Overall
Both A2 Hosting and HostGator offer a similar suite of web hosting services, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and reseller hosting. Sadly, both providers fall below the market average based on our rating system here at HostScore.net. It’s important for you to be aware that there are generally better hosting options available. However, each host has specific strengths that may appeal to different user needs.
Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Minecraft Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | USA, Europe, Asia, Australia |
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | 45 |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Phone, live chat, and email |
Hosting Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $3.75 - 6.25/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $34.99 - 93.99/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $89.98 - 139.99/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $4.50 - 13.95/mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $4.50 - 13.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $4.76 - 14.36/mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Python, Django, Perl, Ruby on Rails, and ASP.NET |
| 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 | Higher plans |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Yes |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentials to Consider
HostGator
Key Differentiators
- Better Pricing: HostGator offers very competitive pricing for premium shared hosting, making it a budget-friendly option for many users.
- Money-Back Guarantee: HostGator provides a 45-day money-back guarantee, giving users more time to evaluate the service risk-free compared to A2 Hosting’s 30 days.
- Windows Hosting: HostGator supports Windows hosting, offering flexibility for users who need Microsoft-based solutions.
Drawbacks
- Price Hikes on Renewal: HostGator significantly increases prices upon renewal, often by more than 300%, which is above market norms.
A2 Hosting
Key Differentiators
- Specialized Development Environments: A2 Hosting supports various specialized development environments like Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails, and Tomcat, even on its cheap shared hosting plans, making it ideal for developers starting new projects on a budget.
- Performance Optimization: Known for high-speed performance with A2 Optimized settings and SSDs, A2 Hosting is designed to deliver fast load times.
- Server Locations: A2 Hosting has a slightly more diverse selection of server locations, which could be a deciding factor for users targeting specific geographic markets.
Drawbacks
- Price Hikes on Renewal: Like HostGator, A2 Hosting also increases prices significantly upon renewal, which can be a major drawback.
Final Verdict
While both A2 Hosting and HostGator have specific strengths, it’s important to note their overall below-average ratings and significant price hikes upon renewal. We recommend exploring other hosting providers that may offer better overall value and performance.
HostGator may be preferable for users seeking low-cost premium shared hosting, a longer money-back guarantee, and Windows hosting.
A2 Hosting is better suited for developers needing support for specialized development environments at an affordable starting cost.
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 Hostgator
In October 2002, Brent Oxley, a Florida Atlantic University student, laid the foundation for HostGator, a formidable web hosting provider. Originating in Boca Raton, Florida, and later relocating to Houston, Texas, in 2006, HostGator swiftly expanded its reach internationally with offices in Canada (2006) and India (2011).
In a landmark acquisition in July 2012, HostGator was acquired by Endurance International Group for a staggering $299.8 million, solidifying its status as a heavyweight player in the web hosting arena.
Hostgator Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Free domain name with all shaerd hosting plans
- Free $100 Bing and $100 Google ad credits
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Hostgator Cons
- Resources limited by server constraints
- Not much variety in VPS plans
- Only US-based servers
- Price increase during the renewal
