11 Best PHP MySQL Hosting Services (Feb. 2024)

The mid-90s were an exciting time for us internet folks. The World Wide Web emerged, web browsers like Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer were introduced, and dot-com companies were just about to take the world by storm. Amidst all these developments, PHP and MySQL were created — two fundamental building blocks for web development today, particularly for dynamic and data-driven websites.

Over time, they complemented each other perfectly. PHP provided the scripting capabilities to create dynamic webpages, while MySQL handled the database aspects, allowing sites to store and retrieve data efficiently. Even with newer tech springing up left and right, the two remain widely used in web hosting and development due to their open-source nature, which makes them a cost-effective development option.

It’s no wonder that PHP MySQL hosting is becoming the go-to choice for many, particularly businesses in the eCommerce domain. If you’re looking to go in the same direction hosting-wise, here are the best PHP MySQL hosting services.

Achieving the perfect balance between price and performance is a challenging task, but Hostinger does it with style. Speedy performance, round-the-clock support, 99.9% uptime guarantee, unlimited MySQL database and bandwidth, along with SSH and GIT access, are just some of the boons you get right out of the gate. The hosting provider supports PHP versions 5.2 to 8.1, while you can use MySQLi (enabled and fully supported on servers by default) and PDO to connect a PHP script to MySQL, with a detailed tutorial to boot.

More about Hostinger:

• Unlimited bandwidth and databases
• NVMe SSD-based infrastructure
• Cheap web hosting

Hostinger also takes time to explain how to create a MySQL database from scratch via cPanel, as well as how to connect a remote MySQL database. As a bonus, the Auto Installer feature allows the automatic installation of PHP-powered applications such as PHP-Fusion, phpBB, CakePHP, and phpMyAdmin where you can perform database management, to name a few.

Offering one of the most well-rounded services, Bluehost is a web host that will suit almost every type of user, whether they are looking for a shared hosting plan, dedicated server, VPS, or WordPress hosting. One-click installs and updates, snappy performance supported by a few open-source technologies for that extra oomph, comprehensive online store support — you get all of this and more at competitive prices, with a few freebies like free domain and SSL thrown in for good measure.

More about Bluehost:

• Customize your PHP version with PHP handlers
• Unlimited bandwidth and storage on most plans
• Resource protection on shared hosting

All of Bluehost’s web hosting plans offer MySQL, with the option of using a desktop application or phpMyAdmin in cPanel to manage your database. The provider’s servers support PHP 7.4 and higher, up to 8.2, and its knowledge base is one of the best in the business, so you’ll have no trouble finding a how-to guide, instructions, and answers in case you get stuck on anything PHP or MySQL-related.

One of the pioneers of PHP support on a shared hosting plan, A2 Hosting supports several versions of PHP, from 5.1 to 8.1. The company’s claim to being one of the best PHP MySQL hosting services largely rests on its impressive performance, thanks to its Turbo hosting platform that boasts fewer users per web server, pre-configured caching options, and double the allocated physical memory.

More about A2 Hosting:

• Unlimited databases on high-class servers
• SSDs and TurboServer for 20x faster page loads
• Expert 24/7 customer support

Users can enjoy free SSL security and SSH access, while phpMyAdmin comes pre-installed. InnoDB storage engine for MySQL is supported, while Server Rewind backups are included at no extra cost for database recovery. A2 Hosting’s expert Guru Crew team has your back in case you have any questions or concerns about your PHP application, MySQL support, or any other related matter.

What PHP fans will undoubtedly find great about SiteGround is its fully managed PHP hosting service (which you can turn off if you prefer a hands-on approach) that automatically updates your PHP once there is a newer stable and safe version. There’s more to the story, as SiteGround also offers Ultrafast PHP, a performance-boosting server setup that enhances website speed by up to 30%, uses less server memory, and increases server capacity.

More about SiteGround:

• Google Cloud infrastructure with SSDs
• Managed WAF and AI Anti-Bot tool
• Unlimited MySQL database on every hosting plan

When using MySQL, one of the most important things is to have a MySQL-specialized host, and SiteGround does the trick. With advanced caching mechanisms (pre-enabled static and dynamic options), daily backups, and proactive server monitoring, the provider safeguards the integrity of MySQL databases, assuring data availability and security. Plus, you get lots of free MySQL tools like CMS systems, forums, galleries, blogs, and shopping carts.

A commendable choice for PHP MySQL hosting, IONOS offers a robust blend of reliability and scalability, ultimately distinguishing itself through its high-performance infrastructure and feature-rich plans replete with free goodies. As part of the PHP Extended Support, the company’s security experts ensure that any vulnerabilities affecting older PHP versions continue to be closed. Versions 4.4, 5.2 to 5.6, and 7.0 to 7.4 are supported.

More about IONOS:

• PHP 8.2 with JIT compiler
• Unlimited databases available on most plans
• Georedundant infrastructure

IONOS offers Linux and Windows solutions for MySQL. You start with 2 GB of storage per MySQL (or MariaDB that’s set as a default) database and optimization for up to 100 website visitors per minute. If that’s not enough, you can easily scale up to keep up with demand, as each additional performance level costs $2/month. And in the event you’re not sure about your needs, every IONOS user gets a dedicated contact person for personalized advice, help, and technical support.

Let’s start with what HostGator sets you up with for free: unmetered bandwidth and storage, SSL, domain registration, one-click installs. Then, you get cPanel access, $100 in Google AdWords credit, a free website builder, and website building tools. Aimed primarily at the semi-technical user, the web hosting provider has numerous configuration options to set the server to your liking, although beginner-friendly tools are also part of the package so that nobody feels left out.

More about HostGator:

• Unlimited MySQL databases with phpMyAdmin
• Unlimited disk space and bandwidth
• 45-day money-back guarantee

Speaking of configuration, there is a PHP configuration plugin (available on Shared and Reseller server cPanels) that allows setting the PHP version for specific directories and domains. Each web hosting plan offers MySQL (available on Linux and Windows), with zero-downtime MySQL migration when you kick things off. An above-average 45-day money-back guarantee allows plenty of time to try out HostGator and make sure it can serve your needs.

In addition to affordable pricing plans, the small-business-oriented HostPapa features servers optimized for PHP hosting, MySQL support, and more storage space than many (unlimited once you upgrade to the Pro plan) — plus free domain registration. For questions or emergencies (not that you can expect them), live chat and phone assistance are available at any time of day or night. As a bonus, you can enjoy one-on-one video training sessions with a HostPapa expert.

More about HostPapa:

• PHP-optimized servers
• Limitless MySQL databases and phpMyAdmin
• Unlimited storage and bandwidth

Every HostPapa plan comes equipped with a set of essential features, and then some, including an SSL certificate, cPanel access, WordPress hosting installation with upgrades, rounded off with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Upgraded plans throw in some extras like automated backups and website monitoring, a built-in, fully managed web application firewall, SiteLock, Cloudflare, and Office 365, among others.

InterServer has a few standout features, including its robust infrastructure. The route-optimized servers are quite speedy with SSD storage and caching. InterServer’s in-house developed security solution, InterShield, is in charge of keeping everything tidy. InterShield includes an automatic virus scanner and machine learning firewall, compliments of the house.

More about InterServer:

• Unlimited storage and bandwidth
• Independently owned datacenter
• Price-lock guarantee and no contracts

Virtual servers come with the latest versions of PHP and MySQL pre-installed, along with Python, Ruby, and a few others. Users can take further control through full root access and InterServer’s web-based control panel. It’s worth pointing out that you can expect to pay the same price when you sign up for the remainder of your account. What’s more, InterServer won’t lock you up with lengthy contracts, which is a bonafide rarity in the hosting landscape.

Affordability, reliability, performance, and ease of use are all trademarks of the web hosting service that InMotion Hosting provides. That’s not to say the web hosting company skimps out on features. Expect high-tier performance and protection with NVMe SSDs and SSH access on every account, as well as free backups, SSL, and DDoS protection. Developers will be happy to learn that support for backend tools such as Python, Node.JS, Ruby, and GIT version control are also included.

More about InMotion:

• UltraStack technology for speed and performance
• Unlimited emails, disk space, and data transfer
• 90-day money-back guarantee

InMotion Hosting is tailor-made for PHP thanks to UltraStack, a custom tech stack with advanced layered caching that is fine-tuned for speed. You can easily switch between PHP 7.4 and PHP 8.3 to host your PHP application. You can choose from MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB, with support for up to unlimited databases on most plans.

All DreamHost hosting plans are configured with a shared MySQL server by default. Hence, the VPS plans that incorporate scalable RAM and SSD storage are of particular interest here as they highlight the provider’s speedy SSD-based architecture, custom control panel, and general ease of use. Dreamhost also offers MySQL VPS, a premium MySQL database service aimed at those who require more resources than a shared MySQL server.

More about DreamHost:

• Highly scalable VPS hosting
• Unlimited databases, bandwidth, and storage
• Industry-leading 97-day money-back guarantee

DreamHost pre-installs PHP 8.0, 8.1, and 8.2, though you can pay extra for PHP Extended Support to run unsupported versions of PHP. Shared MySQL servers, MySQL VPS, and DreamPress run MySQL version 8, while other database servers, such as private MySQL and dedicated servers, run 5.7.29. In a rare move, DreamHost offers a 100% uptime guarantee followed by a 97-day money-back guarantee.

GoDaddy has a compelling PHP MySQL hosting package that will intrigue developers and web enthusiasts. Thanks to the use of PHP OPCache, PHP scripts get up to 33% faster server response times, complemented by server NVMe SSDs. Its notable features include no cap on data transfers, 24/7 network security, daily backups, and Microsoft 365 mailboxes (for the first year of hosting), all managed from the usual cPanel dashboard.

More about GoDaddy:

• Unmetered bandwidth
• 1GB of database storage on every plan
• 24/7 security monitoring & DDoS

GoDaddy’s affordably priced shared hosting plans come in either Linux or Windows configurations, with at least 10 MySQL databases available with either option. You can create MySQL databases without breaking a sweat by using cPanel’s MySQL Database Wizard. Every plan comes with a free domain, SSL certificate, and 1-click WordPress install and purchase of additional computing resources should you decide to beef up your online presence.

PHP MySQL hosting is a platform for the deployment and operation of dynamic web applications and websites using PHP in conjunction with MySQL. In this environment, PHP acts as the server-side scripting language responsible for generating and processing web content, while MySQL serves as the database engine for storing and managing structured data efficiently. In other words, a PHP script “chats” with a MySQL database to fetch, arrange, and serve up data dynamically.

Due to its ability to support any data-driven and interactive web app, PHP MySQL hosting is a rather popular choice for developers seeking to create dynamic, content-rich, and user-friendly online experiences. Whether you’re running a travel blog, an eCommerce empire, or the next big thing in social media, it’s the perfect combination for a website that needs to store, retrieve, and display information on the fly.

There is no clear-cut answer because the best hosting type for PHP and MySQL depends on your specific needs and the scale of your site or application. At HostingAdvice, we’re not the ones to leave you hanging, so here are the pros and cons of the main types of servers to get a clear picture.

In a nutshell, if you are just starting out with PHP and MySQL, shared hosting is a good option to get things going. However, if you have a high-traffic or resource-intensive website or need more resources and control, you may want to consider VPS or dedicated hosting.

Yes, you can. Free web hosting is a limited experience, but it will check all the boxes if you’re a student or a budding developer looking to try out a certain MySQL host or experiment with a new software or project. We’ve already covered free PHP hosting providers and free MySQL hosting providers, so you’ll definitely want to check those out.

All in all, free hosting can provide the spark to kick-start your site’s journey, but you don’t want the flame to go out. As time goes by and your website expands, a paid plan will look like a better option than the best free web hosting. Paid hosting will provide consistency in performance and uptime, as well as more of the superb stuff that makes paying for a PHP hosting plan worth it.

Much like PHP web hosting, hosting a site locally for development or testing purposes is a fairly straightforward process. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Set up a local server environment with MAMP (it’s free of charge, easy to install, and works on both Windows and MacOS). Download and install the app based on your operating system.
2. Open MAMP, it should automatically start the MySQL and Apache web server. If that’s not the case, click on ‘Start Servers’ to start your localhost.
3. Click ‘Open WebStart Page’ to access the MAMP configuration screen via the browser (http://localhost/MAMP/).
4. Open a text editor (Visual Studio Code, Dreamweaver, Zend Studio, etc.) and put whatever code you want your site to have.
5. Save the file as C:\MAMP\htdocs\first\index.php or whatever name you want to use for the .php file. You’ll have to create the folder ‘first’ (or any other name) within the htdocs folder when you save the file.
6. Once you have saved this file, navigate your browser to http://localhost/first/index.php.

Your webpage should be there. You can refresh your browser to view real-time changes as you code.

The formidable combination of a PHP server and a MySQL database opens a world of options to create just about any kind of website, be it a small portfolio or a large corporate portal. This type of seamless integration is rare, so it’s no surprise you’ll see countless websites and applications that are responsive, adaptable, and capable of handling complex tasks thanks to PHP and MySQL.

For any type of user, approaching PHP MySQL hosting should begin with a clear understanding of their project’s requirements. Novice users can explore shared hosting solutions that are budget-friendly and user-friendly, making it easy to get started. As their needs grow, they can seamlessly transition to more advanced hosting types like a VPS or a dedicated server.

After all, the best PHP hosting with MySQL is the one that aligns with your objectives and empowers you to unlock your full potential, not suffocate you with all the bells and whistles.