To compare ScalaHosting and Hostens, you need to understand their unique offerings and target markets. ScalaHosting is known for its innovations and strong performance, while Hostens appeals mainly to budget-conscious users looking for basic services at lower costs.
Here’s the our overall ratings on the two:
Key Differences Between Scala and Hostens
ScalaHosting: Innovator with Solid Performance
Key Differentiators:
- Custom Technology: ScalaHosting stands out with its own control panel, sPanel, which rivals cPanel in functionality but without the licensing fees, making it cost-effective and scalable for users. Additionally, their SShield security ensures robust protection against cyber threats, which is a significant advantage for businesses concerned about security.
- Performance and Reliability: Known for excellent uptime and speed, ScalaHosting offers a reliable hosting environment which is critical for businesses and professional websites where uptime is crucial (see our ScalaHosting load testing to learn more).
- Advanced Features for All Plans: ScalaHosting provides advanced features like automated backups, NVMe SSD storage, and generous server resources across all plans, making even their entry-level offerings robust.
Drawbacks:
- Price Increase Upon Renewal: While ScalaHosting offers a great value, the recent increases in renewal prices might make it less attractive for those with stricter budgets over the long term.
- Complexity for Beginners: The wealth of features and custom tools, while beneficial, can be overwhelming for beginners or non-technical users.
Hostens: Budget-Friendly Simplicity
Key Differentiators:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Hostens is highly competitive in its pricing and it’s ideal for personal projects, small businesses, or anyone looking for a low-cost hosting solution.
- Simple Setup: With a focus on simplicity, Hostens offers a straightforward hosting solution that allows users to get up and running quickly without navigating complex configurations.
- Adequate Resources for Starters: The plans include enough resources to get a small site off the ground, with scalability options for growing sites.
Drawbacks:
- Limited Performance Capabilities: While Hostens performs adequately for basic websites, it might not hold up under the strain of high traffic or resource-intensive applications, which can be a limitation for growing businesses.
- Fewer Advanced Features: Compared to ScalaHosting, Hostens offers fewer features, particularly in terms of security and advanced development capabilities, which might not meet the needs of more demanding or technically inclined users.
Service Offering
| Feature | Hostens | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, and Dedicated Hosting | Shared, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting |
| Server Locations | Lithuania | USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia |
| Control Panel | cPanel | Custom |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.95% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | Anytime |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Live chat and email |
Key Takeaways
- ScalaHosting offers a wider range of hosting services with advanced features like cloud hosting and a custom control panel designed to simplify hosting management.
- Hostens focuses on the essentials, providing solid shared and VPS hosting options with cPanel, appealing to users who prefer traditional hosting environments.
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | Hostens | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.00 - 8.00/mo | $2.95 - 14.95/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $5.25 - 21.00/mo | $29.95 - 169.95/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $49.99 - 89.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $20.00 - 179.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $ - /mo | $2.95 - 14.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $13.13 - 52.50/mo | $40.00 - 485.00/mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Key Takeaways
- Hostens offers some of the most competitive pricing in the market, especially for shared hosting, making it an attractive option for users looking for affordable hosting solutions.
- ScalaHosting’s pricing reflects its broader range of features and services, especially in cloud hosting, where it provides scalable options for growing websites.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | Hostens | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Python, Node.js, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, Ruby on Rails, and ASP.NET |
| Dev Features | GIT access, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access | GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access |
| Staging Tool | No | Built-in |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Cache | No | Yes |
| Global CDN | No | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Higher plans |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Higher plans |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Higher plans |
Key Takeaways
- Both providers support a variety of development needs, but ScalaHosting goes further with support for a wider range of programming languages, built-in staging tools, and built-in cache, catering to more advanced development projects.
Our Recommendation
ScalaHosting is recommended for readers looking for scalable hosting solutions and are willing to invest a bit more for quality and security. Its innovative approach, including the development of its own technologies like sPanel and SShield, provides a strong foundation for growth and security.
Hostens, on the other hand, is more suited for individuals or small businesses on a tight budget who are just starting out and need a straightforward, no-frills hosting service. Its simplicity and low cost make it accessible, though it might not be sufficient for high-demand sites or those that expect rapid growth.
In short: The choice between ScalaHosting and Hostens based on your specific hosting needs, budget constraints, and future growth expectations.
About Hostens
Established in 2003 as a division of Lithuanian company 'Interneto Vizija,' Hostens swiftly evolved into a prominent player in the web hosting sphere, amassing over 100,000 clients across Europe. Under the leadership of CEO Arvydas Strausas, the company offers an array of services including web hosting, VPS hosting, VPN, and domain registration. Notably, Hostens introduced a free website building tool in 2019, featuring design templates, web fonts, ecommerce support, and diverse payment gateways, further enhancing its appeal to customers.
Hostens Pros
- Highly competitive pricing
- Support Ruby and Python in all shared hosting plans
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Choice of 10 distributed data centers in seven countries
Hostens Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited storage in shared hosting plans
- Hosting upgrade to VPS only (lack higher hosting capacity)
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
