10 Best PHP MySQL Hosting Services [Most Reliable in 2024]

Most web hosts support PHP and MySQL, which you’ll need to run applications like WordPress and Drupal. But there’s a big difference between simply supporting PHP + MySQL and offering a plan that has the features and functionality you need.

Besides full support for the latest PHP versions, you’ll want a host that can offer top performance, reliable uptime, security, and more. After thorough testing, I’ve found the 10 best hosts for PHP MySQL.

My top recommendation is InterServer. Its unlimited resource plans at reasonable prices make it an ideal space to experiment with PHP and MySQL databases. Still, each host on this list has something that sets it apart from the competition.

So, you can go ahead and get started with InterServer today, or keep reading to find the perfect host for you.

What We Look For in the Best Web Hosting for PHP MySQL

So what does it take to be one of the best PHP MySQL web hosts? Here’s what I looked for:

• Up-to-date PHP versions. Not all web hosts support the latest version of PHP, which is currently version 8.2 – but they should. WordPress itself recommends you use version 7.4 or later.
• Number of MySQL databases. If you have just one site and one CMS installed, you’ll only need one database. But if you have multiple sites or stores, you’ll need more. While unlimited databases may be overkill, at least you know you’ll be covered.
• Sufficient resources and scalability. The size and complexity of your site dictate the resources you need. If your business grows or your site visits surge, you’ll want a flexible host that allows you to increase storage, CPU, RAM, and bandwidth as needed.
• SSH and FTP access. If you want more control and don’t want to fully rely on your control panel interface, SSH and FTP access let you log directly into your server, upload your content, and transmit data.
• Advanced security and SSL. Surprisingly, not all web hosts provide adequate levels of security, which can leave your site vulnerable to malware and other attacks. I looked for web hosts that are equipped with first-rate security and offer free SSL.
• phpMyAdmin. All the hosts on my list offer phpMyAdmin, which is an easy-to-use tool to manage your MySQL database. It lets you create, import, and export MySQL database tables, and from here you can also manage tables, indexes, permissions, and more.

1. InterServer – Unlimited Resources for Your Site1

This web host offers one-size-fits-all shared hosting plans that provide some of the best values on the market. InterServer’s Standard Web Hosting plan is built on optimized servers, uses cPanel that includes phpMyAdmin, and comes with unlimited SSD storage, bandwidth, websites, MySQL databases, FTP accounts, and email.

In addition to its shared standard plan, InterServer also has competitively-priced Windows and WordPress Web Hosting plans, cloud VPS plans that you can easily customize to fit your resource needs, and a PHP.JS plan that is optimized for PHP functions in JavaScript.

If your target audience is in the US, InterServer is a solid PHP MySQL web host, with data centers conveniently located on both coasts. It also provides free Cloudflare CDN with an expansive global network so you can reach a worldwide audience.

Features:

• Enable multiple PHP versions. InterServer merges cPanel with DirectAdmin to give you a Linux-based control panel that, among other things, supports legacy PHP versions alongside the latest versions.
• InterShield security. The proprietary InterShield security solution gives you advanced protection against viruses and web attacks, and includes a machine learning firewall and in-house malware database.
• Inter-Insurance. If something does go wrong with your account, InterServer will clean up your compromised, hacked, or exploited account, get you back online, and prevent future problems.
• Free website migration. With a 24/7 managed website migration service, InterServer’s experts will transfer your website from your old host with little to no downtime.

For more details on InterServer’s specialized hosting plans, check out our in-depth review.

2. FastComet – Best Global Reach for a PHP MySQL Host1

FastComet brings you several budget-friendly plans that have plenty of resources for PHP MySQL hosting. And it has 10+ data centers across the globe, so your target audience will get top speed and performance no matter where they are in the world.

All FastComet plans offer support for PHP 5.6 through 8.2, unlimited MySQL databases, and unlimited FTP accounts. Compared to InterServer, shared hosting plans have limited resources: less SSD storage (up to 35GB), less bandwidth (fair usage, with a maximum cap around 100,000 monthly visits), and number of hosted websites (just one on the entry-level plan).

If the FastCloud shared hosting resource caps won’t be enough to run your busy sites or stores, you may want to consider FastComet’s fully managed Cloud VPS Hosting or Dedicated CPU Servers with advanced optimization and security. These plans will give you more dedicated resources, although you’ll need a bigger budget.

Features:

• FTP Manager. If your site requires several levels of administrators, FastComet’s easy-to-use FTP Manager can help you set up accounts, configure FTP directories, set read/write permissions, and terminate FTP connections.
• PHP caching. FastComet allows  Alternative PHP Caching (APC), which speeds up page loading by caching PHP objects from your site instead of the whole page. It also offers OPcache, which is another caching extension designed specifically for PHP.
• Apache Mod_Lsapi. Apache Mod_Lsapi uses LiteSpeed technology to give PHP pages higher levels of performance and stability while using less memory.
• CageFS Server Security. In addition to security measures like firewalls, two-factor authentication, and daily backups, FastComet protects its servers by using CafeFS technology to isolate each user on its shared hosting plan. This means that your site won’t be vulnerable to potential malefactors on your shared server.

Read our in-depth FastComet review to see how fast our pages loaded.

3. HostArmada: Advanced PHP Features and Top-Notch Security1

Despite being a relatively new service, HostArmada stands out with its emphasis on integrating the latest technology across all its hosting plans. This means that you can be sure you’ll get reliable performance and constant updates.

In terms of managing PHP MySQL, HostArmada provides a comprehensive set of tools to cater to your needs. It offers unlimited FTP accounts, Git version control, Remote MySQL, and a PHP version manager. Every one of these features can come incredibly handy as you manage your databases and PHP environments.

It’s also worth mentioning that HostArmada has a unique take on security. While other hosts add more security features as their pricing tiers rise, HostArmada offers its full security suite even on entry-level plans. This means that even if you’re just starting out on a budget, you can be sure that your project will be secure against possible threats or fail points.

Features

• Remote MySQL. Every HostArmada plan gives you Remote MySQL access, allowing remote servers to access your database information if you so choose.
• Nginx web servers. HostArmada uses the Nginx web server software. Nginx provides incredible performance and a comfortable staging ground for web developers.
• Daily backups on all plans. Every HostArmada plan comes with a certain number of automatic daily backups, ensuring that you can recover your information if you need to.
• Specialized plans. HostArmada offers specialized hosting for Opensource web apps and developers.

Read our expert HostArmada review for more details.

4. Hostinger – Ease of Use at a Low Price1

Hostinger is the one of the cheapest PHP MySQL hosting providers on my list, especially when you sign up to one of its long-term plans, but that doesn’t mean you sacrifice quality. Its advanced WordPress, Cloud, and VPS plans are reasonably-priced and even provide cPanel Hosting if you’d rather not use Hostiner’s custom control panel.

That said, while Hostinger offers a wide array of features, its entry-level plans give you fewer resources, MySQL databases, and FTP accounts than the previous entries on this list. And you only get SSH access with higher-priced plans.

Still, Hostinger is one of the top options for PHP MySQL hosting, and if your budget is flexible, you’ll get more with the advanced plans.

Features:

• hPanel. An easy-to-use, custom control panel that includes all the basic features you need (and would find with cPanel), like a one-click Auto Installer, email manager, and a website builder, as well as easy access to phpMyAdmin and MySQL databases.
• LiteSpeed Cache for WordPress. An acceleration plugin that caches at the server level and has a number of optimization features, LiteSpeed Cache is available for WordPress Multisite and is compatible with other popular plugins like WooCommerce, bbPress, and Yoast SEO.
• FTP over SSL (SFTP). With the mid-range Hostinger Premium Shared Hosting plan, your FTP is protected by an SSL certificate for better security than what you’d get with regular FTP.
• Free domain. Not all web hosts provide you with a free domain. Hostinger does – but only with its mid- to high-tier plans, and only for one year.

We had 30 experts around the world sign up and test Hostinger: these were the results.

5. A2 Hosting – Top Performance and Reliability for a PHP MySQL Site1

When we tested A2 Hosting, the speed and reliability we saw for the price was outstanding. It has faster speeds than most other shared hosting providers, and my colleague got 100% uptime over a two-month period.

A2 Hosting gives you 100GB of SSD storage with its entry-level Startup plan, which is more than you get with any FastComet shared web hosting plan. It also includes unlimited data transfer. Even with higher-tier plans that offer optimized Litespeed Cache servers, pricing is still on the low end while performance remains consistent.

A2 Hosting’s PHP Web Hosting is optimized for applications that use MySQL databases like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla. These plans also offer multi-version support for stability and security. However, the cheapest plan does limit your MySQL databases to 5 and some of its best caching functionalities are not available.

Features:

• A2 Optimized Site Accelerator. Available on shared servers, A2 Optimized is a caching plugin that gives you faster speeds and better performance by using Turbo Cache, APC/OPcache, and Memcache. All these work together to speed up the loading times for PHP and MySQL.
• Website staging. A2 Hosting lets you easily create a clone of your site so you can test updates, plugins, and themes before you make the changes live.
• Managed WordPress hosting with Jetpack personal license. Design, grow, and secure your site with Jetpack, which offers audience stats, SEO optimization, site acceleration, automatic daily backups, brute force attack protection, malware scanning, and more.
• Perpetual Security. A2 Hosting takes security seriously, and all plans come equipped with KernelCare, reinforced DDos protection, dual web hosting firewall, brute force defense, auto-healing, virus scanning, server hardening, and free HackScan to block hacks before they happen.

Curious to see how A2 Hosting performed in our tests? Read our in-depth review.

6. SiteGround – PHP MySQL Basics at the Cheapest Price1

SiteGround is a good option if you’re on a budget and you only need the basics. Its shared hosting has some of the lowest prices on our list, but aside from unlimited MySQL databases, FTP accounts, and unmetered bandwidth, it won’t wow you with resources. However, all plans come with free SSL, CDN, email, and SSH access.

With managed hosting, SiteGround supports PHP version 7.4 only, but you can opt to use versions 7.3, 7.4, 8.0, or 8.1 if you’re willing to manage it yourself.

The entry-level StartUp plan is very bare bones. SiteGround does offer a number of great developer-centric features on its shared hosting plans, but you have to upgrade to one of its higher-priced plans to get them.

Features:

• Ultrafast PHP. With higher-priced shared hosting plans, you get an optimized PHP setup that increases overall site speed, including time to first byte, and helps your server process visits faster while using less memory.
• Site Tools control panel. SiteGround’s proprietary control panel looks good, is easy to use, and boasts all the basic functions you’ll need to run your site.
• Scalable on-demand backups. You can purchase single backups on the StartUp plan. With the higher-priced GrowBig and GoGeek plans, you can have up to 5 on-demand backups at any time as part of your plan.
• SiteGround Migrator WordPress plugin. Automigration from your old host to SiteGround takes just a couple of basic steps when you use SiteGround’s Migrator plugin. It’s a great tool for simple websites, but for more complex sites, you’ll want to use the paid migration service.

Read our comprehensive SiteGround review for more info about its plans.

7. Hostwinds – Best Business Hosting Features1

Hostwinds offers two types of shared hosting plans: the standard Shared Hosting and Business Hosting. Business Hosting is basically Shared Hosting but with more resources, and it offers higher PHP memory limits, fewer websites on the same server, and unlimited nightly backups.

Hostwinds also has managed and unmanaged VPS, Cloud, and Dedicated Server hosting.

Shared hosting plans feature Apache2 optimized web servers, CloudLinux, and cPanel. They give you unlimited bandwidth, SSD storage, MySQL databases, and FTP accounts, and range from one to unlimited hosted websites.

However, while Hostwinds supports up to PHP version 8.1, SSH access is unavailable. To acquire SSH access, you will require a VPS, Cloud Server, or Dedicated Server plan.

Hostwinds has tiers of support based on the type of plan you select. When it comes to PHP, the support team will perform PHP software upgrades, but it won’t fix bugs in your PHP script.

Features:

• 24/7 website monitoring. Hostwinds monitors every aspect of its network and infrastructure all day, every day to make sure nothing goes wrong and, if it does, it will immediately resolve the issue. Personal website monitoring, however, is an add-on feature for basic Shared Hosting.
• Softaculous. The popular auto-installer is paired with cPanel to give you one-click installs for hundreds of web applications like WordPress and Joomla.
• LiteSpeed web servers. All Business Hosting plans are on LiteSpeed web servers. The advanced technology helps your site’s content load extremely fast.
• Route-optimized networking. Another Business Hosting feature, this optimization tool makes sure your site loads quickly by ensuring the fastest network path is always selected.

You can read more about Hostwinds’ performance in our expert Hostwinds review.

8. InMotion Hosting – Supports The Most PHP Versions1

InMotion Hosting gives you everything you need from a PHP MySQL hosting provider, including support for the latest versions of PHP. You also get SSH access, free SSL, 2 hosted websites, and up to 3 MySQL databases on the most basic In Motion Hosting Launch plan.

Using cPanel, it’s easy to manage your site from a central dashboard, and with the free Softaculous installer, you can set up your website in minutes.

One thing that sets InMotion Hosting apart is its unlimited bandwidth. You also get a free domain or domain transfer with each plan, but shared hosting is limited to 100 websites and 100GB of SSD storage. If you need more, you’ll have to opt for In Motion Hosting’s VPS or Dedicated Server hosting.

All in all, InMotion Hosting is a solid PHP MySQL host if you’re just getting started with PHP and MySQL and want the comfort of managed hosting and cPanel (in fact, most plans will automatically be upgraded to the latest, most stable version of PHP).

Features

• Multi-PHP Manager. The Multi-PHP Manager within cPanel empowers you to effortlessly choose the PHP version you desire for your website by simply selecting from a dropdown list of supported PHP versions. Additionally, you have the flexibility to tailor each PHP version to suit the needs of multiple sites.
• Free marketing tools. InMotion Hosting gives you $150 in online advertising credit, access to the BoldGrid Website Builder, professional email address leads, and a variety of statistics to help inform your marketing choices.
• UltraStack caching. An exclusive caching method for InMotion Hosting, UltraStack boosts performance by employing PHP to store web content, preventing your site from having to reload the same code for each visitor. This is particularly helpful for PHP-intensive applications such as WordPress.
• 90-day money-back guarantee. Most PHP MySQL hosts have money-back guarantees, but not nearly as long as InMotion Hosting. And cancellation is easy if you decide it’s not the host for you.

In our InMotion Hosting review, we also noted that InMotion Hosting makes it super easy to get your website up and running.

Other Notable Hosts for PHP MySQL Hosting

Bluehost1

Bluehost is known for its user-friendly interface, making it an easy choice for newcomers. The one-click installer for popular CMSs like WordPress simplifies the setup process immensely.

On the technical side, Bluehost provides a range of PHP versions and unlimited MySQL databases in some plans. Tools like phpMyAdmin for easy database management and the inclusion of SSL certificates for security make it a reliable option for PHP MySQL hosting.

DreamHost1

DreamHost is affordable and user-friendly, although it lacks some advanced hosting features. This simplicity caters well to individuals or small businesses with basic hosting needs.

For PHP MySQL hosting, DreamHost supports multiple PHP versions. It also includes tools like phpMyAdmin that facilitate easy database management, making it a straightforward choice if you’re just looking for a hassle-free PHP MySQL hosting environment.

Which PHP MySQL Host Is for You?

Since most web hosts support PHP and MySQL, finding the best one that has the features, functionality, and reliability that you need, while providing the best value, can be tough.

If you want the web host with the most unlimited resources that supports the PHP versions recommended by WordPress, go with InterServer1. It also happens to provide the best overall value. 

If you’re trying to reach a worldwide audience and want advanced caching tools and security, FastComet will give you the best global reach1, with some of the most advanced website tech available.

If your main concern is security, HostArmada has you covered1. Not only does it offer its full security suite on all plans, its constant updates also ensure that you always have access to the latest technologies.

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of all the best options.

FAQ

What is the best PHP MySQL host?

InterServer gives you the best value for your money with unlimited MySQL databases, FTP accounts, websites, SSD storage, bandwidth, and more.

It also uses fast and reliable servers, has cPanel with phpMyAdmin, and supports PHP 7.4 and later, which is the bare minimum to run WordPress.

How does MySQL work with PHP?

Your MySQL database is where your website content is stored. But you still need a way to pull this information and present it to your site visitors. That’s where PHP comes in. PHP is an open-source scripting language that communicates with your database to fetch the content for your web pages.

While this might sound more than a little technical, the right hosting provider can give you access to MySQL databases and the PHP language without taking away your sanity. One good example is Hostinger, which gives you user-friendly tools to manage your hosting at low prices.

What can I do with PHP and MySQL?

When you use PHP and MySQL, you can create almost anything, including an e-commerce site, a mailing list, blog, forum, Intranet, and more.

The possibilities go even further when you choose the right hosting provider for your PHP and MySQL efforts. HostArmada offers specialized hosting for open source web apps and development. Besides giving you full control over your PHP and your databases, these plans expand the possibilities of what you can do.

Can you get PHP MySQL hosting for free?

In short, yes. But I wouldn’t recommend it. There are very few web hosts out there that offer free PHP MySQL hosting and none of them made our list of the best web hosting providers in 2023.

Why? Because they’re often not as reliable or secure, and most give you such a basic service that they don’t tick any of the boxes for what we look for in a top PHP MySQL host.