GitHub|Since 2007
Wptr Lab

DEmaxclustervsplusserverDE

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

Test Date: 2/23/2026

maxcluster
WPTR ScoreWinner1278 ms
Rank#338
TTFB195ms
Time to 1MB386ms
Score1278
LCP595ms
FCP395ms
plusserver
WPTR Score2298 ms
Rank#609
TTFB1572ms
Time to 1MB265ms
Score2298
LCP1972ms
FCP1772ms

Our Verdict

maxcluster wins with 195ms TTFB (vs plusserver's 1572ms)

TTFB Breakdown (Connection Phases)

PhasemaxclusterplusserverWinner
DNS Lookup173ms80msplusserver
TCP Connection46ms93msmaxcluster
TLS Handshake49ms56msmaxcluster
Server Processing84ms1433msmaxcluster
Total TTFB352ms1662msmaxcluster

Technology & Security Features

maxcluster

Server/CDNApache
HSTS Disabled
Brotli Compression Enabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Disabled
Page Size203.7 KB

plusserver

Server/CDNApache
HSTS Enabled
Brotli Compression Disabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Disabled
Page Size1715.6 KB
1/3
maxcluster Security Features
1/3
plusserver 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.