Comparing A2 Hosting and BlueHost, A2 Hosting has a slight edge in HostScore at 58.1% compared to BlueHost’s 53.3%.
Both companies offer a range of hosting services, but A2 Hosting’s performance optimization tools and broader server location options present a notable advantage. Despite BlueHost’s lower HostScore, it remains a popular choice for WordPress hosting, backed by its official recommendation from WordPress.org.
A2 Hosting & BlueHost HostScore
Hosting Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | BlueHost |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, VPS, and Dedicated Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | USA, UK, Hong Kong, China |
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | 30 |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Phone, live chat, and email |
Key Takeaways
- Both hosts provide managed WordPress, email, and Minecraft hosting with free migration. A2 Hosting also offers reseller hosting, ideal for starting your own hosting business.
- Bluehost offers phone support along with live chat and email, providing more ways to get help.
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | BlueHost |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $2.95 - 13.95/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $29.99 - 69.99/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $89.98 - 139.99/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $2.95 - 13.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Key Takeaways
- Both hosts offer competitive shared and managed WordPress hosting. Bluehost’s managed WordPress plans start at a lower price compared to A2 Hosting, making Bluehost more budget-friendly for WordPress users.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | BlueHost |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails |
| Dev Features | GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access | GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access |
| Staging Tool | Softaculous | Built-in |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Cache | Higher plans | No |
| Global CDN | Yes | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Higher plans |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
Key Takeaways
- Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost offer staging tools: A2 uses Softaculous, while Bluehost has a built-in tool. A2 also includes a global CDN and free malware scanning, which Bluehost only offers on higher plans.
- A2 Hosting includes free SSL, malware scanning, and DDoS protection on all plans. Bluehost offers free SSL but requires higher-tier plans for malware scanning. A2 Hosting also provides built-in caching on higher plans, which Bluehost lacks.
Our Recommendation
A2 Hosting and BlueHost are two very similar hosting companies we don’t highly recommend. Though A2’s performance-optimized hosting solutions and its developer-oriented plans may be appealing to users with specific technical requirements.
Key Considerations: A2 Hosting vs BlueHost
If you must choose one between the two, here are the key differentials to consider:
- Cost and Pricing: Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost have competitive shared hosting prices. Bluehost’s lower starting plans are budget-friendly for basic hosting, while A2 Hosting’s performance-optimized solutions justify the higher cost for specific technical needs.
- Hosting Flexibility: A2 Hosting offers more services, including reseller hosting, which Bluehost lacks, making it a more flexible choice for those starting a hosting business or needing specialized solutions.
- Ease of Use: Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost use the familiar, user-friendly cPanel for easy website setup and management.
- Performance and Scalability: A2 Hosting offers performance optimization with NVMe storage, global CDN, and staging tools, ideal for high-traffic sites. Bluehost provides SSD storage across all plans but may not match NVMe’s speed and efficiency.
- Customer Support: Bluehost offers phone support in addition to live chat and email, potentially providing a more comprehensive support experience for some users. A2 Hosting provides reliable support but receives mixed reviews.
- Performance and Reliability: A2 Hosting’s focus on performance optimization may be more appealing to users with higher traffic sites or specific performance requirements.
- WordPress Integration: BlueHost is one of the three hosting providers officially recommended by WordPress.org, which might influence the decision of users planning to use WordPress.
Final Verdict: A2 Hosting or BlueHost?
A2 Hosting is ideal for users seeking performance-optimized hosting solutions and more technical flexibility, while BlueHost offers a slightly more budget-friendly option with comprehensive customer support and strong WordPress integration.
About A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting's origins trace back to 2003 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where it was founded by Bryan Muthig. Starting as a hobby project offering web hosting for friends and family, A2 Hosting swiftly transitioned into a professional business focusing on high-performance hosting solutions, particularly for WordPress sites. Responding to customer demands for speed and reliability, A2 Hosting pioneered SSD hosting to boost website loading times and developed the A2 Optimized solution, enhancing WordPress site performance through optimized settings for speed and security.
A2 Hosting Pros
- Server locations in North America, Europe, and Asia
- Free website migration assistance
- Developer-oriented features even on shared hosting
- Custom performance optimizations tools available in higher shared plans
A2 Hosting Cons
- Steep price increase during the renewal
- Free site transfers mainly for cPanel installations
- HTTP/2 only on TURBO plans
- Lowest shared plan does not support automatic backup
About BlueHost
Founded by Matt Heaton and Danny Ashworth in 2003 and acquired by Endurance International Group (EIG) in 2010, Bluehost is one of the largest hosting providers globally. The company offers a range of services including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, and WordPress hosting. They are one of the few who is officially recommended by WordPress.org.
BlueHost Pros
- Free domain name with all shared hosting plans
- $100 free ad credits with all plans
- Comprehensive and easy-to-navigate knowledgebase
BlueHost Cons
- Renewal fees can be significantly higher
- Many upsells on additional features
- Add-ons can get expensive
- Only US-based servers
- Customer support can be better
