Overall
NameCheap significantly outperforms A2 Hosting with a HostScore of 77.1%, compared to A2 Hosting’s 58.1%, in the context of our evaluations across more than 30 hosting companies where the average HostScore is 67%. This puts NameCheap well above the industry average, showcasing its strong performance and customer satisfaction, whereas A2 Hosting falls below this threshold.
Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | NameCheap |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | USA, UK, Netherlands |
| 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 | Phone, live chat, and email |
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | NameCheap |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $1.48 - 4.98/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $6.88 - 24.88/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $59.57 - 238.88/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $2.91 - 5.74/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | NameCheap |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Perl, and Ruby on Rails |
| Dev Features | GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access | GIT access, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access |
| Staging Tool | Softaculous | Softaculous |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Cache | Higher plans | Higher plans |
| 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 NameCheap
Established in 2000 by Richard Kirkendall, Namecheap embarked on a mission to revolutionize the domain industry by offering unparalleled low prices and service excellence.
Evolving beyond domain registration, Namecheap now provides a comprehensive suite of online solutions including hosting, security, and managed WordPress services. Today, as the world's second-largest domain registrar, Namecheap remains dedicated to fostering accessibility and affordability on the internet while prioritizing customer satisfaction above all else.
NameCheap Pros
- Budget-friendly shared hosting plans
- Excellent domain name prices with free lifetime privacy protection
- Free site migration
- Perl, Ruby, and Python support in shared hosting plan
NameCheap Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited VPS plans
- Only US and UK-based servers
- Pay extra to choose UK-data center
Our Recommendation
Key Considerations Before Signup
- Acknowledge NameCheap’s Superior Performance: NameCheap’s HostScore not only surpasses A2 Hosting but also the industry average, indicating a strong performance and reliability in its hosting offerings.
- Consider A2 Hosting’s Specific Strengths: Despite its below-average HostScore, A2 Hosting’s specific strengths, such as server location diversity and developer-oriented features, may still make it a suitable choice for certain users.
- Evaluate Other Providers: With the average HostScore at 67%, users might find other hosting providers that align more closely with their needs, especially if those needs extend beyond what A2 Hosting and NameCheap offer.
Final Verdict
Given the overall performance landscape, NameCheap is highly recommended for users seeking affordable and reliable hosting solutions. With its exceptional HostScore that surpasses the industry average, NameCheap stands out for its budget-friendly shared hosting plans, support for a variety of programming languages, and a commitment to free site migration. Its performance and pricing make it a compelling choice for a wide range of users, from beginners to seasoned webmasters.
A2 Hosting, while below the industry average in terms of HostScore, may still appeal to users in need of specific technical features. Its performance optimization tools and developer-friendly environment (Node.js, Django, Tomcat, etc) can be particularly beneficial for technically inclined users or those with specific performance requirements.
