When pitting A2 Hosting against Cloudways, you’re looking at a clash of titans in the hosting arena. A2 Hosting, once hailed for its speed, now brings reliable hosting solutions with a focus on support, while Cloudways shines with its scalable, cloud-based offerings.
Key Differences Between A2 Hosting & Cloudways
A2 Hosting: For Budget-Focused Developers
Key Differentiators
- Developer Tools: Support for multiple programming languages and frameworks (Node.js, React, Apache Tomcat, etc) even in shared environment, ideal for developers looking for variety.
- Security Features: Offers comprehensive security with free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates, dual firewall, and robust security initiatives.
- Consistent Performance: Although not the speed king it once was, A2 still provides dependable performance suitable for small to medium websites.
- Pricing Transparency: Clear pricing structure but can get pricey with high-tier plans, especially upon renewal.
Cloudways: Cloud Hosting Made Easy
Key Differentiators
- Choice of Cloud Providers: Users can choose from top cloud platforms like Digital Ocean, AWS, and Google Cloud, perfect for sites poised for growth.
- Scalability: Easily scales resources up or down based on traffic, which is great for businesses with fluctuating visitor numbers.
- Managed Hosting Services: Manages server-side operations, allowing users to focus more on their business and less on technical upkeep.
- Enhanced Performance: Utilizes state-of-the-art caching methods and dedicated environments to ensure optimal site performance.
- Pay-as-you-go Pricing: Though it can get complex, this model is generally cost-effective for managing unpredictable traffic flows.
Compare Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | Canada, USA, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Australia |
| Control Panel | cPanel | In-House |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 100% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | 14 |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Live chat and email |
Key Takeaways
- A2 Hosting offers a comprehensive suite of services, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and reseller hosting.
- Cloudways comes with a simplified management interface and focuses exclusively on cloud hosting solutions powered by Digital Ocean, Google Cloud, and Amazon web services.
Compare Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $11.00 - 1056.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $14.00 - 487.00/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | HOSTSCORE |
| Coupon Details | - | 25% discount for 2 months |
Key Takeaways
- A2 Hosting provides a wide range of pricing options across its various hosting types, catering to users with different budget constraints.
- Cloudways, on the other hand, operates on a pay-as-you-go model that can be more cost-effective for users requiring scalable cloud resources. Its pricing structure is particularly appealing for users looking for flexibility without the commitment to long-term plans.
Web Dev Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, 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 | Yes |
| Global CDN | Yes | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Yes |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
Key Takeaways
- Both A2 Hosting and Cloudways offer developer-friendly features, including support for multiple programming languages, GIT access, and free SSL certificates.
- Cloudways stands out with its managed cloud hosting environment – offering features like easy server cloning, site staging, and automatic backups. A2 Hosting, on the other hand, provides traditional cPanel access and developer-oriented features.
Our Recommendation
When deciding between A2 Hosting and Cloudways, it’s essential to focus on your specific needs.
A2 Hosting, while not as fast or well-supported as it once was, remains highly beginner-friendly, offering straightforward solutions that ease new users into web hosting. On the other hand, Cloudways excels in flexibility and scalability, making it ideal for sites that expect to grow or experience fluctuating traffic.
If your priority is ease of use and stepping gently into hosting, A2 Hosting could be your pick. However, for dynamic scalability and modern cloud features, Cloudways is likely the better choice. Your decision should align with how you envision your site evolving—each host caters to different stages and styles of website management.
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 Cloudways
Established in 2011 by co-founders Aaqib Gadit, Pere Hospital, and Uzair Gadit, Cloudways is a managed hosting platform that initially focused on leveraging partnerships with AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Digital Ocean to serve its customers better. The acquisition by DigitalOcean in August 2022 further solidified this partnership, enhancing Cloudways' ability to provide superior managed hosting solutions.
Cloudways Pros
- Topnotch server uptime and speed performance
- Good abstration over complex cloud server setups with integrated dashboard
- Outstanding customer support
- High scalability
- Easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer
- Host unlimited applications in one account
- 25% discount for first two months with coupon "HOSTSCORE"
Cloudways Cons
- Getting expensive - Prices increased steadily for the past few years
- Limited trial period
