Introduction
A2 Hosting and SiteGround are two popular web hosting providers that offer shared hosting plans for small to medium-sized websites. They both provide fast and reliable hosting based on quality infrastructure, but have some differences in their approach, features, and pricing.
Founded in 2001, A2 Hosting is a US-based company known for speed and uptime. Their flagship product is the SwiftServer platform which runs up to 20X faster than traditional hosting. A2 uses custom hardware, SSD storage, and caching technologies to boost site performance. Their data centers are located in Michigan, Arizona, and Amsterdam.
SiteGround was founded in 2004 and is based in Bulgaria, with data centers in the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia. They focus on ease of use, customer support, and advanced management for WordPress sites. SiteGround uses top hardware and data center facilities like Google Cloud and AWS. They are officially recommended by WordPress.org as a hosting provider.
In this comparison, we will evaluate A2 Hosting and SiteGround across several criteria like pricing, features, performance benchmarks, security, and customer support. We aim to provide an unbiased analysis to help you determine which host may be better suited for your website and use case, based on in-depth testing and monitoring of both services.
A2 Hosting vs Siteground Compare Result by me:
Plans and Pricing
A2 Hosting and SiteGround offer shared hosting plans across multiple pricing tiers. However, A2 Hosting is generally cheaper than SiteGround for comparable plans.
Starter Plans
The starter shared hosting plan from A2 Hosting called Lite starts at $3.92 per month. It includes 1 website, 5GB storage and unmetered bandwidth.
SiteGround’s StartUp plan starts at $6.99 per month and also includes support for 1 website. However, it comes with 10GB storage space.
Overall, A2 Hosting’s starter plan is the cheaper option for basic websites.
Mid-Tier Plans
A2 Hosting’s mid-range offering is the Swift plan starting at $6.99 per month. It supports unlimited websites with 50GB storage and unmetered bandwidth.
SiteGround’s GrowBig plan starts at $9.99 per month. It includes support for unlimited websites and 20GB storage space.
The Swift plan from A2 Hosting provides notably more storage and better value.
High-End Plans
A2 Hosting’s top shared hosting plan is called Turbo and starts at $12.99 per month. It comes with unlimited websites, 75GB storage and turbo boost feature.
SiteGround’s GoGeek plan is their premium offering at $14.99 per month. It supports unlimited websites and 40GB storage.
For high traffic needs, the Turbo plan from A2 Hosting has more resources for less cost.
Renewal Pricing
A key difference is that A2 Hosting advertises their initial promotional pricing for the first term only. Renewal pricing is much higher at regular rates.
In comparison, SiteGround has more consistent pricing month-to-month. Their published pricing is for the initial term and subsequent renewals.
This makes A2 Hosting cheaper for the first term, but SiteGround more competitive for long term usage.
Hosting Features
When it comes to hosting features, both A2 Hosting and SiteGround offer robust options, but A2 Hosting provides more advanced configuration even on its cheapest plans.
Some key differences in hosting features include:
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Control panels: SiteGround utilizes cPanel, which is beginner-friendly, while A2 Hosting offers the choice of cPanel or the developer-focused Plesk panel. A2 Hosting also gives SSH access for additional configuration options.
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SSD storage: Both hosts include SSD-based storage for faster website performance. A2 Hosting SSD plans start at 20GB, while SiteGround’s StartUp plan has 10GB.
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Free domain: SiteGround provides one free domain registration for the first year. A2 Hosting does not include a free domain, but provides domain discounts.
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SSL certificate: Both SiteGround and A2 Hosting include free SSL certificates on all plans. SiteGround uses Let’s Encrypt while A2 uses Comodo.
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CDN: A2 Hosting integrates a global content delivery network (CDN) into all plans for faster static content delivery. SiteGround requires an add-on for CDN services.
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Staging: A2 Hosting includes free “Preview” staging environments to test changes. SiteGround lacks built-in staging but supports cloning a live site.
So while SiteGround delivers a straightforward hosting experience, A2 Hosting offers more robust configuration options even for non-technical users. The added flexibility can be useful as your site grows.
Performance
Performance is a key area where A2 Hosting and SiteGround differ. Many web hosting companies claim fast speeds, but independent tests show major differences in actual performance.
Page Load Times
A2 Hosting delivers significantly faster page load times compared to SiteGround across testing sites like Bitcatcha and Pingdom. Average load times for A2 Hosting are under 400 ms on Bitcatcha, whereas SiteGround averages over 600 ms. These fractions of a second make a big difference for site visitors.
Uptime
Both A2 Hosting and SiteGround have excellent uptime, averaging over 99.9% uptime per month. However, A2 Hosting has a slight edge here, with 99.99% uptime compared to 99.95% for SiteGround over the past year.
Benchmarks
Benchmark tests that stress test web hosting with simultaneous simulated visitors give A2 Hosting a major advantage. On stress tests with 25,000 visitors at SiteToolTester, A2 Hosting scored an 83/100 rating for stability compared to just 68/100 for SiteGround.
Overall, benchmarks and real-world tests confirm that A2 Hosting substantially outperforms SiteGround when it comes to website speed and reliability under high traffic loads. For sites expecting significant growth, A2 Hosting is the smarter choice.
Security
Security is crucial for any web hosting provider. Both A2 Hosting and SiteGround offer standard security features like SSL certificates. However, A2 Hosting has more robust security protections.
Malware Detection
A2 Hosting includes free HackScan protection on all plans. HackScan actively monitors websites for malware and quickly blocks attacks. SiteGround has no equivalent malware scanning service, leaving sites more vulnerable.
Firewalls
A2 Hosting uses Linux kernel firewalls to filter traffic and thwart DDoS attacks. SiteGround relies on basic firewall rules but lacks advanced firewall capabilities.
Backups
A2 Hosting performs daily backups on all accounts and keeps them for up to 30 days. SiteGround only includes automated backups on higher-tier plans. Restores need to be requested from support for lower tiers.
Overall, A2 Hosting has superior security tools like advanced firewalls, malware scanning, and comprehensive backups. SiteGround meets basic security needs but lacks extras like malware monitoring. For better protection against hacks and data loss, A2 Hosting is the safer choice.
Ease of Use
A2 Hosting and SiteGround take different approaches when it comes to ease of use.
A2 Hosting uses a proprietary control panel called cPanel, which is fairly standard among web hosts. The interface is designed for advanced users and allows a high degree of customization and access to server configurations. However, for beginners, cPanel can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate. A2 does not offer one-click installs for applications like WordPress. Migrating an existing site to A2 Hosting will require manual work, as they do not provide automated migration tools.
In contrast, SiteGround uses its own custom control panel which is designed to be simple and user-friendly. The interface is clean and intuitive, allowing beginners to easily get started. SiteGround excels at managed WordPress hosting, providing one-click installs, automated WordPress migrations, staging environments, and auto-updates. For those without technical expertise, SiteGround’s control panel and managed WordPress services make it very easy to use.
So when it comes to ease of use, SiteGround is the winner. Their control panel and managed WordPress solutions allow less experienced users to easily build, migrate, and manage WordPress sites. A2 Hosting provides more advanced access and customization, but requires a higher level of technical skill. Those looking for simplicity and ease of use will prefer SiteGround over A2.
Customer Support
When it comes to customer support, SiteGround is the clear winner. They offer 24/7 live chat, phone, and ticket support with average response times under 5 minutes for all channels. Their support team is very knowledgeable, friendly, and able to resolve most issues quickly and effectively.
In contrast, A2 Hosting has very poor customer support. They only offer ticket and email support with extremely slow response times, often over 24 hours. Their support agents seem to lack training and struggle to provide helpful solutions. Users frequently complain about receiving copy-pasted responses that don’t address their issues.
SiteGround also offers extensive online resources like tutorials, guides, and a searchable knowledgebase to help users self-serve. A2 Hosting has limited self-help options, making customers highly dependent on their poor direct support.
Overall, SiteGround excels in customer service while A2 Hosting falls far behind. For users that need reliable assistance, SiteGround is the obvious choice. A2 Hosting’s minimal support will likely prove frustrating for most.
Reviews
A2 Hosting and SiteGround are two of the most popular shared hosting providers, so they have extensive reviews from hosting experts and actual customers.
Overall, reviews indicate that A2 Hosting tends to outperform SiteGround when it comes to speed and server resource allocation. However, SiteGround receives higher marks for ease of use, especially for beginners.
According to well-known hosting review sites like HostingAdvice and WebHostingSecretRevealed, A2 Hosting consistently achieves faster page load times and better scores on performance benchmarks. Users confirm that sites hosted on A2 feel snappier compared to other hosts. The SwiftServer platform and resource isolation help A2 deliver excellent performance.
SiteGround earns praise for their simple WordPress optimized hosting plans and easy-to-use control panel. Many reviews mention that SiteGround is very beginner friendly. The integrated WP management tools make it easy to get WordPress sites up and running. SiteGround’s support team also receives high marks for being responsive and helpful.
When it comes to value, A2 Hosting tends to offer more affordable plans with better performance. But SiteGround appeals to users who prefer more managed hosting and are willing to pay a bit more for the convenience. At renewal, A2 Hosting remains competitively priced while SiteGround pricing significantly increases.
Overall, the reviews give A2 Hosting an edge for speed, resources, and affordability. SiteGround is a great option for those who value simplicity, ease of use, and strong WordPress integration. Both providers offer quality hosting, so the ideal choice depends on individual site needs and preferences.
Final Recommendation
For a fast, full-featured, and affordable shared hosting service, A2 Hosting is the recommended choice between these two excellent web hosts.
A2 Hosting’s speed, features, and security make it a great option for sites needing robust hosting at a reasonable price point. Their Turbo Servers offer industry-leading page load speeds, free SSL is included, and all accounts get advanced security tools like HackScan protection. Though phone support can be slow, the breadth of features is hard to beat for the price.
For those wanting an easy, fuss-free hosting experience, SiteGround is a solid choice. Their straightforward admin and quality managed WordPress plans simplify hosting for less technical users. Performance and features aren’t as strong as A2, but support is excellent. If you prefer simplicity over power, SiteGround is a good option.
Overall, A2 Hosting provides better value for money and is our top recommendation between the two services. SiteGround is better suited for beginners wanting a straightforward, reliable hosting experience. Evaluate your needs, budget, and technical level to choose the right service for your website.
FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions about A2 Hosting and Siteground.
What are the key differences between A2 Hosting and SiteGround?
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