Hostmonster vs Name.com: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over HostMonster vs. Name.com, both hosting providers offer a range of appealing features but have notable differences in performance and usability.

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  Name.com (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  
  offers reliable hosting with an impressive uptime guarantee of 99.99%, ensuring minimal downtime and speedy response times. The hosting provider excels in cloud hosting, leveraging DigitalOcean’s infrastructure to deliver superior CPU performance and scalability. Their automated backups and robust security measures, including various SSL certificates and secure email encryption, make it an attractive option for businesses needing reliability and ease of use. However, Name.com’s user interface might pose challenges for larger-scale user management, and the customer support, while comprehensive, does receive mixed reviews.
  
• 
  HostMonster (Overall grade: 7.4)
  
  
  provides a more feature-rich environment with unmetered bandwidth, a free domain name for the first year, unlimited storage on higher-tier plans, and multiple e-commerce features. Despite not offering cloud hosting, HostMonster excels in eCommerce support, high-traffic website capabilities, and overall security with SiteLock protection and two-factor authentication. Their modified cPanel adds a layer of customization and ease for managing websites, although the user experience is sometimes critiqued for being overly complex. While performance slightly lags behind Name.com, their comprehensive customer support and added security features make it a solid choice for users needing a versatile hosting solution.
  

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
Name.com: Reliable hosting with nearly perfect uptime and fast response times.

Name.com takes the lead with a 99.99% uptime guarantee, ensuring minimal downtime for users. The response time averages 220ms, which is commendable compared to most shared hosting solutions. Free automated backups and strong security measures add to Name.com’s appeal, providing peace of mind for website owners.

HostMonster also demonstrates impressive uptime and availability, with only two brief downtimes over a month-long test. While its load time is faster than the average, HostMonster slightly trails in overall performance. Nevertheless, the hosting service offers reliable customer support and several backend protections, ensuring a stable operation for most websites.

🏆 Winner Name.com: Offers a versatile hosting experience with excellent reliability and performance.

Both HostMonster and Name.com provide solid hosting options, but they differ significantly in several areas. Name.com stands out with its 99.9% uptime guarantee and an efficient cloud hosting infrastructure powered by DigitalOcean’s Intel Xeon Scalable processors. This provides superior CPU performance per dollar compared to AWS and Google Cloud. Name.com’s range of scalability options and a user-friendly interface bolster its appeal. On the other hand, HostMonster offers unmetered bandwidth, a free SSL certificate with all plans, and automated backups at higher-tier plans, all of which are attractive but come at a higher cost.

Website Speed

Name.com delivers improved performance through scalable cloud infrastructure and global data centers. The hosting uses DigitalOcean’s processors for better CPU performance, and this reflects in faster load times. HostMonster, while offering unmetered bandwidth and standard performance across most plans, relies on high-performance only in its Pro plan. Name.com’s free automated backups and server monitoring add another layer to their speed reliability.

Scalability

Name.com offers seamless scalability with easy upgrades for both memory and disk space, but it is unclear if scaling occurs automatically or through plan upgrades. The service provides flexible options for bandwidth and website hosting, tailored to grow with users’ needs. HostMonster mandates plan upgrades for enhanced performance and more resources, a notably manual process. The costs associated with upgrading are specified per plan length, meaning users need to commit to longer terms for better rates.

🏆 Winner HostMonster: A secure and versatile hosting provider.

Both HostMonster and Name.com, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Both HostMonster and Name.com offer robust technical security measures, but there are some differences. HostMonster includes SiteLock security, which offers daily vulnerability scanning and automatic malware removal. Name.com offers various SSL certificates, such as Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV), providing different levels of security. Both providers support PHP, with HostMonster supporting PHP 5 and Name.com supporting PHP versions from 7.0 to 8.0+. HostMonster allows users to tweak their php.ini file, providing more customization options. Name.com provides SSH and SFTP/FTP access for secure server management, similar to HostMonster.

Operational security measures:

When it comes to operational security, HostMonster includes two-factor authentication and hotlink protection, which Name.com does not specify. HostMonster also offers Spam Assassin protection to guard against spam emails. Both providers include automated backups, but Name.com’s integration with Git and HTTP/2 support are significant advantages for developers. HostMonster’s secure site access methods and site security checklist show a proactive approach to operational security. Both hosting providers emphasize secure access and file management, which is essential for maintaining operational security.

Compliance and certifications:

Both HostMonster and Name.com comply with GDPR regulations, ensuring data privacy and protection. HostMonster has been GDPR compliant since May 25, 2018, offering extensive rights to EU residents. Name.com processes data according to GDPR but does not specify any additional regulations that they comply with, such as PCI or HIPAA. HostMonster supports PCI compliance for A and B levels, addressing common vulnerabilities, whereas PCI compliance for Name.com is suggested but not explicitly mentioned.

🏆 Winner
HostMonster: A feature-rich hosting provider with enhanced performance.

Both HostMonster and Name.com cater to diverse hosting needs with an array of features, but some distinctions set them apart. HostMonster is integrated with Bluehost, offering a collection of advanced features to meet various user needs. It includes a free drag-and-drop site builder, free domain name for a year, and unlimited domain hosting. For those who heavily rely on customization, HostMonster supports multiple scripting languages and database options like MySQL and PostgreSQL. Name.com, on the other hand, stands out for its simple, one-click setup and a robust approach to backups with free automated backups every 48 hours. Its ease of use is evident with features like one-click WordPress setup and reliable 99.9% uptime. Both hosts offer cPanel for management, but Name.com’s enterprise-grade email hosting adds a notable edge.

HostMonster provides unlimited storage and data transfer along with various e-commerce features like multiple shopping cart options and SSL secure server support. These are particularly beneficial for online stores. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive suite of multimedia features such as streaming video and audio support. Name.com brings simplicity with automated backups, secure email encryption, and HTTP/2 support. Developers might find Name.com’s Git integration advantageous for version control. Another unique selling point is Name.com’s integration with DigitalOcean for cloud hosting, providing full server access and global data centers. Both providers offer secure FTP/SFTP and SSH access, making them versatile for different security needs and ways to manage files.

Email services:

HostMonster and Name.com both excel in providing comprehensive email services. HostMonster allows unlimited POP3/IMAP email accounts and three different webmail solutions, while Name.com offers enterprise-grade webmail and secure email encryption. Name.com includes spam protection and supports unlimited forwarders and autoresponders, which can be beneficial for running email campaigns. However, neither provider mentions transactional email capabilities or reselling options for third-party email services.

🏆 Winner Name.com: Provides comprehensive and cost-effective hosting solutions with a diverse range of features.

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 HostMonster and Name.com, HostMonster offers a variety of shared hosting plans with prices ranging from $11.99 to $33.99 per month, focusing heavily on website performance and advanced features like SpamExperts and automated backups in higher-tier plans. On the other hand, Name.com provides competitive options, especially in cloud hosting and WordPress hosting, with plans starting as low as $6 per month. Name.com also includes free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates across its plans and provides simple, scalable solutions via DigitalOcean droplets, which can be more appealing to businesses seeking scalable resources and straightforward pricing.

Enterprise plans

For enterprise solutions, HostMonster’s Pro Plan offers a high-performance option with unmetered storage and bandwidth, privacy features, and premium SSL certificates for enhanced security. Conversely, Name.com provides flexibility through its DigitalOcean droplet plans, which can be scaled according to business needs, offering advanced specifications like increased SSD storage and higher memory configurations for demanding applications.

🏆 Winner
Name.com: In terms of ease of use, Name.com stands out due to its flexible and affordable site migration options, intuitive custom admin panel, advanced setup features, and a highly praised help center.

Name.com employs a custom panel called Site Tools, which replaces the traditional cPanel. This interface is designed to be more intuitive and streamlined, enhancing user experience with advanced tools like SG Optimizer and integration of Cloudflare’s CDN to improve website performance and speed. Name.com’s help center is known for its clear and detailed content, which is highly valued by its users.

HostMonster on the other hand, offers a dual interface that combines a custom dashboard with full cPanel access, catering to both beginners and technically advanced users. The platform includes a comprehensive help center filled with a wide variety of guides and tutorials, aimed at assisting users in managing and optimizing their websites effectively.

Both HostMonster and Name.com offer migration services for websites, but their approaches and costs differ. HostMonster provides free automated migrations for WordPress sites specifically within the first 30 days after purchasing a new shared hosting plan. For non-WordPress sites, however, HostMonster charges $149 for migration services, although users have the option to undertake manual migrations, which demand considerable technical expertise. On the other hand, Name.com offers both automated and manual migration options for WordPress and non-WordPress or custom sites alike. Their paid migration service is considerably more affordable at approximately $30.

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. Name.com 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: A higher-rated hosting provider known for its user management through a modified version of cPanel.

When comparing HostMonster and Name.com in terms of managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, HostMonster utilizes a modified version of cPanel. This typically provides a range of features for managing user accounts and permissions, though specific details are not provided. Name.com does not provide specific information about its user management features in the available context. As a result, it’s hard to assess Name.com’s flexibility in creating and defining user roles and permissions. Overall, HostMonster seems more favorable due to its use of cPanel, which is well-known for its comprehensive management tools.

HostMonster offers a modified cPanel interface for user management. cPanel often includes user-friendly and intuitive tools for managing accounts, permissions, and access. Tools such as graphical dashboards, easy navigation menus, and customizable settings typically aid in user management tasks. In contrast, without specific information from Name.com, it’s challenging to gauge the user-friendliness or effectiveness of their interface. The lack of detailed documentation limits the comparison, leaning preference towards HostMonster for its well-known interface.

In terms of access control measures and capability to manage a growing number of users, HostMonster is likely more effective. The modified cPanel interface usually provides robust access control measures, facilitating scalable user management. This includes role-based access controls, user account limits, and activity logs. Given the absence of detailed user management features for Name.com, it’s uncertain how well it can manage a growing user base. HostMonster’s known tools for scaling and securing user access make it a better choice in this regard.

HostMonster user roles table:

🏆 Winner Name.com: Provides extensive customer support features with high reliability.

HostMonster offers a range of support options including 24/7 technical phone support, live chat, and a comprehensive knowledge base loaded with articles and tutorials. They also provide a 30-day money-back guarantee and free SSL certificates with their hosting plans. HostMonster’s support channels are responsive, which is reinforced by their live chat and around-the-clock phone support.

Name.com, in contrast, matches HostMonster on many fronts while providing additional features such as a live virtual bot available during off-hours and extensive support across social media platforms. Their 99.99% uptime guarantee and automated backups ensure high reliability. Customers have rated Name.com highly for ease of use and attentive customer service, making it a strong contender overall.

User feedback

HostMonster receives mixed reviews from users, with positive feedback highlighting its affordable pricing, reliable uptime, and quick website loading times. Users also appreciate the extensive range of features such as addons for security, easy integration with MySQL, and a generally good customer service experience. However, many users find the user interface to be difficult to navigate, particularly for non-technical individuals, and note that technical support can be inconsistent, often more focused on sales than solving issues. Additionally, unexpected costs and technical limitations like frequent PHP updates and challenges with deploying large applications have also been pointed out as significant drawbacks.

User feedback for the hosting provider reveals a mixed bag of experiences. While many users appreciate the straightforward domain registration process, easy-to-use interface, and competitive pricing, there are significant concerns regarding customer service. Negative reviews often highlight slow response times, unhelpful support, and issues with account management. Users also express dissatisfaction with hosting services, citing technical difficulties and a lack of advanced features. However, some long-term users remain loyal, finding the platform reliable for domain-related solutions despite its shortcomings in customer support.

FAQ