Overall
When comparing A2 Hosting and SiteGround, SiteGround slightly leads with a HostScore of 62.4% against A2 Hosting’s 58.1%. Both offer a variety of hosting services, but SiteGround’s broader server location selection and its focus on managed WordPress hosting give it a competitive edge.
Note: We have evaluated over 30 hosting providers, and the average HostScore across these services is 67%. This places both SiteGround and A2 Hosting below the average performance mark according to our rating system. It’s important to carefully weigh your options and consider this context before deciding on either hosting provider.
Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, and Email Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | USA, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, France, Australia, Singapore |
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel |
| 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 |
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $3.99 - 10.69/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $100.00 - 400.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $3.99 - 10.69/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Python, Perl, and Ruby on Rails |
| 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 | Need purchase |
| 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 SiteGround
Established in 2004 by a group of university friends led by Ivo Tzenov, SiteGround has flourished into a prominent web hosting entity based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Boasting a workforce exceeding 600 employees, SiteGround proudly hosts almost three millions domains worldwide. With a powerful infrastructure spanning 11 data centers across 8 countries, the company offers an array of hosting solutions including shared, cloud, and enterprise hosting, alongside domain registration services.
SiteGround Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Excellent customer support
- Choice of server locations in 11 countries
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Specialized WordPress support staff
SiteGround Cons
- Very expensive renewal pricing
- Limited storage in shared hosting plans
- Limited developer options on some plans
- NVMe storage not included
Our Recommendation
Choosing Between SiteGround & A2 Hosting
- Examine specific hosting needs against each provider’s offerings, especially considering managed WordPress solutions, server locations, and development features.
- Assess the value for money, particularly in light of renewal prices and the scope of services included in each plan.
- Reflect on the below-average HostScores in the context of over 30 providers evaluated, understanding that while both providers have their merits, there may be other options in the market that better meet your hosting needs.
Buyers Beware
Given the below-average performance scores of both web hosts, you should:
- Carefully evaluate SiteGround if prioritizing customer support and server performance, particularly for WordPress hosting, is crucial. SiteGround’s global server presence and specialized WordPress support make it a strong candidate, but keep in mind its higher renewal pricing and storage limitations.
- Consider A2 Hosting for its performance optimization and developer-oriented features, especially if server location flexibility is a key factor. A2 Hosting’s range of technical features suits users with specific requirements, though it’s essential to weigh this against the provider’s below-average overall performance score.
