Key Differentiators
Hostinger
- Pricing: Affordable plans starting at $2.99/month, renewing at $7.99/month, supporting up to 100 websites.
- Features: NVMe storage in mid-tier plans, AI-powered website builder with 150 templates.
- Server Resources: Generous inodes, PHP workers, and MySQL connections.
- Ease of Use: Custom hPanel for a user-friendly experience.
- Global Presence: Available on four continents, diverse payment options.
- Innovation: Continual introduction of new features.
- Drawbacks: High renewal rates, no Windows hosting.
A2 Hosting
- Services: Wide range including Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Reseller hosting.
- Control Panel: Uses cPanel.
- Support: 24/7/365 support via live chat, phone, email.
- Technical Flexibility: Supports various programming languages and advanced environments.
- Developer Features: HTTP/2, free site migrations for cPanel users.
- Drawbacks: NVMe storage only in higher plans, significant price increase upon renewal, lower server capacity.
Hosting Plans & Pricing
A2 Hosting
- Shared Hosting: $2.99 – $14.99/month
- VPS Hosting: $2.99 – $99.99/month
- Dedicated Hosting: $109.99 – $529.99/month
- Cloud Hosting: Not available
- Managed WP Hosting: $11.99 – $41.99/month
Hostinger
- Shared Hosting: $2.99 – $9.99/month
- VPS Hosting: $4.49 – $19.99/month
- Dedicated Hosting: Not available
- Cloud Hosting: $9.99 – $29.99/month
- Managed WP Hosting: $2.49 – $8.99/month
Developer Features & Others
Both Hosts:
- Language Support: PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, Ruby on Rails.
- Developer Tools: GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, multiple PHP versions, SSH access.
- Free SSL: Yes
- Malware Scan: Yes
- DDoS Protection: Yes
- WAF: Yes
Differences:
- Staging Tool: A2 via Softaculous, Hostinger built-in.
- Built-in Cache: Hostinger on all plans, A2 on higher plans.
- Global CDN: Hostinger on higher plans.
Final Verdict
- Hostinger: Recommended for performance, features, and competitive pricing.
- A2 Hosting: Suitable for users prioritizing cPanel and established performance.
Company Backgrounds
A2 Hosting
- Founded: 2003 in Ann Arbor, Michigan by Bryan Muthig.
- Focus: High-performance hosting, particularly for WordPress.
- Innovations: SSD hosting, A2 Optimized solution.
Hostinger
- Founded: 2004 in Kaunas, Lithuania.
- Evolution: Launched 000webhost.com (2007), Hosting24.com (2008), Hostinger (2011), cloud hosting service (2016).
- Milestone: 1,000th employee in 2021.
- Control Panel: Bespoke hPanel interface.
Pros & Cons
A2 Hosting Pros:
- Multiple server locations
- Free migration assistance
- Developer features on shared hosting
- Custom performance tools
A2 Hosting Cons:
- Steep renewal price increase
- Free site transfers mainly for cPanel
- HTTP/2 only on Turbo plans
- Lowest plan lacks automatic backup
Hostinger Pros:
- Very cost-effective
- Multiple data centers
- User-friendly hPanel
- Wide payment options
- Additional 7% discount with coupon
Hostinger Cons:
- Price increase during renewal
- No Windows hosting
In conclusion, both A2 Hosting and Hostinger offer robust hosting solutions with their unique advantages and drawbacks. Hostinger is ideal for those seeking affordable yet feature-rich hosting with an easy-to-use interface, while A2 Hosting caters to users needing high performance and flexibility with a preference for cPanel. Consider your specific needs and priorities when choosing the right host for your website.