GitHub|Since 2007
Wptr Lab

USSoftLayer (IBM)vsRenderUS

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

Test Date: 2/23/2026

SoftLayer (IBM)

SoftLayer (IBM)

View Details →
WPTR ScoreWinner756 ms
Rank#322
TTFB584ms
Time to 1MB210ms
Score756
LCP984ms
FCP784ms
Render
WPTR Score830 ms
Rank#223
TTFB295ms
Time to 1MB235ms
Score830
LCP695ms
FCP495ms

Our Verdict

Render wins with 295ms TTFB (vs SoftLayer (IBM)'s 584ms)

TTFB Breakdown (Connection Phases)

PhaseSoftLayer (IBM)RenderWinner
DNS Lookup1ms4msSoftLayer (IBM)
TCP Connection29ms39msSoftLayer (IBM)
TLS Handshake31ms10msRender
Server Processing191ms213msSoftLayer (IBM)
Total TTFB252ms266msRender

Technology & Security Features

SoftLayer (IBM)

Server/CDNUnknown
HSTS Enabled
Brotli Compression Disabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Disabled
Page Size379.0 KB

Render

Server/CDNcloudflare
HSTS Enabled
Brotli Compression Disabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Enabled
Page Size254.7 KB
1/3
SoftLayer (IBM) Security Features
2/3
Render 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.