Godaddy vs Knownhost: guide for 2024

Godaddy vs Knownhost: Final verdict

Comparing GoDaddy and KnownHost, GoDaddy offers a comprehensive suite of hosting options with user-friendly tools and excellent value for newcomers, whereas KnownHost provides high performance and robust security features, making it ideal for high-traffic and multimedia websites.

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  KnownHost (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  KnownHost impresses with its focus on performance, security, and customer support. Leveraging the latest AMD EPYC hardware and NVMe storage, alongside LiteSpeed and LSCache, KnownHost ensures fast load times and reliable uptime over 99.99%. It also comes with comprehensive security measures, including DDoS protection up to 500 Gbps, Imunify360, and free SSL certificates, all of which enhance its appeal to high-traffic and multimedia sites. While the user interface and support resources are slightly less intuitive and organized compared to other competitors, KnownHost leads in performance and security, especially for those requiring scalable and dedicated hosting solutions.
  
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  GoDaddy (Overall grade: 7.8)
  
  
  GoDaddy is a strong contender in the hosting market, providing a broad range of features and services that cater to both novice and seasoned users. Its easy-to-use interface, bundled services like free domain and email hosting for the first year, and tailored WordPress plans make it an appealing choice for beginners. However, its performance and uptime, although commendable at 99.98%, fall slightly short of KnownHost’s offerings. Frequent upselling, occasional downtime with WordPress hosting, and higher renewal costs are notable drawbacks. While GoDaddy excels in providing a user-friendly experience and a wide array of services, its performance and support for high-traffic sites and advanced users could be improved.
  

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: KnownHost: KnownHost offers superior uptime, performance, and additional security features.

KnownHost demonstrates a higher historical uptime of 99.996%, surpassing their 99.9% guarantee. Recent data indicates they achieved over 99.99% uptime, sometimes with no downtime at all during certain months. Their main website loads significantly faster at 1.5 seconds, and they provide extensive DDoS protection without extra costs.

GoDaddy also offers strong uptime at 99.98% during testing, exceeding their 99.9% guarantee. They have a good server response time at 341ms and efficient global load times. Despite its frequent brief downtimes with WordPress hosting, GoDaddy provides a satisfactory hosting experience overall. However, they offer minimal compensation for downtime, limited to service credits.

🏆 Winner: KnownHost: High-performance hosting solutions with superior customer support.

GoDaddy and KnownHost both offer excellent hosting performance tailored for various needs. GoDaddy features optimized servers for up to 40% faster response times, SSL certificates, and a global network of data centers situated in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile, KnownHost leverages AMD EPYC hardware with enterprise NVMe storage, LiteSpeed, and LSCache for efficient processing. Both provide excellent uptime—GoDaddy guarantees 99.9% while KnownHost boasts over 99.99%. Additionally, GoDaddy offers unmetered bandwidth, while KnownHost excels with DDoS protection and other security measures. GoDaddy includes free daily backups; KnownHost provides the same alongside free setup and migration services.

Website Speed

When comparing website speed, KnownHost generally edges out GoDaddy due to its use of the latest AMD EPYC hardware and enterprise NVMe storage. LiteSpeed and LSCache replace traditional Apache setups, enhancing processing rates and load times significantly. GoDaddy’s servers, while optimized and fast, rely on more conventional technologies. Both offer free SSL certificates, but KnownHost’s infrastructure generally allows for faster web processing and reduced page load times.

Scalability

Scaling with GoDaddy involves switching between various plans from Web Hosting Economy to Web Hosting Maximum, depending on your needs, with prices ranging from $5.99/mo to $17.99/mo for web hosting, and $8.99/mo to $44.99/mo for VPS hosting. GoDaddy also offers dedicated resources in its Web Hosting Plus plans. KnownHost’s scaling details are not explicitly clear, but they offer a range of hosting types, from shared to dedicated hosting. We do not know if KnownHost offers automatic elastic scaling, requiring a manual upgrade for higher resources. Both services offer easy upgrading, but the costs and details of scaling with KnownHost remain unspecified.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost offers a comprehensive suite of security features and excellent customer feedback.

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

Technical security measures:

GoDaddy and KnownHost provide robust technical security measures. GoDaddy uses automated updates, a Web Application Firewall (WAF), malware scanning and removal, cloud-based security with CloudLinux, and DDoS protection. KnownHost also offers DDoS protection (up to 500 Gbps), automated security with Imunify360, a firewall, reverse DNS setup, and support for mod_security. Both hosts use CloudLinux, but KnownHost charges an additional fee for it. KnownHost includes LiteSpeed and LSCache for enhanced performance and security.

Operational security measures:

GoDaddy provides automatic daily backups, award-winning 24/7 customer support, and resources on demand. KnownHost also offers automated backups stored off-server and rapid tech support response. KnownHost receives positive customer feedback for its helpful and polite support staff. In contrast, GoDaddy offers managed SSL services and self-managed SSL options, while KnownHost includes free SSL certificates with every account, along with options for premium SSL.

Compliance and certifications:

GoDaddy is fully GDPR compliant and PCI compliant for credit card processing. GoDaddy also provides detailed privacy policies and allows users to manage data and marketing emails. KnownHost ensures that SSL certificates meet PCI requirements, suggesting a focus on data protection. Specific details about KnownHost’s GDPR compliance are not mentioned, but their robust security measures imply compliance.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost excels in providing fast, reliable, and secure hosting services with top-notch customer support.

Both GoDaddy and KnownHost offer various hosting plans, but their features and benefits cater to different needs. GoDaddy’s hosting plans come with user-friendly website builders and advanced customization options, catering to both beginners and seasoned users. They also offer practical benefits like a free domain for the first year, free email hosting, and a free SSL certificate, enhancing value for new customers. Their managed WordPress hosting plans include AI creation tools and enhanced security measures, making it an excellent choice for WordPress users seeking automated solutions.

KnownHost stands out with its emphasis on performance and security, featuring LiteSpeed technology, NVMe storage, and the powerful AMD EPYC platform. It also includes robust security measures like Imunify360 and free DDoS protection. Unique selling points for KnownHost include free domain privacy for life and multiple backup snapshots. Additionally, its 99.99% uptime and free setup make it an attractive option for those who prioritize reliability and minimal service interruption. Its USA-based 24/7/365 support ensures users get quick and expert assistance whenever needed.

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 KnownHost 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 free email hosting, allowing users to set up their own email campaigns and manage their email accounts directly. KnownHost, on the other hand, does not offer in-built email hosting but instead focuses on other critical areas such as performance and security. Users needing comprehensive email solutions may need to consider third-party services alongside KnownHost’s hosting plans.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: Top-notch web hosting with competitive pricing and feature-rich plans designed to cater to varying 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.

When comparing the pricing plans of GoDaddy and KnownHost, GoDaddy offers more diversified plans across different hosting types. GoDaddy’s Web Hosting plans range from $5.99 to $17.99 per month, with varying features like free domains and SSL certificates, but the renewal prices are significantly higher. KnownHost provides a more straightforward pricing model with plans like the $5.98 Entry WordPress Hosting that includes 50 GB NVMe storage and unlimited email accounts, which outperforms GoDaddy’s entry-level offerings in terms of value. The detailed tables below break down the differences, offering a side-by-side look at what each hosting provider brings to the table.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises, GoDaddy’s plans such as the Web Hosting Maximum at $17.99 per month offer substantial resources, including support for 50 websites and 100 GB NVMe storage. KnownHost, with its Premium Reseller Hosting at $27.47 per month, provides unlimited domains and 4 cores CPU, ideal for those needing extensive resources and flexibility. Both providers offer compelling enterprise-level features, but KnownHost’s more competitive pricing and specialized plans for high-resource needs make it a superior choice for enterprise clients seeking optimal balance between cost and performance.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost provides superior service quality, faster support responses, and higher overall satisfaction.

GoDaddy and KnownHost offer different admin panel experiences suitable for users at all technical levels. GoDaddy provides an industry-standard cPanel, which is widely known for its intuitive, user-friendly interface. It facilitates a smooth experience for those familiar with web hosting. Tasks such as application installations, backups, and security management can be done with minimal effort. For beginners, GoDaddy’s control panel offers a structured environment to manage websites without diving into technical intricacies, thanks to its organized menus and helpful tooltips.

On the other hand, KnownHost also employs user-friendly solutions but with an added layer of efficiency via Softaculous—another one-click installation tool. This feature simplifies the deployment of various applications and systems. KnownHost’s panel ensures a straightforward setup for non-technical users, while providing more advanced users with the tools they need to deeply manage their hosting environment. The instant setup feature means users can get started right away without waiting for manual configuration, marking a smooth journey from purchase to operation.

Both GoDaddy and KnownHost offer free migration assistance. GoDaddy features a one-click WordPress migration tool, making transitioning to their services seamless. KnownHost also provides free migration services and highlights a significant advantage: they manage the migration process with little to no downtime, which ensures that your site remains accessible throughout the transition.

Both hosting providers furnish extensive support resources via their help centers. GoDaddy’s help center includes 24/7 customer support, an extensive FAQ section, and a range of articles on various hosting-related topics. Meanwhile, KnownHost is equally resourceful with a thorough Knowledge Base, featuring guides, articles, and support via their ticketing system. Customers also praise KnownHost’s quick, helpful responses and availability around the clock.

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. KnownHost 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 KnownHost: Superior control and flexibility in user management and support.

GoDaddy and KnownHost offer different approaches to user management, with KnownHost standing out prominently. Both platforms provide user role management, but the detailed specifics of GoDaddy’s system are not available. KnownHost offers comprehensive guides for managing users and organizations on accounts through its Knowledge Base. This makes it simpler for users to control domain management and WHOIS contact info, giving it an edge in user role flexibility and administrative capability.

For user interfaces and tools, KnownHost’s My KnownHost Panel presents a straightforward and accessible means to manage domains and user accounts. Users can simply click “manage” next to a domain for options and update WHOIS info effortlessly. GoDaddy’s interface isn’t detailed in the provided data, potentially leaving users in need of more information or requiring them to reach out to support.

Regarding access control and scalability, KnownHost offers guided resources and 24/7/365 onshore support, providing robust assistance for managing an expanding user base efficiently. Their fully managed services entail detailed support for both server and user management, making them an effective choice for scaling operations. The lack of detailed access control measures from GoDaddy makes KnownHost’s offering more attractive for businesses.

KnownHost user roles table:

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost excels in customer service, offering extensive support options and high performance.

Both GoDaddy and KnownHost provide comprehensive customer support, but with some differences. GoDaddy offers 24/7 support via phone and email, as well as a rich knowledge base and SMS support. They also have an award-winning support team and provide free WordPress migration tools and automatic daily backups.

KnownHost, while offering 24/7 technical support, has dedicated hours for sales and billing. They receive high customer praise for their fast response times and politeness. KnownHost also includes free SSL certificates, automated updates, and has a high uptime guarantee. Both hosts offer extensive support, but KnownHost is particularly lauded for its performance and responsiveness.

Godaddy vs Knownhost: 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.

KnownHost receives mixed feedback from its users. Many users praise its responsive and professional customer support, high uptime, and excellent technical infrastructure, particularly for managed WordPress and VPS hosting. However, there are significant complaints about slow server speeds, unhelpful support, and confusing user interfaces. Additionally, some users believe that the service is overpriced given the performance issues they have encountered. Overall, while KnownHost has loyal customers who appreciate its offerings, potential users should be aware of the varied experiences and evaluate if it meets their specific needs.

Godaddy vs Knownhost: FAQ