A2 Hosting had some incredible highs, like the Static test which say it record an average response time of 6.1ms and 14ms p95. A2 Hosting recorded perfect uptime. A2 Hosting also was a force to be reckoned with in the WPT test which saw it earn the fastest average and fastest individual speed in 8/12 locations. It also recorded an A+ grade on the SSL test. Unfortunately, the Load Storm test proved its undoing this year with a slow down starting around 400 VUsers and errors as well. There's some much potential here, I can't wait to see them get the Load Storm test figured out and joining the Top Tier.

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Cloudways handled the Static test perfectly, completely flat response time and no errors. Uptime was perfect as well. Cloudways, however, did struggle with the Load Storm test where it slowed down around 700 VUsers and response times shot up. There were relatively few errors, so the requests were still being served, just a lot slower than needed to earn recognition.

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GreenGeeks managed to deal with the Load Storm test well and had the fastest wp-login and Login speeds. The Static test also went well with a couple little spikes and zero errors. GreenGeeks had 100% and 99.9935% uptime which is excellent. Overall, GreenGeeks handled the tests remarkably well and earned another Top Tier award this year.

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Krystal Hosting handled the Static test effortlessly without a single error and completely flat response time graph. Krystal also had perfect uptime on both uptime monitors. The Load Storm test was mostly great except there was a consistent spike exactly every 5 minutes which increased response times above 1500ms on the p95 graph from it's baseline around ~700ms. I'm not sure if this was a cache clear or some other kind of cron job, but something looks like it was taxing the server specifically every 5 minutes causing a tiny load spike. Unfortunately, the spikes were just a little too large by the end of the test, so Krystal Hosting earned an Honorable Mention this year. I have high hopes Krystal will rejoin the Top Tier next year, they're only one timer away.

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Pressable had no issue with the Load Storm test, in fact it had the second fastest p95 and third fastest wp-login and Asset speed. Pressable also blazed through the Static test leading the pack with a 5.2ms average and 13ms p95. Pressable also had perfect uptime. Simply put, Pressable aced all the tests thrown at it and earned Top Tier status.

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Presslabs handled the Load Storm test fabulously. It had the fastest p95, second fastest wp-login and Login speed, and the third fastest Page speed. The Static test also went well with a 24ms average response time. Uptime was perfect. Presslabs also managed to have the fastest single speed location on WPT in Tokyo. It also managed an A+ SSL grade and the fastest PHP Bench. It doesn't get old awarding Presslabs another Top Tier award.

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Rocket.net handled the Load Storm test without any issues. It also handled the Static test without any issues having a very fast 22ms average response time and 31ms p95 which was the 4th fastest which is always impressive to have average and p95 as close together as possible. Rocket.net had perfect uptime. Rocket.net picked up the second fastest average on the WPT. Overall, Rocket.net took these tests in stride and didn't break a sweat. It didn't stand out in any statistical category, but it was consistently quick in all the tests. Rocket.net earns a well deserved Top Tier award.

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SiteGround flew through the Static test with 21ms average response time without a single error. SiteGround also had perfect uptime. It even picked up the fastest speed in a single location in WPT. Unfortunately, the Load Storm test was a little spikey. There were a few spikes going over 1000ms throughout the test and it wasn't just a single location having issues, the spikes were across multiple regions. It could have been network issues or could have been minor server issues. For that reason, SiteGround earns an Honorable Mention this year.

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Stromonic was acquired mid-test and the new owner was not prepared or interested in participating. The results are incomplete. They were disqualified from any award consideration.

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WordPress.com had no issues with the Load Storm test and even picked up the second fastest Asset speed. The Static test went even better with the second fastest average response at 5.8ms and tied for first with 13ms in p95. Perfect uptime on both monitors. WordPress.com also managed to pickup the fastest WP Bench score and an A+ SSL grade. It's easy to say WordPress.com handled these tests without blinking and earned Top Tier status again this year.

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WPX handled the Load Storm test without issue. It had the fastest Page and Asset speed, along with the third fastest p95 and Login speed. The Static test went equally as well with an incredibly fast 11ms average response time. WPX had perfect uptime on both monitors. It also had the third fastest average speed on WPT and was the fastest in 2/12 locations. WPX continues to earn Top Tier recognition year after year with excellent performances like this one.

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