When comparing Hostinger vs HostGator, Hostinger emerges as the better web host overall. Hostinger excels with its global data center coverage that offers fast load times for users worldwide. Its custom hPanel and affordable pricing makes it an attractive option for those seeking premium hosting features on a budget. HostGator offers unlimited resources but falls short due to its limited data center locations and lack of advanced speed optimization features.
In this article, we compare Hostinger VS HostGator on the grounds of plans, pricing, features included and performance. We also compare the data center coverage, software supported, developer tools, customer support, and security features. Finally, we answer the question of “Hostinger VS HostGator: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Plan Type | Hostinger (US$ /month) | HostGator (US$ /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 – $7.99 | $3.75 – $6.25 |
| VPS Hosting | $4.99 – $19.99 | $34.99 – $82.99 |
| WordPress Hosting | $2.99 – $7.99 | $4.50 – $13.95 |
| Cloud Hosting | $7.99 – $29.99 | Not Available |
| Dedicated Hosting | Not available | $141.19 – $312.19 |
| Reseller Hosting | Not available | $34.99 – $82.99 |
| Managed Hosting | Shared, WordPress, Cloud | All plans |
Hostinger offers 4 types of hosting and these are Shared, VPS, WordPress, and Cloud hosting. HostGator offers a broader range with 5 hosting types, including Dedicated and Reseller hosting. Only Hostinger offers cloud hosting. Both Hostinger and HostGator provide managed hosting services.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | Hostinger (US$ /month) | HostGator (US$ /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.99 | $3.75 |
| Renewal Price | $7.99 | $9.99 |
| Monthly Payment Option | Yes | Yes |
Hostinger’s pricing is more affordable by starting at $2.99 per month, compared to HostGator’s $3.75 per month. Hostinger’s renewal price is also lower. Both hosts see a significant pricing increase at renewal, with Hostinger rising to $7.99 and HostGator to $9.99 per month. Both hosts offer monthly payment options which suits users who prefer flexibility.
Features Included
| Feature | Hostinger | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 100GB SSD | 10GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unmetered |
| Websites | 100 | 10 |
| Email Hosting | 100 accounts, 1 GB each | 1 account |
| Free Domain Name | Yes | Yes |
| AI Website Builder | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Storage | No | No |
Hostinger’s cheapest plans offer significantly more storage space than HostGator. Hostinger offers 100GB SSD whilst HostGator only offers 10GB SSD. Hostinger also allows users to host up to 100 websites, compared to HostGator’s limit of 10 websites. Hostinger also offers more generous email hosting with 100 accounts of 1GB each in comparison to HostGator that offers just 1 account. Both hosts provide unmetered bandwidth and include a free domain with their plans. Hostinger’s AI Website Builder is also a strong feature that offers easy website creation with advanced tools. Despite having a lower price, Hostinger offers a broader range of features.
Performance
| Performance Feature | Hostinger | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.90% | 99.90% |
| SSD Type | SSD and NVMe | SSD |
| CDN | Hostinger CDN | Cloudflare |
| Caching | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Performance Features | LiteSpeed WordPress acceleration, NVMe SSD on higher plans | NA |
Both Hostinger and HostGator offer a 99.9% uptime guarantee to ensure reliable service. Hostinger’s use of NVMe SSDs on higher plans provides faster data access compared to HostGator’s standard SSDs across all plans. Hostinger also includes LiteSpeed WordPress acceleration, enhancing the performance of WordPress sites. Both hosts offer CDN and caching features, but Hostinger’s additional performance optimizations make it a better choice for users who require fast and efficient hosting.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | Hostinger | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data Centers | 10 | 2 |
| HQ Location | Vilnius, Lithuania | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Data Center Locations | US, UK, Brazil, India, Singapore, Lithuania, Indonesia, Netherlands, France | US (Houston, Texas; Provo, Utah) |
Hostinger’s data center coverage is much broader with 10 data centers across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. In contrast, HostGator’s two data centers are both located within the United States. This potentially limits speed performance for any website owners who wish to target international audiences. Hostinger is the better choice for anyone targeting a global audience or audience based in regions far away from the US, such as in Asia or Oceania.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | Hostinger | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | hPanel (proprietary), cPanel for VPS | cPanel, Plesk |
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux, Windows (Shared, Dedicated) |
Hostinger offers its proprietary hPanel on its plans which is user-friendly and well-suited for beginners. Hostinger also offer cPanel on their VPS hosting plans. HostGator offers the choice of two industry-leading control panels: cPanel and Plesk. Whilst Hostinger only offers hosting that runs on the Linux Operating System (OS), HostGator does offer Windows hosting on its shared and dedicated hosting plans. Both hosts support 1-click WordPress installations.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | Hostinger | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Yes | Yes |
| Root Access | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
Hostinger provides a comprehensive range of developer tools, including support for Node.js, Java, which are not available with HostGator. Both hosts offer essential tools like GIT access, WP-CLI, SSH and root access on certain plans. Hostinger only provide staging tools on higher plans, while HostGator provides staging tools via Softaculous across all plans. In all, Hostinger’s broader range of programming language support make it suitable for developers needing more control over their hosting environment.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | Hostinger | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, help center | Live chat, phone |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Hostinger offers 24/7 live chat customer support and an extensive Help Center. However, Hostinger lacks phone support which is a major drawback for users who prefer speaking directly with a support representative. HostGator provides phone support in addition to live chat, though phone support is only available on higher-tier plans. Both hosts offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to provide a safety net for users. HostGator’s phone support could be a deciding factor for users but Hostinger’s multilingual support in 20 languages make it a very strong contender.
Security Features
| Security Feature | Hostinger | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL Certificate | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Weekly and Daily | Daily |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | No | No, available as an add-on (SiteLock) |
| Unique Security Features | Free WHOIS privacy protection | DDoS attack protection, custom firewall rules, confidential server security methods |
Both Hostinger and HostGator offer solid security features, including free SSL certificates and robust DDoS protection. Hostinger’s Cloudflare integration enhances its DDoS protection, while HostGator uses a DDoS scrub center. One advantage of HostGator is that it provides daily backups across all its plans which is crucial for data security. In contrast, Hostinger only offers weekly backups on Premium plans, and daily on-demand backups on its more expensive Business plans. HostGator’s custom firewall rules and other advanced security measures cater to users needing enhanced server protection.
Hostinger vs HostGator: Which Is Better For You?
Hostinger is the better host. Use Hostinger if you’re hosting a start-up, small or medium sized business website. Hostinger’s affordable pricing and user-friendly tools are perfect for business owners who need to keep costs low. This includes fast-growing eCommerce websites because you’re able to start with Hostinger’s shared hosting plans then upgrade to Hostinger’s powerful VPS or cloud as your business grows. Also use Hostinger if you’re building a WordPress site since you’ll benefit from its LiteSpeed WordPress acceleration. Finally, use Hostinger if you’re looking for global reach or are targeting an audience outside of the United States.
Use HostGator if you need Windows hosting or require compatibility with certain Microsoft technologies. Also use HostGator if you require dedicated hosting. Finally, use HostGator if you require phone support.
Explore more web hosting comparisons here.
Who is Hostinger?
Hostinger is a web host that was founded in 2004 and is based in Lithuania. It offers affordable and reliable services through a large global network of data centers. It offers a custom hPanel control panel, multilingual customer support, and very affordable pricing. It lacks phone support and daily backups on some plans. Read our Hostinger review to learn more.
Who is HostGator?
HostGator is a web host that was founded in 2002 and is based in Austin, Texas. It is known for its user-friendly hosting and reliable uptime. It offers a range of easy-to-use hosting options as well as Windows hosting and dedicated hosting. HostGator delivers solid performance but has data centers limited to the United States only. See our HostGator review to learn more.