A fast website is a great option for everyone! A fast website can also help you rank higher in search engines, increase crawlability, convert more visitors, and reduce time on site. It also lowers your bounce rate.
Kinsta is obsessed with speed! Many website owners and web agencies have upgraded their websites by migrating from Kinsta.
You might be wondering if there is a significant improvement in website speed after migrating from Kinsta. We set out to prove that with this large migration data project.
This project includes 32,000+ data points derived from 3,200+ websites that we migrated from more than 23 hosts to Kinsta. We did the tests for three months.
For each domain that was migrated, we ran a speed test to determine if it was running smoothly before and after the migration. Then we began to crunch the numbers. We will be covering all aspects of the test and its results in this post.
Excited? Let’s start!
The Website Speed Testing Methodology
Before we can get to the results, it is important that we note our speed testing method. It’s explained below.
The Site Speed Testing Platform
We used WebPageTest to test our website. This open-source project allows us to perform free website tests from different locations around the world using real browsers.
loading=”lazy” class=”size-full wp-image-129518″ src=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Test-Settings.jpg” alt=”Screenshot of the The WebPageTest site speed testing tool’s homepage.” width=”1100″ height=”860″ srcset=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Test-Settings.jpg 1100w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Test-Settings-300×235.jpg 300w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Test-Settings-1024×801.jpg 1024w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Test-Settings-768×600.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px”>
WebPageTest is a site speed testing tool.
WebPageTest can be used as a website speed test tool. However, it has many advanced features that allow you to compare multiple tests and capture detailed metrics.
loading=”lazy” class=”size-full wp-image-129519″ src=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Advanced-Test-Settings.png” alt=”An overview of the WebPageTest’s advanced testing options.” width=”1100″ height=”1010″ srcset=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Advanced-Test-Settings.png 1100w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Advanced-Test-Settings-300×275.png 300w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Advanced-Test-Settings-1024×940.png 1024w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Advanced-Test-Settings-768×705.png 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px”>
WebPageTest offers advanced testing options.
You can, for example, set the number and type of tests in Test Settings. This option allows you to repeat the tests with the same parameters.
WebPageTest defaults to performing three tests, but you can increase this number to nine for more intense repeated tests. WebPageTest will choose the median result. We set this number at three for reliable results.
loading=”lazy” class=”size-full wp-image-129520″ src=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-First-View-Repeat-View-Comparison.png” alt=”A comparison chart of WebPageTest’s First View and Repeat View results.” width=”1100″ height=”666″ srcset=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-First-View-Repeat-View-Comparison.png 1100w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-First-View-Repeat-View-Comparison-300×182.png 300w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-First-View-Repeat-View-Comparison-1024×620.png 1024w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-First-View-Repeat-View-Comparison-768×465.png 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px”>
Comparison of the WebPageTest’s Repeat View and First View results.
WebPageTest allows you to separate log First View and Repeat View metrics. Enable the Repeat View option to load the page without cache (First View), and then load it with cached cache (Repeat View).
Speed tests’ First View and Repeat View metrics provide a better view of the page’s loading speed for returning and new users.
WebPageTest also provides API access to automate tests and a built in tests comparison tool. These features are perfect for our case.
The Tests We Passed
WebPageTest’s automation tools make it easy to run the tests once we have established a standard testing process — location, browser connection, number and repeat view —
We only need actual websites to test and migrate.
We have seen a steady influx of clients migrate to Kinsta every day from various hosting providers, from shared hosting plans to more expensive self-managed cloud servers.
To get the results quickly, our top-notch migrations team collaborated closely with the website speed test team.
One test was performed before the site was moved. The second test was done after the migration is complete. We set the number of tests at 3 to get reliable metrics. WebPageTest chose the median result.
Over three months, we tested and migrated more than 3,200 websites. This is 2+ migrations per hour during a workday.
Relevant Speed Test Metrics
WebPageTest records multiple metrics for each test. These four metrics are the most relevant for comparing migrating websites’ relative performance:
1. Time to First Byte
This metric measures time between the initial request to the server and the first byte of its response. The server’s response times dictate TTFB, which is the metric that precedes all other metrics.
loading=”lazy” class=”size-full wp-image-129521″ src=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-TTFB-Metric.png” alt=”Using WebPageTest to measure TTFB, a critical metric for measuring server responsiveness.” width=”1100″ height=”264″ srcset=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-TTFB-Metric.png 1100w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-TTFB-Metric-300×72.png 300w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-TTFB-Metric-1024×246.png 1024w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-TTFB-Metric-768×184.png 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px”>
TTFB is a crucial metric to measure server responsiveness.
Choosing a reliable hosting provider that is responsive and fast can help minimize TTFB. It can be further enhanced by combining it with a CDN.
2. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
This measure measures how long it takes to load the largest image/block of text in your browser viewport (above and below the fold). These items are usually a banner, heading or hero image.
loading=”lazy” class=”wp-image-102225 size-full” src=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lcp-rank.png” alt=”Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) is one of Google’s Core Web Vitals metrics.” width=”330″ height=”250″ srcset=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lcp-rank.png 330w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lcp-rank-300×227.png 300w” sizes=”(max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px”>
Google’s Core Web Vitals metrics include Largest Contentful Painting (LCP).
A lower LCP score means a better user experience. It’s one of Google’s Core Web Vitals metrics. A page that has a high LCP score will rank higher in search results. These pages can be featured in Google’s other services if they meet the criteria. Google News
We recommend that you assign the maximum weight to the LCP metric when comparing test results.
3. Total Blocking Time (TBT).
WebPageTest is not able to track a page’s First Input Delay. This is another Core Web Vitals metric. FID cannot be measured in the lab. It must be measured by a user who interacts with the page.
loading=”lazy” class=”wp-image-102224 size-full” src=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/fid-rank.png” alt=”First Input Delay (FID) is one of Google’s Core Web Vitals metrics.” width=”330″ height=”250″ srcset=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/fid-rank.png 330w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/fid-rank-300×227.png 300w” sizes=”(max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px”>
TBT can be used to measure FID in a laboratory.
WebPageTest, however, can be used to measure the page’s TBT. Google says that TBT correlates well to FID in the field. It also captures interactivity issues.
Optimizing TBT involves optimising the website code, including third-party code and JavaScript execution times, main thread work, JavaScript number of HTTP requests, transfer sizes, and main thread work. These tasks are not part of the primary services offered by a hosting provider and are development-oriented.
Page speed optimizations that improve TBT for users should typically also improve FID.
4. Fully Loaded Time (FLT).
This metric measures how long it takes to load all of the page’s assets — text and images, videos, CSS stylesheets. JS scripts. Third-party resources.
loading=”lazy” class=”size-full wp-image-129522″ src=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Deatiled-Metrics-View.png” alt=”WebPageTest’s detailed metrics view shows fully loaded time.” width=”1100″ height=”426″ srcset=”https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Deatiled-Metrics-View.png 1100w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Deatiled-Metrics-View-300×116.png 300w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Deatiled-Metrics-View-1024×397.png 1024w, https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WebPageTest-Deatiled-Metrics-View-768×297.png 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px”>
WebPageTest’s detailed metrics display shows fully loaded times.
From a user-experience perspective, we’re better with the LCP metric. The migrated website is virtually the same between the tests. Therefore, measuring FLT will greatly indicate how the new server performs in comparison to the old.
A server is more than its hardware. It includes many optimizations: server-level caching and platform-specific optimizations as well as database optimizations.
Comparison of Test Results
This project had the goal of comparing Kinsta to other hosting providers. It serves as a data-backed comparison piece to our potential clients, both new and old.
class=”aligncenter” style=”width: 900px” src=”https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/0c43846acc3d6c1728be5b43f16e4f52.jpg?image_play_button_size=2xI_crop_resized=960x540I_play_button=1I_play_button_color=5333ede0″ width=”900″>
We wanted to know how big a difference our efforts are making, whether it was positive or negative. It’s great if the difference we make is positive. If it’s not positive, we’ll be able to identify areas where we can make improvements.
Many of the hosts from which we migrate sites had only a handful domains participating. Some even had one domain that was migrated. These hosts didn’t have enough data to provide reliable metrics. We excluded hosts with less than ten domains that were analyzed. This is more than one dozen hosting providers. These hosts may be added to the list as more sites migrate from Kinsta.
Let’s now move on to the test results.
Kinsta vs. Alternatives: Test Results
How does Kinsta compare to the rest? We are ready to find out.
All metrics are listed in seconds (sec), unless otherwise stated. These metrics are used to measure website speed and interactivity. Slower times are better. If there is any improvement, you will see a negative symbol before the difference amount (D).
These are the meanings of the columns:
Original = Pre-migration resultsKinsta = After-migration resultsD = Differ between the Original & Kinsta metrics%D = Percentage differences between the Original & Kinsta metrics
To make it easier for you to see the differences, we’ll highlight Kinsta purple color post-migration metric improvement.
Most metrics will be painted purple. Migrating to Kinsta will bring you significant benefits.
BlueHost vs Kinsta
Kinsta vs BluehostMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)2.750.55-2.19-79.82%1.240.34-0.90-72.88%LCP (sec)4.172.20-1.97-47.20%1.881.15-0.73-38.68%TBT (sec)0.180.290.1160.66%0.110.130.0222.48%FLT (sec)6.153.22-2.93-47.67%3.471.27-2.20-63.40%
Kinsta vs Dreamhost
Kinsta vs DreamHostMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)0.920.73-0.18-19.94%0.300.30-0.01-2.21%LCP (sec)2.522.35-0.17-6.57%1.431.28-0.16-11.01%TBT (sec)0.290.15-0.14-48.82%0.200.07-0.13-65.60%FLT (sec)6.654.90-1.75-26.36%3.893.35-0.55-14.00%
Kinsta vs HostGator
Kinsta vs HostGatorMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)2.020.55-1.47-72.94%1.080.24-0.84-77.56%LCP (sec)3.702.42-1.28-34.51%2.041.44-0.60-29.35%TBT (sec)0.220.260.0314.64%0.110.120.016.02%FLT (sec)5.073.29-1.78-35.15%2.571.50-1.08-41.86%
Kinsta vs Liquid Web
Kinsta vs Liquid WebMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)1.130.55-0.58-51.28%0.920.39-0.53-57.65%LCP (sec)2.802.16-0.64-22.83%1.751.19-0.57-32.24%TBT (sec)0.260.270.013.46%0.190.220.0420.14%FLT (sec)4.453.66-0.79-17.71%2.831.83-1.00-35.21%
Kinsta vs Amazon AWS
Kinsta vs Amazon AWSMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)1.220.96-0.27-21.88%1.160.51-0.64-55.69%LCP (sec)3.053.290.247.71%2.091.55-0.54-25.75%TBT (sec)0.300.330.0310.05%0.240.17-0.07-28.73%FLT (sec)4.174.460.297.00%2.821.91-0.90-32.08%
Cloudways vs. Kinsta
Kinsta vs CloudwaysMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)0.710.63-0.08-11.47%0.440.38-0.07-15.12%LCP (sec)2.432.470.041.71%1.261.23-0.03-2.26%TBT (sec)0.440.500.0511.93%0.270.22-0.05-18.52%FLT (sec)4.795.150.357.36%1.371.640.2719.68%
Kinsta vs Digital Ocean
Kinsta vs Digital OceanMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)0.930.54-0.39-42.45%0.750.19-0.56-74.84%LCP (sec)3.264.210.9529.25%2.371.75-0.62-26.15%TBT (sec)0.390.400.013.33%0.420.39-0.03-7.03%FLT (sec)5.125.380.265.12%4.371.94-2.42-55.46%
SiteGround vs Kinsta
Kinsta vs SiteGroundMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)0.620.880.2743.41%0.620.40-0.23-36.46%LCP (sec)2.212.750.5324.01%1.441.25-0.19-13.09%TBT (sec)0.190.260.0736.74%0.110.130.0217.46%FLT (sec)3.163.490.3310.56%1.891.70-0.19-10.11%
Kinsta vs. Other
The category “Other” hosting provider category covers niche hosts who aren’t significant competitors.
Are you having problems with WordPress and downtime? Kinsta is the perfect hosting solution for you! Check out our features Kinsta vs OtherMetricFirst ViewRepeat ViewOriginalKinstaD%DOriginalKinstaD%DTTFB (sec)1.400.91-0.49-35.05%1.030.46-0.57-55.75%LCP (sec)3.333.16-0.17-5.15%1.941.45-0.49-25.11%TBT (sec)0.310.360.0515.80%0.210.210.000.86%FLT (sec)4.994.75-0.23-4.71%2.892.33-0.56-19.34%
The Key Takeaways From the Results
While we did not perform well in the First View results, you’ll see that we were able to improve on them. However, we did exceptionally well in the Repeat View results. This speaks volumes about the server-level caching solution we use and CDN integration.
All results show that our TTFB game is perfect, with the exception of the First View results against SiteGround. They are defeated convincingly in the Repeat View results.
LCP is the most user-centric metric to improve a website’s perceived performance. We again perform exceptionally in all of these results, especially Repeat View results. According to LCP stats sites that migrate to Kinsta experience an average of 20% faster load times.
The TBT results depend more on your website code than the hosting service provider so we won’t go into detail. We can still help our clients who have recently migrated to improve their websites by looking at TBT scores.
The FLT metric is the final metric. We topped the FLT’s Repeat View results overall. In its First View results we beat or nearly matched all our competitors, with the exception of Cloudways.
Here are the speeds your site can run (and what slow it is compared to others):
BlueHost to Kinsta page load times improved by +39% (avg. Amazon AWS to Kinsta: +26% better page load times average. Digital Ocean to Kinsta: +26% faster page load times (avg. From Liquid Web and Kinsta: +32% better page load times (avg. Cloudways to Kinsta: +2% faster page load times (avg. HostGator to Kinsta – +29% faster page load times (avg. From Dreamhost to Kinsta, +11% faster page load times (avg. SiteGround to Kinsta: +33% faster page load times (avg. )From SiteGround to Kinsta: +13% improved page load times
How is that possible? Kinsta’s customers love:
Google Cloud Platform’s fastest Compute-Optimized VMsC2 VMsA stack that has been optimized for WordPress for more than 8+ yearsGoogle Premium Tier Network to deliver website data fasterFree CDN powered Cloudflare’s global network at 275+ locationsA top-of-the-line server-level caching solutionEdge Caching to deliver your pages faster to browsers all over the globe
We are satisfied with the results. We know there is more to be done!
We are obsessed with website speed and we work hard to bring new features to the site every day. For the most up-to-date list and updates on all our tools and upgrades, visit our Feature Updates Page.
Summary
While there are many WordPress hosts out there, Kinsta managed hosting is the best for your site. Kinsta is trusted by many of the most prominent brands and agencies around the globe to power their websites.
We’ve proven that migrating to Kinsta can provide a free boost in performance by conducting rigorous testing for three months.
Although site speed is one of the most important factors to consider when migrating to a host, there are other crucial factors to be aware of. We offer many other valuable features to our clients.
Kinsta CDN free, Cloudflare wildcard SSLs automatically, premium DNS powered with Amazon Route53, staging areas, and automatic daily backups. To provide granular control over cache, we pair it with our Kinsta MU plugin. We offer support for all PHP versions. Free hack fixes for all websites that are hosted with us. If your WordPress site is hacked, we’ll fix it with immediate priority.Server-level rules and optimizations for WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads to ensure a smoother checkout experience.MyKinsta — our custom-designed dashboard — to help you manage and improve your site quickly. Start a live demo of the MyKinsta dashboard to see how it works. MyKinsta analytics reports are available for data analysis and performance insight. Multi-user access with finely-grained permissions. You can add any number of users as members to your team. You can give them access to all sites except billing. Or add them to the subset of sites as developers or administrators. Full integration with DevKinsta. You can quickly clone live or staging sites and make any changes to the local environment.
Kinsta offers unlimited free migrations for all plans. To get started, sign up for any of our plans. We offer a 30-day guarantee that you will be satisfied with our service and speed. If you do not give us a chance, you will only lose.
The post Migrate to Kinsta and get a free 20% speed boost — Backed by Stats