When comparing A2 Hosting vs HostGator, we find A2 Hosting to be the better web host overall. A2 Hosting stands out through its server offerings of Turbo servers, a global data center network, and unlimited storage. HostGator is beginner-friendly but does not offer very advanced speed features and has very limited data center coverage.
In this article, we compare A2 Hosting vs HostGator on the grounds of plans, pricing, features included and performance. We also compare their data center coverage, software supported, developer tools, customer support, and security features. Finally, we answer the question of “A2 Hosting Vs HostGator: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Plan Type | A2 Hosting (RM /month) | HostGator (RM /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | RM8.80 – RM62.80 | RM16.90 – RM28.10 |
| VPS Hosting | RM13.45 – RM206.80 | RM157.50 – RM373.50 |
| WordPress Hosting | RM44.80 – RM179.80 | RM20.25 – RM62.80 |
| Cloud Hosting | RM71.80 – 170.80 | Not Available |
| Dedicated Hosting | RM900 – RM2412 | RM635.40 – RM1404.90 |
| Reseller Hosting | RM71.80 – RM170.80 | RM157.50 – RM373.50 |
| Managed Hosting | All plans | All plans |
A2 Hosting offers six types of hosting, and these are Shared, VPS, WordPress Hosting, Cloud Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, and Reseller Hosting.
HostGator offers five types of hosting, which are Shared, VPS, WordPress Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, and Reseller Hosting. While HostGator covers most key hosting types, it lacks the Cloud Hosting option that A2 Hosting provides, making A2 Hosting slightly more comprehensive in its offerings. Both hosts offer managed hosting services across all their plans.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | A2 Hosting (RM /month) | HostGator (RM /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | RM8.80 | RM16.90 |
| Renewal Price | RM58.50 | RM45 |
| Monthly Payment Option | Yes | Yes |
The pricing of both A2 Hosting and HostGator is very affordable but A2 Hosting’s introductory price of RM8.80 per month is lower than HostGator’s RM16.90 per month. However, the renewal price for A2 Hosting jumps significantly to RM58.50 per month which marks a 567% increase. A2 Hosting therefore provides a low entry point but its significant renewal price increase might be a concern for long-term users on a tight budget. HostGator’s renewal price is RM45 per month and this reflects a more manageable 167% increase from its introductory price. Both hosts offer the flexibility of monthly payment options.
Features Included
| Feature | A2 Hosting | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | 100 GB SSD | 10 GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unmetered |
| Websites | 1 | 10 |
| Email Hosting | Unlimited email accounts | 1 account |
| Free Domain Name | No | Yes |
| AI Website Builder | No (A2 SiteBuilder only) | Yes, Gator Website Builder |
| Unlimited Storage | Higher plans | No |
| Unlimited/Unmetered Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unmetered |
| Additional Features | Nothing notable | eCommerce tools, website statistic tools, expert management tools, custom error pages, prevent spam with SpamAssassin |
A2 Hosting offers more storage space at 100 GB compared to HostGator’s 10 GB in their basic plans. However A2 Hosting’s plan only supports one website, while HostGator allows up to ten. A2 Hosting includes unlimited email accounts. HostGator includes a free domain and an AI-powered website builder whilst A2 Hosting does not include a domain. A2 Hosting’s higher plans offer unlimited storage and both hosts offer unmetered bandwidth. In regards to additional features, HostGator excels by offering interesting eCommerce tools, website statistic tools, custom error pages and SpamAssassin.
Performance
| Performance Feature | A2 Hosting | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | No | Higher plans, Cloudflare |
| Type of SSD server | SSD | SSD |
| Caching | Higher plans | Yes |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Additional Features | Option of Turbo plan with 40% faster CPU, 3x faster NVMe storage, Advanced LiteSpeed Turbo caching, Proprietary A2 Optimized plugin | NA |
Both A2 Hosting and HostGator provide fast SSD storage and a 99.9% uptime guarantee to ensure reliable performance. A2 Hosting’s more expensive Turbo plans offer enhanced speed features. This includes NVMe storage and advanced caching. HostGator provides caching on all plans and Cloudflare CDN services on higher plans. Users who prioritize speed and performance are likely to find A2 Hosting’s additional features more beneficial than HostGator’s basic offerings.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | A2 Hosting | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| HQ Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Number of Data Centers | 4 | 2 |
| Data Center Locations | USA (Michigan; Arizona), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Singapore | USA (Houston, Texas; Provo, Utah) |
A2 Hosting operates four data centers located in the USA, Netherlands, and Singapore, providing a wider global reach. HostGator has two data centers that are both located in the USA. A2 Hosting’s more diverse geographic coverage makes it better suited for websites targeting international audiences and especially those in Asia or Europe. HostGator’s data center coverage may be sufficient for sites with a primarily US-based audience but isn’t able to offer the same global speed benefits as A2 Hosting.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | A2 Hosting | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | cPanel, Plesk | cPanel, Plesk |
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux, Windows (Shared, Reseller, VPS) | Linux, Windows (Shared, Dedicated) |
A2 Hosting and HostGator offer comparable levels of software support. Both A2 Hosting and HostGator support popular control panels like cPanel and Plesk to provide users with familiar tools for managing their hosting environments. Both also offer 1-Click WordPress installation. Both hosts support both Linux and Windows operating systems.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | A2 Hosting | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Yes | Yes, via Softaculous |
| Root Access | Yes for VPS and Dedicated hosting | Yes for VPS and Dedicated hosting |
| GIT access | Yes | Yes |
| WP-CLI | Yes | Yes |
| Cron Jobs | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple PHP Versions | Yes | Yes |
| SSH | Yes | Yes |
| Node.js Support | Yes | No |
| Python Support | Yes | Yes |
| Java Support | Yes | No |
| Django Support | Yes | Yes |
| Perl Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ruby on Rails Support | Yes | Yes |
| ASP.NET | Yes | Yes |
Both A2 Hosting and HostGator offer an excellent range of developer tools. A2 Hosting provides a slightly more extensive range of developer tools compared to HostGator, including support for Node.js and Java, which HostGator does not offer. Both hosts include essential tools like staging environments, root access for VPS and dedicated servers, and GIT access.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | A2 Hosting | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Phone, live chat | Live chat for cheapest plan, phone and chat for higher plans |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | Yes | Higher plans |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
A2 Hosting provides 24/7 support via both phone and live chat across all its plans. HostGator limits phone support to its higher-tier plans and offers only live chat support for users on its cheapest plan. This makes A2 Hosting more favorable for users who prioritize immediate and consistent support and don’t necessarily have the budget for higher plans. Both hosts offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. A2 Hosting also includes free website migration with all plans, whereas HostGator offers this service only on its higher-tier plans.
Security Features
| Security Feature | A2 Hosting | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Automatic daily backups for Drive plan and up | Yes, daily backups |
| DDoS Protection | Cloudflare CDN | Yes, DDoS scrub center |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | With Imunify360 | No, add-on feature (SiteLock) |
| Unique Security Features | Free HackScan, 2FA, KernelCare updates, In-built virus scanner, Brute force defense | Extensive custom firewall rules, confidential server security methods |
A2 Hosting and HostGator both offer robust security features such as free SSL certificates, DDos protection, and firewalls. However, A2 Hosting goes a step further with proactive monitoring through Imunify360, along with unique security features like HackScan, 2FA, and KernelCare updates. HostGator provides essential security measures but lacks some of the advanced features available with A2 Hosting unless users opt for additional paid services like SiteLock. An advantage of HostGator is daily backups across all plans whilst A2 Hosting only provides this in their Drive plan and up.
A2 Hosting vs HostGator: Which Is Better For You?
A2 Hosting is the better web host. Use A2 Hosting if you’re hosting a fast growing, medium or large eCommerce website requiring speed and security. Also use A2 Hosting if you’re a business who’d benefit from unlimited email hosting accounts. Also use A2 Hosting if your website is targeting audiences in Europe or Asia. Finally, use A2 Hosting if you require cloud hosting since HostGator does not provide this.
Use HostGator if you’re hosting small websites such as blogs, online portfolios or simple business websites. Also use HostGator if you’re setting up your first website since they throw in an AI website builder and free domain.
Find more web host comparisons here.
Who is A2 Hosting?
A2 Hosting is a web host founded in 2001 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It focuses on high-speed performance with features like Turbo servers and SSD storage. This makes it a strong choice for users who prioritize fast loading times. A2 Hosting also offers global data centers for better international reach. However, its live chat support can be inconsistent. Check our A2 review for more details.
Who is HostGator?
HostGator is a web host founded in 2002 in Austin, Texas. It provides user-friendly and affordable hosting ideal for beginners. HostGator includes tools like a built-in site builder and quick server response times. However, it lacks advanced speed features and has fewer data centers which might not suit website owners targeting global audiences. See our HostGator review for more information.