Looking for a high-quality MySQL hosting platform you can use to build an app or website? Well, the good news is that MySQL is the most popular open source database management tool in existence – but that’s also the bad news because the number of options can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this guide to the best managed MySQL hosting platforms to help you make the right choice.
🔎 First, we’ll explain what to look for in a MySQL host. Then, we’ll take a look at some of the best options:
- Kinsta
- Cloudways
- ScaleGrid
- DigitalOcean
- InMotion Hosting
We’ll then wrap up with a direct comparison of the above, so you can make an informed decision. Let’s get started!
What to look for in a managed MySQL hosting service
There are several things to consider when you’re looking at MySQL hosting services:
- Easy setup. 🖱️ It should only take a few clicks to set up your database or migrate your database from another web host.
- Server maintenance. 👨💻 The MySQL host should handle updates and other general database management tasks for you, leaving you to focus on designing your website and building your business.
- End-to-end security. 🔒️ All data should be encrypted, and your database should be run on your private account. Many of the best-managed MySQL hosting platforms also have proprietary firewalls that protect your data.
- Scalability. ⚙️ Your MySQL host should offer a variety of plans that can accommodate your site as it grows. When you switch to a bigger plan, the host should handle all of the details of upgrading the CPUs, RAM, and storage of your servers.
- Daily backups. ⌛ This makes sure you can always revive your website if it goes down for any reason, whether that’s because of malicious activity or a WordPress update gone wrong.
- Speed and reliability. 📈 Your plan should grant you access to high-powered CPUs that can allow for fast, reliable database management. You also want the option to buy dedicated CPUs.
You’ll also need to consider what type(s) of hosting are available. Some hosts offer options for hosting databases separate from a website or app; others offer specialized plans for creating apps; and still others focus on website hosting that uses MySQL technology.
Best managed MySQL hosting platforms
Here are our picks for the best-managed MySQL hosting:
1. Kinsta
Type of hosting available 💻
Kinsta earns its place on this list of the best managed MySQL hosting platforms thanks to its variety of hosting tools, including app hosting, database hosting, and website hosting plans. For the purposes of this article, we’ll be looking at Kinsta’s database hosting tools.
Features ⚙️
The following features are available with the Database 1 plan:
- Ability to choose database type and version
- 25 data centers, allowing you to choose where your database is hosted
- Ability to configure your resources during setup
- 0.25CPU
- 0.25 GB RAM
- 1 GB storage
- Database updates and other maintenance managed by Kinsta
- Two enterprise firewalls
- Automated backups + ability to create up to five manual backups
- Unlimited users
- Access to MyKinsta dashboard where you can easily view information about your database + any apps or WordPress sites you have hosted on Kinsta
Overview 📋
Kinsta is one of the most highly recommended companies for web hosting, and its tools for database hosting are equally powerful. You’ll get access to all the features you need to create a robust, secure database, complete with ongoing maintenance, so you can focus on other aspects of running your business.
Kinsta also offers 24/7 live chat support to all customers, with a guaranteed response within two minutes.
Pricing 💰
Kinsta’s database plans start at $18 per month.
Who this hosting platform is best for 🤔
Kinsta’s database hosting service is ideal if you want a managed MySQL hosting option that allows you to create databases, apps, and WordPress websites all in one place. For more information on Kinsta’s web hosting options, check out our Kinsta review for WordPress.
2. Cloudways
Type of hosting available 💻
Cloudways offers cloud-based web hosting that you can use for all types of applications, including MySQL databases as well as other software like WordPress.
Features ⚙️
The following features are available with the base plan from Cloudways (hosted through DigitalOcean data centers):
- 1 GB RAM
- One processor core
- 25 GB storage
- 1 TB bandwidth
- Free SSL
- Free migration
- Team management tools
- Dedicated firewalls
- 24/7 real-time monitoring
- Automated backups
- Staging environment
- Automated security patches
- Advanced caching
- Ability to install unlimited applications
- SSH and SFTP access
Overview 📋
While we focused on the most affordable option, DigitalOcean servers, it’s worth noting that Cloudways also offers two other hosting options: hosting through the AWS cloud and hosting through Google Cloud. This variety is great because it allows you to choose the servers that best meet your business’s needs.
Cloudways also offers 24/7 support via live chat, along with premium support add-ons ideal for larger websites with more complex support needs.
Pricing 💰
The most affordable Cloudways hosting plan costs $11.00 per month.
Who this hosting platform is best for 🤔
Cloudways is ideal if you’re looking for a simpler way to utilize cloud infrastructure to host MySQL databases.
3. ScaleGrid
Type of hosting available 💻
ScaleGrid is a specialized MySQL Database-as-a-Server host. It does not offer web hosting or specialized app hosting, however, both websites and apps can be connected to its databases.
Features ⚙️
The following features are available on all ScaleGrid plans:
- Multi-cloud support on AWS, Azure, DigitalOcean, and Google Cloud
- Superuser database access
- Ability to use any instance type
- SSH root access
- Disk encryption and backup
- Disaster recovery & one-click restores
- Managed upgrades
- OS patching
- Monitoring console
- Custom alerts
Overview 📋
ScaleGrid earns its place on this list of the best managed MySQL hosting platforms by offering highly flexible, scalable database hosting plans. You’ll be able to customize everything yourself, including firewall settings, while also enjoying the benefits of managed updates and OS patches. Plus you’ll be able to enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing ScaleGrid’s top-notch security teams are always looking out for your databases.
ScaleGrid also has extensive documentation and tutorials for various aspects of database creation and management. There are also a variety of support packages you can use to access 24/7 support from ScaleGrid’s team of experts if you run into issues.
Pricing 💰
Dedicated MySQL hosting plans start at $25 per month. There’s also a “Bring Your Own Cloud option that starts at just $6 per month. Both base plans offer one CPU, 1 GB RAM, and 18 GB storage. You may also be able to get a discount through a Startup Deal, a Switch Providers discount, or an Amazon RDS Deal.
Who this hosting platform is best for 🤔
ScaleGrid is ideal for developers who want highly secure, specialized MySQL database hosting.
4. DigitalOcean
Type of hosting available 💻
DigitalOcean’s main offering is Droplets, a virtual machine system. The company also offers managed MySQL database hosting, Kubernetes cluster management, simple object storage, and website hosting through Cloudways.
Features ⚙️
The following features are available with all MySQL database hosting plans:
- Free daily backups
- End-to-end security
- Database(s) run on Droplet vCPUs, with ability to choose between shared vCPUs and dedicated vCPUs
- Simplified API for setting up and managing databases with ease
- Automated failover to switch data to a standby node to minimize downtime in the event of database failure
- Ability to add new nodes and database clusters at any time to scale your business
- Tracking of key database metrics such as disk usage
Overview 📋
You may be wondering why we included both Cloudways and DigitalOcean when Cloudways primarily uses DigitalOcean technology. The answer is simple: Cloudways is focused specifically on web hosting, whereas DigitalOcean offers a wide range of cloud-based storage solutions for things like databases and apps.
Along with top-notch MySQL hosting, DigitalOcean offers extensive documentation and tutorials to help you get started. If you prefer to work with someone directly to set things up, you can do that too, leveraging the Partner Program, which gives you access to over 80 specialists.
Pricing 💰
MySQL database hosting from DigitalOcean starts at $15 per month for 1 GB RAM, 10 GB disk storage space, and one vCPU.
Who this hosting platform is best for 🤔
DigitalOcean is a great choice if you’re looking for affordable MySQL database hosting, especially if you also want to build an app or website without having to buy plans from multiple companies.
5. InMotion Hosting
Type of hosting available 💻
InMotion Hosting offers several types of website hosting. While it doesn’t offer a standalone MySQL hosting product, you can easily host unlimited MySQL databases as part of the InMotion Hosting web packages.
Features ⚙️
The following features are available with InMotion Hosting’s Core shared hosting plan:
- SSL certificates
- Two websites
- 100 GB storage
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 10 email addresses
- Security suite with malware protection and options for automated backups
- SSH access
- GIT version control
- Ability to choose between data centers in a variety of locations
- Customer management tools
Overview 📋
InMotion Hosting is a high-quality web host that uses MySQL databases to organize and store data. The company offers a wide range of web hosting options, including shared hosting, reseller hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers.
InMotion Hosting has also won several awards for its robust customer service offerings, which include extensive documentation, phone support, live chat, and New Account Specialists to help you set up your website.
Pricing 💰
InMotion Hosting’s shared hosting plans start at $2.29 per month if you purchase hosting for a three-year term.
Who this hosting platform is best for 🤔
InMotion Hosting is the best choice if you’re looking for easy-to-use web hosting that’s also highly affordable. The variety of plans also means that you’ll be able to scale your hosting plan as your business grows, ensuring that you don’t have to switch web hosts when you reach a certain level of traffic or data usage.
Final thoughts on the best-managed MySQL hosting platforms 🏁
All of the hosting options on this list provide high-quality, secure MySQL hosting to help you build a successful business.
However, the differences in hosting types, pricing, and other factors mean that the best option for you depends on your business goals:
- For a one-stop hosting shop where you can build your databases, apps, and websites, choose Kinsta or DigitalOcean.
- For specialized MySQL database hosting, choose ScaleGrid.
- For high-quality website hosting that uses MySQL databases to great effect, choose Cloudways or InMotion Hosting.
👉 For more generalized options, you can also check out our full collection of the best web hosting services.
Do you still have any questions about choosing the best managed MySQL hosting service for your business? Let us know in the comments!