GitHub|Since 2007
Wptr Lab

USAcorn HostvsM5 HostingUS

Head-to-head hosting performance comparison based on real test data

Test Date: 2/23/2026

Acorn Host
WPTR ScoreWinner1872 ms
Rank#550
TTFB442ms
Time to 1MB588ms
Score1872
LCP842ms
FCP642ms
M5 Hosting
WPTR Score7851 ms
Rank#846
TTFB1475ms
Time to 1MB2666ms
Score7851
LCP1875ms
FCP1675ms

Our Verdict

Acorn Host wins with 442ms TTFB (vs M5 Hosting's 1475ms)

TTFB Breakdown (Connection Phases)

PhaseAcorn HostM5 HostingWinner
DNS Lookup63ms737msAcorn Host
TCP Connection147ms183msAcorn Host
TLS Handshake128ms181msAcorn Host
Server Processing123ms352msAcorn Host
Total TTFB461ms1453msAcorn Host

Technology & Security Features

Acorn Host

Server/CDNApache
HSTS Disabled
Brotli Compression Enabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Enabled
Page Size20.0 KB

M5 Hosting

Server/CDNnginx
HSTS Enabled
Brotli Compression Disabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Disabled
Page Size242.9 KB
2/3
Acorn Host Security Features
1/3
M5 Hosting Security Features

TTFB Comparison Over Time

Understanding the Metrics

WPTR Score: Wptr Lab Real-Load Score: (Time to 1MB x 2.4) + TTFB. Raw server & network performance (Lower is better).
TTFB: Time to First Byte - How fast the server responds
Time to 1MB: Time to 1MB - Time taken to download 1MB of data (lower is better)
LCP: Largest Contentful Paint - When main content loads
FCP: First Contentful Paint - When first content appears
Score: Overall performance score (0-100)

A Note on Hosting Selection

While TTFB and performance metrics are important indicators, choosing the right hosting provider involves many other factors: security measures, customer support quality, uptime guarantees, scalability options, and pricing structure. Academic research emphasizes that a balanced approach considering all these aspects leads to better long-term outcomes.

Chizhov, A., & Fesenko, A. (2025). Web hosting companies' client solutions: A study of a strategic standpoint. Corporate & Business Strategy Review. doi.org/10.22495/cbsrv6i1art14

Data in this comparison is obtained through independent tests using our TTFB Checker tool.