Overall
LiquidWeb and ScalaHosting are two high-quality hosting providers catering to different market segments. Scala offers a wider array of hosting services, including shared, cloud, and reseller hosting, making it suitable for a broad range of users. LiquidWeb, on the other hand, specializes in VPS, dedicated, cloud, and reseller hosting, focusing on managed solutions and enterprise-grade hosting services.
Service Offering
| Feature | LiquidWeb | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | VPS, Dedicated, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, VPS, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Game Server Hosting | Managed WordPress, Email, n8n, and Game Server Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA and Netherlands | USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia |
| Control Panel | In-House | In-House |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | Anytime |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Phone, live chat, and email | Live chat and email |
Service Offering Comparison
- LiquidWeb offers a range of managed hosting solutions, emphasizing high availability and premium support. Its focus on VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting caters to businesses requiring reliable, high-performance infrastructure.
- ScalaHosting provides a more diverse range of hosting services, making it accessible to both small and large users. Its managed WordPress solutions and cloud hosting services are particularly noteworthy for their performance and scalability.
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | LiquidWeb | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $ - /mo | $2.95 - 14.95/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $20.00 - 55.00/mo | $29.95 - 169.95/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $59.70 - 564.00/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $5.00 - 154.00/mo | $29.95 - 169.95/mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $4.00 - 16.00/mo | $2.95 - 14.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $121.10 - 191.10/mo | $39.95 - 485.00/mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Plans & Pricing Comparison
- LiquidWeb’s pricing reflects its focus on premium, managed services, with VPS hosting starting at $45.00 per month. Its offerings are designed for businesses looking for robust, managed solutions.
- ScalaHosting offers more competitive pricing, especially for shared hosting, starting at $2.95 per month. Its cloud hosting solutions provide scalable resources at a lower entry price compared to LiquidWeb.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | LiquidWeb | ScalaHosting |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, 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 | Built-in | Built-in |
| Free SSL | No | Yes |
| Built-in Cache | Yes | Yes |
| Global CDN | Yes | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | No | Higher plans |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Higher plans |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Higher plans |
Development Features & Others Comparison
- Both providers offer comprehensive development features, including multiple PHP versions, SSH access, and staging tools. However, ScalaHosting provides additional value with built-in cache and global CDN across its plans.
- LiquidWeb differentiates itself with a 100% uptime guarantee and a focus on security and compliance, offering PCI-Compliant and HIPAA-Compliant servers, catering to specific industry needs.
About LiquidWeb
Founded in 1997 by Matthew Hill, Liquid Web has established itself as a leading player in the hosting and managed cloud services market, catering specifically to the needs of businesses, developers, and professionals. With its headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, the company has grown to serve over 45,000 customers in 150 countries, managing more than 500,000 sites globally. Liquid Web is renowned for its industry-leading customer service, exemplified by its 59-second support guarantee, and its commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance hosting solutions. The company's offerings range from managed WordPress and WooCommerce hosting to dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and custom enterprise solutions. Liquid Web's focus on security and compliance, including HIPAA and PCI-compliant hosting, makes it a trusted partner for industries with stringent regulatory requirements. Over the years, Liquid Web has earned numerous accolades for its innovation and customer satisfaction, reinforcing its position as a trusted provider in the competitive hosting landscape.
LiquidWeb Pros
- Powerful enterprise hosting solutions with great scalability
- 100% network uptime, backed by detailed Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- Excellent customer support - 59-Second support response guarantee
- Self-operated data centres - Higher degree of security and data integrity compared to providers renting space from third-parties
- PCI-Compliant and HIPAA-Compliant hosting servers available
- Cheaper cloud VPS plan (starts at $5/mo) now available
LiquidWeb Cons
- Does not provide low-cost shared hosting plans
- No Asia-based data center
About ScalaHosting
Founded in 2007 by Hristo Rusev and Vladislav Georgiev, ScalaHosting is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company offers a full range of services including shared hosting, managed VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and email hosting. ScalaHosting is known for building its own infrastructure tools, most notably SPanel, an in-house control panel developed as an alternative to cPanel, and SShield, a security system designed to detect and block server threats automatically. Over the years the company has expanded these technologies with tools such as SWordPress Manager and the SKAI AI assistant, reinforcing its reputation as one of the few hosting providers actively developing its own hosting platform ecosystem.
ScalaHosting Pros
- Excellent uptime and fast server performance confirmed through HostScore’s long-term monitoring, load tests, and recent benchmark experiments
- Affordable managed VPS hosting, often up to 40% cheaper than comparable managed VPS providers
- Anytime unconditional money-back guarantee
- Automated daily backups with seven restore points
- NVMe storage across all shared hosting plans for faster database and file operations
- Innovative in-house technologies including SPanel, SShield security, SKAI AI assistant, and SWordPress Manager
ScalaHosting Cons
- Renewal prices for shared and VPS plans are significantly higher than initial promotional rates
- No dedicated server / bare metal plans available for enterprise-scale workloads
Our Recommendation
We are strongly convinced that LiquidWeb is best suited for businesses and professionals requiring enterprise-grade, managed hosting services. ScalaHosting, on the other hand, is recommended for users seeking versatile hosting solutions with a focus on innovation and value. Its SPanel, SShield, and SWordPress technologies cater to various hosting needs, from simple websites to complex applications requiring robust infrastructure.
Shoppers Should Be Aware of:
- Target Audience: LiquidWeb’s services are tailored towards businesses and professionals requiring managed hosting solutions, whereas ScalaHosting offers a broader range of services suitable for various types of users.
- Pricing Structure: LiquidWeb’s premium services come at a higher cost, making ScalaHosting a more budget-friendly option for users needing a mix of performance and value.
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs): LiquidWeb’s 100% uptime guarantee is a significant commitment, offering peace of mind to businesses for whom downtime is not an option.
