A2 Hosting vs InMotion – “The Real Truth …”

A2 Hosting vs InMotion

98.8 %

Overall Score

99.0 %

Overall Score

A2 Hosting focuses on speed and performance, offering Turbo Servers that can enhance page load times. It provides various hosting services such as shared, VPS, dedicated, and managed WordPress hosting. A2 Hosting is also known for its 99.9% uptime guarantee, 24/7 customer support, and features like SSD storage and a global content delivery network (CDN).

InMotion Hosting emphasizes reliability and customer service, catering to small businesses and professionals. It offers shared, VPS, dedicated, and managed WordPress hosting, along with a 90-day money-back guarantee. InMotion provides free website migration, SSD storage, and advanced security features, making it popular among business users.

In summary, A2 Hosting is ideal for users prioritizing speed and performance, while InMotion Hosting stands out for its business-friendly features and exceptional customer support, especially for more established websites and professional users.

A2 Hosting

Performance: |5.0| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A2 Hosting is known for its speed, primarily through its Turbo Servers, which deliver up to 20 times faster load times than standard hosting. Features like SSD storage, caching tools, and a global CDN contribute to enhanced performance, making it ideal for users prioritizing fast website speeds.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A2 Hosting guarantees a 99.9% uptime, ensuring websites remain accessible and stable. With features like proactive monitoring, SSD storage, and a global CDN, A2 Hosting minimizes downtime and maintains strong reliability for performance-focused users.

Customer Service: |4.8|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A2 Hosting provides 24/7 customer support through live chat, phone, and tickets. Known for quick and knowledgeable responses, their support team is highly rated, especially for technical issues. They also offer a comprehensive knowledge base for self-service troubleshooting.

InMotion

Performance: |4.8| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

InMotion Hosting also offers solid performance, with SSD storage on all plans and server optimization tools like NGINX. While it doesn’t emphasize speed as much as A2 Hosting, InMotion provides reliable performance, especially for business websites, ensuring consistent and stable site loading times.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

InMotion Hosting also offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, backed by its robust infrastructure. Its use of SSDs and optimized server environments ensures that websites experience minimal downtime, making it a solid choice for businesses needing consistent availability.

Customer Service: |4.7|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

InMotion Hosting is equally strong in customer service, offering 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email. They are well-regarded for their personalized, U.S.-based support, particularly for business clients. InMotion also provides a robust knowledge base, helping users find solutions to common problems on their own.

Overall Comparison A2 Hosting vs InMotion

The great thing about this A2 Hosting vs InMotion Hosting comparison is that you can’t really make a bad choice with either provider. Both hosts offer solid infrastructures, SSD-powered hosting, and a wide variety of features at affordable rates. The decision ultimately boils down to the small differences that might make one provider a better fit for your specific needs.

For instance, InMotion Hosting includes a free SSL certificate with its annual plans, while A2 Hosting does not. However, A2 Hosting allows you to cancel your contract at any time and receive a pro-rata refund, which is not an option with InMotion Hosting.

To make a fair comparison between A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting, I evaluated both based on pricing, features, performance, security, and customer support. While both hosts are impressive, A2 Hosting has a slight overall advantage. If you’d like to check out A2 Hosting’s best deals, click here, or keep reading to find out why it comes out ahead in this close comparison.

FeatureA2 HostingInMotion
SpeedTurbo Servers for faster speedsReliable performance with SSDs
Uptime 99.9% uptime guarantee99.9% uptime guarantee
Customer Support24/7 support (live chat, phone, tickets) 24/7 U.S.-based support
Money-Back GuaranteeAnytime money-back guarantee90-day money-back guarantee
Hosting PlansShared, VPS, dedicated, WordPressShared, VPS, dedicated, WordPress
Free MigrationYesYes
Free DomainNo (free domain with certain plans)Yes (free domain for the first year)
Security FeaturesFree SSL, DDoS protection Free SSL, advanced security features
Best forUsers prioritizing speedBusiness clients, eCommerce users

1. Plans and Pricing

Both Hosts Provide Affordable Shared Hosting, but InMotion Is Slightly More Budget-Friendly

A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting both offer a range of competitively priced hosting solutions with appealing discounts for annual subscriptions. However, there are notable differences in their shared hosting plans. While A2 Hosting’s four shared hosting plans come at a lower initial annual rate, InMotion Hosting offers cheaper renewal rates compared to A2 Hosting.

FeatureA2 HostingInMotion
Starting Price (Shared Hosting)$2.99/month$3.49/month
Renewal Price $8.99/month$8.99/month
VPS Hosting$5.00/month$19.99/month
Dedicated Hosting$99.59/month $99.99/month
Managed WordPress Hosting$11.99/month$4.99/month
Money-Back GuaranteeAnytime90-day
Free DomainA2 HostingYes (first year)
Free Website MigrationYes Yes

While both hosts offer a variety of services, shared hosting remains the go-to option. That’s why this comparison between InMotion Hosting and A2 Hosting focuses on shared hosting.

Starting with their cheapest plans, both include 100GB of SSD storage, unlimited bandwidth, a free SSL certificate, and DDoS protection

Here are the key differences:

In addition to hosting a single website, A2 Hosting’s Startup plan ($1.95/month) provides unlimited email accounts, server-level firewall protection, server hardening, virus detection, and brute force defense.

InMotion Hosting’s Core plan ($2.29/mo) hosts 2 websites and includes 10 email addresses, malware & hack protection, and ModSecurity.

InMotion’s Core plan has an advantage as it’s slightly cheaper and allows hosting 2 websites, which is uncommon for entry-level plans.

Of course, these are just the starter plans. Both hosts offer more options for different needs. So, which one should you choose?

2. Features

A2 Hosting Provides More Optimized Managed WordPress Hosting Plans

A2 Hosting offers three SSD-powered managed WordPress hosting plans – 1-Site, 3-Site, and Unlimited – supporting between one and unlimited websites, with 10 GB to 40 GB of disk space, free SSL, the Plesk control panel, and unlimited bandwidth. Their platform is built on Cloud Container Technology, specifically optimized for handling high-traffic WordPress sites.

All of A2 Hosting’s WordPress plans utilize their Turbo servers, providing page loads up to 20 times faster. Additionally, A2 Hosting includes several valuable features at no extra cost, such as Cloudflare CDN, automatic backups, a Jetpack Personal license, and single-click staging for testing edits on a copy of your live website.

On the other hand, InMotion Hosting offers four managed WordPress hosting plans – WP-1000S, WP-2000S, WP-3000S, and WP-4000S. These plans accommodate between one and six websites, with 50 GB to 200 GB SSD storage, free SSL, and unlimited bandwidth.

InMotion Hosting includes the free Jetpack Image CDN, which is more limited compared to Cloudflare CDN, as it only functions for WordPress site images. Additionally, while InMotion’s WP-1000S plan comes with the free version of Jetpack, it is a paid add-on for their other WordPress plans.

Here’s a table comparing the key differences between A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting:

FeatureA2 HostingInMotion
Hosting TypesShared, WordPress hosting, VPS,
reseller, dedicated servers
Shared, WordPress hosting, VPS, reseller,
dedicated servers, cloud VPS, bare metal
Storage SSD storage and CDN includedSSD storage on all plans
Free Domain
Free SSL Certificate
Disk Space10 GB – Unlimited50 GB – Unlimited
Bandwidth400 GB – UnlimitedUnlimited
Automatic BackupsYes, with all WordPress hosting plans,
but only with some shared hosting plans
Available for additional fee
Control PanelcPanel, PleskcPanel
Email AccountsUnlimitedUnlimited
Free CDNFree Image CDN with WordPress hosting
Free Site MigrationOnly if website is under 10 GB
Money-Back GuaranteeAnytime money-back guarantee90-day money-back guarantee
data centerMultiple data center locationsBusiness-class hosting solutions
Support24/7 customer support24/7 U.S.-based customer support

The winner? A2 Hosting, as it provides more advanced and optimized WordPress hosting features, many of which are included at no extra cost.

3. Performance

InMotion Hosting Outshines A2 Hosting in Performance

While both A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting promise a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which one truly delivers? A2 Hosting has had occasional downtimes in the past, but InMotion Hosting consistently exceeds this uptime target without any lapses.

Though A2 Hosting has a global server network (with locations in the USA, Netherlands, and Singapore), InMotion Hosting operates solely in the US. However, its two data centers are strategically located at internet exchange points.

When testing A2 Hosting’s loading speeds, some locations showed slower results, though the overall performance remained above average. In contrast, InMotion Hosting’s speed tests exceeded expectations.

With more reliable uptime and faster loading times, InMotion Hosting takes the edge in performance.

Page Performance of A2 Hosting

Page Performance of InMotion Hosting

InMotion GTMetrix Grade

4. Ease of Use

When comparing InMotion Hosting and A2 Hosting for management, both are equally user-friendly, as they follow a similar structure: a user interface primarily for billing and cPanel for website management. However, A2 Hosting’s WHMCS (Web Host Manager Complete Solution) is simpler, while InMotion’s AMP (Account Management Panel) offers more functionality.

A2 Hosting’s WHMCS may seem a bit outdated, but its simplicity means there’s virtually no learning curve. Most actions are just a few clicks away, and it’s primarily used for billing and accessing the cPanel.

The real focus is on the cPanel, which provides a comprehensive set of tools for website management. Here, you can manage domains, emails, metrics, software, security features, CMS installations, and more.

A2 Hosting uses a standard version of cPanel with no custom skin or design modifications. While it might lack visual flair, this doesn’t affect its functionality—everything remains intuitive and easy to navigate.

All the tools and features are neatly categorized for quick access, and there’s a search bar to help users find functions efficiently. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, managing the control panel should be straightforward.

In a similar vein, InMotion Hosting uses cPanel in conjunction with an account management panel (AMP). Although the AMP’s design isn’t flashy, it’s clean and practical, with key features easily accessible. It handles tasks like billing, account details, SSL setup, and provides shortcuts to cPanel for domain and email management.

The cPanel is crucial for website management, offering control over domains, emails, databases, and files. Plus, with the Softaculous app installer, installing content management systems (CMS) is simple and efficient.

In terms of design, InMotion Hosting’s cPanel stands out from A2 Hosting’s, featuring a custom skin that adds a more polished look. Despite the branding differences, InMotion’s cPanel remains just as user-friendly.

The tools and features are well-organized into broader categories, making everything you need for website management easy to locate. There’s also a search bar for quick access to specific functions.

In summary, both A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting are easy to use. However, while A2 Hosting opts for simplicity at the cost of style, InMotion Hosting strikes a better balance between functionality and sleek design.

A2 Hosting:

Control Panel: Offers cPanel along with custom management options, providing flexibility for users.

Setup Process: Easy setup with step-by-step guidance, though some advanced features might require a learning curve.

One-Click Installers: Provides one-click installations for apps like WordPress, making website setup simple for beginners.

Knowledge Base: Comprehensive documentation and tutorials available for troubleshooting and learning.

Customer Support: 24/7 responsive support aids with technical setup and issues, reducing the complexity for users

InMotion Hosting:

Control Panel: Uses cPanel, a widely recognized and user-friendly interface, making navigation simple for all users.

Setup Process: Streamlined setup process with a detailed onboarding experience, especially helpful for new users.

One-Click Installers: Offers one-click installation for popular applications, simplifying the process for beginners.

Knowledge Base: Extensive knowledge base and video tutorials provide clear instructions for common tasks.

Customer Support: U.S.-based 24/7 support is highly praised for its helpfulness, particularly in assisting less experienced users.

Hosting Provided

What Our Customers Have to Say?

A2 Hosting: 

Performance: Many users commend A2 Hosting for its exceptional speed, particularly with Turbo plans that enhance load times.

Customer Support: Customers frequently praise the responsive and knowledgeable support team for addressing technical issues effectively.

Uptime: Reviews often highlight a strong uptime record, with minimal downtime reported, ensuring website reliability.

User Experience: Some users mention a slight learning curve for advanced features but appreciate the overall user-friendly experience.

InMotion Hosting: 

Customer Service: InMotion is frequently lauded for its helpful and friendly U.S.-based customer support, providing quick assistance.

Performance: While many customers report reliable performance, some note that it may not be as fast as competitors like A2 Hosting.

Value for Money: Users often find InMotion’s pricing competitive, particularly for the features offered, such as free website migration and backups.

User Experience: The easy-to-use interface and setup process receive positive feedback, making it a good choice for beginners and small businesses.

Advantage of A2 Hosting and InMotion

A2 HostingInMotion
Turbo Servers for enhanced speedFree website migration
Comprehensive knowledge baseExcellent customer support
99.9% uptime guarantee90-day money-back guarantee
SSD storage for better performance SSD storage on all plans
Flexible control panel options User-friendly cPanel interface
Anytime money-back guarantee Free domain for the first year
Strong security featuresAdvanced security features
Developer-friendly tools (SSH, Git)Optimized for eCommerce
Robust performance optimizationReliable performance under load

Disadvantage of A2 Hosting and InMotion

A2 HostingInMotion
Higher renewal pricesHigher initial cost compared to competitors
Turbo plans cost extra Limited data centers (U.S.-based only)
Fewer promotional discountsNo monthly billing on shared plans
Advanced features may be complexSlower speed compared to some competitors
No free domain with basic plansLimited international support

5. Support

Although both A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting offer detailed websites and extensive knowledge bases, A2 Hosting’s stands out for its superior organization, making it easier to locate the information you need. A2 Hosting provides 24/7 customer support through live chat, phone, and support tickets. While some users have noted occasional delays in response times, my experience was positive—I received an almost immediate reply via live chat. Even with the support ticket I submitted, I got a response within an hour, which is quite reasonable.

In contrast, InMotion Hosting provides 24/7/365 U.S.-based support and offers the same communication channels as A2 Hosting, plus email. However, when I reached out via live chat, it took a bit longer to connect with an agent. Once connected, the agent was helpful and addressed all my questions. The support ticket system was just as effective.

Both providers offer reliable support, and while InMotion has more communication options than A2 Hosting, A2 Hosting takes the lead in this round with its quicker response times via live chat.

A2 Hosting 

24/7 Availability: Provides round-the-clock support through live chat, phone, and tickets.

Response Time: Known for quick response times, especially for technical inquiries.

Knowledge Base: Extensive knowledge base and tutorials available for self-help.

Support Quality: Customers generally praise the knowledgeable and friendly support team, especially for technical troubleshooting.

InMotion Hosting 

24/7 Availability: Offers 24/7 U.S.-based customer support via phone, chat, and email.

Response Time: Fast response times, particularly praised for personalized service.

Knowledge Base: Provides a detailed knowledge base with video tutorials and guides.

Support Quality: Highly rated for customer service, particularly for assisting non-technical and small business users.

6. Security

A2 Hosting Holds a Security Edge Over InMotion Hosting

Both A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting provide free SSL certificates, and secure their servers and websites with 24/7 monitoring and DDoS protection.

InMotion also includes Hack Protection, an Advanced Policy Firewall, and internal vulnerability patching to safeguard your websites from malicious threats.

However, A2 Hosting goes further by offering a free security suite with all its plans. This includes KernelCare (automatic, daily, rebootless Kernel updates), enhanced DDoS protection, a Dual Web Hosting Firewall, Brute Force defense, HackScan, Auto-Heal hosting protection, Barracuda spam filtering, and virus scanning.

Additionally, A2 Hosting includes free automated regular backups with most plans, whereas InMotion offers backups as a paid add-on—a significant advantage for A2 Hosting users.

The verdict? While InMotion provides robust security features, A2 Hosting’s free automated backups and comprehensive security pack make it the clear winner in this category.

Security FeatureA2 HostingInMotion Hosting
Free SSL CertificatesYesYes
DDoS Protection YesYes
Security Monitoring 24/7 monitoring 24/7 monitoring
Automatic BackupsAvailable (with some plans)Free daily backups
Malware ProtectionYes Yes
Firewall ProtectionYes Yes
Two-Factor AuthenticationYesYes
Patchman Enhanced SecurityYesYes

Frequently Asked Questions

A2 Hosting: Offers shared, VPS, dedicated, managed WordPress, and reseller hosting.

InMotion Hosting: Provides shared, VPS, dedicated, managed WordPress, reseller, and business-class hosting.

A2 Hosting: Known for its Turbo Servers that offer up to 20 times faster speeds.

InMotion Hosting: Offers reliable performance with SSDs, though not as focused on speed as A2.

A2 Hosting: 99.9% uptime guarantee.

InMotion Hosting: Also guarantees 99.9% uptime.

A2 Hosting: Offers 24/7 support with quick response times.

InMotion Hosting: Provides 24/7 U.S.-based support, highly praised for its personalized service.

A2 Hosting: Yes, offers free website migration for new customers.

InMotion Hosting: Yes, also provides free website transfer for new accounts.

A2 Hosting: Starts at $2.99/month but has higher renewal rates.

InMotion Hosting: Starts at $3.49/month with a longer 90-day money-back guarantee.

A2 Hosting: User-friendly, though some advanced features may require a learning curve.

InMotion Hosting: Slightly more beginner-friendly with a straightforward setup and onboarding process.

A2 Hosting: Includes free SSL, DDoS protection, malware scanning, and server hardening.

InMotion Hosting: Offers free SSL, DDoS protection, free daily backups, and malware protection.

A2 Hosting: No free domain with basic plans.

InMotion Hosting: Yes, provides a free domain for the first year with most plans.

A2 Hosting: Automated backups are available on certain plans.

InMotion Hosting: Provides free daily backups for all plans.

A2 Hosting: Optimized WordPress hosting with Turbo options for faster speeds.

InMotion Hosting: Managed WordPress hosting with free themes and pre-installed WordPress.

A2 Hosting: Anytime money-back guarantee.

InMotion Hosting: 90-day money-back guarantee, one of the longest in the industry.

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