Rocket.net Review: A Game Changer?

by Cheefoo • Updated on 7 Sep, 2024

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rocket.net reviews

In my Rocket.net review, I dive into the key features and performance of this hosting service.


logo rocket net

Cheefoo's Take


Best for the Quickest WordPress Loading Speed

4.8
out of 5

Over 141 rocket.net hosting reviews from Truspilot

Price

From $30 / mo

Annual Discount 

Yes - Extra 2 MOnths

Promotion

$1 for First Month

(this discount will be applied automatically)


Quick Specs Overview Table:

🚀Performance Grade 

A

⏱️Load Time

501 ms

🏃‍♂️Response Time

76 ms

📈Uptime

100%

💬Support

24/7 Chat, Ticketing

🧩Types

Managed, Dedicated

🖥 Server 

NGINX

📍Datacenter Locations

Total 8: US (Ashburn, Phoenix), Europe (London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt), Asia (Singapore, Brisbane, Sydney)

📦️Plan

17 paid plans

💲Pricing

Starts at $30/month

💽Data Transfer

50 GB to 800 GB

📊Monthly Visits

250k to Unmetered

🔒SSL

Free SSL

🌐CDN

Free Cloudflare Enterprise

🛢️Storage Types

NVMe

📀Storage Space 

10GB to 2TB

🏷️Coupons


Pricing:

Rocket offers 17 paid pricing plans, with monthly billing options ranging from $30 to $1949 per month

They provide a 30-day money-back guarantee of your $1, and there are no price increases when it's time for plan renewals.


Is Rocket.net Hosting Perfect?

Pros:

  • Exceptionally fast performance.
  • Free Cloudflare enterprise CDN ($6000 value)
  • Free SSL and WAF
  • Free always-on malware protection
  • 24x7 support from WordPress experts

Cons:

  • No bundled email service provided.

What I Really Like

  • Rocket.net genuinely got me excited for the first time. The reason? That lightning-fast TTFB speed. I've been around the hosting block, but this kind of speed is like a breath of fresh air. Sure, it takes a bit for the global caching magic to fully kick in, usually a day or two, but the anticipation is worth it.

What I Don't Really Like

  • Honestly, there's not much to complain about with Rocket.net. But if I had to nitpick, I'd say I wish the support team's level was more consistent. You've got a small group of engineers who are absolute gems - patient, super helpful, and they go above and beyond to leave you in awe. But then, there's the rest who seem a bit rushed, getting the job done and asking, "What else do you need?" before swiftly closing the chat.

What Others Say about Rocket:

Let's take a look at what others have to say about Rocket.net hosting, both the positive and negative aspects. I've gathered reviews of rocket.net from Trustpilot and G2 to provide you with a well-rounded understanding of the hosting service's performance and customer experiences.

logo trustpilot
rocket trustpilot
logo g2
rocket g2

The Good Stuff

Users consistently report that their websites load faster than with other hosts. The standout feature is the exceptional customer support, characterized by quick response times and qualified assistance. And, migrations are a breeze, requiring minimal effort.

Rocket.net also earns praise for its ease of use, exceptional documentation, and the ability to handle high traffic loads while maintaining an A-rating on Google PageSpeed Insights.

rocket good review handle load

The Not So Good Stuff

Well, guess what? No bad reviews! It might just be time to pop the champagne.

champagne bottle

But hold on, while they're celebrating the absence of bad reviews (at least for now), there are still a few items on the wish list. Cheers to a positive start! 🍾😄

Customers would like a more feature-rich dashboard, even though the current one covers essentials. Some users also wish for the ability to add individual sites to current plans for a smaller fee, instead of buying a separate plan. 

Lastly, there is a desire for an integrated email service, which is currently not available.


What Separates Rocket.net from the Rest:

Rocket.net sets itself apart from the competition by offering a hosting solution that excels in multiple crucial aspects, delivering an exceptional experience for users.

Let's explore what makes Rocket.net stand out.

Short TTFB (Time to First Byte):

Rocket.net's standout feature lies in its impressively short TTFB (Time to First Byte). This metric measures the speed at which a web server responds to a request. 

Rocket.net achieves a lightning-fast TTFB thanks to its optimized infrastructure and its use of an Enterprise Cloudflare CDN.

rocket ttfb
  • Blazing Fast Loading: A short TTFB means your website loads lightning-fast, providing an excellent user experience.
  • Improved SEO: Google prioritizes fast-loading websites, giving you an edge in search rankings.

Maximum WordPress Security:

Rocket.net offers comprehensive protection for your WordPress website, spanning network, server, and files. It employs two layers of firewalls for enhanced security.

First, an always-on Website Application Firewall (WAF) stands guard, shielding your site from hackers, malicious scripts, and other cyber threats.

Additionally, Rocket.net is powered by Imunify360, providing an additional layer of protection against various security risks.

rocket security
  • Protection from Common Threats: Safeguards against DDoS attacks, malware, and hacking attempts.
  • Data and User Security: Ensures the safety of your data and user information.

Rocket Performance

4.9 out of 5

Performance directly impacts your website's user experience, search engine rankings, and ultimately, your online success. To evaluate the performance of Rocket.net hosting comprehensively, I'll consider the key metrics below.

I used a post with 1400+ words, 14 images, with a page size of 450.3 KB for the tests below.

rocket load time

Loading Speed: Loading speed measures how quickly your website's content appears to users. Shorter loading times are always better.

The Rocket.net hosting speed is impressive, with a page size of 450.3 kb fully loading in just 501ms. This is already quite fast, and with further optimization, the full load time can potentially be reduced even more. 

rocket overall performance

Core Vital Metrics: Core vital metrics are essential for user experience. They gauge how quickly your website becomes visually interactive and how stable it is during loading.

Mobile scores often tend to be lower than desktop, but I'm genuinely impressed by the high mobile performance score achieved with Rocket.net. It's worth mentioning that this exceptional score was attained without any additional optimization efforts.

rocket core web vitals

Time to First Byte (TTFB): TTFB measures web server response time. A shorter TTFB means quicker server responses, crucial for a speedy website.

I tested it from 40 locations, and the average TTFB of 85 ms is simply mind-blowing. It surpasses anything I've seen before and leaves the competition in the dust. This level of speed is truly impressive.

rocket ttfb 1

How Easy to Setup or Migrate:

4.8 out of 5

The process of setting up a hosting service and migrating your website should be seamless and straightforward. It's the crucial first step to ensuring that your online presence is up and running efficiently.

Let's break down the key steps involved:

Enter Site Details: The initial step involves providing essential site details. You'll enter your WordPress site name and select the datacenter location that aligns with the primary location of your visitors. Choosing the right location ensures optimal performance for your target audience.

rocket create site step 1

Enter WordPress Details: Next, you'll set up your WordPress environment by entering your username and password. Also, you have the option to configure additional settings, such as recommended plugins.

rocket create site step 2

Going Live: The final step involves going live with your website. You'll configure DNS records, including entering your domain name and setting up TXT records for SSL certificate verification. Additionally, you'll create A and CNAME records for DNS routing, ensuring that your website is accessible to visitors.

rocket ready go live

The steps are straightforward, but if you're not tech-savvy, it can be a bit challenging. Rocket engineers assist you via chat, but they won't access your DNS manager for you. You'll have to do it yourself. If you're familiar with DNS, it's easy. Otherwise, consider hiring a professional for help.


Rocket Support

4.6 out of 5

Exceptional support is the backbone of a reliable hosting service. It ensures that any issues or questions you encounter are promptly addressed, keeping your website running smoothly.

When evaluating Rocket.net's support, I'll consider the following key aspects:

Self-Help Documents: Self-help documents are an invaluable resource for users.

The documentation isn't extensive, and you need to log in to access it. It contains essential information for troubleshooting common issues but lacks video tutorials. It would be helpful to have the doc link in the main portal for easier access.

rocket self help

Knowledge and Expertise: Good knowledge and expertise among hosting engineers are crucial for quick issue resolution, robust security, and optimal server performance.

Rocket's support engineers specialize in WordPress and can often resolve issues in real-time. For more complex issues like migrations, they follow up via email after completion to ensure thorough assistance.

rocket chat support

How Fast to Get Response: Fast response by hosting engineers is vital to swiftly address user issues, minimize website downtime, and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.

Rocket claims an average response time of 49 seconds. During testing, the response time was approximately 30.4 seconds, which is quite alright. This time includes the duration from clicking to connect to receiving their initial manual response.

Response Time

Date

Time

13.02 s

30 Aug 23

12.01 pm

40.67 s

3 Sep 23

9.31 am

37.61 s

5 Sep 23

9.06 am

53.09 s

6 Sep 23

10.21 am

7.61 s

6 Sep 23

10.40 am


Rocket Security

4.8 out of 5

Robust security measures not only safeguard your data but also protect your online reputation. When evaluating Rocket hosting's security, consider the following key features:

Backup Retention: Backup retention in hosting is crucial to safeguard against data loss, enabling quick recovery from unexpected issues, and ensuring business continuity.

Rocket automatically backs up your data and retains it for a 14-day period. You also have the flexibility to manually create new backups. Should the need arise, you can easily restore your website by selecting the desired date from the available backups.

rocket manual backup

Security: A great security in hosting protects data, user information, and the reputation of websites from cyber threats, ensuring trust and reliability.

According to Rocket's engineer, their security is comprehensive, with Cloudflare, WAF, and Imunify in place. The engineer mentioned that there's no need for additional security plugins, and the system conducts weekly and real-time malware checks. As per their reports, there haven't been any reported security issues on their platform. Users can relax, as the security report provides insights into potential threats, ensuring a proactive security approach. Fingers crossed for ongoing safety.

rocket security report

Quick Overview on Company:

Rocket.net is a newcomer to the hosting industry. It positions itself as the world's fastest WordPress hosting provider, boasting data centers strategically located in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, totaling 8 data centers.

The company's headquarters is situated in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was founded in 2020 by Ben Gabler, who serves as the Founder & CEO, and Josip Radan, the Co-Founder.

rocket revenue

As of 2023, Rocket.net boasts an impressive $3.1 million in Annualized Recurring Revenue and has received several awards. The company currently has a team of over 20 employees.


Is Rocket Hosting Suitable for You?

Considering a hosting service that aligns with your needs is crucial for a successful online presence. If you're seeking a WordPress hosting solution that offers convenience, performance, and reliable support, look no further.

Choose Rocket.net if you:

  • Need the shortest TTFB
  • Want super fast hosting
  • Need strong post-sales support
  • Have multiple websites that target different geographical visitors
  • Run a super high-traffic site with a global audience
  • Aim to improve Core Web Vitals
  • Operate a high-traffic global Woocommerce store

Rocket.net is not suitable if you:

  • Are on a tight budget
  • Require free email services
  • Run a low-traffic information site where speed is not a critical factor

Best Rocket Alternatives:

When seeking the best WordPress web hosting, consider these top alternatives to Rocket:

logo flywheel

Flywheel

Managed WordPress hosting designed for creatives and agencies, streamlining website management with an intuitive platform.

Coming Soon ➔

logo kinsta

Kinsta

Accelerates web project management for companies and dev teams, enhancing speed and efficiency.

Coming Soon ➔


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FAQ

Can I downgrade or upgrade my plan?

Yes, Rocket.net allows you to upgrade or downgrade your hosting plan as needed to accommodate your website's requirements.

 

What's the refund period and process?

Rocket.net offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're unsatisfied within the first 30 days after activating your service, you can request a refund through their support team.

Do I still need to do backups?

While Rocket.net provides robust backup solutions, it's still advisable to maintain your own backups as an extra layer of data protection. This ensures you have control over your website's data in case of unexpected issues.

Why is Rocket.net expensive?

Rocket.net's pricing reflects its premium features, including top-tier performance, security, and support. The investment in these aspects is designed to provide users with a high-quality hosting experience. The value of these features may justify the higher hosting cost for those who prioritize performance and reliability.


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