Siteground vs Aplus.net: guide for 2024

Siteground vs Aplus.net: Final verdict

When comparing SiteGround and Aplus.net, the clear distinction lies in SiteGround offering superior uptime, customer support, and a broader range of hosting features against Aplus.net’s more basic and sometimes unreliable service.

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  SiteGround (Overall grade: 8.8)
  
  shines with its impressive uptime of 99.99%, strong customer support, and advanced tools for WordPress and ecommerce hosting. Its custom PHP, smart caching system, and free CDN service significantly boost site speeds, making it a top choice for anyone needing fast and reliable hosting. SiteGround’s comprehensive security measures, including a custom Smart Web Application Firewall and AI anti-bot system, along with daily backups and 30-day on-demand backup retention, provide users peace of mind. The user-friendly free site builder and numerous free services make it accessible for both beginners and technical users alike.
• 
  Aplus.net (Overall grade: 6.1)
  
  , while offering decent hosting options including VPS hosting and commendable email management via cPanel, struggles with frequent downtimes and slower customer support responses. Its single data center location and reliance on standard configurations without performance-enhancing technologies seen in SiteGround make it less appealing. Aplus.net does offer some advantages, such as integration with Cloudflare and QuickBooks, which can be useful for businesses looking for more control and specific integrations, but it ultimately falls short in comparison to SiteGround’s feature-rich and more dependable hosting solutions.

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 SiteGround: Superior uptime and availability with excellent customer support.

SiteGround outshines Aplus.net with a stronger uptime performance, achieving an impressive average uptime of 99.99% over almost two months. Frequent downtimes reported by Aplus.net users raise concerns about its reliability, despite its 99.9% uptime guarantee measured over three months. SiteGround’s quick average response time, server locations across multiple continents, and 24/7 customer support make it a more dependable choice for hosting.

Aplus.net, although offering a 99.9% uptime guarantee, falls short with user complaints about frequent downtimes and slow support responses. It lacks the geographical diversity of data centers that SiteGround offers, being limited to a single location in Phoenix, Arizona. For those prioritizing reliability and quick support, SiteGround clearly stands out as the superior option.

🏆 Winner SiteGround: Exceptional Performance and Superior Customer Support.

When comparing SiteGround and Aplus.net on general performance, SiteGround stands out with its use of premium Google Cloud infrastructure, ensuring fast network speeds and SSD persistent storage for optimal site speed. Aplus.net also offers SSD storage but lacks the comprehensive range of speed technologies seen in SiteGround’s setup. SiteGround utilizes custom PHP implementations, NGINX Direct Delivery, and a smart caching system, while Aplus.net provides Cloudflare CDN integration for speed. SiteGround offers a free in-house CDN service with over 170 global locations, whereas Aplus.net may require additional costs for CDN services. SiteGround’s global data centers are top-notch, utilizing the latest SSD disks, compared to Aplus.net’s standard secure data centers.

Website speed

SiteGround leads in website speed with its PHP and MySQL custom implementations cutting the TTFB significantly, resulting in pages that load 30% faster on average. Their integration of the latest technologies like HTTP/2, TLS 1.3, and Brotli compression ensures fast delivery of content. SiteGround also pre-installs the Speed Optimizer plugin for WordPress users, making websites up to 5x faster. Aplus.net, while reliable, does not mention similar enhancements dedicated to increasing website speed and relies on standard cloud server configurations.

Scalability

Scalability with SiteGround is straightforward, offering different plans such as StartUp, GrowBig, GoGeek, and Cloud options, with higher plans featuring additional resources and functionalities. Automatic scaling details are not provided, but upgrading plans is easy. SiteGround’s cloud plans start at $100/month. For Aplus.net, scaling involves upgrading to higher VPS plans, such as VPS 1024, VPS 2048, and VPS 4096, with costs starting at $31.99/month. Both providers offer VPS plans, but SiteGround is favored for its comprehensive cloud infrastructure and ease of upgrade. The precise details of automatic scalability are not available for either provider.

🏆 Winner
SiteGround: For customers seeking extensive technical security features and those requiring PCI compliance SiteGround may be the more suitable option.

Both SiteGround 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:

SiteGround provides robust technical security measures including 24/7 system administration, a custom Smart Web Application Firewall (WAF), and an AI anti-bot system. These features ensure continuous protection against various security threats. SiteGround’s multi-layered security, including Google Cloud’s infrastructure, adds an extra layer of security to its hosting services. Aplus.net, on the other hand, emphasizes SSL certificates and daily malware scanning through SiteLock, which excises malware effectively. Although Aplus.net offers strong password requirements, it does not match the broad spectrum of security features offered by SiteGround.

Operational security measures:

Both providers take measures to secure user data and ensure operational continuity. SiteGround performs daily automated backups and provides up to 30 copies, with on-demand backups for higher-tier plans. They also offer automatic WordPress and WooCommerce updates to mitigate vulnerabilities. Aplus.net offers backup access for its VPS hosting and includes features such as blacklist monitoring and a security dashboard via SiteLock. Nonetheless, SiteGround’s distributed backups and layered security infrastructure gives it an operational edge.

Compliance and certifications:

Regarding compliance, SiteGround explicitly does not offer PCI compliant servers, whereas Aplus.net does not specify its PCI compliance but highlights overall data protection and GDPR compliance. Both focus on maintaining strong data protection standards through enhanced security measures and SSL certificates, though specifics on HIPAA compliance are not provided for either service.

🏆 Winner SiteGround:The comprehensive features and robust performance make SiteGround a preferred choice for diverse hosting needs.

SiteGround and Aplus.net both offer distinctive features tailored to various user requirements. SiteGround stands out with a user-friendly free site builder, streamlining the setup process for beginners. The builder’s ease of use and potential for complex customization makes it accessible for users at all skill levels. Aplus.net, while lacking a dedicated site builder, provides full control over VPS through cPanel’s WHM, offering high customization flexibility. For those looking for an all-inclusive package with add-ons like free email and SSL certificates, SiteGround is appealing with its numerous free services and easy setup for WordPress and WooCommerce. Aplus.net might lean more towards users who require deep customization and control, offering dedicated IP addresses and scalable services without downtime.

SiteGround’s unique selling points include a wide array of free services like daily backups, SSL certificates, and email. It also supports advanced tools such as WP-CLI and Git for developers. In contrast, Aplus.net provides pure SSD drives and integration with Cloudflare, enhancing performance and security. One important customer’s decision factor could be the notable fee policies; SiteGround assigns special prices for the first purchase, while subsequent renewals revert to regular pricing, potentially affecting long-term cost planning. In comparison, Aplus.net emphasizes a straightforward approach to scaling and resource management without hidden charges.

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 SiteGround and Aplus.net 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:

SiteGround offers comprehensive email hosting, enabling users to manage email accounts directly alongside their website. In contrast, Aplus.net also provides full control over email via cPanel accounts but does not specifically highlight transactional email services or third-party reselling options like Google Workspace. Both services support setting up personalized email campaigns, but SiteGround’s enhanced customer-centric approach makes it slightly more user-friendly for those looking to integrate email hosting seamlessly.

🏆 Winner SiteGround: High-performing hosting provider with various robust plans.

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.

SiteGround offers competitive plans that cater to different needs, with prices starting from $3.99 for its StartUp Plan and going up to $400.00 for its Super Power Cloud Hosting Plan. SiteGround’s plans include a variety of features like free SSL, daily backups, and enhanced security. Aplusnet provides options like the Professional Cloud Hosting Plan at $5.99 and the VPS 4096 Plan at $53.99, with unlimited storage and several other benefits like free domains and SSL certificates. SiteGround has a greater diversity of offerings, covering shared hosting, WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, and reseller hosting. Aplusnet, while competitive, has fewer plan variations but includes strong options for VPS hosting.

Enterprise plans

SiteGround’s Super Power Plan at $400.00/mo is ideal for enterprises, offering 16 CPU Cores and 20GB Memory with 5TB Data Transfer. It includes priority support and enhanced security, which is crucial for enterprise needs. On the other hand, Aplusnet’s top-tier VPS 4096 Plan at $53.99/mo provides a more budget-friendly option with 4 Processors, 4GB Memory, and 80GB SSD Disk Space with 2TB Bandwidth, but it does not match the power and resources offered by SiteGround’s Super Power Plan.

🏆 Winner: SiteGround: Offers comprehensive support, intuitive setup tools, and strong customer care.

SiteGround utilizes a customized admin panel that is highly user-friendly. Their Automated Site Setup Wizard significantly simplifies the initial stages of launching a site, offering options to use WordPress, Magento, and more than 20 other applications tailored to various needs. The WordPress Starter Plugin further enhances the accessibility, making it easy for users to adopt professional themes and essential plugins. Additionally, the one-click staging tool available on certain plans allows users to test changes safely without risking their live site. All these features ensure that both technical and non-technical users can manage their websites efficiently.

In contrast, Aplus.net doesn’t specify the type of admin panel they use, which could suggest a more generic solution. Immediate account setup and activation mean you can start building your site without any delay. The platform’s integration with QuickBooks is a standout feature for those looking to streamline their financial management. However, without an explicit mention of specialized tools for different applications like those offered by SiteGround, it may not appeal as broadly to users with varying needs.

When comparing migration tools, SiteGround offers a Free WordPress Migrator Plugin, which makes it easy for users to transfer their WordPress sites. Moreover, SiteGround provides professional expert migrations for a fee of $30 per site, ensuring all files and databases are transferred accurately. Aplus.net, on the other hand, does not specify any particular migration tools or services, implying that users might have to invest additional effort or cost into migrating their websites.

Evaluating the help center resources, SiteGround stands out with an extensive knowledge base containing FAQ articles, how-to guides, and troubleshooting instructions. The presence of pinned help articles and automated solutions further ensures users get quick answers to common questions. Round-the-clock support through live chat, phone, and tickets with a remarkable 98% satisfaction rate highlights their commitment to customer care. Aplus.net does not indicate if they have a detailed knowledge base or help center, which might limit the self-help options for users.

🏆 Winner: SiteGround: Comprehensive user management with flexible role-definition options.SiteGround offers an extensive user management system with several features that cater to both teams and clients. With the capability to add team members as collaborators and assign them individual logins, SiteGround simplifies the process of site maintenance and support. Additionally, the platform allows for the creation of custom roles, enhancing flexibility in defining user permissions. On higher-tier plans, clients can be given white-label access to SiteGround’s Site Tools, ensuring they do not see the SiteGround branding. On the other hand, without specific details available for Aplus.net, it’s difficult to gauge its user management capabilities effectively.

SiteGround provides a user-friendly interface for managing users, accessible through the Client Area. Users can easily navigate to the Manage Users section to add or modify roles, which streamlines the process. The white-label client setup is straightforward; especially clear instructions are provided for sharing login details. The platform’s design ensures that both collaborators and clients can efficiently access the tools they need without overwhelming complexity.

Regarding access control, SiteGround’s system is effective, allowing role-based access to specific site tools which can be customized. As a site owner, one can efficiently manage a growing list of users by categorizing them into roles with defined permissions. This not only keeps the user management organized but also ensures that users have access only to necessary tools, enhancing security and operational efficiency.

SiteGround user roles table:

🏆 Winner SiteGround: A customer-centric approach with a range of supportive features.

SiteGround and Aplus.net both offer 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, but SiteGround takes it a step further with several additional features and a highly trained support team. SiteGround offers live chat, phone, and helpdesk ticket support, with impressive response times. They also provide automated solutions, an extensive knowledge base, and an AI assistant built on ChatGPT. SiteGround’s customer service team is proficient and friendly, contributing to their high customer satisfaction rate of 4.99 out of 5.

Aplus.net also provides comprehensive support options, including chat, phone, email, and ticket support, and boasts a user-friendly control panel and strong security measures. While Aplus.net receives generally positive reviews, some customers have reported slower response times and varying support quality. SiteGround edges out Aplus.net in overall customer support due to its rapid response, additional features like professional migrations, and higher training standards for their support team.

Siteground vs Aplus.net: User feedback

SiteGround receives high praise for its exceptional customer support and user-friendly interface. Users appreciate the quick, knowledgeable, and patient assistance provided through chat and phone, which guides them effectively through technical issues. However, some users find the renewal prices steep and express concerns about their email spam protection system. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment is very positive, with many reviewers recognizing SiteGround as a reliable and superior hosting provider that delivers on its promises.

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.

Siteground vs Aplus.net: FAQ