Hostinger vs Aplus.net: guide for 2024

Hostinger vs Aplus.net: Final verdict

Looking over Hostinger vs. Aplus.net, 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.

• 
  Hostinger (Overall grade: 8.7)
  
  stands out with its impressive uptime of 99.97%, widespread global data centers, and performance-oriented features like NVMe storage and LiteSpeed Web Servers. Its extensive hosting options, including shared, VPS, and WordPress hosting, cater to various needs, making it ideal for small businesses and agencies alike. The user-friendly hPanel and free tools such as SSL certificates and domains in most plans add significant value. However, some users may find the renewal prices steep and miss phone support, despite the robust live chat and email support options.
• 
  Aplus.net (Overall grade: 6.1)
  
  offers a solid range of hosting services, but it falls short in several key areas compared to Hostinger. While it provides good usability with simple cloud hosting plans and comprehensive phone support, it lacks the advanced performance optimizations and global reach of Hostinger. User reviews point to issues with downtime, limited data centers, and sometimes slow customer support. Additionally, its higher pricing without equivalent features makes it less attractive for cost-conscious users seeking value and performance.

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 Hostinger: Exceptional uptime and reliable performance make Hostinger the top choice.

Hostinger stands out with a near-perfect average uptime of 99.97% over the past six months and a flawless 100% uptime over a 10-week test period. The hosting provider also offers multiple global data centers, ensuring minimal latency and maximum speed, further assisted by NVMe storage. Hostinger’s extensive server locations around the world help in delivering consistent availability and performance, making it highly dependable for users.

Aplus.net, despite its 99.9% uptime guarantee, has faced criticism for unreliable performance, and frequent downtime as per user reviews. With only one data center in Phoenix, Arizona, latency issues are more likely. While it has multiple support channels, responsiveness has been a problem, which could affect timely issue resolution. Hostinger’s superior uptime, global data centers, and faster support make it a more reliable option.

🏆 Winner Hostinger: Offers a superior hosting experience with numerous high-performance features.

Both Hostinger and Aplus.net provide competitive hosting services, but they differ significantly in several areas. Hostinger excels in speed with its NVMe storage, 4X faster CPUs, and built-in performance-enhancing plugins like LiteSpeed Web Servers and LSCWP Cache. Hostinger offers a global CDN and has multiple data centers scattered across eight countries, ensuring low latency for users worldwide. On the other hand, Aplus.net’s cloud hosting also focuses on reliability and security but doesn’t match Hostinger’s level of speed optimization and performance features.

Website Speed

Hostinger’s NVMe storage and LiteSpeed Web Servers stand out. These features significantly reduce page load times and improve PageSpeed scores. Additionally, Hostinger’s use of CDN and object cache further boosts site performance, making it approximately 4X faster than traditional hosting solutions. Aplus.net, while reliable, does not offer the same level of speed enhancements and lacks the extensive caching options available with Hostinger.

Scalability

Hostinger’s plans scale smoothly, with options to upgrade as your website grows. Dedicated servers and elastic scaling are available, and plan upgrades are straightforward and user-friendly. Aplus.net also offers scalable options, including VPS hosting, but details on automatic scaling are unclear. Scaling costs vary between providers, but Hostinger’s higher-tier plans come with dedicated resources and premium support, making it a more flexible and cost-effective choice for growing websites. The scaling process for Aplus.net is less specified, and additional costs for scaling and dedicated servers are not detailed.

🏆 Winner
Hostinger: Offering robust security features and attentive operational practices, Hostinger stands out for its comprehensive approach to safeguarding web hosting environments.

Both Hostinger and Aplus.net have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Hostinger equips its servers with 24/7 monitoring, advanced firewalls, and anti-malware protection, providing continuous security protections. It offers free SSL certificates and PHP version control, along with Cloudflare Protected Nameservers for DNS-based attacks prevention. Aplus.net also provides SSL certificates and daily malware scanning via SiteLock, but lacks specific advanced security modules seen in Hostinger. For server protection, Aplus.net supports fast SSD drives and dedicated IP addresses, while Hostinger offers enhanced DDoS protection and regular server security audits. Overall, Hostinger’s breadth in security and utility outweighs the features offered by Aplus.net.

Operational security measures:

Hostinger maintains a dedicated internal security team, rigorous security policies, and encourages responsible disclosure with a bug reward program. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled for all systems, and regular static code analyses are conducted. Aplus.net focuses on strong password requirements and offers domain privacy at a small fee. While Aplus.net provides a security dashboard via SiteLock and password update prompts for better security, Hostinger’s extensive operational practices and user-end recommendations like 2FA and CMS updates position it ahead of Aplus.net.

Compliance and certifications:

Hostinger demonstrates compliance with GDPR regulations, prioritizing data protection and privacy. However, it does not offer environments compliant with PCI or HIPAA standards and lacks ISO 27001 and SOC certifications. Aplus.net, although not explicitly detailed on GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI compliance, implies a commitment to data security through strong password policies and SSL certifications. Hostinger remains more transparent and committed to regulatory compliance than Aplus.net.

🏆 Winner Hostinger: Offering a robust blend of performance, security, and user-centric features.

Hostinger’s custom-built hPanel control panel makes website management straightforward and intuitive, featuring drag-and-drop capabilities enhanced by AI tools. This is an excellent option for those who value simplicity and advanced customization. In contrast, Aplus.net uses the widely familiar cPanel, providing comprehensive management capabilities. One standout feature of Hostinger is the inclusion of a free domain and SSL certificate with most plans. This reduces overhead costs right from the start. Aplus.net shines with its Cloudflare CDN integration, enhancing speed and security for VPS accounts. Hostinger also includes daily and on-demand backups, free automatic website migration, and access to multiple PHP versions, making transitions seamless for users.

Both providers support FTP/SFTP for file management, but only Hostinger offers SSH for secure access, supporting advanced development needs. Hostinger’s performance enhancements come from LiteSpeed web server and advanced caching mechanisms, while Aplus.net relies on pure SSD drives for optimal server performance. Hostinger scores higher due to its versatility, quicker setup, and a range of features that cater to both novices and professionals. Aplus.net’s strength lies in comprehensive VPS control, customization, and the added benefit of dedicated IP addresses, which may appeal to more tech-savvy users.

Email services at Hostinger are provided through a partnership with Microsoft 365, offering a professional email and access to Outlook on a trial basis before transitioning to a paid service. Conversely, Aplus.net provides unlimited free professional email accounts, which is particularly beneficial for users requiring multiple email accounts without incurring additional costs.

🏆 Winner Hostinger:: Efficient, feature-rich hosting plans at competitive prices.

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.

Hostinger offers a diverse range of hosting options at lower initial prices but with varying renewal rates, while Aplusnet provides more straightforward pricing with limited promotional rates. Hostinger’s plans, such as the Premium Web Hosting at $2.99/month, feature perks like free domains, WordPress acceleration tools, and extensive customer support options. In contrast, Aplusnet’s plans, like the Professional Cloud Hosting Plan at $25.92/month, include unlimited storage and bandwidth, but at a higher initial cost. Hostinger’s comprehensive features and competitive pricing make it a leading option for those seeking value.

Enterprise plans

Hostinger’s Cloud Enterprise plan offers an extensive feature set for businesses at $54.99/month, including 12 GB RAM, 300 GB NVMe storage, unlimited websites, and global data centers. The plan incorporates extensive WordPress management tools, making it highly suitable for enterprise-level projects. Conversely, Aplusnet’s Professional Plan, at $310.99/year, provides unmetered bandwidth and unlimited storage with support for unlimited websites, but the plan lacks advanced WordPress management features. Hostinger’s comprehensive tools and competitive pricing make it more appealing for enterprise clients.

🏆 Winner: Hostinger: User-friendly interface and comprehensive support resources.

Hostinger’s hPanel is a custom-built control panel specifically designed to be intuitive and accessible for users of all technical backgrounds. It allows for effortless management of tasks such as email setup, CMS installation, and website building, featuring a streamlined interface that minimizes the need for prior technical knowledge. On the other hand, Aplus.net lacks specific mention of a custom admin panel, implying it may rely on a more standard, possibly less user-friendly control system. Without additional details, its interface’s flexibility and ease for non-technical users remain uncertain.

Setting up applications on Hostinger is simplified with over 100 one-click installations, enabling users to quickly establish functionality without manual intervention. Automated updates for WordPress and other applications contribute to maintaining a secure and efficient website environment. Conversely, Aplus.net offers immediate account setup and activation, allowing users to start building their site without delay. Integration with QuickBooks is highlighted, which will be beneficial for users requiring seamless sales information transfer. However, it lacks the deeper level of customization and ease seen with Hostinger’s hPanel.

Hostinger shines in website migration, offering free automatic site migration with no downtime, which significantly reduces the complexity and stress of moving a website. In contrast, there is no specific information about migration tools or services from Aplus.net. The absence of mention suggests a lack of automated or free website migration offerings, which might require manual efforts or additional costs.

Hostinger provides a far more comprehensive and user-focused help center. Its offerings include 24/7 multilingual support via live chat and email, an extensive database of tutorials, and video tutorials through Hostinger Academy. These resources cover a wide array of topics, from getting started to advanced features. Aplus.net does not provide any detailed information about its help center or support resources, making it difficult to gauge its effectiveness in assisting users.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Hostinger offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. Aplus.net also boasts a detailed help center with an intuitive search function and around-the-clock support via live chat, phone, and ticketing, ensuring comprehensive user support.

🏆 Winner: Hostinger: Comprehensive user management capabilities.

When comparing the user management features of Hostinger and Aplus.net, Hostinger stands out for its detailed approach to managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility. Hostinger allows administrators to add new clients effortlessly, manage their services centrally, and provide access based on specific levels of permissions, ensuring efficient user management. On the other hand, we lack detailed information about Aplus.net’s capabilities regarding user management, making it difficult to gauge its flexibility and effectiveness in creating and defining user roles and permissions.

Hostinger’s user interface is intuitive, with its hPanel offering a streamlined method for adding or migrating websites, managing domains, and accessing performance analytics. The centralized service management feature in Hostinger hPanel enables administrators to efficiently manage multiple clients and their services. Unfortunately, due to insufficient information about Aplus.net’s tools and user interfaces, it is challenging to make a meaningful comparison in this regard.

Hostinger excels in implementing effective access control measures, granting different levels of access to users while ensuring robust security by restricting certain actions for granted access users. This structured approach helps in managing a growing number of users without compromising on security or efficiency. The absence of user management details for Aplus.net makes it hard to assess its ability to handle a growing user base effectively.

Hostinger user roles table:

🏆 Winner
Aplus.net: Aplus.net offers a comprehensive range of 24/7 customer support options and security features.

Hostinger and Aplus.net both provide 24/7 customer support, but they differ significantly in the available support channels. Hostinger’s support includes live chat, email, and a plethora of self-help resources like tutorials, video guides, and a knowledge base. Their multilingual support and quick issue resolution are notable advantages. Additionally, Hostinger offers priority support with certain high-end plans, adding an extra layer of specialized service.

Aplus.net stands out by offering phone support in addition to live chat and email, which can be a crucial benefit for those preferring direct, voice-based assistance. While Aplus.net does not offer specialized enterprise support, it boasts user-friendly control panels and positive customer reviews, particularly praising the support team’s reliability and helpfulness. This extensive range of support channels makes Aplus.net a reliable choice for many users.

Hostinger vs Aplus.net: User feedback

Hostinger receives widespread praise for its user-friendly interface, affordability, and robust customer support. Users appreciate the intuitive control panel, quick loading speeds, and comprehensive features that cater to both beginners and experienced webmasters. However, some customers find the renewal pricing steep and the lack of phone support inconvenient. While most reviews highlight excellent performance and responsive customer service, a few users report issues with site migrations and technical support response times.

Aplus.net offers a comprehensive range of services that cater to various business needs, from web hosting and domain registration to marketing and security. Users appreciate its reliability, uptime guarantees, and the ease of accessing multiple services through a single platform. However, some users find the customer support slow and occasionally unhelpful, and there are concerns about outdated features and interface complexity. Pricing is deemed reasonable by many, but a few note that it can be higher compared to other providers.

Hostinger vs Aplus.net: FAQ