At OpenCart, our mission is to empower merchants for success, and that goes beyond our software. Choosing the right hosting is one of the most critical decisions an ecommerce owner will make. That's why we took on the task of finding the best ecommerce hosting foundation for your business. 

TL;DR: After benchmarking 3 top managed VPS hosts for OpenCart, ScalaHosting, Hostinger, and SiteGround, ScalaHosting outperformed the others in speed, reliability, and support. Below is how we tested and what we found.

With superior load times, advanced security, and knowledgeable support, it's the best all-around choice for powering OpenCart projects. Hostinger works great if you're on a tight budget, while SiteGround earns points for its security-first approach.

If you want the best hosting partner to grow your OpenCart business this year, ScalaHosting is the way to go. Here is how we came to that conclusion.

How We Tested the Best Ecommerce Providers

The question of "who's the best" in the world of web hosting is rather subjective, as different clients consider different factors when making their final decision. Some look for the ultimate speed, others are preoccupied with security, while there are those who are most impressed with quality support services. 

We made things simple for OpenCart users by following some essential steps:

• Shortlisted a number of hosting providers based on their overall feature set;

• Got test accounts and installed a clean OpenCart instance on each of them. For this purpose, we secured managed VPS plans with comparable system resources;

• Did numerous performance tests to outline which site runs the fastest by default - CPU power, read/write IOPS, large text data operations, etc.;

• Frequently checked on support with similar questions to see how quickly we get issues resolved;

• Separated the top names to determine which hosts work the best with OpenCart.

At the end of the day, we set aside three names ScalaHosting, Hostinger, and SiteGround fighting for the OpenCart crown. 

Who is The Best Ecommerce Provider? The Results

1. ScalaHosting

ScalaHosting is an ambitious provider that aims to reshape the entire hosting industry. The company employs top-tier data centers around the world while developing proprietary solutions based on client feedback. This is how tools like SPanel, SShield, and WordPress Manager were conceived. 

ScalaHosting understands the need for top speeds for ecommerce clients, combining high-performing hardware with a responsive and client-driven support model. 

Features

• SPanel hosting management platform 

• SShield security monitoring tool

• Free OpenCart installation and/or migration

• Free CDN with DDoS protection

• LiteSpeed/OpenLiteSpeed web servers available

• NVMe SSD storage

• Free daily offsite backups

Performance

ScalaHosting lures customers with a unique offer that aims to elevate their fast site promises to a different level. The host is prepared to give $100 to any moving client if their new account doesn't perform better than the comparable service with their current provider. 

Is their conviction justified, though? Here is what our tests discovered.

When it comes to CPU power, ScalaHosting was the only provider that managed to handle more than 10,000 events per second. This enhanced server productivity is backed by the NVMe SSD storage technology, allowing for the fastest read/write IOPS. Here are Scala's numbers:

• CPU power - 10,012 events per second

• Storage performance read/write IOPS - 400MB/s, 104,000 IOPS
  
  

What this means for your store: High CPU power ensures your site stays fast during a sales rush, handling many simultaneous shoppers without slowdowns. The fast NVMe storage means your product pages and images load almost instantly, keeping customers engaged and browsing.

ScalaHosting's dedication to speedy websites is evident in both their top-tier infrastructure and optimized software setup. You can count on the following:

• Fast processors with power of up to 4GHz

• LiteSpeed/OpenLiteSpeed available

• Object cache - improves loading speeds with up to 3x

• Gzip compression

• Easy integration with Cloudflare CDN

All of the above give a solid foundation for the Scala Team to market their server performance. Here is the entire picture of our tests:

Support

While many hosts claim a client-centric approach, our testing confirmed that ScalaHosting is one of the few that consistently delivers on that promise.

For starters, their flagship product, SPanel, is entirely client-driven. The platform offers a Feature Forum where users can suggest new functionalities and fixes. If enough people upvote that suggestion - the Scala developers get right on it and implement the feat in one of the next app versions. 

Finding assistance with ScalaHosting was easier than expected. Our first contact through live chat took seconds to respond, and the operators didn't shy away from trying to fix technical issues over chat, unlike many other hosts. More complex cases are handled via ticketing, but the responses there were surprisingly quick as well, never taking more than 10-15 minutes.

Overall, a very pleasant experience. 

2. Hostinger

Hostinger is an excellent choice for users looking to host an ecommerce project on a budget. The provider often promotes amazing discounts, allowing people to start a website for less than $10/mo. 

Hostinger seems well-prepared to handle OpenCart websites, utilizing high-powered AMD processors and NVMe SSD storage. Users on their hPanel can easily scale system resources, and they get full root access to build their storefronts just as they imagined. 

With data centers covering 4 continents, you can be sure to find a location close to your OpenCart audience. 

Features

• AI assistant for your server management

• Operate your hosting service with Claude and Cursor

• Public API with a comprehensive set of endpoints

• Free weekly backups

• Setup wizard for quick website creation

• Free SSL certificates

• Gift cards and discount codes

Performance

Hostinger is well aware that ecommerce site performance must be maintained without compromise. Every second of loading time can easily result in lost sales and potential clients' non-return. 

According to our tests, Hostinger falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to CPU power and read/write IOPS. 

• CPU power - 8,320 events per second

• Storage performance read/write IOPS - 345MB/s, 88,000 IOPS

The numbers are still impressive, guaranteeing that every user will get a suitable environment to thrive. Hostinger ensures a network with up to 1Gbps speeds and great coverage around the world. 

The company is investing strongly in AI, evident by the numerous tools that ease the burden of managing a server or creating an online shop. This way, practically anyone can start a business with zero technical experience. 

Here is how Hostinger's performance appeared on our tests:

Support

Just like many hosting providers in the last few years, Hostinger trusts an AI chatbot to simplify its chat communication with clients. While this is very convenient for solving fundamental issues, it can't really beat the live contact with an operator, where you can explain your case in detail and get real-time support. 

Don't get us wrong - you can still speak with a Hostinger employee. It's just that initially, you can only connect with a Sales operator, and technical questions can only be resolved for existing clients through their User Area. 

Communication with Hostinger was not always the fastest, but it delivered satisfying end results. 

SiteGround

SiteGround is one of the fastest-growing hosting providers over the last 15 years. The company offers a wide range of services, and its R&D department is famous for regularly creating new solutions for technical advancement. 

Ecommerce users can take advantage of a large variety of helpful features, helping them benefit from a fast and secure OpenCart environment. 

But how does the company stack up in the competitive web hosting world?

Features

• Fast product caching

• SuperCacher technology for out-of-the-box caching

• Speed & Security Optimizer plugins for WordPress/WooCommerce

• WP-CLI and SSH for developer access

• One-click CDN service

• Custom Web Application Firewall (WAF)

• Free Email Migrator tool

Performance

The SiteGround Team developed its fair share of performance optimization tools and platforms. Website building is getting increasingly resource-intensive, so keeping the speeds to an optimal level is detrimental for the long-term success of any project.  

So, is SiteGround able to keep up with the performance trends and allow OpenCart sites to thrive as they grow? Here's what the numbers reveal:

• CPU power - 7,917 events per second

• Storage performance read/write IOPS - 165MB/s, 42,000 IOPS

Of the three shortlisted candidates, SiteGround scored the lowest in the general performance metrics. That shouldn't come as too big a surprise because of the advanced, feature-rich environment, which is not exactly the most lightweight. 

This doesn't mean the SiteGround services are slow, though, not even the slightest. The host has a good focus for optimal store performance, with multi-level caching, custom PHP/MySQL technology, and the latest speed protocols. 

Still, the test results show the SiteGround environment as slightly slower than what ScalaHosting and Hostinger can provide:

Support

SiteGround's vision for support services has changed a few times over the years. The company made a name for itself with huge help from its well-trained support operators. In times when most big companies relied on outsourced staff from cheap locations, SG offered real human assistance, and that was well appreciated by users worldwide. 

As their client base grew, the company shifted mainly toward ticketing support, cleverly "hiding" its live chat option in the plethora of support menus. 

At the moment of writing this article, the Chat button is again clearly visible on the homepage, allowing users to connect to real operators for their needs. Chatbots are another viable option, but they are rarely helpful for more than a basic query. 

Still, SiteGround's assistance is prompt, friendly, and less frustrating than many of the big names on the market. 

Conclusion & Recommendations

So, what can we conclude from our extensive search for the best ecommerce hosting provider for OpenCart?

Our analysis strongly leans toward ScalaHosting as the best overall host, excelling in both its site performance and support services. Hostinger is a good and affordable choice, but their platform is a bit weaker under a heavier load, which is crucial for online shops. As for SiteGround, we have a recognizable brand, proven to successfully host ecommerce stores of all sizes. Their downside is the slower performance in CPU/NVMe tests and the inability to give adequate technical assistance over live chat. 

 Exclusive Migration Offer for PrestaShop Users

Running your store on PrestaShop? This is the perfect moment to switch to ScalaHosting and take advantage of our high-performance managed cloud platform, purpose-built for ecommerce speed and reliability.

To make your move risk-free, we’re offering up to 6 months of account credit for your existing hosting contract.

If you've paid $100 for a one-year plan with XYZ hosting provider, we will credit your ScalaHosting account with $50 so you don’t lose a cent of what you’ve already invested.

Why Move to ScalaHosting?

Free and effortless migration — our team handles everything for you

  Not satisfied? We’ll migrate you back for free — zero risk

  Up to 6 months of hosting credit for your remaining contract elsewhere

  Anytime Money-Back Guarantee — we are the only hosting provider that lets you request a refund at any time, no questions asked

  Premium support by PrestaShop experts

  Faster load times and improved performance from day one

Your online store deserves a hosting platform designed for growth.

  Start your free migration today and claim your hosting credit with ScalaHosting.