Godaddy vs Contabo: guide for 2024

Godaddy vs Contabo: Final verdict

Looking over GoDaddy vs. Contabo, 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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  GoDaddy (Overall grade: 7.8)
  
  
  offers a user-friendly interface with a robust range of hosting types, including shared, WordPress, and eCommerce hosting. Best known for its ease of setup and comprehensive support resources, GoDaddy also provides an integrated website builder, free domain, free SSL certificates, and reliable global data centers for swift page loads. Despite this, its frequent downtimes, inconsistent customer service experiences, and higher renewal costs can deter some users. GoDaddy’s broad feature set makes it an excellent option for small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those focusing on WordPress and eCommerce applications.
  
• 
  Contabo (Overall grade: 7.6)
  
  
  is celebrated for its reliable, high-performance hosting solutions, especially for high-traffic and multimedia sites. Its VPS and dedicated hosting plans, featuring powerful AMD EPYC processors and high-speed SSDs, cater to users with significant performance needs. Contabo’s advanced security measures, including always-on DDoS protection and two-factor authentication, enhance its appeal. However, limitations in its customer support responsiveness and the more complex control panel can be challenging for beginners. Contabo’s competitive pricing and flexible upgrade options make it a compelling choice for users needing scalable, resource-intensive 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

SECTION 1: Winner Contabo: Providing a higher uptime guarantee with fast and responsive hardware.

SECTION 2: Contabo offers a 99.996% uptime guarantee, demonstrating exceptional reliability in uptime and availability. Tested performance metrics highlight its use of AMD EPYC processors and fast NVMe SSDs, ensuring quick server response times. DDoS protection and two-factor authentication enhance security, with 24/7 monitored data centers across various global locations.

SECTION 3: GoDaddy provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee and achieved a 99.98% uptime rate in testing. However, frequent short downtimes in WordPress hosting affect overall reliability. Compensation for downtime is limited to a 5% credit towards other GoDaddy services. The average server response time of 341ms and global efficiency in load times are notable but overshadowed by Contabo’s server robustness and minimal downtime.

🏆 Winner
Contabo:A high-performing and affordable hosting service offering excellent scalability.

When comparing GoDaddy and Contabo on general performance, both have their strengths, but Contabo slightly edges out GoDaddy. Contabo utilizes fast AMD EPYC 7282 16-core processors and offers storage options with SSD and Gen 4 PCIe NVMe SSD, both leading to responsive websites. GoDaddy also boasts optimized servers with up to 40% faster server response times and has global data centers in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, contributing to faster page loads. Contabo, meanwhile, has data centers in multiple locations, including the US, UK, Germany, and Singapore, providing excellent global coverage, and offers between 200Mbit/s and 1Gbit/s connection speeds, upgradeable to 10Gbit/s.

Website Speed

GoDaddy promises high speeds with optimized servers and a 99.9% uptime guarantee, ensuring consistent performance. Contabo, however, surpasses this with a 99.996% uptime guarantee, further reinforced by DDoS protection that detects and mitigates 99% of attacks while maintaining server activity. Contabo’s adoption of high-speed SSDs and NVMe SSDs ensures quicker load times, making it a reliable choice for users focused on speed.

Scalability

Both hosting services offer notable scalability, but they differ in their approach. Contabo provides easy upgrades of VPS packages without disrupting downtime, ensuring seamless scaling. GoDaddy offers unmetered bandwidth and several levels of web hosting plans, from shared to dedicated resources, depending on traffic and complexity. However, it requires customers to manually upgrade plans to scale resources. Pricing for scaling with Contabo is generally more budget-friendly, making it an attractive option for growing businesses looking for flexible and affordable solutions.

🏆 Winner
Contabo: Offering a range of advanced security features and customization options, Contabo stands out as a strong choice for secure hosting.

Technical security measures:

GoDaddy provides AutoSSL and Managed SSL Service, supporting various SSL certificate types. It also includes the latest PHP versions with extended long-term support. Contabo, while offering basic SSL certificates, shines with additional tools such as Imunify AV for malware scanning. Both providers support customizable PHP versions but GoDaddy offers more automation in maintaining SSL certificates. GoDaddy’s automated updates for firewall settings and malware removal add a layer of convenience, whereas Contabo focuses on flexibility and user control.

Operational security measures:

GoDaddy employs advanced operational security measures including a Web Application Firewall (WAF), daily backups, and DDoS protection. It also benefits from global data centers for faster page loads and balanced server resources via CloudLinux and Cage FS. Contabo takes operational security a step further with always-on DDoS protection and extensive physical security measures like 24/7 CCTV surveillance and strict access controls. Additionally, Contabo’s Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enhances account security, which is a notable omission in GoDaddy’s offerings.

Compliance and certifications:

Both GoDaddy and Contabo are fully GDPR compliant, ensuring user data protection and privacy. GoDaddy also offers PCI-certified products for websites processing credit card payments, a feature that is implied but not explicitly stated for Contabo. HIPAA compliance information for either provider is not specified. Both providers maintain a strong focus on adhering to regulatory requirements concerning data protection.

🏆 Winner
GoDaddy: A broad range of features caters to diverse needs with strong performance and customer support.

GoDaddy and Contabo offer a variety of hosting features with their own nuances and strengths. GoDaddy excels in user-friendliness, providing a website builder that promises easy customization for users of all levels. Their plans come with substantial perks like free domains and SSL certificates, making it a compelling choice for small to medium-sized businesses. Additionally, GoDaddy’s global data centers ensure swift page loads, while features like automated daily backups, free email hosting, and a 30-day money-back guarantee add layers of value.

Contabo, on the other hand, focuses on high performance and extensive control panel features, powered by robust AMD EPYC processors. This is ideal for users needing high-speed, reliable connections with significant traffic allowances. They offer comprehensive tools for managing various operating systems, domain settings, and private networking. Contabo’s transparent pricing and flexible upgrade options make it a viable choice for users looking for cost-effective, scalable solutions. Both providers include essential security features like DDoS protection and SSL, ensuring secure and stable operations.

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 GoDaddy and Contabo 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:

GoDaddy provides integrated email hosting with each plan and supports custom email campaigns. They also offer add-ons like Google Workspace for more advanced email needs. Contabo includes email hosting and allows for account creation but relies more on third-party integrations for extensive email campaign solutions. Both deliver fundamental email services but differ in their approach to expanded email capabilities.

🏆 Winner: Contabo: Offers a comprehensive range of hosting options with competitive pricing and impressive features for both budding sites and resource-intensive applications.

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 the pricing plans of GoDaddy and Contabo, it is clear that Contabo offers more attractive pricing across various hosting categories. GoDaddy’s plans are structured with a focus on additional freebies, while Contabo leans towards offering more powerful resources for a lower cost. In VPS offerings, Contabo provides significant advantages in terms of core counts, RAM, and storage at lower prices than GoDaddy. GoDaddy does excel in providing comprehensive WordPress and Shared Hosting plans that include essential features like SSL certificates and domain names. Contabo, however, continues to stand out for resource allocation and overall cost-effectiveness.

Enterprise plans

GoDaddy offers comprehensive enterprise hosting solutions via their Managed WooCommerce Stores, with the Expand plan being the top tier at $129.99/month, providing specialized features for high transaction volumes and advanced e-commerce functionalities. Contabo’s dedicated server plans cater to enterprises needing intensive computing power, with the AMD EPYC 32 Cores plan starting at €212.48/month. This plan offers unmatched core counts and extensive storage capabilities. Both providers ensure high uptime and robust customer support, but Contabo edges out with better value for enterprise-grade resources.

🏆 Winner GoDaddy: An efficient hosting provider known for its easy setup and extensive support resources.

GoDaddy employs the industry-standard cPanel, which is known for its user-friendliness and accessibility for both technical and non-technical users. The cPanel is straightforward to navigate, making tasks like installing applications, managing backups, and security settings a breeze. On the other hand, Contabo uses a custom Control Panel, designed to handle specific tasks related to their VPS plans. While Contabo’s Control Panel is comprehensive in offering features like server status monitoring and OS management, it might appear more complex to users unfamiliar with server management. The intuitive nature of GoDaddy’s cPanel gives it an edge, especially for beginners or those who prefer a streamlined experience.

Comparing the migration tools, GoDaddy offers a free WordPress migration tool, simplifying the process of transferring an existing WordPress site to its servers. This feature is particularly attractive to users looking to switch hosting without incurring extra costs or dealing with technical difficulties. Contabo’s setup does not mention a dedicated site migration tool, which could make the migration process less straightforward, especially for those who are not technically inclined. While Contabo might offer greater customization options during its order process, GoDaddy’s automated and free WordPress migration tool is a clear advantage for many users.

Evaluating customer support and resources, GoDaddy provides 24/7 support via phone, chat, and SMS, supplemented by a comprehensive range of help articles and guides. This level of accessibility ensures that users can get help anytime they need it. In comparison, Contabo’s support is available through tickets and phone calls, with less extensive availability hours. Their tutorials and FAQ sections are valuable, but the limited support hours could be a drawback for users needing immediate assistance. Overall, GoDaddy’s round-the-clock support and wider range of help resources provide a more accessible support experience.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides.

🏆 Winner Contabo: A comprehensive and flexible hosting provider for user management.

In comparing the user management features of GoDaddy and Contabo, Contabo stands out due to its extensive capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility. While detailed information about GoDaddy’s user management system is not provided, Contabo offers a comprehensive suite of management options including the ability to authorize other individuals for server permissions, change critical account information, and access API credentials. Contabo’s approach provides a high degree of flexibility, allowing for granular control over user roles and permissions, making it particularly advantageous for users needing detailed management capabilities.

Both providers offer tools for user management, but Contabo’s Control Panel is noted for its user-friendly interface and extensive functionalities. Users can manage services, perform upgrades, and configure security settings directly within the Control Panel. Although specific details about GoDaddy’s interface are not available, Contabo’s Control Panel stands out for its comprehensive suite of tools, including advanced features like two-factor authentication and managed services that are integrated into the user interface.

In terms of access control measures and scalability, Contabo demonstrates its effectiveness through mandatory two-factor authentication for all users, enhancing security. The platform also provides DDoS protection automatically, adding another layer of security critical for managing a growing number of users. Additionally, Contabo’s support system, including ticket submissions and phone support, ensures users can efficiently manage their accounts as they scale. While GoDaddy’s capabilities in this area remain unspecified, Contabo’s robust security and support systems are designed to handle an increasing number of users efficiently.

Contabo user roles table:

🏆 Winner GoDaddy: GoDaddy excels in customer service availability and offer a range of support channels for its users.

GoDaddy offers 24/7 support through phone, email, and a detailed knowledgebase that includes blog articles, videos, and more. Their phone support is acclaimed with dedicated lines, including an award-winning team. They also provide live chat support, but only for users on their U.S. subdomain. Additionally, GoDaddy offers automatic daily backups, global data centers for faster page loads, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, making them a convenient choice for users needing comprehensive support.

Contabo offers a range of customer support options, though not as extensive as GoDaddy. Their phone support operates within specific hours and days, and while their email support and ticketing system are robust, their responsiveness can vary. Contabo lacks live chat support and a money-back guarantee but compensates with managed services and emergency support upgrades, offering priority treatment and faster response times. With multiple data centers and free DDoS protection, they ensure reliable performance for their users, albeit with some limitations in customer support availability.

Godaddy vs Contabo: User feedback

GoDaddy generally receives praise for its ease of use, affordability, comprehensive service offerings, and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice for domain registration and basic web hosting. Many users appreciate the ability to purchase domains, web hosting, email services, and other digital products all in one place, along with frequent discounts for new customers. However, customer service experiences are inconsistent; while some users find it helpful and responsive, others report long wait times and unknowledgeable support staff. Additionally, recurring issues include high renewal costs, persistent upselling, and occasional technical difficulties.

Contabo offers affordable and powerful VPS plans, which are particularly beneficial for running demanding software and complex tasks. Several users have praised the reliability, stability, and cost-effectiveness of the service, highlighting its great value for money. However, frequent downtime, limited customer support, and a somewhat outdated control panel have been significant points of concern. Some users have experienced slow response times and unresolved service requests, suggesting areas for improvement in customer service and operational transparency.

Godaddy vs Contabo: FAQ