Bluehost vs HostGator detailed comparison
Bluehost vs HostGator - Performance.
Although Bluehost and HostGator Both are known for their high speed and solid performance, it is always interesting to see which web host is more efficient than the other.
For starters, HostGator and Bluehost both depend on a solid-state drive (SSD)) for all their servers.
Solid state drives are much more reliable, fast, and shockproof than regular hard drives. They use much more modern technology that allows them to operate without moving any parts, which contributes to their performance, especially in terms of speed and reliability.
Therefore, if your website is hosted on an SSD server, it will have excellent availability and respond much more quickly. The risk of hardware failure is also very low on these servers.
That said, SSD-based web hosting isn't exactly a trademark of Bluehost and HostGator. In fact, they are becoming the norm in the web hosting industry.
To measure performance using a different criterion, BlueHost offers a little something extra in the CPU department. Its function ofCPU throttling (Dynamic frequency scaling) was very much appreciated by users. When an individual user consumes too many resources in a shared hosting system, CPU throttling protects all other users by stopping the website that is using excessive resources.
🏆 WINNER: Bluehost !
If you compare the two hosts in terms of performance, they are both at the top. However, Bluehost gets an advantage by using the latest technology like Dynamic Frequency Scaling to ensure better performance.
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Uptime guarantees.
Your website should be accessible to your customers at all times - there are no two ways to do it.
Even a few minutes of downtime can have a huge impact on your website and business, which is why uptime is so important to me.
According to Forbes, The Amazon server went down for 30 minutes in 2013 and as a result, the company lost $66,240 per minute. You can avoid such losses by choosing your host carefully.
When it comes to Bluehost and HostGator, the two web hosting giants don't skimp on resources and offer an uptime close to 100%.
HostGator claims to have 99.9% uptime. The great thing is that they don't hesitate to compensate their users if they don't keep that promise. If you witness low uptime, you get the credit back for that month.
However, as you can see in their terms of use, credit approval will be made after legitimate justification of the downtime.
On the other hand, Bluehost has no pretensions when it comes to running time.
In his network/server availability agreement, it is only mentioned that most availability issues are resolved in approximately 15 minutes. It is also mentioned that in cases where the server is facing extreme issues, resolution may take longer than 15 minutes.
🏆 WINNER: HostGator !
Based on online reviews, Bluehost and HostGator offer excellent uptime of over 99.8%. However, HostGator wins the prize thanks to its guaranteed uptime policy and credit system.
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Hosting features and ease of use.
After immersing yourself in What is web hosting and having fully understood how it works, you should know exactly what additional functions your host should provide.
Here are some of the features that will help you make the final decision:
Bluehost features
- You get a free domain name and an SSL certificate with a hosting package.
- A user-friendly control panel to help you easily manage your website.
- It allows you to install a variety of common content management system (CMS) tools such as WordPress, Joomla, etc., in one click.
- Offers a custom website builder to avoid the stress of coding.
- Unlimited bandwidth with all hosting packages.
HostGator features
- One-click installation of all popular CMS.
- Unlimited bandwidth with all hosting packages.
- A free website builder that offers lots of customizable templates and themes.
- HostGator allows you to relocate your website from your old hosting server for free.
Considering the characteristics mentioned above, it can be said that the two web hosting service providers share a variety of characteristics. While HostGator gives you a free migration, Bluehost offers a free domain and SSL certificate.
🏆 WINNER: Same notes on this point!
In terms of additional features, Bluehost and HostGator are just as impressive as each other.
Security measures.
Bluehost and HostGator are both big names in the industry. Naturally, they spend a lot of money to ensure that their hosting services are safe and secure. Attacks by distributed denial of service (DDoS)) to automatic backups, they provide all the necessary measures to avoid security problems and data breaches.
They also have reliable protection at the network level in the event of attacks in their data centers.
Furthermore, HostGator claims to have taken more stringent security measures but claims that these measures are confidential.
Bluehost, on the other hand, outsources its security protection to a third-party source, namely Cloudflare. Cloudflare is a big name in the CDN (Content Delivery Network) space and I use it on my site. Bluehost offers impressive security measures, including password-protected directories, spam protection, and more.
In addition, Bluehost offers a free SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which is chargeable at HostGator. Bluehost also performs daily malware backups and scans, which is a paid protection measure at HostGator. HostGator offers a free automatic malware removal and backup service, but only once a week or on random days.
Take a look at the HostGator backup policy :
🏆 WINNER: Bluehost !
While both web hosting services offer an impressive set of security measures, Bluehost has a slight advantage over HostGator due to the free SSL, daily malware scans, and backups.
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Managed WordPress hosting.
WordPress is the most popular CMS on the Internet today, with over 75 million websites.
A vast majority of websites are powered by WordPress. And for that reason, it's important to look for a web hosting service that offers a reliable, easy to use, and secure WordPress experience.
Here, managed WordPress hosting refers to servers that specifically provide high speed, faster customer support, and customizable plugins for free.
WordPress.org recommends a number of hosts himself, including Bluehost. With Bluehost, you get WordPress-centric dashboards, a one-click installation process, a free domain name and SSL certificate, email, etc. It also offers a free service Content Delivery Network (CDN)) Cloudflare that you can activate in a few simple steps.
Accommodation packages Bluehost start at $3.95, which includes basic Jetpack site analysis, 100 free premium themes, daily backups, malware search and removal, and domain privacy protection.
Just like Bluehost, HostGator also allows you to create a WordPress website in a few clicks using Mojo Marketplace and take advantage of the free Cloudflare CDN service.
You also get a free site migration offer, which saves you a lot of money when migrating from another host.
The WordPress hosting package HostGator initial starts at $5.95, which includes 1GB backups and a free SSL certificate.
🏆 WINNER: Bluehost !
Bluehost's WordPress hosting packages offer high-quality features and a user-friendly interface. It's also more affordable compared to HostGator.
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VPS hosting review.
Hosting on a virtual private server (VPS) is a great option when the features offered by regular host sharing services aren't enough for your website. VPS is especially used when you manage multiple websites that receive decent traffic.
Bluehost and HostGator both use the interface WHM cPanel for their VPS hosting.
The WHM control panel includes amazing features, like:
- Allows you to create a separate control panel for each of your websites.
- Allocate resources to each website according to its needs.
- Easily manage all of your websites using a single cPanel.
- Control panel maintenance.
If you have a medium to high traffic rate, then HostGator is a great VPS hosting for you. Other additional features include custom installation, configuration options, free email services, unlimited domains and subdomains, and more.
You also have several tools to make your job easier, such as customizable website templates, site development tools, and script installations to help you get started right away.
HostGator offers a standard VPS hosting plan at $29.95 per month.
Bluehost, on the other hand, offers decent features at low prices. With Bluehost, you also get unlimited bandwidth and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Standard VPS hosting with Bluehost starts at $19.99 per month.
🏆 WINNER: Same notes on this point!
Both hosts offer fairly decent VPS hosting options, with amazing features and a user-friendly interface, hence the draw.
Bluehost vs HostGator - What is the best web hosting for beginners?
Hosting your website with a web hosting service is not a difficult task, but if it's your first time doing something like this, it's best to choose the web host carefully.
Both HostGator and Bluehost are easy to use and can be used even without any coding or technical knowledge.
These hosting companies also share some features that help users easily set up their websites.
These features include:
- Installing WordPress in one click
- Customer support available 365/24/7
- The customer support team will guide you through the website setup process.
- A user-friendly and customer-centric user interface
However, based on online reviews and articles, DNS configuration can be a bit confusing at HostGator. With Bluehost, everything runs smoothly and with better speed, which is why if you are a beginner, then Bluehost is the best option for you.
🏆 WINNER: Bluehost !
Both Bluehost and HostGator offer similar features when it comes to the ease of creating a new website. However, thanks to its better speed and a less complicated DNS setup, Bluehost won this round.
Try Bluehost today
Pricing.
Just like ease of use and attractive features, hosting prices and plans are of paramount importance when choosing a web host.
Bluehost and HostGator both offer decent features at reasonable prices for all types of hosting services.
HostGator pricing.
HostGator offers three shared web hosting plans, namely the Hatchling plan, the Baby plan, and the Business plan.
The Hatchling plan starts at $2.75 per month and offers features like one-click installation, unmetered bandwidth, a free SSL certificate, and more. The Baby plan starts at $3.95 per month and offers additional features like unlimited domains. Finally, the Business plan starts at $5.95 per month and offers more amazing features like free SEO tools, a free dedicated IP address, and more.
Bluehost rate.
Bluehost also offers shared hosting services at low prices.
It offers four shared web hosting plans, namely Basic, Plus, Choice Plus, and Pro. The price range starts at $3.95 per month and goes up to $13.95 per month. All packages include a free SSL certificate and domain.
🏆 WINNER: Bluehost!
Both hosting plans offer amazing features at reasonable prices, but HostGator offers slightly higher prices.
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What is the best cPanel?
The two web hosting giants provide you with a control panel user-friendly and easy to navigate called cPanel. So, if this is your first time hosting your own website, you don't need to worry, thanks to their control panel interface.
Both Bluehost and HostGator offer you the ability to install almost all of the most popular content management systems (CMS), such as WordPress, Magento, Drupal, etc. In addition, you will benefit from strict security measures that will preserve your data and files from malicious attacks.
In addition to these common cPanel features, HostGator offers a little extra by offering customization options for cPanel. It also offers informative video tutorials to ensure that the overall experience is optimized and fast. Overall, their approach to all functions is very customer-centric.
🏆 WINNER: Same notes on this point!
Packed with engaging features, cutting-edge technology, and an easy to navigate user interface, Bluehost and HostGator both offer a great control panel.
Support
When it comes to web hosting services, offering reliable uptime, fast speed, and amazing features isn't enough. In addition to all of these ingredients, it is imperative to offer excellent customer support.
When you encounter problems with your website server or witness prolonged downtime, the customer support team should be available immediately and able to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
HostGator Support
Chez HostGator, customer support is available at any time via a variety of easily accessible media.
HostGator offers 24/7/365 customer support via platforms such as:
- Live chat
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Ticketing system
HostGator has a great track record. To help their new customers, they also offer informative articles, tutorials, and well-connected forums.
Bluehost Support
Bluehost also offers customer support through a variety of platforms, including:
- Live chat
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Ticketing system
- Informative tutorials
🏆 WINNER: Same notes on this point!
Given that Bluehost and HostGator have the same customer support options, they are both in the same position in terms of service and customer support.
Bluehost vs HostGator: Pros and Cons.
To help you make your final decision, I've listed the most salient pros and cons of Bluehost and HostGator below. If the above assessment wasn't enough to help you reach a conclusion, this list of pros and cons certainly will be.
BlueHost review.
The benefits of Bluehost
- With Bluehost, you get a free domain name and SSL with all hosting packages.
- Offers free DDoS protection.
- It provides a user-friendly control panel that helps you manage your website.
- Easy one-click installation of content management system (CMS) tools such as Joomla and WordPress.
- Offer an on-site website builder that is easily customizable.
- You can choose from a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting service, VPS hosting, dedicated and cloud hosting, and WordPress hosting.
- Impressive customer support that includes 24/7 customer support, live chat, ticket system, self-help tutorials, and more.
- Good refund policy: If you're not happy with their hosting services, Bluehost will give you a full refund within 30 days.
- On the security front, it offers automatic daily backups and malware searches for free.
Disadvantages of Bluehost
- Bluehost does not offer uptime guarantees.
- Unlike HostGator, Bluehost does not compensate its customers for extended downtime.
- Unlike some of its counterparts (including HostGator), Bluehost does not offer free site migration. If you migrate from another host to Bluehost, you'll need to pay an additional $150.
- Often, adding users and transitioning from a test site to a real site is more difficult than it seems.
HostGator review.
The benefits of HostGator
- HostGator allows the easy, one-click installation of various top-tier CMS through Mojo Marketplace.
- Provides a free tool for creating customizable and pre-existing websites, delivered with several attractive templates.
- With HostGator, you can transfer an existing website or a cPanel from your old host without paying a cent. This includes migrating web hosts, domain, databases, and all other important files.
- HostGator is especially useful for beginners because it offers user-friendly services and quick customer support.
- HostGator not only offers affordable plans but also plans that fit budgets.
- Offers unlimited disk space and bandwidth.
- HostGator claims to offer an availability of at least 99.9% and a period of 45 days to claim credit for the following month in the event of a default.
- Free DDoS protection
- A fast live chat and ticketing system.
Disadvantages of HostGator
- It does not offer daily backups. If users want daily backups and malware scans, they need to pay an additional amount.
- Unlike Bluehost, it doesn't offer a free domain name and SSL certificate with the web hosting package.
Bluehost vs HostGator: Web Hosting Comparison Summary
Hopefully this detailed overview of Bluehost and HostGator helped you identify the web hosting service that best fits your needs.
It's always a good idea to start with a web host that helps you in your initial phase and makes things easier for you. Once you are familiar with the know-how of website hosting, you can even switch to any other hosting provider.
Overall, these popular web hosting services offer an exceptional experience, reliability, and security. They are big names in the sector and therefore have the necessary resources to offer the best services.
So here's my review of Bluehost versus HostGator. In your opinion, which hosting service is best suited to your website.
Are you looking for other alternatives? Here is a complete article on best web hosting services here.
