Web Hosting Matrix (Data + Advice)
| A2 Hosting | iPage | Host Papa | InMotion Hosting | HostGator | BlueHost | GreenGeeks | JustHost | FatCow | HostMonster | LunarPages | FastDomain | PowWeb | Globat | KnownHost | SiteGround | NameCheap | WebHostingHub | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting Company: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Package Name: | Lite | Go Plan | Starter | Launch | Hatchling | Basic | EcoSite | JustPlan | Mini Moo | Basic | Basic | Basic | One Plan | GX01 | SH-1 | StartUp | Stellar Plus | Spark Plan |
| Stars: | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
| Positives: | Excellent platform technology Choice of datacenter Very transparent website | Extra low price Excellent value Good for beginners | Can run 2 separate websites on 1 account Uses green energy Specific b2evolution support | Backups included 3-month money back guarantee | Weekly off-site backups included Interesting renewal prices | Backups included Good price | Eco Friendly Excellent price if you prefer to pay month-to-month SSD disks | Backups included | Can run unlimited (small) sites on a single account Interesting if you're used to the vDeck control panel | Backup included | No markup on renewal prices Can run unlimited (small) sites on a single account | Backups included | Unlimited email accounts Large email storage | Hum... | Reasonable renewal prices Backups included | Green energy Choice of data center | Excellent renewal prices | Interesting renewal price for 12-month contract Can run 2 separate websites on 1 account |
| Negatives: | Automatic daily backups not included (available as upgrade) | Platform technology not sufficient for geeks No SSD disks No SSH | No SSD drives No SSH (only on VPS) | Ubergeeks will miss a few things (Node.js, SFTP). | No SSD disk Extra cost for daily backups No alias domains for your site | No SSD disks Limited storage Limited email storage | A few missing features for geeks | No SSD disks Limited storage Single site | No SSD disks High renewal prices | No SSD disks Limited storage Unattractive pricing | No SSD disks SSH & SFTP require cPanel ($2/mo) + SSH option ($2/mo) | No SSD disks Limited storage Unattractive pricing | High renewal rates Backups not included No SSD disk | High renewal rates Backups not included No SSD disk | Insufficient disk space | Domain Privacy price is absolutely excessive Insufficient storage Only one site per account | SSH access is jailed Limited backups SSL not really free | Backups not included |
| Summary: | This plan is downright excellent with one exception: you'll have to rely on manual backups or upgrade to get automated backups. Active b2evolution support. | This plan is the best choice if you're looking for the lowest price. | This plan includes active b2evolution support and uses green energy. Also interesting for serving the Canadian market (proximity). | A very well rounded plan for small sites, including business sites. Can be used long term. | This plan will suit you if you want to host a single domain website and you don't need privacy on your domain name. | This plan can be used if you are using an external email service (e-g Gmail) and don't have too many photos/videos on your site. Otherwise you will have to upgrade quickly. | Overall an excellent plan and with the distinction of being the most eco-friendly. Probably also the best choice if you prefer to pay month-to-month (no contract). | This is an average plan which may be interesting in some countries (check non-USD prices on the site, see below). | This plan is interesting if you're used to the vDeck control panel, but you will have to cancel & switch hosts before renewal kicks in (too expensive). | This is an average entry-level plan. The features/price ratio is low. It may be interesting if you're looking for a 3-year contract. | This plan may require several add-on options but has the advantage of keeping the same price at renewal time. | This is a very average plan. It may be interesting if you need many email accounts. | For pure hosting there are better offers out there. May be interesting if you need many email accounts and a lot of email storage. | The platform works fine, but there are better offers out there. | Not rated yet. | Not rated yet. Register your domain elsewhere. | Not rated yet. Seems better suited for domains than for hosting. | Even if you factor in the $1/mo extra for backups, this is an interesting well rounded plan from a reputable company. |
| Check out the offer on the webhost's site: | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site |
| Pricing breakdown | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hosting Company: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Best price for you : | $ 3.92 | $ 1.99 | $ 3.95 | $ 3.99 | $ 2.78 | $ 2.95 | $ 2.95 | $ 3.95 | $ 3.15 | $ 4.95 | $ 4.95 | $ 5.95 | $ 3.88 | $ 4.44 | $ 3.47 | $ 3.95 | $ 2.20 | $ 3.99 |
| 1 Month (Trial) : | $ 9.99 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ 7.66 | N/A | $ 9.95 | $ 7.99 | $ 5.00 | N/A | $ 10.95 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ 6.95 | $ 18.90 | $ 4.41 | N/A |
| Monthly for 12 mo : | $ 9.07 | $ 2.99 | $ 5.95 | $ 4.99 | $ 5.37 | $ 5.95 | $ 4.95 | $ 5.95 | $ 3.67 | $ 6.95 | $ 8.95 | $ 6.95 | $ 4.18 | $ 4.44 | $ 3.47 | $ 3.95 | $ 2.20 | $ 3.99 |
| Monthly for 24 mo : | $ 5.88 | $ 2.49 | $ 4.95 | $ 3.99 | $ 3.98 | $ 4.95 | $ 3.95 | $ 4.95 | $ 3.15 | $ 5.95 | $ 6.95 | $ 5.95 | $ 3.88 | N/A | N/A | $ 3.95 | N/A | N/A |
| Monthly for 36 mo : | $ 3.92 | $ 1.99 | $ 3.95 | N/A | $ 2.80 | $ 3.95 | $ 2.95 | $ 3.95 | $ 3.15 | $ 4.95 | $ 5.95 | $ 5.95 | $ 3.88 | N/A | $ 3.47 | $ 3.95 | N/A | N/A |
| Renewal Price (1 mo) : | $ 9.99 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ 10.95 | N/A | $ 9.95 | $ 11.99 | $ 14.95 | N/A | $ 10.95 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ 6.95 | $ 11.95 | $ 4.88 | N/A |
| Renewal Price (12 mo) : | $ 8.99 | $ 9.99 | $ 9.99 | $ 8.99 | $ 8.95 | $ 8.99 | $ 9.95 | $ 10.99 | $ 14.95 | $ 10.99 | $ 8.95 | $ 9.99 | $ 14.95 | $ 14.95 | $ 6.95 | $ 11.95 | $ 4.41 | $ 8.99 |
| Renewal Price (24 mo) : | $ 7.99 | $ 8.99 | $ 8.99 | $ 7.99 | $ 7.95 | $ 8.49 | $ 9.95 | $ 9.99 | $ 13.95 | $ 9.99 | $ 6.95 | $ 8.99 | $ 13.95 | $ 13.95 | N/A | $ 11.95 | N/A | N/A |
| Renewal Price (36 mo) : | $ 7.99 | $ 7.99 | $ 7.99 | N/A | $ 6.95 | $ 7.99 | $ 9.95 | $ 9.49 | $ 12.95 | $ 9.49 | $ 5.95 | $ 12.49 | $ 12.95 | $ 12.95 | $ 6.95 | $ 11.95 | N/A | N/A |
| Renewal Price Max : | $ 9.99 | $ 9.99 | $ 9.99 | $ 8.99 | $ 10.95 | $ 8.99 | $ 9.95 | $ 11.99 | $ 14.95 | $ 10.99 | $ 10.95 | $ 12.49 | $ 14.95 | N/A | $ 6.95 | $ 11.95 | $ 4.88 | $ 8.99 |
| Best price HOWTO : | Use code "b2evo" | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | click to get promo price | Use code "b2evo" | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | Check rate now | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | Click to get promo price | Check rate now | Click to get promo price |
| Money Back Guarantee : | Anytime! | 30 days | 30 days | 90 days | 45 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 90 days |
| Domain Pricing | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hosting Company: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Use existing domain : | ||||||||||||||||||
| Register new .com : | $ 14.95 /yr | Free | Free | Free | $ 12.95 /yr | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | $ 13.95 /yr | $ 15.95 /yr | $ 10.98 /yr | Free |
| .com Renewal : | $ 14.95 /yr | $ 16.99 /yr | $ 16.99 /yr | $ 15.99 /yr | $ 12.95 /yr | $ 15.99 /yr | $ 13.95 /yr | $ 15.99 /yr | $ 16.99 /yr | N/A | $ 19.95 /yr | $ 15.99 /yr | Hidden Fee! | Hidden Fee! | $ 13.95 /yr | $ 15.95 /yr | $ 12.98 /yr | $ 14.99 /yr |
| .com Privacy : | $ 9.95 /yr | $ 12.99 /yr | $ 9.99 /yr | $ 12.99 /yr | $ 14.95 /yr | $ 14.88 /yr | $ 9.95 /yr | $ 14.88 /yr | $ 12.99 /yr | N/A | Free | $ 11.88 /yr | $ 9.99 /yr | $ 9.99 /yr | Free | $ 24.00 /yr | Free | $ 9.99 /yr |
| Hosting Features | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hosting Company: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Disk space : | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 50 GB | Unlimited | 50 GB | Unlimited | 50 GB | Unlimited | 50 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5 GB | 10 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SSD Disk : | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sites per Account : | 1 | Unlimited | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Unlimited | 1 | Unlimited | 1 | Unlimited | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | Unlimited | 2 |
| Alias/Parked Domains : | 25 | Unlimited | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1 | 1 | 5 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5 |
| Subdomains : | 5 | Unlimited | 25 | 25 | Unlimited | 25 | Unlimited | 25 | Unlimited | 25 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 25 |
| Max DBs : | 5 | Unlimited | 25 | 2 | Unlimited | 20 | Unlimited | 20 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 75 | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 |
| Free SSL: | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | Shared certificate | Let's Encrypt Auto-renew | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | Shared certificate | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | (Let's Encrypt) | Shared certificate | Comodo Auto renew | Let's Encrypt | Only 1st year is free | Let's Encrypt Auto renew | |
| SFTP: | FTPS (SSL/TLS) | FTPS SSH/TLS | Option | |||||||||||||||
| SSH Access: | Option | |||||||||||||||||
| Cron Jobs: | ? | ? | ||||||||||||||||
| Included backups: | (daily) | Weekly Off-Site Data Backups | (Nightly) Courtesy Backups | (Nighlty) | (Nightly) Courtesy Backups | (Nightly) Courtesy Backups | (Nightly) Courtesy Backups | (daily) 2 daily + 1 weekly retained | (daily) 30 retained | Twice a week | ||||||||
| Backup Upgrade: | Upgrade to higher plan | $12/yr Daily, retained for 14 days | $19.95 /yr or upgrade | $2/mo for daily backups | $35.88 /yr Site Backup & Restore Pro | $12/yr Daily, retained for 14 days | $1.50 /mo nightly backups | $35.88 /yr Backup Pro | $14.99 /yr | no daily backups available | $1/mo | |||||||
| Email features | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hosting Company: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Email accounts: | 25 | Unlimited | 100 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5 | Unlimited | 5 | Unlimited | 5 | Unlimited | 2 500 | Unlimited | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Email aliases: | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Email Storage: | Unlimited | 500 MB | 500 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 MB | 250 MB | 100 MB | 500 MB | 100 MB | 20 000 MB | Unlimited | 500 MB | N/A | Unlimited | 2 000 MB | 10 000 MB | Unlimited |
| Network Features | ||||||||||||||||||
| Transfer: | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Dedicated IP: | $ 4.00 /mo | N/A | $ 4.00 /mo | $ 4.00 /mo | $ 5.99 /mo | $ 4.00 /mo | $ 5.99 /mo | N/A | $ 5.99 /mo | $ 4.95 /mo | $ 3.99 /mo | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ 2.00 /mo | $ 4.00 /mo | ||
| Datacenters in USA: | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Datacenters in Europe: | 1 | none | none | none | none | none | 1 | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | 1 | 2 | 1 | none |
| Datacenters in Asia: | 1 | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | 1 | none | none |
| Green energy: | CO2 offset by Carbonfund.org | 100% renewable Green Tag energy | U.S. EPA Green Power Partner (300% offset) | 90% sustainable energy Water cooled data centers | ||||||||||||||
| Green Rating: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Services | ||||||||||||||||||
| Transfer/Migration service: | Domain only | Domain only | full site | full site + Panel settings / email | 1 full site or 1 full cPanel | Domain only | full site | Domain only | Domain only | Full site | Full site | full site | 3 full sites or cPanel | |||||
| Auto-Installer: | Softaculous | Mojo Marketplace | Softaculous | Softaculous | QuickInstall | Mojo Marketplace | Softaculous & Fantastico | Mojo Marketplace | Mojo Marketplace | Mojo Marketplace | Softaculous | Mojo Marketplace | Mojo Marketplace | Mojo Marketplace | Softaculous | Softaculous | Softaculous | Softaculous |
| Software | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hosting Company: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Control Panel: | cPanel | vDeck | cPanel | cPanel | cPanel | cPanel | cPanel | cPanel | vDeck | cPanel | Lunar Panel cPanel: $2/mo | cPanel | cPanel | cPanel | cPanel | cPanel | cPanel (2FA) | cPanel |
| Advanced b2evo support: | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Shared OS: | Linux | Linux | CloudLinux | Linux | Linux | Linux 3.10 | Linux Secure vFS | Linux | Linux | Linux 3.10 | Linux | Linux | Linux (Debian) | Linux | CloudLinux | Linux | CloudLinux | Linux (CentOS) |
| PHP: | 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 7.0, 7.1 or 7.2 (Choose Your Version) | 5.6 & 7.0 (Choose your version) | 7 | 5 & 7 | 7.0 | 7.1, 7.0, 5.6 | 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 7.0 & 7.1 | 7.0 | 5.3, 5.6 & 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 7.0 & 7.1 | 5.6, 7.1 & 7.2 | 5.6, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2 | 5.2-5.6, 7.0-7.2 | 7 | |||
| Python: | 2.6, 2.7 or 3.2 (switch as you wish) | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.4 & 2.7 | 2.4 & 2.6 | |||||||||||||
| PERL: | 5.10 | 5.10 | 5 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Node.js: | (no tech support) | (no tech support) | (no tech support) | (no tech support) | ||||||||||||||
| Ruby: | 2.3 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| MySQL: | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.6 | MariaDB | 5.6 | 14.14 | 5.6 | 5.6 | MariaDB 10 | 5 | ||||||||
| PostgreSQL: | 9.6 | 5.1 | 8.4 | 8.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Git: | 2.6 | |||||||||||||||||