Kinsta vs Hivelocity: guide for 2024

Kinsta vs Hivelocity: Final verdict

When examining Kinsta vs. Hivelocity, both platforms offer strong web hosting solutions with unique strengths catering to different needs.

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  Kinsta (Overall grade: 8.5)
  
  
  leverages the Google Cloud Platform to provide an exceptional infrastructure focusing on WordPress-specific hosting needs. Users benefit from various advanced features like Edge Caching, continuous MySQL optimization, free SSL certificates, and automated backups. Kinsta’s user-friendly MyKinsta dashboard simplifies site management, making it accessible even for non-technical users. The platform excels in speed optimization and security, offering proactive monitoring, malware removal, and compliance with SOC 2, GDPR, and PCI standards. Additionally, Kinsta stands out for its ease of scalability and flexible pricing plans, making it an ideal choice for websites requiring high performance and robust security measures.
  
• 
  Hivelocity (Overall grade: 7.7)
  
  
  shines in providing unmatched uptime and reliability with its 99.99% uptime guarantee and a proven track record of 100% uptime since 2011. With multiple SSAE-16 SOC1 and SOC2 certified data centers and high redundancy measures, Hivelocity ensures continuous service. The platform offers various hosting types, including dedicated servers and VPS, giving users the flexibility to manage complex infrastructures. Despite not being as user-friendly as Kinsta, Hivelocity provides robust customer support through multiple channels and enterprise-level support for businesses requiring customized solutions. While it may not excel in WordPress-specific features, Hivelocity’s focus on security, resource-intensive dedicated servers, and proactive support makes it a reliable choice for users needing high customizability and strong infrastructure.
  

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
Hivelocity: Excels in providing unmatched uptime and reliability.

Hivelocity demonstrates superior uptime and availability with a 99.99% uptime guarantee along with a remarkable track record of 100% uptime since 2011. This is further supported by high redundancy measures, including diesel generators and a stock of four days’ worth of fuel on-site. Hivelocity’s multiple SSAE-16 SOC1 and SOC2 certified data centers across major cities in the US ensure continuous service.

Kinsta also provides strong uptime and availability with a 99.9% uptime guarantee and impressive independent test results showing consistent 100% uptime. Utilizing a Google Cloud Platform-backed infrastructure, Kinsta ensures high performance and reliability, while their Cloudflare integration enhances security and speed. Kinsta performs exceptionally well in handling multiple virtual visitors, maintaining quick response times around 461ms on average.

🏆 Winner: Kinsta: Optimal performance and top-tier security.

When comparing the overall performance of Kinsta and Hivelocity, several factors come to the forefront. Kinsta, built on Google Cloud Platform’s premium tier network with global data center locations, leverages the fastest C2 and C3D virtual machines. It also boasts Cloudflare integration. Hivelocity, on the other hand, ensures a 100% power uptime with diesel power redundancy and precision cooling, supporting a self-healing international network with over 2 Tbps transit capacity. Kinsta’s Edge Caching and continuous MySQL optimization along with its multiple caching methods significantly bolster website speed, while Hivelocity’s high-end hardware and extensive network features offer robust performance. Both providers offer extensive data center locations globally, aiding in reduced latency.

Website Speed

Kinsta stands out in website speed optimization thanks to features like Edge Caching, reducing Time to First Byte (TTFB) by up to 50%, and continuous MySQL optimization. Its built-in Application Performance Monitoring (APM), image optimization to WebP, and code minification contribute heavily to streamlined load times. Hivelocity implements instant server deployment within 5 to 7 minutes, leveraging high-end hardware like Intel and AMD processors, which support quick and efficient web hosting. However, Kinsta’s suite of speed optimization tools gives it a clear edge in this area.

Scalability

Kinsta offers elastic scaling with transparent overage pricing, making it straightforward to increase resources as needed. Their no hidden fees policy is reassuring for scaling without surprises. They also offer various plans, starting from $35/month, allowing for flexible scaling options without a forced plan upgrade. Hivelocity’s focus on custom server solutions, dedicated servers, and flat-rate pricing options presents good scalability, though the exact costs for scaling were not detailed. Both providers offer strong 24/7 support, but Kinsta’s ease and automation in scaling resources solidifies its superior position in scalability.

🏆 Winner
Kinsta: Offers a wide range of robust security features to ensure the safety and performance of WordPress sites.

Both Kinsta and Hivelocity Hosting, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Kinsta provides comprehensive technical security features, such as free and custom SSL certificates, a PHP version selector, and support for multiple backup options. In comparison, Hivelocity Hosting also offers a range of SSL certificates, including Domain, Organization, and Extended Validated SSLs, but lacks specific details on PHP version support. Both hostings offer robust firewall and DDoS protection, though Kinsta further differentiates itself by providing proactive site monitoring, meaning Kinsta checks sites every 3 minutes.

Operational security measures:

Kinsta excels in operational security with features like free malware removal, secure remote access via SSH or SFTP, and security vulnerability alerts. Hivelocity Hosting focuses on regular security audits, 24/7 monitoring, and brute force detection. Hivelocity also includes advanced encryption and firewall hardening. While both hostings have 24/7 monitoring, Kinsta’s operational security includes proactive measures like the IP deny tool and automatic hourly backups, which are crucial for frequent changes in websites.

Compliance and certifications:

Both hosting providers comply with PCI, but Hivelocity Hosting also adheres to SSAE-16 and HIPAA compliance, which may be a critical factor for businesses needing these specific certifications. Kinsta complies with SOC 2 and GDPR, providing enterprise-grade security aligned with international standards, catering specifically to European Union data protection requirements.

🏆 Winner
Kinsta: A comprehensive hosting solution with extensive features for developers and businesses alike.

When comparing Kinsta and Hivelocity, it’s evident that both offer distinct features catering to different user needs. Kinsta is favored for its powerful website builder that provides an easy, user-friendly interface, allowing for detailed customization. This makes it an attractive option for users seeking simplicity without sacrificing flexibility. Its unique selling point includes free SSL certificates and automated backups, ensuring the needs of developers and small businesses are met without additional complexity or cost. In contrast, Hivelocity, while robust in managed services, excels in offering an extensive range of operating systems and control panels, beneficial for users who require a highly customizable and secure environment, particularly those managing large infrastructures or multiple websites.

One notable advantage of Hivelocity is its proactive security measures, including malware scanning and DDoS mitigation, which are crucial for users prioritizing security. Kinsta, on the other hand, offers SSH access, which is essential for developers needing direct server interaction, and features like staging environments that facilitate smooth development workflows. Additionally, Hivelocity’s email hosting capabilities and range of control panel options like cPanel and Plesk are significant for those requiring advanced email management and enhanced server control. Conversely, Kinsta’s easy-to-use control panel and basic email forwarding are suitable for users needing straightforward solutions without specialized email hosting services.

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 Kinsta and Hivelocity 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 Kinsta do not offer extensive email hosting beyond basic forwarding, which may be limiting for some users. Hivelocity provides more advanced email hosting services, including transactional email capabilities without any stated constraints and the option to resell third-party services like Google Workspace or Outlook. This makes Hivelocity a better choice for businesses that require comprehensive email solutions.

🏆 Winner Kinsta:Their diverse offerings cater to a range of needs, providing advanced features and flexibility 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. Additionally, although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

When comparing Kinsta and Hivelocity, Kinsta offers a broader range of Managed WordPress Hosting and Application Hosting plans with more detailed specifications, catering to different resource needs and budgets. Their Managed WordPress Hosting plans range from $35 to $675 USD/month, providing options for various website scales and traffic capacities. Hivelocity, on the other hand, focuses on dedicated servers and game server solutions with competitive pricing ranging from $49 to $269 USD/month. Both providers offer unique features, such as Kinsta’s inclusion of free CDN and premium migrations, while Hivelocity excels in providing high bandwidth and comprehensive server customization.

Enterprise plans

Kinsta’s enterprise plans start at $675 per month, offering over 60 sites, more than 100GB of storage, 2000+GB of CDN, and 1,000,000+ visits. They include a 30-day backup retention period and free premium migrations. Hivelocity’s custom-built bare metal servers offer free consultations and customize solutions. Both providers offer 24/7 on-premises support, but Kinsta’s plans provide more detailed specifications and flexibility.

🏆 Winner Kinsta: A user-friendly hosting solution with superior migration tools and exceptional support.

Kinsta uses a custom-built, award-winning MyKinsta dashboard, designed to make site management straightforward and efficient. It offers features like one-click backup creation, easy cache management, and simple PHP version selection, catering to both technical and non-technical users. The dashboard is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to navigate while providing the advanced functionalities that developers appreciate. On the other hand, Hivelocity offers a variety of standard control panels, including cPanel, DirectAdmin, and Plesk, among others. These panels are well-known and highly functional, but they may require a steeper learning curve for non-technical users compared to Kinsta’s streamlined interface.

Hivelocity’s multi-control panel offerings provide flexibility and cater to users who are already familiar with these standard panels. These control panels are comprehensive and feature-rich, making them suitable for experienced users who need specific functionalities. Conversely, Kinsta’s MyKinsta dashboard delivers a simplified yet robust experience, designed to optimize site management with minimal fuss. This allows users of all levels to manage their websites effectively, reducing the need for extensive technical knowledge.

Kinsta provides a straightforward migration process that can be initiated through the MyKinsta dashboard. They offer both basic and premium migration services, with detailed support for each step. Users can either provide details about their current hosting or use a backup file, making the process accessible regardless of technical expertise. Hivelocity, while offering managed services, doesn’t have a dedicated migration tool mentioned. The lack of a specified free migration service might require users to manually handle migrations or incur additional costs for professional assistance.

Kinsta offers comprehensive help center resources, including detailed documentation, guides, and tutorials to support various tasks. Their support is available 24/7/365 through live chat with experienced developers and engineers, ensuring prompt and expert assistance. Moreover, community forums are available for static site hosting users to connect with other developers. In comparison, Hivelocity has an extensive knowledge base covering numerous topics and offers support through chat, tickets, and phone, also available 24/7. They provide a wide range of articles and proactive support services.

🏆 Winner Kinsta: Offers a more thorough user management system, ensuring better control and flexibility.

When comparing Kinsta and Hivelocity in terms of managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, Kinsta stands out for its detailed structure and user control. Kinsta allows company owners and administrators to both add and remove users at any level, offering a comprehensive user governance system. Kinsta also designates company developers to manage and grant access to site users, providing a layered permission system that can be tightly controlled. On the other hand, there is no specific information about Hivelocity’s capabilities in user role management and permissions, which doesn’t provide confidence in its flexibility and functionality in this area.

Both platforms offer user interfaces designed for managing users, but Kinsta’s MyKinsta dashboard, where you can enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and manage users in a centralized manner, is particularly user-friendly and secure. While details about Hivelocity’s user interface tools are not provided, the lack of specifics suggests that it may not be as intuitive or comprehensive as Kinsta’s offering.

Kinsta also excels in access control measures by assigning clear responsibilities and roles to users, ensuring the correct access level is applied. Its approach to secure user access, including 2FA and user-specific permissions, makes managing a growing number of users more efficient and reducing security risks. Kinsta proves to be effective in handling user scalability and safeguarding credentials. There’s no detailed information on how Hivelocity manages access control or scalability, making it difficult to assess its effectiveness.

Kinsta User Roles Table:

🏆 Winner Hivelocity: A hosting provider known for impeccable uptime, multiple data centers, and custom hosting solutions.

Kinsta and Hivelocity both offer comprehensive customer support solutions, with competitive 24/7 availability and multiple channels for user inquiries. Kinsta provides multilingual support options for English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish speakers, with proactive site monitoring and human-only expert support. Their average response time is impressively under two minutes, making it an attractive option for those needing fast assistance.

Hivelocity also brings strong customer support offerings with 24/7/365 coverage through live chat, phone, and a ticketing system. Hivelocity’s larger array of data center locations across the globe, alongside their custom solutions and high-end data center reliability, offer distinct advantages. The inclusion of enterprise support options, such as dedicated agents and priority support, provides an extra level of service for businesses with complex needs.

Kinsta vs Hivelocity: User feedback

Kinsta is highly recommended by users for its reliable and easy-to-use hosting services, particularly for WordPress sites. Customers appreciate the fast and responsive customer support, impressive speed, and robust security features provided by the platform. The user-friendly dashboard and extensive documentation also stand out as significant advantages, making it easy for both novices and tech-savvy individuals to manage their sites. However, some users find the pricing to be on the higher side, and a few have suggested improvements like expanding data center locations and providing direct access to all integrated services. Overall, Kinsta is praised for delivering a high-quality, dependable hosting experience.

Hivelocity is highly praised for its exceptional customer service, reliable server performance, and knowledgeable technical support. Long-term users, some with over a decade of experience, commend the company for its personalized support and rapid response times, often highlighting near-instant ticket resolutions and a proactive approach to addressing issues. Additionally, the infrastructure and network reliability receive strong accolades, with many users experiencing minimal to no downtime. While a few noted the increasing prices and occasional variability in support quality, the consensus is that Hivelocity offers an outstanding hosting service marked by dependability and top-tier customer support.

Kinsta vs Hivelocity: FAQ