Hostmonster vs Aplus.net: guide for 2024

Hostmonster vs Aplus.net: Final verdict

Looking over HostMonster vs. Aplus.net, 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.

• 
  HostMonster (Overall grade: 7.4)
  
  offers a wide array of hosting options, including shared, WordPress, eCommerce, VPS, and dedicated hosting. It stands out with its reliable uptime and quick website speeds. The platform provides extensive security features such as SSH access, spam blockers, and two-factor authentication, all backed by 24/7 customer support. HostMonster’s control panel is user-friendly, and it includes tools like a drag-and-drop site builder, which is beneficial for less tech-savvy users. However, the higher-tier plans can be costly, and users have reported issues with customer support and upselling tactics.
• 
  Aplus.net (Overall grade: 6.1)
  
  excels in flexibility and performance due to its cloud hosting solutions, SSD storage, and Cloudflare CDN integration. It offers shared and VPS hosting but lacks in WordPress and dedicated hosting options. While Aplus.net provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee and a comprehensive service range, users often report frequent downtime and slow response times from customer support. Its pricing is competitive, especially for cloud and VPS plans, but its user interface and outdated features can be a drawback for some. The platform also falls short in offering robust technical security measures and customization features compared to HostMonster.

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
HostMonster: Reliable uptime with strong customer support.

HostMonster shines with its impeccable uptime performance and reliable service. Throughout a 14-day test, the site exhibited no crashes, and over a month, only two minor interruptions were recorded. Their website speed is notable, loading significantly faster than average tests. Moreover, features like SSH access, spam blocker IP deny, and leech protect offer solid security. HostMonster’s 24/7 support through multiple channels ensures your site remains operational.

Aplus.net offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee over three months, yet there are reliability concerns from some users reporting frequent downtime. Their support is available via live chat, US phone, FAQ, and social channels, but the slow response has been noted. Despite its uptime promise, the issues with reliability and support responsiveness impact its overall appeal. Data center location in Phoenix, Arizona, is a point of interest but does not mitigate these reliability concerns.

🏆 Winner Aplus.net: Offers more flexibility and higher performance across various plans.

When comparing the general performance of HostMonster and Aplus.net, Aplus.net stands out with its cloud hosting solutions that enhance data redundancy and prioritize security. HostMonster provides unmetered bandwidth and storage on higher-tier plans but relies on standard servers. In contrast, Aplus.net rotates services within cloud clusters to prevent data loss and integrates Cloudflare CDN for speed and security. Aplus.net’s data centers are state-of-the-art and globally located, providing a reliable infrastructure. While HostMonster offers basic caching and performance features, Aplus.net’s use of SSDs, QuickBooks integration, and better redundancy measures give it an edge.

Website Speed

HostMonster provides standard performance across most of its plans, with enhanced speeds only in the Pro tier. Aplus.net leverages SSD storage even in its most basic plans, which generally leads to faster load times and better PageSpeed scores. The integration of Cloudflare CDN further optimizes Aplus.net’s website performance, reducing latency and improving site responsiveness globally. HostMonster’s advantage lies in its high-performance servers available in the Pro plan, which could be beneficial for larger, high-traffic sites.

Scalability

Aplus.net offers a more elastic approach to scaling, particularly through its VPS hosting options that come with SSD storage and Cloudflare CDN integration. While automatic scaling features are not detailed for either provider, Aplus.net allows for easy upgrades across plans. The VPS and dedicated server options provide additional layers for growth without compromising performance. HostMonster requires manual plan upgrades, and most high-performance features are tied to the Pro plan, which may be costlier for growing businesses. Pricing for dedicated resources in HostMonster’s plans starts from $12.99 per month, whereas Aplus.net’s VPS starts at $31.99 per month, offering more control and higher performance out of the box.

🏆 Winner
HostMonster: This provider ensures robust security features with comprehensive protection and compliance measures.

Technical security measures:

HostMonster and Aplus.net both offer strong SSL certificate options, but HostMonster provides a wider range of choices including premium SSL certificates starting at $80.04 per year and free generated certificates with some plans. Aplus.net’s SSL certificates start at $34.99/year for small business websites, making it more affordable but less versatile. HostMonster also supports multiple PHP versions and allows custom PHP.INI files, whereas Aplus.net does not specify PHP version support. HostMonster’s additional security features include two-factor authentication, hotlink protection, and SSH access, providing a broader technical security framework compared to Aplus.net.

Operational security measures:

HostMonster employs extensive operational security measures, such as SiteLock security features like daily 360-degree vulnerability scanning, automatic malware removal, and proactive vulnerability scanning. Aplus.net also offers SiteLock with daily scanning and removal, but its focus is more on the user-friendly dashboard and trust seal for customer credibility. HostMonster’s checklist for maintaining basic site security is comprehensive, including removing malicious files and using anti-virus software across different operating systems, while Aplus.net emphasizes strong password requirements.

Compliance and certifications:

HostMonster has been GDPR compliant since May 25, 2018, offering rights such as access, rectification, and the right to be forgotten. It supports PCI compliance for both category A and B. Aplus.net, while focusing on strong password requirements and data protection, does not explicitly specify GDPR or PCI compliance details. Both providers emphasize securing customer information, but HostMonster presents a clearer compliance framework.

🏆 Winner HostMonster: HostMonster offers extensive features and flexibility for various user needs.

HostMonster provides an extensive suite of features, making it a versatile option for diverse hosting requirements. With a free drag-and-drop site builder, it caters well to users looking for a user-friendly platform to construct their websites without extensive coding knowledge. For those with more advanced needs, HostMonster offers customization flexibility through support for numerous programming languages like PHP, Perl, Python, and Ruby on Rails. Additional benefits include a free domain name for the first year, unlimited domain hosting, and various e-commerce, multimedia, CGI, and database functionalities. These features combined with robust security measures such as SSL secure servers and SSH access make it a comprehensive hosting solution.

Aplus.net, on the other hand, focuses on giving users complete control over their VPS with cPanel. This includes resource allocation, user account management, and seamless scaling without downtime. It features pure SSD drives for faster performance and integrates with Cloudflare for enhanced speed and security. While it also offers free SSL certificates and dedicated IP addresses, it lacks the free website builder available with HostMonster. Users looking for a streamlined VPS environment with scalable resources and easy email management will appreciate Aplus.net. However, the absence of a mention about SSH could be a limitation for those requiring secure Shell access.

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 HostMonster and Aplus.net 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:

Email services at HostMonster support various secure email protocols including POP3 and IMAP, and three different webmail solutions. Conversely, Aplus.net provides full control over email address allocation via cPanel, which is ideal for users managing multiple websites. Neither has an explicit focus on transactional email capabilities or reselling third-party email services like Google Workspace or Outlook.

🏆 Winner Aplusnet: Aplusnet offers comprehensive plans that cater to various user needs, making it the preferred choice for a range of hosting solutions.

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.

Comparing HostMonster and Aplusnet pricing plans highlights key differences in features and flexibility. HostMonster offers four shared web hosting plans, starting with the Basic Plan at $12.99/month, supporting one website with standard performance and limited email accounts. Their Pro Plan goes up to $33.99/month, offering unlimited websites, higher performance, and added features like a free dedicated IP and Positive SSL. On the other hand, Aplusnet’s cloud hosting plans start at $5.99/month with the Professional Cloud Hosting Plan, which includes unlimited storage and transfer capabilities, a free domain, and 100 email addresses. Aplusnet’s VPS plans, such as VPS 1024, begin at $31.99/month, offering features like dedicated IPs, Cloudflare CDN, and more. While HostMonster provides a variety of plans suited for different levels of needs, Aplusnet covers an extensive range of functionalities, making it a versatile option for different user requirements.

Enterprise plans

HostMonster and Aplusnet both offer hosting solutions suited for enterprise needs. HostMonster’s Pro Plan at $33.99/month supports unlimited websites with higher performance, unmetered storage, and bandwidth, and includes features such as a free dedicated IP and Positive SSL certificate. Meanwhile, Aplusnet provides robust VPS plans like VPS 4096, priced at $53.99/month, which includes 80GB SSD storage, 2TB bandwidth, 4 processors, cPanel with WHMCS, and multiple email management options. Aplusnet’s versatility and broad feature set may offer enhanced value for enterprises looking for flexible and scalable hosting solutions.

🏆 Winner
HostMonster: HostMonster has instant setup, 1-click WordPress installation, and comprehensive help center resources.

HostMonster features a standard cPanel, which is well-known for its user-friendly interface and flexibility. Non-technical users will appreciate its intuitive layout, while technical users can take advantage of its advanced features. The presence of 1-click WordPress installs and site builders further simplifies the website setup process. On the other hand, Aplus.net also offers immediate account setup and activation, making it easy for users to get started. Although specific details about the admin panel are not provided, the ease of account management, especially with its QuickBooks integration, suggests a streamlined and efficient interface.

When comparing the migration tools, only HostMonster provides detailed information. HostMonster includes resources like step-by-step guides and 24/7 support to help users through site migration. There is no mention of automated migration tools, but the extensive help center can support manual migration. For Aplus.net, no specific site migration tools or assistance details are provided, which might present challenges for users looking to transfer their websites without third-party help.

HostMonster excels in providing quality and accessible help center resources. They offer a detailed help center filled with articles, guides, and video tutorials, making it easier for users to find solutions. With 24/7 support available via phone, chat, and an expansive knowledge base, users are well-supported. In contrast, no information about Aplus.net’s help center is available, potentially leaving users to rely on external resources or customer support for help.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. HostMonster offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. Aplus.net 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 HostMonster: HostMonster provides a more streamlined experience for managing user roles and permissions.

When comparing the user management capabilities of HostMonster and Aplus.net, HostMonster clearly stands out for utilizing a modified version of cPanel, which offers features for managing user accounts and permissions. Although Aplus.net doesn’t provide specific details about user roles or management features, the cPanel used by HostMonster generally allows for more flexibility in creating and defining user roles. This flexibility gives users an edge in tailoring permissions and access levels.

Both platforms likely offer some form of user interface and tools for managing users, with cPanel once again being a key component for HostMonster. Through cPanel, users can easily manage multiple accounts, set permissions, and handle other administrative tasks. Aplus.net’s lack of detailed information leaves a gap in understanding its user interface and tools, which makes it difficult to compare directly.

Access control measures and the ability to manage a growing number of users are also areas where HostMonster benefits from its use of cPanel. The platform provides a range of features that facilitate not just basic user account management, but scaling up as a site’s user base grows. This efficiency in handling user management is less clear with Aplus.net, given the lack of available information about its capabilities.

HostMonster user roles table:

🏆 Winner
Aplus.net: Offers consistent and efficient 24/7 customer support through multiple channels with generally positive reviews.

When it comes to customer support, HostMonster and Aplus.net offer a variety of options to their customers. HostMonster provides 24/7 technical support via phone, with dedicated sales support available during specified hours, as well as live chat, email, and a comprehensive knowledge base. Their support channels also include a ticketing system, and they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for basic hosting services. Aplus.net also offers extensive support options with 24/7/365 availability through chat, phone, email, and ticket. They feature a user-friendly interface, a well-designed control panel, and security measures like two-layer authentication and firewall protection. Customers generally review Aplus.net positively, praising the reliability and helpfulness of their support team.

While both hosting providers offer solid customer service options, Aplus.net’s higher reliability and efficiency ratings give it a slight edge. The user interface and account management portal add to the overall user experience. HostMonster’s extensive knowledge base is beneficial for those who prefer self-service options, but Aplus.net’s consistently positive customer reviews highlight its supportive environment. Both companies provide free domain names and SSL certificates with their hosting plans, catering to their users’ security and website management needs.

Hostmonster vs Aplus.net: User feedback

HostMonster hosting services receive mixed reviews. Users appreciate the high uptime, competitive pricing, and range of additional features like CDN, SSL, and malware scanning. However, many find the user interface challenging to navigate and customer support lacking, with frequent complaints about upselling tactics and inadequate assistance. Additionally, some users experienced difficulties with large-scale applications and frequent PHP version updates that disrupted their websites.

Aplus.net offers a comprehensive range of services that cater to various business needs, from web hosting and domain registration to marketing and security. Users appreciate its reliability, uptime guarantees, and the ease of accessing multiple services through a single platform. However, some users find the customer support slow and occasionally unhelpful, and there are concerns about outdated features and interface complexity. Pricing is deemed reasonable by many, but a few note that it can be higher compared to other providers.

Hostmonster vs Aplus.net: FAQ