When comparing HostGator vs GoDaddy, we find HostGator to be the better web host overall. HostGator offers generous features, broader OS support, and competitive pricing. GoDaddy has wider data center coverage but has higher renewal prices and locks their best features behind higher-tier plans.
In this article, we compare HostGator vs GoDaddy 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 “HostGator vs GoDaddy: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Type | Hostgator | GoDaddy |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $3.75/mo – $6.25/mo | $5.99/mo – $17.99/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $34.99/mo – $82.99/mo | $8.99/mo – $44.99/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $4.50/mo – $13.95/mo | $10.99/mo – $17.99/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | Not Available | Not Available |
| Dedicated Hosting | $141.19/mo – $312.19/mo | Not Available |
| Reseller Hosting | $34.99/mo – $82.99/mo | $107.88/yr |
| Managed Hosting | All plans | All plans |
HostGator offers 5 types of hosting: Shared, VPS, WordPress, Dedicated, and Reseller hosting. GoDaddy offers 4 hosting types: Shared, VPS, WordPress, and Reseller hosting. Both hosts provide managed hosting on all plans.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | Hostgator Pricing | GoDaddy Hosting Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $3.75/mo | $5.99/mo |
| Renewal Price | $9.99/mo | $12.77/mo |
| Monthly Payment Option | Yes | Yes |
HostGator’s introductory price starts at $3.75 per month. GoDaddy’s starts at $5.99 per month. HostGator’s renewal price is $9.99 per month while GoDaddy’s is $12.77. HostGator’s prices increase by 166.4% compared to GoDaddy’s 113% increase. HostGator is the better choice for users who are conscious of long-term costs.
Features Included
| Feature | Hostgator | GoDaddy Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Storage space | 10GB SSD Storage | 10 GB NVMe storage |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unmetered |
| Number of websites | 10 | 1 |
| Email Hosting | Yes, 1 account | Higher plans |
| Free Domain | Yes | Higher plans |
| AI Website Builder | Yes, Gator Website Builder | Separate service |
| Unlimited Storage? | No | No |
| Unlimited/Unmetered bandwidth? | Unmetered | Unmetered |
| Additional Features | eCommerce tools, Website statistic tools Expert management tools Custom error pages Prevent spam with SpamAssassin | One intuitive dashboard (The Hub) Site management Project management |
HostGator offers more storage options with 10GB SSD storage and supports 10 websites on its basic plan. GoDaddy uses faster NVMe storage but only supports one website. HostGator provides a free domain and email hosting with its basic plan, while GoDaddy reserves these for higher tiers. HostGator also includes its Gator Website Builder whereas GoDaddy treats its builder as a separate paid service. HostGator’s features have better value for users managing multiple sites and needing more built-in tools.
Performance
| Performance Feature | Hostgator | GoDaddy Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Higher plans, Cloudflare | Higher plans, Cloudflare |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | NVMe |
| Caching | Yes | Higher plans |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Additional Performance Features | None | None |
Both HostGator and GoDaddy offer a 99.9% uptime guarantee and CDN availability through higher plans with Cloudflare. HostGator provides caching as a standard feature, whereas GoDaddy only includes this in its higher-tier plans. GoDaddy’s NVMe SSDs are a notable benefit for users focused on site speed and data-heavy websites. HostGator’s consistent caching across all plans better serves users seeking reliable performance at lower costs.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | Hostgator | GoDaddy Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data centers | 2 | 9 |
| Headquarter Location | Austin, Texas, United States | Tempe, Arizona, United States |
| Data center locations | USA (Texas, Utah) | USA (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Los Angeles, Chicago, Ashburn), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Singapore |
HostGator operates 2 data centers in the United States. GoDaddy runs 9 data centers spread across the USA, Europe, and Asia. Their broader data center presence makes it a better choice for users targeting international audiences.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | Hostgator | GoDaddy Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS supported | Linux, Windows (Shared, Dedicated) | Linux, Windows (all plans except cheapest VPS) |
| Control panel | cPanel, Plesk | cPanel, Plesk |
Both HostGator and GoDaddy offer 1-click WordPress installation and use the popular cPanel and Plesk control panels. HostGator supports both Linux and Windows across shared and dedicated hosting plans, while GoDaddy extends this support to all but its cheapest VPS plan. HostGator’s broader OS support makes it a slightly more versatile option for users with specific platform requirements.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | Hostgator | GoDaddy Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Yes, via Softaculous | Higher plans |
| Root Access | Yes for VPS, Dedicated | Yes for VPS hosting |
| GIT Access | Yes | Yes |
| WP-CLI | Yes | Yes |
| Cron Jobs | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple PHP Versions | Yes | Yes |
| SSH | Yes | Yes |
| Node.js Support | No | Yes |
| Python Support | Yes | Yes |
| Java Support | No | No |
| Django Support | Yes | Yes |
| Perl Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ruby on Rails Support | Yes | Yes |
| ASP.NET | Yes | Yes |
Both hosts offer a broad array of developer tools, including GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, and multiple PHP versions. GoDaddy has a slight advantage with support for Node.js. HostGator’s staging tools are available via Softaculous, while GoDaddy restricts staging to higher-tier plans.
Customer Support
| Support Feature | Hostgator | GoDaddy Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat for cheapest plan, phone and chat for higher plans | Live chat, phone, WhatsApp |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | Higher plans | Yes (WordPress) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
HostGator provides live chat support for its entry-level plan, while both phone and live chat support are available on higher-tier plans. GoDaddy provides live chat, phone, and WhatsApp support across all plans. GoDaddy’s broader access appeals to users seeking consistent support options regardless of plan level.
Security Features
| Security Feature | Hostgator | GoDaddy Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Higher plans |
| Backups | Yes, daily backups | Yes, automatic daily backups |
| DDoS Protection | Yes, DDoS scrub center | Yes, in-house |
| Firewalls | Yes | Higher plans |
| Proactive Monitoring | No, add-on feature (SiteLock) | Yes |
| Unique Security Features | Protection from DDoS attacks (UDP flood) Extensive custom firewall rules | Add-on security features (all-in-one security) |
HostGator includes essential security features such as free SSL and daily backups, while GoDaddy reserves free SSL for higher plans. HostGator’s proactive monitoring is available through an add-on service, whereas GoDaddy offers proactive monitoring as part of its standard security setup.
Both hosts provide DDoS protection. HostGator’s firewall is included in all plans, while GoDaddy only offers it in higher tiers.
HostGator vs GoDaddy Hosting: Which Is Better For You?
HostGator is the better host. Use HostGator if you’re a enterprise or resource-heavy website that needs dedicated hosting since GoDaddy does not support this. Finally, use HostGator if you’re an eCommerce website looking for built-in security features that provide strong protection without extra fees.
Use GoDaddy if you need global data centers to reach an international audience. Also use GoDaddy if you prefer extra communication options like WhatsApp support. Finally, use GoDaddy if you require Node.js support in your hosting environment.
Explore more web hosting comparisons here.
Who is SiteGround?
HostGator is a web host founded in 2002 and headquartered in Texas, USA. They offer reliable performance and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Read our review on HostGator to learn more.
Who is GoDaddy?
GoDaddy is a web host founded in 1997 and headquartered in Arizona, USA. It offers global data centers and 24/7 support. GoDaddy’s main cons include high renewal prices and limited features on lower-tier plans. See our GoDaddy review for more details.