Liquid Web vs Interserver: guide for 2024

Liquid Web vs Interserver: Final verdict

Looking over Liquid Web vs. InterServer, 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.

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  InterServer (Overall grade: 8.1)
  
  
  provides affordable hosting plans with unlimited storage and bandwidth, making it a cost-effective choice for small businesses and individuals. Its offerings include Shared, VPS, Cloud, and Dedicated hosting, with easy migration services and cloud apps that enhance usability. InterServer emphasizes speed and reliability through its use of SSD caching, Cloudflare CDN, and a route-optimized network. Security features like InterShield and guaranteed email delivery further bolster its value. However, while InterServer excels in affordability and resource allocation, it falls short in providing the same advanced security measures and enterprise-level support that Liquid Web offers.
  
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  Liquid Web (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  
  stands out with its comprehensive support, managed hosting solutions, and strong security features. It offers a wider range of high-end services, including WooCommerce hosting, specialized VPS, and HIPAA-compliant hosting for complex needs. Liquid Web guarantees 100% uptime with a 10x credit for downtime and backs this with multi-server environments and proactive monitoring. Its Plesk control panel allows detailed user role management, enhancing its suitability for larger teams and complex projects. While Liquid Web’s pricing is higher, the extensive security measures, robust uptime guarantees, and top-tier customer support justify the investment for businesses requiring reliable and secure 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
Liquid Web: Liquid Web: A hosting provider with exceptional uptime and availability features.

Liquid Web is a hosting provider that offers an impressive 100% uptime SLA, backed by a 10x credit for any downtime. Their proactive Sonar™ Monitoring ensures continuous server vigilance, complemented by a 30-minute hardware replacement SLA. Customer support is highly responsive, with a 59-second initial response guarantee for phone and chat, and a 59-minute response for helpdesk tickets. Liquid Web also utilizes multi-server environments and managed file replication to minimize the risk of downtime.

InterServer offers a reliable hosting service with a 99.9% uptime guarantee and long-term monitoring records showing 99.99% uptime. They utilize Cloudflare’s global network and proprietary caching mechanisms to enhance performance and reliability. With moderate server response times and global loading speeds, InterServer maintains high availability while keeping server resource usage low. Their security features, such as InterShield and guaranteed email delivery, add an extra layer of assurance for users.

🏆 Winner
InterServer: Known for extensive resources and a focus on speed and reliability.

When comparing general performance, both Liquid Web and InterServer come with their strengths. Liquid Web offers a fast 10 Gbps network and high-quality AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon processors. InterServer provides ultra-fast web servers, SSD caching, and Raid-10 storage, ensuring swift load times. Liquid Web utilizes NVMe or SSD storage, while InterServer uses a 10GB Cisco Network and incorporates free Cloudflare CDN. Liquid Web boasts 100% uptime guarantees with extensive data centers, whereas InterServer offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, utilizing a route optimized network to maintain speed and reliability.

Website Speed

In terms of website speed, Liquid Web provides dedicated Gigabit uplinks and NVMe or SSD storage to ensure high-speed data access, particularly for VPS hosting. They also offer free inbound data transfers and 5TB bandwidth. InterServer’s ultra-fast web servers, SSD caching, and Raid-10 storage combined with a route optimized network also contribute to quick load times. Both services include CDN options, with InterServer offering free Cloudflare CDN to optimize speed globally.

Scalability

Regarding scalability, Liquid Web makes it straightforward to upgrade or downgrade VPS services with minimal downtime, supported by free monthly autoscaling. They also offer cloud dedicated servers that users can robustly scale up with Intel Xeon processors. On the other hand, InterServer provides easy scaling to VPS or dedicated servers without downtime, offering a flexible platform for growing projects. It isn’t specified how much it costs to scale with either provider, nor if they offer automatic scaling without a plan upgrade.

🏆 Winner: Liquid Web: Superior comprehensive security features and compliance support.

Both Liquid Web and InterServer, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Liquid Web offers an extensive range of technical security measures, including various SSL certificates, firewalls, VPN options, and DDoS attack protection. Their hardened server configurations and web application firewalls augment security further. InterServer also provides free SSL certificates and supports various PHP versions, up to PHP 8.3. However, Liquid Web’s in-depth features, such as F5 AIP Intrusion Detection System and comprehensive data encryption options, offer a more robust and secure environment compared to InterServer’s InterShield Security and brute-force protection measures.

Operational security measures:

Liquid Web’s operational security includes 24/7/365 on-site support and quarterly PCI scans. They manage their wholly owned core data centers with advanced fire prevention and high availability. InterServer emphasizes data center security with CCTV surveillance and 24/7 security guards, alongside self-healing hardware for automatic redirection in case of glitches. Liquid Web’s additional features such as executive reports and certified PCI badges give it an edge in operational monitoring and support.

Compliance and certifications:

Both hosting providers comply with GDPR but neither is HIPAA compliant, which may be a critical factor for businesses in healthcare. Liquid Web holds multiple certifications, including SSAE-22 & Safe Harbor Compliant, providing more assurance in terms of legal and regulatory adherence.

🏆 Winner
Liquid Web: Offering extensive features and fully managed hosting solutions with comprehensive support.

Liquid Web and InterServer present compelling options for different hosting needs. Liquid Web focuses on fully managed hosting, providing extensive support and highly specialized solutions. Its services include infrastructure to meet HIPAA and PCI requirements, VMware Private Cloud without per-VM fees, and managed VPS hosting. These offerings are distinctively tailored for handling complex and high-performance needs. Additionally, Liquid Web promises a 59-second initial response time for support via phone and chat. However, there is no mention of a website builder being included directly. Unique services like managed WooCommerce hosting with autoscaling and high-speed optimization further position Liquid Web as a robust provider for eCommerce solutions.

InterServer, on the other hand, provides a more straightforward approach with competitive features. Their offerings include unlimited storage space, data transfer, and FTP accounts. They also provide speed optimization, RAID-10 storage, and SSD caching servers. InterServer’s key advantage is the availability of FTP and SFTP, alongside cloud apps and a Cloudflare CDN for added speed. While SSH is not explicitly mentioned, the inclusion of tools like Cloud Linux OS and LiteSpeed web server aims to enhance performance. InterServer includes weekly backups, making it suitable for users who prioritize data protection. The service notably does not bundle a website builder, implying that users might need additional tools or experience for site customization.

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 Liquid Web and InterServer 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 Liquid Web provide comprehensive email hosting solutions which might be suitable for businesses needing a reliable email setup. InterServer’s email capabilities aren’t explicitly detailed but likely cover basic requirements, though the specifics on transactional emails or email campaigns are not provided. Reselling third-party services like Google Workspace or Outlook isn’t mentioned for either. Customers may need additional details from each provider to fully understand their email hosting capabilities.

🏆 Winner
InterServer: InterServer offers a highly competitive pricing structure with abundant features for an outstanding hosting experience.

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.

When comparing Liquid Web and InterServer, InterServer stands out for its affordability and expansive features. InterServer’s Standard Web Hosting plan costs only $2.50/month and includes unlimited storage, bandwidth, and websites. On the other hand, Liquid Web’s offerings start at a higher price point. For WordPress hosting, InterServer’s plans are more flexible, starting at $6.00/month, while Liquid Web starts at $21/mo for their SPARK plan. Both providers offer VPS and dedicated hosting, but InterServer’s pricing remains more attractive overall, particularly for small businesses and individuals.

Enterprise plans

Regarding enterprise hosting, Liquid Web offers dedicated high-performance solutions and an array of features, including DDoS protection and proactive monitoring. Their ENTERPRISE plans for both WooCommerce and WordPress offer vast storage and high scalability. In contrast, InterServer’s enterprise options opt for flexibility and affordability, evident in offerings like its varied reseller plans. Both providers excel in different aspects, allowing enterprises to choose according to specific needs—advanced security and performance with Liquid Web, or cost-efficiency and flexibility with InterServer.

🏆 Winner Liquid Web:
Liquid Web provides extensive customer support and proactive management services for a hassle-free hosting experience.

Liquid Web offers a comprehensive, user-friendly experience with a strong emphasis on customer support. Their admin panel provides a streamlined interface, which is excellent for both technical and non-technical users. Additionally, they provide full management of complex hosting environments, ensuring that even advanced users find what they need. On the other hand, InterServer employs standard control panels like cPanel and DirectAdmin, designed for usability and simplicity. These panels are widely respected in the industry for their ease of use, making them suitable for website owners at any technical level.

While both hosting platforms make website management straightforward, Liquid Web differentiates itself by providing proactive management services, such as security and availability management. This type of service significantly reduces the time and effort users need to invest in maintaining their sites. Conversely, InterServer focuses more on offering a wide range of one-click script installations, which, although helpful, still require users to handle many aspects of their hosting environment themselves.

Both Liquid Web and InterServer offer site migration tools, but there are some differences. Liquid Web provides comprehensive help with migrating your site, store, or application to their platform, making the process as smooth as possible without additional charges. InterServer also offers a free migration service for standard shared hosting, but it requires users to have a complete cPanel backup ready for download, and the new account should have no data in it.

Liquid Web provides an industry-leading knowledge base, featuring tutorials, articles, and resources on various topics such as AI, DNS functionality, and web server security best practices. Their help center is regularly updated with new articles to ensure users have access to the latest information. InterServer also has a dependable knowledge base with helpful articles and 24/7 support via phone, live chat, and ticket system, but it may not be as comprehensive as Liquid Web’s offering.

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: Efficient user management with detailed role customization in Plesk.

In comparing Liquid Web and InterServer’s abilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, Liquid Web’s Plesk control panel stands out due to its extensive options for customization. Liquid Web allows administrators to create a variety of user roles with specific permissions, making it easier to delegate and manage tasks. The predefined roles like Administrator, Webmaster, Application User, and Accountant are distinct and cater to different levels of access. InterServer, on the other hand, uses multiple control panels like cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, which also allow for user role creation but lack the same detailed role descriptions and easy navigation as Plesk in Liquid Web.

Regarding user interfaces and tools, Liquid Web’s Plesk interface is straightforward and user-friendly. It provides a centralized location for managing all aspects of user accounts, from creation to deletion and role management. In the Service Provider and Power User views, the user management process is streamlined and accessible. InterServer, utilizing cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, offers comprehensive tools, but the user experience can be less cohesive due to the multiple interfaces. This fragmentation might require additional adjustments for users to move between different interfaces effectively.

Evaluating access control measures and scalability, Liquid Web demonstrates a clear and efficient system within Plesk for managing a growing number of users. The ability to create custom roles and assign them precisely improves efficiency in large teams or multiple domains. The centralized approach simplifies control as user numbers increase. Conversely, while InterServer’s use of multiple control panels provides flexibility, it can complicate the management process as user roles and permissions may need to be configured across different interfaces, potentially leading to less consistent management as user numbers expand.

Liquid Web user roles table:

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: A top-tier hosting provider offering rapid response times and extensive customer support features.

Liquid Web excels in customer service with many contact methods, including phone, chat, and email support available 24/7/365. They ensure fast response times with specific guarantees—59 seconds for phone and chat, and 59 minutes for helpdesk tickets. A high Net Promoter Score indicates strong customer approval. Liquid Web provides additional perks like free migrations and dedicated support teams, ensuring comprehensive service for various hosting needs.

InterServer also offers 24/7 support accessible via phone, live chat, and a ticket system, with prompt response times and issue resolution within 48 hours. They have a tips section on their website and offer free migration for standard shared hosting. InterServer supports multiple control panels and includes features like proactive backups and easy registration methods. While InterServer’s support system is solid, it lacks the enterprise-level services that Liquid Web provides.

Liquid Web vs Interserver: User feedback

Customer feedback for this hosting provider is mixed, with significant polarization in user experiences. While some have praised the company for its reliable uptime, exceptional support, and proactive monitoring, others have experienced severe dissatisfaction due to frequent downtimes, unresponsive customer service, and unethical billing practices. Long-term customers, in particular, have noted a sharp decline in service quality and support efficiency, attributing it to recent management changes. Despite positive reviews highlighting excellent technical support and overall reliability, a growing number of users advise against using this provider due to these negative aspects.

User feedback on the hosting provider paints a mixed picture. Many users commend the provider for its affordable, straightforward pricing and extensive features like unlimited storage and bandwidth, free SSL certificates, and a user-friendly control panel. The customer support, while generally prompt and effective, has garnered both praise and criticism, especially due to the lack of a dedicated phone support line and sometimes long live chat wait times. However, performance issues such as inconsistent server speed, downtime, and occasional loss of data have been frequent points of frustration for users.

Liquid Web vs Interserver: FAQ