Written By
Daren LowUpdated On
December 26, 2024
When comparing Bluehost vs HostGator, we find Bluehost to be the better web host overall. Bluehost stands out for its ease of use, making it particularly friendly for beginners with its intuitive onboarding process and automatic WordPress installation. It also provides valuable free features that add extra value to its plans. In contrast, HostGator lacks some advanced speed optimization features and does not provide as effective customer support.
In this article, we compare Bluehost 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 “Which is better for you?”
bluehost vs hostgator
Plans
| Hosting Plan Type | Bluehost (US$ /month) | HostGator (US$ /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.95 – $13.95 | $3.75 – $6.25 |
| VPS Hosting | $46.99 – $94.99 | $34.99 – $82.99 |
| WordPress Hosting | $2.95 – $13.95 | $4.50 – $13.95 |
| Cloud Hosting | $29.99 – $109.99 | Not Available |
| Dedicated Hosting | $141.19 – $312.19 | $141.19 – $312.19 |
| Reseller Hosting | Not Available | $34.99 – $82.99 |
| Managed Hosting | Shared Hosting, Cloud Hosting, WordPress Hosting | All plans |
Bluehost offers 5 types of hosting: Shared, VPS, WordPress Hosting, Cloud Hosting, and Dedicated Hosting. HostGator provides 6 types of hosting: Shared, VPS, WordPress Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, Reseller Hosting, and Cloud Hosting. The key difference between the two is that Bluehost includes Cloud Hosting, and HostGator offers Reseller Hosting. Both hosts cover essential hosting types like Shared, VPS, and Dedicated Hosting, but if you need Reseller Hosting, HostGator is the better option. If you require Cloud Hosting, go with Bluehost.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | Bluehost (US$ /month) | HostGator (US$ /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.95 | $3.75 |
| Renewal Price | $11.99 | $9.99 |
| Monthly Payment Option? | Yes | Yes |
Bluehost starts at a lower introductory price of $2.95 per month compared to HostGator’s $3.75 per month. However, Bluehost’s renewal rate jumps significantly to $11.99 per month. This represents a 306% increase for Bluehost from the introductory rate. HostGator’s renewal rate is slightly more affordable at $9.99 per month. Both hosts offer monthly payment options.
Features Included
| Feature | Bluehost | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | 10 GB SSD | 10 GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unmetered |
| Number of Websites | 10 | 10 |
| Email Hosting | Separate service ($14.99/yr – $24.99/yr) | Yes, 1 account |
| Free Domain | Yes | Yes |
| AI Website Builder | Yes, Bluehost WordPress Website Builder | Yes, Gator Website Builder |
| Unlimited Storage | No | No |
| Unlimited/Unmetered Bandwidth | Higher plans | Unmetered bandwidth |
| Additional Features | WonderSuite AI tools, Free Yoast SEO | eCommerce tools, Website statistics, Custom error pages, SpamAssassin |
Both Bluehost and HostGator offer competitive features, including 10GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth and an AI website builder. Bluehost’s AI-powered WonderSuite tools and integrated Yoast SEO are valuable for users focusing on WordPress sites. However, Bluehost charges separately for email hosting whereas HostGator includes one email account in their plans. This is potentially a deciding factor for users needing integrated email services. HostGator’s additional features like eCommerce tools and SpamAssassin provide extra value for users running online stores or needing robust email protection.
Performance
| Performance Feature | Bluehost | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Yes, Cloudflare with Argo Routing | Higher plans, Cloudflare |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | SSD |
| Caching | Higher plans | Yes |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 99.90% |
| Additional Performance Features | HTTP/2, NGINX+ Cache | NA |
Both Bluehost and HostGator offer a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Both hosts utilize fast SSD servers. Bluehost further enhances this with HTTP/2 and NGINX+ caching to boosts speed and reliability. Bluehost also includes a Content Delivery Network via Cloudflare with Argo Routing. HostGator only provides a CDN via Cloudflare on its higher plans.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | Bluehost | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data Centers | 1 | 2 |
| HQ Location | Jacksonville, Florida, USA | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Data Center Locations | USA (Utah) | USA (Houston, Texas; Provo, Utah) |
Bluehost and HostGator both have limited data centers which are all based within the United States. HostGator offers slightly better coverage with two data centers. One is based in Houston, Texas, and the other in Provo, Utah. Bluehost operates only one data center located in Utah. HostGator’s broader data center coverage provides better redundancy and potentially better performance for users within the United States.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | Bluehost | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel, Plesk |
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux, Windows (Shared, Dedicated) |
Bluehost supports only Linux-based hosting. This makes it less flexible compared to HostGator, which supports both the Linux and Windows operating systems. Both Bluehost and HostGator offer cPanel which is an industry-leading and popular control panel. However, HostGator also provides the option Plesk. Both hosts include 1-Click WordPress installations. HostGator’s broader OS support and additional control panel options make it more versatile, particularly for users requiring Windows hosting environments.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | Bluehost | 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 | No | Yes |
Bluehost and HostGator both provide a robust set of developer tools, including GIT access, WP-CLI, and support for multiple PHP versions. However, Bluehost stands out with support for Node.js and Java, making it more suitable for developers working with these technologies. HostGator does offer ASP.NET support to cater to those taking advantage of its Windows hosting plans. Both hosts provide staging tools. This makes Bluehost a stronger option for developers focused on Node.js and Java environments, while HostGator is better for those needing Windows-specific tools.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | Bluehost | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, phone support, email | Live chat for cheapest plan, phone and chat for higher plans |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | For WordPress plans only | Higher plans |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Both Bluehost and HostGator offer 24/7 customer support. Bluehost provides more consistent access across all its plans through live chat, phone support, and email. HostGator limits live chat to its cheapest plan and only adds phone support to more expensive plans. Bluehost’s website migration services are available for WordPress plans only, whereas HostGator offers this service with higher-tier plans only. Both hosts offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Bluehost’s more accessible support options may be more appealing for users who prioritize responsive customer service across all pricing levels.
Security Features
| Security Feature | Bluehost | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Yes (Daily) for Choice Plus and above plans | Yes, daily backups |
| DDoS Protection | Yes, in-house | Yes, DDoS scrub center |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | No | No, add-on feature (SiteLock) |
| Unique Security Features | Partnership with SiteLock, Brand reputation protection, Defense against malicious attacks (DDoS, SQL injection, cross-site scripting) | Protection from DDoS attacks (UDP flood), Extensive custom firewall rules, Confidential server security methods |
Both Bluehost and HostGator offer essential security features such as free SSL certificates, DDoS protection and firewalls. HostGator provides daily backups on all its plans whilst Bluehost only offers daily backups on Choice Plus plans and above. Both offer the option to purchase SiteLock as an add-on for extra security.
Bluehost vs HostGator: Which Is Better For You?
Bluehost is the better host. Use Bluehost if you’re running a WordPress site since it offers seamless integration with WordPress-specific features. Also use Bluehost if you’re a beginner or small business owner looking for an easy-to-use host with fast setup and AI website building tools. Finally, use Bluehost if you’re hosting a WooCommerce site and enjoy especially fast speeds if you are targeting customers in the US.
Use HostGator if you need Windows hosting or require ASP.NET support. Also use HostGator if you’re looking for reseller hosting, as it provides the tools needed to manage multiple sites efficiently.
Find more web host matchups here.
Who is Bluehost?
Bluehost is a web host founded in 2003 and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It specializes in WordPress hosting and offers a user-friendly experience for beginners. With fast global speeds and high-performance servers, it’s a reliable choice for various websites. However, Bluehost has only one data center. Read our Bluehost review for more insights on the brand.
Who is HostGator?
HostGator is a web host founded in 2002 and based in Austin, Texas. It offers a versatile range of hosting services, including Linux and Windows hosting. Known for its easy-to-use interface and responsive support, HostGator provides solid performance with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. However, it lacks some advanced speed features and also has limited data centers. See the full breakdown in our HostGator writeup.