Overall
Both A2 Hosting and GreenGeeks offer a comprehensive range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and reseller hosting – but GreenGeeks distinguishes itself with its strong environmental commitment, converting three times the energy it consumes into renewable energy credits. Based on our rating system, GreenGeeks edges out with a higher HostScore of 71.6% compared to A2 Hosting’s 58.1%.
Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | GreenGeeks |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, and Email Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | USA, Canada, Netherlands, Singapore |
| 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 | GreenGeeks |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $2.95 - 8.95/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $39.95 - 109.95/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $169.00 - 439.00/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $2.95 - 8.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | GreenGeeks |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Softaculous |
| 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 |
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 GreenGeeks
Trey Gardner, a veteran of the web hosting industry since 1999, founded GreenGeeks in 2008 in Santa Monica, California, with a pioneering vision for environmentally sustainable web hosting. Alongside Trey Gardner, COO Kaumil Patel, with his extensive experience in hosting operations, plays a critical role in the company's success.
GreenGeeks distinguishes itself by its commitment to the environment, utilizing wind power credits to offset triple the energy consumed by its clients' websites. This innovative approach not only defines GreenGeeks as a leader in eco-friendly hosting but also reflects its dedication to making a positive environmental impact.
GreenGeeks Pros
- Returns 3x power consumed with renewable energy credits
- Affordable pricing
- Free daily backup for all shared hosting plans
- All plans support Perl, Python and Git
- Free website migration assistance
- Root access, control panel and cPanel/WHM included in reseller hosting plans
GreenGeeks Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Slightly lacklustre customer service
- Non refundable setup fees
Our Recommendation
GreenGeeks is recommended for environmentally conscious users looking for a reliable hosting provider with a strong focus on sustainability. Its affordable pricing, free daily backups on all shared hosting plans, and commitment to green energy make it an appealing choice for users ranging from beginners to seasoned web developers.
A2 Hosting may appeal to users looking for performance-optimized hosting solutions with a broad geographical reach, including server locations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its developer-oriented features and custom performance optimization tools available on higher shared plans cater to users with specific technical requirements.
Plans & Pricing Comparison
- Shared Hosting: GreenGeeks offers more competitive pricing for shared hosting, with plans ranging from $2.95 to $8.95 per month, compared to A2 Hosting’s $2.99 to $14.99.
- VPS Hosting: A2 Hosting provides a broader range of VPS hosting options starting at a lower entry price of $2.99 per month, catering to users with varying budget and performance needs.
Development Features & Others Comparison
- Both providers offer extensive support for development features including GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, multiple PHP versions, and SSH access. They also provide free SSL, built-in cache, and global CDN across their plans.
- Staging Tool: Both A2 Hosting and GreenGeeks offer Softaculous for easy one-click installations, including staging environments.
Key Differentials to Know Before You Signup
- Environmental Commitment: GreenGeeks is a clear leader for users prioritizing environmental impact, offering green hosting solutions powered by renewable energy.
- Price Increase Upon Renewal: Both A2 Hosting and GreenGeeks have price increases upon renewal, a common practice in the hosting industry that users should be aware of when budgeting for long-term hosting costs.
- Customer Support: GreenGeeks offers a broader range of support channels, including phone support. This may be a deciding factor for users who prefer more direct communication options.
