Godaddy vs Pair.com: guide for 2024

Final verdict

When assessing GoDaddy vs. Pair Networks, both offer compelling web hosting options but vary significantly in their strengths and weaknesses.

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  Pair Networks (Overall grade: 7.9)
  
  
  delivers reliable and secure hosting with a strong emphasis on uptime and eco-friendly operations. Customers benefit from extensive 24/7 support, detailed user role management, and a solid range of features including automatic backups and malware scanning. However, the lack of live chat support and somewhat complex pricing for advanced email features can be drawbacks. Its plans are slightly higher priced but come with reliable performance and green hosting practices, making it suitable for tech-savvy users and those with specific security needs.
  
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  GoDaddy (Overall grade: 7.8)
  
  
  stands out with its user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and vast array of features such as free domain names, free SSL certificates, and automatic daily backups. GoDaddy excels in speed and performance thanks to its global data centers and superior server response times. Despite its strengths, it suffers from frequent brief downtimes, particularly with WordPress hosting, and inconsistent customer service experiences. Its upselling tactics and high renewal costs also detract from its overall appeal. Nonetheless, GoDaddy remains a versatile choice for both small and large businesses looking for comprehensive and affordable 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

🏆 Winner Pair Networks: Known for exceptional uptime and stability with a commitment to green hosting.

Pair Networks advertises an uptime well above 99.9%, enhanced by redundant network connections, daily data backups, and redundant power supplies. With a global reach and 24/7 support, they cater to customers in over 150 countries. Pair Networks is also dedicated to eco-friendly practices, further cementing their reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction.

GoDaddy provides a competitive uptime of 99.98%, surpassing its 99.9% guarantee. It boasts an impressive server response time of 341ms with efficient global load times. However, GoDaddy experiences frequent brief downtimes, particularly with WordPress hosting, and offers limited compensation for downtime through service credits.

🏆 Winner GoDaddy: Comprehensive hosting solution with optimized speed, security, and extensive resources.

When comparing general performance, GoDaddy offers faster server responses with its optimized infrastructure and numerous global data centers, ensuring swift load times. Pair Networks also provides reliable performance but lacks the same optimized server claims found in GoDaddy’s offerings. While GoDaddy guarantees a 99.9% uptime, Pair Networks supports a similar level of reliability but without a specific uptime guarantee. Both providers offer solid security measures, but GoDaddy includes DDoS protection and free daily backups, adding an extra layer of dependability.

Website Speed

In terms of speed, GoDaddy’s use of NVMe SSDs and optimized servers achieves up to 40% faster server response times. This is further enhanced by their global CDN, leading to quicker page loads regardless of the user’s location. Pair Networks, equipped with all-SSD servers, also promises good speed but doesn’t boast the same level of optimization for rapid response times. GoDaddy’s additional features, like automatic SSL and free WordPress migration, add to its speed benefits, giving it an edge over Pair Networks.

Scalability

GoDaddy provides seamless scaling options through both shared and dedicated resources. Upgrading plans to Web Hosting Plus or VPS Hosting can accommodate growing traffic, though it doesn’t offer elastic scaling. The specific costs to scale within GoDaddy are clear, starting at $8.99/mo for VPS plans. Pair Networks emphasizes easy scaling and managed VPS hosting but does not provide detailed automation or elasticity information. The standard pricing for Pair’s VPS starts at $25/month. Both platforms offer scalable solutions, but GoDaddy’s flexibility in handling high-traffic sites makes it slightly more adaptable.

🏆 Winner
GoDaddy: A hosting provider with robust technical security features and comprehensive customer support.

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

Technical security measures:

GoDaddy provides a range of SSL certificate options, including AutoSSL, managed SSL services, and self-managed SSL certificates. Pair Networks also offers various SSL certificates such as PairSSL Positive, Positive Wildcard, and Extended Validation. Both providers offer malware scanning, but GoDaddy stands out with additional features like DDoS protection and a Web Application Firewall (WAF). GoDaddy supports the latest PHP versions, providing long-term support for PHP 7.4 and 8.0, while Pair Networks supports various PHP versions without specifying which ones. GoDaddy’s use of CloudLinux and Cage FS for virtualization and balanced resource usage further strengthens its technical security measures.

Operational security measures:

Both GoDaddy and Pair Networks are GDPR compliant, offering data management and privacy assurance. GoDaddy has a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and around-the-clock DDoS protection in select plans, while Pair Networks includes automatic malware scanning with all hosting plans. Pair Networks offers enhanced privacy and security for VPS hosting and employs a proprietary ticketing system for customer support. GoDaddy sets itself apart with features like daily backups, resources on demand, and global data centers ensuring faster page loads. GoDaddy’s customer support is award-winning and available 24/7 via phone and chat, which enhances its operational 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. GoDaddy provides explicit compliance with GDPR and PCI requirements but does not specify HIPAA compliance. Pair Networks also does not specify HIPAA compliance.

🏆 Winner GoDaddy: Offering more extensive features and better performance for a wide range of hosting needs.

When it comes to hosting services, GoDaddy and Pair Networks both provide solid options for different users. GoDaddy impresses with its extensive range of hosting plans, including shared, VPS, and managed WordPress hosting. Each plan level-up adds incremental website support, storage, and additional benefits such as free domains and SSL certificates. GoDaddy’s standout features include free WordPress migration, a free domain name, and automated SSL certificate renewals. Additionally, GoDaddy offers automatic daily backups, unmetered bandwidth, and 24×7 support, which makes it a highly versatile choice for both small and large businesses.

Pair Networks, on the other hand, offers specific hosting features that cater to specialized needs. The availability of SFTP access and SSH access in their plans adds layers of security and control, particularly beneficial for developers and tech-savvy users. The presence of a malware scanning tool, automatic core updates, and configurable backups ensures that website security and performance are well-maintained. Pair Networks’ approach to offering certain features like off-server backups, custom email hosting, and dedicated server hosting at an additional price can be a point of consideration for users with advanced needs. However, there’s a clear delineation between what is included and what is optional, making it slightly less user-friendly compared to GoDaddy’s more inclusive packages.

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 Pair Networks 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 offers comprehensive email hosting services, including free email accounts with all plans. This feature ensures robust email capabilities, where users can establish personalized email addresses and manage their communication needs effortlessly. Pair Networks offers email hosting with up to 500 email addresses, making it substantial for sizable teams. However, certain advanced email features come at an additional cost, which might not be as user-friendly for newcomers. Both providers support transactional emails, but GoDaddy’s inclusive approach to email services with no extra charges for essentials stands out as a clear advantage.

🏆 Winner
Pair Networks: Offers more comprehensive features for the price.

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.

Enterprise plans

GoDaddy’s Web Hosting Ultimate and Maximum plans offer solid capacities, with multiple websites and substantial storage options, but Pair Networks stands out with its extensive support and generous data transfer allowances. The WP Professional plans from Pair Networks provide comprehensive WordPress site management, making it a more compelling option for large-scale applications or businesses requiring high data capabilities and extensive site management services.

🏆 Winner
GoDaddy: A user-friendly hosting provider that simplifies both setup and migration processes.

GoDaddy uses an industry-standard cPanel, making it straightforward for users familiar with this widely adopted admin panel. The cPanel is accessible and intuitive, providing features such as one-click app installations, backup management, and security settings. This makes it convenient for both technical and non-technical users to handle everyday tasks without hassle. On the other hand, Pair Networks employs its custom-built Account Control Center (ACC), designed for intuitive use and enhanced security. While the ACC deviates from the familiar cPanel workflow, it still offers a broad range of functions that non-technical users can easily grasp. Users transitioning from other hosts might face a learning curve but benefit from the enhanced performance and security of the ACC.

The automatic backups and free SSL certificates with Pair Networks add an extra layer of convenience for users. Both providers offer easy-to-use control panels, but GoDaddy’s use of the industry-standard cPanel might appeal more to those with prior experience. On the flip side, Pair Networks’ custom ACC provides a well-rounded, albeit different, user experience. The choice between the two may ultimately depend on user preference for familiarity versus innovative custom solutions.

When it comes to migration tools, GoDaddy includes a free WordPress migration tool, simplifying the process for users migrating their WordPress sites. This automated tool minimizes downtime and technical issues, making it user-friendly for newcomers. Pair Networks also offers a migration service to handle the website transfer from an existing host to Pair without extra costs. Both services are designed to facilitate the migration process, but GoDaddy’s automated tool may offer a slight edge in convenience for WordPress users.

Both GoDaddy and Pair Networks provide extensive help center resources. GoDaddy offers 24/7 phone and chat support, a detailed FAQ section, and a multitude of help articles. Pair Networks matches this with 24/7 support and adds extensive tutorials and video guides to aid users. Both platforms maintain comprehensive knowledge bases, ensuring users can find the information they need. Regardless of user expertise, both GoDaddy and Pair Networks provide accessible and resource-rich help centers to assist with any issues.

🏆 Winner Pair Networks: Superior user management capabilities with defined roles and permissions.

GoDaddy and Pair Networks have different approaches to user management and the flexibility of their offerings. GoDaddy provides a general user management system, but there is limited detailed information available for specific roles and permissions outside of what may be available through their typical support channels. Pair Networks, on the other hand, employs a more structured user role and capability setup, specifically with comprehensive WordPress user roles. These predefined roles range from full administrative access to limited profile management, offering a more granular level of control and delegation.

When it comes to user interfaces and tools for managing users, Pair Networks integrates well-defined WordPress user management tools which are user-friendly and intuitive, making it easier for administrators to assign roles and manage permissions. The user interface is straightforward, facilitating smooth navigation for role assignment and adjustments. GoDaddy, while known for its user-centric platform, lacks detailed public documentation on the specifics of their user management tools, making it harder to compare its interface and usability with Pair Networks.

Access control measures are another critical aspect where Pair Networks stands out. The detailed WordPress roles and capabilities provided by Pair Networks ensure that administrators can efficiently manage a growing number of users without compromising on security or control. This system allows for effective scalability and ensures that user access can be restricted or expanded as needed. Without specific details on GoDaddy’s capability to manage an increasing number of users and roles, it is challenging to assess their effectiveness in access control and scalability in the same context.

Pair.com user roles table:

🏆 Winner
GoDaddy: Comprehensive 24/7 support with multiple access points and global data centers for faster page loads.

GoDaddy offers extensive customer support with 24/7 availability through phone, email, and a comprehensive knowledgebase. They also provide live chat support on the United States subdomain, which is an added convenience for immediate assistance. Their support features include SMS support, free WordPress migration tools, automatic daily backups, and global data centers that help improve page load speeds. Security features like DDoS protection and a 30-day money-back guarantee further add to their appeal.

Pair Networks also provides 24/7 support via phone, email, and their proprietary ticketing system. While they don’t offer live chat, their customer reviews highlight the efficiency and expertise of their support team. Pair Networks includes site migration services at no additional cost and specialized WordPress support, making them a competent choice. They emphasize transparency with no hidden fees and offer a more personal touch with local support based in Pittsburgh.

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.

Pair Networks receives high praise from users for its reliable, secure, and affordably priced hosting services. Customers appreciate the robust support, uptime consistency, and the inclusion of essential features like SSL without additional charges. However, users have noted areas for improvement, such as spam filtering, the user interface, and the frequency of hardware updates. Despite some criticisms regarding cost and user navigation, most users are satisfied with the overall quality and reliability of the service.

FAQ