HostGator vs SubHub: guide for 2024

Final verdict

HostGator and SubHub both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different user needs.

HostGator (Overall Grade: 6.2/10)

is a versatile website builder and hosting provider, ideal for users seeking a broad range of design options and ecommerce capabilities. It excels in ease of use, hosting quality, and marketing features, making it a solid choice for small businesses and individuals looking to create professional websites without technical expertise. HostGator’s comprehensive support and security features further enhance its appeal.
SubHub (Overall Grade: 5.6/10)

is tailored specifically for creating and managing membership sites. It offers robust tools for content creators and entrepreneurs aiming to build a community and monetize their content. While it may not match HostGator in terms of design flexibility and general ecommerce features, SubHub’s focus on membership site functionalities and user management makes it a strong contender for those looking to establish a subscription-based business.

	Overall grade: 6.2	Overall grade: 5.6
Design functionalities & templates	7.9	6.8
Ease of use	8.0	7.7
Ecommerce	6.3	5.9
Website Editors	7.3	6.9
Product testing options	2.6	7.0
Price	6.2	6.8
Hosting quality	8.0	5.5
Website speed optimization	6.2	5.6
Plugins and integrations	7.3	5.7
Marketing features	6.9	5.7
Customer support	7.3	6.3
Security	7.4	4.0
AI capabilities	2.6	0
User Management	3.2	5.2

Best for ecommerce

6.3

5.9

Verdict

: HostGator is better suited for general ecommerce needs, while SubHub is more specialized for membership-based ecommerce.

HostGator

: HostGator’s website builder is designed to support a wide range of ecommerce functionalities, making it a versatile choice for online stores. It offers secure online payments, unlimited products, and multi-channel inventory management. However, it has limitations on lower-tier plans regarding the number of products. HostGator’s ecommerce features score: 6.3.
SubHub

: SubHub excels in providing tools for membership sites but also supports ecommerce through PayPal and Stripe integration. It allows for the sale of physical and digital products, as well as pay-per-view content. However, it lacks ecommerce-specific templates and requires sellers to handle their shipping logistics. SubHub’s ecommerce features score: 5.9.

Best for informational & business websites

7.4

7.2

Verdict

: HostGator edges out SubHub for general informational and business websites due to its broader design options and robust support, although SubHub remains a strong choice for membership-focused sites.

HostGator

: HostGator’s website builder is designed for ease of use, featuring a drag-and-drop interface and a wide variety of customizable templates. It is particularly suitable for users with no technical background who need a professional-looking website. HostGator also offers comprehensive web hosting services and 24/7 customer support, making it a reliable choice for maintaining an online presence. With a score of 7.4, HostGator is well-suited for general informational and business websites.
SubHub

: SubHub is tailored for creating and managing membership sites, offering tools for content creators and entrepreneurs to build a community and monetize their content. It simplifies setting up subscription models and managing member access, making it ideal for membership-based businesses. However, its focus on membership sites may not cater to all informational business needs. SubHub scores 7.2, making it a specialized but slightly less versatile option compared to HostGator.

Detailed comparison

7.9

6.8

🏆

Winner: HostGator.

If you’re looking for a platform that offers more design options and flexibility, HostGator is the preferred choice.

HostGator website builder provides a substantial variety of design templates, catering to different user needs and preferences. It offers over 200 different mobile-friendly themes. Additionally, there’s a separate collection of 4,500 templates available for free download to users hosting their sites on HostGator servers, which are not interchangeable with the site builder’s own templates. This vast collection ensures that users have a wide range of design options to choose from, whether they seek simplicity for a professional presence or more intricate designs for complex websites.

Compared to HostGator, SubHub website builder offers a variety of customizable membership website templates designed to cater to different needs and themes, including fitness, yoga, relationship, ministry, learning, craft, wellness, business, and modern living, among others. There are 14 specifically themed templates available, each designed to help users jump-start the design of their membership website homepages. These templates are fully customizable, allowing users to modify layouts, add or remove sections, and tailor content to fit their brand, ensuring flexibility in the design process.

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8.0

7.7

🏆 Winner: HostGator

. With a score of 8.0, HostGator’s website builder, Gator, is praised for its user-friendly interface and simplicity, making it a great choice for beginners and small businesses. SubHub, scoring slightly lower at 7.7, is also user-friendly but is specifically designed for building membership websites, which may not suit everyone’s needs.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: SubHub

. Both platforms offer a range of learning resources, but SubHub goes a step further with its comprehensive video guides, tutorials, and FAQ section, providing users with a more in-depth understanding of how to use the platform’s features effectively.

Learn HostGator

Learn SubHub

6.3

5.9

HostGator and SubHub both offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs. HostGator’s website builder includes ecommerce features that allow users to create an online store where they can sell products and services directly from their website. The ecommerce functionality includes features such as product management, inventory tracking, secure payment gateways, and options for shipping and tax calculations. However, on lower Express Start and Express Site plans there’s a significant limit on the number of products: 3 and 10 respectively, and unlimited number of products on higher Express Store plan.

On the other hand, SubHub supports various ecommerce features including sales of physical goods, digital products, and pay-per-view content, with a customizable storefront and product categories. It offers flexible shipping and tax configurations, inventory management, and automatic order confirmation emails. However, it lacks support for distributing free products and does not manage the dispatch of physical goods, potentially requiring sellers to handle their shipping logistics.


Ecommerce themes and templates	7.0	3.0
Product page customization	6.5	6.5
Payment processing and commissions	6.0	7.0
POS capabilities	5.0	0.0
Payment gateways	5.5	6.0
Product numbers	4.5	5.0
Additional ecommerce features	6.5	4.5

HostGator ecommerce features:

Secure Online Payments
Unlimited Products
Product Search & Filtering
Wishlists & Gift Cards
Multi-Channel Inventory Management
Shipping Labels

SubHub ecommerce features:

Paypal and Stripe integration
Physical and Digital product listings
Pay-per view products

Ecommerce themes & templates

HostGator’s website builder caters to eCommerce needs by offering a broad selection of free templates, all designed with mobile responsiveness in mind. These templates are equipped with essential eCommerce features such as product catalogs and payment processing options. The platform is user-friendly, enabling users to effortlessly create professional-looking online stores tailored to their specific requirements, all without the need for any coding knowledge. In contrast, SubHub does not have ecommerce specific templates.

Product page customization

HostGator Website Builder offers basic features for customizing product pages, enabling users to add products with details such as name, price, description, and images. It supports product variants and categorization to enhance customer navigation. Advanced settings include inventory management, discount options, and the ability to set products as shippable or downloadable.

The SubHub website builder offers a range of product page customization options, allowing for the addition of physical items, digital downloads, and pay-per-view content. Features include the ability to manage product variants, upload images, and set visibility preferences. Users can also implement SEO strategies through meta tags and manage tax settings. Additional functionalities include member-specific discounts, image carousels, and individualized shipping costs.

Payment processing

When it comes to payment processing, HostGator Website Builder integrates with PayPal as a payment gateway for processing transactions. The platform charges a 3% transaction fee on Express Store and Express Site plans, no transaction fees are charged on higher Express Store plan.

SubHub website builder supports two main payment gateways: Stripe and PayPal. These integrations allow for secure payment processing for subscriptions and store items using debit or credit cards. The platform itself does not charge commissions on transactions.

7.3

6.9

🏆

Winner: HostGator

. HostGator, with a score of 7.3, offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, enabling users to easily create and customize their websites without needing any coding knowledge. It provides a wide range of templates that are fully customizable, allowing for the personalization of layouts, colors, and fonts to match the user’s brand identity. Additionally, the editor supports the integration of various multimedia elements like images, videos, and social media links, enhancing the visual appeal and functionality of the website.

Hosgator website editor

SubHub’s editor, scoring 6.9, is tailored for creating and managing membership sites, catering to content creators and entrepreneurs aiming to monetize their offerings. Its features encompass customizable templates, diverse content publishing options, and flexible subscription plans with seamless integration for recurring revenue through payment processors. Additionally, SubHub supports online course creation, provides marketing tools like landing page builders, and offers detailed analytics for monitoring website metrics.

Mobile editor/app

4.0

🏆

Draw: HostGator and SubHub

. Both HostGator and SubHub do not offer a dedicated mobile editor app. However, they allow users to manage some content on their websites using the mobile browser version. It’s important to note that it’s not possible to change the layout and design of the website on mobile for both builders.

Therefore, both HostGator and SubHub receive the same score for their mobile editor capabilities.

2.6

7.0

Overall Result

:

SubHub Wins

. SubHub scores 7.0, significantly higher than HostGator’s 2.6. SubHub offers a 14-day free trial, during which users can test all premium features. HostGator, on the other hand, does not offer a free or trial version, but allows users to test all features within a 30-day refundable period.


Free Plan	No	No
Trial Duration	No	14 days
Testing Premium Features	Within 30-day refundable period	During the free trial

6.2

6.8

SubHub and HostGator have similar price scores, but SubHub’s plans are generally more expensive. However, SubHub offers more features tailored for membership sites, while HostGator provides more general website building and hosting services.

	Offerings	Offerings
$10-$14	Express Start ($12.95/month): Includes hosting, basic analytics dashboard, 3 email campaigns per month, up to 3 products. Value for price: 6.0	No offering at this amount.
$14-$20	Express Site ($14.98/month): Offers hosting, advanced analytics dashboard, 5 email campaigns per month, up to 10 products. Value for price: 7.0	No offering at this amount.
$25-$50	Express Store ($26.98/month): Comprehensive plan including hosting, advanced analytics dashboard, 10 email campaigns per month, unlimited products. Value for price: 8.5	Starter ($47/month): Up to 500 members, 5 GB storage, secure payment processing, course builder, 5 landing pages, e-commerce. Value for price: 6.5
$90-$100	No offering at this amount.	Pro ($97/month): Up to 2000 members, 50 GB storage, removes SubHub branding, 15 landing pages, along with Starter features. Value for price: 7.5
$100+	No offering at this amount.	Premium ($147/month): Unlimited members, 200 GB storage, email white labelling, 30 landing pages, plus all Pro features. Value for Price: 8.5

In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

8.0

5.5

🏆

Winner: HostGator

HostGator offers a variety of hosting types, including shared, managed WordPress, VPS, and dedicated hosting, and guarantees a 99.9% uptime. SubHub, on the other hand, offers managed cloud hosting but does not provide uptime statistics or guarantees. Furthermore, HostGator discloses the locations of its data centers, while SubHub does not.


Do they offer hosting?	Yes, offers four main types of hosting: shared, managed WordPress, VPS, and dedicated hosting, with unlimited storage and bandwidth. The platform has automatic backup service which runs once a week on a random day.	Yes, from 5GB to 200GB storage limitation depending on the plan and daily backups.
Data Centers:	4 data centers: US(Texas, Utah), India(Mumbai), China(Hong Kong)	Subhub does not disclose the locations of its data centers
Type of hosting:	Shared, Managed WordPress, VPS, Dedicated	Managed Cloud Hosting
Uptime:	99.9%	Subhub does not provide uptime statistics or guarantees
Uptime Guarantee:	Yes, 99.9%	No

6.2

5.6

🏆 Winner: HostGator

Both HostGator and SubHub have strategies in place for website speed optimization, but HostGator takes the lead with a higher score and a more comprehensive approach to improving Core Web Vitals.


Focus	Browser Caching, CDN	Image Optimization, Caching, Mobile Optimized design
Performance Tools	Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights	Google PageSpeed Insights
Key Strategies	Browser Caching, CDN	Image Optimization, Caching, Mobile Optimized design
Load Times	Varies widely, dependent on optimization, website complexity and the chosen hosting plan	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity
Page Speed Scores Range	Varies widely, dependent on optimization, website complexity and the chosen hosting plan	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements	No information available

HostGator, a well-known web hosting company, also offers a powerful website builder tool. It focuses on browser caching and CDN for speed optimization. The load times and PageSpeed scores vary widely, depending on the optimization, website complexity, and the chosen hosting plan. HostGator provides guidance on understanding and improving Core Web Vitals (CWV) for websites, with an emphasis on LCP, FID, and CLS improvements.

On the other hand, SubHub, a website builder designed specifically for creating and managing membership sites, uses image optimization, caching, and mobile-optimized design as its key strategies for speed optimization. However, it does not provide any information on their Core Web Vitals improvements. The load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on optimization and website complexity.

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7.3

5.7

🏆 Winner: HostGator.

With a score of 7.3, HostGator offers a wider range of plugins and integrations compared to SubHub, which scores 5.7. HostGator’s plugins cater to diverse needs such as advertising, website analytics, integrating social media, managing appointments, and conducting email marketing. On the other hand, SubHub focuses on simplicity and integrated functionalities for building membership-based websites, with limited third-party integrations. While SubHub provides a comprehensive toolkit for creating and managing membership sites, HostGator’s broader range of external integrations gives it the edge in this comparison.

Hostgator plugins

6.9

5.7

🏆

Overall Winner: HostGator

. HostGator edges out SubHub with a slightly higher score in marketing features. While both platforms offer SEO tools, email marketing, blogging, analytics and reporting, and ads and promotions, HostGator provides social media integration, which SubHub lacks.

Marketing Features
SEO Tools
Email Marketing	On higher plans	Both built in and through integration of Mailchimp
Blogging
Social Media Integration
Analytics and Reporting	Google Analytics integration on higher plans
Ads and Promotions	Google Ads and Bing Ads integration

7.3

6.3

🏆 Winner: HostGator

. In the HostGator vs SubHub comparison, HostGator takes the lead with a customer support score of 7.3. HostGator offers 24/7 support through various channels, including email, phone, and live chat, ensuring that users can get assistance whenever they need it. This round-the-clock availability is crucial for maintaining website uptime and addressing urgent issues promptly.

SubHub, on the other hand, provides support primarily through email and a support portal, with an FAQ section for common queries. While SubHub’s support is accessible and responsive, it lacks the immediacy and variety of support channels that HostGator offers. With a customer support score of 6.3, SubHub falls short in comparison to HostGator’s more comprehensive support system.

7.4

4.0

🏆

Winner: HostGator

. HostGator takes a comprehensive approach to security, with features such as SiteLock for malware scanning, custom firewall rules, and mod security rule sets. They also conduct regular password audits to encourage strong user password practices. HostGator’s commitment to GDPR compliance and a focus on privacy ensures that users’ data is managed securely and with care.

On the other hand, SubHub’s security measures are not as detailed. While they do have a privacy policy that outlines their approach to collecting, using, and protecting user personal data, they do not disclose any specific information about the website security measures they provide. This lack of transparency could be a concern for users who prioritize security.

2.6


AI Builder	Basic AI technologies in new website builder
AI Ecommerce features
AI Content Generation
Additional AI features

🏆 Winner: HostGator

. Although both HostGator and SubHub have limited AI capabilities, HostGator has a slight edge due to its new website builder that incorporates basic AI technologies. SubHub, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities.

3.2

5.2

🏆 Winner: SubHub

. Both HostGator and SubHub offer multiple user accounts, but SubHub provides more detailed information about user roles and access levels.

HostGator mentions the possibility to have multiple users for its hosting solutions, but there’s no mention whether these users have the permission to edit the websites built with their website builder.
SubHub allows multiple user accounts, but the platform does not specify how many accounts are supported.

SubHub User Roles and Access Levels:

Role	Description	Access Highlights
Administrator	Full access to the platform except for Homepage and Course Editor.	Can manage all aspects of the platform, including content, store, and member management.
Content Management	Focuses on managing and organizing content within the platform.	Can access and manage content-related features but does not have access to Homepage or Course Editor.
Store (access only)	Specializes in handling the platform’s store features.	Limited to store management functions; no access to Homepage, Course Editor, or member management.
Member Manager (access only)	Oversees member accounts, roles, and subscriptions.	Can manage members and their subscriptions but cannot access Homepage, Course Editor, or store management.
Origin Admin Email	The initial administrator with the highest level of access, including Homepage and Course Editor.	Exclusive access to Homepage and Course Editor, on top of what the Administrator role provides.

Additional Features


SSL Certificate
Custom Domain
Free Custom Domain Included
International Domains
Mobile Responsive
Page Speed
Website Builder Mobile App
Convert a Website To An App
Website Analytics
Multilingual Sites
Multiple Users

User Feedback

HostGator

244 reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars

SubHub

11 reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars

HostGator’s website builder receives mixed reviews from users, highlighting both its strengths and areas for improvement. Users appreciate the platform for its ease of use, making it accessible even for novices to build professional-looking websites, and for its range of web services that facilitate website creation and management, including domain registration and SSL certificates. However, concerns are raised regarding its customer support, which is often described as slow or unresponsive, potentially impacting users requiring timely assistance. Additionally, some users find the pricing structure to be high, particularly for small-scale developers or those needing only basic services.

User feedback on SubHub presents a mix of positive and negative experiences, emphasizing the platform’s feature-rich environment and customizable templates. Users appreciate the flexibility and the quality of customer service, highlighting the platform’s continual updates and support as key benefits. However, some users express dissatisfaction with aspects such as the platform’s interface, lack of community features, and service fees for ticket resale. Concerns were also raised about the custom design service and mobile-friendly solutions taking longer than expected.

The making of this blog

We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.

Our Ranking Criteria

FAQ

Which platform is better for building a membership site, HostGator or SubHub?

SubHub specializes in creating and managing membership sites, offering specific tools and functionalities tailored for content creators and entrepreneurs focused on building a community and monetizing content. HostGator, while offering a versatile website builder and hosting solutions, is more suited for general website building rather than specialized membership platforms.

Can I use HostGator for ecommerce?

Yes, HostGator offers a range of ecommerce features suitable for creating and managing an online store, including secure payment options, unlimited products on higher plans, and a variety of marketing tools. It is designed to cater to users with no technical background, offering customizable templates and 24/7 customer support.

Does SubHub provide good customer support?

SubHub provides customer support via email and a support portal where users can submit detailed queries. They also have an FAQ section for immediate answers to common questions. However, they do not offer 24/7 support like HostGator, which may limit the availability of immediate assistance for users in different time zones.

Which platform offers better website speed optimization?

HostGator takes the lead in website speed optimization, focusing on browser caching and CDN for speed optimization. The load times and PageSpeed scores vary widely, depending on the optimization, website complexity, and the chosen hosting plan. SubHub uses image optimization, caching, and mobile-optimized design as its key strategies for speed optimization.

How do HostGator and SubHub compare in terms of security?

HostGator takes a comprehensive approach to security, with features such as SiteLock for malware scanning, custom firewall rules, and mod security rule sets. They also conduct regular password audits to encourage strong user password practices. SubHub’s security measures are not as detailed, and they do not disclose any specific information about the website security measures they provide.

Which platform is more user-friendly for beginners?

HostGator’s website builder, Gator, is praised for its user-friendly interface and simplicity, making it a great choice for beginners and small businesses. SubHub is also user-friendly but is specifically designed for building membership websites, which may not suit everyone’s needs.

Are there any AI capabilities in HostGator or SubHub?

Although both HostGator and SubHub have limited AI capabilities, HostGator has a slight edge due to its new website builder that incorporates basic AI technologies. SubHub does not have any AI capabilities.