How much does a WordPress server cost? Comparison of costs between the top 5 companies and how to choose for beginners

WordPressでブログやホームページを始めようとしたとき、まず気になるのが「サーバー料金はどのくらいかかるのか？」という点ではないでしょうか。

当サイトは、「Xserver」というRental serverを使用しています。筆者はエックスサーバーを含め、5つのレンタルサーバーを利用してきました。

In this article, based on that experience, I will explain in an easy-to-understand manner for beginners the breakdown of costs involved in running WordPress, compare the prices of the top 5 rental servers, and provide a recommended selection guide.

▶ See details of the No.1 share rental server

Breakdown of server fees required for WordPress

What are the initial costs and monthly costs?

To get started with WordPress, you will need to pay the following costs:

• Initial server cost:0 to 3,300 yen
• Monthly fee:300 to 1,500 yen
• Own domain cost:Around 1,000 yen per year *Major servers may offer free benefits
• SSL Certificate:Most of them are free, but there are also paid versions

当サイトで使用しているXserver Feesは、Standard Planを利用しており、毎月1,100円程度となっています。

Estimated annual total

• Cheap rental server：About 5,000 to 7,000 yen per year
• High-performance rental server: Around 15,000 yen per year

Recommended pricing plans for beginners and how to choose them

When choosing a server, there are pitfalls if you just focus on the cheapest price. In addition to the price, you should also check the following points:

• Choose a plan with no initial cost or low initial cost: Easy to start, low risk even if you fail
• Availability of WordPress easy installation featureManual installation is tedious
• Can I get my own domain for free?: Campaign offers free domain forever
• Free SSL support?: The URL will always be https, which is a security measure.
• Automatic backup function: This will help you prepare for website issues if you delete an article.

For beginners, choosing a reliable service even if it is a little more expensive can actually be more cost-effective.

Comparison of prices for the top 5 hosting providers recommended for WordPress

Below are the top 5 hosting companies recommended for WordPress, ranked by market share.

*The cheapest price plan that is compatible with WordPress is listed. The lowest price per month is listed for a multi-year contract.
*The listed share order is based on the survey results of WP Search's "WordPress Rental Server etc. Popularity Share Ranking (2025)."

Rental servers can be used for a reasonable fee of around 250 to 1,000 yen per month.

Depending on the server, the cheapest plan may not be compatible with WordPress, so you need to be careful.

Choose according to your purpose! 3 WordPress-compatible hosting options

If you are starting with WordPress, it is important to choose a server that suits your needs.

Here we will introduce the top three rental servers in terms of market share: Xserver, Sakura Rental Server, and Lolipop!, in an easy-to-understand manner according to purpose.

*Sakura's rental server and Lolipop's cheapest plans do not support WordPress. Please be sure to check the plan details on the official website.

Emphasis on stability and display speed: Xserver

Xserver is recommended for business sites, long-term blogs, and sites where you are expecting an increase in traffic.

We use it on our website, and it is characterized by its fast display speed not only for websites but also for the admin screen, making it stress-free. Its main features are as follows:

• 稼働率99.99%以上で表示速度も速い
• WordPress Easy Install Featureあり
• 独自ドメイン永年無料特典あり
• 自動バックアップ、Security Featuresなども充実
• 10日間の無料お試し期間あり

Estimated price: From 990 yen per month (initial fee free, free domain forever campaign available)

This is the most recommended for those who want to use it safely and comfortably. It is a hotplate server that you will not regret using.

▶ Learn more about Xserver's pricing

If you value cost-performance: Sakura's rental server

This is a long-established server that I used more than 10 years ago. At that time, I was using a plan that cost about 500 yen per month.

Recommended for corporate or organization homepages, personal blogs, and multiple site management.

• Long-standing operational track record and high reliability
• There are many plans available, making it easy to choose the specifications you need.
• WordPress support on Standard Plan and above
• WordPressのクイックインストール機能あり
• 14日間の無料お試し期間あり

Estimated price: 500 yen per month (initial fee free)

If you want a system with just the necessary functions and stable operation for a long time, you can trust the long-established Sakura.

▶ Learn more about Sakura's rental server prices

For those who want to start cheap: Lollipop!

The next server I used after Sakura was Lolipop! At the time, I used a plan for about 500 yen per month, and it was very helpful to receive support by email via the form on the management screen.

This is also a long-established server, and I think it is suitable for first-time blogs, hobby sites, and small-scale homepages. However, the high-end plan for business users can also accommodate business sites and sites with large volumes of data.

• WordPress-compatible light plan starts from 264 yen/month
• Support is also available via a dedicated form, so even beginners can feel at ease
• Easy WordPress installation available
• 12ヶ月以上契約するとドメインがずっと無料
• 無料と有料のセキュリティ対策が充実

Estimated price: From 264 yen per month (initial fee free)

Perfect for those who want to try it out first. If you are cost-conscious, Lollipop is the only choice!

▶ Learn more about Lollipop!

Tips for those who want to keep costs as low as possible

• Choose a server with a "free" initial cost
  Initial costs can range from 1,000 to 3,000 yen, so if it's free, it reduces the initial burden.
• Choose a plan that is cheap but still useful
  If it is too cheap, it may not be compatible with WordPress, or the display speed and stability may be poor.
• Take advantage of free domain offers
  The average cost of a domain is around 1,000 to 1,500 yen per year. Choosing a service that is free forever will save you money in the long run.
• Get discounts on long-term contracts
  Many services offer cheaper monthly fees for 12-month contracts or longer. However, you should carefully consider the contract period, as you may not receive a refund if you cancel midway, and fees may continue to be charged even if you no longer use the service.
• Check whether various functions are standard
  There may be additional charges for security measures and backups, so make sure they are included as standard.

Summary: Not only low cost but also "safety, speed, and ease of use" are important

The important thing when choosing a WordPress server is the balance between "cheapness" and "functionality/stability."

Regardless of which server you choose, there will be a certain amount of cost involved, but the added value such as "fast display speed" and "extensive support" will allow you to create an environment that you can use with peace of mind for a long time.

Please use this article as a reference to find the server that's perfect for you!

▶ See details of the No.1 share rental server