Liquid Web vs Register.com: guide for 2024

Liquid Web vs Register.com: Final verdict

Comparing Liquid Web and Register.com, Liquid Web emerges as the more robust and reliable hosting service.

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  Liquid Web (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  offers an extensive array of hosting options, including VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting. It excels in providing high-performance solutions suitable for agencies, high-traffic sites, and multimedia projects. Notable strengths include exceptional uptime, proactive 24/7 monitoring, DDoS protection, and robust security features like SSL certificates and comprehensive compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI standards. Liquid Web also offers high flexibility in scalability with features like autoscaling and advanced technical support, making it ideal for businesses with complex and demanding hosting needs. While the service lacks an integrated website builder, it compensates with extensive customization options for those who require advanced hosting solutions.
• 
  Register.com (Overall grade: 6.6)
  
  stands out for its user-friendly website builder, making it a suitable choice for beginners and small businesses. It provides reliable shared hosting with a guarantee of 99.99% uptime, integrated malware protection through SiteLock, and 24/7 customer support via multiple channels. However, it falls short in offering advanced hosting types such as VPS and dedicated hosting. Register.com also lacks the high-performance hardware and speed optimization features offered by Liquid Web. The service focuses more on ease of use and basic hosting needs, making it less suitable for businesses with high-performance demands or complex hosting requirements.

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: Exceptional uptime and availability guarantees with comprehensive monitoring.

Liquid Web offers a high-availability hosting environment with automatic file replication across multiple servers, ensuring consistent uptime. With a 100% network and power uptime SLA, they provide a 10x credit for any downtime. Their Proactive Sonar™ monitoring keeps an eye on your server 24/7, and a 30-minute hardware replacement SLA ensures minimal disruption. Liquid Web also includes CloudFlare CDN and standard DDoS attack protection for enhanced performance and security.

Register.com guarantees a 99.99% uptime for Unix customers and 99.9% for Microsoft users. Their shared hosting plans come with significant disk space and SiteLock for malware protection. Customer support is available 24/7 via phone, chat, and email. Register.com also provides automatic backups, SSL certificates, and comprehensive developer tools, making it ideal for small businesses and individuals looking for reliable hosting options at competitive prices.

Example hosting two’s advantage is more pronounced in terms of server response time. It boasted an average response time of 389ms, which is significantly lower than the shared hosting industry standard and faster than Example hosting one’s average response time of 670ms, which can peak up to 1152ms. This suggests that Example hosting two is not only more reliable in maintaining uptime but also in delivering faster website loading speeds, making it a preferable option for users prioritizing performance.

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: dedicated hosting service with unparalleled performance and support.

Liquid Web and Register.com both offer commendable hosting services, but Liquid Web outshines in several key areas. Liquid Web offers servers with AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon processors, ensuring exceptional performance. It includes NVMe and SSD storage for quicker data access, while Register.com uses standard server configurations and generally achieves twice the load speed of competitors. Liquid Web includes features like autoscaling and high-speed 10 Gbps networks, focusing on performance scaling according to need, whereas Register.com offers solid but more basic service packages. Both have useful security features, but Liquid Web’s boasting of comprehensive DDoS protection stands out. Public CDN details aren’t highlighted for either, but Liquid Web’s performance infrastructure exceeds Register.com’s setup.

Website Speed

In terms of raw speed, Liquid Web delivers superior performance due to its use of leading-edge AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon processors, paired with NVMe or SSD storage. These features ensure faster data retrieval and reduced latency. Liquid Web’s commitment to a 100% uptime SLA further supports this reliability. In contrast, Register.com provides a competitive load time, claiming twice as fast performance as unspecified competitors, although not as efficiently optimized as Liquid Web’s high-spec servers. Liquid Web’s integrated caching and various performance optimizations give it a critical advantage in actual website speed.

Scalability

Liquid Web shines with highly flexible scalability, allowing server upgrades or downgrades with minimal downtime. With features like free monthly autoscaling, server resources adjust according to usage demands seamlessly. Dedicated server options are available, whether for VPS or cloud-based hosting. While the exact costs are not specified, this built-in elasticity suggests more seamless scaling. Register.com offers plans designed to accommodate growth, though it typically requires upgrading as your needs expand. The absence of details on automated scaling or dedicated servers hints at a less dynamic solution.

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: Known for its comprehensive security features, including multiple compliance certifications and advanced encryption.

Both Liquid Web and Register.com, 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 a wide array of technical security measures, such as SSL certificates, firewalls, VPNs for increased business resiliency, and real-time DDoS attack protection. Register.com also provides strong SSL certificates, including EV, OV, and Xpress SSL Certificates, and offers PHP version management. Both providers have malware protection—Liquid Web with its hardened configurations and F5 AIP Intrusion Detection System, and Register.com through SiteLock. However, Liquid Web stands out with additional features like server protection through hardened OS configurations and specialized web application protection.

Operational security measures:

Liquid Web provides robust operational security with 24/7/365 on-site monitoring, managed services, and wholly owned core data centers. It also offers comprehensive scanning and remediation services. Register.com offers website backup solutions via CodeGuard and password protection for website access. They both provide live customer support, though Liquid Web’s on-site support and high-availability infrastructure give it an edge in business continuity and resilience against operational threats.

Compliance and certifications:

Liquid Web complies with numerous regulatory requirements, including GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI, and holds certifications like SSAE-22 and Safe Harbor. Register.com also adheres to GDPR and PCI requirements, masking personal data and using strong encryption for secure transactions. Liquid Web’s additional HIPAA compliance and third-party audits (HITECH Certified) further bolster its status as a highly compliant hosting provider.

🏆 Winner
Liquid Web: Robust managed hosting with high availability and advanced features.

When it comes to website builders, Register.com has a clear edge with a dedicated Website Builder tool that enables users to design their sites easily. This is particularly beneficial for beginners or those who prefer a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface. Register.com also includes a plethora of tools such as open-source applications and script libraries, which can add value without requiring deep technical know-how. On the flip side, Liquid Web does not mention an integrated website builder but focuses on more advanced options like Managed WooCommerce Hosting and an array of VPS and dedicated server options. These are ideal for businesses needing robust and scalable hosting but might require some technical expertise to fully utilize.

Both providers have unique selling points that cater to different needs. Liquid Web offers VMware Private Cloud and Managed VPS Hosting, highlighting its capability to handle complex and high-performance requirements. This is complemented by their impressive support system promising rapid initial response times. Register.com stands out with its ease of use and features tailored towards simpler, smaller websites like password protection and customizable error pages. Both support FTP access, but Liquid Web also implies SSH access, which is crucial for more technically inclined users needing deeper control over their server environment.

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 Register.com 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:

Liquid Web provides comprehensive email hosting services, which can be seamlessly integrated into its robust hosting plans. This is ideal for businesses that need reliable email communication channels. Register.com does not explicitly mention email hosting services, which might be a limitation for users wanting an all-in-one hosting and email solution. For extensive email campaigns or transactional email requirements, users might need to look for third-party services or additional plugins with Register.com.

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: Extensive range of high-performance hosting plans suitable for various business 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.

When comparing the pricing plans of Liquid Web and Register.com, Liquid Web offers a wider variety of hosting types, each with scalable options. Liquid Web’s Managed WordPress Hosting starts at $21/month with substantial features, whereas Register.com’s WordPress plans don’t have fixed monthly prices, making direct comparison challenging. Liquid Web’s Managed VPS Hosting starts at $20/month with strong specifications, while Register.com’s Professional and Premium Shared Hosting plans emphasize large storage but with limited server control options. Liquid Web’s cloud hosting options are robust and transparent compared to Register.com’s generalized plans, providing clear distinctions in server resources and costs.

Enterprise plans

Liquid Web’s ENTERPRISE plans for both Managed WooCommerce and WordPress Hosting at $1095/month offer unmatched scalability with up to 30 stores for WooCommerce and up to 250 sites for WordPress. Their high storage, bandwidth, and PHP worker capacity make them well-suited for large businesses. In comparison, Register.com does not provide equivalent enterprise-level plans, focusing more on small to medium-scale hosting needs without the same level of vertical scalability and specific enterprise features.

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: Comprehensive services with exceptional customer support and extensive resources for hosting management.

Liquid Web offers a detailed industry-leading knowledge base and proactive management for complex hosting environments, making it ideal for both technical and non-technical users. They provide 24/7 human support, ensuring that help is always available when needed. Their admin panel is sophisticated yet user-friendly, combining standard features found in typical cPanel setups with enhanced, specialized tools for managing websites efficiently. On the other hand, Register.com provides a more straightforward hosting experience with a focus on ease of use through its Website Builder tool and 1-Click Install features. Register.com caters well to beginners and non-technical users, although it may fall short in handling more complex hosting needs compared to Liquid Web.

Regarding migration tools, Liquid Web stands out with its dedicated assistance for migrating sites, stores, or applications to their platform, which is a part of their comprehensive hosting services. This helps ensure a smooth transition without additional costs or complications. Meanwhile, Register.com does not emphasize site migration tools as prominently, focusing instead on user-friendly features for site setup and ongoing management. This might necessitate more manual effort or external costs if one needs to migrate a site.

Liquid Web’s help center is comprehensive, featuring a regularly updated knowledge base with articles, tutorials, and resources on hosting basics, security, and technical support. Their support guarantees quick response times, ensuring an efficient resolution to any issues. Register.com offers 24/7 customer service, FAQs, and support resources like blogs and best practices. While helpful, these resources may not be as extensive or in-depth as those provided by Liquid Web.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Liquid Web offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. Register.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
Liquid Web: A user-friendly and flexible hosting provider with superior user management features.

Liquid Web, using the Plesk control panel, offers robust user management capabilities including the ability to create and define various user roles such as Administrator, Webmaster, Application User, and Accountant. Plesk allows for the creation of new user accounts with straightforward steps, providing distinct permission levels for each role. In contrast, Register.com lacks detailed information on user management and roles, making it difficult to evaluate its flexibility and effectiveness in this area adequately.

Plesk’s user interface on Liquid Web is intuitive and provides clear access to user management tools through both Service Provider and Power User views. Users can easily navigate to user-specific settings and administration functions via main menus and tabs. On the other hand, the absence of detailed user interface descriptions for Register.com limits any assessment, highlighting Liquid Web’s advantage in providing accessible and comprehensive tools for user management.

When it comes to access control and managing a growing number of users, Liquid Web excels with features like creating additional administrator accounts and detailed role customization. Plesk allows administrators to assign specific access to various subscriptions, enhancing security and user control. Given the lack of explicit user management data for Register.com, Liquid Web’s structured and well-defined user roles present a substantial benefit for administrators handling complex user environments.

Liquid Web user roles table:

🏆 Winner Liquid Web: Liquid Web excels in providing exceptional customer support, with fast response times and comprehensive 24/7/365 availability.

Liquid Web offers various customer support options, including phone, live chat, and email/ticket support available around the clock. Their response time guarantees ensure quick initial responses, and they provide dedicated enterprise support, making them a strong choice for businesses requiring immediate and specialized assistance. Liquid Web’s range of support features, such as proactive monitoring and a high Net Promoter Score, reflect their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Register.com provides phone and live chat support 24/7, along with email/ticket support. They offer extensive hours for general customer service and have various contact avenues for specific needs like exclusive deals. Notably, their support lacks dedicated enterprise agents. Register.com serves well with its award-winning customer support but doesn’t match the specialized services and immediate response guarantees of Liquid Web.

Liquid Web vs Register.com: 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.

Customer feedback on Register.com is notably polarized. A significant number of users commend the platform for its easy-to-use interface, extensive template selection, and generally satisfactory customer service, emphasizing that it meets basic web hosting and domain registration needs effectively. However, many users also express frustration over high costs, slow response times, and unaddressed technical issues such as unreliable email services and slow page loading speeds. While some customers have had positive long-term experiences, others warn against the service due to unreliability and poor customer support, resulting in business losses and dissatisfaction.

Liquid Web vs Register.com: FAQ