GitHub|Since 2007
Wptr Lab

USBluehostvsLaughing SquidUS

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

Test Date: 2/23/2026

Bluehost
WPTR ScoreWinner369 ms
Rank#23
TTFB113ms
Time to 1MB103ms
Score369
LCP513ms
FCP313ms
Laughing Squid

Laughing Squid

View Details →
WPTR Score1590 ms
Rank#488
TTFB270ms
Time to 1MB557ms
Score1590
LCP670ms
FCP470ms

Our Verdict

Bluehost wins with 113ms TTFB (vs Laughing Squid's 270ms)

TTFB Breakdown (Connection Phases)

PhaseBluehostLaughing SquidWinner
DNS Lookup8ms53msBluehost
TCP Connection8ms71msBluehost
TLS Handshake8ms67msBluehost
Server Processing98ms62msLaughing Squid
Total TTFB122ms253msBluehost

Technology & Security Features

Bluehost

Server/CDNcloudflare
HSTS Disabled
Brotli Compression Enabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Disabled
Page Size440.7 KB

Laughing Squid

Server/CDNnginx
HSTS Enabled
Brotli Compression Enabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Enabled
Page Size46.2 KB
1/3
Bluehost Security Features
3/3
Laughing Squid 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.