Final verdict
IONOS and Pixpa offer unique strengths, making them suitable for different user needs.
-
IONOS (Overall Grade: 6.9/10)
excels in hosting quality, website speed optimization, and AI capabilities, making it a strong choice for users who prioritize performance and advanced features. Its comprehensive suite of marketing tools and 24/7 customer support further enhance its appeal to businesses looking for a reliable and scalable online presence. However, it may fall short for users seeking extensive design customization and ecommerce flexibility. -
Pixpa (Overall Grade: 6.7/10)
shines with its design functionalities, ease of use, and security measures, catering especially to creatives and small businesses. Its user-friendly interface, coupled with robust ecommerce features and excellent customer service, makes it an attractive option for those looking to showcase their work or sell products online with minimal hassle. While it offers a solid foundation for online presence, advanced users might find its AI capabilities and hosting options limited compared to IONOS.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.2 |
7.8 |
Ease of use |
7.8 |
8.4 |
Ecommerce |
7.1 |
7.0 |
Website Editors |
7.8 |
7.5 |
Product testing options |
6.5 |
8.5 |
Price |
7.8 |
9.1 |
Hosting quality |
8.8 |
5.4 |
Website speed optimization |
7.2 |
3.0 |
Plugins and integrations |
6.5 |
6.7 |
Marketing features |
7.5 |
7.4 |
Customer support |
7.3 |
7.0 |
Security |
7.5 |
8.3 |
AI capabilities |
7.2 |
0.0 |
User Management |
3.1 |
7.3 |
Overall |
6.9 |
6.7 |
Best for ecommerce
Verdict
: Both IONOS and Pixpa offer solid ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to slightly different audiences. IONOS edges out with a broader set of features for those looking for more comprehensive ecommerce tools.
-
IONOS
: Offers a robust platform for users needing extensive ecommerce functionalities, including advanced store management, marketing tools, and a variety of payment and shipping options. It’s particularly suited for businesses looking to scale. -
Pixpa
: Focuses on simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for creatives and small businesses. While it may not offer as extensive ecommerce features as IONOS, it provides essential tools for selling both physical and digital products effectively.
Best for informational & business websites
Verdict
: Pixpa slightly edges out IONOS for informational and business websites, thanks to its higher score and focus on design and ease of use for creatives and small businesses.
-
IONOS
: IONOS offers a robust platform with a variety of customizable templates and features like ecommerce capabilities, contact forms, and social media integration. It’s a solid choice for businesses looking for reliable hosting and SEO optimization. However, its generalist approach might not cater as specifically to the needs of creatives and small businesses focused on showcasing their work. -
Pixpa
: Pixpa shines for creatives and small businesses aiming to build beautiful, professional websites. With its higher score, drag-and-drop interface, and customizable templates, Pixpa is tailored to those who prioritize design flexibility and ease of use. Additionally, its built-in tools for SEO, marketing, and analytics support effective online growth, making it the preferred choice for informational and business websites.
Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
🏆
Winner: Pixpa.
Pixpa’s design functionalities and templates score is higher than IONOS, making it the preferred choice for users who prioritize design flexibility and customization.
IONOS offers a wide variety of templates and designs for their website builder. With over 200 templates to choose from, users can find a design that suits their needs and preferences. The templates are categorized into different industries and styles, making it easy for users to find the perfect design for their website.
On the other hand, Pixpa offers a wide variety of templates and designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of creative professionals. With an extensive library that includes numerous options, users can easily find the perfect template that aligns with their brand identity and showcases their work in the best light.
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Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
🏆 Winner: Pixpa
. With a score of 8.4, Pixpa edges out IONOS (7.8) in terms of ease of use. Pixpa’s intuitive interface and drag-and-drop features make it a user-friendly choice for creatives and professionals looking to establish an online presence without needing extensive technical skills.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Pixpa
. Both platforms offer solid learning resources, but Pixpa’s comprehensive suite of tutorials, step-by-step guides, and video walkthroughs, along with access to customer support and a knowledge base, make it a more robust learning resource for users of all skill levels.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
IONOS and Pixpa both offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs. IONOS is designed to help users build and manage an online store with features like product listings, shopping cart integration, and order management. On the other hand, Pixpa focuses more on simplicity and ease of use, offering an integrated shopping cart, inventory tracking, and the ability to sell both physical and digital products.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
6.5 |
6.8 |
Product page customization |
6.8 |
6.5 |
Payment processing and commissions |
7.0 |
7.5 |
POS capabilities |
5.5 |
0.0 |
Payment gateways |
7.2 |
7.0 |
Product numbers |
6.0 |
5.5 |
Additional ecommerce features |
6.3 |
6.0 |
IONOS ecommerce features:
- Store Management
- Marketing Tools
- Payment and Shipping options
- Products and Inventory management
Pixpa ecommerce features:
- SEO and Marketing features
- Secure Payments
- Comprehensive product options
Ecommerce themes & templates
IONOS offers a variety of ecommerce themes and templates designed to help businesses set up their online stores efficiently and effectively. Their online store builder is tailored to support a range of ecommerce needs, from selling on social media platforms to managing a scalable ecommerce website without any coding or design skills required.
Pixpa offers a variety of ecommerce-specific templates designed to cater to online stores and businesses. These templates are crafted to showcase products effectively, integrate shopping carts, and provide a seamless checkout experience. However, the customization options might have limitations depending on the chosen plan, and advanced ecommerce features could be restricted to higher-tier plans.
Product page customization
IONOS provides users with the ability to extensively customize product pages. This includes the flexibility to adjust the design and layout, ensuring that product images, descriptions, and specifications are displayed according to individual preferences. Additionally, IONOS allows for the setup and management of product options and variations, such as size and color, enabling customers to select their preferred version of a product.
Pixpa offers a range of ecommerce product page customization options to cater to various needs. Users can easily manage and display products with options for multiple images, pricing variations, and detailed product descriptions. The platform allows for the customization of layout and design elements, including colors, fonts, and the overall aesthetic to match the brand identity. Additionally, Pixpa supports the integration of customer reviews, related products, and promotional banners to enhance the shopping experience and increase conversion rates.
Payment processing
IONOS supports a wide variety of third-party payment processors for its website builder, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, without charging direct fees for payment processing. Users can choose from an extensive list of payment options to suit their business needs and customer preferences, enhancing the flexibility and security of online transactions.
Pixpa does not charge commissions on sales, allowing creators to keep all revenue generated, minus any transaction fees from payment processors. The platform supports various payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, PayUmoney, and offline payments, to facilitate direct payments into user accounts. However, Pixpa does not have any POS capabilities.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
🏆
Winner: IONOS
. IONOS, with a score of 7.8, provides an intuitive website builder equipped with AI assistance, designed for users to quickly create professional-looking websites without needing coding skills. This platform offers customizable templates, AI-generated content, and is optimized for mobile use, ensuring a responsive design across all devices. With features that cater to both basic and advanced website needs, including eCommerce capabilities, IONOS aims to simplify the web creation process.
Pixpa, scoring 7.5, is an all-in-one platform designed for creative professionals to build their own websites without needing any coding knowledge. It offers a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to create and customize a professional-looking website, portfolio, or e-commerce store. Pixpa provides a variety of templates and design options tailored to photographers, artists, designers, and small businesses. Additionally, it includes features such as client galleries, blogging, and SEO tools to help users showcase their work effectively and grow their online presence.
Mobile editor/app
🏆
Winner: Pixpa
. Both IONOS and Pixpa do not offer a dedicated mobile editor app. However, they provide limited editing capabilities on mobile browsers. This allows users to make quick changes or updates to their websites on the go. Despite the similar offerings, Pixpa scores slightly higher than IONOS in the mobile editor category, making it the winner in this comparison.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
Overall Result
:
Pixpa Wins
. Pixpa scores 8.5 in product testing options, higher than IONOS’s 6.5. Both platforms offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but Pixpa stands out with a 15-day free trial during which all premium features can be tested. IONOS, on the other hand, does not offer a free trial, but allows testing of premium features during the 30-day refundable period.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free Plan |
No | No |
Trial Duration |
No (30-day money back guarantee) |
15 days (30-day money back guarantee) |
Testing Premium Features |
During 30-day refundable period |
All features during 15-day free trial |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
Pixpa offers more affordable pricing plans compared to IONOS, and both platforms offer significant discounts for annual subscriptions.
Neither platform offers an Enterprise plan.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$0-$10 |
No offering at this amount. |
Basic ($8/month): Ideal for personal use with basic website features, gallery images, and blogging. Possible to have up to 10 website pages and up to 200 images. Value for price: 6.0 |
$10-$16 |
Starter ($12/month): Basic for newcomers with 10GB space, 10 pages, 2GB email, free domain first year. Value for price: 5.0 |
Creator ($15/month): Targets creators with more storage and enhanced visibility options. Value for price: 7.0 |
$15-$25 |
Plus ($18/month): Enhanced with 50GB space, 200 pages, custom HTML, SiteAnalytics, online booking, AI Text Generator & AI Text Improver, AI SEO Text Generator Value for price: 7.5 |
Professional ($20/month): For professionals needing ecommerce enhancements and larger storage. Value for price: 8.0 |
$20+ |
Pro ($30/month): Advanced for scaling, unlimited space/pages, 50GB email, SEO tools, comprehensive marketing tools. Value for price: 9.0 |
Advanced ($25/month): Best for businesses requiring extensive resources and advanced ecommerce tools. Value for Price: 9.0 |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
🏆
Winner: IONOS
IONOS offers a diverse range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting, with features like daily backups, and unlimited traffic. It also boasts a 99.99% uptime guarantee and has data centers in both the EU and USA. On the other hand, Pixpa utilizes Amazon Web Services for scalable and reliable cloud hosting, but does not provide uptime statistics or have an uptime guarantee. Pixpa also doesn’t publicly disclose any information about its data centers.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, IONOS offers a diverse range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting. |
Yes, Pixpa utilizes Amazon Web Services for scalable and reliable cloud hosting. |
Data Centers: |
Total of 7 data centers in EU(Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Logroño) and USA(Las Vegas, NV; Newark, NJ; Lenexa, KS) |
Pixpa doesn’t publicly disclose any information about its data centers. |
Type of hosting: |
Shared, Dedicated, VPS, WordPress Hosting |
Managed Cloud Hosting |
Uptime: |
99.99% |
Pixpa does not provide uptime statistics. |
Uptime Guarantee: |
Yes, 99.99% |
Pixpa does not have an uptime guarantee. |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
🏆 Winner: IONOS
Both IONOS and Pixpa place a high priority on website performance and page speed, with IONOS focusing on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization, Image and Multimedia Optimization, Caching, WordPress Optimization, and CDN, and Pixpa emphasizing Code Minification, CDN, HTML caching, Server Side Rendering, and SEO optimization. However, IONOS gets the edge when it comes to website speed optimization due to the lack of data on Page Speed Scores and load times for websites built with Pixpa.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Focus |
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization, Image and Multimedia Optimization, Caching, WordPress Optimization, CDN |
Code Minification, CDN, HTML caching, Server Side Rendering, SEO optimization |
Performance Tools |
Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights |
Google PageSpeed Insights Integration |
Key Strategies |
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization, Image and Multimedia Optimization, Caching, WordPress Optimization, CDN |
Code Minification, CDN, HTML caching, Server Side Rendering, SEO optimization |
Load Times |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location |
No data available |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location |
No data available |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
IONOS has a comprehensive approach to website speed optimization, focusing on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization, Image and Multimedia Optimization, Caching, WordPress Optimization, and CDN. This approach ensures that websites built with IONOS are optimized for speed, regardless of the user’s location. However, the load times and Page Speed Scores can vary widely, depending on the level of optimization.
On the other hand, Pixpa also places a strong emphasis on website speed optimization, focusing on Code Minification, CDN, HTML caching, Server Side Rendering, and SEO optimization. However, there’s no data available on the load times and Page Speed Scores for websites built with Pixpa, making it difficult to accurately assess its performance in this area. Both platforms place a strong emphasis on improving Core Web Vitals, focusing on LCP, FID, and CLS improvements.
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Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
🏆 Winner: Pixpa.
Pixpa edges out IONOS with a score of 6.7 to 6.5. Both platforms offer over 100 plugins/extensions, but Pixpa’s plugins, or “apps,” provide more advanced features and integrations, especially for e-commerce and marketing. IONOS, on the other hand, focuses more on basic functionalities like contact forms and social media integration.
It’s worth noting that while Pixpa provides an all-in-one platform with most essential features built-in, some specific plugins or extensions may come with additional costs. More advanced features and integrations are available in higher-tier plans.
Marketing Features
Marketing featuresAssesses tools and options available for marketing.Score Components:
- SEO tools (40%): Effectiveness of SEO features.
- Marketing automation (30%): Availability and quality of marketing tools.
- Social Media integration (20%): Ease and depth of social media connectivity.
- Email marketing (10%): Quality and usability of email marketing tools.
🏆
Overall Winner: IONOS
. IONOS slightly edges out Pixpa with a more comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including advanced SEO features, robust email marketing, and sophisticated ad campaign management. Pixpa also offers a strong set of marketing tools, particularly in social media integration and promotional discounts.
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|
|
---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
|
|
Email Marketing |
|
|
Blogging |
|
|
Social Media Integration |
Direct sales on Facebook and Instagram |
Integrated social media buttons and features |
Analytics and Reporting |
Built-in metrics and SiteAnalytics |
Google Analytics integration |
Ads and Promotions |
Google Ads and promotional tools like coupons and special offers |
SEO, social media integration, email marketing, and promotional discounts |
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. IONOS edges out Pixpa in this category with a customer support score of 7.3 against Pixpa’s 7.0. IONOS provides 24/7 customer support and offers assistance with the user interface of the website builder. Users can reach out to their support team at any time for immediate assistance.
On the other hand, Pixpa also provides 24/7 customer support via email or live chat. However, it falls slightly short in comparison to IONOS in terms of the overall customer support score. Neither IONOS nor Pixpa provide enterprise support as they don’t have enterprise plans.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
🏆
Winner: Pixpa
. Pixpa takes the lead in security with a score of 8.3, compared to IONOS’s 7.5. Pixpa’s commitment to data privacy and security is evident in its robust measures, including SSL encryption, regular backups, stringent privacy policies, and compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations.
IONOS also provides robust data storage and protection measures, including secure file storage with options for backup, easy data transfer, and enhanced access security. However, Pixpa’s higher security score indicates a more comprehensive approach to ensuring user data safety and website security.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Personalized Design |
IONOS AI offers tailored design suggestions based on user inputs |
|
SEO Optimization |
AI-driven recommendations for better search engine visibility |
|
Content Generation |
AI-powered content generation tools |
|
Additional AI Features |
AI Section Generator and AI Color Palette Generator |
|
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. IONOS, with a score of 7.2, utilizes AI to enhance the website creation process. Its AI features focus on personalized design recommendations, automatic content generation, and SEO optimization. Additional AI features include the AI Section Generator, which allows users to easily add new, well-structured sections to their website, and the AI Color Palette Generator, which aids in creating visually cohesive websites.
Pixpa, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities. This lack of AI features may limit the functionality and efficiency of the website creation process in Pixpa.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
🏆 Winner: Pixpa
. Both IONOS and Pixpa allow multiple users to edit a website, but Pixpa offers more advanced user management features.
- IONOS permits multiple users for website editing. However, there is no mention of user roles and permissions, nor is there information about limitations on the number of users allowed to edit a website.
- Pixpa offers a Users and Permissions feature allowing multiple users on Professional plans (up to 5 users) and Advanced plans (unlimited). The site owner can grant edit access to sections like General, Store, Client Galleries, Marketing, Settings, and Administration, customizing permissions based on user roles. The site owner can manage user permissions, suspend or reactivate users, and permanently remove them, but irreversible actions should be approached with caution.
Additional Features
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---|---|---|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
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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
IONOS, primarily a hosting provider that also offers a website builder, has received mixed reviews. Users appreciate its comprehensive packages, personalized support, and streamlined interface for IT professionals. However, some users have reported issues with backend functionality and found customer service representatives to be too pushy. Despite occasional short outages, the overall reliability and responsiveness of the service are appreciated by users.
Pixpa, on the other hand, is highly praised for its exceptional customer service, easy-to-use interface, and affordable pricing. Users appreciate the variety of templates and customization options available, which allow them to create professional-looking websites tailored to their needs. The responsive and helpful customer support, coupled with the platform’s features like online forms and integrations, make Pixpa a valuable tool for individuals and businesses seeking to establish a strong online presence. Despite some minor issues like limited options for third-party integrations and mobile layout adjustments, Pixpa remains highly recommended for its versatility, professionalism, and overall value.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for creatives and small businesses, IONOS or Pixpa?
How do IONOS and Pixpa compare in terms of ecommerce capabilities?
Which platform offers better customer support, IONOS or Pixpa?
Can I test IONOS or Pixpa before committing to a plan?
Which platform is more affordable, IONOS or Pixpa?
Is website speed and hosting quality better on IONOS or Pixpa?
Which platform has better AI capabilities, IONOS or Pixpa?
How do IONOS and Pixpa handle user management and security?