Contabo vs Hostens: guide for 2024

Contabo vs Hostens: Final verdict

Looking over Contabo vs. Hostens, Hostens edges ahead slightly with its user-friendly approach and affordable pricing models.

• 
  Hostens (Overall grade: 7.9)
  
  provides reliable hosting with features like free SSL certificates, daily backups, and a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for beginners and smaller businesses. Their reseller hosting with cPanel & WHM is suitable for agencies managing multiple sites. The 24/7 customer support and live chat, coupled with a well-organized knowledge base, enhance the user experience significantly. However, their performance may lag with slower server speeds compared to competitors, and the lack of high-performance dedicated servers leaves them at a slight disadvantage for more resource-intensive applications.
• 
  Contabo (Overall grade: 7.6)
  
  excels with its powerful VPS and dedicated hosting solutions, boasting impressive hardware like AMD EPYC processors and high SSD storage options, suited for high-traffic and multimedia websites. The strong security measures, including free DDoS protection and 24/7 CCTV surveillance, provide a robust hosting environment. While Contabo’s performance is commendable, their customer support is often cited as unresponsive, and the absence of an intuitive website builder could be challenging for less technical users. The platform could improve by enhancing usability and offering more modern support channels.

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 Hostens: Reliable services with excellent uptime monitoring and proactive customer support.

Contabo offers an outstanding 99.996% uptime guarantee, coupled with advanced hardware such as AMD EPYC 7282 16-core processors and fast SSD options. Their security measures are commendable, featuring free DDoS protection and Two-Factor Authentication. Global data centers enhance availability, ensuring minimal downtime.

On the other hand, Hostens provides a 99.95% uptime guarantee, which is slightly lower but still dependable. Their data centers are built to TIER III standards, emphasizing redundancy and reliability. They offer a range of features like free SSL certificates, daily backups, and comprehensive PHP version support. With 24/7 customer support, Hostens remains a reliable choice for hosting needs.

🏆 Winner
Contabo: Offers fast and reliable hosting solutions with more data centers and features.

Contabo and Hostens both have strong performance metrics, but Contabo stands out with its use of AMD EPYC processors and advanced SSD options, which provide notably faster load times and better PageSpeed scores. Contabo supports multiple caching methods and boasts a higher connection speed range from 200Mbit/s to 1Gbit/s, with an option to upgrade to 10Gbit/s. In comparison, Hostens uses Intel Xeon Gold processors and provides RAID enterprise SSDs, but lacks the same level of speed optimization. Contabo also has a wider global presence with multiple data centers in the US, Europe, and Asia, whereas Hostens is more limited with data centers in Lithuania, the USA, and Singapore.

Website speed

Contabo’s utilization of SSD and PCIe NVMe SSD storage options significantly enhances website speed compared to Hostens’ enterprise SSD RAID setup. The need for speed is further met with Contabo’s superior connection speeds and availability of multiple caching methods. Hostens features Let’s Encrypt SSL for secured connections but doesn’t quite match the rapid load times achievable with Contabo’s infrastructure. The presence of a strong CDN service is missing from both, potentially impacting global load times.

Scalability

Contabo allows easy upgrading of VPS packages without any sacrifice to availability or uptime, making it easier for users to scale their hosting solutions as needed. The cost-effectiveness of Contabo’s plans is also a benefit. Hostens does offer dedicated servers and provides an affordable scaling option, but there is less flexibility in automatic scaling and no clear information about elastic scaling. The focus is more on manual upgrades rather than seamless automatic scaling.

🏆 Winner
Contabo: Offers a comprehensive suite of security features, making it stand out among hosting providers.
Both Contabo and Hostens, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Contabo provides SSL certificates, always-on DDoS protection, and Imunify AV, which scans for malware. Their flexibility in PHP version selection and advanced monitoring tools contribute significantly to technical security. On the other hand, Hostens also offers SSL certificates with 256-bit encryption and supports multiple PHP versions up to 8.1. Hostens includes daily and weekly backups in its packages, whereas Contabo provides FTP and Object Storage options for backup.

Operational security measures:

Contabo has a robust infrastructure, including 24/7 CCTV surveillance, magnetic card access, and role-based access controls in data centers. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is mandatory for all customers. Hostens focuses on network security with 24/7 monitoring and operates a data center in Vilnius built to TIER III standards. Their data center has redundant power and internet connections to ensure uptime. Contabo’s automated cPanel APIs reduce human error and streamline operations for resellers, adding an extra layer of security.

Compliance and certifications:

Both hosting providers comply with GDPR but neither is HIPAA compliant, which may be a critical factor for businesses in healthcare. Contabo’s infrastructure supports additional industry standards to potentially meet PCI compliance. Hostens emphasizes GDPR compliance with updated legal documents and internal processes. HIPAA compliance was not specified by either provider.

🏆 Winner Hostens: An affordable and user-friendly hosting solution with reliable features.

Both Contabo and Hostens offer distinct advantages tailored to different needs. Contabo boasts robust hardware powered by AMD EPYC processors and provides flexible storage options, with a guarantee of 99.996% uptime. They emphasize securing their infrastructure with free DDoS protection and 24/7 monitoring. Contabo also supports a wide range of operating systems, and their control panel is comprehensive, allowing for extensive server management, DNS settings, and custom image deployment. However, Contabo may slightly lag in user-friendliness for beginners as it lacks an integrated website builder and automatic setup tools.

Hostens, by comparison, focuses on a user-friendly experience, ideal for those new to VPS hosting. They offer an easy installer with access to over 100 scripts and CMS, making it easy to set up websites quickly. With free website building tools and proactive support, Hostens appeals to users looking for hassle-free hosting. Hostens offers a free domain with annual billing, which is a compelling benefit alongside their competitive pricing model. However, their VPS hosting doesn’t allow custom OS installations, which might be a limitation for advanced users seeking more control over their server environment.

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 Hostens 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:

Both Contabo and Hostens offer robust email hosting capabilities. Contabo provides complete email management within their control panel, allowing for the creation, management, and security of email accounts. Hostens also includes email hosting with their plans and integrates well-known applications like Python, Ruby, Perl, and Node.js. Neither provider offers explicit transactional email services or the resale of third-party services like Google Workspace. Whether managing email campaigns or basic company communication, both hosting providers cater well to these needs.

🏆 Winner Contabo: Offering an extensive range of VPS and dedicated server plans with robust features 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.

When comparing Contabo and Hostens, Contabo stands out with a broad selection of VPS and dedicated server plans, starting from $3.99/month for self-managed VPS and going up to €301.97/month for high-end dedicated servers. Hostens, on the other hand, offers competitively priced shared hosting starting at $2.80/month and VPS plans from $3.75 per month (3-year commitment). Hostens also provides generous features like free domains and daily backups across several plans. While Contabo shines with higher performance and enterprise-grade solutions, Hostens is ideal for businesses seeking affordable and feature-rich hosting with short-term commitments.

Enterprise plans

Hostens’ R40 reseller plan offers a comprehensive package with 60 GB disk space, 8 TB bandwidth, and support for up to 400 websites and 4000 email accounts at $16 per month. Contrastingly, Contabo provides more high-performance options, such as their AMD EPYC 32 Cores dedicated server at €301.97 per month, which includes 256GB RAM, unlimited domains, and 32TB traffic. For enterprises that demand top-tier performance and scalability, Contabo’s offerings are more aligned with their needs.

🏆 Winner Hostens: A user-friendly hosting provider with quick setup and accessible tools.

Comparing the admin panels of Contabo and Hostens reveals distinct approaches tailored to different user groups. Contabo offers a custom Control Panel that is rich in features, allowing users to manage server settings, review services, upgrade VPS plans, and more. This panel is quite extensive, making it particularly suited for users with some technical expertise who need detailed server control. On top of that, the server management options, such as starting, stopping, and taking snapshots, are easily accessible, adding a layer of control that technical users find invaluable.

Hostens, on the other hand, emphasizes ease of use with its quick setup capabilities. It also utilizes user-friendly tools like Installatron, which allows for the easy installation, updating, and backup of over 100 scripts and CMS platforms. Moreover, Hostens offers a free website builder that requires minimal technical skill, making the platform particularly appealing to beginners and non-technical users. The admin dashboard is simple and intuitive, focusing on delivering quick access to essential features without overwhelming the user.

When it comes to migration tools, Hostens appears to have the advantage for straightforward migrations. The Hostens platform includes tools like Installatron, which makes migrating CMS-based sites quite simple and integrated within its interface. Despite no specific mention of automated or manual migration tools in the provided information for Contabo, the platform does offer extensive support and managed services to help with setup and migration, though the specific automation level is not detailed.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Contabo also has a solid support system, with a range of tutorials and an FAQ section available on their website. Additionally, they offer support via tickets and phone. Hostens provides a comprehensive and easily searchable knowledge base covering a wide array of topics. Users can find information on common issues, as well as detailed guides on various services and tools provided by Hostens.

🏆 Winner
Hostens: A versatile hosting provider offering extensive user management capabilities.

Comparing the user management features of Contabo and Hostens reveals distinct approaches in defining user roles, permissions, and accessibility. Contabo allows users to update personal information, change email addresses, and activate two-factor authentication, with options to authorize specific permissions for others. This setup provides a good level of control but is somewhat limited in scalability. Hostens, on the other hand, offers more granular user roles across various hosting types. For instance, reseller hosting allows the creation and management of multiple client accounts, providing greater flexibility in user management. Hostens’ unmanaged VPS hosting also enables full root access, giving users extensive control over their server environments.

In terms of user interfaces and tools, Contabo features a user-friendly Control Panel that simplifies managing services such as VPS upgrades, region changes, and order add-ons. The panel is intuitive but primarily designed for end-users managing their own services. Hostens uses cPanel & WHM for most of its offerings, which is widely known for its simplicity and efficiency in managing hosting accounts. The cPanel interface is consistent across shared, reseller, and professional hosting plans, allowing users to easily install software, update configurations, and manage multiple cPanel accounts. The consistency and familiarity of cPanel make Hostens a strong contender in this domain.

Evaluating access control measures, Contabo enforces mandatory two-factor authentication and provides free DDoS protection across all plans, ensuring a secure environment for its users. The support ticket system and available phone support further enhance user security and accessibility to assistance. Hostens also provides robust security through CloudLinux OS, adding a layer of stability and isolation. With the ability to manage multiple users efficiently, particularly in reseller hosting scenarios, Hostens demonstrates its capability to handle growing user bases effectively. Hostens’ use of cPanel simplifies user management, making it adept at scaling and adjusting user permissions as necessary.

Contabo user roles table:

Hostens user roles table:

🏆 Winner
Hostens: Hostens offers more comprehensive 24/7 customer support and a range of communication channels including live chat.

Both Contabo and Hostens provide multiple customer support options, but they differ in availability and convenience. Contabo offers phone support during business hours on weekdays and a support ticket system monitored every day. Their knowledge base and server status page are helpful, but the absence of live chat and 24/7 support could be limiting for some users.

Hostens, on the other hand, provides 24/7 customer support, which includes live chat, email, and a responsive contact form. Their support system’s continuous availability makes it easier to handle urgent issues at any time. Hostens’s extensive knowledge base and client area support for common inquiries further enhance the user experience. Overall, Hostens offers more accessible and around-the-clock support, making it a more user-friendly option.

Contabo vs Hostens: 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.

Summary: Users generally appreciate the hosting provider for its reliable uptime and responsive customer support. Many reviewers highlight the ease of setup and user-friendly interface as significant positives. However, some users have expressed concerns over occasional slow server speeds and higher pricing compared to competitors. Overall, the hosting service receives favorable reviews, but there is room for improvement in performance consistency and cost efficiency.

Contabo vs Hostens: FAQ