GreenGeeks Overview

GreenGeeks has positioned itself as the leading eco-friendly web hosting provider since 2008, offsetting 300% of its energy consumption through renewable energy credits. But does their environmental commitment translate to quality hosting?

Our Verdict

GreenGeeks delivers surprisingly strong performance while maintaining its green credentials. It's an excellent choice for environmentally-conscious businesses that don't want to compromise on hosting quality.

We've monitored GreenGeeks' shared hosting service for 6 months, testing everything from speed to their environmental claims. Here's our comprehensive review of what makes GreenGeeks stand out in the crowded hosting market.

GreenGeeks Pricing & Plans

GreenGeeks offers three tiers of shared hosting with competitive pricing for an eco-friendly host. Here's the breakdown of their current offerings:

Plan Price Websites Storage Bandwidth
Lite $2.95/mo (normally $10.95/mo) 1 50GB SSD Unmetered
Pro $4.95/mo (normally $15.95/mo) Unlimited Unlimited SSD Unmetered
Premium $8.95/mo (normally $25.95/mo) Unlimited Unlimited SSD Unmetered
Important Note

These introductory prices require a 3-year commitment. Renewal rates are significantly higher but still competitive for green hosting. All plans include free domain registration for the first year.

Performance Tests

We conducted extensive performance testing on GreenGeeks' Pro shared hosting plan over 6 months with these results:

Strengths

  • 99.99% uptime over testing period
  • Average page load time: 1.1s (with caching)
  • Excellent North American server speeds
  • LiteSpeed web server with LSCache
  • Free CDN included

Weaknesses

  • European/Asian speeds slightly slower
  • No Windows server options
  • Higher renewal prices
  • No monthly billing option

Our test WordPress site handled up to 1,000 concurrent visitors without significant slowdowns, showing GreenGeeks' robust infrastructure. The free Cloudflare CDN helped maintain good global speeds despite having servers primarily in North America.

Key Features

GreenGeeks packs premium features into its eco-friendly hosting packages:

  • 300% Renewable Energy Match: They replace 3x the energy they consume with wind power credits
  • Free Domain: First year included with all plans
  • Free SSL Certificate: Auto-installed Let's Encrypt SSL
  • WordPress Optimized: One-click installs with LiteSpeed caching
  • Free CDN: Cloudflare integration included
  • Unlimited Resources: On Pro and Premium plans
  • Nightly Backups: Free automated backups
  • Developer Tools: SSH access, Git, WP-CLI

GreenGeeks stands out by offering enterprise-level features while maintaining its environmental commitments, making it ideal for growing businesses.

Ease of Use

GreenGeeks uses a standard cPanel interface enhanced with their own optimizations, making it familiar yet powerful.

User Experience

The combination of traditional cPanel with GreenGeeks' performance enhancements creates a balance that works well for both beginners and advanced users. The clean interface includes helpful tooltips and one-click installers for popular apps.

Notable usability features:

  • Standard cPanel layout with GreenGeeks enhancements
  • One-click WordPress installer with optimization options
  • Simple website builder for beginners
  • Easy access to performance tools like caching
  • Straightforward domain and email management

Customer Support

GreenGeeks offers 24/7 support through live chat, email, and phone - a rarity among eco-friendly hosts.

  • Response times: Live chat answered in under 2 minutes during tests
  • Technical expertise: Knowledgeable staff capable of handling complex issues
  • Phone support: Available during business hours (a plus for many users)
  • Knowledge base: Extensive documentation and tutorials

We found GreenGeeks' support to be among the best in the green hosting space, with quick, helpful responses to both basic and technical questions.

GreenGeeks Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • Genuine 300% renewable energy commitment
  • Excellent performance with LiteSpeed
  • Free domain and SSL certificate
  • Unlimited resources on higher plans
  • 24/7 support with phone option
  • Free CDN and nightly backups

Disadvantages

  • Higher prices than non-green hosts
  • No monthly billing option
  • Server locations limited primarily to North America
  • Renewal prices increase significantly

GreenGeeks Alternatives

If GreenGeeks doesn't meet your needs, consider these alternatives:

  • SiteGround: Similar performance with more global data centers (but not as eco-friendly)
  • DreamHost: Another environmentally-conscious option with different feature set
  • A2 Hosting: Carbon-neutral hosting with excellent speeds
  • Kinsta: Premium managed WordPress hosting with Google Cloud's renewable energy

For businesses prioritizing environmental responsibility without sacrificing performance, GreenGeeks remains our top recommendation in the green hosting space.

Conclusion: Is GreenGeeks Right For You?

Our Final Rating: 4.3/5

After thorough testing, we recommend GreenGeeks for:

  • Environmentally-conscious businesses
  • WordPress users wanting green hosting
  • North American audiences needing fast speeds
  • Growing businesses needing scalable resources

The Pro plan offers the best value for most users, providing unlimited resources while maintaining GreenGeeks' environmental commitments. The 3-year term provides significant savings over monthly options.

Get GreenGeeks Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GreenGeeks really eco-friendly?

Yes, GreenGeeks purchases 300% renewable energy credits to offset its energy use, making it one of the most environmentally responsible hosts. They're certified by the EPA and use energy-efficient hardware.

Does GreenGeeks offer a money-back guarantee?

GreenGeeks provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on all hosting plans. Domain registrations and some add-ons are non-refundable.

Where are GreenGeeks servers located?

GreenGeeks primarily has servers in Chicago, Phoenix, Toronto, Montreal, and Amsterdam. They use a free CDN to improve global speeds.

Is GreenGeeks good for WordPress?

Yes, GreenGeeks offers optimized WordPress hosting with LiteSpeed servers, LSCache, and one-click installs. It's an excellent green option for WordPress sites.