Hetzner vs Green Geeks: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over Hetzner vs. GreenGeeks, both hosting providers present solid features with distinct advantages catering to various user needs and preferences.

• 
  GreenGeeks (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  
  offers a compelling mix of performance, reliability, and eco-conscious practices. It’s particularly suited for WordPress users, ecommerce sites, and agencies, thanks to features like WP-CLI, free CDN, and built-in caching. The platform showcases consistent uptime and quick server responses, with data centers spread across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Despite minor downsides such as potentially complex pricing, GreenGeeks’ user-friendly cPanel, robust customer support, and extensive migration services make it a top choice for those seeking a balance between advanced features and environmental responsibility.
  
• 
  Hetzner (Overall grade: 7.9)
  
  
  provides a range of hosting solutions, excelling in areas like multimedia and high-traffic websites due to its robust disk space and strong network redundancy. The 99.9% uptime guarantee and detailed security features, including ISO 27001 certification and DDoS protection, ensure reliable performance. While its custom konsoleH admin panel offers comprehensive management options, it may require a higher level of technical skill from users. Though customer support gets mixed reviews and lacks live chat, Hetzner’s competitive pricing and feature-rich plans make it a viable option for tech-savvy users requiring customizable and scalable 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
GreenGeeks: Outstanding uptime performance and consistent server response.

Hetzner Online offers a reliable hosting service with a 99.9% uptime guarantee and often reaches 100% uptime in tests. It has data centers in Germany, Finland, and the USA, ensuring global coverage. 24/7 monitoring and free DDoS protection enhance network stability, while Juniper backbone technology provides network redundancy.

GreenGeeks claims a 99.9% uptime goal, with actual performance showing 100% uptime in multiple tests. Data centers in the US, Canada, Netherlands, and Singapore offer a range of geographical options. Even though compensation for downtime is minimal, GreenGeeks shines with quick and consistent server response times, making it a high-reliability choice.

🏆 Winner: GreenGeeks: Efficient performance with eco-friendly hosting solutions.

GreenGeeks and Hetzner both offer strong performance but with distinct focal points. GreenGeeks provides built-in plugins like the LiteSpeed WebServer and LS Cache Plugin, enhancing site speeds considerably by optimizing with SSDs and the latest PHP versions. On the other hand, Hetzner uses NVMe SSDs for improved read and write speeds. Both providers offer free CDN services for faster global access, with GreenGeeks providing unmetered transfer and Hetzner boasting a higher network availability of 99.9%. GreenGeeks has data centers in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, while Hetzner operates in Germany, Finland, and the USA.

Website speed

GreenGeeks utilizes technologies such as LiteSpeed WebServer and LS Cache Plugin, combined with SSD storage and HTTP/3, contributing to quicker load times. Hetzner features NVMe SSDs and daily backups, which also enhance performance, though specific speed-boosting technologies aren’t highlighted as prominently. Both offer free SSL certificates, but GreenGeeks’ built-in caching and WP-CLI integration further help speed optimization. While both are similar, GreenGeeks’ additional speed technologies give it an edge.

Scalability

GreenGeeks offers various plans with no explicit mention of elastic scaling, though it has automatic updates and scalable resources within each plan. They have dedicated IPs in the Premium Plan but do not specify dedicated servers. Costs for scaling are included in the plan upgrades, from $2.95 to $8.95 per month. Hetzner, on the other hand, provides managed servers with no minimum contract period and a flexible invoicing system for additional disk space and traffic overuse. Hetzner’s cloud hosting options with shared and dedicated vCPU options suggest more straightforward scalability, though specific automatic scaling isn’t mentioned. Costs depend on the resources used, reflecting a potentially flexible cost structure.

🏆 Winner Hetzner: Offers a robust set of security features including advanced DDoS protection and ISO 27001 certification for data centers.

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

Technical security measures:

Both Hetzner and GreenGeeks offer a variety of technical security measures, but there are distinct differences. Hetzner provides SSL certificates through Symantec and Let’s Encrypt, secure connections via SSL/TLS, FTPS/SFTP, and SSH on port 222. It has a comprehensive array of supported PHP versions and extensive PHP configurator options. GreenGeeks, on the other hand, includes a free Wildcard SSL certificate for WooCommerce and a Let’s Encrypt certificate, while offering multiple PHP versions, notably including up to PHP 8.2. Both platforms feature advanced DDoS protection and automated defenses.

Operational security measures:

Hetzner excels in operational security with ISO 27001 certifications for its data centers and 24/7 monitoring with SMS notifications for technicians. It also has automated defense mechanisms against brute-force attacks and a ClamAV virus scanner. GreenGeeks provides 24/7 network security with AI-powered WAF, free malware cleanups, and custom security rules for WooCommerce. GreenGeeks also leverages container-based technology for isolation and uses Immunify360 for malware protection.

Compliance and certifications:

Hetzner is fully compliant with GDPR, featuring a Data Processing Agreement in line with Article 28. Although PCI compliance is not specified, the platform adheres strictly to European data protection laws. GreenGeeks suggests compliance with industry standards like GDPR and PCI, although specific details are not provided. Contacting GreenGeeks directly for explicit information on compliance is recommended.

🏆 Winner
Hetzner: Comprehensive hosting options with a wide range of customizable features for diverse needs.

Hetzner and GreenGeeks both offer robust hosting solutions, catering to different market segments. Hetzner’s hosting plans vary significantly in feature capacity, providing unlimited mailboxes, substantial NVMe SSD disk space, and a plethora of sub-domains and add-on domains. This flexibility ensures that users can scale their resources according to their specific requirements without switching providers. GreenGeeks, renowned for its eco-friendly approach, matches its energy usage by 300% through renewable sources, making it a compelling choice for environmentally conscious users. GreenGeeks also offers a free domain name for the first year, built-in caching, and WordPress-optimized services—factors that ensure optimal performance and ease of use for WordPress site owners.

While both providers excel in their offerings, certain differences stand out. Hetzner’s FTP/SFTP and SSH access capabilities offer enhanced security and usability, vital for tech-savvy users handling sensitive data or complex applications. Additionally, Hetzner offers an interactive server login via SSH and a range of developer-centric features like WSGI for Python applications, making it suitable for developers managing intricate projects. On the other hand, GreenGeeks includes a free backup service and free Content Delivery Network (CDN) that can significantly improve site performance and reliability. Moreover, their Pro and Premium plans include on-demand backups and WordPress repair tools, further simplifying website management.

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 Hetzner and GreenGeeks 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:

Hetzner offers a wide range of email hosting services with up to unlimited mailboxes and extensive forwarding and autoresponder options, making it suitable for substantial email campaigns and organizational communication needs. GreenGeeks matches this with their unlimited email accounts across most plans, integrated with free SSL certificates and daily backups, enhancing security and reliability. Both providers offer secure transactional email capabilities, ensuring users can manage their email marketing and internal communication effectively. GreenGeeks does not offer reselling of third-party services like Google Workspace or Outlook, focusing on their in-built solutions.

🏆 Winner GreenGeeks: A hosting provider with eco-friendly initiatives and a robust feature set.

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.

Hetzner offers a diverse range of plans with competitive pricing across various hosting categories. GreenGeeks, on the other hand, focuses on green energy while providing rich features at a discounted introductory price. GreenGeeks’ plans also include essential tools like free SSL certificates and domain names for the first year, which are compelling for new users. While Hetzner provides many advanced features, GreenGeeks’ combination of introductory offers, green energy matching, and additional features makes it a strong contender.

Enterprise plans

Hetzner’s enterprise-level plans, particularly the vServer MC60 and MA80, offer robust performance for enterprises needing higher computational power and significant disk space. GreenGeeks’ reseller hosting plans are a strong option for enterprises wanting to manage multiple websites, thanks to features like free SSL certificates, SSD storage, and Green Energy initiatives. Both providers cater well to different aspects of enterprise needs, making them formidable options depending on specific requirements.

🏆 Winner GreenGeeks: Simple and efficient WordPress setup in seconds.

Hetzner offers a custom admin panel called konsoleH, designed to simplify tasks for both non-technical and experienced users. This interface allows for comprehensive account management, including domain registration, email setup, and server configuration. Its versatility extends to managing multiple accounts and services, making it a robust choice for users looking to have granular control over their hosting environment.

In contrast, GreenGeeks utilizes the widely familiar cPanel, which provides an easily navigable and intuitive interface. The onboarding process is smooth, with accessible 24/7 support to guide users through the setup. GreenGeeks also emphasizes ease of use, offering a seamless experience especially for WordPress users. Even beginners can handle website setups and configurations with minimal hassle, thanks to the transparent and instructional layout of cPanel.

GreenGeeks provides free WordPress migration services, a valuable feature for users switching from another hosting provider. This service removes the technical barriers of migrating a website. Hetzner’s migration capabilities are more manual, requiring users to follow detailed guides and tutorials. While these resources are extensive, they might require a higher level of technical knowledge, potentially making the process daunting for less experienced users.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Hetzner offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. GreenGeeks 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 Hetzner Online: Efficient and detailed user management capabilities for business needs.

When comparing the user management features of Hetzner Online and GreenGeeks, Hetzner demonstrates greater flexibility in defining user roles and permissions. Hetzner’s approach to creating groups and managing user roles allows for specific administrative designations and detailed quota settings for individual users. Additionally, Hetzner provides options to customize storage quotas, password resets, and account deletions. In contrast, GreenGeeks offers a basic setup with two main user roles—Collaborator or Client—and a straightforward method for inviting and managing users, which is less intricate than Hetzner’s system.

The user interface for managing roles and users in Hetzner is comprehensive but may appear complex due to its multi-step process involving detailed user information and quotas. Each user addition or group creation often requires navigating through several settings. GreenGeeks, on the other hand, features a cleaner and more intuitive interface for user management, making it easy for non-technical users to manage access by navigating through profile settings and the account access feature.

In terms of access control measures, Hetzner stands out with its detailed logs and filters for monitoring user activities, which can be essential for businesses needing thorough oversight. Hetzner’s capability to manage numerous users efficiently is bolstered by its robust options for setting storage limits and creating custom login pages. GreenGeeks, while effective for smaller operations, might struggle under the weight of larger scale user management due to its simpler access controls and fewer administrative options.

Hetzner Online User Roles Table:

GreenGeeks User Roles Table:

🏆 Winner
GreenGeeks: Recognized for its exceptional customer service and free migration services.

Hetzner Online offers a range of customer service options, including email, ticketing, and limited phone support available Monday to Friday. They provide extensive documentation for self-service, but the absence of live chat support may be a drawback for some. Support is available in multiple languages, though there are mixed reviews, with some users reporting slow response times and unresolved billing disputes.

GreenGeeks stands out with 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and phone, making it accessible round the clock. They offer free migration services for cPanel and WordPress accounts, and their customer reviews are largely positive, highlighting quick resolution times. Additionally, GreenGeeks provides a well-stocked knowledge base and a Quick Launch Wizard to assist users in self-learning and onboarding.

User feedback

Users generally find the hosting provider to be cost-effective with robust performance capabilities, able to handle demanding tasks reliably. Many reviewers appreciate the competitive pricing, ease of use, and the fast, reliable infrastructure. While customer support is often praised for its availability and helpfulness, some users believe it could still see improvements. The platform’s dashboard and additional features could benefit from enhancements, but overall, users are satisfied with the value and quality of service provided.

Users generally appreciate the hosting provider for its excellent customer support, fast and reliable performance, and user-friendly dashboard. The eco-friendly aspect of the service is also a significant plus for many users. However, there are recurring concerns regarding the pricing, which tends to increase after the initial years, and the performance during high-demand scenarios. Additionally, some users have experienced issues with strict resource usage policies and limited plans for specific hosting needs.

FAQ