Overall
ScalaHosting outperforms A2 Hosting with a significantly higher HostScore of 85.9% compared to A2 Hosting’s 58.1%. ScalaHosting excels in providing a high-quality hosting experience, underscored by its superior performance and innovative hosting solutions like SPanel and SShield. A2 Hosting, on the other hand, offers a wide range of hosting services – including specialized solutions like Node.js, Tomcat, and Minecraft hosting, but lag behind ScalaHosting in terms of overall performance metrics.
Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia |
| Control Panel | cPanel | Custom |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | Anytime |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Live chat and email |
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $2.95 - 14.95/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $29.95 - 169.95/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $20.00 - 179.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $2.95 - 14.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $40.00 - 485.00/mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
ScalaHosting and A2 Hosting offer competitive pricing for shared and VPS hosting, with ScalaHosting providing a slightly higher price range for VPS hosting that reflects its performance and additional features. ScalaHosting’s “anytime money-back guarantee” is a standout feature, offering more flexibility and confidence for new users compared to A2 Hosting’s 30-day guarantee.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Higher plans |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Higher plans |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Higher plans |
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 ScalaHosting
Founded in 2007 by Hristo Rusev and Vladislav Georgiev, ScalaHosting has its headquarters in the Dallas, Texas. The company provides various hosting services like shared hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and email hosting. Renowned for its innovation, ScalaHosting sets itself apart with proprietary creations like sPanel and SShield, both designed in-house, providing users with intuitive server management and enhanced security.
ScalaHosting Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Affordable pricing
- Anytime unconditional Money-back Guarantee
- Automated backup with 7 restore points
- Generous offer in server resources - Even the lowest shared plan gets unmetered bandwidth and unlimited emails
- NVMe SSD storage for all shared hosting plans
- Innovative technology – SPanel, SShield, SWordPress
ScalaHosting Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
Our Recommendation
ScalaHosting is recommended for users who prioritize reliability, performance, and innovative hosting solutions. It’s particularly suited for those looking for scalable cloud hosting options with the flexibility of a custom control panel and features like automated backups and an anytime money-back guarantee.
A2 Hosting is best for users who need a wide variety of traditional hosting options, including VPS, dedicated, and reseller hosting, and who may benefit from developer-oriented features. It’s a good choice for those who require diverse server locations, including Amsterdam and Singapore, beyond the typical US-based servers.
Shoppers Beware
Before you signup, be aware that:
- Renewal price increases are common in the hosting industry, and both A2 Hosting and ScalaHosting are no exceptions. Users should be aware of the long-term costs beyond the initial promotional period.
- The choice of server location can significantly impact website speed for your audience; thus, ScalaHosting’s wider range of server locations might be a deciding factor for a global audience.
- The custom control panel by ScalaHosting, SPanel, while innovative, might require a learning curve for those accustomed to cPanel. However, it also offers a simplified and more cost effective (cPanel has been raising their prices consistently for the past few years) management experience that could benefit less tech-savvy users.
Who Should Use A2 Hosting; Who Should Go With ScalaHosting?
Use ScalaHosting if you are looking for high-performance cloud hosting solutions with innovative features and excellent scalability. It’s ideal for both beginners and advanced users who value performance and reliability above all. Use A2 Hosting if you need a variety of hosting options with a focus on specific needs like Minecraft hosting or require server locations outside of ScalaHosting’s network. It’s suitable for users who prefer traditional hosting management tools and seek a balance between performance and customization.
