Namecheap vs Contabo: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Comparing Namecheap vs. Contabo, each hosting service shines in different areas, making the final choice depend on specific user needs.

• 
  Contabo (Overall grade: 7.6)
  
  
  offers superior high-performance VPS and dedicated server options with advanced configurations. Its hosting services are enhanced by powerful AMD EPYC processors, fast NVMe SSD storage, and extensive global data centers that provide impressive uptime and security. However, it doesn’t cater to shared or WordPress-specific hosting needs, limiting its appeal to more technically-advanced users or businesses requiring higher computational power. Contabo’s robust technical support and advanced security measures such as always-on DDoS protection add to its reliability but may overwhelm beginners.
  
• 
  Namecheap (Overall grade: 7.2)
  
  
  excels in affordability and user-friendly features suitable for beginners and small to medium businesses. It covers a wider range of hosting types including shared and WordPress-specific plans, backed by extensive customer support and a user-centric dashboard. The platform offers free website migration, an intuitive site builder, and competitive pricing with regular promotions. Despite occasional performance variability in shared hosting and slower support responses during peak times, Namecheap remains a strong choice for users looking for a straightforward and cost-effective hosting solution.
  

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
Contabo: Better uptime and security assurances.

Contabo stands out with its 99.996% uptime guarantee and fast, responsive hardware backed by AMD EPYC 7282 processors. With multiple global data centers and solid security features like DDoS protection and two-factor authentication, Contabo ensures impressive uptime and availability. Customer support options are robust, adding to the provider’s reliability in maintaining high performance and security standards.

Namecheap offers strong uptime guarantees across its various account types, including a 100% promise for shared, business, and dedicated servers. Although actual performance metrics are impressive, with some tests showing 100% uptime, recent monitoring indicates a few outages. The average response time of 1.05 seconds and commendable monitoring tools like StatusCake and Uptime.com bolster Namecheap’s reliability but highlight slight variability in performance.

🏆 Winner Contabo: Cost-effective and high-performance VPS solutions with extensive features.

When comparing general performance, Contabo stands out with its high-speed AMD EPYC 7282 16-core processors and substantial SSD and Gen 4 PCIe NVMe storage options, which significantly boost load times. Contabo offers an impressive uptime of 99.996%, while Namecheap guarantees 99.9%. Both providers include free SSL certificates, but Contabo enhances security with  built-in DDoS protection that recognizes and stops most attacks without affecting server performance. Namecheap provides global data centers in the US, UK, and EU, while Contabo has more options with additional locations in the US (West, Central, East), Germany, and Singapore.

Website Speed

Contabo’s hosting speed benefits from fast AMD processors and high-end NVMe SSDs, combined with up to 1Gbit/s connection speeds that can be upgraded to 10Gbit/s. They offer superior uptime and security features which can enhance website performance. Namecheap, featuring SSD storage and additional cloud storage options, promises rapid load times, particularly on their EasyWP WordPress hosting with a fully loaded time of 0.7 seconds. Both services provide free CDN, although Namecheap includes it specifically with WordPress hosting.

Scalability

Contabo offers flexibility with easy upgrades across its budget-friendly self-managed VPS plans without compromising availability or uptime. Customers can scale their resources as their needs grow, boasting elastic scaling capabilities and comprehensive managed services options. Namecheap also allows for plan upgrades but does not indicate if it offers true elastic scaling. Namecheap does provide dedicated servers in its higher-tier plans, aligned with regular backups and detailed management options. The cost of scaling for both providers varies and typically requires upgrading to higher-tier plans.

🏆 Winner Contabo: Offers a robust set of security features including always-on DDoS protection and extensive data center security.

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

Technical security measures:

Namecheap and Contabo both offer extensive technical security measures. Namecheap provides an array of SSL certificates such as Domain Validation, Organization Validation, Extended Validation, single domain, wildcard, and multi-domain SSLs. Contabo also offers SSL certificates but does not specify the types. Namecheap supports PHP versions 5.X to 8.X, while Contabo allows flexible PHP version customization. Additionally, Namecheap includes a range of additional features like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), FastVPN, and virus scanning with ClamAV. On the other hand, Contabo offers always-on DDoS protection and malware scanning with Imunify AV. Both providers ensure secure hosting environments but Contabo’s DDoS protection gives it an edge.

Operational security measures:

Operationally, Namecheap’s 24/7 live support, domain privacy, and BoxTrapper spam protection stand out. It also offers CodeGuard Backup accessible from cPanel. Contabo matches with 24/7 CCTV surveillance at their data centers, role-based access controls, and Two-Factor Authentication for all accounts. For backups, Contabo provides FTP backup and Object Storage solutions, allowing customers to implement their own strategies. Additionally, Contabo uses magnetic card access for their facilities, enhancing physical security. Namecheap delivers strong operational features but Contabo’s data center security measures make it more dependable in this area.

Compliance and certifications:

Namecheap and Contabo comply with GDPR regulations, providing robust measures for data protection and user rights. Namecheap’s GDPR compliance includes rights such as access, rectification, and portability, while Contabo follows strict GDPR procedures and security training. PCI compliance is not explicitly mentioned for either, although both adhere to security protocols that aid compliance. As for HIPAA compliance, there is no information specified for both providers. Overall, both offer solid compliance frameworks but do not detail HIPAA compliance.

🏆 Winner
Namecheap: A versatile hosting provider with a wide range of features and competitive pricing.

Both Namecheap and Contabo offer robust hosting solutions that cater to different needs. Namecheap distinguishes itself with user-friendly shared and WordPress hosting plans, complemented by an easy-to-use website builder. This feature allows users to create and customize websites without needing advanced technical skills. Additionally, Namecheap provides free SSL certificates for the first year and extensive customer support through 24/7 live chat, which is a significant benefit for those who need immediate assistance. Contabo, on the other hand, focuses more on providing powerful VPS and dedicated server options. With high-performance AMD EPYC processors, vast storage options, and customizable control panel features, Contabo is well-suited for users who need advanced configurations and significant computing resources. Despite not offering a specific website builder, Contabo’s flexibility and performance make it a noteworthy choice for experienced users and developers.

Both hosting providers excel in certain areas that address specific user requirements. Namecheap’s hosting plans are particularly appealing for users seeking affordable entry-level options, featuring free supersonic CDN and free website migration. These offerings lower barriers for new website owners. Meanwhile, Contabo’s plans are optimal for users who demand higher reliability and advanced management capabilities, courtesy of their 99.996% uptime guarantee and extensive DDoS protection. The ability to deploy custom images and the availability of a range of operating systems (including various Linux distributions and Windows) also make Contabo a versatile hosting solution for tech-savvy users and businesses with detailed infrastructure needs. Ultimately, the choice between Namecheap and Contabo depends on the user’s specific needs and priorities.

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 Namecheap and Contabo 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:

Namecheap offers a comprehensive suite of email features including unlimited email forwarders, autoresponders, and Jellyfish spam protection for higher-tier plans. Users can set up domain-based email addresses with spam filtering tools such as SpamAssassin and BoxTrapper. Conversely, Contabo focuses on integration with third-party services and allows creating and managing email accounts directly through the control panel. Both include transactional email capabilities typically needed for form submissions and customer interactions. Namecheap’s high emphasis on email features may be more appealing for users who plan to run extensive email campaigns.

🏆 Winner: Namecheap offers competitive pricing with a variety of features tailored to diverse hosting 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.

Comparing Namecheap and Contabo, Namecheap provides affordable shared hosting plans starting at $1.98/month, which increases upon renewal, while Contabo doesn’t offer shared hosting. Namecheap’s managed WordPress hosting starts at $2.91/month for basic features, whereas Contabo’s lowest-tier VPS plan is priced higher, offering more resources with a base price of $3.99/month. For high-performance needs, Contabo’s Virtual Dedicated Servers and Dedicated Servers come packed with extensive resources but are priced steeper compared to Namecheap’s dedicated server plans. Both providers offer robust additional features like free domains and SSL certificates, but the overall value per dollar seems more favorable with Namecheap given the lower initial costs and comprehensive list of features.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises, Namecheap’s advanced dedicated servers are customizable and start at $44.88/month, offering a variety of OS options and strong support features including 24/7 assistance. Conversely, Contabo’s enterprise solutions such as AMD EPYC 32 Cores at €301.97/month are well-suited for heavy-duty applications with extensive RAM and high bandwidth. Both providers cater to high-performance needs, yet Namecheap’s customizable plans might offer more flexibility for specific requirements while being more cost-efficient.

🏆 Winner Namecheap: Effortless setup and reliable support.

Namecheap offers a customized EasyWP dashboard that replaces the traditional cPanel, making it straightforward for users of all technical levels. The EasyWP dashboard provides one-click installations and tools required for everyday maintenance and management. It’s designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, particularly valuable for non-technical users who may find cPanel complex. cPanel is available for other plans, ensuring flexibility for more advanced users.

Contabo uses its own Control Panel to manage services, offering functionalities like server management, OS reinstalls, and reviewing orders. While the Control Panel is comprehensive, it may be slightly more intimidating for non-technical users due to its many advanced features. The panel allows granular control over your server settings, which suits more experienced users but could be overwhelming for beginners.

Both Namecheap and Contabo offer tools for website migration. Namecheap provides a free migration service using the All-in-One WP Migration plugin, making it easy for users transitioning from other hosting providers. Contabo also offers migration tools, but these tools require more manual configuration and may involve extra steps, making Namecheap’s migration process more user-friendly and cost-effective.

Namecheap offers a 24/7 live chat, an extensive Knowledgebase, and a support ticket system to assist users. Contabo offers tutorials, an FAQ section, and support through a ticket system and phone during specific hours. Namecheap’s support resources are more accessible, particularly due to their round-the-clock support options.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Namecheap offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. Contabo 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
Contabo: An outstanding provider for user management with extensive features and security options.

When comparing Namecheap and Contabo in terms of user management and permissions, Contabo clearly stands out. While information about Namecheap’s user management features is not provided, Contabo offers a flexible system that allows users to view, update personal information, and change email addresses and passwords. Contabo also enables users to authorize others with specific permissions for their servers, ensuring a versatile and inclusive user experience.

Contabo’s Control Panel is user-friendly and comprehensive, providing tools that facilitate easy management of services. Users can upgrade VPS, order add-ons, extend SSD storage, handle reinstallations, solve connection issues, and more, all from a single interface. This ease of use is a significant advantage for Contabo users who are looking for a seamless experience in managing their hosting services.

In terms of access control, Contabo excels by mandating Two-Factor Authentication for all customers, which bolsters account security. The platform efficiently manages a growing number of users, thanks to features like free DDoS protection and a robust API system for accessing and regenerating API credentials. Such measures ensure that users’ data and operations remain secure and scalable.

Contabo User Roles Table

🏆 Winner Namecheap: Namecheap offers extensive resources and 24/7 support, ensuring a seamless customer service experience.

Both Namecheap and Contabo provide a range of customer support options, but they differ significantly in availability and channels. Namecheap stands out with its 24/7 live chat and ticketing system, and instant setup, alongside migration assistance and free website migration. Its Knowledge Base and Guru Guides cover diverse topics, and the user experience is generally positive with quick responses.

On the other hand, Contabo offers phone support and a support ticket system with respectable response times, but lacks live chat and 24-hour support. Customers can upgrade to managed services or emergency support for additional assistance. However, some limitations like no refunds and a minimalistic user interface may affect the overall experience. While Contabo provides reliable uptime and global data centers, Namecheap’s comprehensive and user-oriented support options give it an edge.

User feedback

Namecheap is widely appreciated for its affordability, reliability, and high-quality customer support. Users commend the availability of free SSL certificates, user-friendly cPanel, and outstanding hosting speed. However, shared hosting speed and the occasional slow response from support are noted concerns. Despite these minor drawbacks, Namecheap remains a popular choice for beginners and small to medium businesses due to its competitive pricing and satisfactory service quality.

Contabo offers affordable and powerful VPS plans, which are particularly beneficial for running demanding software and complex tasks. Several users have praised the reliability, stability, and cost-effectiveness of the service, highlighting its great value for money. However, frequent downtime, limited customer support, and a somewhat outdated control panel have been significant points of concern. Some users have experienced slow response times and unresolved service requests, suggesting areas for improvement in customer service and operational transparency.

FAQ