Overall
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.
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 |
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 |
| WordPress Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $2.95 - 13.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
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 |
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 Differentials: A2 Hosting vs BlueHost
If you must choose one between the two, here are the key differentials to consider:
- Customer Support: BlueHost offers phone support in addition to live chat and email, potentially providing a more comprehensive support experience for some users.
- 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.
- Server Locations: A2 Hosting offers a wider selection of server locations, potentially offering better site speed and performance for a global audience.
- Shared Hosting Pricing: BlueHost offers slightly more competitive pricing for shared hosting, with plans ranging from $2.95 to $13.95 per month, compared to A2 Hosting’s $2.99 to $14.99.
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
