GitHub|Since 2007
Wptr Lab

plSeoHostvsSmarthostpl

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

Test Date: 2/23/2026

SeoHost
WPTR ScoreWinner1412 ms
Rank#443
TTFB278ms
Time to 1MB471ms
Score1412
LCP678ms
FCP478ms
Smarthost
WPTR Score1459 ms
Rank#542
TTFB1123ms
Time to 1MB284ms
Score1459
LCP1523ms
FCP1323ms

Our Verdict

SeoHost wins with 278ms TTFB (vs Smarthost's 1123ms)

TTFB Breakdown (Connection Phases)

PhaseSeoHostSmarthostWinner
DNS Lookup62ms61msSmarthost
TCP Connection75ms60msSmarthost
TLS Handshake75ms112msSeoHost
Server Processing70ms544msSeoHost
Total TTFB282ms777msSeoHost

Technology & Security Features

SeoHost

Server/CDNLiteSpeed
HSTS Enabled
Brotli Compression Enabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Enabled
Page Size373.9 KB

Smarthost

Server/CDNApache
HSTS Enabled
Brotli Compression Disabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Disabled
Page Size278.9 KB
3/3
SeoHost Security Features
1/3
Smarthost 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.