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Note: The winner is SiteGround, continue reading to know why
SiteGround is a well-known name in the web hosting industry. They are in the business since 2004. They have started locally. Now, they are popular all over the world. They are providing various types of hosting solutions including shared, cloud, dedicated and even reseller packages.
At the same time, A2 Hosting has been here since 2001. But, at that time they were known as ‘Iniquinet’. After a couple of years, they have changed the brand name to A2 Hosting. They also provide all the major types of web hosting solutions to their customers.
The web hosting industry is over-competitive. So, it is very hard to find the best match for one’s needs. Keeping that in mind, we will be comparing SiteGround and A2 Hosting in this post. So that you can determine which is the best one between these two hosting companies.
So, without wasting more words, let’s go…
Table of Contents
- 1 SiteGround vs A2 Hosting: Comparison of the Hosting Services
SiteGround vs A2 Hosting: Comparison of the Hosting Services
Comparing the Hosting Services:
Let’s start by comparing the hosting solutions provided by these hosting companies.
The shared hosting packages from A2 Hosting are primarily divided into 2 categories based on the operating system. So, you can either choose Windows or Linux plans of your choice. Normally, the Windows plans are pricier than the Linux plans. We will cover all the details below.
- Lite Plan:
You will have to spend at least $3.92/month (Linux) and 4.90$/mo (Windows) for this pack. As it is a basic plan, you can only host one website using the ‘Lite’ plan.
- Swift Plan:
The most popular shared hosting pack from A2 Hosting will cost you 4.90$ (Linux)/ $5.88 (Windows) per month. Yes, you can create and host unlimited websites using this pack.
- Turbo Plan:
The ‘Turbo’ plan comes with some of the advanced features from A2 Hosting. So, the price of this plan is slightly on the high side. The package is priced at 9.31$ (Linux)/ $10.78 (Windows) monthly. Everything is unlimited with this package.
When it comes to shared hosting, SiteGround keeps it real simple. For instance, you can pick your preferred package from the 3 packages available. These plans are very affordable and come with high-quality features and specifications.
- StartUp Plan:
With 10 GB web storage (10,000 monthly visits), this basic plan is priced very reasonably. The price of the StartUp plan is only $3.95/month. It is suitable for only one website as you are not allowed to host multiple websites using this package.
- GrowBig Plan:
You can get this plan for only 5.95$ each month. Also, you will have 20 GB storage (25,000 visits/monthly) and can host multiple websites at the same time. It comes with the essential and premium hosting features of SiteGround.
- GoGeek Plan:
If you are here for the best experience, then you need to give the ‘GoGeek Plan’ a try. It will be $11.95 per month. And you will receive the essential, premium, and Geeky advanced features along with this pack. This is fit for 100,000 visits each month as you are getting 30 GB storage space.
Our thoughts on this:
Although A2 Hosting has more options, they are not clear on their specifications like SiteGround. They are saying that everything is unlimited in their packages. But, it is not completely true. There’s a hidden limitation here. When your site will get a particular amount of visitors per month, they will throttle your account. And you would have to update or get a new package from A2 Hosting.
In contrast, SiteGround is clear about their packages. They are not telling you that your packages are unlimited. Rather, they have mentioned the storage and the number of monthly visits possible for that amount of storage on each of their packages. So, you can be tension free going with SiteGround.
Comparing the Cloud/VPS Hosting Service
We should tell you that A2 Hosting has VPS hosting instead of cloud hosting. So, we will be covering the packages from their VPS hosting solutions here.
A2 Hosting’s VPS Hosting packs
They come with 3 types of VPS plans (Core, Managed, and Unmanaged). All of these plans also come in two different versions (Windows and Linux). So, the prices of these plans vary a lot. However, we will take a look at the details of the managed VPS packs right down below.
- Power+ VPS:
It comes with 75 GB Storage, 4 GB of Memory, 2 Terabytes Bandwidth, and root access. The price is not that high, you can get that for $32.99/month (Linux). The Windows OS based pack will cost 36.29$/mo.
- Prestige+:
This package starts at 49.99$ for Windows OS and $46.19 monthly for Linux. And, the specifications of this pack are 100 GB Storage, 6 GB of Memory, 3 Terabytes Bandwidth, and root access etc.
- Pinnacle+:
The Linux based ‘Pinnacle+’ plan will cost you 65.99$/mo. On the other hand, you can get the Windows OS based plan for $69.29 USD monthly. You will receive 150 GB Storage, 8 GB of Memory, 4 Terabytes Bandwidth, and root access etc.
SiteGround’s Cloud Hosting Packs
Unlike A2 Hosting, SiteGround comes with just 4 Cloud hosting plans. And they are known as ‘Entry’, ‘Business Plus’, ‘Business’, and ‘Super Power’. Let’s get into the details.
- Entry Cloud:
For $80 USD monthly, this could be a lucrative deal. As it comes with 40 GB Storage, 4 GB of Memory, 5 Terabytes Bandwidth, and many other features.
- Business Cloud Plan:
For just 120 USD per month, you can get the ‘Business’ plan of SiteGround. The pack comes with 60 GB Storage, 6 GB of Memory, 5 Terabytes Bandwidth, and other advanced features.
- Business Plus Cloud Plan:
This package will cost you at least 160$/mo. On the exchange, you have 8 GB of Memory, 5 Terabytes Bandwidth, and 80 GB SSD storage space etc.
- Super Power Cloud Plan:
This is the most expensive cloud pack form SiteGround. You will be getting 5 Terabytes Data transfer, 120 GB SSD web Storage, 8 CPU cores, and 10 GB of RAM etc. SiteGround charges $240 USD each month for this high-end plan.
Personalized Cloud Plans:
If you want to order a custom-made cloud plan for you, you can do it easily. Siteground has been offering personalized cloud plans for a long time. You can select your preferred specification and then order it.
After that, SiteGround customer support representatives will get in touch with you regarding your plan. And, they will finalize the deal and set up your tailor-made account for you. This can come in handy in case you don’t like the pre-made plans. Another thing, the price will depend on the specifications of your chosen server.
Our thoughts on this:
Again, A2 Hosting has myriad of VPS plans. But, SiteGround has just 4 cloud plans. Also, you have to remember SiteGround actually are offering cloud hosting, which is powerful than VPS hosting solutions.
As a result, the prices of the cloud hosting plans are also higher than the VPS plans of A2 Hosting. So, if you don’t have any problem with your budget and want the best performance from your sites, then SiteGround cloud hosting would be the best choice for you.
Comparing the Dedicated Hosting Service
A2 Hosting’s Dedicated Hosting packs
Like their VPS plans, they are offering 3 types of management level on their dedicated servers (Core, Managed, and Unmanaged). The unmanaged servers have a lower price than the managed and core servers. And, there are 3 dedicated plans of A2 Hosting. Now, we will explore all of these options below.
- Sprint Dedicated Server:
The managed Sprint plan will have Intel 3.1 GHz CPU with 2 Cores, 8 GB of RAM, 10 Terabytes of Bandwidth, 2X500 GB Storage (RAID-1) etc. And, the price of this plan is $141.09 USD monthly.
- Exceed Dedicated Server:
This package is the best value for your money. You will be able to get this one for $207.49 USD per month. And, it will come with Intel 2.4 GHz CPU with 4 Cores, 8 GB of RAM, 15 Terabytes of Bandwidth, 2X500 GB Storage (RAID-1) etc.
- Mach Dedicated Server:
This is the most expensive dedicated pack from A2 Hosting. It is perfect for big and high-traffic websites. You will be able to get 2 Intel 2.1 GHz CPU with 8 Cores, 16 GB of RAM, 20 Terabytes of Bandwidth, 2X1000 GB Storage (RAID-1) and many other features. The Mach package will cost you at least 290.49$/month.
SiteGround’s Dedicated Hosting packs
SiteGround has three powerful dedicated hosting packages. But, there’s a twist. They offer these servers from 3 different locations. And they are Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the United States. So you can actually get the server from any one of these locations.
Note that, the price of the Asian server will be higher than that of the United States and European Server. Now, we will share more detailed information about this packages.
- Entry Dedicated plan:
This package could be a very good choice if you are just beginning your journey of dedicated hosting. The server is available for 269.00$/mo (USA/Europe). However, if you are searching for the Asia-Pacific ‘Entry’ plan, then you are out of luck. Unfortunately, that package is already sold out at this moment.
This server includes Intel Xeon 3.20 GHz CPU with 4 Cores and 8 threads, 16 GB of RAM, 10 Terabytes of Bandwidth, and 480 GB SSD Storage etc.
- Power Dedicated plan:
For the Asia-Pacific power server, you have to pay 609.00 USD every month. And, for the USA/Europe based server, you need to pay only 349.00 USD/monthly.
The Power Server comes with Intel Xeon 3.50 GHz CPU with 4 Cores and 8 threads, 32 GB of RAM, 10 Terabytes of Bandwidth, and 960 GB SSD Storage etc.
- Super Power Dedicated plan:
This package is one of the priciest packages from SiteGround. However, fortunately, the specifications and the service from SiteGround justify the price tag.
The server is available at 729.00 USD/mo (Europe/USA) and 929 USD for the Asia-Pacific one. The server comes with 2XIntel Xeon 2.00 GHz CPU with 2X6 Cores and 2X12 threads, 64 GB of RAM, 10 Terabytes of Bandwidth, two 960 GB SSD Storage (RAID-1) etc.
Our thoughts on this:
At the first glance, it is plain to see that the SiteGround dedicated hosting plans are very highly priced. The most expensive dedicated hosting plan of A2 Hosting has a price tag of 290.49$ while SiteGround’s priciest one is available at 729$/929$. This difference is huge.
But to be honest, if you are spending your money on a dedicated server then you should get one which has a good reputation. And, SiteGround has got the reputation of this kind. That’s not all. SiteGround is actually providing exclusive features along with premium specifications on their dedicated servers.
Also, the option to choose the location of your dedicated server is not available on A2 Hosting exclusively. Considering all of these, we would recommend going with SiteGround.
Comparing the WordPress Hosting plans
A2 Hosting’s WordPress Hosting plans
As usual, A2 Hosting has two types of WordPress hosting plans. You can select between ‘Managed’ and ‘Shared’ plans. Note that, the ‘Managed’ plans have more features than the ‘Shared’ ones. Thus, the prices of the ‘Managed’ ones are typically higher than the ‘Shared’ ones. Let’s see what they are offering.
- Shared WordPress plans:
There are 4 plans in this category. They are Lite (3.92$/mo), Swift (4.90$/mo), Turbo (9.31$/mo), and Managed (12.97$/mo). Actually, the first 3 plans are modified version of their shared hosting plans. They will just have WordPress related features. With the ‘Lite’ plan you are limited to using only 1 website. Yet, with the ‘Swift’ and ‘Turbo’, you can host multiple websites simultaneously.
- Managed WordPress Plans:
There are 3 managed WordPress plans. They are 1-Site, 3-Sites, and Unlimited.
1-Site:
It has 10 GB storage and you can host only 1 website. You will have to pay 12.97$/monthly to get this one.
3-Sites:
You are allowed to host 3 sites and will be given 25 GB storage with this package. This will cost you 19.48$/monthly.
Unlimited:
For 37.97$/monthly, you can host unlimited websites. You will have 40 GB storage in this package.
All of these managed packages include unmetered bandwidth and necessary features for a WordPress website.
SiteGround’s WordPress Hosting packs
They do have WordPress hosting plans. But, those packages are modified version of their shared hosting packages. The price and even the names of the packages are similar. But the features are totally distinct.
Each WordPress hosting plans of SiteGround comes with all the necessary features for a WordPress website. They are offering software, tools, and plugins which are specially developed to use with WordPress websites only. The best thing is that they are not charging you extra for these features.
The prices of the WordPress plans of SiteGround are $3.95/mo, $5.95/mo, $11.95/mo respectively. Your account will come with WordPress pre-installed. Also, you will get ‘SuperCacher’ plugin for free. This plugin was developed in-house by SiteGround. It helps to make your websites faster.
Our thoughts on this:
Once again, A2 Hosting is providing more package options than SiteGround. But, the price of the plans of A2 Hosting is higher than SiteGround’s ones. Although, it is true SiteGround does not have special WordPress plans. But they have included every feature, software, plugins needed for a WordPress website on their packages for free.
Frankly, that is enough. If you take the ‘Managed’ plans form A2 Hosting then you will have limitations using multiple websites on two packs. In contrast, SiteGround has no limitations on their ‘GoGeek’ and ‘GrowBig’ plans. So, we would recommend SiteGround here as well.
Comparing the Performance
At this point, to get an idea about the performance of A2 Hosting and SiteGround, we will conduct a couple of tests. The first one will be Pingdom speed test. And the second one will be server response test.
Pingdom page speed test on SiteGround:
We will conduct this test using a website which is hosted on SiteGround. The Stockholm test server will be used this time.
The Result:
After completing the test, we can see that the ‘Load Time’ was 685 ms. That is looking good.
Pingdom website speed test on A2 Hosting:
We will conduct this test using a website which is hosted on A2 Hosting. The Washington D.C. server of Pingdom will be used here.
The Result:
This time, the ‘Load Time’ is 827 ms. That is also good but SiteGround was faster than that.
Our Opinion:
Note that, the load time is the time a website needs to load on the browser of a visitor. So, it is best if your load time is lower. Nobody likes a slow website. From the test, we can conclude by saying that SiteGround is far ahead from A2 Hosting in terms of load time. So, the winner here is SiteGround.
Server Response Test on A2 Hosting:
This test will be done using Bitcatcha; a website to determine the server response time of any web hosting company. They have 8 test servers on different locations of the world. At this point, our test subject will be a website which is hosted on A2 Hosting. It will help us to know the server response time of A2 Hosting more accurately.
The Result:
Server Response Test on SiteGround:
Similarly, we are using Bitcatcha to conduct this test as well. But we are using a website hosted on SiteGround.
The Result:
Our thoughts on this:
The server response test gives you an idea about the speed of the servers of your web hosting company. Here, we have done 2 tests for 2 web hosting companies. Normally, it might seem to you that both of the contestants performed equally.
However, the performance grade of A2 Hosting was ‘A’ and SiteGround’s was ‘A+’. So SiteGround got the highest grade here. Yet, A2 Hosting hasn’t performed that bad.
It is clear as daylight that in terms of performance, SiteGround is million league above A2 Hosting. Thus the ultimate winner is SiteGround again.
Comparing the Uptime Performance
You should inquire about the uptime record of the web hosting company you are going to use. Remember, your web hosting provider should have at least 99% uptime. If that’s not the case, your website will be down frequently. And you know how bad it is.
Generally, every web hosting companies claim that they have the industry-standard uptime record. If you visit any of their websites, you will find that clearly written. Here’s the thing, this is not always true. Web hosting providers advertise falsely so that they can acquire more new customers.
Thus it is not possible to know the accurate information about the uptime record of a particular web hosting provider without hosting a site with them. We know that is not possible for all of us. As a result, we have hosted two websites using each of these hosting companies.
For you, we are keeping a keen eye on their uptime performance on a regular basis. Therefore, we are going to share the information with you below. You can see the performance of these hosting providers and then take the decision yourself.
The Uptime performance of A2 Hosting:
The Uptime performance of SiteGround:
Our thoughts on this:
It’s assuring to see that both of these providers have very good uptime. We have shared the uptime of the last 10 months with you. And, both SiteGround and A2 Hosting has been keeping 99%+ uptime every month. Even on some of the months, they have kept 100% uptime. This is incredible!
So, we have to admit that here we can’t pick out a winner. Rather, we have to say that both of these are doing a great job. So, you can choose the one you prefer. There’s no problem going with either of these.
Comparing the Support Service
Now, we will share our opinion about the support system of SiteGround and A2 Hosting.
A2 Hosting Customer Support:
They have a well-thought-out support page on their official website. From there you can contact them using several methods such as direct call, Email, live chat, and ticket. You can actually submit a ticket on 3 categories which are Contact Support, Contact Sales, and Contact Billing respectively. So, you can get the answer to your particular queries faster.
A2 Hosting is available 24/7 all around the year. That’s not all. They also have a lot of helpful resources on their website. You can find a lot of videos and articles which are related to web hosting and such. Added to that, they have an FAQ section which is organized so well. So, if you want to solve your issues with your hosting account yourself, you can do that easily. You just need to search for your problem and you will find your solution in an instant.
We have tried their customer service prior to writing this post. And, we have to say that they are super helpful. But, the problem with them is their inconsistency. Sometimes, you might need to wait a long time to get a reply from them.
Otherwise, the customer support staffs are very skillful and know all the ins and outs of web hosting. So, for a beginner, they can be very helpful. Overall, everything is good about their customer service.
SiteGround Customer Support:
Similarly, SiteGround also has one of the best customer support team. You will find them 24/7 as well. As you might know that we are a user of SiteGround, so we actually have the experience of contacting them from time to time. And, we should tell you this that they have not disappointed us yet. Rather, we are very happy and satisfied with their service.
You can get in touch with them via live chat, direct call, ticket, and email. However, we normally use live chat to communicate with SiteGround. Because it is one of the fastest ways to get a reply from them. Believe it or not, most of the time, you will get a reply form SiteGround within just 10 seconds.
They also have a huge collection of helpful resources in form of articles and videos. And, everybody regardless of being their customer or not can learn from those guides. In a few words, we have to say that they are at the top compared to the other hosting company’s customer service. So, we can guarantee that you will love them as well.
Wrap Up: The Winner is:
The simple answer is SiteGround. As you can see above, SiteGround is far ahead of A2 Hosting in terms of quality and services. Although, A2 Hosting is not that bad compared to SiteGround. The good thing about them is that they have several types of hosting packages. So you have more options compared to SiteGround.
But, we are actually fond of the approach of SiteGround. They have kept everything simple when it comes to their packages. In terms of cost, SiteGround seems to charge higher than A2 Hosting. However, it is simply because of the specifications and features provided by SiteGround. SiteGround is offering very high-end plans compared to A2 Hosting. So, you can be assured that your spending will be worth it.
Thus, in most cases, SiteGround easily outperform A2 Hosting. Siteground has faster servers, simplified packages, high-quality service, and very helpful (faster) customer support team. On top of that, we actually use SiteGround. As a result, we know about them a lot better. And, from our experience, we can recommend SiteGround to our readers without any second thought. So, go with SiteGround and you won’t regret your decision.
Visit SiteGround or A2 Hosting
