A2 Hosting vs Pressable: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over A2 Hosting vs. Pressable, 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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  Pressable (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  
  is engineered for managed WordPress hosting, excelling with its automatic scaling, proactive security measures, and high-availability infrastructure. It’s particularly suitable for high-traffic websites, ecommerce platforms, and agencies needing robust performance and dedicated tools like staging environments and Git integration. Pressable’s emphasis on real-time threat monitoring and quick issue resolution also contribute to its superior uptime guarantee and overall user satisfaction.
  
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  A2 Hosting (Overall grade: 8.1)
  
  
  impresses with its diverse range of hosting types, including shared, VPS, and dedicated servers. Known for its reliable uptime and swift performance boosted by Turbo servers, it addresses a wide array of hosting needs efficiently. The inclusion of free website migrations, extensive email hosting options, and user-friendly management tools like cPanel and Softaculous enhance its appeal. Investors in a versatile platform offering varied hosting solutions might find A2 Hosting more aligned with their requirements.
  

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: Reliable uptime and strong performance metrics.

A2 Hosting has demonstrated remarkable uptime performance over the last three years with percentages close to perfect. In 2020 and 2022, they achieved a 99.99% uptime, and in 2021, a slight drop to 99.98%. Their commitment is evident with a 99.9% uptime guarantee in their Terms of Service. Even more impressively, A2 Hosting achieved a flawless 100% uptime during a testing period with UptimeRobot, underscoring their reliability.

Pressable, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive uptime strategy, boasting a 100% uptime guarantee backed by an SLA. They ensure maximum website availability with features like geo-redundant automatic failover and 24/7/365 monitoring. Pressable’s infrastructure includes redundant data centers and proactive health monitoring, aiming for constant site availability. Their tierless support system ensures quick issue resolution, minimizing potential downtime.

Both hosting providers offer high reliability, but A2 Hosting’s proven track record and impeccable recent testing results give it an edge.

🏆 Winner: PressablePressable offers lightning-fast performance optimized for WordPress with a 100% uptime guarantee and comprehensive security features.

A2 Hosting and Pressable both emphasize high-speed performance and reliability, but they utilize different technologies to achieve this. A2 Hosting offers up to 20x faster Turbo speeds, NVMe drives, and various caching options like Turbo Cache and APC/opcache. They support this with AMD EPYC CPUs and data centers spread across multiple locations for global reach. Pressable, on the other hand, excels with its lightning-fast WordPress performance, benefiting from a global network of 28+ data centers and a custom resource management system designed for traffic bursts. Pressable also includes a free Content Delivery Network (CDN) for faster content delivery. Both providers offer free SSL certificates and malware scans, but Pressable stands out with real-time site replication and a geo-redundant architecture for maximum uptime.

Website Speed

Website speed is crucial for both hosting providers. A2 Hosting offers up to 20x faster speeds with Turbo servers, NVMe drives, and LiteSpeed web server optimization. This results in lower bounce rates and better user engagement. Pressable guarantees lightning-fast performance through highly frequent CPUs, instant image compression, and a scalable resource management system capable of handling traffic spikes. With 28+ data centers globally, Pressable ensures quick load times and an impressive 12 milliseconds P95 performance test response time. While A2 Hosting certainly offers enhanced speeds, Pressable’s specialized focus on WordPress optimization makes it the faster choice for this specific platform.

Scalability

When it comes to scalability, A2 Hosting offers a range of plans including shared, managed WordPress, VPS, and dedicated servers, all of which can be easily upgraded as your site grows. They allow for easy transitions between plans, ensuring your hosting can scale effectively. Costs vary depending on the plan, ranging from $2.99/mo for shared hosting to $79.99/mo for dedicated servers. Pressable provides auto-scaling features designed to handle high-traffic peaks effortlessly. However, specific costs for scaling with Pressable are not provided. Both hosting services offer elastic scaling options, but Pressable’s auto-scaling feature makes it easier for sudden traffic bursts without the need to manually upgrade plans.

🏆 Winner Pressable: Offering free hack recovery and automated daily backups, Pressable shines in managed security for WordPress sites.

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

Technical security measures:

Both A2 Hosting and Pressable provide robust technical security features. A2 Hosting includes Imunify360 for real-time protection, ModSecurity for threat monitoring, and customizable virus scanners. Pressable, with a strong focus on WordPress sites, uses a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Jetpack Security for malware scanning and daily backups. While both offer free SSL certificates, A2 Hosting provides the flexibility of choosing from various PHP versions and extensions, while Pressable ensures up-to-date PHP versions. Both support TLS 1.2 and 1.3 for secure communications.

Operational security measures:

Operationally, A2 Hosting leverages Patchman to auto-fix vulnerabilities, two-factor authentication for login security, and reCAPTCHA to block spam. They also provide hotlink protection and secured SSH access. Pressable excels in managed WordPress updates and includes daily backups, proactive threat scanning, and free hack recovery. A2 Hosting allows detailed management of security configurations such as login URL changes and direct access denial to configuration files.

Compliance and certifications:

A2 Hosting is GDPR compliant and supports data protection practices, although it does not support HIPAA or SSAE 16 compliance. They advise third-party solutions for PCI compliance. Pressable is also likely GDPR compliant given their security emphasis, but HIPAA and SSAE 16 compliance details are unspecified. They manage secure practices for data protection and proactive updates, supporting general compliance needs.

🏆 Winner
A2 Hosting: With a wide range of features and robust support, A2 Hosting meets diverse hosting needs effectively.

A2 Hosting and Pressable offer excellent services tailored to cater to various user requirements. A2 Hosting provides a plethora of hosting options, from affordable shared hosting at $2.99/month to dedicated server hosting for resource-intensive needs starting at $79.99/month. It includes beneficial features like Free Website Migration, Turbo Servers, and a 24/7/365 Guru Crew Support, which ensures seamless user experiences. The cPanel Control Panel, Softaculous for one-click software installation, and a choice of data center locations make it user-friendly and efficient. Pressable, on the other hand, focuses specifically on managed WordPress hosting, offering an easy-to-use dashboard with one-click cloning, free staging environments, and GitHub integration for developers. This provider is geared towards those needing automatic scaling, proactive security measures like malware scanning, and a comprehensive CDN for improved performance.

Regarding unique aspects, A2 Hosting impresses with its Turbo Servers promising up to 20X faster page loads and the inclusion of a free Imunify360 Security Suite which aims to enhance security. For Pressable, the excellent developer tools, including SSH access, WP-CLI, and Git integration, make it a solid choice for developers working on multiple WordPress sites. Both hosting providers include free SSL certificates and regular backups, but A2 Hosting’s managed VPS and dedicated server hosting options offer more granular control and power. Those seeking versatility in hosting types might prefer A2 Hosting, while those solely focused on high-performing managed WordPress sites may choose Pressable.

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 Pressable 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:

A2 Hosting provides robust email hosting powered by Titan, allowing features such as multi-account access, configurable webmail, shareable contacts, and mobile app integration. This is ideal for users requiring extensive email management capabilities directly linked with their hosting services. Pressable, however, does not offer dedicated email hosting but focuses on transactional email capabilities through integrated services like Jetpack. Those needing comprehensive email hosting might favor A2 Hosting, while Pressable is suited for websites needing streamlined transactional email services.

🏆 Winner
Pressable: Offering a variety of plan options specifically tailored to high-traffic WordPress installations.

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 Pressable offer competitive plans that cater to various needs. A2 Hosting starts its shared hosting plans at a significantly lower price point, appealing to budget-conscious users with their “Startup” plan at $12.99/mo, which includes generous features for a single website. Pressable’s plans, starting at $40.00/mo, are more focused on WordPress installs and high-traffic handling, offering extensive storage, advanced performance metrics, and security enhancements. Both providers include free site migrations and expert support, but Pressable specializes in higher-end, scalable solutions ideal for more demanding requirements.

Enterprise plans

Pressable offers customizable enterprise plans that include options for custom WordPress installs, storage, vCPU, and PHP workers, ensuring tailored solutions to meet specific needs. A2 Hosting’s “Warp 1” dedicated server plan is priced at $249.99/mo and includes robust hardware features like an Intel Xeon CPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 6TB transfer, making it a strong option for businesses requiring dedicated server resources.

🏆 Winner A2 Hosting: Offers an intuitive setup process with pre-installed WordPress and an array of management tools.

A2 Hosting utilizes the industry-standard cPanel, which is highly accessible for users of all levels. With the addition of Softaculous, users can install hundreds of applications with a single click. The cPanel is user-friendly, allowing for streamlined management of files, databases, and emails. Additionally, A2 Hosting provides TurboHub, a dedicated WordPress control panel, making it even simpler for WordPress users to manage their sites.

Pressable employs a custom dashboard designed specifically for managing WordPress and WooCommerce sites. This dashboard is sleek and modern, offering a seamless user experience. It provides quick access to critical website management tools and developer features. For users managing multiple websites, Pressable’s intuitive dashboard simplifies the task significantly, making it accessible even to those with limited technical knowledge.

Both A2 Hosting and Pressable offer tools for site migration. A2 Hosting provides a free site migration service, ensuring minimal downtime and facilitating an easier transition. Pressable also offers free managed migrations and an automated migration plugin that is particularly user-friendly for both beginners and experienced developers. Overall, both providers make migration efficient and hassle-free, with no additional costs.

Regarding help center resources, A2 Hosting features an extensive knowledge base with numerous articles covering various topics from getting started to advanced development. Their 24/7/365 Guru Crew Support is available via live chat, email, or phone. Pressable’s knowledge base is similarly comprehensive, including tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and WordPress tips. Their support team, reachable through the MyPressable dashboard, is known for quick responses and customer satisfaction. Both providers offer rich, accessible support resources to assist users effectively.

🏆 Winner: A2 Hosting: Comprehensive user role management and detailed control options elevate its ease of use.

When comparing the platforms’ abilities to manage user roles, permissions, and accessibility, A2 Hosting stands out with its detailed approach using Plesk. A2 Hosting allows administrators to create highly customized user roles with specific service permissions, facilitating granular control over user activities. This process involves selecting allowed or denied services for each role, providing a high degree of flexibility. On the other hand, Pressable offers straightforward collaborator access and SFTP tools, making it easy to share access credentials while maintaining security. However, the process is less customizable when compared to A2 Hosting’s detailed user roles, leading to fewer tailoring options for specific user needs.

The user interfaces of A2 Hosting and Pressable for managing users vary in complexity and functionality. A2 Hosting, utilizing Plesk, offers a structured user interface with a clear segregation of user roles and permissions in a dedicated ‘Users’ section. The interface is straightforward, focusing on providing detailed control over user roles. In contrast, Pressable’s interface emphasizes simplicity with a dashboard that combines functionality and accessibility. It integrates collaborator management directly into the site control panel, displaying pertinent site information, including collaborator details and control options. While both interfaces are user-friendly, A2 Hosting’s Plesk offers more detailed configurability, whereas Pressable leans towards ease of collaboration.

The effectiveness of access control measures and managing an expanding user base is critically important. A2 Hosting, through Plesk, excels by allowing detailed permission settings, which help in maintaining strict access control even as the number of users scales. This granular control ensures each user has only the necessary access, reducing security risks. Pressable, while offering secure and simple collaborator access, primarily relies on SFTP and account control panels for managing user roles. This method works well but can become less efficient with a large number of users due to its less detailed customization capabilities. Consequently, while Pressable provides robust fundamental access controls, A2 Hosting’s more flexible and detailed system may handle growth more effectively.

A2 Hosting user roles table:

Pressable user roles table:

🏆 Winner
Pressable: Offers swift response times and dedicated support features geared towards WordPress users.

A2 Hosting provides several customer support options such as phone support, live chat, email, and support tickets available round the clock. Their Guru Crew support team ensures expert assistance, and they maintain a detailed knowledgebase for self-help. The customer reviews generally reflect positive experiences, noting quick resolutions and professional help.

Pressable focuses on online support, offering 24/7 live chat with certified WordPress engineers. Their response times are notably quick, with an average resolution time of less than 10 minutes. They also offer additional support features like performance and security monitoring, managed WordPress updates, and a dedicated Slack channel for premium customers. Customer satisfaction ratings are impressively high, which highlights their efficient support system tailored for WordPress sites.

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.

Overall, users have expressed high satisfaction with the hosting provider, citing exceptional customer support, fast response times, and reliable uptime as standout features. The platform’s ease of use, fast website speeds, and seamless integration with WordPress are frequently praised. Although some users noted that accessing core files and the staging environment process could be more straightforward, these issues do not significantly detract from their positive experiences. The main minor drawback highlighted is the pricing, which some users feel is on the higher side, but they acknowledge it is justified by the outstanding quality and support provided.

FAQ