Namecheap vs Hostmonster: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Comparing Namecheap and HostMonster, both offer a wide array of hosting services suited to various user needs, with each excelling in different areas of functionality, performance, and price.

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  HostMonster (Overall Grade: 7.4)
  
  
  provides robust hosting options with high-performance capabilities and is particularly strong in ecommerce and handling high-traffic websites. With reliable uptime demonstrated through consistent performance, ample storage, and excellent technical support, it’s a good choice for businesses planning substantial growth and requiring a reliable and responsive technical backbone. However, users should be prepared for higher plans cost and the initial difficulty navigating through its UI, particularly for newcomers.
  
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  Namecheap (Overall Grade: 7.2)
  
  
  excels in offering value for money with its competitive pricing and comprehensive feature set. The inclusion of free website migration, SSL certificates, and auto-backup services makes it a practical option for beginners and agencies that require a reliable and affordable hosting solution. Though it may experience occasional minor outages and average response times, its intuitive EasyWP dashboard, extensive security features, and excellent email hosting make it a sound choice for smaller to medium-sized businesses and those prioritizing ease of use and affordability.
  

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 HostMonster: Consistent and reliable uptime with strong customer support.

HostMonster demonstrated excellent uptime performance, with no downtime during a 14-day test and minimal disruptions over a more extended period. This reliability is supported by robust back-end protections and fast response times. HostMonster’s technical support is available 24/7 through various channels and is noted for its responsiveness.

Namecheap offers impressive uptime guarantees, especially for shared, business, and dedicated server accounts. While it has had perfect uptime in some tests, recent data showed minor outages, resulting in a slightly lower overall uptime. Though response times and support are generally satisfactory, they do not quite match HostMonster’s reliability.

🏆 Winner: Namecheap Namecheap offers superior value with its outstanding performance and extensive features.

Namecheap boasts impressive hosting speed owing to its SSD-based storage, with different plans ranging from 20 GB to unmetered SSDs. It also features fast load times thanks to the impactful combination of SSDs and efficient server resources. HostMonster, on the other hand, offers standard performance across its plans, with only the Pro plan offering high performance. Both hosting services provide free CDN, though Namecheap includes it in all WordPress plans while HostMonster’s offering is part of its general features. Namecheap has an edge in data center availability with locations in the US, UK, and EU compared to HostMonster, which does not specify its data center locations in the available information.

Website Speed

Namecheap excels in website speed. It guarantees a 99.9% uptime and its EasyWP WordPress hosting boasts a fully loaded time of 0.7 seconds and a time to the first byte of 192 milliseconds. HostMonster offers standard performance for most plans, with page load times likely to be higher except for the Pro plan which has enhanced performance. Namecheap also presents free SSL certificates across all plans, contributing to faster and more secure connections.

Scalability

Namecheap provides clear scalability options across different hosting types, from shared to VPS hosting. However, details on elastic scaling or automatic upgrades are not provided. HostMonster does not mention elastic scaling, but offers flexible plan upgrades. Namecheap’s VPS plans start at $12.88 per month, scaling up based on resources needed, while HostMonster’s plan costs increase substantially, especially for higher performance. Details on dedicated server availability for both providers are not specified in the available data.

🏆 Winner
Namecheap: Provides a higher level of security features and flexibility.
Both Namecheap and HostMonster, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Namecheap offers a wide array of SSL certificates such as Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV), including options for Single Domain, Wildcard, and Multi-domain SSL. In contrast, HostMonster provides SSL secure servers and premium SSL certificates starting at $80.04 per year, along with a free generated certificate in some plans. Namecheap supports PHP versions 5.X through 8.X, easily switchable in the cPanel, while HostMonster supports PHP 5 with customization through PHP.INI files. Namecheap offers additional security features like Jellyfish Spam Protection, SPF and Domain Keys, and ClamAV™ Virus Scanner, whereas HostMonster includes SiteLock Security with daily vulnerability scanning and automatic malware removal.

Operational security measures:

Namecheap ensures GDPR compliance by providing rights such as the right of access, rectification, and to be forgotten. It features robust operational security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA), domain privacy, and PremiumDNS for enhanced protection. HostMonster is similarly GDPR compliant and offers features including two-factor authentication, Spam Assassin protection, and secure shell (SSH) access. However, HostMonster additionally provides a secure site checklist for removing malicious files, updating scripts, and changing passwords to bolster site security further.

Compliance and certifications:

Namecheap and HostMonster both comply with GDPR and offer robust privacy policies. Namecheap helps meet PCI compliance requirements via various security features, though explicit PCI compliance certification is not mentioned. HostMonster supports PCI compliance on all accounts and addresses common compliance issues such as weak SSL ciphers and mod_frontpage vulnerabilities. HIPAA compliance information is not specified for either hosting provider.

🏆 Winner HostMonster: Outstanding performance with unlimited resources and robust technology infrastructure.

Both Namecheap and HostMonster provide a range of features that cater to different user needs. Namecheap offers a variety of hosting plans with distinct advantages, such as free website migration, auto-backup services, and a user-friendly website builder that allows for comprehensive customization. Their shared hosting plans start at very competitive rates, and they offer an extensive array of email and database features. Namecheap’s 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live support are added benefits that provide peace of mind for users looking for reliable service with robust security measures.

HostMonster, powered by Bluehost, shines with its unlimited disk storage, domain hosting, and bandwidth, making it an attractive option for larger websites or businesses planning for substantial growth. The inclusion of free domain registration for the first year and a free drag-and-drop site builder enhances its appeal for beginners. HostMonster’s infrastructure features such as dual quad processor servers and UPS power backup ensure high availability and performance. Moreover, it provides a wide range of e-commerce features, including multiple shopping cart options and SSL secure servers, making it a strong candidate for online stores.

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 HostMonster 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 provides a robust set of email features, including support for domain-based email addresses, unlimited forwarders, and secure protocols like SMTP, POP3, and IMAP. They also offer advanced spam protection tools, such as SpamAssassin and Jellyfish Spam Protection. HostMonster, similarly, offers unlimited email accounts with secure IMAP support and access to three different webmail solutions. However, it lacks advanced autoresponder capabilities. Neither provider includes third-party email campaign services like Google Workspace or Outlook, focusing instead on their in-house solutions.

🏆 Winner Namecheap: Offering competitive prices and a richer feature set, Namecheap stands out in the hosting provider comparison.

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.

Namecheap and HostMonster offer a variety of hosting plans that cater to different needs. Namecheap’s shared hosting plans start at $1.98/month with features extending to 3 websites, free domain for the first year, and free SSL. HostMonster’s most affordable shared hosting plan starts at $12.99/month and supports only one website with unmetered bandwidth but limited email functionality. For WordPress hosting, Namecheap’s plans start at $2.91/month with 10 GB storage, while HostMonster’s plans begin at $11.99/month for similar features. Namecheap edges out in price and offerings, particularly with a higher volume of free features compared to HostMonster across all plan categories examined.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises, Namecheap provides customizable advanced dedicated server plans supporting high-traffic websites, content streaming, and more, starting at $44.88/month. These plans come with full root access, 24/7 support, and various OS options. HostMonster’s Pro Plan, albeit lower in flexibility, offers high performance with unlimited websites and storage at $33.99/month, inclusive of a free dedicated IP and premium SSL certificates. Namecheap offers a greater range of specialized options tailored to the needs of enterprise users.

🏆 Winner Namecheap: Offers a more streamlined user experience with a tailored EasyWP dashboard.

Namecheap uses a customized EasyWP dashboard for its WordPress hosting, making it accessible and user-friendly for both technical and non-technical users. This dashboard consolidates all the necessary tools for website management into a single interface, reducing the hassle usually associated with cPanel. For other hosting plans, they provide standard cPanel access, coupled with instant setup and one-click installations via Softaculous. This makes it simple to install a wide array of applications, such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.

HostMonster, powered by Bluehost, also excels in user accessibility with its use of the standard cPanel. This is coupled with various free site builders to help users create their websites effortlessly. Their instant setup feature and 1-click WordPress installation lower the entry barriers for newcomers. They provide a step-by-step Getting Started guide, ensuring that new users can navigate the initial stages comfortably. Both Namecheap and HostMonster offer admin panels that are intuitive and straightforward, but Namecheap’s customized dashboard adds an extra layer of simplicity specifically for WordPress users.

In terms of site migration, Namecheap provides a free migration service facilitated by the All-in-One WP Migration plugin. This makes transitioning from other web hosts seamless and cost-effective. HostMonster does not prominently advertise free migration services, which may indicate potentially higher costs or lesser convenience in moving existing websites to their platform. Namecheap’s comprehensive migration assistance is a key advantage for users looking to switch hosts without incurring additional expenses.

Namecheap’s help center is extensive, offering 24/7 live chat, a help desk, and a detailed Knowledgebase filled with setup guides and troubleshooting tips. HostMonster also provides a comprehensive help center with a variety of articles, guides, and video tutorials, along with 24/7 phone and chat support. Both platforms provide strong help center resources, but Namecheap’s additional features, like SSL protection for support tickets and renown of customer service, give them a slight edge.

🏆 Winner
HostMonster: Offers a streamlined user management system with cPanel integration.

When comparing Namecheap and HostMonster in terms of managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, HostMonster stands out due to its integration with a modified version of cPanel. This allows users to efficiently manage user accounts and permissions, even though specific details are not provided. Namecheap lacks detailed information on user management features, making it challenging to evaluate its capabilities comprehensively. HostMonster’s usage of cPanel typically ensures flexibility in defining user roles and permissions, giving administrators a better grasp on managing different access levels.

HostMonster provides a user-friendly interface through its modified cPanel, making it easier for administrators to manage accounts and permissions. The integrated tools offer a straightforward way to add, modify, and remove user roles, which aids in maintaining a clear structure for site management. Namecheap’s user interface for managing roles is not detailed, making it harder to assess its ease of use or the efficiency of its tools in comparison to HostMonster’s proven system.

Access control measures at HostMonster are generally effective due to the cPanel’s well-known reliable security features. This platform is typically capable of managing a growing number of users efficiently, ensuring that permissions and roles can be adjusted as needed. The ability to scale user management seamlessly is an added advantage, especially for larger or growing websites. The lack of detailed user management features makes it challenging to gauge Namecheap’s capability in this area, leading to uncertainties about its effectiveness in handling access control for numerous users.

HostMonster user roles table:

🏆 Winner Namecheap: Namecheap stands out with its wide range of support channels and resources, providing users with a reliable and efficient customer service experience.

Namecheap and HostMonster both offer comprehensive customer support but with differing focuses. Namecheap provides extensive resources such as an extensive knowledge base, how-to videos, and 24/7 live chat support, ensuring users have immediate assistance and detailed guides. Additionally, Namecheap offers free website migration with minimal downtime, and its transfer assistance is highly rated among customers.

HostMonster, on the other hand, offers the advantage of providing phone support that is available 24/7 for technical issues, which can be a significant benefit for users preferring real-time, person-to-person interaction. They also offer a knowledgebase and email support for affiliates. Both companies provide live chat, but HostMonster includes phone support, giving customers more flexibility in how they seek help.

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.

HostMonster receives mixed reviews from users, with positive feedback highlighting its affordable pricing, reliable uptime, and quick website loading times. Users also appreciate the extensive range of features such as addons for security, easy integration with MySQL, and a generally good customer service experience. However, many users find the user interface to be difficult to navigate, particularly for non-technical individuals, and note that technical support can be inconsistent, often more focused on sales than solving issues. Additionally, unexpected costs and technical limitations like frequent PHP updates and challenges with deploying large applications have also been pointed out as significant drawbacks.

FAQ