Looking for Alternatives to EIG Hosting?
Many web hosting brands, like iPage, JustHost, BlueHost, Hostmonster, and HostGator, were once acquired by Endurance International Group (EIG). These acquisitions often resulted in major shifts in pricing, performance, and support. Some brands were shut down entirely, while others saw users migrated to different platforms.
Today, EIG operates under a new name: Newfold Digital. But the legacy of mass acquisition and consolidation still impacts users.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to move on, or which hosts provide better reliability and support, this guide will walk you through:
- The history of EIG and its acquisitions
- Who owns what today
- Why some users left
- And the best EIG hosting alternatives you can switch to
What is EIG (Endurance International Group)?
Endurance International Group, or EIG, was once a major force in the web hosting world. Founded in 1996 as BizLand, the company grew rapidly by acquiring dozens of independent hosting providers.
Familiar names like Bluehost, HostGator, and Domain.com eventually became part of EIG’s portfolio. By centralizing operations across these brands, EIG aimed to dominate the market.
But the strategy came with trade-offs – especially in customer service and infrastructure quality.
On February 10, 2021, EIG was acquired by Clearlake Capital Group for approximately $3 billion. The company was then rebranded as Newfold Digital.
In this article, we’ll explain what this shift means for current users, how EIG’s strategy shaped the hosting market, and what hosting alternatives are worth considering today.
Why Is EIG Hosting So Controversial?
EIG’s growth model focused on acquiring independent hosting companies and folding them into a centralized backend. While this helped them scale quickly, it also raised serious concerns about quality, transparency, and long-term service stability.
Common Criticisms of EIG Hosting
Many hosting users criticized EIG for stripping away the identity and performance standards of once-independent brands.
- EIG hosting brands lost autonomy after acquisition. Formerly independent providers like JustHost, FatCow, IXWebHosting, and HostMonster were absorbed into shared infrastructure and support systems, removing their original team and vision.
- Longtime customers reported worse service. Across multiple forums and review sites, users flagged slower site speeds, unresolved downtime issues, and unresponsive ticketing systems. Once-premium brands became indistinguishable from one another under EIG’s umbrella.
- Brand differentiation disappeared. Critics argue that EIG standardized features, pricing, and service models across its portfolio – removing incentives for innovation or user-focused development.
Performance, Support, and Pricing Concerns
EIG’s centralized model introduced performance bottlenecks and support issues for many users.
- Shared infrastructure led to inconsistent speeds. When multiple acquired brands were hosted on the same backend systems, server load increased without a corresponding increase in optimization or investment.
- Support became less responsive. Users often faced long ticket response times, limited access to real support agents, and templated replies that didn’t resolve core issues.
- Pricing went up, but value dropped. In some cases, renewal prices doubled or tripled while service quality declined. Brands like Bluehost and HostGator were frequently criticized for upselling features like backups, email, and malware scanning – features that were once included by default.
Did EIG Brands Decline After Acquisition?
Yes, many once-trusted hosting brands saw measurable decline in user satisfaction and performance after joining EIG.
As an web hosting user and affiliate since 2008 (I was working on multiple web projects and running other hosting review sites before HostScore), I have recorded lower uptime and support response time across several EIG-managed brands. FatCow, for example, experienced intermittent outages and slower-than-average response times based on our benchmark monitoring.
User trust eroded over time. As more brands were consolidated, the hosting experience became less transparent. Users no longer knew who was truly behind their hosting provider or where support originated.
Some brands were quietly retired. Providers like IX Web Hosting, PowWeb, and IPower were folded into larger brands or phased out, leaving customers with little notice or control over the migration process.
The Acquisition of EIG by Clearlake Capital Group
In late 2020, it was announced that Clearlake Capital Group would acquire Endurance International Group for approximately $3 billion. The acquisition marked the end of EIG as a standalone brand, and in early 2021, EIG officially rebranded as Newfold Digital.
This rebranding effort was designed to unify the hosting brands under a more customer-centric approach. In addition to Clearlake Capital, affiliates of Siris Capital were also involved in the strategic restructuring, injecting additional investment into Newfold Digital’s growth strategy.
What Hosting Brands Are Still Under EIG (Now Newfold Digital)?
Newfold Digital currently manages dozens of web hosting brands that were previously owned by Endurance International Group (EIG). Some brands remain active under their original names, while others have been merged or shut down entirely.
The long list below highlights the most recognizable brands still operating under the Newfold umbrella.
- 2slick.com
- AccountSupport
- A Small Orange
- ApolloHosting
- Apthost
- Arvixe
- Berry Information Systems L.L.C.
- BigRock
- BizLand
- BlueDomino
- Bluehost
- Cloud by IX
- Crazy Domain
- Directi
- Dollar2Host
- Domain.com
- DomainHost
- Dot5Hosting
- Dotster
- Dreamscape Networks
- easyCGI
- eComdash
- EmailBrain
- eHost
- EntryHost
- Escalate Internet
- Freeparking
- FastDomain
- FatCow
- FreeYellow
- Globat
- Homestead
- HostCentric
- HostClear
- HostGator
- Hostnine
- HostMonster
- Host with Me Now
- HostYourSite.com
- Network Solutions
- HyperMart
- IMOutdoors
- iPage
- Intuit Websites
- IPOWER/iPowerWeb
- IX Web Hosting
- JustHost
- LogicBoxes
- MojoMarketplace
- MyDomain
- MyResellerHome
- NetFirms
- Network Solutions
- Networks Web Hosting
- Nexx
- PowWeb
- PureHost
- ReadyHosting.com
- Register.com
- ResellerClub
- Saba-Pro
- SEO Hosting
- SEO Web Hosting
- Site5
- Sitelio
- Sitebuilder
- Sitebeat
- Southeast Web
- SolidCactus
- Spry
- StartLogic
- SuperGreen Hosting
- Typepad
- USANetHosting
- vDeck
- Verio
- Vodien
- VirtualAvenue
- VPSLink
- WebHost4Life
- webhosting.info
- Website Builder
- Webstrike Solutions
- Webzai
- Xeran
- YourWebHosting
Active Hosting Brands Owned by Newfold Digital
Newfold Digital continues to operate well-known brands like:
- Bluehost – Still marketed as a leading shared hosting provider, particularly for WordPress beginners.
- HostGator – Targets budget-conscious users with a wide product range, from shared to VPS plans.
- Domain.com – Focused on domains and basic website tools.
- Crazy Domains – Focused on Australian domain and hosting market.
- Vodien – Focused on Singaporean hosting market.
These brands still attract new users and continue to grow under its new management. BlueHost, for example, has revamped their websites, added new hosting range in their services, and remained as one of the top names in hosting industry. Similarly, Vodien and HostGator continue to evolve with the hosting market and expand their services.
Discontinued or Absorbed Brands
Several EIG-acquired hosts have been retired or quietly merged:
- IX Web Hosting, eHost, HostClear, and PowWeb were fully discontinued, with users migrated to other platforms.
- iPage, FatCow, JustHost, and HostMonster still exist, but rely on shared infrastructure with limited updates or branding investment.
This consolidation strategy allowed Newfold to reduce overhead, but it also created confusion and dissatisfaction among legacy users.
Should You Switch from an EIG-Owned Host?
Switching from a Newfold Digital–managed brand may be a smart decision, especially if you’ve experienced slow speeds, inconsistent support, or unexpected pricing hikes.
While Newfold Digital claims to improve service quality, many brands under its portfolio still operate on the same infrastructure and policies that defined the EIG era.
Red Flags to Watch For
Here are common signs that it may be time to move on:
- Support quality is declining or hard to reach.
- Site performance worsens despite no change in your traffic.
- Renewal costs spike without added value.
- You’re offered upsells for basic features like email or backups.
- Your brand was merged or rebranded, creating confusion about who’s behind your hosting.
If any of the above sound familiar, it’s worth comparing alternatives that offer more transparent pricing, faster response times, and modern infrastructure.
When It Makes Sense to Switch Hosting Providers
Staying might make sense if your site is running well and your current plan meets your needs. But in many cases, switching to a provider with independent infrastructure and stronger user feedback results in better uptime, support, and long-term value.
Before switching, consider:
- Your site type (e.g. WordPress, WooCommerce, static site)
- Your budget
- Preferred support level (managed vs unmanaged)
- Geographic needs (server location, regional support)
Which Hosts Are Good Alternatives to EIG Brands?
We’ve tested and reviewed dozens of hosting providers. The table below highlights each provider’s focus, hosting type, and key features.
| Hosting Provider | Service Offering | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | Shared, Cloud, Unmanaged VPS Hosting | Affordable shared hosting plans with AI-powered site builder; wide selection of server locations. |
| ScalaHosting | Shared, Cloud, VPS Hosting | Wide range of hosting choices with in-house control panel (SPanel) and cybersecurity protection (SShield). |
| Cloudways | Managed Cloud Hosting | Managed cloud hosting platform with great scalability and support; powered by Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, AWS, and more. |
| Cloudways Autonomous | Managed WordPress Hosting | Managed WordPress hosting with unlimited PHP workers and auto-scaling capabilities. |
| InMotion Hosting | Shared, VPS, Dedicated Hosting | US-based hosting provider with a 20-year business track record. |
| Kinsta | Managed WordPress Hosting | High-performance managed WordPress hosting with top-notch speed and security. |
Best Overall: Hostinger
Hostinger offers exceptional value across shared, cloud, and unmanaged VPS hosting plans, making it the best all-around alternative to Newfold Digital brands.
Unlike legacy EIG hosts that often upsell basic features, Hostinger includes free SSL, fast NVMe storage, an AI-powered website builder in most plans. The company operates its own control panel (hPanel), which is fast, lightweight, and beginner-friendly.
Performance scores on HostScore consistently rank Hostinger above average, driven by fast global response times and near-perfect uptime. The host also provides multiple server locations worldwide – giving it an edge over brands like Bluehost or HostGator, which limit server options and often suffer from shared infrastructure slowdowns.
Best for: Beginners, small business owners, and budget-conscious users looking for better reliability without a steep price tag.
Best for Business Sites: ScalaHosting
ScalaHosting supports business users with flexible VPS hosting plans backed by strong security features. The brand stands out for its in-house control panel (SPanel), which replaces cPanel without the added licensing cost.
What makes ScalaHosting ideal for business sites is its built-in cybersecurity protection (SShield), dedicated IPs, and white-label options, all of which cater to agencies, eCommerce users, and consultants. Their VPS environment isolates your site and scales easily, avoiding the noisy-neighbor effect common in oversold shared hosting.
In contrast to EIG brands that centralize support and offer limited configurations, ScalaHosting provides hands-on customer service and fully managed setup options.
Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses, agencies, or eCommerce users who need scalable, secure, and hands-on support.
Best for Developers: Cloudways
Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting that simplifies DevOps workflows while giving developers full control.
Unlike traditional EIG brands that restrict advanced configurations or CLI access, Cloudways lets you deploy to Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, AWS, Vultr, or Linode – with a unified dashboard and built-in staging, Git integration, SSH access, and team management tools.
Cloudways also optimizes performance through caching layers (Varnish, Redis, NGINX, Memcached) and vertical auto-scaling – features that EIG brands rarely provide natively. Support is available 24/7, and you can add premium support tiers depending on project needs.
Best for: Developers, SaaS startups, and agencies that require full-stack flexibility without managing the base infrastructure themselves.
Best for WordPress: Kinsta
Kinsta delivers premium managed WordPress hosting with consistently high uptime and performance. Powered by Google Cloud Platform and C2 machines, Kinsta isolates each site in its own container and enforces automatic scaling, ensuring stable performance under load.
Unlike many EIG WordPress offerings, which limit PHP workers or throttle CPU usage, Kinsta gives each site dedicated resources, full page caching, built-in edge delivery via Cloudflare Enterprise, and a custom dashboard tailored to WordPress workflows.
On HostScore, Kinsta ranks among the top providers in support responsiveness and speed tests—especially in Europe and North America.
Best for: High-traffic WordPress sites, WooCommerce stores, and content-heavy publishers who demand stability, speed, and expert WordPress support.
Share Your Experience with Us
Choosing the right host after EIG isn’t always easy. But hearing from real users makes it easier for others to decide. Whether you stayed with a Newfold Digital brand or moved on, we’d like to hear your story.
Submit Review Here Have you used Bluehost, HostGator, or any other EIG-owned host? Tried one of the alternatives we recommended? Share your review and help others make smarter hosting decisions.
