Hostwinds vs Knownhost: guide for 2024

Hostwinds vs Knownhost: Final verdict

Looking over Hostwinds vs. KnownHost, both platforms excel in various areas but cater to slightly different user needs.

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  KnownHost (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  offers a comprehensive set of features aimed at high-traffic sites and enterprises, including optimized WordPress hosting, impressive uptime reliability, and an array of security measures. They provide a robust infrastructure with AMD EPYC hardware and NVMe storage for high-speed performance, and their services are backed by high customer satisfaction due to their stellar support system and user-friendly management tools. The advanced security options, including DDoS protection and Imunify360, alongside extensive backup solutions and PCI compliance, make KnownHost a go-to for businesses prioritizing security and reliability.
  
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  Hostwinds (Overall grade: 7.1)
  
  
  excels with its wide array of hosting options, from shared to dedicated servers, and focuses on customizable solutions that are ideal for multimedia websites requiring dedicated resources. Hostwinds features a 99.99% uptime guarantee, although real-world results have shown some variability. Their integration with Cloudflare CDN, SSDs, and LiteSpeed technology ensures fast load times, while their user-friendly control panel, 24/7/365 support, and detailed monitoring service appeal to a diverse user base. Despite slightly lower uptime reliability and some mixed reviews on support, Hostwinds remains a strong contender for users seeking flexible 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 KnownHost: KnownHost demonstrates superior uptime and availability metrics compared to Hostwinds.

KnownHost guarantees a minimum uptime of 99.9%, reporting a historical uptime of 99.996%, with some months experiencing no downtime. They offer a loading time of 1.5 seconds for their main website and include 500 Gbit/s of DDoS protection, which can prevent 99.9% of DDoS attacks. KnownHost also includes free SSL certificates with every hosting account and provides automated snapshot backups.

Hostwinds promises a 99.99% uptime guarantee but had an actual uptime of 99.89% over a monitored period with a notable outage. Their response time averages 945ms, which is below the market average. Hostwinds has data centers in Seattle, Dallas, and Amsterdam, with a system for cloud server monitoring and ticket generation for issues. These features ensure Hostwinds maintains service reliability despite the lower uptime and response metrics.

🏆 Winner Hostwinds: Offers high-performance and reliable hosting solutions with extensive features and a focus on security.

The performance of both Hostwinds and KnownHost is impressive, leveraging SSDs, NVMe storage, and LiteSpeed technology to ensure quick websites. Hostwinds uses SSDs, the latest PHP versions, and Cloudflare CDN for fast load times, while KnownHost employs AMD EPYC hardware and LiteSpeed for efficient web processing. Hostwinds excels with its 99.9999% uptime and route-optimized networking, ensuring minimal latency and quicker speed. Both providers offer built-in CDN services but Hostwinds partners with Cloudflare directly, making it a strong choice for faster content delivery. Moreover, KnownHost has an industry-best uptime of over 99.99%, which while slightly lower, is still excellent.

Website Speed

Hostwinds uses SSDs, LiteSpeed Web Server, and Cloudflare CDN to deliver excellent website speeds. The combination of these technologies results in faster page loads and overall website performance. Their route-optimized networking ensures visitors experience minimal latency. KnownHost matches this with NVMe storage and LiteSpeed, backing it up with their claim of industry-leading uptimes. Both also offer built-in caching solutions, though Hostwinds provides a more interactive website monitoring service that helps maintain optimal speeds.

Scalability

Hostwinds offers quick upgrades based on needs, featuring instant scalability for server resources. They provide enterprise-level hardware, which aids in smooth scaling without interruptions. Prices for upgrades depend on specific requirements and direct communication with their support team. KnownHost also supports easy scaling, though details on whether this is automatic or requires plan upgrades are not provided. Hostwinds edges out slightly by allowing direct instant scalabilities.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost offers a wide range of security features and stellar customer feedback.

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

Technical security measures:

Hostwinds provides SSL certificates, including AutoSSL for free, RapidSSL, and WildCard SSL for purchase. It uses the latest PHP versions and incorporates Litespeed Web Server and Cloudflare CDN for performance and security. KnownHost offers free and premium SSL certificates, extensive DDoS protection, Imunify360, and firewall setup. KnownHost also includes LiteSpeed+LSCache and CloudLinux for performance boosts. Both providers support the latest PHP versions, but KnownHost includes a broader range of additional security measures.

Operational security measures:

Hostwinds has constant monitoring, nightly backups, route optimized networking, and full management support. It offers 24/7/365 support through multiple channels and free website migration. KnownHost provides automated backups, rDNS setup, Mod Security support, and also boasts 24/7 support with high customer satisfaction. Both hostings focus on robust operational security, but KnownHost’s automated and off-server backup systems stand out.

Compliance and certifications:

Hostwinds does not specify information about GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI compliance. KnownHost explicitly mentions PCI compliance and offers SSL certificates that support meeting PCI requirements. GDPR compliance is implied through their robust security measures. For detailed inquiries, contacting each provider directly is advised.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: Excellent service backed by high performance and robust security.

Hostwinds and KnownHost are prominent hosting providers that each offer a range of features tailored to meet different user needs. Hostwinds distinguishes itself with unlimited subdomains, databases, and email accounts across its plans, making it an attractive choice for users seeking comprehensive options. KnownHost focuses on high performance with LiteSpeed + LSCache, NVMe storage, and AMD EPYC platforms, offering a distinct advantage in speed and reliability. Both providers include SSD drives and free SSL certificates, which ensure secure and fast web hosting.

KnownHost excels in security, offering free DDoS protection, Imunify360 for automated security, and multiple backup snapshots. Hostwinds provides nightly backups and monitoring across various hosting types, ensuring your data stays secure. For FTP/SFTP and SSH access, both providers cater to these needs, with KnownHost offering easy management and Hostwinds providing root access for advanced customizations. KnownHost’s distinct advantage includes free domain privacy for life and a 30-day money-back guarantee which may sway users looking for added value and peace of mind in their hosting experience.

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 Example hosting one and Example hosting two 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:

Hostwinds offers unlimited email accounts, which are ideal for users needing extensive email hosting capabilities. KnownHost doesn’t emphasize transactional email capabilities but still provides robust email hosting services with secure options. Neither explicitly mentions integration with third-party email services like Google Workspace or Outlook, focusing instead on their own hosting solutions. KnownHost’s emphasis on security may entice users with higher email security concerns.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: With a competitive edge in various hosting plans, KnownHost’s offerings cater extensively to diverse user 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.

In comparing the pricing plans of Hostwinds and KnownHost, KnownHost generally offers more specialized plans for WordPress hosting, which include advanced features like Litespeed/LSCache and extensive email support. Hostwinds, however, provides a wider range of hosting types including Business and Reseller Web Hosting with extensive management services. Their shared hosting plans also include features such as unlimited subdomains and free SSL certificates. Both providers offer competitive pricing within their categories, but KnownHost has plans with more premium features at slightly higher prices.

Enterprise plans

For enterprise clients, both Hostwinds and KnownHost offer robust solutions. Hostwinds has a diverse range of high-performance dedicated servers and VPS hosting options, with prices starting at $43.25 per month for a managed VPS server. KnownHost’s managed VPS and semi-dedicated hosting plans start at higher price points but provide more advanced hardware features, and customization options, and are well-suited for large-scale deployments requiring high reliability.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost stands out with its excellent customer service and advanced features.

Hostwinds offers cPanel for managing websites, allowing users to handle various hosting tasks with ease. It includes Weebly for site-building without coding and Softaculous for quick application installations. Hostwinds ensures a user-friendly experience even for those without technical expertise, making it accessible for all types of users. KnownHost also uses cPanel, but emphasizes instant setup and free migration services. Users have access to everything they need right from the start without much hassle. Non-technical users will appreciate Softaculous for one-click installations and a smooth administrative experience.

Both Hostwinds and KnownHost offer free website migration services, which can be a crucial aspect for users switching from a different provider. Hostwinds has dedicated support experts who will handle the migration process, ensuring a smooth transition. Similarly, KnownHost provides free migration, often with zero downtime, handled by their shared hosting support staff. This ease of migration eliminates the need for manual work or technical expertise, making both providers quite competitive in this area.

Hostwinds and KnownHost both provide extensive help center resources. Hostwinds offers 24/7/365 support through live chat, tickets, and email, along with detailed product documentation, tutorials, and a community forum. KnownHost features a comprehensive Knowledge Base, popular articles, recommended reads, and a strong customer feedback system. Both providers ensure that users can find support and information easily.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Hostwinds 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: KnownHost provides detailed user management and role functionalities suited for efficient account administration.

Comparing the user management capabilities of Hostwinds and KnownHost reveals a clear distinction. Unfortunately, Hostwinds does not provide specific details about user roles and permissions. KnownHost, on the other hand, offers comprehensive management of user roles through its My KnownHost Panel. This panel allows users to handle their domains efficiently and update WHOIS contact information. Furthermore, KnownHost includes specific guides in their Knowledge Base for managing users and organizations on accounts, adding a layer of guided assistance for administrators. This structured approach allows for better customization and control over user roles and permissions.

The user interfaces provided by each hosting platform also show a difference. Hostwinds lacks detailed information regarding its tools for managing users, making it hard to assess its capabilities. KnownHost offers a user-friendly interface through the My KnownHost Panel, facilitating easy domain and user management. The panel’s structured form allows users to control domain privacy settings and update WHOIS information seamlessly. KnownHost’s thorough knowledge base enhances the user experience by providing step-by-step guidance, making it simpler for users to navigate the panel and manage their accounts.

When evaluating the effectiveness of access control measures, Hostwinds’s capabilities remain undetermined due to the lack of provided information. KnownHost, however, demonstrates robust capabilities with fully managed services and a 24/7/365 support team available. The scalability of KnownHost ensures that even as an organization grows, the platform can effectively handle a larger number of users and manage access control seamlessly. This robustness is further supported by extensive documentation and support, making KnownHost a more reliable option for companies with scaling needs.

Knownhost user roles table:

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost stands out for its exceptional customer service and performance.

Hostwinds and KnownHost offer strong customer support options with several similarities. Both providers have 24/7/365 support through live chat and email/ticket systems, ensuring customers can reach out anytime. Hostwinds also offers phone support available 24/7, while KnownHost provides phone support for both local and international customers during specified hours. Hostwinds stands out for its impressive response times: under 30 seconds for live chat and phone calls, and within five minutes for email tickets. KnownHost, although praised for its fast response, doesn’t specify exact response times but has received positive customer feedback regarding the speed and quality of their support.

KnownHost receives high marks for its friendly and helpful customer service, especially appreciated by beginners. The provider also offers managed hosting services, adding to the appeal for those who prefer a more hands-off approach. Both companies provide valuable resources like tutorials and knowledge bases, but KnownHost complements this with active support forums, fostering community engagement. Hostwinds adds a community support feature, yet it receives mixed reviews regarding service speed and verification processes. Ultimately, KnownHost edges out as the preferred host with an overall higher rating and notable customer satisfaction.

Hostwinds vs Knownhost: User feedback

Hostwinds hosting provider receives high praise for its exceptional customer service, prompt support, and reliable performance, with many users reporting significant improvements in site speed and uptime. Customers especially value the knowledgeable and responsive support team, finding them instrumental in resolving issues quickly. The user-friendly control panel and fair pricing further enhance their experience, though some note that the service can be pricier compared to competitors. However, a couple of reviews highlight issues with site migration and technical support, advising caution for WordPress users. Overall, the positive feedback significantly outweighs the negative, making Hostwinds a highly recommended choice for web hosting.

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.

Hostwinds vs Knownhost: FAQ