When it comes to having a solid and reliable web presence, you must find a suitable web hosting platform that can offer you all the benefits your site requires. Your hosting platform services will play a significant role in determining the success of your business, regardless of the services or goods you offer online. Therefore, every company must never underestimate the importance of selecting an appropriate web hosting platform with the infrastructure, support team, and other vital features they need.
This article will contrast HostGator and Hostinger, two of the most well-liked web hosting services. We will consider the excellent features, pricing, pros, cons, and other factors that can help you determine the particular platform to go for. Take the time to read this comprehensive HostGator vs. Hostinger post.
Overview Of Both Hosting Providers
HostGator is a well-known company that provides web hosting services to businesses and individuals. It is headquartered in Texas, the United States of America. This hosting service provider was established in 2002 and currently hosts millions of websites. In comparison to many other web-hosting providers, HostGator has established a name for itself as a platform that delivers excellent speed.
This platform also has several fast and great servers that ensure that websites have exceptional uptime. Its data server locations include Houston, Texas, and Provo, Utah. With its unlimited disk space, good technical support team, varying pricing policies, and other features, Unquestionably, one of the best web hosting options available today is HostGator.
Cheap web hosting service is the major selling point of Hostinger. In fact, it is challenging to find a hosting solution that is as inexpensive as what Hostinger is providing to its customers. Its headquarters is located in Kaunas, Lithuania. It was first launched in 2007 as 000.webhost.com, which offered free hosting solutions. In 2011, it rebranded and became Hostinger. Since then, Hostinger has been delivering high-quality features and hosting plans.
There are more than 30 million websites that rely on the hosting solutions of this platform. The data servers of Hostinger are found in some locations in the United States of America, Europe, and Asia. With excellent loading speed and uptime, this web hosting service provider has continued providing superb customer service. You can trust that this platform will handle most of your essential web hosting requirements.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Basic Features
HostGator provides its customers with an array of top-of-the-range features. One of these features is a free SSL certificate which is meant to ensure that your website gets a certain level of security that keeps your data safe from unauthorized access. HostGator also offers email hosting and unlimited MYSQL databases to back up your data. There is also a web-based file manager for each customer. After buying the hosting plan, you also get $100 credit for Bing and $100 for Google Adwords.
This solution also has a fantastic integration feature that allows users to add WordPress and other types of CMS platforms to their websites. The easy integration feature of this platform enables users to integrate as many software and tools as they want into their sites. Moreover, users don’t have to go through any challenges with installing the software and tools as there is a unique one-click installation feature. Similarly, this solution includes unlimited bandwidth and cPanel support. With these basic features, you can start setting up a website that can be accessed anywhere worldwide.
Hostinger has many features, such as webmail access and a cache manager. This web solution gives customers an easy website builder that allows users to create their website without hassle. It features SSD drives that ensure that the hosted websites load quickly. Hostinger also provides automated server deployment, allowing users to easily and quickly integrate WordPress and other similar CMS platforms. Like HostGator, Hostinger also has a one-click installation feature that eases the process of installing any tools and apps on the website. Other cool features of Hostinger include Lets-Encrypt integration, real-time reactive server monitoring, and Cloudflare integration.
For customers on the Business plan, other available features include daily backups and free SSL to secure your data. Users can also use the special cPanel and FTP over the SSL feature of Hostinger.
In terms of basic features, this HostGator vs. Hostinger review clearly shows that these two web hosting platforms boast fantastic features that will help every website to function at its topmost levels. As far as basic features are concerned, these two platforms are on par.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Control Panel
Otherwise known as cPanel, the control panel has a considerable effect on the interface of each of these hosting platforms. Notably, both HostGator and Hostinger have cPanels that are great. However, the cPanel of HostGator is standard. That is, everything has been designed to work in a particular way. Though the cPanel works effectively to help you stay in control of your hosting plan, you can hardly tailor its look and other features to suit your particular taste.
Hostinger is slightly different as it provides customers with a custom cPanel. In other words, your cPanel is customized based on your specific needs. Hostinger has no one-size-fits-all cPanel, as it comes with a custom cPanel. If you are looking for a unique cPanel, then Hostinger should be your choice. Nevertheless, this does not necessarily mean that the custom cPanel of Hostinger performs better than the standard cPanel of HostGator.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Security Features
HostGator gives you access to complete password security control and account settings. In addition, this platform assists you in updating all the applications and tools you have installed. The security features of HostGator also extend to securing your website against all sorts of malware. And if any new threat is found by the website, the updated CMS and scripts will ensure that they do not have any ability to disrupt your website. The platform also provides secure connections for every new website hosted on it. Using all these excellent security features, HostGator ensures that your website stays online every time, irrespective of the security threats it encounters.
Hostinger also has excellent security features, such as a free SSL certificate and other additional security capabilities that can help you deal with the various security threats on the internet today. BitNinja is designed to secure your website against malware attacks, and Hostinger also gives you certain features that enable you to protect your password. Other security features of this web hosting solution include CloudFlare protection and SpamAssassin.
Comparatively, both platforms have robust security features that take care of the users’ different security needs. Notably, HostGator provides extra security support that is not available on Hostinger, while Hostinger offers what HostGator does not have. So, they are both similar in this aspect.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Server Uptime
Server uptime refers to the amount of time your website will be available and accessible for anyone who wants to visit it. It is often represented in percentages. According to the official website of HostGator, the server uptime is 99.90%. Therefore, if you are hosting your site via HostGator hosting services, your website will be available almost all the time. This is awesome as it increases the chances of getting more visitors to your website.
Hostinger also claims to have a server uptime of 99.9%. This guarantees that your website will be available and accessible on the internet almost every minute of the day.
It is worth noting that many tests have shown that these platforms may not be up to 99.90% during some periods. However, you can be confident that you will not have any problems using these hosting solutions as their uptimes are great.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Speed
Notably, loading speed refers to the average speed it will take a page to load after clicking it. Users will have a great experience if your site loads quicker because they can quickly move from one page to another. However, if it is slow, the users will have bad experiences and probably not revisit your site.
The average loading speed of HostGator is estimated to be 190ms. This is incredible and makes HostGator one of the leading hosting solution providers regarding loading speed. According to various tests, Hostinger has a fast loading time. Based on its loading speeds over the past year, the average loading time of Hostinger is around 363ms – all thanks to the stable and strong servers scattered across different continents.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Customer Support
Whether you are using HostGator, Hostinger, or any other hosting solutions, it is possible for you to encounter problems with their services, and this is where having a good customer support team comes into the picture. HostGator has relatively good customer support, and you can get in touch with the support team via phone calls, live support, chat, and ticket. Considering the various options available, you should be able to get solutions to any problems you may have. Notably, some customers have sometimes complained about the responsiveness of HostGator’s customer support.
Hostinger, on the other hand, provides support services through live support, chat, and ticket. Although this platform performs well in this area, the lack of a phone call option is a significant setback you may want to consider. Using the live chat, you should still be able to get timely solutions when facing any challenges. Hostinger offers video tutorials to assist you in creating an account and taking advantage of all the platform’s features in addition to all these customer support channels.
While Hostinger does not have a phone option, its live chat is instant and makes up for it. Overall, if you have any issues, you will likely get a quicker response from Hostinger through the live chat feature than any customer support options from HostGator. Also, Hostinger offers a multilingual support system, and you can speak to the customer support team in other languages besides English. So, Hostinger is better than HostGator in this aspect.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Services and Plans
Apart from web hosting services, the other services provided by HostGator include domain name, CodeGuard, web design, SEO, and PPC. Regarding web hosting, HostGator has hosting plans for open-source, Windows, and Linux platforms. You can also rely on HostGator for plans that cover VPS hosting, shared hosting, reseller hosting, cloud hosting, WordPress hosting, and dedicated server hosting. Furthermore, HostGator provides a solution for anyone that wants to register a domain name. HostGator can also create a solution that suits your website needs if you need customized hosting solutions.
For a shared hosting plan, there are 3 main plans, namely Starter, Hatchling, and Business. The starter plan begins at just $2.75 per month and has several features, including a single domain, 1 database, a free SSL certificate, 100 GB transfer, 5 email accounts, and 10 GB disk space. The other plans are more expensive and have more advanced features than the starter plan. The business plan, which is the costliest, offers unlimited domains, unmetered transfer, free SSL certificate, unmetered disk space, unlimited email accounts, free dedicated IP, unlimited databases, free upgrade to positive SSL, and more.
Similarly, Hostinger provides different hosting plans to ensure that your website is online, irrespective of your budget. The platform has a domain checker feature that enables you to look for a domain name that best fits your site. Its hosting plans are VPS hosting, WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, eCommerce hosting, CMS hosting, and so on. Of course, there is also a shared hosting plan which makes it easy for small businesses and websites to be hosted on the internet without spending too much on hosting solutions.
Hostinger’s shared hosting plan is divided into 3 main types – single web hosting, premium web hosting, and business web hosting. Notably, most businesses opt for premium web hosting as it offers most of the features they need to stay online. The Single web hosting plan starts from $1.99 per month, but its renewal costs $3.99 per month. Its notable features include hosting for 1 website, 100 GB bandwidth, optimization for WordPress, 50 GB SSD storage, Unlimited free SSL, and 1 free business Email account.
Premium web hosting offers optimization for WordPress, hosting for 100 websites, weekly data backup, 1 free business mailbox, unlimited bandwidth, and a free domain name. Business web hosting, on the other hand, boasts of all the features of premium web hosting as well as daily data backups, WordPress Staging tool, and increased processing power.
In terms of the HostGator vs. Hostinger comparison, Hostinger offers fewer plans. Still, these plans are well-loaded with all the features you need to kick-start your site and ensure its accessibility and availability.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Pricing and Payment Options
When it comes to the prices of HostGator and Hostinger, there is really no comparison. Hostinger beats almost all other hosting solutions, not just HostGator. HostGator’s cheapest shared hosting plan costs $2.75, slightly pricier than the most affordable shared hosting plan of Hostinger, which goes for just $1.99. Considering the affordability of the hosting plans of Hostinger, it does not come as a surprise that most small businesses prefer to use the hosting solutions of Hostinger.
So, if you are looking for a cheap hosting service that can still provide you with some of the best features that your site needs, Hostinger is clearly ahead of HostGator and a host of other web hosting solutions.
Let’s talk about the payment options for HostGator vs. Hostinger. HostGator allows users to pay through various options, such as credit and debit cards. So, if you have a Discover, Amex, Visa, or MasterCard payment card, you can use it to pay for your HostGator hosting plan. PayPal and money orders are additional payment methods available. For those that prefer bank wire, HostGator also allows this payment option. In other words, so many options are available for you; therefore, you can be assured that payment options will never be a problem when using HostGator web hosting solutions.
If you use a debit or credit card from Discover, MasterCard, Diner’s, or Visa, you can easily and quickly use it to pay for your hosting plan on Hostinger. You can also consider paying for your hosting plan via BitPal and PayPal, which are online payment options. If you have coins you want to use for payment, Hostinger also allows coin payments. You can also send a special request to the platform’s customer support team if you prefer to pay through net banking so that they can approve it.
Comparatively, both of these platforms perform excellently in terms of payment options. Both of them allow payments for their hosting plans through several means. Therefore, payment will hardly be a challenge for any of their customers.
HostGator vs. Hostinger – Money-back Guarantee
The standard money-back guarantee period for most web hosting platforms is 30 days. However, HostGator is slightly different as the company provides a 45-day money-back guarantee option. This means that if you are not satisfied with the quality of the services that HostGator is offering you, you can request a refund within the first 45 days of paying for the plan. It is noteworthy that this money-back guarantee is only meant for the first-time subscriber of a particular hosting plan. This limited money-back guarantee is unavailable for people who have used a specific hosting plan.
Similarly, Hostinger offers a money-back guarantee. Nevertheless, it is only for 30 days which is what you will get from most hosting companies. If you require a refund, you can do so by contacting Hostinger through their official website, and you will receive your refund as soon as possible. However, if you are dissatisfied with a particular plan and prefer to migrate to another Hostinger plan instead of a refund, this hosting company also makes it possible. Just indicate the new plan you want, add extra fees, if necessary, and start enjoying the new plan.
Pros and Cons Of Each Hosting Provider
Pros of HostGator
- Affordability
This platform is relatively affordable. Even though it is more expensive than Hostinger, it is still excellent for those looking to host their websites on a budget.
- Unlimited disk space and bandwidth
When you buy one of the plans of HostGator, you get unlimited bandwidth and disk space. As a result, the amount of data you can store on the website and the amount of monthly traffic is unrestricted. You can grow your site the way you want as long as you have subscribed to the right plans.
- Regular data backup
You can back up your data anytime; therefore, you have complete control over your data backup. So, just go to the backup option, select it, and your data will be stored on HostGator’s server to be made accessible at any time of the day.
- Excellent uptime
This platform provides top-notch uptime of about 99.9%. In other words, your site will be available pretty much always
- A lot of customer support options
HostGator offers several customer support options. Apart from live chat and other options, you can also speak to the customer support team via phone. Theoretically, this means easy access for anyone that needs a quick response.
- A lot of payment options
HostGator allows several payment options. So, regardless of your preferred payment options, you will likely find it on HostGator.
- Hosting options for Windows
This platform provides hosting plans for Windows users. HostGator offers Enterprise and Personal hosting plans that utilize the Windows OS. This plan also provides full support for any website hosted via ASP.NET. Overall, this ensures that no one is left out of the massive benefits of HostGator.
- 45-day money-back guarantee
HostGator comes with an uncommon 45-day money-back guarantee. You can hardly find any other web hosting companies that offer more than 30 days.
Cons of HostGator
- Poor customer support in some situations
Customer support of HostGator can be problematic at times. According to many customer reviews, the support team does not usually respond on time when contacted via live chat. So, your best bet for finding solutions to any problems you may have with the hosting services of HostGator is a phone call.
Similarly, the solutions that the support team provides in some instances are also mediocre. In other words, the customers may have to consider looking for answers via forums and other platforms that are not directly associated with HostGator.
- Poor response to a bad traffic spike
Another problem with HostGator is the platform’s response to a bad traffic spike. You may find that your website will slow down significantly during high-traffic periods, resulting in a worse user experience.
Pros of Hostinger
- Super cheap solution
Cheapness is the most essential benefit of Hostinger. With a cheap shared hosting plan that costs only $1.99, anybody can enjoy a superb web hosting solution that does not cost an arm and a leg. So, anyone that needs a cheap hosting service should not hesitate to join Hostinger.
- Great uptime
With an uptime of over 99%, Hostinger assures you of quality and lasting time online. You can be sure that your website will be online most of the time.
- Free domain name
For every plan on Hostinger, you can get a free domain name. This is another option that makes setting up a website more accessible and affordable for people as they do not have to spend money buying a domain name.
- Free security features
Hostinger has several security features that do not cost you anything. These features include a free SSL certificate as well as free BitNinja security. All these features are added to this exceptional hosting solution to ensure that your website enjoys a good level of protection. They protect your data and safeguard your website against new security threats.
- Several payment options
If you are paying for the hosting plans of Hostinger, there are many payment options that you can use. This makes it convenient for you to pay and get started using this platform.
- Free daily and weekly site backups
With Hostinger, you get free daily and weekly site backups. Depending on the hosting plan you purchased, Hostinger ensures your data is backed up on its cloud servers daily or weekly.
- 30-day money-back guarantee and option for migrating to other plans
Because Hostinger wants to ensure that you are satisfied with its hosting solution, it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for everyone. Therefore, if you are dissatisfied with the features of a specific plan, you can ask for a refund within 30 days, and you will receive your money with little hassle. And if a plan does not meet your needs and you prefer to move to another hosting platform on Hostinger that you think offers everything you want, you can do so instead of getting a refund.
Cons of Hostinger
- No phone support
If you prefer contacting the customer support team via phone, then Hostinger is not for you, and this is because this hosting company does not offer phone support. Nevertheless, there are other options for getting in touch with Hostinger.
- Lack of free site migration service for some plans
The most affordable plans of Hostinger do not come with the free site migration service. A Site migration service involves moving your website from one hosting platform to another.
The Verdict
Which one should you go for?
As we bring this HostGator vs. Hostinger debate to an end, it is crucial to decide which of these two web hosting companies offers the best overall services. Foremost, you should understand that both HostGator and Hostinger provide exceptional services that you will enjoy. They offer clean and easy-to-use interfaces, excellent uptime and loading time, payment options, and lots more.
Nevertheless, Hostinger seems to have the edge over its counterpart because its plans are more affordable. Its reliable multilingual customer support also ensures that customers will likely have a better experience with Hostinger despite its lack of phone support. However, if you own a startup and want various customized features for it, HostGator may be your best choice.
Once again, both HostGator and Hostinger provide extraordinary services, and you cannot go wrong with choosing any of them.