When comparing SiteGround vs A2 Hosting, we find SiteGround to be the better web host overall. SiteGround offers premium features and excels in speed, uptime and global coverage through its sprawling server network. It also offers superior uptime and excellent customer support. A2 Hosting offers fast Turbo servers but falls short with limited global data center presence.
In this article, we compare SiteGround vs A2 Hosting 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 “SiteGround vs A2 Hosting: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Plan Type | SiteGround (US$ /month) | A2 Hosting (US$ /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $3.99 – $10.69 | $1.95 – $13.95 |
| VPS Hosting | N/A | $2.99 – $45.95 |
| WordPress Hosting | $3.99 – $10.69 | $9.95 – $39.95 |
| Cloud Hosting | $100 – $400 | $15.95 – $37.95 |
| Dedicated Hosting | N/A | $199.99 – $535.99 |
| Reseller Hosting | $6.69 – $100 | $15.95 – $37.95 |
| Managed Hosting | Shared, WordPress, Cloud | All Plans |
SiteGround offers 4 hosting types: Shared, WordPress, Cloud and Reseller Hosting. A2 Hosting provides a broader range with 6 types: Shared, VPS, WordPress, Cloud, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting. Both hosts offer managed services but A2 extends managed hosting across all plan types, while SiteGround focuses on Shared, WordPress, and Cloud hosting.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | SiteGround (US$ /month) | A2 Hosting (US$ /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.99 | $1.95 |
| Renewal Price | $17.99 | $12.99 |
| Monthly Payment Option? | Yes | Yes |
SiteGround’s shared hosting starts at $2.99 per month, while A2 Hosting offers a lower starting price of $1.95 per month. Upon renewal, SiteGround’s price rises to a premium tier of $17.99 per month, while A2 Hosting renews at $12.99 per month. This results in a 500% increase for SiteGround compared to a 566% increase for A2 Hosting. Both hosts offer monthly payment options.
Features Included
| Feature | SiteGround | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | 10 GB SSD | 100 GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unlimited |
| Number of Websites | 1 | 1 |
| Email Hosting | Unlimited accounts | Unlimited accounts |
| Free Domain | No | No |
| AI Website Builder | No (Weebly only) | No (A2 SiteBuilder) |
| Unlimited Storage | No | Higher Plans |
| Unlimited Bandwidth | Yes | Unlimited |
SiteGround offers 10GB of SSD storage on its lower-tier plans, while A2 Hosting provides a much higher 100GB SSD storage. Both hosts provide unlimited email hosting and bandwidth, though A2 Hosting offers unlimited storage on its higher-tier plans. Neither host includes a free domain. Both offer basic website builders without AI technology.
Performance
| Performance Feature | SiteGround | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Yes, SiteGround CDN | No |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | SSD |
| Caching | Yes | Higher plans |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.90% | 99.90% |
| Additional Performance Features | NGINX-based caching, Google Cloud | Turbo Plan, NVMe SSD, A2 Optimized |
SiteGround offers an in-house CDN (SiteGround CDN) as part of its hosting plans, while A2 Hosting does not include CDN services. Both hosts provide fast SSD storage for better performance. A2 Hosting’s Turbo plan gives the option of NVMe SSDs and faster CPU, giving it a performance edge. SiteGround’s caching options are available for all plans but A2 Hosting reserves advanced caching for its higher-tier plans. Both hosts offer a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | SiteGround | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data Centers | 11 | 4 |
| HQ Location | Sofia, Bulgaria | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States |
| Data Center Locations | USA, Netherlands, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, Singapore | USA, Netherlands, Singapore |
SiteGround operates 11 data centers across various continents, including locations in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia. A2 Hosting, by contrast, has only 4 data centers located in the USA, Netherlands, and Singapore. This provides good coverage but is more limited compared to SiteGround’s scope.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | SiteGround | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux, Windows |
| Control Panel | Site Tools (proprietary) | cPanel, Plesk |
Both SiteGround and A2 Hosting offer 1-click WordPress installation. A2 Hosting supports both Linux and Windows operating systems which gives it a clear advantage for users who require Windows-based hosting. SiteGround only supports Linux hosting. SiteGround provides its proprietary control panel called Site Tools. A2 Hosting provides cPanel and Plesk, which are control panels widely used and preferred by many developers.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | SiteGround | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Higher plans | Yes |
| Root Access | No | 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 | No | Yes |
| Python Support | Yes | Yes |
| Java Support | No | Yes |
| Django Support | No | Yes |
| Perl Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ruby on Rails Support | No | Yes |
| ASP.NET Support | No | Yes |
A2 Hosting offers a more comprehensive set of developer tools compared to SiteGround. While both hosts provide essential tools like GIT access, WP-CLI, and SSH, A2 Hosting supports a wider range of technologies such as Node.js, Java, and ASP.NET. SiteGround does not offer these, limiting its appeal to developers who require more advanced or specialized tools. Additionally, A2 Hosting provides root access on VPS and dedicated hosting, giving users more control over their environments.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | SiteGround | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, phone, tickets | Phone, live chat |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 Days | 30 Days |
Both SiteGround and A2 Hosting offer 24/7 customer support, which includes live chat and phone support. Both hosts offer free website migration and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Security Features
| Security Feature | SiteGround | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Automatic daily backups | Automatic daily backups (Drive plan) |
| DDoS Protection | Yes, in-house | Cloudflare CDN DDoS protection |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | Yes | Yes (Imunify360) |
| Unique Security Features | Custom WAF, AI Anti-Bot System | Free Hackscan, KernelCare, 2FA, Virus Scanner |
Both hosts offer free SSL and automated daily backups. Both provide DDoS protection, though SiteGround does this in-house and A2 Hosting integrates its DDoS protection through Cloudflare. SiteGround includes an AI Anti-Bot system. A2 Hosting provides free Hackscan, KernelCare updates, and an in-built virus scanner. Both hosts offer proactive monitoring, but A2 Hosting’s use of Imunify360 adds an extra layer of security.
SiteGround vs A2 Hosting: Which Is Better For You?
SiteGround is the better host. Use SiteGround if you’re running a high-traffic eCommerce site or a media-heavy WordPress site where reliability and speed are especially crucial. Also use SiteGround if you’re targeting audiences in Europe, Asia, or Australia.
Use A2 Hosting if you require Windows hosting, as SiteGround only supports Linux. Also, use A2 Hosting if you’re a developer needing advanced tools like Node.js or root access, which are available with A2’s VPS and dedicated hosting plans.
Check out more web hosting comparisons here.
Who is SiteGround?
SiteGround is a web host that was founded in 2004 and headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. It specializes in fast, reliable hosting with global data centers. Its main strength is performance, but higher renewal rates are a drawback. Get a closer look with our SiteGround review.
Who is A2 Hosting?
A2 Hosting is a web host that was founded in 2001 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Known for its Turbo servers and fast speeds, it excels in performance. However, inconsistent support response times can be a concern. See our A2 review for everything you need to know.