Cloudflare CDN, and malware scanning on all plans. These are features I don’t usually expect at this price point.

If you’re just getting started or running a budget-conscious project, Hostinger is one of the best cloud-based platforms to grow with.

You can start with their Premium or Business plans. I found them to be quite excellent for smaller sites. You can also easily switch to their Cloud Startup plan for more resources as your business grows.

Performance

Uptime: 99.99%

Page load time: 374 ms

Avg. Response Time: 147 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A++

User Rating: 4.9/5

Discount: Hostinger Coupon Code

Best For: Budget-friendly cloud WordPress hosting 💸

Pros of Using Hostinger

• Lowest starting price for cloud-based WordPress hosting
• Clean, custom hPanel interface (great for beginners)
• Includes LiteSpeed caching, CDN, and malware scanning
• One-click WordPress installs and staging are available
• Consistent uptime and quick support response

Best For

• Beginners looking for affordable cloud hosting
• Freelancers, students, or side projects with growth potential

Hostinger Performance Tests

Uptime

Hostinger maintained 99.99% uptime over 30 days of testing using UptimeRobot.

Page Load Speed

The average page load time was 374 ms across multiple global Pingdom locations.

Stress Testing

During load tests with 50 concurrent users via K6, performance remained smooth with no timeouts.

Global Response Time:

My Hostinger test site had a great response time from all geographic locations.

My Experience: I often recommend Hostinger for beginners who want real cloud performance on a budget. It’s reliable, fast, and easy to manage even for non-technical users. I also like their fast and friendly customer support, which is available 24/7 via live chat. For more details, see my team’s full Hostinger review.

3. Bluehost Cloud

Bluehost Cloud offers premium hosting plans from a long-time WordPress-recommended provider. It’s built specifically for high-performance, cloud-native WordPress hosting and is ideal for serious sites that need speed and scale.

Unlike traditional Bluehost plans, this cloud platform is built on a multi-server architecture with instant scalability and enhanced caching. I also found the dashboard very clean and focused on WordPress users.

It also comes with free daily backups, staging, malware detection, and their WP Pro tools. The setup experience is smooth, and the speed improvements are noticeable, especially under load.

This platform is more expensive than shared hosting, but if you’re running an established business or an online store, it’s worth the investment.

Performance

Uptime: 99.98%

Page load time: 255 ms

Avg. Response Time: 118 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A+

User Rating: 4.8/5

Discount: Bluehost Coupon Code

Best For: High-traffic WordPress sites 🚀

Pros of Using Bluehost Cloud

• Built for performance with cloud-native architecture
• Excellent speed and load handling (great for eCommerce)
• Free domain, backups, malware protection, and staging
• Optimized specifically for WordPress use cases
• Easy dashboard with Pro features built in

Best For

• High-traffic blogs, WooCommerce stores, or agency websites
• Site owners ready to upgrade from shared or VPS to premium cloud

Bluehost Cloud Performance Tests

Uptime

I recorded 99.98% uptime using UptimeRobot with Bluehost Cloud.

Page Load Speed

It had one of the fastest page load times in my tests — just 255 ms across US and EU servers.

Stress Testing

K6 stress tests showed excellent stability with 50 users and no bottlenecks.

Global Response Time

Response times were strong in the US and Europe but slower in Asia and Australia.

My Experience: I’m a long-time Bluehost customer and have used Bluehost Cloud for business websites that needed premium speed and guaranteed uptime. It’s a big step up from shared plans and one of Bluehost’s best upgrades yet. For more details, take a look at my team’s full Bluehost review.

4. Rocket.net

Rocket.net is one of the fastest WordPress cloud hosting platforms I’ve ever tested. It’s fully managed and comes with Cloudflare Enterprise built in, which alone offers major value for money.

Rocket.net delivers excellent performance even under traffic surges. I didn’t need to configure caching or security — everything worked out of the box. The dashboard is incredibly simple, even for non-technical users.

It’s more expensive than beginner-focused hosts, but it’s perfect if you want top-tier speed, built-in CDN, WAF (Website Application Firewall), and expert support without lifting a finger.

If performance is your top priority, Rocket.net is one of the best premium WordPress cloud hosts I can recommend.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 448 ms

Avg. Response Time: 119 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A+

User Rating: 4.8/5

Discount: Rocket.net Coupon

Best For: Premium performance ⚡

Pros of Using Rocket.net

• Cloudflare Enterprise is included at no extra cost
• Blazing-fast speeds even under load
• One of the simplest managed dashboards I’ve used
• No need to configure caching or CDN manually
• Excellent support from WordPress experts

Best For

• Agencies and businesses that prioritize speed and security
• Users who want premium managed WordPress hosting with zero maintenance

Rocket.net Performance Tests

Uptime

Rocket.net maintained 100% uptime during my 30-day test window.

Page Load Speed

Pages loaded in just 448 ms on average (270 ms on the US East Coast) with no need for plugin-based optimization.

Stress Testing

Rocket.net held steady with 50 concurrent virtual users and didn’t show any traffic lag during K6 tests.

Global Response Time

I was delighted by the fast server response time from all geographic locations.

My Experience: I use Rocket.net for some of my businesses where I need top-tier speed with zero setup. Their Cloudflare integration and server stack make it feel like everything is pre-optimized out of the box. For more details, see my team’s full Rocket.net review.

5. WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a fully managed cloud hosting platform built by Automattic. I believe it is one of the easiest ways to launch a secure, fast, and scalable WordPress site without worrying about hosting setup or server tuning.

It includes built-in caching, CDN, backups, malware protection, and SEO tools. You also get access to WordPress.com’s own block editor enhancements and customer support, which I’ve found responsive and helpful for beginners.

What makes WordPress.com unique is how seamlessly it integrates WordPress hosting, security, and publishing tools under one roof. It’s a solid option for those who want simplicity without sacrificing performance.

Although it has some limitations as an all-in-one solution, it’s incredibly convenient for small businesses and bloggers.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 636 ms

Avg. Response Time: 148 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A+

User Rating: 4.8/5

Discount: WordPress.com Coupon

Best For: eCommerce and small business 🛒

Pros of Using WordPress.com

• Hosted by the folks who know WordPress inside out
• Built-in performance, security, SEO, and backups
• No need to worry about updates, caching, or plugins
• Beginner-friendly dashboard and editor
• Strong support and uptime for business websites

Best For

• Bloggers, freelancers, and small business owners
• Anyone who wants “set it and forget it” WordPress hosting

WordPress.com Performance Tests

Uptime

WordPress.com had 100% uptime during my tests, which is excellent for managed cloud hosting.

Page Load Speed

The site loaded in about 636 ms on average across key regions, which is slightly slower than developer-focused hosts but still fast.

Stress Testing

It handled 50 virtual users in my K6 test with no slowdowns, which shows their infrastructure is solid.

Global Response Time

WordPress.com had great server response times across the board.

My Experience: I recommend WordPress.com as an excellent option for beginners and small business websites. It does have some limitations, which is why I recommend starting with Business or Commerce plans, which offer more flexibility. For more details, see my team’s detailed WordPress.com review.

6. DreamHost Cloud

DreamHost Cloud is more developer-focused than some others on this list. It gives you full control of a cloud server without the limitations of managed plans, which makes it a great option for advanced users.

You can launch WordPress on their cloud compute platform using your own stack (LAMP, NGINX, etc.) and scale it however you want. I’ve used it for staging environments and sandbox sites where flexibility is more important than UI.

It’s not ideal for beginners, but if you know your way around Linux or want to manage your own cloud instance, DreamHost Cloud gives you tons of freedom at a very low cost.

It’s also great for developers who want to test applications or deploy advanced setups affordably.

Performance

Uptime: 99.89%

Page load time: 439 ms

Avg. Response Time: 174 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A

User Rating: 4.7/5

Discount: DreamHost Coupon

Best For: Developers and technical users 🔧

Pros of Using DreamHost Cloud

• Very low starting cost for full cloud access
• Great for developers needing sandbox or staging environments
• Custom stack deployment (LAMP, NGINX, etc.)
• Scalable compute and storage resources
• No fixed limits on bandwidth or site count

Best For

• Advanced users and developers
• Testing, staging, or custom WordPress cloud stacks

DreamHost Performance Tests

Uptime

Over 30 days, my DreamHost Cloud site maintained 99.89% uptime, which is solid for a self-managed setup.

Page Load Speed

The page load time was 439 ms — faster than I expected from a DIY setup.

Stress Testing

With K6, the server handled 50 concurrent users smoothly with minimal latency spikes.

My Experience: I have tested DreamHost Cloud for development sites and custom testing projects. I like that it gives total control without breaking the bank. My team has a detailed DreamHost review with more information on their regular WordPress plans.

7. Scala Hosting

Scala Hosting offers managed WordPress cloud hosting at an affordable price. I’ve used it on testing sites, and it consistently delivers solid performance, responsive support, and excellent value for money.

What makes Scala unique is its SPanel — an alternative to cPanel that’s lightweight, easy to use, and doesn’t require extra licensing. You get full control of your cloud VPS with a beginner-friendly dashboard.

Scala Hosting includes free daily backups, a built-in firewall, malware scanning, and fully managed support. Its plans are also scalable, so you can adjust resources as your site grows.

It’s especially good for those who want VPS-like power without managing everything themselves.

Performance

Uptime: 99.99%

Page load time: 362 ms

Avg. Response Time: 142 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A

User Rating: 4.8/5

Discount: Scala Hosting Coupon

Best For: VPS-style cloud WordPress hosting on a budget 🧰

Pros of Using Scala Hosting

• Includes free SPanel (cPanel alternative with no license fees)
• Fully managed VPS cloud with strong security features
• Excellent speed and uptime across global test locations
• Scalable RAM, CPU, and storage on demand
• Helpful and fast live chat support

Best For

• WordPress users who want VPS-style control with managed support
• Agencies, resellers, and site owners who need scalability

Scala Hosting Performance Tests

Uptime

Scala Hosting delivered 99.99% uptime during my monitoring period.

Page Load Speed

The average page load time was 362 ms based on Pingdom tests from the US and EU regions.

Stress Testing

K6 tests showed smooth handling of up to 50 virtual users with no performance dips.

Global Response Time

Response times were excellent, averaging just 120.4 ms globally, with faster results in the US and Europe.

My Experience: When I signed up for Scala Hosting, I enjoyed the smooth user experience. I also liked how it balances the ease of use of a managed WordPress host with developer-friendly flexibility. I reached out to support for some queries, and their response time and problem-solving skills were excellent. For more details, see our full Scala Hosting review.

8. Pressable

My team members and I have tested Pressable for WooCommerce stores and high-traffic blogs where stability really matters. It’s developed by Automattic, the same team behind WordPress.com and WooCommerce, so everything is optimized for WordPress right out of the box.

One thing I really liked was how smooth the onboarding felt. Migrations were handled for me, and I didn’t have to think about caching, CDN, or security setup — it’s all included. Their dashboard is simple but powerful, and I could spin up staging sites or clone installs with just a few clicks.

It includes enhanced security, daily backups, malware scanning, and server-side caching. I’ve tested it under load and found it to be fast and consistent, especially for dynamic WooCommerce pages.

It’s priced at a premium, but if you’re running a serious WordPress site, it delivers the kind of reliability and support I look for in client projects.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 750 ms

Avg. Response Time: 113 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A

User Rating: 4.9/5

Discount: Pressable Coupon

Best For: WooCommerce store owners & agencies 🛒

Pros of Using Pressable

• Created by Automattic (makers of WordPress.com & WooCommerce)
• Includes enhanced security, CDN, and daily backups
• Excellent speed under high traffic
• Easy-to-use dashboard with cloning, staging, and team tools
• Rock-solid uptime and responsive support

Best For

• WooCommerce store owners and business websites
• Agencies and professionals managing multiple client installs

Pressable Performance Tests

Uptime

Pressable held 100% uptime across my monitoring period using UptimeRobot.

Page Load Speed

The average load time was just 750 ms, with no need to configure extra performance plugins.

Stress Testing

During K6 load testing, it handled 50 concurrent users with zero slowdowns.

Global Response Time

Pressable gave an incredible server response time from all geographic locations.

My Experience: I liked the ease of use and smooth onboarding experience, which add great value for beginners who need premium performance without hiring a developer. Pressable offers a fully managed WordPress environment that works well out of the box. The performance, support, and security are top-notch, and it’s one of the few platforms where I rarely need to touch caching or CDN settings. See my team’s detailed Pressable review for more analysis.

9. Kinsta

I’ve used Kinsta on several business and client sites, and it’s easily one of the smoothest cloud hosting experiences I’ve had. Everything, from speed to support, just works.

Kinsta runs on Google Cloud’s premium-tier network, and they handle all the heavy lifting: caching, security, backups, staging, and even performance monitoring. I didn’t have to configure anything — my sites were blazing fast out of the box.

What really stood out to me was their dashboard. It’s modern, easy to navigate, and built specifically for WordPress users. In seconds, I could switch PHP versions, clear the cache, and manage redirects.

If you want premium WordPress hosting without dealing with technical maintenance, Kinsta is one of the best investments you can make. It’s priced higher, but the performance and premium service justify the cost.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 635 ms

Avg. Response Time: 101 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A

User Rating: 4.9/5

Discount: Kinsta Coupon

Best For: Premium managed WordPress performance 💎

Pros of Using Kinsta

• Built on Google Cloud’s premium tier with global CDN
• Lightning-fast out of the box — no caching plugins needed
• Daily backups, one-click staging, and free hack fixes
• Excellent support from actual WordPress engineers
• Easy-to-use MyKinsta dashboard with tons of features

Best For

• Site owners who want high-end, fully managed WordPress hosting
• Businesses, agencies, and professionals who value speed and uptime

Kinsta Performance Tests

Uptime

Every site I tested on Kinsta had 100% uptime for the whole duration of monitoring.

Page Load Speed

With their built-in caching and CDN, I saw average load times under 635 ms — no optimization required.

Stress Testing

Even under 50 simultaneous users in my K6 tests, Kinsta held up with consistent response times and no server strain.

My Experience: I enjoyed testing Kinsta for internal projects and staging websites. It offers a clean and intuitive dashboard, which makes managing your website so much easier. It’s fast, secure, and supported by people who truly understand WordPress. If your business depends on uptime and speed, Kinsta is worth every dollar.

10. Google Cloud

I’ve used Google Cloud to host custom WordPress applications that needed full flexibility. It’s the same infrastructure used by SiteGround, Kinsta, and other major hosts, and it’s incredibly fast when set up correctly.

But I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners. You’re responsible for everything, including server setup, WordPress installation, caching, firewalls, and backups. When I used it for a high-scale project, I had to spend hours tuning the stack to get the performance right.

However, once it’s configured properly, the performance is incredible. I was able to scale up and down depending on traffic spikes, and I had full access to logs, resource usage, and network settings.

If you’re a developer or know your way around the terminal, Google Cloud is one of the most powerful platforms out there. Just know that going in, there’s no hand-holding.

As an alternative, I would recommend SiteGround, which is hosted on the Google Cloud platform but will take care of everything for you behind the scenes.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 415 ms (LEMP stack)

Avg. Response Time: 63 ms

WPBeginner Rating: B+

User Rating: 4.7/5

Discount: Free credits for new accounts

Best For: Advanced users & server controls 👨‍💻

Pros of Using Google Cloud

• Same infrastructure used by SiteGround, Kinsta, and major apps
• Unmatched flexibility for scaling and performance
• Access to the full server stack and network settings
• Pay-as-you-go pricing and generous free credits
• Fast SSDs, load balancing, and global CDN options

Best For

• Developers and agencies building custom WordPress stacks
• Advanced users who want full server control and automation

Google Cloud Performance Tests

Uptime

My custom VM stack on Google Cloud maintained 100% uptime over 30 days of testing.

Page Load Speed

After tuning the server, my site loaded in just 415 ms across global locations.

Stress Testing

In my K6 tests, it handled 50 users with no timeouts, but only after I configured load balancing and caching manually.

My Experience: I’ve used Google Cloud for projects that needed complete freedom, and I love the power and flexibility it offers. But unless you’re comfortable managing Linux servers, I’d stick with a managed cloud host from this list, such as SiteGround.

11. AWS (Amazon Web Services)

I’ve hosted WordPress on AWS (Amazon Web Services) for projects that needed enterprise-level flexibility. It’s one of the most powerful cloud platforms in the world, but it comes with a steep learning curve, which is why I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners.

You can run WordPress on Lightsail instances and select virtual machines for your own requirements. You will be responsible for load balancing, caching, scaling, and security. That’s a lot of moving pieces, and in my experience, it requires hands-on setup and regular monitoring.

Once properly configured, the speed and reliability are outstanding. I’ve seen it run traffic-heavy campaigns and product launches without breaking a sweat, but only because everything was optimized in advance.

If you’re a developer or agency managing custom infrastructure, AWS gives you unmatched flexibility. But for most WordPress users, I’d recommend a managed cloud host instead.

Discount: AWS Free Tier offers a free trial

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 684 ms

Avg. Response Time: 109 ms

WPBeginner Rating: B+

User Rating: 4.6/5

Discount: AWS Free Tier offers free trial

Best For: Custom enterprise-grade WordPress setups 🏗️

Pros of Using AWS

• Extreme flexibility for custom WordPress infrastructure
• Highly scalable with advanced security and monitoring
• Used by large enterprises and SaaS apps
• Global availability zones and CDN integration
• Free tier allows you to test with no cost for 12 months

Best For

• Developers and system admins managing high-scale WordPress environments
• Agencies and teams needing full-stack control and automation

AWS Performance Tests

Uptime

I set up monitoring just before stress-testing my AWS test site. The site remained up during the testing with 100% uptime.

Page Load Speed

My test site loaded in 684 ms on average without any caching or performance optimization.

Stress Testing

In my K6 load test, AWS held up under 50 concurrent users, but I had to set up caching and optimization.

My Experience: AWS provides flexibility and resources, but you will need to spend time configuring and managing it. It’s not beginner-friendly, but it delivers the power and reliability I expect from enterprise hosting for large, mission-critical sites. For those who want to try it out, my team has prepared a step-by-step beginner-friendly guide for installing WordPress on AWS.

My Verdict: Best Cloud Hosting Providers for WordPress

After testing dozens of platforms and helping site owners scale with confidence, these are the top 3 cloud hosting providers I recommend, based on real-world usage, performance, and value.

Best Overall Cloud Hosting: SiteGround

I use SiteGround for several businesses that need speed, uptime, and easy management. It runs on Google Cloud infrastructure and works great for blogs, business sites, and online stores.

Best Budget Cloud Hosting: Hostinger

If you’re on a tight budget but still want fast, cloud-powered WordPress hosting, Hostinger is a solid pick. Their dashboard is beginner-friendly, and support has always been helpful in my experience.

Best for Premium Cloud Features: Bluehost Cloud

Bluehost’s new cloud offering brings premium speed, built-in optimization, and scalability. It’s a great choice if you want performance without going full developer mode.

FAQs About Cloud Hosting for WordPress

Choosing a cloud hosting provider can be challenging, especially with so many technical terms and features.

Here are some common questions I get from readers and clients when they’re making the switch to WordPress cloud hosting, along with my honest answers.

Want to Learn More About WordPress Hosting?

These guides can help if you’re still exploring your options or want to better understand how WordPress hosting works:

• How to Choose the Best WordPress Hosting
• Shared Hosting vs. Cloud Hosting vs. Managed WordPress – What’s the Difference?
• WordPress Maintenance vs Managed Hosting – Which Is Better?
• How Much Traffic Can WordPress Handle? (+ Expert Scaling Tips)
• Beginner’s Guide to WordPress Speed and Performance

I hope this guide helped you find the right cloud hosting for your WordPress site. If you still have questions or need help deciding, feel free to leave a comment or reach out — I read every message, and I’m happy to help however I can.

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The post 11 Best Cloud Hosting Providers for WordPress in 2025 (Expert Pick) first appeared on WPBeginner.