A2 Hosting vs Interserver: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over A2 Hosting vs. InterServer, both hosting providers present viable options with competitive features, though they cater to slightly different priorities.

• 
  InterServer (Overall grade: 8.1)
  
  
  focuses on delivering straightforward, budget-friendly plans with unlimited resources and weekly backups. Their standout features include free SSL certificates, Cloudflare CDN for optimized performance, and solid uptime with a 99.9% guarantee. They shine in supporting multimedia websites and agencies, thanks to unlimited email accounts and data transfers. Despite these strengths, InterServer’s server response time can be slower compared to industry leaders, and some users face occasional performance inconsistencies.
  
• 
  A2 Hosting (Overall grade: 8.1)
  
  
  excels in delivering high-speed performance with their Turbo servers, NVMe drives, and LiteSpeed Cache, claiming up to 20x faster page loads. Their managed WordPress hosting simplifies optimization and updates through the TurboHub dashboard. While they offer varied hosting options, including VPS and dedicated servers, they do not provide cloud hosting. Their feature set is robust, with added security measures like Imunify360, ModSecurity, and frequent backups, promising strong site protection. However, users might encounter higher renewal rates after initial discounts and occasional delays in live chat support.
  

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 delivers near-perfect uptime and outstanding reliability.

A2 Hosting has shown stellar uptime performance over the past few years. For 2020 and 2022, they achieved a solid 99.99% uptime, with a slight dip to 99.98% in 2021. They guarantee a 99.9% uptime but often surpass this, reaching a perfect 100% uptime during specific testing periods. This consistency demonstrates a high level of reliability and assurance for customers.

InterServer offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee and demonstrates high reliability through collaborations with Cloudflare. Their network optimization and proprietary caching effectively maintain consistent performance. Despite these advantages, their average server response time of 662ms is slower compared to industry leaders. Nevertheless, InterServer’s robust infrastructure ensures that customers experience minimal downtime throughout the year.

🏆 Winner
InterServer: Superior in performance and reliability, ideal for hosting needs.

When comparing general performance, InterServer stands out with its ultra-fast web server and SSD caching, ensuring quick load times, and reliable RAID-10 storage, all of which boost website speed. InterServer provides a free Cloudflare CDN for efficient content delivery and maintains a route-optimized network for minimized latency. A2 Hosting boasts a Turbo Speed feature, NVMe drives, and LiteSpeed Web Server, promising excellent website performance. Both hosts offer SSD storage, but InterServer’s in-house developed speed optimization technology provides an edge. A2 Hosting and InterServer commit to various data center locations, ensuring global coverage, which enhances content delivery for both.

Website Speed

A2 Hosting claims to be up to 20x faster with features like Turbo Cache, LiteSpeed, and NVMe drives, making it a strong contender in rapid website performance. They promise lower bounce rates and improved SEO with their enhanced speed setup. InterServer does not explicitly specify being 20x faster, but their SSD caching servers, along with RAID-10 storage and a 10GB Cisco network, deliver impressive speed. Both hosting services provide free CDN capabilities, but InterServer’s route optimization slightly edges it forward in real-world performance.

Scalability

In terms of scalability, A2 Hosting offers flexible plans that grow with your website, from shared to dedicated hosting options without automatic upgrades. Their dedicated server hosting starts at $79.99 per month. InterServer offers seamless scaling from shared to VPS and dedicated servers, ensuring no downtime during migrations. They have an elastic scaling structure with no specified pricing changes required for upgrades, providing ease for growing websites. Both providers enable easy website growth, but InterServer’s no-downtime migration and scaling flexibility offer a slight benefit.

🏆 Winner
InterServer: A provider that combines advanced security features with innovative in-house solutions.

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

Technical security measures:

A2 Hosting and InterServer provide robust technical security measures but differ in their approach. A2 Hosting utilizes Imunify360, providing comprehensive real-time website protection, and integrates ModSecurity to monitor and block malicious traffic. InterServer counters with its own InterShield Security, offering attack detection and prevention through machine learning and a proprietary malware database. While both offer free SSL certificates and support multiple PHP versions, A2 Hosting includes additional features such as Virus Scanner, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and Patchman for automated vulnerability management. InterServer’s unique caching mechanisms, such as LSCache and RAM storage, aid performance and security.

Operational security measures:

Operationally, the security measures of A2 Hosting and InterServer diverge. A2 Hosting emphasizes proactive site management tools, including reCAPTCHA integration, login URL changes, and hotlink protection to shield websites from various attacks. It also provides notifications for unused themes and plugins to mitigate potential security risks. InterServer enhances email security through end-to-end encryption and anonymous accounts, blocking brute-force attacks and using advanced spam filtering to ensure inbox security. InterServer’s data center boasts physical security with 24/7 surveillance and redundant systems, promising 100% uptime, while its self-healing hardware ensures continuous performance.

Compliance and certifications:

In terms of compliance, A2 Hosting is explicitly GDPR compliant and offers guidance for PCI compliance through third-party providers. It does not support HIPAA or SSAE 16 compliance. InterServer emphasizes privacy protection and suggests adherence to GDPR standards but lacks specific mentions of PCI or HIPAA compliance. Both providers ensure the protection of user data in line with regulatory standards.

🏆 Winner A2 Hosting: A2 Hosting stands out with a broader range of hosting options and robust security features.

Both A2 Hosting and InterServer offer a range of features tailored to different user needs, but there are some distinct differences. A2 Hosting provides managed WordPress hosting, VPS, and dedicated server hosting, while InterServer focuses more on delivering unlimited resources and high-speed servers. A2 Hosting includes a dedicated TurboHub dashboard for WordPress users, which simplifies management and optimization tasks. In terms of user friendliness, A2 Hosting’s integration of cPanel offers a straightforward way to manage files, sites, and email addresses. InterServer also emphasizes ease of use but does not explicitly mention the availability of a website builder, which might limit customization options.

A unique selling point for A2 Hosting is the inclusion of Turbo Servers for faster page loads and enhanced performance, and it also offers a free website migration service, making it easier for users to switch providers. InterServer, on the other hand, provides unlimited storage space, data transfer, and weekly backups, appealing to users looking for resource-abundant hosting plans. Additionally, A2 Hosting includes a free SSL certificate and Imunify360 Security Suite with its plans, whereas InterServer offers a free Cloudflare CDN for speed optimization. A significant advantage for A2 Hosting is its 24/7/365 Guru Crew support, accessible via live chat, email, or phone, ensuring that users have continuous access to technical help.

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 InterServer 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, enabling features like multi-account access, a configurable webmail & mobile app, and shareable contacts. These services are well-suited for users needing robust email functionality for their websites. In contrast, InterServer does not emphasize details about email capabilities beyond providing unlimited FTP accounts and basic hosting features. This could mean fewer advanced options for users looking to manage extensive email campaigns or require sophisticated email hosting solutions.

🏆 Winner
A2 Hosting: A2 Hosting 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.

A2 Hosting provides a wide array of plans across different categories, often featuring hefty promotional discounts for first-time users. InterServer, on the other hand, presents straightforward, low-cost plans without the fluctuation between initial and renewal rates. A2 Hosting’s standout features include unlimited storage and email accounts and performance enhancements on higher-tier plans. InterServer maintains simplicity and cost-effectiveness, particularly with its Standard Web Hosting and scalable Cloud VPS options, making it an appealing choice for users needing unlimited resources at a budget-friendly rate.

Enterprise plans

A2 Hosting’s plans suited for enterprises offer impressive features like high-performance storage, extensive backup options, and robust security measures. The Turbo Boost and Turbo Max plans provide improved page load times and the capacity to handle significant traffic spikes, making them ideal for high-traffic websites and larger businesses. InterServer’s reseller and storage hosting plans provide substantial storage and bandwidth, suitable for enterprises requiring scalable and flexible hosting solutions. The reseller plans, in particular, offer unlimited domains and ample management tools, presenting a viable option for web hosting businesses.

🏆 Winner A2 Hosting: A2 Hosting simplifies the setup process with pre-installed WordPress and one-click software installations.

A2 Hosting offers cPanel, along with additional tools like the Softaculous installer, which provides one-click installations for numerous software applications, making it ideal for both technical and non-technical users. They also feature TurboHub, a dedicated WordPress control panel, to assist with site management. The WordPress Toolkit available with managed WordPress plans further eases the process by offering tools for managing installations and updates in a user-friendly interface.

InterServer also provides cPanel along with DirectAdmin, both of which are widely recognized for their ease of use. With 461 scripts available for one-click installations, users can quickly set up various CMSs and other software. These admin control panels offer intuitive navigation, making them accessible even for those who may not have extensive technical expertise. However, they lack some of the specialized tools that A2 Hosting provides.

Both A2 Hosting and InterServer offer free site migration services. A2 Hosting’s migration service is more straightforward, requiring minimal input from the customer and ensuring minimal downtime. InterServer also offers free migration but requires the user to have a full cPanel backup ready, and any existing data on the new account will be overwritten.

A2 Hosting’s knowledge base is rich with resources covering a variety of topics, from getting started guides to advanced developer information. Access to 24/7/365 Guru Crew Support via live chat, email, or phone ensures help is always available.

InterServer also provides 24/7 support through multiple channels, and their help center includes useful articles and training tools. However, their coverage is less extensive compared to A2 Hosting.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. A2 Hosting offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. InterServer 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
A2 Hosting: A2 Hosting provides more detailed user role management capabilities, supported by Plesk.

A2 Hosting utilizes Plesk, which offers a structured approach to managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility. Users can easily create, name, and assign permissions to different roles, providing a well-defined framework for access control. InterServer, while offering multiple control panels like cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, does not provide explicit details about user role management within its documentation. InterServer’s flexibility in managing user roles might be limited compared to A2 Hosting due to less specific guidance on user roles and permissions.

A2 Hosting’s Plesk interface is user-friendly and organized. The steps to create and manage user roles are straightforward, involving simple navigation through the Users and User Roles tabs. In comparison, InterServer’s use of cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin means users might face varied interfaces depending on the control panel in use, potentially creating inconsistencies. A2 Hosting with Plesk’s cohesive interface may offer a more intuitive experience for users managing roles.

For access control measures, A2 Hosting’s Plesk allows precise control over services accessible by different roles. Users can grant or deny specific services, enhancing security and role compliance. InterServer’s control panels likely include similar basic functionalities, but without detailed documentation, the effectiveness of managing extensive user bases remains unclear. A2 Hosting’s clear, methodical approach stands out in handling scalability for growing user numbers efficiently.

A2 Hosting User Roles Table:

🏆 Winner
InterServer: Offers rapid response times and a variety of helpful features for their customer support.

A2 Hosting and InterServer both provide 24/7 support through various channels including phone, live chat, and email. A2 Hosting excels with its 24/7/365 Guru Crew support and maintains a well-organized knowledgebase, receiving positive reviews from users who praise the prompt and skilled assistance. On the downside, their live chat system can experience long queues, potentially causing delays in problem resolution.

InterServer similarly offers 24/7 support with a faster response time and aims to resolve issues typically within 48 hours. They also provide proactive daily backups and a dedicated support team for managed services. Their array of support channels is complemented by an extensive knowledgebase and community forums, ensuring that customers have multiple avenues to address their concerns quickly. This efficiency and feature-rich support system contribute notably to their higher customer satisfaction.

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.

User feedback on the hosting provider paints a mixed picture. Many users commend the provider for its affordable, straightforward pricing and extensive features like unlimited storage and bandwidth, free SSL certificates, and a user-friendly control panel. The customer support, while generally prompt and effective, has garnered both praise and criticism, especially due to the lack of a dedicated phone support line and sometimes long live chat wait times. However, performance issues such as inconsistent server speed, downtime, and occasional loss of data have been frequent points of frustration for users.

FAQ