When comparing InMotion Hosting vs HostGator, we find InMotion Hosting to be the better web host overall. InMotion Hosting excels with faster servers, more comprehensive security features, and wider data center coverage. HostGator offers strong beginner-friendly tools and unmetered resources, but its security and performance features are less robust.
In this article, we compare InMotion 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 “InMotion Hosting vs HostGator: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Plan Type | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.29/mo – $9.49/mo | $3.75/mo – $6.25/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.79/mo – $9.99/mo | $34.99/mo – $82.99/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $9.99/mo – $44.99/mo | $4.50/mo – $13.95/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | Not Available | Not Available |
| Dedicated Hosting | $35.00/mo – $249.99/mo | $141.19/mo – $312.19/mo |
| Reseller Hosting | $13.99/mo – $59.99/mo | $34.99/mo – $82.99/mo |
| Managed Hosting Available? | All plans | All plans |
InMotion Hosting and HostGator both offer 5 hosting types: Shared, WordPress, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting. Both cover a wide range of types but do not offer cloud hosting. Both hosts provide managed hosting on all their plans.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.99/mo | $3.75/mo |
| Renewal Price | $10.99/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Monthly Payment Option? | Yes | Yes |
InMotion Hosting’s introductory price starts at $2.99/mo, slightly lower than HostGator’s $3.75/mo. InMotion Hosting’s renewal price at $10.99/mo is slightly higher compared to HostGator’s $9.99/mo. The percentage increase from introductory to renewal price for InMotion Hosting is 267% while HostGator’s is 166%. Both include the option to pay on a monthly billing basis.
Features Included
| Feature | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | 100GB SSD Storage | 10GB SSD Storage |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unmetered |
| Number of websites | 2 | 10 |
| Email Hosting | Yes, 10 accounts | Yes, 1 account |
| Free Domain | Yes | Yes |
| AI Website Builder | No, regular drag and drop site builder only | Yes, Gator Website Builder |
| Unlimited Storage? | Higher plans | No |
| Unlimited/Unmetered bandwidth? | Unlimited | Unmetered |
| Additional Features | Marketing tools, email on any device, free advertising credits, customer management tools | eCommerce tools, website statistic tools, expert management tools, custom error pages, SpamAssassin |
InMotion Hosting’s cheapest plan offers significantly more storage by offering 100GB SSD compared to HostGator’s 10GB. Both hosts offer unmetered or unlimited bandwidth, but InMotion Hosting provides 10 email addresses versus HostGator’s one. InMotion Hosting’s much larger storage capacity and more comprehensive email offering make it more attractive for small businesses. However, HostGator includes an AI-powered website builder (Gator), while InMotion Hosting only provides a regular drag and drop website builder.
Performance
| Performance Feature | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | No | Higher plans, Cloudflare |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | SSD |
| Caching | Higher plans | Yes |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Additional Performance Features | UltraStack powered hosting, NVMe SSD on higher plans | None |
InMotion Hosting and HostGator both provide a strong 99.9% uptime guarantee. HostGator offers caching and a content delivery network (CDN) on higher-tier plans. InMotion Hosting uses UltraStack and NVMe SSD storage in its Launch plans and higher.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data Centers | 3 | 2 |
| Headquarter Location | Virginia, United States | Texas, United States |
| Data Center Locations | USA (Los Angeles, Virginia), Netherlands (Amsterdam) | USA (Texas, Utah) |
InMotion Hosting operates 3 data centers across the US and Europe. HostGator runs 2 data centers that are both in the US. InMotion Hosting’s more global presence makes it more appealing for users targeting audiences that are within or nearby Europe. HostGator remains better suited to websites targeting US-based audiences only.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux, Windows (Shared, Dedicated) |
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel, Plesk |
InMotion Hosting supports Linux only, while HostGator supports both Linux and Windows. Both hosts use cPanel, but HostGator also provides Plesk. HostGator’s support for both operating systems and control panels offers greater versatility for users. InMotion Hosting and HostGator both offer 1-click WordPress installation.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Higher plans | Yes, via Softaculous |
| Root Access | On request (VPS & Dedicated) | Yes (VPS & Dedicated) |
| 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 | No | No |
| Django Support | Yes | Yes |
| Perl Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ruby on Rails Support | Yes | Yes |
| ASP.NET | No | Yes |
Both hosts provide essential developer tools such as GIT access, WP-CLI, and SSH. Both also support Python, Perl and Ruby on Rails. InMotion Hosting has the advantage of supporting Node.js, which is ideal for developers working with JavaScript-based frameworks. HostGator offers ASP.NET and staging tools via Softaculous.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Chat, email, phone support | 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 | 90 days | 30 days |
Both hosts offer 24/7 support. InMotion Hosting includes website migration in all plans, whereas HostGator disappointingly restricts free migrations to higher-tier plans. InMotion Hosting’s 90-day money-back guarantee is also 3 times more generous than HostGator’s 30-day guarantee. In all, InMotion Hosting provides more flexibility and peace of mind with its extended refund policy and more comprehensive support methods.
Security Features
| Security Feature | Inmotion Hosting | Hostgator |
|---|---|---|
| Backups | Automatic (daily, weekly, custom) | Daily backups |
| DDoS Protection | Yes, Corero | Yes, DDoS scrub center |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | Yes | No, add-on feature (SiteLock) |
| Unique Security Features | Monarx Security | Protection from DDoS attacks (UDP flood), extensive custom firewall rules, confidential server security methods |
InMotion Hosting provides automatic backups with daily, weekly, and custom options. HostGator offers daily backups. Both hosts offer DDoS protection and firewalls. InMotion Hosting includes proactive monitoring by default, while HostGator offers it as a paid add-on through SiteLock. InMotion Hosting also includes free Monarx Security for advanced malware protection. HostGator’s included security offerings are rather basic if you’re not prepared to pay for any additional features.
InMotion Hosting vs HostGator: Which Is Better For You?
InMotion Hosting is the better host. Use InMotion Hosting if you’re an eCommerce website needing fast server performance and comprehensive security features without paying extra. Also use InMotion Hosting if you’re looking for affordable but powerful VPS hosting. Also use InMotion Hosting if you’re a developer requiring Node.js support. Finally, use InMotion Hosting if you prefer a longer 90-day money-back guarantee to test out your hosting services.
Use HostGator if you need Windows hosting. Also use HostGator if you want to host multiple websites on entry-level plans or require staging tools via Softaculous. Lastly, use HostGator if you’re a beginner who’s looking for an easy AI site builder to create your first site.
Explore more web hosting comparisons here.
Who is InMotion Hosting?
InMotion Hosting is a web host founded in 2001 and headquartered in Virginia, United States. It specializes in performance-driven hosting with strong security and fast servers, but has limited reach outside the US and Europe. Read our review on InMotion Hosting to learn more.
Who is HostGator?
HostGator is a web host founded in 2002 and headquartered in Austin, Texas. It focuses on affordable, beginner-friendly hosting with unmetered resources. HostGator also has solid customer support but lacks advanced security features like proactive monitoring. See our HostGator review for more details.