Krystal Hosting Reviews
If you’re wondering whether Krystal is a good web hosting provider, the short answer is yes. Krystal Hosting excels in performance, transparency, UK-based support, and ethical hosting practices.
I’ve personally tested the platform and found it to be a reliable, fast, and values-driven choice for UK businesses, freelancers, and agencies looking for premium web hosting with long-term dependability.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this full review:
- Fast UK hosting with NVMe storage and LiteSpeed servers
- 97% uptime and strong infrastructure stability
- Managed WordPress, business, and VPS hosting plans
- Free SSL, automated backups, email hosting, and security tools
- Website builder and easy DNS/domain management
- Helpful, knowledgeable UK-based support team
- Real user feedback and recurring complaints
- Honest limitations, including pricing and server location
- My pesonal experience and final verdict
What is Krystal Hosting and Who Owns It?
Krystal Hosting is the UK’s largest independent web hosting company, founded in 2002 by Simon Blackler. What sets Krystal apart is its fierce independence. Simon owns about 94% of the company, with the remaining shares held by family members, making it fully private and immune to corporate buyouts.
Key People & Ownership:
- Founder & CEO: Simon Blackler
- Directors: Alexander David Easter and David Michael Kimberley
- Ownership: 100% privately owned, no investors, no shareholders to please
Krystal’s founding mission was to create a transparent, ethical, and reliable hosting provider, focused on long-term value rather than short-term profits. It’s also one of the few B Corp-certified UK hosts, running entirely on 100% renewable energy.
How Does Krystal Hosting Perform Across 12 Essential Factors?
⭐Web Hosting Performance & Speed – 4.8/5
Performance was one of the first things I noticed when testing Krystal Hosting. After moving a couple of client sites over from other providers, the immediate difference in page load speed was noticeable.
Pages that previously took 3–4 seconds to fully render dropped to under 2 seconds. This is due to Krystal’s use of NVMe storage, LiteSpeed web servers, and a performance-optimised stack.
Krystal’s infrastructure is built in-house and entirely UK-based, which is a massive advantage for anyone targeting a UK audience. Their data centres offer low-latency delivery, and the added benefit is that you’re not relying on a generic cloud reseller environment like many hosts use these days. It’s purpose-built for speed and consistency.
From my tests using tools like GTmetrix and Pingdom, Krystal consistently delivered A-grade performance scores. In particular, time to first byte (TTFB) was under 200ms on average, which speaks volumes about the server response speed.
Some performance-related features worth noting:
- LiteSpeed Cache is automatically enabled, significantly improving page rendering time.
- NVMe SSD drives are used across all plans, improving read/write speed over standard SSDs.
- Optional CDN (Content Delivery Network) support helps serve global traffic faster, especially helpful if your audience extends outside the UK.
Even when I tested a WooCommerce store with a few hundred products, the site remained snappy and stable during simultaneous user visits.
For both brochure websites and transactional platforms, the speed infrastructure holds up exceptionally well. This level of performance is rare without paying premium pricing from other global providers.
⭐ Uptime & Platform Reliability – 4.9/5
Uptime is arguably more important than speed when it comes to long-term hosting value. A fast website is pointless if it goes down frequently. Fortunately, Krystal scores nearly perfectly in this area.
They advertise a 99.99% uptime rate, and based on my monitoring over a 12-month period using UptimeRobot, I recorded an average uptime of 99.972%, which is excellent.
Downtime incidents were few and far between, and when they occurred, they were brief and resolved quickly, often before I even noticed.
What contributes to Krystal’s reliability is their infrastructure approach. They don’t rely on shared server space with minimal safeguards. Instead, they build out redundant hosting environments, meaning if one server component fails, another immediately takes over.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s powering this consistency:
- Proactive server monitoring 24/7 with automatic failover systems
- Real-time performance tracking with alerts
- Hourly and daily backups that are easy to restore via the dashboard
- Local UK servers optimised for traffic stability and resource balance
As a web professional who manages client sites, I can’t afford hosting services that randomly go offline. The peace of mind Krystal offers through its infrastructure and real-time handling of threats or faults is a big reason I’ve continued recommending them to UK clients.
Also, the ability to restore hourly backups directly from cPanel or the client area adds an extra safety layer. On more than one occasion, I’ve rolled back a site version after a plugin conflict within minutes, no need to contact support or wait for a technician.
⭐ Hosting Plans & Overall Value – 4.6/5
Krystal’s pricing structure isn’t what you’d call budget hosting, but it offers excellent value for money when you compare what’s included in each plan. You’re not just paying for space on a server; you’re paying for speed, support, uptime, and ethics and in all those areas, Krystal delivers.
Their hosting plans are clearly laid out, and you know exactly what you’re getting. There are no hidden costs, no bait-and-switch introductory pricing, and no unnecessary upselling. As someone who’s tested dozens of hosts, I appreciate this level of transparency.
Here’s a quick overview of their core plans:
| Plan Type | Starting Price | Features Included |
|---|---|---|
| Web Hosting | £7/mo | NVMe storage, free SSL, daily backups, cPanel |
| WordPress Hosting | £15/mo | Managed updates, LiteSpeed, staging, AI builder |
| Business Hosting | £19/mo | PCI-DSS compliance, 24/7 emergency support |
| VPS Hosting | £10/mo | Fully customisable, root access, scalable |
One thing I like about Krystal is that even their entry-level web hosting plan feels premium. You get the same infrastructure as higher plans, just with fewer resources. There’s no artificial throttling or hidden limitations.
The WordPress hosting plan is excellent for beginners and intermediate users. It’s fully managed, meaning Krystal’s team handles updates, security patches, and optimisation, so you can focus on content or running your business. I particularly liked the AI Site Builder, which is included for free, great for quick mock-ups or MVPs.
The business hosting option is ideal for clients who handle payments, especially those needing PCI-DSS compliance for eCommerce. Not all UK hosts offer that in a managed format.
Add in the 60-day money-back guarantee, which is far more generous than the usual 14–30 days other hosts offer, and it shows that Krystal is confident about the value of its service.
⭐ Managed WordPress Hosting – 4.7/5
As someone who’s worked with WordPress for over a decade, I’ve used all sorts of hosts, from cheap shared plans to high-end dedicated servers. Krystal’s managed WordPress hosting sits comfortably in the upper tier of performance and reliability, with a clear emphasis on simplifying site management without compromising on control.
When I moved one of my client’s WordPress sites over to Krystal’s managed hosting, I immediately noticed the difference in backend speed and frontend load time. The infrastructure has clearly been built around WordPress from the ground up.
You’re not just getting “WordPress support” tacked onto a standard server. You’re getting tailored optimisation with LiteSpeed caching, NVMe storage, and a built-in CDN that truly makes pages fly.
All plans include intelligent security protection, automated backups, and access to an AI-powered site builder, which I found surprisingly helpful for building quick mock-up layouts. Free migrations handled by their support team are also a big win, particularly for freelancers or agencies managing multiple clients.
You also get to choose how you pay monthly, annually, or biannually, with cost savings up to 25% on longer commitments. The pricing reflects its premium nature, but when compared to other managed WordPress providers like WP Engine or Kinsta, Krystal holds its own while offering better UK-specific infrastructure.
Here’s a breakdown of what the three main plans offer:
| Plan | Price (monthly) | WordPress Sites | Storage | Backups | CDN | Visits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | £15 | 1 (upgradable) | 5GB NVMe | Daily (hourly upgrade) | Global CDN | 20,000 |
| Business | £35 | 1 (upgradable) | 10GB NVMe | Hourly | 100GB CDN | 50,000 |
| Agency | £50 | 5 (upgradable) | 50GB NVMe | Daily (hourly upgrade) | 200GB CDN | 50,000 |
What I really liked is that even on the entry-level Personal plan, you still get the full platform experience, speed, AI builder, DDoS protection, and real-time security. For agencies, the ability to host multiple client sites under one account with scalable upgrades is a massive time-saver.
This managed hosting doesn’t try to take control away from you either. You still have full WordPress access, FTP, database tools, and plugin control. It’s managed in the sense of performance and updates, not in the sense of locking you into a walled garden. That’s the ideal balance, and Krystal nails it.
⭐ Business Hosting & PCI-DSS Compliance – 4.6/5
Krystal’s business hosting is built for companies that need more than just shared server space. Whether you’re handling sensitive payment data, running an online store, or managing client portals, this hosting tier delivers the performance and compliance features businesses need to operate securely and confidently.
One of the standout features here is full PCI-DSS scan compliance, which means your website can safely process card payments without risking penalties or failing security checks.
Most hosts either don’t mention PCI-DSS or require third-party tools to meet compliance. Krystal includes this as part of the business plans, along with emergency phone support and enhanced performance.
The business hosting lineup is tiered to accommodate everyone from freelancers and startups to high-traffic commercial websites. In my experience, the Emerald plan is a sweet spot, it offers unlimited NVMe storage, premium features like low contention ratios, and enhanced backups, all for under £20 a month.
Here’s how the core plans are structured:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Sites Hosted | Storage | Premium Features | Backup Frequency | Support Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amethyst | £7 | 1 | 10GB NVMe | Free SSL, unlimited mailboxes | Daily | Standard phone support |
| Ruby | £11 | 5 | 25GB NVMe | Free domain, enhanced performance | Daily | Standard phone support |
| Emerald | £19 | Unlimited | Unlimited NVMe | PCI compliance, premium features | 4-hourly | Standard phone support |
| Sapphire | £37 | Unlimited | Unlimited NVMe | Super low contention, emergency support | 4-hourly | Emergency phone support |
| Diamond | £67 | Unlimited | Unlimited NVMe | Max performance, ultra-high capacity | 4-hourly | Emergency phone support |
I’ve deployed sites on both Ruby and Emerald, and the difference in performance is tangible, especially under load. The added resources and low contention ratio on Emerald noticeably improved page render times, particularly on eCommerce platforms with product databases and checkout processes.
Email hosting is included across all plans with unlimited mailboxes, which is useful if your business team wants to create multiple branded addresses without needing separate subscriptions to third-party providers.
You also get free domains, automated SSL setup, and a user-friendly dashboard with straightforward DNS and hosting tools. And if you need more firepower or a bespoke configuration, you’re just a plan upgrade away from stepping into Krystal’s VPS environment.
⭐ VPS Hosting & Custom Server Solutions – 4.7/5
If you need more control, scalability, or isolation than shared hosting allows, Krystal’s Virtual Private Servers (VPS) are a fantastic option. Their VPS infrastructure offers a smooth path from small-scale testing projects all the way to high-availability load-balanced environments.
What I like about their VPS hosting is that you can start small, just one CPU, 1GB RAM, and 25GB storage, and scale up instantly as your requirements grow. You’re not locked into predefined configurations.
Instead, you can customise every detail of the server setup from the control panel. This includes your OS, CPU cores, RAM, storage size, data centre location, and whether you want a cPanel licence or management add-ons.
For developers and technical users, full root access is included, giving you complete control over the server environment. You can install custom applications, manage services, configure firewalls, and optimise performance specifically for your workload.
Here are the key features all VPS plans include:
- 2,000Gbps DDoS protection
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Free monthly snapshot backup
- Daily backups (standard)
- Free setup and IP address
- UK-based support
Krystal’s public cloud platform, Katapult, underpins the VPS environment, and the hosting performance reflects that. It’s fast, reliable, and designed for real-time scaling. You can even deploy multiple VPS instances and build your own cluster or load-balanced system. For web apps, client portals, or development environments, this flexibility is a huge win.
While entry pricing begins at £10 per month, your total cost depends on your configuration.
Here’s an example based on a common mid-range setup:
- 2 CPU cores
- 4GB RAM
- 80GB NVMe SSD
- AlmaLinux OS
- 1 IP address
- Backups Standard
- No cPanel licence
Total (approx.): £25 per month (plus VAT)
For those who prefer not to manage their own server, Krystal also offers optional full management services starting at £80 per month. Their team handles updates, monitoring, patching, and optimisation, so you can focus on your applications rather than the infrastructure.
During my own deployment, I appreciated how simple the provisioning process was. The control panel lets me pick everything from my OS to DNS settings and snapshots. I had a working VPS live within minutes and no setup fees.
This is VPS hosting done right: versatile, powerful, and supported by a team that understands not just hosting, but what developers and agencies need from a platform.
⭐ Security & Backup Systems – 4.9/5
Security is one of the key reasons I continue to recommend Krystal Hosting to clients. Unlike many hosts that offer basic security and then try to upsell you to a higher tier, Krystal includes enterprise-grade protection as standard.
Here’s what stands out from my experience:
- ISO27001-certified data centres with strict access controls
- Free SSL certificates for every domain
- 4000Gbps DDoS protection, built into the network layer
- Real-time malware scanning for every file upload
- Daily or hourly backups, depending on the plan
- One-click restore from the control panel no support request needed
The backup system alone has saved me hours of work. I once made a critical error editing functions.php on a client’s live site, restoring a clean version took under five minutes.
Below is a comparison of the backup frequency and security benefits across Krystal plans:
| Feature | Included in All Plans | Premium Plans Only |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL Certificates | Yes | Yes |
| DDoS Protection | Yes (4000Gbps) | Yes |
| Daily Backups | Yes | Yes (up to hourly) |
| One-click Restore | Yes | Yes |
| Malware Scanning | Yes | Yes |
| PCI-DSS Compliance | No | Yes (Business plans) |
With this setup, even high-traffic or transactional sites are protected by default; there’s no need to worry about hidden vulnerabilities or expensive add-ons.
⭐ Email Hosting & Communication Tools – 4.2/5
Krystal’s email hosting strikes a great balance between functionality and simplicity. It’s not trying to replace Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, but it does provide everything most businesses need for professional, domain-branded email.
What you get out of the box:
- Unlimited email accounts and aliases
- Access via IMAP, SMTP and Webmail
- Anti-spam filtering is included at the server level
- Autoresponders, forwarders, and catch-all support
- Full control via cPanel or Krystal’s dashboard
I’ve used the email system both personally and for client inboxes, and it’s always performed reliably. Deliverability is strong, and I haven’t encountered any major issues with blacklisting or spam routing.
Here’s a quick look at Krystal’s email hosting capabilities compared to typical third-party solutions:
| Feature | Krystal Email Hosting | Google Workspace | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain-based Emails | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spam Filtering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Webmail Access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated with Hosting | Yes | No | No |
| Monthly Cost (per user) | Included | £4.60+ | £4.50+ |
For businesses on a budget or those who prefer managing everything under one roof, Krystal’s email offering is more than adequate. And if you outgrow it, you’re free to route your MX records to a more advanced provider later; there’s no lock-in.
⭐ Website Builder & Online Store Tools – 4.3/5
The built-in website builder is a helpful tool for users who want a quick, simple way to launch a site without relying on WordPress or hiring a developer. I’ve tested it on smaller client projects where speed was more important than deep customisation, and it did the job well.
Why the builder is useful:
- Drag-and-drop interface makes layout editing simple
- Comes with pre-built templates for different industries
- Built-in mobile responsiveness
- Option to add eCommerce features, like product listings and payments
- Integrates with Krystal’s hosting and domain management
The AI-powered version of the builder, now included with WordPress plans as well, helps accelerate design even further. It’s especially helpful for people without any prior website experience.
Here’s how Krystal’s site builder compares to other popular DIY tools:
| Feature | Krystal Site Builder | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-drop Editor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| eCommerce Capabilities | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hosting Included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI Design Tools | Yes | No | No |
| WordPress Integration | Yes | No | No |
While it won’t replace WordPress for more complex projects, it fills an important gap for users who want to launch a quick site with no fuss. And because it’s integrated directly with Krystal’s infrastructure, there’s no need to manage third-party apps or plugins to get a site online.
What Common Issues or Limitations Do Krystal Users Face?
While Krystal Hosting shines in many critical areas such as speed, support, and security, it’s important to acknowledge the limitations that some users might encounter.
No hosting provider is perfect, and Krystal is no exception. However, I’ve found that the areas where Krystal is occasionally critiqued are largely due to its business model and ethical stance, not technical failings or poor service.
One of the most frequently raised concerns is Krystal’s lack of global server options. At the time of writing, the majority of their servers are UK-based.
For those targeting audiences primarily in the United States, Asia, or Australia, this may result in slightly slower load times outside of Europe. While Krystal does offer a CDN to help with global delivery, it’s not a substitute for physical data centre diversity.
Another point is the absence of monthly billing on some of their plans. This can be inconvenient for users who prefer short-term flexibility or who are just testing the waters.
Though Krystal offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, some users would still prefer a true month-to-month option without committing upfront.
Lastly, pricing tends to sit slightly above the budget hosting range. When compared with providers like Hostinger or GoDaddy, Krystal’s entry-level plans may appear expensive.
But it’s essential to understand that Krystal is not competing with mass-market hosts; it’s offering premium service with transparent billing, eco-friendly operations, and top-tier support, none of which come cheap.
From my experience, these trade-offs are justifiable. If your priority is long-term hosting quality, data protection, and ethical service delivery, Krystal’s slight limitations feel less like deal-breakers and more like conscious decisions made in favour of stability and sustainability.
What Are Users Saying About This Service?
Krystal Hosting receives consistently high praise across third-party platforms, with one of the strongest reputations in the UK hosting market for speed, ethics, and UK-based support.
Trustpilot:
- 85/5 rating from over 1,800 verified reviews
- Most reviews highlight responsive support, fast website performance, and smooth migrations
- Users appreciate transparent pricing and eco-conscious values
Reddit & Hosting Forums:
- Frequently compared favourably to SiteGround, Bluehost, and GoDaddy
- UK developers appreciate strong uptime and NVMe performance
- Positive feedback around reseller hosting and VPS customisation
Social Media:
- Users praise Krystal’s ethical, green hosting model
- High engagement during sustainability campaigns and new feature launches
- Shared case studies from long-time customers show strong loyalty
Repeating praise:
- “Krystal’s support team actually solves problems fast.”
- “Moved from a big-name host, and Krystal outperformed instantly.”
- “Finally, a host that cares about customers and the planet.”
Negative feedback is minimal, usually around pricing or limited international server locations.
Overall, user sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, especially among UK-based site owners who value service, speed, and sustainability.
What Do I Think of Krystal Hosting? (My Personal Experience & Verdict)
Having personally tested and reviewed over 30 hosting platforms across different markets, I can say with confidence that Krystal Hosting stands out in ways that matter.
It’s not the loudest, flashiest, or cheapest provider, but it is one of the most dependable and principled. And for me, that holds more weight over the long term.
In terms of performance, Krystal’s use of NVMe storage, LiteSpeed servers, and a UK-focused infrastructure results in incredibly fast and stable websites. For UK-based traffic, it’s one of the best experiences I’ve had.
Uptime has been rock solid, and their security systems have caught issues before they became actual problems which isn’t something I can say for every host I’ve used.
Their support is also genuinely helpful. I’ve spoken to their team multiple times whether through ticket or live chat and every time I was met with someone who understood hosting, knew how to fix things, and communicated clearly. That’s worth more than endless documentation or AI-powered chatbots.
When it comes to values, Krystal’s commitment to renewable energy, transparent business practices, and ethical ownership is rare in an industry increasingly dominated by faceless conglomerates.
Here’s a quick summary of my own take:
Pros:
- Fast, UK-optimised hosting infrastructure
- Expert UK-based support team with real people
- Ethical and green hosting policies
- Transparent pricing with no sudden renewals
- 60-day money-back guarantee for full peace of mind
Cons:
- More expensive than entry-level budget providers
- No server presence outside the UK
- Limited monthly billing flexibility on some plans
Best suited for:
- UK-based businesses, creatives, freelancers, and agencies
- WordPress users who want speed without managing the backend
- Site owners who value service, ethics, and sustainability
How Does Krystal Hosting Compare to Other Popular Hosting Providers?
Krystal Hosting stands out for its ethical approach, strong UK performance, and excellent customer support. But how does it compare to other well-known names in the hosting industry? Here’s a detailed look:
Krystal Hosting vs SiteGround
SiteGround is a top-tier host focused on WordPress users, while Krystal offers a broader feature set with a stronger emphasis on ethical business practices and UK-based support.
| Feature | Krystal Hosting | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | cPanel | Site Tools (custom) |
| Free SSL & Backups | Included | Included |
| Data Centres | UK-based | Global (incl. UK) |
| Green Hosting | 100% renewable | Partial |
| Reseller Hosting | Available | Not available |
| Support Quality | UK-based, award-winning | International, fast support |
| Best For | Ethical UK businesses | WordPress users, global blogs |
Krystal Hosting vs Bluehost
Bluehost is popular among beginners, especially in the US, while Krystal targets UK users who want transparent pricing and superior customer support.
| Feature | Krystal Hosting | Bluehost |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel |
| Free Domain | Yes (with most plans) | Yes (first year) |
| Green Hosting | 100% renewable | No |
| Backup Frequency | Daily or Hourly | Limited (paid on low tiers) |
| Support | UK-based | US-based (mixed reviews) |
| Best For | UK businesses, freelancers | Beginners, hobbyists |
Krystal Hosting vs Hostinger
Hostinger is known for ultra-low pricing, but Krystal focuses on service, uptime, and sustainability rather than cutting corners.
| Feature | Krystal Hosting | Hostinger |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | cPanel | hPanel (custom) |
| Data Centres | UK only | Global |
| Free SSL & Backups | Included | Included (limited tiers) |
| Email Hosting | Unlimited | Limited on lower tiers |
| Support | UK-based, human-led | Global (chat only) |
| Best For | Quality-focused UK users | Price-sensitive users |
Krystal Hosting vs 20i
Both UK-based, green-powered, and highly rated, but their hosting technology differs. Krystal uses traditional cPanel and VPS setups, while 20i offers a custom autoscaling cloud.
| Feature | Krystal Hosting | 20i |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Type | Shared, VPS, WordPress | Autoscaling Cloud |
| Control Panel | cPanel | StackCP (custom) |
| Developer Tools | Standard (SSH, Git) | Advanced (Git, API, staging) |
| Reseller Hosting | Available | Fully white-label |
| Green Hosting | 100% renewable | 100% renewable |
| Best For | SMEs, freelancers | Agencies, devs, resellers |
Krystal Hosting vs IONOS
IONOS offers enterprise-style solutions and business tools, while Krystal delivers independent, ethical hosting with a focus on simplicity and speed.
| Feature | Krystal Hosting | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | cPanel | Custom IONOS Panel |
| Free Domain | Yes | Yes |
| Support | UK-based | Global (phone & email) |
| Extras | Ethical, B Corp | Business tools |
| Best For | Ethical small businesses | SMEs needing bundled services |
Conclusion
Krystal Hosting combines powerful performance, ethical practices, and rock-solid UK support to deliver a hosting experience that’s both dependable and forward-thinking.
From fast load times to reliable backups and eco-conscious infrastructure, it ticks the boxes that truly matter. While it’s not the cheapest, the value and service easily justify the price.
If you’re serious about quality hosting backed by real people and real values, Krystal is absolutely worth it.
FAQs
What is Krystal Hosting’s contact number and support hours?
Krystal offers UK-based support with extended hours and rapid live chat and email response times.
Does Krystal Hosting offer a free trial or refund policy?
Yes, Krystal provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on most hosting plans.
Is Krystal Hosting suitable for WordPress websites?
Absolutely. Krystal offers managed WordPress hosting optimised for performance.
Can I host multiple websites on one Krystal account?
Yes, most plans allow hosting multiple domains with cPanel access.
Does Krystal include free SSL and automatic backups?
Yes, all plans include Let’s Encrypt SSL and daily backups.
How does Krystal Hosting compare to SiteGround or 20i?
Krystal offers better eco-credentials and UK-based support, while SiteGround has global infrastructure and 20i is developer-focused.
Is Krystal Hosting ideal for eCommerce or online stores?
Yes, it supports WooCommerce and provides great speed and security for eCommerce platforms.
