When assessing A2 Hosting and IONOS against the backdrop of an industry average HostScore of 67%, it becomes evident that both providers perform below this benchmark, with scores of 58.1% and 63.6% respectively.
Be extra cautious when choosing between these two options, as there might be other providers that align more closely with or exceed industry standards.
A2 Hosting & ScalaHosting HostScore
Compare Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, VPS, and Dedicated Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Game Server Hosting | Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Game Server Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | USA, UK, Germany, Spain, France |
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | 30 |
| Free Migration | Yes | No |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Phone, live chat, and email |
Key Takeaways
- A2 Hosting and IONOS both provide shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting options. A2 Hosting also offers reseller hosting, whereas IONOS has a focus on adult website hosting.
- IONOS has a broader range of server locations, which may offer better support for a global audience. However, A2 Hosting covers the same regions, including Singapore, making it a better choice for those needing reliable hosting in Asia.
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $5.00 - 13.00/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $2.00 - 30.00/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $50.00 - 150.00/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $4.50 - 11.00/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $6.00 - 11.00/mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Key Takeaways
- Both A2 Hosting and IONOS offer affordable entry prices, making them budget-friendly choices for VPS hosting and shared hosting hosting plans. However, be aware that prices increase upon renewal, so plan your budget accordingly.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| 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 providers support a wide array of development features, including multiple programming languages and GIT access. However, A2 Hosting offers a broader range of language support, including Java, Node.js, and Django.
- Compared to A2 Hosting, IONOS falls short with fewer features and weaker VPS options.
Our Recommendation
While both A2 Hosting and IONOS may look similar in their features, they offer different features tailored to different needs. It’s essential for shoppers to understand the key differences to choose the right one.
Key Differentials Between A2 Hosting & IONOS
When choosing between A2 Hosting and IONOS, consider these key factors:
- Cost and Pricing: A2 Hosting offers competitive pricing across its hosting plans, providing excellent value, especially with its lower entry-level prices.
- Hosting Flexibility: Both A2 Hosting and IONOS offer a similar range of products. However, A2 Hosting provides more developer-oriented features and custom performance optimizations, making it a better choice for tech-savvy users and developers.
- Ease of Use: Both A2 Hosting and IONOS use cPanel for ease of management, but A2 Hosting’s additional tools like Softaculous for staging make it slightly more user-friendly for developers.
- Performance and Scalability: A2 Hosting offers advanced speed features like built-in caching, NVMe SSDs, and LiteSpeed servers, ensuring superior performance. IONOS’s hosting performance is not particularly impressive, even with upgrades.
- Customer Support: A2 Hosting’s customer support is distinguished by its knowledgeable and friendly team, providing personalized assistance to ensure a satisfying user experience. Customer support at IONOS has room for improvement, with some users experiencing longer response times and less personalized assistance.
- Performance and Reliability: Both hosts guarantee 99.9% uptime, but A2 Hosting covers a wider region, including Asia, and offers a range of development features and robust infrastructure. This gives A2 Hosting a slight edge in reliability and overall performance.
Final Verdict
Opt for IONOS if you’re seeking a hosting provider with broad server location options and robust security features. It’s ideal for users requiring reliable and secure hosting with a global reach, particularly in Europe.
Choose A2 Hosting if you need a hosting solution with a strong focus on speed and performance, customizable hosting options, and developer-friendly features. With its advanced speed technologies and wider regional coverage, including Asia, A2 Hosting is especially suitable for technically inclined users.
A2 Hosting is ideal for those with specific needs for server performance and location.
Explore broader market options: With the average HostScore at 67%, users might find that exploring other hosting providers could unveil options that better meet their expectations in terms of reliability, performance, and customer service.
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
Visit A2 Hosting to learn more about the features
About IONOS
With roots tracing back to its establishment in 1988 as 1&1 Internet in Germany, IONOS has evolved into a significant player in the internet services domain. Following mergers and rebranding, including a pivotal union with ProfitBricks in 2018, the company adopted the name 1&1 Ionos under the leadership of CEO Achim Weiss. Renowned for its global provision of web hosting, cloud computing, and domain services.
IONOS Pros
- Reliable server uptime performance
- Easy-to-use user dashboard
- Built-in DDoS and web applications firewall (WAF) protection
IONOS Cons
- Unhelpful customer support
- Expensive signup price
- Limitations in SSL usage
- Price increase during the renewal
Visit IONOS to learn more about the features
