Ionos vs Justhost: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over IONOS vs. Just Host, 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.

• 
  IONOS (Overall grade: 8.2)
  
  
  provides a versatile hosting solution with impressive security, speed, and scalability. Its 99.9% uptime guarantee and use of
  georedundant infrastructure offer reliability, while the inclusion of Cloudflare CDN and SSD storage enhances speed and performance.
  IONOS supports a wide range of hosting types, from shared to dedicated servers, and offers advanced features such as customizable firewall
  rules and daily backups. Scalable performance levels and affordable pricing make IONOS suitable for both small businesses and larger projects.
  Additionally, the mobile admin app and 24/7 customer support with personal consultations provide high convenience and efficiency.
  
• 
  Just Host (Overall grade: 7.4)
  
  
  is a good option for beginners, thanks to its user-friendly cPanel interface and drag-and-drop website builder. While offering a 99.95% uptime guarantee,
  Just Host’s performance can be hampered by slower server response times and limited automatic backup options on basic plans. Features like unlimited email accounts
  and $200 in advertising credits add value for small businesses looking to establish or grow their online presence. However, inconsistent customer support and the need
  for manual plan upgrades for improved performance might be a drawback. Despite these challenges, Just Host remains a practical option for users seeking simplicity
  and reasonable performance.
  

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 IONOS: Offers excellent uptime and availability with robust features.

IONOS provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which is bolstered by georedundant infrastructure and DDoS protection. The Cloudflare CDN ensures fast load times, distributing content globally. Daily backups, free SSL certificates, and PHP extended support add to its reliability. The hosting plans are affordable, with features like scalable performance levels, making it an appealing choice for both small and large projects. Additionally, the mobile admin app allows for convenient management.

JustHost offers a 99.95% uptime but struggles with server response speeds and inconsistent customer support. While it has a data center in Utah and multiple global headquarters, the automatic backup feature is limited to premium plans. Basic users must manage backups manually, which can be time-consuming. Customer reviews often point out flaws in its support system despite 24/7 availability for dedicated hosting customers.

🏆 Winner IONOS: Offers superior performance and scalability.

When comparing general performance, IONOS outshines Just Host. IONOS boasts faster speeds with SSD storage and the latest PHP 8.2 with JIT compiler. HTTP/2 protocol and Cloudflare CDN contribute to its impressive speed, distributing content to over 60 data centers globally. Just Host, while reliable, offers high-performance only in its Pro Plan and lacks specific speed-boosting features like IONOS. Both offer 24/7 network monitoring and multiple data centers, but IONOS’ infrastructure is georedundant, providing an extra layer of reliability.

Website speed

IONOS delivers faster website speeds with its dual platform technology, keeping web servers and storage on the same platform for quicker performance. The HTTP/2 protocol and Cloudflare CDN further enhance loading times, ensuring swift delivery of SSL encrypted traffic. Just Host, meanwhile, doesn’t have these specific speed-enhancing features, resulting in comparatively slower load times. Furthermore, IONOS’ use of SSD storage ensures faster read/write speeds, giving it a notable edge over Just Host’s standard performance offerings.

Scalability

IONOS provides scalable performance management, allowing users to adjust levels as needed with each additional level costing $2/month. Email notifications alert users when their current performance levels need upgrading. Just Host offers more traditional scaling through plan upgrades, with enhanced caching and storage options for dedicated hosting plans. While IONOS offers elastic scaling that adjusts automatically, Just Host requires manual upgrades for improved performance. Both hostings provide dedicated server options, but specific costs for scaling beyond this aren’t provided for either.

🏆 Winner IONOS: Offers robust security measures and broad compliance features suited for various online needs.

Both IONOS and Just Host have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

IONOS provides an array of technical security measures including up to 256-bit encryption with SSL certificates, DDoS protection, malware scanning, and removal, as well as customizable firewall rules. Just Host offers SiteLock for small business security which includes daily vulnerability scans, automatic malware removal, and a web application firewall. While both services provide comprehensive security, IONOS’s inclusion of advanced features like customizable firewall rules and SIEM software offers a slight edge over Just Host’s offerings.

Operational security measures:

IONOS excels in operational security with features such as automatic daily backups, georedundant data centers, and advanced intrusion detection and prevention systems. Just Host, on the other hand, provides daily malware and vulnerability scans, email notifications of threats, and a secure dashboard for monitoring security status. IONOS provides additional operational benefits through 24/7 technical support and personalized consultation, making it a more efficient option for continual operational security.

Compliance and certifications:

IONOS maintains full GDPR compliance and operates ISO-certified data centers. Their focus on various types of SSL certificates implies a level of PCI compliance although not explicitly stated. Just Host offers GDPR compliance and basic security measures necessary for PCI compliance, such as SSL certificates and SiteLock. Given the explicit mention of GDPR and ISO compliance, IONOS showcases superior adherence to regulatory requirements.

🏆 Winner
Just Host: Offering a seamless and robust hosting experience with a comprehensive feature set.

Just Host and IONOS both come equipped with a range of enticing features, yet they cater to different user needs. IONOS boasts a notable georedundant infrastructure and a content delivery network (CDN) backed by Cloudflare, providing a solid foundation for uptime and performance. They also include HTTP/2 protocol, PHP 8.2 with JIT compiler, and seamless scalability options. On the other hand, Just Host offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder which stands out for ease of use, making it an appealing choice for beginners. Moreover, Just Host highlights unlimited email accounts with POP3/IMAP support and various one-click installs for popular applications, streamlining the setup process for non-technical users.

A key differentiator is in the free services and policies each provider offers. IONOS includes a free domain for the first year, professional email, and a free Wildcard SSL certificate with every plan, emphasizing their commitment to comprehensive service without hidden fees. Contrarily, Just Host amplifies its appeal by providing $100 Google AdWords credits and $100 Microsoft Advertising credits, which can be instrumental for small businesses looking to boost their online presence. Both providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but IONOS adds an extra layer of personalized support with a dedicated consultant, making it distinctive for those who might need guided assistance.

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 Just Host and IONOS 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:

IONOS provides professional email hosting, perfect for setting up custom email addresses for your business domain. This can be advantageous for small to medium businesses aiming for a professional image. Just Host, on the other hand, offers unlimited email accounts with POP3/IMAP support, which can be beneficial for large teams requiring numerous email addresses. Additionally, Just Host includes email marketing tools, allowing users to initiate their own email campaigns without needing third-party services.

Both hosting providers present valuable features, but the best choice depends on the specific needs and priorities of the user.

Winner: Just Host: Just Host: Offers a blend of comprehensive features and value across various hosting plans.

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. Although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

IONOS provides an array of distinct hosting plans, such as Essential, Starter, Plus, and Ultimate, starting as low as $4 per month for web hosting. IONOS also offers managed WordPress and WooCommerce plans with varying features and price points. Conversely, Just Host encompasses four primary shared hosting plans—Basic, Plus, Choice Plus, and Pro—starting from $14.99 per month. Just Host further extends its offerings to powerful VPS and dedicated hosting plans, catering to more advanced needs. Both providers include essential features such as SSL certificates and free domain registration, but Just Host’s higher-rated performance in customer satisfaction gives it a slight edge.

Enterprise plans

IONOS Ultimate Plan ($16/month) stands out with unlimited websites, storage, databases, top-tier CPU & MEM resources, and extensive support options. Just Host Pro Plan ($35.99/month) offers unlimited websites, high performance, unmetered storage & bandwidth, multiple SpamExperts protections, CodeGuard Basic, and dedicated IP. Both provide substantial features, but Just Host’s focus on high performance and comprehensive security measures aligns well with enterprise needs.

🏆 Winner
IONOS: IONOS offers a user-friendly setup process with extensive support options.

IONOS features a user-friendly custom control panel that simplifies website management for both technical and non-technical users. The WP Assistant streamlines the setup process for WordPress hosting, making it accessible even for beginners. The Click & Build feature further enhances usability by allowing users to install popular applications like TYPO3, Joomla, and Drupal with minimal effort. Managed WordPress hosting with customizable updates and numerous free plugins and themes adds an extra layer of convenience.

Just Host uses the standard cPanel control panel, which is known for its user-friendly interface. The cPanel is a familiar environment for many users and includes comprehensive management tools for domains, email accounts, statistics, and databases. Just Host also offers 1-Click Script Installs through SimpleScripts, allowing for the automatic installation of leading scripts like WordPress and Joomla. The integration of various features within the control panel ensures that users can manage their website efficiently.

For site migration, both IONOS and Just Host provide solutions, but with slightly different approaches. IONOS doesn’t specifically mention automated migration tools but provides extensive support through its Help Center and personal consultant. On the other hand, Just Host offers manual migration services and automated tools via SimpleScripts. These services are generally part of their hosting plans, minimizing additional costs for users.

Both hosting providers offer extensive help center resources. IONOS has a detailed Help Center, 24/7 customer support, and dedicated personal consultants for personalized assistance. Just Host boasts a comprehensive knowledge base, phone, chat, and email support, alongside numerous tutorials and an interactive help center. Both platforms ensure users have access to necessary resources for troubleshooting and setup.

🏆 Winner: IONOS: Efficient role-based user management for greater control.

IONOS and JustHost offer quite different approaches in managing user roles and permissions. IONOS, with its Cloud Panel, allows for detailed customization of user roles, allowing the creation, cloning, and deletion of roles. Each role can be assigned a mix of permissions tailored to specific needs. JustHost, on the other hand, utilizes the cPanel interface, which does not focus as heavily on customizable user roles. Instead, it emphasizes ease of use and multi-account management. While JustHost provides root access for VPS hosting and easy account oversight, it lacks the granularity in role-based permissions that IONOS offers.

When it comes to user interfaces for managing users, IONOS employs its Cloud Panel, which provides an overview page for role management and a permissions page for detailed settings. It allows administrators to see all data related to roles and users in an organized manner. In contrast, JustHost uses the cPanel interface, known for its user-friendly design and straightforward navigation, making it accessible even for beginners. Although its enhanced cPanel for VPS offers additional features, it mainly focuses on simplifying account management rather than detailed role configuration.

Regarding access control measures, IONOS excels in providing a structured approach to assigning permissions and managing user roles, ensuring that roles are not only defined but also versatile. The ability to assign multiple roles to users and vice versa enhances its effectiveness in growing user numbers. JustHost offers robust control with root access (for VPS) and multi-account management but lacks the detailed role-specific permissions present in IONOS. The administrative flexibility in IONOS makes it a better option for environments with complex access needs and numerous users.

IONOS User Roles Table:

🏆 Winner IONOS: IONOS provides industry-leading customer support with 24/7 availability and a dedicated personal consultant.

When comparing the customer support offered by IONOS and JustHost, IONOS stands out for its 24/7 availability and additional enterprise support options. IONOS offers a personal consultant who can be reached via chat, email, or phone, giving users a tailored support experience during standard business hours. Additionally, their award-winning support, available through multiple channels including a help center and community resources, ensures that users have access to professional assistance whenever needed.

JustHost also provides comprehensive customer service with 24/7 support through phone, chat, and email. Although they offer dependable service, they require detailed validation information for support assistance. JustHost’s lack of dedicated enterprise support and personal consultants distinguishes it from IONOS. Despite this, they offer free domain registration with longer-term plans and solid uptime performance. Yet, the overall support experience with JustHost may not have the seamless, tailored touch that IONOS provides, highlighting IONOS as the superior choice based on customer service.

User feedback

The user feedback on the hosting provider is highly mixed. Some customers appreciate the affordability and ease of use, particularly for startups, and praise the good customer support and convenient packages. However, many others criticize the company’s unreliable service, outdated user interface, and poor handling of issues, including severe downtime and inadequate customer support. There are also concerns about deceptive business practices and difficulty with account management, leading to significant dissatisfaction among long-term users.

JustHost is praised for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great option for beginners wanting to learn more about hosting and cPanel. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and reliable performance with minimal outages. The introductory pricing is highly attractive, offering significant savings for long-term commitments. However, some users feel that the regular pricing after the initial period can be steep, though still competitive.

FAQ