From personal experience, I’d say look for a host that offers solid PHP support, good caching options, and stable performance even on lower-tier plans. While there are several budget-friendly providers out there, it’s important to check for consistent uptime and support responsiveness.
Instead of going purely by price, dig into user reviews — especially from people running PHP-based sites like WordPress or Laravel apps. Forums like Reddit or review sites like Hosting Checker can give you real-world insights.
If you want something low-maintenance and well-supported, managed cloud platforms often offer better value long-term, even if they’re slightly more expensive upfront. But for basic PHP hosting on a budget, stick with established names that don’t oversell their resources.