IONOS vs Strikingly: guide for 2024

Final verdict

IONOS and Strikingly both offer user-friendly website building solutions, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences.

IONOS (Overall Grade: 6.9/10)

is a versatile website builder and hosting platform that excels in providing a wide range of customizable templates and reliable hosting services. It is particularly strong in ecommerce capabilities, marketing features, and security. IONOS is ideal for users who need a robust platform with advanced features and comprehensive support for building professional websites.
Strikingly (Overall Grade: 6.6/10)

is known for its ease of use and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it a great choice for individuals and small businesses looking to create professional-looking websites quickly. Strikingly offers a variety of modern templates, ecommerce integration, and SEO tools. It is perfect for users who prioritize simplicity and design flexibility without needing extensive technical knowledge.

	Overall grade: 6.9	Overall grade: 6.6
Design functionalities & templates	7.2	7.2
Ease of use	7.8	8.1
Ecommerce	7.1	7.2
Website Editors	7.8	7.5
Product testing options	6.5	7.1
Price	7.8	8.1
Hosting quality	8.8	7.2
Website speed optimization	7.2	7.9
Plugins and integrations	6.5	5.1
Marketing features	7.5	7.2
Customer support	7.3	7.2
Security	7.5	7.5
AI capabilities	7.2	1.6
User Management	3.1	7.3

Best for ecommerce

7.1

7.2

Verdict

: IONOS and Strikingly both offer solid ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs. IONOS is slightly better for those who need robust marketing tools and extensive customization, while Strikingly is ideal for users seeking simplicity and ease of use.

IONOS

: IONOS provides a comprehensive set of ecommerce features, including store management, marketing tools, and flexible payment and shipping options. It is well-suited for users who need detailed customization and advanced marketing capabilities. However, when comparing IONOS vs Strikingly, IONOS might be more complex for beginners due to its extensive feature set.
Strikingly

: Strikingly offers a user-friendly interface with essential ecommerce features like product listings, inventory management, and SEO tools. It is perfect for small businesses or individuals who want to set up an online store quickly and easily. However, it may lack the depth and advanced features needed for larger, more complex ecommerce operations.

Best for informational & business websites

7.4

Verdict

: When comparing IONOS vs Strikingly, both platforms score equally at 7.4, making them strong contenders for creating informational business websites. However, their unique features and strengths cater to different user needs.

IONOS

: IONOS is a versatile website builder that offers a wide range of customizable templates and drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for users to design professional websites. It also provides reliable hosting services and ensures that websites are optimized for search engines, enhancing online visibility. IONOS is particularly suitable for users who need a robust platform with extensive customization options and reliable hosting.
Strikingly

: Strikingly is known for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for individuals and small businesses. With its drag-and-drop interface and customizable templates, users can quickly create professional-looking websites without any coding knowledge. Strikingly also offers various features such as ecommerce integration, blogging tools, and SEO optimization, making it a versatile platform for building and managing websites. For those prioritizing simplicity and quick setup, Strikingly is a great option.

Detailed comparison

7.2

Winner: It’s a tie.

Both IONOS and Strikingly offer a variety of templates and designs, customization flexibility, and mobile-responsive designs. However, Strikingly seems to offer more creative design possibilities.

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.

IONOS Themes

On the other hand, Strikingly offers a wide variety of templates and designs for its website builder. With over 60 unique templates to choose from, users can find a design that suits their needs and preferences. The templates are modern, visually appealing, and customizable, allowing users to personalize their websites.

Strikingly Themes

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7.8

8.1

🏆 Winner: Strikingly

. With a score of 8.1, Strikingly edges out IONOS (7.8) in terms of ease of use. Strikingly’s user-friendly interface and intuitive drag-and-drop features make it an ideal choice for individuals and small businesses looking to create professional websites without coding expertise. IONOS, while also user-friendly, may not offer the extensive functionalities of more complex platforms.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: IONOS

. Both platforms offer solid learning resources, but IONOS goes a step further with its detailed advice on blogging and website optimization, along with a straightforward building process. This underscores the platform’s versatility and user-friendly approach.

Learn IONOS

Learn Strikingly

7.1

7.2

IONOS and Strikingly both offer ecommerce capabilities, but they differ in their offerings. IONOS provides store management, marketing tools, payment and shipping options, and products and inventory management. On the other hand, Strikingly offers product listings, inventory management, coupons and discounts, SEO tools, analytics, and social media integration.


Ecommerce themes and templates	6.5	6.5
Product page customization	6.8	6.0
Payment processing and commissions	7.0	6.8
POS capabilities	5.5	5.0
Payment gateways	7.2	7.0
Product numbers	6.0	5.5
Additional ecommerce features	6.3	6.5

IONOS ecommerce features:

Store Management
Marketing Tools
Payment and Shipping options
Products and Inventory management

Ionos add a product

Strikingly ecommerce features:

Product Listings
Inventory Management
Coupons and Discounts
SEO tools
Analytics
Social Media Integration

Strikingly add a product

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.

Strikingly offers a variety of eCommerce website templates tailored to meet various website building needs. These templates are designed by a world-class team of website designers and developers, focusing on modern trends and best practices to ensure your eCommerce site stands out. Strikingly’s collection is continuously updated with new designs to match the dynamic nature of online commerce, ensuring your website can remain visually appealing and functionally efficient.

Product page customization

IONOS website builder 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.

Customizing product pages on Strikingly involves showcasing your products with high-quality images in the “Portfolio” or “Product Catalog” section, emphasizing a premium feel to attract buyers. Adding products is streamlined through the “Simple Store” section, where you can detail product types, names, descriptions, and manage inventory and pricing. Enhancements include social media sharing, categorization for diverse product ranges, and customization options like unique product URLs and region-specific pricing for a tailored shopping experience.

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. The platform offers detailed guidance on integrating these payment methods into online stores, allowing for customization in terms of fees, order value thresholds, and geographical availability.

Strikingly supports secure payment processing through Stripe, Square, and other gateways like PayPal, offering a range of options for ecommerce sites. The transaction fees for using these services vary depending on the payment gateway and user location, with specific plans possibly incurring additional Strikingly fees, except for VIP users. The platform emphasizes the importance of selecting a payment gateway that aligns with your business needs, including consideration for international sales and multiple currencies to ensure a smooth checkout experience.

7.8

7.5

🏆

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.

Ionos editor

Strikingly’s editor, scoring 7.5, is designed to help individuals and businesses create professional websites quickly and easily, without the need for coding knowledge. It features a drag-and-drop interface for easy customization of website elements, such as text, images, and videos. Users can choose from a variety of templates that can be personalized to fit their brand, making it possible to launch a unique online presence swiftly. Strikingly also emphasizes mobile responsiveness, ensuring websites look great on any device, and offers SEO tools and social media integration to enhance online visibility and engagement.

Strikingly editor

Mobile editor/app

4.5

2.0

🏆

Winner: IONOS

. Both IONOS and Strikingly do not offer a dedicated mobile editor app, but they do provide limited editing capabilities through a mobile browser. However, the mobile editing experience for Strikingly is described as very inconvenient, which may contribute to its lower score.

IONOS, with a higher Mobile Editor score, is the winner in this category. Despite not having a dedicated mobile app, it offers a more user-friendly mobile editing experience compared to Strikingly. This makes IONOS a better choice for users who need to make quick edits or updates to their website on the go.

6.5

7.1

Overall Result

:

Strikingly Wins

. Strikingly scores 7.1, offering a 14-day free trial with access to all features, while IONOS scores 6.5, offering a 30-day refundable period to test premium features but no free trial.


Free Plan	No	Yes
Trial Duration	No (30-day money back guarantee)	14 days
Testing Premium Features	During 30-day refundable period	All features during free trial
Money Back Guarantee	30 days	No

7.8

8.1

Strikingly offers a free plan and more affordable options, while IONOS provides more advanced features in its higher-tier plans.

	Offerings	Offerings
Free	No offering at this amount.	Free ($0/month): Includes Strikingly.com subdomain, unlimited free sites, 5 GB monthly bandwidth, 500 MB total storage per site, simple store with 1 product per site, and 5 pages per site and 24/7 support.
$10-$15	Starter ($12/month): Basic for newcomers with 10GB space, 10 pages, 2GB email, free domain first year. Value for price: 5.0	Limited ($12/month): Allows connection to custom domain, includes 2 limited sites, unlimited free sites, 50 GB monthly bandwidth, 1 GB total storage per site, free domain with yearly plans, and allows selling a single product and 5 page per site. Value for price: 6.5
$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	Pro ($20/month): Offers 3 pro sites, unlimited free sites, unlimited bandwidth, 3 GB total storage per site, simple store with 300 products per site and up to 100 pages per site, site membership, custom forms, multiple pages, and removal of Strikingly branding, among other advanced features. Value for price: 8.5
$30+	Pro ($30/month): Advanced for scaling, unlimited space/pages, 50GB email, SEO tools, comprehensive marketing tools. Value for price: 9.0	VIP ($59/month): Includes all Pro features plus 5 pro sites, 10 GB total storage per site, priority customer service, English phone support, account management, and allows selling unlimited products. Value for Price: 9.0

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.

8.8

7.2

🏆

Winner: IONOS

IONOS offers a diverse range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting, with a 99.99% uptime guarantee and data centers in both the EU and USA. Strikingly, on the other hand, offers managed hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, but does not disclose detailed information about their data centers. Despite some criticism for its VPS and WordPress hosting performance, IONOS’s diverse hosting options and transparency about their data centers give it the edge.


Do they offer hosting?	Yes, diverse range of hosting services	Yes, cloud-based hosting
Data Centers:	Total of 7 data centers in EU(Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Logroño) and USA(Las Vegas, NV; Newark, NJ; Lenexa, KS)	Uses multiple data centers to guarantee a secure and highly available service at scale. However, they do not disclose detailed information about their data centers.
Type of hosting:	Shared, Dedicated, VPS, WordPress Hosting	Managed Hosting
Uptime:	99.99%	99.9%
Uptime Guarantee:	Yes, 99.99%	Yes, 99.9%

7.2

7.9

🏆 Winner: Strikingly

Both IONOS and Strikingly prioritize website performance and page speed, but Strikingly has a slight edge due to its higher average PageSpeed score and comprehensive speed optimization strategies.


Focus	HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization	CDN, Code Minification, Caching
Performance Tools	WordPress Optimization, CDN	Optimized Server Response Time, Image Optimization and Compression
Key Strategies	HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization, Image and Multimedia Optimization, Caching, WordPress Optimization, CDN	CDN, Code Minification, Caching, Optimized Server Response Time, Image Optimization and Compression, Responsive Design
Load Times	Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location	Can vary depending on different factors
Page Speed Scores Range	Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location	80-90/100 average
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements	Strikingly does not disclose any information about Core Web Vitals improvements

IONOS focuses on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript optimization, image and multimedia optimization, caching, WordPress optimization, and CDN for speed optimization. However, both load times and PageSpeed scores can vary widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location. IONOS also emphasizes on LCP, FID, and CLS improvements for Core Web Vitals.

On the other hand, Strikingly uses CDN, code minification, caching, optimized server response time, image optimization and compression, and responsive design as its key strategies for speed optimization. While load times can vary depending on different factors, Strikingly has an average PageSpeed score of 80-90/100. However, Strikingly does not disclose any information about Core Web Vitals improvements.

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6.5

5.1

🏆 Winner: IONOS.

With a score of 6.5, IONOS offers a wider range of plugins and extensions compared to Strikingly, which scores 5.1. IONOS provides over 100 plugins, allowing users to add features such as contact forms, social media integration, and ecommerce capabilities. Strikingly, on the other hand, offers over 20 plugins, including social media sharing, contact forms, and live chat support. Both platforms allow users to extend various features, but IONOS offers more options.

7.5

7.2

🏆

Overall Winner: IONOS

. IONOS edges out Strikingly with a slightly higher score in marketing features. Both platforms offer a range of marketing tools, but IONOS stands out with its AI-powered content creation for email marketing and more sophisticated ad campaign management.


SEO Tools
Email Marketing
Blogging
Social Media Integration	Direct sales on Facebook and Instagram	Embedding and linking to social media platforms
Analytics and Reporting	Detailed insights through built-in metrics and SiteAnalytics	Basic site performance tracking
Ads and Promotions	Sophisticated ad campaign management with Google Ads	Essential tools like discount codes and coupons

7.3

7.2

🏆 Winner: IONOS

. In the comparison of IONOS vs Strikingly, IONOS takes the lead with its 24/7 customer support availability through multiple contact numbers, ensuring users can get help whenever needed. The round-the-clock support is a significant advantage for users who may encounter issues at any time.

Strikingly also offers 24/7 customer support via email and live chat, with additional phone support for VIP users. While Strikingly’s support is praised for its quick and friendly responses, the lack of direct phone support for all users slightly diminishes its accessibility compared to IONOS. Nonetheless, Strikingly’s commitment to exceeding customer expectations with every interaction is commendable.

7.5

Draw: IONOS and Strikingly

. Both IONOS and Strikingly prioritize security and have implemented robust measures to protect user data and websites.

IONOS provides robust data storage and protection measures across its various services, including HiDrive Cloud Storage and secure email solutions. It integrates various security measures to safeguard websites created on its platform, focusing on preventing malware spread, spamming, and data breaches.

Strikingly, on the other hand, ensures the protection and secure handling of personal information collected from users. It also emphasizes the importance of website security through various measures, including two-factor authentication and DDoS protection.

Both platforms are committed to providing a secure environment for their users, making them both excellent choices in terms of security.

7.2

1.6


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, including SEO optimization and image generation
Additional AI Features	AI Section Generator and AI Color Palette Generator

🏆 Winner: IONOS

. IONOS’s AI capabilities are highly user-friendly and innovative. It excels in offering personalized website design suggestions, content
optimization, and streamlined site setup processes. IONOS’s AI also assists in providing SEO recommendations and
layout adjustments based on user behavior.

Strikingly, with a score of 1.6, lacks a full AI website builder and does not have proper AI content generation tools or any built-in AI features. While Strikingly’s platform is user-friendly, it falls short in terms of AI capabilities compared to IONOS.

3.1

7.3

🏆 Winner: Strikingly

. Strikingly offers a more comprehensive user management system compared to IONOS.

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.
Strikingly allows you to invite up to 10 teammates to edit and manage your site. You can assign different roles to these teammates, such as Admin, Editor, Store Manager, Blogger, and Agent, each with specific levels of access and permissions.

Strikingly User Roles and Access Levels:

Role	Description	Access Highlights
Admin	Has access similar to the site owner but with specific limitations.	Can edit content, manage store and events, and view analytics, but cannot add/remove teammates.
Editor	Can make changes to the site with some restrictions.	Edits site content but lacks access to store management, settings panel, or analytics.
Store Manager	Primarily focused on e-commerce functionalities of the site.	Manages products, orders, and store settings, with no capabilities to edit non-store content.
Blogger	Specialized in writing and managing blog posts.	Can write and manage blog posts, with optional publishing rights.
Agent	Dedicated to managing audience interactions, primarily through live chat.	Has access to audience data, can respond to live chats, and send individual messages, with no site editing access.

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

IONOS

20 reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars

Strikingly

39 reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars

As IONOS is primarily a hosting provider with a website builder as an additional product, most reviews focus on its hosting services. Users have mixed experiences with IONOS 1&1 Websites & Shops. While praised for its great packages, personalized support, and streamlined interface for IT professionals, some encounter issues with backend functionality and find customer service representatives too pushy. Despite occasional short outages, the overall reliability and responsiveness of the service are appreciated by users.

Users of Strikingly appreciate features like the ability to import data from LinkedIn, a variety of attractive templates, and responsive customer service. However, there are some reported issues, such as unexpected subscription renewals and limitations in customization options. Despite these drawbacks, Strikingly is valued for its ability to quickly create professional-looking websites, making it suitable for personal projects, startups, and small businesses. While pricing and customer service options may not appeal to everyone, those seeking an uncomplicated website building experience with diverse design choices may find Strikingly to be a suitable solution for their needs.

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 beginners, IONOS or Strikingly?

Strikingly is generally better for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and intuitive drag-and-drop features. It’s designed to make website creation accessible to users without coding knowledge, making it an ideal choice for individuals and small businesses looking to create professional websites quickly and easily.

Can I use both IONOS and Strikingly for ecommerce?

Yes, both platforms offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs. IONOS provides a comprehensive suite of ecommerce tools, including advanced product page customization and a variety of payment processing options, making it suitable for businesses looking to scale. Strikingly, on the other hand, offers an intuitive platform with easy-to-use ecommerce features, ideal for beginners or small businesses.

How do IONOS and Strikingly differ in terms of customization and design flexibility?

Both IONOS and Strikingly offer a variety of templates and designs, with customization flexibility and mobile-responsive designs. However, Strikingly seems to offer more creative design possibilities, making it a better choice for users looking for more visually appealing and unique website designs.

What are the major differences in pricing and value between IONOS and Strikingly?

Strikingly offers a free plan and more affordable options, making it a cost-effective choice for users on a budget. IONOS, while not offering a free plan, provides more advanced features in its higher-tier plans, making it a better value for users who need more sophisticated functionalities for their websites.

Which platform offers better customer support, IONOS or Strikingly?

IONOS slightly edges out Strikingly in customer support, offering 24/7 assistance and a wide range of online resources. Users can contact their support team at any time, ensuring that help is available whenever needed. Strikingly also offers robust support options, but IONOS’s comprehensive support system gives it a slight advantage.