Contabo vs Aplus.net: Final verdict
Looking over Contabo 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.
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Contabo (Overall grade: 7.6)
offers an appealing combination of affordability and high performance, making it a solid choice for users requiring robust VPS and dedicated hosting options. Its 99.996% uptime guarantee, advanced AMD EPYC processors, and comprehensive security measures such as DDoS protection and Two-Factor Authentication set it apart. With multiple global data centers, Contabo provides excellent service availability, although some users have noted slow customer support and occasional regional server issues. The lack of a user-friendly website builder might deter beginners, but tech-savvy users will find its flexibility and advanced features highly beneficial.
Aplus.net (Overall grade: 6.1)
is tailored for those who prioritize ease of use and comprehensive support. It excels in providing 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including phone, email, and live chat, which is particularly valuable for non-technical users. Aplus.net also integrates seamlessly with Cloudflare for enhanced performance and security, though its reliance on user-managed optimizations may not cater to power users. The platform’s single data center and occasional interface complexity are downsides, but its reasonable pricing and included SSL certificates make it a dependable choice for small to mid-sized businesses seeking reliable hosting solutions without requiring advanced technical configurations.
 Overall grade:7.6 |
 Overall grade:6.1 |
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| Uptime and Availability | 9.4 | 6.0 |
| Hosting Performance | 8.2 | 7.6 |
| Hosting Security | 8.7 | 7.8 |
| Price | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Hosting Features | 6.6 | 5.3 |
| Ease Of Setup | 7.4 | 5.9 |
| User Management | 5.0 | 0.0 |
| Customer Support | 7.1 | 8.4 |
| User feedback | 3.3/5 | 3.7/5 |
Hosting types offered
Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.
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| Shared hosting | ||
| Cloud hosting | ||
| WordPress hosting | ||
| Ecommerce hosting | ||
| VPS hosting | ||
| Dedicated hosting |
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
Uptime and availability
Evaluates the average uptime statistics, uptime guarantee and overall availability of the hosting
provider
Score Components:
- Uptime percentage (30%): evaluates the uptime statistics in given period of time
- Uptime guarantee (20%): Assesses if the platform offers an uptime guarantee and
whether the actual uptime matches the promised guarantee. - General performance (25%): Evaluates how fast is the average response time and overall
it’s stability. - Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Availability (25%): Reflects the total downtime and number of outages.
9.4
6.0
🏆 Winner: Contabo: Offering superior uptime and reliable performance with an impressive uptime guarantee and global data centers.
Contabo stands out with a remarkable 99.996% uptime guarantee, ensuring minimal downtime. The use of AMD EPYC 7282 16-core processors and high-speed SSD storage options contribute to its swift performance. Additionally, Contabo’s multiple data centers worldwide and comprehensive DDoS protection provide enhanced security and availability. These features make Contabo a top choice for those seeking reliable and efficient hosting solutions.
On the other hand, Aplus.net offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee measured over a longer period of 3 months, but with mixed reviews about its reliability. Their single data center in Phoenix, Arizona, and somewhat slow customer support response times can be points of concern. Contabo clearly emerges as the superior hosting provider with its higher uptime, better performance, and extensive global infrastructure.
Which one has better hosting performance?
Score Components:
- Hosting speed (30%): This includes SSD quality, Load times, PageSpeed score ranges,
additional information on website speed, built-in plugins for performance enhancement, available caching
methods, and CPU/RAM options - CDN (20%): Considers whether CDN is available or not, whether it’s free or paid, and
the quality of the CDN service - Available data centers (30%): Evaluates the number of data centers and their locations
globally. - Scalibility (20%): Looks at whether elastic scaling is available, the process required
to scale (manual upgrade vs. automatic scaling), the presence of dedicated servers, and the costs
associated with scaling.
8.2
7.6
🏆 Winner: Contabo Known for its remarkable performance and security features.
Comparing general performance, Contabo shines with its fast AMD EPYC 7282 processors and high-speed data transfer options ranging up to 10Gbit/s. Its SSD and PCIe NVMe SSD storage offer speedy load times, enhancing web performance. Multiple global data centers ensure users can select the most optimal locations for their needs. Security measures include 24/7 CCTV monitoring, two-factor authentication, and free DDoS protection. Aplus.net, while providing solid performance with its SSD storage and cloud hosting, lacks some of the top-tier speeds and security features of Contabo. Aplus.net’s CDN integration with Cloudflare is available, but comes at an additional cost, unlike Contabo’s inclusive service.
Website Speed
When comparing website speed, Contabo’s use of AMD EPYC processors and advanced SSD storage ensures superior load times and better PageSpeed scores. The built-in free DDoS protection and high-speed private networking further enhance website performance. Aplus.net offers reliable speed with its SSDs and Cloudflare CDN integration, but it doesn’t match the peak performance levels of Contabo, given its higher reliance on user-managed optimizations and additional paid services.
Scalability
Contabo’s easy upgrade options and affordable plans make scaling straightforward without sacrificing uptime or availability. Its flexible configurations allow users to efficiently adjust resources as needed. For dedicated servers, the availability and cost specifics aren’t provided. In contrast, Aplus.net offers clear VPS hosting plans that require plan upgrades for more resources. While both offer scalable solutions, Contabo’s streamlined process provides a smoother experience for users looking to expand their web services.
Which one has better security features?
and regulatory requirements
Score Components:
- Technical security measures (40%): This includes encryption, firewalls, DDoS
protection, secure configurations, server monitoring, access control and availability of security addons
(e.g Sitelock security). - Operational security measures (30%): Encompasses data privacy, backups and data
redundancy. - Compliance and certifications (20%): Adherence to legal and regulatory requirements
(e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and possession of certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2). - Business and reliability (10%): Factors in the provider’s reputation, uptime
guarantees, and customer support.
8.7
7.8
🏆 Winner Contabo: Offers comprehensive security features and flexibility for robust hosting security.
Both Contabo 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:
Contabo stands out with its always-on DDoS protection and PHP version customization. The DDoS protection is robust, capable of recognizing and mitigating 99% of attack patterns while keeping the server active. On the other hand, Aplus.net uses SiteLock for daily website malware scanning and removal, offering an immediate response to identified threats. Additionally, Contabo’s integrated Imunify AV for cPanel offers malware scanning and security. Both offer SSL certificates, yet Contabo provides enhanced SSL & IP management tools for better control and security.
Operational security measures:
Contabo’s data centers feature 24/7 CCTV surveillance, controlled server access via magnetic cards, and strict role-based access controls. Customers also benefit from Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for account security and advanced monitoring tools. In comparison, Aplus.net requires strong alpha-numeric passwords and offers domain privacy to protect user information. While both prioritize operational security, Contabo’s multifaceted approach to physical and access controls offers a higher level of security assurance.
Compliance and certifications:
Contabo ensures GDPR compliance and suggests support for PCI compliance, reflecting their commitment to industry standards. Aplus.net emphasizes strong password requirements and data protection through SSL certificates, suggesting a focus on GDPR and PCI compliance without explicitly detailing it. While both providers are geared towards compliance, Contabo’s clarity in GDPR adherence stands out.
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SSL certificate |
Yes |
Yes |
Additional security features |
Imunify AV, DDoS protection, 2FA |
SiteLock daily scanning, domain privacy |
PHP versions |
Customizable |
Not specified |
GDPR compliance |
Yes |
Suggested |
HIPAA compliance |
Not specified |
Not specified |
PCI compliance |
Suggested |
Suggested |
Hosting features
Score Components:
- Domains (20%): Assesses the availability of a free domain, domain purchase options, and
pricing - Email (15%): Considers if the provider offers full email hosting, or is reselling
third-party service, and if the email is only transactional or not - Website builder (15%): Checks if website builder is available, and it’s user
friendliness and overall the level of customization allowed. - Staging environment (20%): Determines if a staging environment is available, allowing
for testing changes before going live. - FTP & SFTP accounts (10%): Evaluates if and how easily users can access FTP and
SFTP accounts - Git and SSH access (20%): Assess whether Git is integrated into the hosting service and
if SSH access is provided
6.6
5.3
🏆 Winner: Contabo: Delivers robust performance and flexibility with exceptional uptime and security features.
Both Contabo and Aplus.net offer solid hosting services, but they cater to slightly different needs. Contabo impresses with its performance, thanks to AMD EPYC 16-core processors and high-speed SSD storage options. It boasts a 99.996% uptime guarantee and 32TB traffic with free DDoS protection. Additionally, it offers a highly customizable control panel and various OS options like Ubuntu and Windows, making it an attractive choice for tech-savvy users who need flexibility and advanced features. On the downside, a direct mention of a website builder is missing, which may not suit beginners looking for an all-inclusive package.
Aplus.net, on the other hand, is focused on user-friendliness, providing complete control over VPS with a well-integrated cPanel. This makes it easier for less technical users to manage their websites. Aplus.net also integrates with Cloudflare for enhanced security and performance, and it includes SSL certificates and dedicated IP addresses in all VPS plans. It offers the ability to scale services without downtime, which is especially useful for growing businesses. However, lacking specific advanced options like flexible region selection and varied OS options might make it less appealing for power users.
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Free domain |
No |
No |
Free SSL |
No |
Yes |
Email hosting |
Yes |
Yes |
Website builder |
No |
Yes |
Staging environment |
No |
No |
FTP & SFTP accounts |
Yes |
Yes |
Git and SSH access |
Yes |
No |
Free backup |
Yes, FTP Backup Available |
Yes |
Money back guarantee |
No |
No |
a location.
As a result in rare cases the features mentioned here can differ from the ones you see on their websites.
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 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:
Contabo offers email hosting with the ability to create, manage, and secure email accounts directly from its control panel. Aplus.net also provides comprehensive email management through cPanel, allowing users to allocate email addresses for websites on their VPS. Both providers support email hosting, but Contabo’s approach seems to be integrated within its broader advanced features, while Aplus.net relies more on user-friendly, cPanel-based management. Neither provider mentions specific transactional email capabilities or reselling third-party services, focusing instead on core email functionality.
Price
Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
8.3
8.1
🏆 Winner Contabo:Offers competitive pricing and robust features for a wide range of hosting solutions.
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.
When comparing Contabo and Aplusnet, Contabo emerges as the more attractive option, particularly for VPS and dedicated server plans. Contabo offers an array of plans ranging from affordable self-managed VPS options starting at $3.99/month to powerful dedicated servers priced up to €301.97/month. On the other hand, Aplusnet’s cloud hosting plans are highly versatile, featuring unlimited resources at different pricing tiers, but its VPS plans are notably more expensive with fewer resources. Contabo’s additional features like multiple operating systems, free DDoS protection, and a higher uptime guarantee further strengthen its appeal.
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Basic Plan$9.75/mo
2 Websites, 100 GB Storage, 500 GB Bandwidth, 5 Emails (2 GB each), MySQL & MSSQL Value for price:8.0
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Cloud VPS S$3.99/mo
4 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 50GB NVMe or 200GB SSD Storage, 32TB Traffic Value for price:8.5
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Professional Cloud Hosting Plan$5.99/mo
Unlimited Websites, Unlimited Storage, Unlimited Bandwidth, 100 Emails (5 GB each), Free Domain Value for price:8.3
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Cloud VPS M$7.99/mo
6 vCPU, 16GB RAM, 100GB NVMe or 400GB SSD Storage, 32TB Traffic Value for price:8.4
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Business Plan$18.33/mo
10 Websites, 500 GB Storage, 5000 GB Bandwidth, 50 Emails (5 GB each), MSSQL Value for price:8.0
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Professional Plan$25.92/mo
Unlimited Websites, Unlimited Storage, Unmetered Bandwidth, 100 Emails (5 GB each), MSSQL, Free Domain Value for price:8.5
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Enterprise plans
For enterprises, Contabo’s high-end VPS and dedicated server plans offer substantial resources and flexibility, including the Cloud VPS XL and the AMD EPYC dedicated servers, which provide powerful processing capabilities, vast storage, and significant traffic allowances. Conversely, Aplusnet offers a more traditional approach with its VPS 4096 Plan and Professional Plan in cloud hosting but with higher costs and slightly fewer resources than Contabo’s equivalent plans. Overall, Contabo offers better value for enterprises looking for scalable and high-performance hosting solutions.
Contabo vs Aplus.net: Ease of setup
platform.
Score Components:
- Site migration (25%): Assesses whether the provider offers tools for site migration,
either automated or manual, and whether these services are free or require a fee. - Admin panel usability (35%): Evaluates the type of admin panel provided, such as the
standard cPanel or a custom solution, focusing on its accessibility and user-friendliness for both
technical and non-technical users. - Setup features (20%): Examines the availability and ease of use of various setup
features, including FTP accounts, file managers, email account setup, PHPMyAdmin, and easy CDN
configuration. - Help center quality (20%): Measures the quality and accessibility of the provider’s
help center resources, including articles and tutorials.
7.4
5.9
🏆 Winner
Contabo: Contabo offers a more comprehensive setup process and extensive support tools for both beginners and advanced users.
Contabo provides a custom Control Panel that allows users to manage various aspects of their hosting services, from ordering new services to managing VPS settings and server status. This custom solution makes it accessible to both technical and non-technical users, offering functionalities like server control, OS reinstalls, and the ability to order add-ons. The interface is intuitive, enabling users to quickly find the functions they need to manage their hosting services effectively. On the other hand, Aplus.net doesn’t provide detailed information about its admin panel, but it promises an easy setup and account management process. Although it offers immediate account activation, the lack of specifics about the admin panel leaves some questions regarding its user-friendliness for different levels of technical expertise.
Regarding migration tools, the information provided does not indicate whether either Contabo or Aplus.net offers specific tools for site migration, automated or manual. Consequently, it cannot be determined if these services are free or if they incur additional costs. The lack of this information makes it difficult to compare the providers fairly on this criterion.
Contabo has a well-defined help center with tutorials, FAQs, customer support options, and additional resources like API Documentation and server status checks. Their support is accessible through tickets and phone calls, monitored daily and with extended availability. Aplus.net’s documentation is not detailed in the provided context, indicating that it might not have a comparable help center or a range of tutorial resources. This gives Contabo an edge in providing accessible and quality support resources for users.
The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Contabo offers a wide range of resources alongside support tickets and phone support. The specific details about Aplus.net’s help center are not provided, making it less transparent in terms of resources and support availability.
User management
accessibility.
Score Components:
- Role customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
5.0
0
🏆 Winner Contabo: Contabo provides a well-rounded user management system with advanced security and support features, making it superior in user control capabilities.
When compared to Aplus.net, Contabo shows a significant edge in user management, roles, and permissions. Contabo allows users to view and update personal information, change their email address and Control Panel password, and activate Two-Factor Authentication. Additionally, users can authorize others to have specific permissions on their servers. While detailed information on Aplus.net’s user management and roles isn’t available, Contabo’s defined structure suggests a higher level of flexibility and control.
Contabo’s user interface is designed to be user-friendly, enabling seamless access to various tools and options. The Control Panel allows users to manage services, order add-ons, upgrade VPS, and handle several other functionalities efficiently. Aplus.net doesn’t provide specific details on its user interfaces and tools, making it challenging to conduct a precise comparison. However, given the available data, Contabo’s interface appears comprehensive and intuitive.
Contabo excels in access control measures with mandatory Two-Factor Authentication and free DDoS protection for all plans. It ensures that account security is robust and can manage a growing number of users with ease. Aplus.net’s access control measures are not specified, thus, their ability to handle increasing user volume remains uncertain. Contabo’s defined security protocols demonstrate a strong capability to maintain user integrity.
Contabo User Roles Table:
| Role | Description | Access highlights |
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| User | Can view and update personal details | Access to personal information, email, and password changes |
| Authorized User | Designated by primary user | Granted specific permissions as defined by primary user |
Customer support
hosting provider.
Score Components:
- Support communication channels (30%): Measures the variety of customer support types
provided (live chat, chatbot, email, phone, etc.) - Availability (20%): Assesses the availability hours for each channel, including 24/7
support options. - Technical support quality (30%): Assesses whether the provider offers comprehensive
technical support, including hardware upgrades (e.g., HDD to SSD), software installations, and web
server configuration changes. - Enterprise support (20%): Checks if there are dedicated or priority support services
for enterprise-level customers.
7.1
8.4
🏆 Winner
aplusnet: Provides 24/7 support through multiple channels along with strong security measures.
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Phone support |
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Live chat support |
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Chatbot |
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Email/ticket support |
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Enterprise support (dedicated agent, priority support) |
When comparing customer support options at Contabo and Aplus.net, Aplus.net stands out with its 24/7 support through phone, email, tickets, and live chat. Contabo offers a variety of support channels like phone and email, but lacks live chat support and round-the-clock availability.
Both hosting providers provide enterprise-level support options, but Aplus.net consistently receives positive customer reviews praising the efficiency and helpfulness of its support team. Contabo, while reliable, is more limited in terms of immediate support and available channels.
Contabo vs Aplus.net: User feedback
Contabo’s hosting services are highly appreciated for their affordability and powerful VPS plans, which can handle demanding software and complex tasks efficiently. Users find the setup process relatively easy and often compliment the cost-effectiveness and reliability of the service, despite occasional downtime reported by some. However, criticisms are directed towards their customer support, which has been described as slow and unresponsive at times, and their user interface could benefit from modern improvements. Frequent downtimes without notice and issues with specific regional servers have also been noted as areas needing improvement.
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.
Contabo vs Aplus.net: FAQ
Which hosting service offers better security features?
Contabo offers superior security features with always-on DDoS protection, 24/7 CCTV monitoring, Two-Factor Authentication, and advanced security tools such as Imunify AV for malware scanning. Aplus.net also provides strong protection with SiteLock for daily malware scanning and SSL certificates but lacks some of the multifaceted security measures found in Contabo’s offerings.
Which platform offers better customer support?
Aplus.net offers better customer support with 24/7 availability through phone, email, tickets, and live chat, making it highly accessible for users needing immediate assistance. Contabo provides support via phone and email but lacks live chat and round-the-clock availability, which can be a limitation for those requiring prompt support.
Which hosting service offers more scalability options for growing websites?
Contabo provides more scalability options with easy upgrade paths and affordable plans that allow users to adjust resources as needed without sacrificing uptime or availability. Aplus.net requires plan upgrades for more resources and offers scalable solutions, but Contabo’s streamlined process and flexible configurations offer a smoother experience for growing websites.
Which service is more suitable for hosting a high-traffic website?
Contabo is more suitable for hosting a high-traffic website due to its dedicated servers that offer high traffic allowances, scalability, and advanced hardware like AMD EPYC processors. Its global data centers and high uptime guarantee further enhance its capability to handle high-traffic demands efficiently.
What are the major differences in pricing and value between contabo and aplusnet?
Contabo offers a range of affordable self-managed VPS options starting at $3.99/month and powerful dedicated servers up to €301.97/month, providing additional features such as multiple OS options and free DDoS protection. Aplus.net has versatile cloud hosting plans with higher costs and fewer resources in its VPS plans, making Contabo a more attractive option for value and pricing, especially for VPS and dedicated servers.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
