Overall
In the comparison between HostGator and ScalaHosting, ScalaHosting emerges as the stronger contender with a HostScore of 85.9%, versus HostGator’s 62.5%.
ScalaHosting offers a broad spectrum of hosting services, including shared, cloud, and reseller hosting, along with specialized services like managed WordPress, email, and Minecraft hosting. HostGator provides a similar range of services but falls short in terms of innovative features and performance metrics.
Service Offering
| Feature | Hostgator | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Europe, Asia, Australia | 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) | 45 | Anytime |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Phone, live chat, and email | Live chat and email |
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | Hostgator | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $3.75 - 6.25/mo | $2.95 - 14.95/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $34.99 - 93.99/mo | $29.95 - 169.95/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $89.98 - 139.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $4.50 - 13.95/mo | $20.00 - 179.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $4.50 - 13.95/mo | $2.95 - 14.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $4.76 - 14.36/mo | $40.00 - 485.00/mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Development Features & Others
| Feature | Hostgator | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Python, Django, Perl, Ruby on Rails, and ASP.NET | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Global CDN | Higher plans | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Higher plans |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Higher plans |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Higher plans |
About Hostgator
In October 2002, Brent Oxley, a Florida Atlantic University student, laid the foundation for HostGator, a formidable web hosting provider. Originating in Boca Raton, Florida, and later relocating to Houston, Texas, in 2006, HostGator swiftly expanded its reach internationally with offices in Canada (2006) and India (2011).
In a landmark acquisition in July 2012, HostGator was acquired by Endurance International Group for a staggering $299.8 million, solidifying its status as a heavyweight player in the web hosting arena.
Hostgator Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Free domain name with all shaerd hosting plans
- Free $100 Bing and $100 Google ad credits
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Hostgator Cons
- Resources limited by server constraints
- Not much variety in VPS plans
- Only US-based servers
- Price increase during the renewal
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 seeking reliable, high-performance hosting solutions with a focus on scalability and innovation. Its SPanel, SShield, and SWordPress technologies offer advanced security and performance, making it suitable for a wide range of users from beginners to advanced webmasters.
HostGator, on the other hand, is suitable for users looking for affordable, entry-level hosting solutions with a broad service offering. Use HostGator if you’re starting a new website or have a tight budget and need a reliable hosting solution with a wide range of services. It’s well-suited for small to medium-sized websites that require affordable and user-friendly hosting.
Before You Buy
Before you signup to either Hostgator or ScalaHosting, here are a few things to consider:
- Control Panel: Users should consider the difference between ScalaHosting’s custom control panel and HostGator’s use of cPanel, which might influence ease of use and familiarity.
- Server Locations: ScalaHosting offers a wider range of server locations, providing better options for geo-targeting and performance optimization.
- Innovative Features: ScalaHosting’s focus on innovation with features like SPanel, SShield, and SWordPress may offer added benefits for security and performance not available with HostGator.
- Pricing Structure: While HostGator may offer lower introductory prices, users should evaluate the long-term costs and the value of additional features provided by ScalaHosting.
