A2 Hosting has traditionally been a strong performer in the web hosting arena, but recent evaluations suggest it has lost some of its competitive edges, particularly in pricing and performance. Conversely, Hostinger maintains a strong position with commendable speed, uptime, and affordability, despite a notable increase in renewal rates.
Key Differences Between A2 Hosting & Hostinger
Hostinger: For Beginners and Budget-Focused Projects
Key Differentiators
- Pricing Strategy: Hostinger offers some of the most affordable hosting plans in the industry, making it an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses looking to establish an online presence without a significant investment.
- Ease of Use: The platform’s commitment to user-friendly interfaces is evident in its custom-built hPanel, which simplifies the management of hosting services for non-technical users.
- Global Accessibility: With a presence on four continents and diverse payment options, Hostinger ensures that its services are accessible to a broad audience worldwide.
- Innovative with Growth: Being a company that’s still expanding, Hostinger continually introduces new features and enhancements, which keeps its offerings competitive and fresh.
Drawbacks
- Renewal Rates: One of the common concerns with Hostinger is the notable increase in costs at the time of plan renewal, which could offset the initial savings for some users.
- No Windows Hosting: The lack of support for Windows hosting may not satisfy all professional and business needs.
A2 Hosting: Cheap Node.js (and Other Server) Hosting Solution
Key Differentiators
- Technical Flexibility: A2 Hosting is renowned for its support for various programming languages and advanced development environment (Tomcat, Node.js, etc) in their shared plans. This makes it ideal for developers who require a more sophisticated hosting environment.
- Developer-Oriented Features: The availability of features like HTTP/2 on higher plans and free site migrations for cPanel users cater specifically to a technically proficient audience.
Drawbacks
- Pricing Surge upon Renewal: Similar to Hostinger, A2 Hosting also sees a significant price jump on renewal, which might deter those with tighter budget constraints from continuing the service in the long term.
- Inconsistent Performance Reports: Although generally reliable, there have been recent reports of variable performance from A2 Hosting – which might concern users depending on stable and consistent web availability.
Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | Hostinger |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, VPS, and Cloud Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Minecraft Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | France, Lithuania, Netherlands, United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, Singapore, USA, Brazil |
| Control Panel | cPanel | In-House |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | 30 |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Live chat and email |
Key Takeaways
- A2 Hosting offers a wide range of services, including Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller hosting. It is known for its focus on speed and reliability, with server locations in North America, Europe, and Asia. A2 Hosting is also eco-friendly and developer-oriented, offering custom performance optimization tools in higher shared plans.
- On the other hand, Hostinger provides Shared, VPS, and Cloud hosting services. It stands out for its user-friendly control panel (hPanel) and a good spread of hosting plans at competitive prices. Hostinger’s global data center presence ensures that users around the world can enjoy good performance.
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | Hostinger |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $2.99 - 9.99/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $4.49 - 19.99/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $9.99 - 29.99/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $2.49 - 8.99/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | HOSTSCORE |
| Coupon Details | - | Additional 7% discount |
Key Takeaways
- A2 Hosting is recognized for its slightly above-market average pricing, reflecting its premium service offerings. While it offers excellent features, the cost can be a significant factor for those on a tight budget. It also sees a steep price increase upon renewal.
- In contrast, Hostinger boasts very affordable sign-up prices, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users. However, users should be aware of the price increase during renewal, which is a common practice in the industry.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | Hostinger |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, 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 | Built-in |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Cache | Higher plans | Yes |
| Global CDN | Yes | Higher plans |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Yes |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Higher plans |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
Key Takeaways
- A2 Hosting caters well to developers, offering a range of developer-oriented features even on its shared hosting plans. These include support for various programming languages, free website migration assistance, and HTTP/2 on TURBO plans.
- Hostinger, while offering an affordable and beginner-friendly platform, also provides a range of payment options and development environments on its shared hosting plans. It is particularly noted for its user-friendly control panel and support for a wide range of applications.
Hostinger or A2 Hosting? Our Recommendations
For newcomers or those managing small to medium-sized e-commerce sites on a tight budget, Hostinger is likely the better choice due to its balance of cost, ease of use, and adequate performance for standard hosting needs. Its global reach and user-friendly platform make it especially appealing to those just starting out.
For users with a need for hosting with specialized configurations and extensive developer tools, A2 Hosting stands out. It caters well to tech-savvy individuals that require an environment supportive of heavy development.
Ultimately, the decision between A2 Hosting and Hostinger should be guided by your specific needs regarding technical requirements, budget, and the level of user support you anticipate needing. Each offers distinct advantages that serve different types of users in the web hosting market.
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 Hostinger
Hostinger traces its origins back to 2004 when it began as Hosting Media, a brainchild of enterprising youth in Kaunas, Lithuania. Their journey of innovation commenced with the launch of 000webhost.com in 2007, followed by the establishment of the esteemed cPanel brand Hosting24.com in 2008.
The pivotal year of 2011 heralded the rise of Hostinger, accompanied by its bespoke hPanel interface. In 2016, Hostinger unveiled its cutting-edge cloud hosting service, marking another milestone in its remarkable evolution. In 2021, the company celebrated a significant milestone with the addition of its 1,000th employee, reinforcing its status as a premier provider of web hosting solutions.
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Hostinger Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Nine different data centers in four continents
- Good spread of hosting plans
- User-friendly control panel (hPanel)
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- Git environment available on shared hosting
- Additional 7% discount with coupon code "HOSTSCORE"
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
