Contabo vs Netfirms: guide for 2024

Contabo vs Netfirms: Final verdict

Looking over Contabo 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.

• 
  Netfirms (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  
  provides a range of shared and dedicated hosting plans suitable for small to medium businesses, including ecommerce sites. It features unlimited disk space, scalable bandwidth, and a free domain for the first year, making it accessible and cost-effective for beginners or those looking for a straightforward hosting solution. However, it falls short in performance metrics, notably lacking solid uptime guarantees and global infrastructure reach. The support system’s 24/7 availability is a significant perk, though some users report occasional issues with billing and technical support responsiveness.
  
• 
  Contabo (Overall grade: 7.6)
  
  
  stands out with its powerful VPS offerings and dedicated hosting solutions, designed for high-traffic and multimedia-intensive websites. Its high-performance hardware, extensive global infrastructure, and impressive uptime guarantee make it a solid choice for users prioritizing robust and scalable hosting. Contabo also excels in security features with built-in DDoS protection and advanced monitoring tools. However, its customer service lacks the 24/7 availability offered by Netfirms and remains a point of contention among users due to slow response times and an outdated control panel interface.
  

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 Contabo: Contabo excels with superior uptime and comprehensive global infrastructure.

Contabo guarantees an impressive 99.996% uptime, ensuring your site or app remains consistently online. Its hardware incorporates fast AMD EPYC processors and high-speed SSD storage, promising quick response times. With multiple data centers across the globe, security measures like DDoS protection and two-factor authentication, Contabo offers reliable and secure hosting.

Netfirms, though stable with 99.9% promised uptime, lacks a clear uptime guarantee on its official site. Operating out of data centers in New York and Toronto, Netfirms provides stable hosting and 24/7 support via multiple channels. Despite this, it doesn’t match Contabo’s uptime guarantee or global infrastructure footprint.

🏆 Winner
Contabo: Offers enhanced performance, security, and scalability options that suit various web hosting needs.

In terms of general performance, Contabo stands out with its use of AMD EPYC 7282 16-core processors, which handle tasks swiftly. It provides SSD and Gen 4 PCIe NVMe SSD storage options, significantly boosting website load times. Contabo offers connection speeds between 200Mbit/s and 1Gbit/s, with the option to upgrade to 10Gbit/s. Each plan comes with 32TB of outgoing traffic and unlimited inbound data transfer. The hosting provider has multiple data centers across the US, UK, Germany, and Singapore. On the other hand, Netfirms provides three main plans through shared and dedicated hosting options associated with customizable resources. Its plans include scalable bandwidth and use of site acceleration tools but lack the same processor specifications as Contabo. Netfirms also includes global coverage but doesn’t specify the number of data centers.

Website Speed

Contabo provides SSD and cutting-edge NVMe SSD storage that ensures rapid data access and faster website loading times. Its use of AMD EPYC processors ensures low latency and high-speed performance. In contrast, Netfirms relies on scalable bandwidth to manage resource demands, which might not provide the same rapid response as SSD solutions. Both services offer free SSL for secure connections, contributing to reduced latency, although Contabo’s extensive data center network enhances global performance.

Scalability

Contabo offers easy-to-upgrade VPS packages that don’t compromise uptime or availability. Its plans scale elastically, meaning users can adjust resources without switching plans. It also features managed service options, so even more complex scaling needs can be met. Although the specific cost associated with scaling isn’t mentioned, the process promises to be seamless. Netfirms offers scalable bandwidth and customizable plans, but it necessitates shifting between shared and dedicated hosting plans to accommodate growth, which could entail higher costs. Netfirms doesn’t specify elastic scaling functionalities or automated upgrades.

🏆 Winner Contabo: A hosting provider with superior security features and flexibility.

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

Technical security measures:

Contabo and Netfirms both offer extensive technical security measures, but Contabo outshines with its always-on DDoS protection, advanced monitoring tools, and flexibility in PHP version selection. Contabo provides SSL certificates, customizable PHP environments, and backups, while Netfirms focuses on a variety of SSL certificate types and daily malware scans through SiteLock. Both providers offer domain privacy protections, but Contabo’s inclusion of Imunify AV for malware scanning is a robust addition. Contabo’s infrastructure and ongoing physical security reviews further enhance its technical security posture.

Operational security measures:

Both Contabo and Netfirms demonstrate significant operational security measures. Contabo ensures data center security with 24/7 CCTV monitoring, access control using magnetic cards, and regular reviews of physical security. Netfirms, on the other hand, deploys SiteLock for daily malware scans, blacklist monitoring, and automated malware removal. While Netfirms offers comprehensive customer support and eCommerce solutions, Contabo’s two-factor authentication requirement for accounts provides an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access.

Compliance and certifications:

Both Contabo and Netfirms meet GDPR requirements and offer significant compliance support. Contabo’s infrastructure is fully GDPR compliant and includes PCI compliance features vital for handling payment information securely. Netfirms complies with GDPR, providing EU residents’ rights to data access, rectification, and more. Netfirms also supports PCI compliance, enhanced by their partnership with SiteLock, which automates PCI scanning.

🏆 Winner
Contabo: Contabo stands out with its high-end performance features and extensive control panel offerings.

When comparing Contabo and Netfirms, the primary distinction lies in each hosting provider’s features and utilities. Contabo is a robust choice for users seeking high performance and flexibility, offering advanced AMD EPYC processors, NVMe SSD storage, and a plethora of control and customization options. It also supports multiple OS options, including Windows and various Linux distributions, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Contabo customers benefit from free DDoS protection, a 99.996% uptime guarantee, and the availability of managed services for those who require additional support. While Contabo does not directly mention a website builder, it does offer tools to manage domains and DNS zones, which can be beneficial for tech-savvy users.

Netfirms, on the other hand, caters more to users seeking straightforward hosting solutions without extensive customization needs. It includes a free domain for the first year and provides unlimited disk space and scalable bandwidth across all plans. The service also offers eCommerce solutions, which can be a significant advantage for small businesses or online stores. While Netfirms does not explicitly state SSH access, it provides FTP accounts, with the number varying by the chosen plan. The inclusion of marketing tools may appeal to users who aim to enhance their online presence effortlessly. The simplicity and ease of use, combined with 24/7 helpful support, make Netfirms an attractive option for beginners or small business owners.

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 Contabo 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 Contabo offer comprehensive email hosting, enabling users to create, manage, and secure multiple email accounts directly through its control panel. This capability can be particularly useful for businesses that require robust email functionalities. While it’s unclear whether Contabo supports email marketing campaigns, the platform’s flexibility allows integration of various third-party email solutions. In comparison, Netfirms provides basic email hosting and transactional email services, suitable for standard email communication needs. However, the extent of integration with email marketing platforms or third-party services like Google Workspace or Zoho isn’t explicitly mentioned, which might be a consideration for users with specific email campaign requirements.

🏆 Winner: Contabo: Contabo scores slightly higher overall, mainly due to the robust features included in their plans and the transparency of what’s included.

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.

Contabo provides a variety of Virtual Private Servers (VPS), Virtual Dedicated Servers (VDS), and Dedicated Servers, offering robust features at very competitive prices, especially for higher-tier plans. Netfirms, on the other hand, focuses primarily on shared hosting with detailed pricing tiers that change based on the duration of the plan. Netfirms also offers additional services such as SiteLock Security and SSL Certificates, making it a versatile option for small to medium businesses needing lower-cost solutions. For customers looking for high customization, heavy workloads, or enterprise-level plans, Contabo’s offerings promise greater value for money with expansive features including multiple data center locations and high traffic allowances.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises, Contabo offers extensive options with various VPS, VDS, and dedicated server plans that cater to heavy workloads and demand high customization. Features such as free DDoS protection, multiple control panel options, and a variety of operating systems make Contabo a solid choice for large-scale operations. Netfirms, while offering decent shared hosting options, lacks the robust infrastructure for enterprise solutions, making Contabo the preferred provider for enterprise-level deployment.

🏆 Winner
Contabo: Offers a seamless setup process and a rich set of management tools.

Contabo features a custom Control Panel, designed to simplify various tasks for both technical and non-technical users. The Control Panel centralizes all functionalities, from ordering new services to managing servers, making it accessible for users at any expertise level. Everything from setting up a VPS plan, configuring the OS, and adding extensions can be handled through this interface. The admin panel is intuitive and comes with options to monitor server health, restart servers, and manage snapshots, which provide a user-friendly experience for comprehensive server management.

On the other hand, Netfirms offers an admin panel that integrates Google Workspace seamlessly and provides straightforward hosting setup with domain purchase. Its onboarding assistance features are beneficial for getting your website operational quickly. The inclusion of around-the-clock technical support ensures users can get help at any time, which is particularly useful for those who may not be technically savvy. However, while the admin panel is functional, it is less centralized compared to Contabo’s Control Panel, requiring users to navigate between different sections for various functionalities.

Contabo does not mention specific tools for website migration, suggesting that such services might need to be handled manually or with customer support assistance. Netfirms, while also not detailing specific migration tools, offers 24/7 support that could potentially assist with migration tasks. Neither provider clearly states whether these services are free or paid, adding a layer of uncertainty for businesses planning to switch hosting providers.

Contabo provides an extensive range of tutorials and a FAQ section accessible through their Control Panel. Their customer support includes ticket submission and phone support with relatively extended working hours. Netfirms boasts a comprehensive Knowledge Base covering a wide array of topics and supports around-the-clock through chat and phone, making it highly accessible for immediate help. Both providers offer strong help center resources, but Netfirms offers continuous support availability.

🏆 Winner Netfirms
: Superior adaptability in user role management within WordPress.

Contabo offers a range of features for managing user roles and permissions through its Control Panel, allowing users to view and update personal information, manage security settings, and authorize other users with specific server permissions. However, Netfirms focuses on WordPress, providing five distinct user roles—Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, and Subscriber. This structure allows for detailed customization of user capabilities based on content creation and site management requirements, giving higher flexibility and control tailored for WordPress sites.

The user interfaces and tools for managing users differ significantly between the two providers. Contabo utilizes a comprehensive Control Panel that centralizes user management tasks such as changing passwords, activating two-factor authentication, and managing server settings. Netfirms, on the other hand, leverages the inherent simplicity and familiarity of the WordPress Dashboard, which allows easy navigation and user management directly from the WordPress interface. This makes it intuitive for users who are already accustomed to WordPress.

In terms of access control and scalability, Contabo mandates two-factor authentication and includes free DDoS protection, enhancing security for a potentially growing number of users. The ability to authorize other users with specific server permissions also speaks to its scalability. Netfirms, through its role-based access in WordPress, facilitates effective user management by allowing site owners to assign roles with predefined permissions, ensuring users have appropriate access levels as the site scales. This role-based approach helps maintain order and security as more users are added.

Contabo user roles table:

Netfirms user roles table:

🏆 Winner Netfirms: Offering 24/7 availability and a range of support options, Netfirms provides reliable and efficient customer service.

Contabo and Netfirms offer a range of customer service options, but their approaches and availability differ significantly. Contabo provides phone support, email support, and an extensive knowledge base, but lacks live chat. Their support is available from 10 am to 8 pm CET, Monday to Friday, with a notable emphasis on self-help resources. Managed services and emergency support upgrades are available, though the user interface remains minimalistic and slightly outdated.

Netfirms, on the other hand, offers 24/7 customer support via phone, live chat, and email, ensuring constant availability. The response times are commendable, with phone support typically having less than a minute wait time and chat support responding swiftly. Netfirms also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for credit card payments and prioritizes support for its highest-tier customers. Nonetheless, some users have experienced issues with billing and cancellation processes, but the general customer experience remains positive.

Contabo vs Netfirms: User feedback

Contabo offers affordable and powerful VPS plans, which are particularly beneficial for running demanding software and complex tasks. Several users have praised the reliability, stability, and cost-effectiveness of the service, highlighting its great value for money. However, frequent downtime, limited customer support, and a somewhat outdated control panel have been significant points of concern. Some users have experienced slow response times and unresolved service requests, suggesting areas for improvement in customer service and operational transparency.

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.

Contabo vs Netfirms: FAQ