Godaddy vs Hawk Host: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Comparing GoDaddy and Hawk Host, it’s evident that both have their strengths, but Hawk Host holds a slight edge in overall performance and value.

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  GoDaddy (Overall grade: 7.8)
  
  
  provides a broad range of hosting services, including shared, VPS, and WordPress hosting, optimized for various user needs. Their 99.9% uptime guarantee with an actual performance of 99.98% during testing is commendable, although WordPress hosting has shown some short downtimes. GoDaddy excels with comprehensive customer support available through multiple channels and value-added features like a free domain, SSL certificates, daily backups, and a user-friendly control panel. However, frequent downtime, limited compensation for service interruptions, and higher renewal costs are notable drawbacks.
  
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  Hawk Host (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  
  promises a reliable 99.9% uptime guarantee and backs it up with substantial compensation if this is not met. Their focus on high performance with SSD/NVMe storage, innovative processors, and LiteSpeed Web Server ensures faster page loads and consistent performance. Hawk Host is praised for its affordability, superior customer support, and comprehensive security features, including free SSL certificates and proactive malware scanning. The provider also stands out for ease of user management, extensive backup solutions, and competitive pricing, especially for cloud and VPS hosting. However, the lack of built-in WordPress migration tools might require additional effort from users migrating to their services.
  

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: Hawk Host: Offers reliable uptime, performance, and customer support.

GoDaddy provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee and has performed well during testing with a 99.98% uptime rate. However, their WordPress hosting has experienced frequent short downtimes, which might be a concern for users needing constant availability. GoDaddy offers minimal compensation for downtime, limited to service credits.

Hawk Host also promises a 99.9% uptime guarantee and provides substantial compensation if uptime falls below this threshold. With multiple data centers and redundant network connections, Hawk Host ensures consistent performance. Customer reviews highlight Hawk Host’s reliability, affordability, and quick support responses, making it a strong choice for hosting services.

🏆 Winner Hawk Host: Superior performance and advanced technology.

When comparing general performance, Hawk Host stands out with its high-performance SSD/NVMe storage, innovative processors like Enterprise Intel Xeon or AMD EPYC, and LiteSpeed Web Server for swift page loads. GoDaddy also offers optimized servers and NVMe storage, but its 40% faster server response times are generally outpaced by Hawk Host’s more advanced tech. Both hosts provide multiple global data centers; GoDaddy has locations in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, while Hawk Host has locations in North America, Asia, and Europe, plus Toronto and Singapore. Hawk Host incorporates CloudFlare for improved DNS management and security, enhancing overall speed and performance.

Website Speed

GoDaddy secures up to 40% faster server response times and leverages their worldwide data centers to reduce page load times. With GoDaddy’s LiteSpeed Web Server, Hawk Host offers impressive speed owing to reduced latency from its NVMe storage and 40Gbps server connectivity. The proactive malware scanning and daily backups from Hawk Host also contribute to maintaining consistent, swift performance.

Scalability

For scalability, neither hosts offer automatic elastic scaling. You will need to manually upgrade plans as necessary. GoDaddy provides a variety of plans scaling from basic shared hosting to VPS with dedicated resources, starting at $8.99/mo for standard performance. Hawk Host’s pricing is slightly more competitive, offering Cloud Compute starting from $5.00/mo. Both providers have dedicated resources available for more demanding needs, but you would need to check for specific costs related to larger scale upgrades.

🏆 Winner GoDaddy: Offers a robust suite of security features for diverse hosting needs.

Both GoDaddy and Hawk Host, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

GoDaddy includes AutoSSL free with hosting plans, ensuring automatic updates and renewals, while Hawk Host offers several paid SSL certificates with varying levels of warranty. Both GoDaddy and Hawk Host provide up-to-date PHP versions, but specific details for Hawk Host aren’t provided. GoDaddy leverages Web Application Firewall (WAF), malware scanning, and CloudLinux for balanced system performance. Hawk Host also includes proactive malware scanning and is CloudFlare optimized for enhanced DNS management.

Operational security measures:

GoDaddy uses daily backups with a 1-click restore option and DDoS protection services, including around-the-clock monitoring and global data centers for faster page loads. Hawk Host provides complimentary daily backups, DDoS protection, and utilizes high-performance servers with top-tier CPUs and SSDs. Both offer 24/7 customer support, though GoDaddy extends this to phone, chat, and SMS, with Hawk Host reachable via email and social media.

Compliance and certifications:

Both GoDaddy and Hawk Host are GDPR compliant, ensuring user’s data privacy and control. GoDaddy offers PCI-compliant solutions such as WooCommerce Hosting for secure transactions. PCI compliance for Hawk Host is not specified, focusing instead on SSL certificates and other security measures suggesting a degree of transaction security.

🏆 Winner: GoDaddy: Offering diverse web hosting options and additional free services, GoDaddy stands out as a comprehensive hosting solution.

Both GoDaddy and Hawk Host offer robust hosting services, but their features cater to different user needs. GoDaddy provides an extensive selection of web hosting plans, including Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, and Maximum performance tiers. Each plan comes with a free domain, email, and SSL certificate, making it an attractive option for those seeking value-added services. GoDaddy also provides a free WordPress migration tool, AI creation tools, and PCI compliance for e-commerce stores, which can be pivotal for new businesses. These unique selling points simplify the website setup process, making it user-friendly for people without extensive technical knowledge.

Hawk Host, on the other hand, focuses on performance and security with enterprise-level hardware like XEON/EPYC servers and the LiteSpeed web server. They emphasize user customization through cPanel, proactive malware scanning, and advanced security features such as Imunify360 WAF and CloudFlare optimization. While it lacks built-in WordPress migration tools, Hawk Host offers comprehensive one-click installations through Softaculous for over 380 applications. This is an excellent advantage for users who manage multiple types of websites. Unlimited domains, databases, and email accounts further add to its appeal, alongside free SSL certificates powered by Let’s Encrypt.

Email services at GoDaddy: offers free email hosting with all its plans, allowing users to set up custom email addresses associated with their domain. This feature supports smaller businesses in maintaining a professional image without additional costs. Hawk Host also provides unlimited email accounts and enhances email deliverability with enterprise-level spam filtering using SpamExperts. Both providers support transactional email capabilities, facilitating automated emails like form submissions or order confirmations.

🏆 Winner
Hawk Host: Offers competitive pricing with unlimited resources and superior support for various hosting needs.

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.

GoDaddy provides four shared hosting plans with an extensive range of features, including free domains and SSL certificates. Their plans range from $5.99/mo for the Economy plan to $17.99/mo for the Maximum plan. In comparison, Hawk Host stands out with its lower-priced plans, starting at $3.74/mo, and offering unlimited bandwidth, email accounts, and domains. Hawk Host also includes proactive malware scanning and daily backups at no additional cost. For WordPress hosting, GoDaddy’s plans range between $12.99/mo and $15.99/mo, featuring AI creation tools, CDN performance enhancements, and WooCommerce integration. Hawk Host’s WordPress plans begin at just $3.74/mo, providing unlimited bandwidth and daily backups. For cloud and VPS hosting, Hawk Host offers competitive pricing starting at $5/mo with full root access and substantial bandwidth, while GoDaddy offers higher-priced options starting at $8.99/mo with additional IP options and global data centers.

Enterprise plans

GoDaddy’s “Web Hosting Maximum” and “4 vCPU / 16GB RAM” VPS plans cater to extensive needs with multiple websites, enhanced storage, and global data centers. These plans offer comprehensive resources but come at a higher cost. Hawk Host’s top-tier Cloud Compute plans, such as the “32 GB Plan,” provide considerable RAM, SSD storage, and extensive bandwidth at competitive pricing. Enterprises might find Hawk Host’s options appealing for the lower price and scalability.

🏆 Winner Hawk Host: Offers an easy setup with numerous complimentary features and stellar customer support.

Both GoDaddy and Hawk Host use standard cPanel as their control panel, which is well-known for its ease of use and extensive functionalities. GoDaddy’s cPanel is accessible and user-friendly, providing a seamless experience whether you’re technically inclined or a beginner. Adding new domains, managing backups, and installing applications like WordPress is straightforward. Automatic daily backups and a free WordPress migration tool add extra layers of convenience, ensuring a smooth setup process.

Hawk Host also leverages a cPanel control panel, designed to be intuitive for users of all expertise levels. It includes one-click installers via Softaculous for apps like WordPress and Joomla, enhancing the ease of setting up new sites. Hawk Host excels by offering free SSL certificates with Let’s Encrypt and proactive malware scanning, thereby enhancing both setup and security. Their control panel also facilitates easy management of DNS settings and other essential hosting tasks. Customer reviews frequently highlight the user-friendly nature of Hawk Host’s control panel.

GoDaddy offers a free WordPress Migration Tool, which simplifies the process of migrating an existing site to GoDaddy’s hosting service. This tool is easy to use and doesn’t require advanced technical skills. Hawk Host, on the other hand, also provides migration tools like Softaculous for migrating WordPress sites. Both providers offer these migration services for free, making it simple to switch from another host to either GoDaddy or Hawk Host without incurring additional costs.

The help center resources of both providers are comprehensive. GoDaddy’s help center includes 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, and SMS. Their Web Hosting FAQ and extensive help articles cover a range of topics, assisting users with common issues and complex configurations alike. Hawk Host also offers a rich knowledge base with articles on a variety of subjects, such as billing, domain names, and web hosting. Their support system includes 24/7/365 availability, live chat, email, and even Twitter support, ensuring queries are resolved swiftly.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. GoDaddy offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. Hawk Host 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
Hawk Host: Hawk Host offers detailed user management capabilities with granular control over permissions.

When comparing GoDaddy and Hawk Host in terms of managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, it’s evident that Hawk Host provides a more comprehensive approach. Hawk Host allows users to add authorized users and customize their permissions through a straightforward “User Management” interface. This level of detail in permission setting provides flexibility for users to define roles according to their specific needs. On the other hand, GoDaddy’s user management features are unclear based on the provided information, which may indicate a lack of transparency or granularity in defining user roles and permissions.

In terms of user interfaces and tools for managing users, Hawk Host offers a clearly defined and intuitive process via their client area. Users can easily navigate to the “User Management” section, invite new users, and set permissions using a clean and organized interface. The toolset provided by Hawk Host is user-friendly and efficient, ensuring that both novice and experienced users can manage account permissions without confusion. Without detailed information about GoDaddy’s user interface for managing users, it’s difficult to assess its ease of use or the tools available.

Assessing the effectiveness of access control measures, Hawk Host allows primary account holders to efficiently manage a growing number of users through detailed permission settings and an organized user management page. This capability ensures that as your needs expand, the user management system scales effectively to accommodate additional users with varying access levels. Given the lack of specific details about GoDaddy’s access control measures and user management efficiency, it’s challenging to determine if it offers a similarly scalable solution.

Hawk Host user roles table:

🏆 Winner
Hawk Host: The platform scores higher in customer support evaluation, showing strength in all categories, particularly in availability and the range of communication channels.

GoDaddy and Hawk Host offer robust customer support with various channels available 24/7. GoDaddy provides phone and email support, a comprehensive knowledge base, a free WordPress migration tool, and automatic daily backups. Their live chat is restricted to the U.S. subdomain. For those facing frequent site issues, GoDaddy’s free 24×7 support and security measures like DDoS protection are significant advantages.

Hawk Host excels with its consistent 24/7/365 support through multiple channels, including telephone, live chat, ticket systems, and social media. Besides phone and email, Hawk Host also offers a strong community forum and a detailed blog for updates and information. The free SSL certificates, migrations, and advanced control panel provide a more comprehensive package, with users consistently praising the quality and accessibility of support.

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.

Customers find the hosting provider highly reliable and stress-free to work with, especially when transferring domains and setting up hosting. The support team is consistently praised for being helpful and efficient. While the hosting packages may cost a bit more, users believe the quality of support and services justifies the investment in the long run.

FAQ