A2 Hosting vs Netfirms: guide for 2024

A2 Hosting vs Netfirms: Final verdict

Looking over A2 Hosting vs. Netfirms, it’s clear why both hosts are so popular. They have both hosted millions of
websites that run on WordPress for decades, building up a loyal customer base.

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  A2 Hosting (Overall grade: 8.1)
  
  
  is renowned for its comprehensive suite of services, from Shared to VPS and Dedicated hosting. Its specialized WordPress plans come with advanced performance and security features, making it ideal for agencies and high-traffic websites. The provider excels in uptime and speed, utilizing NVMe drives and LiteSpeed servers. A2’s standout features include their Guru Crew support and extensive performance optimizations, which ensure reliable and swift hosting experiences. However, users have reported higher costs after introductory periods and occasional inconsistencies in customer support.
  
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  Netfirms (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  
  is best suited for small businesses and users focused on eCommerce, thanks to its robust SSL options and daily malware scanning. Providing unlimited storage and bandwidth, Netfirms offers practical solutions for multimedia websites and those needing straightforward, scalable hosting at budget-friendly prices. Their 24/7 customer support and quick response times are noteworthy, although the service lacks certain advanced performance features seen in A2 Hosting. Netfirms’ main drawbacks include less detailed control panel tools and occasional server performance issues, making it a better choice for simpler hosting needs.
  

Hosting types offered

Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.

Although both offer a variety of hosting plans tailored to different needs, in
certain cases, one platform may prove to be more suitable.

Detailed comparison

🏆 Winner
A2 Hosting: A2 Hosting has superior uptime performance and reliability.

A2 Hosting has demonstrated impressive uptime figures over the past three years, consistently performing at nearly perfect levels. The hosting provider guarantees a 99.9% uptime in their Terms of Service but recent tests have shown even better results, reaching up to 100% uptime during specific periods. This consistency in uptime performance makes A2 Hosting a reliable choice for website hosting.

Netfirms also delivers stable hosting services with a strong uptime record, particularly highlighted during a two-week testing period where 100% uptime was achieved. The company offers 24/7 customer support and has data centers in New York and Toronto, contributing to its reliability. However, Netfirms lacks an explicit uptime guarantee on its official site, which slightly diminishes its overall reliability in comparison to A2 Hosting.

🏆 Winner: A2 Hosting: Offers super-fast website performance and reliable support.

When comparing the general performance between A2 Hosting and Netfirms, A2 Hosting stands out with its impressive focus on speed and advanced technological features. A2 uses NVMe drives and LiteSpeed enhanced web servers to ensure swift load times, boasting up to 20x faster speed capabilities and optimized caching methods, including Turbo Cache and APC/opcache. In contrast, Netfirms provides scalable bandwidth and efficient resource usage but lacks the depth of speed enhancement seen in A2 Hosting. Both providers deliver 99.9% uptime, yet A2’s support team, known as the Guru Crew, adds more value with 24/7/365 availability via phone, live chat, and email. While Netfirms offers free domain names, A2 Hosting provides more data center choices with a global presence, enhancing its overall appeal.

Website Speed

Website speed is a critical factor and A2 Hosting excels with its Turbo plans, which promise up to 20x faster performance. The inclusion of NVMe drives and LiteSpeed web servers leads to remarkably quick page load times. Their performance is further bolstered by Turbo Cache and APC/opcache, ensuring that websites remain snappy under heavy load. Netfirms, on the other hand, falls short with fewer speed optimization features, focusing primarily on scalable bandwidth rather than advanced caching or CPU enhancements. The speed advantage clearly goes to A2 Hosting due to its high-speed infrastructure.

Scalability

In terms of scalability, A2 Hosting provides flexible and completely scalable plans, catering to users from shared hosting up to dedicated servers. They offer easy plan upgrades, allowing users to scale without hiccups. Dedicated server plans start at $79.99 per month, offering maximum customization and performance. Netfirms provides scalability through their different hosting tiers, but specific details on elastic scaling or automatic upgrades are not provided, necessitating manual intervention and possibly higher costs for dedicated resources. It’s evident that A2 Hosting’s approach to scaling is more user-friendly and comprehensive.

🏆 Winner Netfirms: Netfirms’ extensive SSL options and daily malware scanning make it a strong choice for security-focused hosting.

Both A2 Hosting and Netfirms, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

A2 Hosting provides a robust security suite with Imunify360, offering features like an Intrusion Prevention System, Real-time Antivirus, and Web Application Firewall. Netfirms matches this with its SiteLock Security, which includes daily malware scanning, blacklist monitoring, and DDoS protection. Both hosts offer free SSL certificates, but Netfirms goes further with varying SSL types, from Domain Validated to E-commerce SSL, each with substantial warranties. A2 Hosting emphasizes its support for secure PHP versions and extensions, whereas Netfirms supports PHP but details are not specified.

Operational security measures:

A2 Hosting uses ModSecurity for real-time threat monitoring and Patchman for vulnerability scanning and fixing, along with 2FA and reCAPTCHA for enhanced login security. Netfirms enhances user security with its comprehensive SiteLock plans, including features like database scanning and PCI compliance scanning. A2 Hosting also includes features like Hotlink Protection and SSH for secure file transfers. Netfirms provides domain privacy and protection to secure personal information from WHOIS database exposure and various other threats.

Compliance and certifications:

Both A2 Hosting and Netfirms comply with GDPR, offering mechanisms to process personal data lawfully and to fulfill user rights under the regulation. A2 Hosting does not support HIPAA compliance, whereas Netfirms’ commitment to PCI compliance ensures secure credit card processing. A2 Hosting recommends using third-party PCI-compliant APIs but does not support SSAE 16 compliance.

🏆 Winner
A2 Hosting: Offers a comprehensive range of hosting solutions with excellent performance and support.

When comparing A2 Hosting and Netfirms, both providers offer solid hosting features suited to a variety of user needs. A2 Hosting excels in providing diverse hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated server hosting. Their Managed WordPress Hosting stands out with features like automatic updates and a dedicated TurboHub dashboard, specifically optimized for WordPress. A2 Hosting also includes performance boosters like Turbo Servers, which claim up to 20X faster page loads. Meanwhile, Netfirms provides straightforward, scalable hosting plans, all offering unlimited storage and bandwidth. Users can also benefit from a free domain for the first year and eCommerce solutions across all plans. For users who prioritize straightforward, budget-friendly plans and integrated marketing tools, Netfirms might be more appealing.

Both hosting providers offer 24/7 support, ensuring assistance is available whenever needed. A2 Hosting includes a free website migration service, which can be a significant advantage for users switching from another provider, whereas Netfirms offers robust eCommerce and marketing tools that are highly beneficial for small businesses looking to establish or grow their online presence. The availability of FTP/SFTP and SSH access in A2 Hosting provides an additional layer of security and management flexibility, a feature not explicitly mentioned by Netfirms. While Netfirms offers free domain registration for the first year and unlimited resources, A2 Hosting’s features like Turbo Servers and a dedicated control panel for managed WordPress hosting provide more specialized performance enhancements.

Both providers support a range of users from beginners to experts with user-friendly website builders and WordPress staging areas. However, in terms of developer tools, both A2 Hosting and Netfirms offer robust options including SSH access, support for multiple programming languages, and Git for version control, thus appealing to developers looking for advanced capabilities.

Email services:

Email services at A2 Hosting offers email hosting powered by Titan, which includes features like multi-account access, shareable contacts, and mobile app support. This can be particularly useful for businesses needing robust email services beyond just transactional emails. Netfirms did not specify email hosting features in the information provided. Contact their support for detailed information on email capabilities.

🏆 Winner
A2 Hosting: A versatile hosting provider with various feature-rich plans to cater to different needs.

Evaluating the pricing of plans among various hosting providers can be complex due to their differing pricing and renewal strategies. Additionally, certain plans require annual commitments, which adds to the difficulty of making comparisons. The prices listed are based on monthly commitments; plans requiring annual commitments are indicated. Additionally, although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

A2 Hosting and Netfirms offer a variety of hosting plans catering to different needs. A2 Hosting provides more detailed features for each plan including various performance enhancements and guarantees, making it a strong choice for those looking for a robust hosting experience. On the other hand, Netfirms offers more straightforward pricing with fewer features per plan but maintains competitive rates. For shared hosting, Netfirms’ pricing spans from $3.95/mo to $10.95/mo, whereas A2 Hosting’s shared hosting starts at $2.99/mo up to $14.99/mo. A2 Hosting also offers dedicated server plans, starting at $79.99/mo, which is one area where Netfirms lacks detailed information in this context. WordPress and VPS hosting options also show a more comprehensive feature set in A2 Hosting compared to Netfirms.

Enterprise plans

A2 Hosting offers comprehensive dedicated server options with advanced features such as root level access, a robust security suite, and managed server security, starting at $79.99/mo. Netfirms, although competitive in shared hosting, does not provide detailed dedicated server plans within this context, making A2 Hosting a more appealing choice for enterprises requiring higher performance and dedicated resources.

🏆 Winner
A2 Hosting: Provides user-friendly management and free site migration services, making website setup and transfer smooth and efficient.

A2 Hosting offers a cPanel interface, complemented by its TurboHub and WordPress Toolkit, ideal for both technical and non-technical users. TurboHub consolidates management tools in a streamlined dashboard, making it easier to manage site functionalities. On the other hand, Netfirms also utilizes a cPanel interface but it includes Google Workspace integration for easier management of email and collaboration tools. Both panels are user-friendly, but A2 Hosting enhances its setup with added tools, making it slightly more intuitive for newbies.

Netfirms provides onboarding assistance alongside its cPanel, helping users get started quickly by guiding them through the initial setup process. A2 Hosting similarly aids users with pre-installed WordPress and Softaculous, facilitating a faster setup. Although both services adopt a user-friendly approach, A2 Hosting’s inclusion of TurboHub and WordPress Toolkit adds an extra layer of convenience, particularly for managing WordPress sites.

Both A2 Hosting and Netfirms offer site migration tools. A2 Hosting provides free site migration, easing the transfer process from a previous host. This service helps reduce downtime and ensures a seamless transition. Netfirms also offers migration assistance, but details on whether this service incurs additional costs are not specified. The complimentary site migration offered by A2 Hosting positions it as a more attractive option for users looking to switch hosts smoothly.

A2 Hosting’s knowledge base is extensive, offering a variety of articles, from getting started guides to troubleshooting specific issues. Their support is available 24/7 via live chat, email, or phone, ensuring users have access to help anytime. Netfirms also has a comprehensive knowledge base with articles on website management and security. Their support is also available around the clock via chat and phone. Both provide valuable resources, but A2 Hosting’s comprehensive coverage and 24/7 Guru Crew Support make it more accessible for users seeking reliable assistance.

🏆 Winner: A2 Hosting: Offers comprehensive user management within the Plesk control panel.

A2 Hosting, utilizing Plesk, provides extensive flexibility in managing user roles and permissions. Users can create custom roles tailored to specific needs, granting or denying access to various services. This granularity in permissions allows administrators to fine-tune access control for different users. Netfirms, on the other hand, leverages WordPress, offering five predefined roles with specific capabilities. While these roles cover essential needs, the lack of customization might be limiting for some users seeking more detailed access control.

Both platforms offer intuitive user interfaces for managing users, but approach this differently. A2 Hosting’s Plesk interface includes a dedicated Users section where administrators can easily create, modify, and delete user roles. The process involves a clear, step-by-step procedure to define permissions. Netfirms’ WordPress dashboard also provides a straightforward setup, allowing site owners to add new users and assign roles from a drop-down menu. However, Plesk’s detailed permission settings give it an edge for users needing more precise control.

In terms of access control effectiveness and scalability, A2 Hosting demonstrates strong capabilities through Plesk. The ability to create specific roles and define granular permissions ensures consistent management as the user base grows. Netfirms’ predefined roles in WordPress are effective for smaller teams but may lack the necessary flexibility for larger, more complex sites. Plesk’s approach to user management scales more efficiently, accommodating increasing numbers of users and diverse access requirements.

A2 Hosting user roles table:

Netfirms user roles table:

🏆 Winner Netfirms: Possesses better response times and more comprehensive customer service options.

A2 Hosting provides a well-rounded customer support experience with 24/7 availability through phone, live chat, tickets, and email. Their Guru Crew support team is highly praised, and a comprehensive knowledgebase is at your disposal. Customer reviews highlight prompt and friendly service, emphasizing their reliability. Additional perks include a 30-day refund window and free site migrations.

Netfirms also delivers 24/7 customer service accessible via phone, live chat, and email. They boast quick response times across all channels and a good track record for knowledgeable assistance. Priority support for top-tier hosting plans ensures quicker resolutions for premium users. While their service is generally appreciated, some customers have faced difficulties with billing and cancellations. Nonetheless, the overall customer support experience remains positive and effective.

A2 Hosting vs Netfirms: User feedback

User feedback for the hosting provider shows a strong appreciation for their reliable performance, swift customer support, and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice among many users. Several users praised the speed, uptime, and technical efficacy of their services, as well as the knowledgeable and responsive customer support. However, some users expressed concerns about the higher pricing, especially after the initial discounted period, and highlighted occasional issues with the responsiveness or expertise of support staff. Overall, the hosting provider has received positive reviews, but improvements in support consistency and pricing transparency could enhance user satisfaction further.

Based on user reviews, the hosting provider appears to offer decent uptime and moderately reliable customer support. However, users frequently report slow server performance and connectivity issues that significantly hamper the experience. While some appreciate the low costs and basic domain registration services, others criticize the clunky system, confusing server setup, and unreliability, especially when working with CMS tools. Overall, the service seems better suited for those with low budgets and high patience.

A2 Hosting vs Netfirms: FAQ