PCI compliant hosting provides specialized server environments designed to meet the stringent requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These hosting solutions are essential for any business that processes, stores, or transmits credit card information. With data breaches and cyber attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, ensuring your hosting environment adheres to PCI DSS requirements isn't just about compliance—it's about protecting your customers' sensitive financial data and your business reputation.
This article reviews the top PCI compliant hosting providers available today, comparing their security features, compliance certifications, performance, and pricing to help you make an informed decision for your business.
Enterprise-grade PCI compliant hosting with 100% uptime SLA
#1: Atlantic.net
Atlantic.net offers comprehensive PCI compliant hosting solutions built on a robust infrastructure specifically designed to meet and exceed PCI DSS requirements. Founded in 1994 and entering the cloud hosting space in 2013, Atlantic.net has established itself as a leader in secure, compliant hosting services. Their PCI compliant hosting is ideal for e-commerce businesses, healthcare organizations handling payment data, and financial service providers who require the highest levels of security and regulatory compliance.
Fully Managed PCI Compliance Atlantic.net provides a truly managed compliance experience, handling everything from server hardening and vulnerability scanning to firewall configuration and log management. Their dedicated compliance team works to ensure your hosting environment meets all 12 requirements of the PCI DSS.
Advanced Security Infrastructure Their security architecture includes enterprise-grade firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), file integrity monitoring, and encrypted VPN access. All systems undergo regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate potential security gaps.
Dedicated Compliance Portal The Atlantic.net compliance dashboard gives clients real-time visibility into their compliance status, security scans, and audit trails. This centralized portal simplifies the documentation process for quarterly assessments and annual certifications.
E-commerce Platforms Atlantic.net excels at providing secure hosting environments for online stores processing thousands of credit card transactions daily. Their infrastructure is designed to scale during peak shopping periods while maintaining security controls and compliance.
Payment Processing Applications Financial service providers use Atlantic.net's PCI compliant hosting to deploy payment gateways and processing software with the assurance that the underlying infrastructure meets all necessary security requirements.
Healthcare Payment Systems Organizations needing both HIPAA and PCI compliance find Atlantic.net's dual-certified environments particularly valuable, allowing them to securely process patient payments while maintaining regulatory compliance across both standards.
Atlantic.net stands out as the premium option for PCI compliant hosting with its comprehensive security controls, dedicated compliance expertise, and exceptional service reliability. While their solutions come at a higher price point than some competitors, the peace of mind from working with a proven compliance leader and their 100% uptime SLA provides exceptional value for businesses handling sensitive payment data.
Click here to check out Atlantic.net's PCI compliant hosting solutions
| Provider | Description |
|---|---|
| Atlantic.net | Industry-leading PCI hosting with full compliance management & 100% uptime SLA |
| Liquid Web | Premium managed PCI compliant hosting with exceptional support & performance |
| Rackspace | Enterprise-grade compliant hosting with comprehensive security services |
| AccuWebHosting | Affordable PCI compliant solutions with strong security features |
| HostGator | Budget-friendly hosting with PCI compliance capabilities & good scalability |
| SiteGround | User-friendly PCI compliant hosting with excellent performance & support |
Liquid Web provides enterprise-grade PCI compliant hosting solutions with a focus on fully managed services and exceptional support. Their "Heroic Support" team includes certified security specialists available 24/7/365, with an impressive 59-second average initial response time. The company maintains a comprehensive security infrastructure with multiple layers of protection designed specifically for merchants handling credit card data.
"Secure, compliant hosting backed by the industry's best support"
- Fully managed PCI compliance
- Dedicated firewall with IDS/IPS
- Real-time monitoring and alerting
- Automated patch management
- Compliance documentation assistance
- Annual penetration testing
- Encrypted backup solutions
- DDoS protection
PCI Compliant Dedicated Server Plan
- Starting at $199/month
- Custom solutions available
- Volume discounts for multiple servers
Liquid Web offers monthly billing with discounts for annual commitments. New customers can request a personalized consultation with a compliance specialist to determine the best solution for their specific needs.
Pros:
- Exceptional technical support team
- Comprehensive security controls
- Strong performance metrics
- Robust compliance documentation
Cons:
- Higher price point than some competitors
- May include features beyond what smaller businesses need
- Less budget-friendly for startups
Rackspace offers enterprise-level PCI compliant hosting with a strong focus on customizable security solutions. Their compliance portfolio includes not just PCI DSS but also complementary standards like ISO 27001 and SOC 2, making them ideal for organizations with complex regulatory requirements. Rackspace's security operations center provides 24/7 monitoring and incident response capabilities.
"Enterprise compliance expertise with fanatical support"
- Multi-layered security architecture
- Dedicated security operations center
- Customizable compliance controls
- Hybrid-ready infrastructure
- Dedicated compliance officer
- Log management and analysis
- Vulnerability scanning services
- Managed security appliances
Compliance-Ready Cloud Hosting
- Starting at $500/month
- Custom quote for specific requirements
- Enterprise volume discounts available
Rackspace provides customized pricing based on specific compliance needs and infrastructure requirements. Contracts typically run on annual terms with flexible expansion options.
Pros:
- Comprehensive enterprise-grade security
- Experience with complex compliance scenarios
- Strong hybrid cloud capabilities
- Extensive compliance documentation
Cons:
- Significant investment for small businesses
- Complex solution architecture
- Service can feel impersonal compared to smaller providers
AccuWebHosting offers more affordable PCI compliant hosting solutions without compromising on essential security features. Their services include pre-configured, hardened servers that meet PCI DSS requirements, making compliance more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses. Their approach balances security with ease of use and cost-effectiveness.
"Cost-effective PCI compliance for growing businesses"
- PCI-ready server configurations
- Web application firewall
- Malware scanning
- Payment gateway compatibility
- Free SSL certificates
- Regular security patching
- Daily backups
- Network monitoring
PCI Compliant VPS Hosting
- Starting at $49.99/month
- Dedicated servers from $129/month
- Flexible upgrade options
AccuWebHosting offers monthly billing with no long-term contracts required. New customers receive a 30-day money-back guarantee and free migration assistance from their current hosting provider.
Pros:
- Excellent value for small to medium businesses
- User-friendly control panel
- Good balance of security and performance
- Straightforward compliance implementation
Cons:
- Less comprehensive than premium providers
- Fewer customization options
- Support team less specialized in compliance
| Provider | Website | Pricing | Free Trial / Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic.net | https://serp.ly/atlantic.net | Starting at $249/month | 14-day free trial |
| Liquid Web | https://serp.ly/liquidweb.com | Starting at $199/month | No free trial / Free consultation |
| Rackspace | https://serp.ly/rackspace.com | Starting at $500/month | Custom demo available |
| AccuWebHosting | https://serp.ly/accuwebhosting.com | Starting at $49.99/month | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| HostGator | https://serp.ly/hostgator.com | Starting at $89.95/month | 45-day money-back guarantee |
| SiteGround | https://serp.ly/siteground.com | Starting at $69.99/month | 30-day money-back guarantee |
These complementary services can enhance your PCI compliance strategy alongside your hosting solution.
| Service Name | Website | Pricing | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualys PCI Scan | https://serp.ly/qualys.com | From $349/year | Vulnerability Scanning |
| TokenEx | https://serp.ly/tokenex.com | Custom pricing | Tokenization Services |
| Alert Logic | https://serp.ly/alertlogic.com | From $599/month | Managed Detection & Response |
When selecting a PCI compliant hosting provider, your choice should align with your business size, technical requirements, and budget constraints. Atlantic.net remains the premium choice for businesses that require comprehensive compliance management and enterprise-grade security. Liquid Web offers an excellent balance of performance and support for mid-sized organizations, while AccuWebHosting provides cost-effective solutions without sacrificing essential security features.
Remember that PCI compliance is an ongoing process, not a one-time achievement. The right hosting provider should offer not just compliant infrastructure but also continuous monitoring, regular security updates, and support for evolving compliance requirements.
- Clearly determine your cardholder data environment (CDE) scope before choosing a provider
- Request documentation of the provider's own compliance certifications
- Understand exactly which PCI DSS requirements the host covers versus your responsibilities
- Consider future growth when selecting your hosting plan to avoid frequent migrations
PCI DSS compliance involves 12 core requirements organized into six control objectives. When evaluating hosting providers, pay special attention to how they address these key areas:
Network Security: Look for providers offering robust firewall configurations, intrusion detection systems, and network segmentation capabilities to isolate cardholder data environments from less secure areas.
Cardholder Data Protection: Evaluate encryption options for data at rest and in transit. Providers should offer TLS 1.2 or higher, strong encryption for stored data, and potentially tokenization services to reduce compliance scope.
Vulnerability Management: Ensure the provider maintains a rigorous patching schedule, conducts regular vulnerability scans, and has a process for quickly addressing security issues when identified.
Access Control Measures: Check for strong authentication requirements, role-based access controls, and detailed logging of administrator activities on your hosting environment.
Network Monitoring: Continuous monitoring is essential; verify the provider has 24/7 monitoring capabilities, automated alerts, and incident response procedures.
Understanding the division of compliance responsibilities between you and your hosting provider is critical:
Provider Typically Covers:
- Physical security of data centers
- Network infrastructure security
- Host-level security controls
- Security patch management
- Baseline firewall configurations
Customer Typically Responsible For:
- Application security
- User access management
- Secure coding practices
- PCI compliance documentation
- Customer data management
Request a detailed responsibility matrix from potential providers to clearly understand which PCI DSS requirements they fulfill and which remain your responsibility.
Strong documentation is crucial for successful PCI DSS compliance:
- Ask providers for their Attestation of Compliance (AOC) to verify their own compliance status
- Inquire about assistance with documentation for your compliance efforts
- Determine what reports and logs are available to support your quarterly and annual assessments
- Understand how the provider handles audit requests and compliance verification
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security requirements established by the PCI Security Standards Council, which includes major credit card companies like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB. First introduced in 2004, these standards are designed to protect cardholder data and reduce credit card fraud.
PCI DSS applies to any organization that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data, regardless of size or transaction volume. However, validation requirements vary based on the number of transactions processed annually, with four compliance levels ranging from Level 1 (over 6 million transactions per year) to Level 4 (fewer than 20,000 transactions per year).
The current version of PCI DSS organizes requirements into six control objectives:
Build and Maintain a Secure Network
- Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
- Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and security parameters
Protect Cardholder Data 3. Protect stored cardholder data using encryption, truncation, or tokenization 4. Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program 5. Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs 6. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Implement Strong Access Control Measures 7. Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know 8. Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access 9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks 10. Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data 11. Regularly test security systems and processes
Maintain an Information Security Policy 12. Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel
While achieving PCI compliance is necessary to avoid penalties and continue processing card payments, the benefits extend far beyond mere regulatory requirements:
Enhanced Security Posture: The controls required by PCI DSS provide a strong security foundation that protects against many common cyber threats.
Customer Trust: Demonstrating compliance builds customer confidence that their payment information is being handled securely.
Reduced Breach Risk: Organizations following PCI DSS requirements are less likely to experience data breaches and the associated costs, which average $3.86 million per incident.
Business Protection: Compliance helps avoid costly fines, legal fees, increased card processing fees, and reputation damage that can result from security incidents.
By selecting a hosting provider with strong PCI compliance capabilities, you're not just checking a regulatory box—you're making a significant investment in your overall security posture and business continuity.