Hostinger vs A2 Hosting – “The Winner is …”

Hostinger vs A2 Hosting

94.8 %

Overall Score

Hostinger vs A2 Hosting

98.8 %

Overall Score

Hostinger is a popular web hosting provider known for its affordability and user-friendly services. Offering plans tailored for beginners and small to medium-sized businesses, it provides features like a custom control panel, managed WordPress hosting, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Hostinger’s performance is solid for shared hosting, with a focus on speed through LiteSpeed caching and SSD storage.

A2 Hosting emphasizes performance and flexibility, appealing to developers and businesses looking for scalable options. Known for its Turbo Servers, which can boost load times significantly, A2 Hosting offers shared, VPS, reseller, and dedicated hosting plans, along with developer-friendly options like root access. It’s also well-regarded for customer support and strong uptime.

In terms of comparison, Hostinger is budget-friendly and beginner-oriented, making it a great entry-level choice, while A2 Hosting leans towards higher performance and flexibility, appealing to users needing advanced customization and speed. Both offer reliable hosting, but Hostinger’s competitive pricing often makes it ideal for smaller sites, while A2 is better suited for resource-intensive projects and developers.

Hostinger

Performance: |5.0| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hostinger performs well for standard websites, especially at its price point. It uses LiteSpeed caching and SSD storage, which contribute to decent load times and improved speed, though it may not match the performance of premium hosts under high traffic. Hostinger’s servers are optimized for most WordPress sites and small business needs, making it a solid choice for users focused on cost-effective speed.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hostinger offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which is standard in the industry. While this guarantee is generally reliable, some users have reported occasional minor downtimes, especially on shared hosting plans. Overall, Hostinger’s uptime is sufficient for most small to medium-sized sites, though it may not provide the rock-solid stability required by larger, mission-critical websites.

Customer Service: |4.8|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hostinger provides 24/7 customer support primarily through live chat, though there is no phone support. While response times are generally quick, Hostinger’s support is aimed more at beginners, so technical assistance for complex issues may be somewhat limited. They have a vast knowledge base that includes self-help lessons and instructions.

A2 Hosting

Performance: |4.8| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A2 Hosting is known for its Turbo Servers, which claim up to 20x faster speeds than standard hosting by using NVMe storage and optimized caching. This setup makes A2 Hosting ideal for sites with heavier traffic or applications that demand faster load times. It generally provides a performance edge over Hostinger, especially for users with resource-intensive or complex websites.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A2 Hosting also promises a 99.9% uptime guarantee but often performs slightly better in real-world uptime metrics, thanks to its advanced infrastructure and optimizations. With a focus on reliability, A2 Hosting tends to be a strong choice for users seeking consistent performance and uptime, especially for business sites where even small downtimes can impact revenue or user experience.

Customer Service: |4.7|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The “Guru Crew” support staff of A2 Hosting is well-known for being accessible via phone, email, and live chat around-the-clock. A2’s support is highly rated, especially for technical expertise, making it a go-to for developers or businesses with complex hosting needs. The availability of multiple support channels and personalized service often gives A2 Hosting an edge in customer satisfaction.
In comparison, Hostinger’s customer service is responsive and suitable for basic support, ideal for beginners on a budget, while A2 Hosting offers more in-depth technical support and flexible options, which cater better to advanced users and businesses needing reliable assistance on a range of issues.

Overall Comparison Hostinger vs A2 Hosting

FeatureHostingerA2 Hosting
PricingBudget-friendly, ideal for small websites Higher pricing with performance focus
Performance Good, LiteSpeed caching, SSD storage Excellent, Turbo Servers with NVMe storage
Uptime Guarantee 99.9% uptime guarantee99.9% uptime guarantee, often more reliable
Customer Support 24/7 live chat, no phone support 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email
Control Panel Custom control panel cPanel and Plesk options
Backup Options Weekly backups on premium plansDaily backups on higher plans
Refund Policy 30-day money-back guarantee Anytime money-back guarantee
Freebies Free SSL, domain on some plansFree SSL, Cloudflare CDN, site migration
Best for Beginners and budget-conscious users Advanced users and high-performance needs

1. Plans and Pricing

Save More with Hostinger Over Time

Both Hostinger and A2 Hosting provide a wide range of services, including shared hosting, managed WordPress, and advanced VPS solutions. However, Hostinger stands out with significantly lower prices for its shared hosting plans.

For example, A2 Hosting’s Startup plan and Hostinger’s Single plan have comparable prices for the initial prepaid term—three years with A2 and four years with Hostinger. At first glance, A2 Hosting may seem like the better value due to its larger storage capacity.

Plan TypeHostingerA2 Hosting
Shared HostingStarting at $1.99/month for basic plan Starting at $2.99/month for basic plan
WordPress Hosting Starting at $1.99/month for single site Starting at $11.99/month with Turbo option
VPS HostingStarting at $3.99/month for entry-level plan Starting at $4.99/month for entry-level plan
Dedicated HostingNot offeredStarting at $109.99/month
Renewal RatesModerate increases after initial term Higher renewal rates, especially on Turbo plans
Free Trial 30-day money-back guarantee Anytime money-back guarantee

However, the balance shifts after the initial term. Upon renewal, A2 Hosting’s Startup plan becomes nearly three times more expensive than Hostinger’s Single plan, making Hostinger a more budget-friendly choice for the long run.

Hostinger’s Single shared hosting plan includes 50 GB of SSD storage and unlimited bandwidth—plenty for small projects. Whether you’re hosting a blog, personal website, or business landing page, it’s a cost-effective solution.

Hosting Management

Feature HostingerA2 Hosting
Control Panel Custom control panel, hPanel Standard cPanel and optional Plesk
Account Management Simple dashboard for billing and settings Standardized dashboard with more advanced options
WordPress Management Managed WordPress with automatic updates Managed WordPress with Turbo option for speed
Staging EnvironmentAvailable on higher-tier plans Available on higher-tier plans
Server Access SSH access on premium plans SSH access available on all plans
File Management File Manager in hPanel, limited customization Full File Manager with advanced controls
Backups Weekly backups on basic, daily on premiumDaily backups on higher-tier plans
Security Management Free SSL, DDoS protection, and Cloudflare Free SSL, DDoS protection, and optional CDN

2. Features

Hostinger’s Control Panel Is Simpler, but A2 Hosting Offers More Features

Both Hostinger and A2 Hosting provide robust shared hosting plans with ample storage, bandwidth, email accounts, and free website transfers. However, they differ in key areas worth noting.

A2 Hosting uses the traditional cPanel, while Hostinger offers its proprietary hPanel. hPanel is streamlined, removing unnecessary options, making it easier to navigate, especially for beginners. It also simplifies installing popular CMS platforms like WordPress. However, after installation, users must adjust settings and plugins to optimize performance.

A2 Hosting, by contrast, allows you to install a pre-optimized WordPress version, saving time on setup. However, its entry-level Startup plan lacks automated backups, whereas Hostinger includes weekly backups on all plans for added peace of mind.

While A2 Hosting’s features are impressive, Hostinger’s intuitive hPanel gives it a slight advantage, making it a deciding factor for many users.

FeatureHostingerA2 Hosting
Hosting TypesShared, WordPress, Cloud, Email, VPSShared, WordPress, Email, VPS, dedicated servers
Free DomainOn Premium plan and above
Free SSL Certificate
Disk Space50 GB SSD – 200 GB NVMe100 GB – unlimited
BandwidthUnmeteredUnmetered
Automatic Backups✔ (Weekly)✔ (Daily on the Drive plan and above)
Control PanelhPanelcPanel
Email Accounts1 – 100Unlimited
Free CDNOnly on Business plan
Free Site Migration
Money-Back Guarantee30 DaysAnytime (full refund within 30 days,
prorated refund after 30 days)
Number of websites1 – 3001 – unlimited

3. Performance

Although the competition was close, Hostinger's performance was marginally better

Both Hostinger and A2 Hosting offer SSD storage and full Cloudflare CDN support on all plans, but the key differences become apparent when you look deeper. The most significant difference is that Hostinger includes LiteSpeed technology and caching on all its servers, while A2 Hosting charges extra for these features.

Since LiteSpeed is regarded as one of the quickest web servers for WordPress, the conventional Apache server is rapidly being replaced by it. While A2 Hosting only offers Apache unless you choose the more costly Turbo Boost or Turbo Max plans, Hostinger offers LiteSpeed and automatic caching on all tiers.

Hostinger also provides additional data center locations. Hostinger extends its reach to Brazil, India, France, the UK, and Lithuania, while A2 Hosting maintains data centers in the US, the Netherlands, and Singapore. 

This broader range of locations means Hostinger offers more options for optimizing site speed based on proximity to your target audience.

To evaluate the performance of both hosts, I tested their entry-level plans by creating identical websites and running speed tests over several months. Using GTmetrix, I found that both hosts performed similarly, but Hostinger had a slight edge due to its inclusion of LiteSpeed and its additional data center options.

Page Performance of Hostinger

Hostinger page performance

Page Performance of A2 Hosting

4. Ease of Use

Hostinger: 

Custom hPanel: Hostinger’s proprietary hPanel is designed for simplicity and ease, especially for beginners. It’s visually clean, with intuitive navigation and helpful tooltips.

Streamlined Setup: The setup process is user-friendly, with a guided onboarding experience that helps new users through domain setup, SSL installation, and email creation.

Built-In Website Builder: Hostinger includes a drag-and-drop website builder on some plans, making it easy for non-technical users to build a website without additional tools.

Quick Access to Features: Essential features, like file management, backups, and WordPress installations, are easy to locate, thanks to hPanel’s well-organized layout.

Automatic Updates: Hostinger provides automatic updates for WordPress and other software, making it convenient for users who prefer a hands-off approach to maintenance.

A2 Hosting: 

Standard cPanel: A2 Hosting uses cPanel, an industry-standard tool that many users are familiar with. This is beneficial for those who have previous hosting experience, as cPanel offers more customization options.

Advanced Customization: For users who need more control, A2 Hosting provides advanced tools, like SSH access and the option to use command-line functions, which may be intimidating for beginners but are appreciated by experienced users.

Guided WordPress Setup: A2 offers a simplified WordPress setup for new users, with Turbo plans specifically optimized for WordPress, which can ease the setup of performance-enhancing features.

Comprehensive Knowledge Base: A2 Hosting’s knowledge base covers in-depth tutorials on various topics, which can be helpful for users who want to learn or troubleshoot independently.

Flexible Account Management: A2’s account portal provides access to billing, settings, and support but may not be as beginner-friendly as Hostinger’s hPanel due to the more complex set of features.

Hosting Provided by Hostinger vs A2 Hosting

Hosting Provided

What Our Customers Have to Say?

Hostinger: 

Affordable Pricing: Customers frequently praise Hostinger for its budget-friendly pricing, making it accessible for beginners and small businesses.

Ease of Use: Many users appreciate the simplicity and user-friendliness of Hostinger’s custom hPanel, especially for those new to web hosting.

Good Performance for the Price: Reviewers often mention that while Hostinger may not be the fastest on the market, its performance is more than sufficient for the cost.

Responsive Support: Customers report positive experiences with Hostinger’s 24/7 live chat support, though some find the responses can be basic for complex issues.

Reliability: Hostinger generally gets good feedback for uptime, though some users experience occasional downtimes, particularly on lower-tier plans.

A2 Hosting: 

Excellent Speed and Performance: A2 Hosting receives high marks for its Turbo Servers, with many users noticing faster load times compared to competitors.

Responsive Customer Support: Customers appreciate A2’s 24/7 support, especially the technical expertise of their “Guru Crew” team, which is seen as a standout feature.

Customization Options: Developers and experienced users like the flexibility A2 Hosting offers with tools like cPanel, SSH access, and the ability to use custom configurations.

Premium Pricing: Some customers mention that A2 Hosting can be pricier than other providers, but many believe the added performance and features justify the cost.

Reliable Uptime: A2 Hosting is frequently praised for its strong uptime and overall server reliability, particularly for resource-intensive sites

Advantage of Hostinger and A2 Hosting

HostingerA2 Hosting
Budget-friendly, ideal for small businesses and beginnersTurbo Servers provide high-performance hosting for quicker speeds.
User-friendly custom hPanel for easy management Industry-standard cPanel and advanced customization options
Free website builder and easy WordPress setup Developer-friendly tools like SSH and root access
99.9% uptime guarantee with solid performance Excellent uptime with robust infrastructure
30-day money-back guarantee Anytime money-back guarantee
Offers affordable VPS and cloud hosting options Variety of hosting options, including dedicated servers
Great for hosting small to medium-sized websites Optimized for high-traffic and resource-heavy sites

Disadvantage of Hostinger and A2 Hosting

HostingerA2 Hosting
Limited advanced features for experienced users Higher pricing, especially for Turbo plans
Customer support can be basic for technical issues Some users find cPanel less intuitive for beginners
Occasional downtimes on lower-tier plans Can be overwhelming for beginners due to complex options
No phone support Renewal rates can significantly increase
Limited VPS and dedicated hosting optionsLimited features on lower-tier plans

5. Support

Both Hostinger and A2 Hosting are likely to cause delays

A2 Hosting and Hostinger both offer round-the-clock customer service. A2 Hosting provides phone and ticket help, while Hostinger offers live chat and email support.

However, one common issue with both providers is that agents aren’t always readily available. It can sometimes take hours to receive a response, leaving you to rely on their knowledge base for a quicker resolution.

Hostinger 

24/7 Live Chat: Hostinger offers 24/7 live chat support for immediate assistance, though response times may vary depending on the complexity of the issue.

No Phone Support: Hostinger does not offer phone support, which may be a drawback for customers who prefer speaking directly to a representative.

Knowledge Base: Hostinger has an extensive knowledge base with guides and tutorials for self-help, making it easy for users to resolve common issues on their own.

Ticket System: Users can submit tickets for technical issues, although some customers feel the support could be more responsive for advanced problems.

Support for Beginners: The support team is highly rated for its helpfulness with basic queries, making Hostinger a good choice for beginners or non-technical users.

A2 Hosting 

24/7 Support: A2 Hosting offers 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email, providing flexibility in how users can contact support.

Guru Crew: A2’s support team, known as the “Guru Crew,” is recognized for its technical expertise, making it particularly useful for developers and users with complex issues.

Phone Support: A2 Hosting includes phone support, which is beneficial for users who need immediate and personal assistance.

Comprehensive Knowledge Base: A2 Hosting has an extensive collection of guides, tutorials, and troubleshooting articles, making it easy for users to resolve issues independently.

High Satisfaction for Technical Support: Many users praise A2 Hosting for its knowledgeable and responsive team, especially for more complex hosting problems.

Overall, my experience with both hosts was somewhat disappointing. But if I had to choose a winner in this category, I would go with Hostinger.  While their agents took several hours to respond, they did provide helpful answers once they got in touch.

The knowledge base for both hosts was useful, but this won’t offer much relief if you prefer more hands-on support rather than DIY solutions.

6. Security

Hostinger Offers Strong Security, but A2 Hosting Excels Slightly More

Both Hostinger and A2 Hosting provide robust security measures to keep your website safe. Each includes free SSL certificates on all plans and takes steps to protect against malicious attacks.

Hostinger provides BitNinja security, server-wide firewalls, and DDoS protection. Additionally, weekly backups are included with all plans, ensuring you can restore your website if needed.

A2 Hosting also provides DDoS protection, a dual firewall, a virus scanner, and the Patchman security tool. Patchman helps identify outdated software on your account and isolates suspicious files. Furthermore, A2 Hosting’s Perpetual Security Initiative ensures the most current Linux security and malware protection on all plans.

However, A2 Hosting’s Startup plan lacks automated backups. While you can schedule backups manually through cPanel, this is a feature only available on higher-tier plans for automation.

Security FeatureHostingerA2 Hosting
SSL CertificatesFree SSL included with all plansFree SSL included with all plans
DDoS Protection Basic DDoS protection included Advanced DDoS protection and optional CDN
Two-Factor AuthenticationAvailable for account login Available for account login
Daily/Weekly Backups Daily backups on premium plans, weekly on basic Daily backups on higher-tier plans
Malware ScanningMalware scanning on higher-tier plans Free malware scanning on all plans
Security Patches Automatic software updates Automatic software updates
Firewall ProtectionBuilt-in firewall protection Hardware firewall protection
Cloudflare Integration Optional Cloudflare integration for speed & security Optional Cloudflare integration for enhanced security

Final Recommendation

Security FeatureHostingerA2 Hosting
Best For Budget-conscious users, beginners, small websites Developers, businesses, high-traffic websites
Pricing More affordable, especially for entry-level hosting Higher cost, especially for Turbo plans
Performance Good, suitable for small to medium-sized sites Excellent, best for high-performance needs
Ease of Use Very user-friendly, great for beginnersMore complex but offers flexibility for advanced users
Customer Support 24/7 live chat, basic support for complex issues 24/7 live chat, phone, and email support,
excellent for technical issues
Security Free SSL, basic protection, Cloudflare option Free SSL, advanced DDoS protection, Cloudflare integration
Uptime 99.9% uptime guarantee, generally reliable 99.9% uptime guarantee, more stable performance
Backup Options Daily/weekly backups on premium plans Daily backups on higher-tier plans
Scalability Limited VPS and dedicated hosting optionsScalable VPS, reseller, and dedicated hosting

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Hostinger is generally cheaper, offering more affordable entry-level plans, especially for shared and WordPress hosting.
  • A2 Hosting offers superior performance with its Turbo Servers, designed for faster loading times, especially for high-traffic sites.
  • No, Hostinger only provides live chat support and a ticketing system, without phone support.

Yes, Hostinger offers a free domain with select hosting plans, usually for a 1-year term.

  • A2 Hosting offers a wide range of hosting types including shared hosting, VPS, reseller hosting, dedicated servers, and cloud hosting.
  • Yes, Hostinger uses its custom hPanel, which is designed to be user-friendly, especially for beginners and those new to web hosting.
  • Yes, A2 Hosting provides managed WordPress hosting with a focus on performance optimization, especially for Turbo plans.
  • Yes, Hostinger offers seamless upgrades from shared hosting to VPS or cloud hosting, allowing you to scale as your website grows.
  • Yes, A2 Hosting offers an anytime money-back guarantee, giving users flexibility to cancel at any time within the first 30 days for a refund.
  • A2 Hosting generally offers more advanced security features like DDoS protection, malware scanning, and Cloudflare CDN, whereas Hostinger provides basic security features, such as free SSL and Cloudflare.

A2 Hosting is known for its highly technical and responsive support through live chat, phone, and email, whereas Hostinger’s support is more basic and geared toward beginners.

  • A2 Hosting is better suited for developers, offering more customization, access to tools like SSH, and advanced configuration options, while Hostinger is more beginner-friendly and simplified.
Shopping Basket