How many client sites can I run on one plan?

It depends on the host and plan structure. Some price by site count, some by resources, and some by a combination. This guide focuses on options that work when you’re managing 10+ sites and need predictable scaling.

Can I bill clients separately?

Many agencies bake hosting into retainers or pass-through costs. Look for hosts with clean plan tiers, easy site exports, and predictable overage policies so you can price your services without surprises.

The Best Managed WordPress Hosts for Agencies Running 10+ Client Sites

Q: Is managed WordPress hosting worth it for agencies?

For agencies managing 10+ client sites, managed hosting is often worth it because it reduces operational overhead (updates, caching, backups, support) and lowers downtime risk that can threaten retainers.

Once you manage 10+ client sites, hosting stops being “infrastructure” and starts being a business risk. This guide compares managed WordPress hosts that help agencies avoid downtime, reduce babysitting, and keep clients calm.

Who this is for: agencies with 10+ active WordPress sites (client work, retainers, ongoing updates). If you run a single blog or hobby site, most options here will be overkill.

See comparison table Jump to top pick

Agency workflows Staging & cloning Predictable scaling Support that answers

Filter by Search

Comparison Table

This is the decision engine. Each pick has a clear role so you don’t waste time. Replace the placeholder CTAs with affiliate links once approved.

Host	Best for	Agency workflow fit	Scaling & predictability	Support quality	Downsides	Verdict
Kinsta Default pick	Agencies that want reliability + strong support without extra complexity.	Clean dashboard, staging, backups, performance tooling; good “set it and run” posture.	Predictable tiers; scaling is straightforward for multi-site agencies.	Known for fast, competent support (critical when clients are yelling).	Can be pricier than DIY/IaaS-style setups.	Best “safe default” for most agencies running 10–50 client sites.	View plans
WP Engine Power pick	Teams that want an enterprise-leaning managed platform and deeper tooling.	Mature workflows; strong tooling for teams that run lots of client environments.	Scaling is solid, but read plan limits and add-ons carefully for margin predictability.	Generally strong; better for teams comfortable navigating platform options.	Can get expensive as you add sites/features; complexity can creep.	Best for larger agencies that want mature platform features and don’t mind cost.	See pricing
Cloudways Best value	Agencies that want cost control and can handle slightly more “ops” thinking.	Good flexibility; less “pure managed WP” and more “managed cloud hosting” feel.	Often strong value, but predictability depends on how you manage resources/instances.	Decent, but the experience is more platform-like than concierge-managed.	Not as hands-off as fully managed WP hosts; requires more attention.	Best value if you care about margins and can handle a bit more configuration.	Start
Flywheel Simple scaling	Agencies that want a friendly UX and smoother client-site management.	Agency-friendly workflows; staging and team collaboration are the focus.	Good for growth, but confirm how pricing maps to your client portfolio.	Strong enough for most agency needs; good day-to-day experience.	May be less ideal for extreme performance edge cases.	Best for agency ops when you want a clean workflow-first experience.	View plans
Pressable Runner-up	Agencies that want a managed WP host with a straightforward product posture.	Solid managed feature set; good baseline for many agency stacks.	Predictable enough for many portfolios; confirm site count vs plan structure.	Generally reliable; support experience varies by issue severity.	May not differentiate as strongly vs top two picks depending on your needs.	Strong runner-up if the top pick doesn’t fit your budget or workflow.	See pricing

Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details.

Top Pick for Most Agencies

If you just want a safe default that won’t create client drama, start here.

Kinsta — Best “safe default” for agencies managing 10–50 sites

View plans

Why agencies choose it

Reliability-first: minimizes the “random outage” risk that kills retainers.
Support that understands context: fast answers matter more than fancy dashboards.
Workflow-friendly: staging + backups + tooling without turning you into a sysadmin.

Where it falls short

Cost: it’s not the cheapest. You’re paying to remove operational drag.

Verdict

Choose this if you want low drama, predictable scaling, and fewer “why is the site down?” tickets.

Other Picks (Choose by Agency Model)

Pick based on how you actually run your agency: margin-first, power-user, or workflow-first.

WP Engine — Power pick

Best for larger agencies that want mature platform features and can justify the price.

Strong platform tooling for teams
Scaling can be excellent
Watch add-ons / plan limits

See pricing

Cloudways — Best value

Best for agencies protecting margins who can handle a bit more platform thinking.

Cost control
Flexible setups
Less “concierge-managed”

Start

Flywheel — Simple scaling

Best for workflow-first agencies who value UX and smooth client site management.

Friendly agency workflows
Solid staging experience
Confirm scaling economics

View plans

How We Evaluated Hosts for 10+ Client Agencies

This isn’t “best hosting.” It’s what matters when you’re responsible for client sites at scale.

Agency workflow fit

Staging / cloning
Easy migrations
Team access and roles
Backups & restore reliability

Predictable scaling

Clear site limits and plan tiers
Sane overage policies
Performance under load
Support competence (not just availability)

Cost Reality Check

Managed hosting is expensive compared to shared hosting — because it replaces labor and reduces risk.

If one preventable outage costs you one retainer month, you’ve already paid for a year of better hosting. Agencies don’t buy “cheap.” They buy less operational drag.

FAQs

Is managed WordPress hosting worth it for agencies?

Often, yes—once you’re managing 10+ client sites. The win is fewer fires: better support, reliable backups, staging workflows, and less time spent debugging hosting issues.

Should agencies use WordPress multisite?

Sometimes, but it adds operational complexity. Many agencies prefer isolated sites for client separation and easier migrations. If you do use multisite, pick a host that supports your workflow and scaling constraints.

How should agencies bill clients for hosting?

Most agencies either bundle hosting into retainers or pass through a predictable line item. Choose hosts with clear plan tiers and understandable scaling so you can price confidently.

What matters most at 10+ sites?

Support competence, predictable scaling, and workflows (staging/backups/migrations). Raw “speed claims” matter less than reliability and fewer late-night emergencies.

Final Recommendation

If you manage 10+ client sites, start with the Top Pick and move on. If you’re margin-first, choose the Best Value. If you’re dev-heavy and want platform tooling, choose the Power Pick.

Jump to top pick Back to table

Last updated: —