Namecheap vs Justhost: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over Namecheap vs. JustHost, 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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  JustHost (Overall grade: 7.4)
  
  
  boasts reliable hosting with diverse plans, including cloud hosting that Namecheap lacks. Its key strengths lie in extensive support options like phone support and generous introductory offers, making it appealing for startups and beginners. The higher renewal rates and need for better customer review responses can be drawbacks. Additionally, JustHost offers good scalability and security features but is somewhat limited in automatic backups for basic plans and specific costs associated with scaling.
  
• 
  Namecheap (Overall grade: 7.2)
  
  
  shines with its competitive pricing, free website migration, and broad security measures like 2FA and various SSL certificates. Their strong points include 100% uptime guarantees on some hosting plans, offering compensation for downtime, and excellent customer service via live chat and ticketing systems. However, the lack of phone support and slower average response times mark its weaknesses. Namecheap’s user-friendly dashboard and comprehensive WordPress hosting options, coupled with detailed migration tools, provide added value, especially for agencies and multimedia-heavy websites.
  

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 – Namecheap: Offers a perfect uptime for shared, business, and dedicated server accounts.

Namecheap stands out with a 100% uptime guarantee for its shared, business, and dedicated server accounts. During tests, Namecheap showed a 99.96% average uptime and had 31 minutes of downtime over a specific period. The response times are slower compared to competitors, averaging 1.05 seconds. However, Namecheap compensates for any downtime with up to one month of free hosting.

JustHost offers a reliable 99.95% uptime, with a data center in Utah. Response speed recorded at 971ms, which is considered problematic. Despite providing 24/7 support, customer reviews on support timeliness are negative. JustHost also lacks automatic backups for basic plans and does not offer compensation for downtime.

Namecheap outperforms JustHost in uptime guarantees and compensation policies, making it the better choice for those prioritizing high availability and customer support.

🏆 Winner
Namecheap: Comprehensive and reliable hosting services with consistent performance.

Namecheap offers excellent performance across its varied hosting plans, providing faster website speeds on SSD storage, which supports quicker load times. Their WordPress hosting shows impressive speed with a fully loaded time of 0.7 seconds. They offer unmetered bandwidth on shared and reseller plans and high-quality SSD storage options. With multiple data centers in the US, UK, and EU, Namecheap’s global reach and included free CDN contribute to faster and more reliable website access. Just Host, with its quad processor servers and unmetered resources, provides substantial performance for most common hosting scenarios. However, Just Host’s standard performance tiers and additional caching options for dedicated hosting don’t match Namecheap’s faster and more responsive service.

Website Speed

Namecheap’s WordPress hosting significantly shines in terms of website speed, boasting a fully loaded time of 0.7 seconds, which is 3 times faster than traditional hosting. The Time to First Byte (TTFB) of 192 milliseconds further showcases its lead in ensuring quick responses for website visitors. Just Host, on the other hand, maintains standard performance for most plans with high performance reserved for their Pro plan. Enhanced caching and mirrored storage in Just Host’s dedicated hosting are beneficial for speed, but these features are limited to higher-end plans.

Scalability

Namecheap provides clear and straightforward scalability options, requiring users to upgrade plans to handle increased resources. They offer dedicated servers through VPS hosting plans which can scale up to 8 cores and 12 GB RAM, with competitive pricing for additional resources. Just Host supports instant provisioning of VPS and dedicated hosting with guaranteed server resources and root access, which aids in seamless scaling. Though Just Host allows storage upgrades for dedicated servers, specific costs associated with scaling aren’t clear without additional inquiry.

🏆 Winner
Namecheap: Offering a robust suite of security features ideal for a wide range of website needs.

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

Technical security measures:

Namecheap excels in offering various SSL certificates, including Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV), along with options for single, wildcard, and multi-domain security. Just Host provides a free SSL certificate with all plans and a premium option but lacks the range that Namecheap offers. Both providers support PHP versions 5.X and 7, but Namecheap extends support to PHP 8.X. Namecheap includes additional security measures like eAccelerator, xCache, and multiple email protections, while Just Host focuses on daily scans and malware removal through SiteLock.

Operational security measures:

Namecheap includes Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), PremiumDNS, and FastVPN, which add layers of security and privacy. Just Host’s key operational security measures are delivered via SiteLock, featuring daily vulnerability scanning, automatic malware removal, and a Web Application Firewall. Both offer features like Spam protection and Hotlink protection, but Namecheap adds additional tools like Jellyfish Spam Protection and BoxTrapper, making it a more comprehensive choice.

Compliance and certifications:

Both Namecheap and Just Host are GDPR compliant, offering features like domain masking and privacy. PCI compliance is not explicitly stated for either, but both provide components necessary for achieving it. Regarding HIPAA compliance, there is no specified information available.

🏆 Winner
Namecheap: Namecheap offers a variety of hosting plans with highly competitive pricing and numerous features.

Namecheap and Just Host both offer robust hosting services, yet they cater to different needs. Namecheap provides users with generous plans that include essential services such as website builders, free SSL certificates, and cloud storage. Their hosting plans also boast free automatic backups, a must for businesses that prioritize data security. On the other hand, Just Host, powered by Bluehost, stands out with its free domain for the first year and substantial marketing credits. This can be a deciding factor for startups looking to get online with minimal initial investment. Both providers offer cPanel for website management, though Namecheap provides additional tools, including Jellyfish Spam Protection and BoxTrapper for email management.

Despite both hosts offering user-friendly website builders, Namecheap provides more extensive customization options, such as integrating Softaculous for seamless WordPress deployment. Just Host, however, makes a compelling case with its suite of 1-click installs for various CMS and eCommerce platforms like Joomla, Drupal, and Magento. Just Host’s unlimited email accounts with POP3/IMAP support and essential security features, such as Hotlink Protection and SSH, make it an appealing choice for more tech-savvy users. Both hosts provide 30-day money-back guarantees, but Namecheap’s transparent renewal pricing and extensive email features add significant value.

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 Just Host 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 Namecheap are provided through a partnership with Microsoft 365, offering a professional email and access to Outlook on a trial basis before transitioning to a paid service. Conversely, Just Host provides unlimited free professional email accounts, which is particularly beneficial for users requiring multiple email accounts without incurring additional costs.

🏆 Winner Namecheap: Offering competitive pricing and robust features for various 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.

When comparing the pricing plans of Namecheap and Just Host, it’s clear that both have diverse offerings to meet different needs. Namecheap’s shared hosting plans start as low as $1.98 per month for the first year, with renewal rates increasing thereafter, while Just Host offers higher starting rates, beginning at $14.99 per month. Namecheap also provides unique features such as free website migration and automatic SSL installation across all plans. Just Host’s shared hosting plans come with fewer initial freebies but include options like unlimited email accounts and unmetered bandwidth starting from the Plus plan. Namecheap’s managed WordPress hosting, starting at $2.91 per month, provides a high level of performance with features like free CDN and faster speeds, whereas Just Host does not have a specific WordPress hosting category but offers comparable features within their shared hosting plans.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises requiring high-powered hosting, Namecheap’s Advanced Dedicated Server plan allows for customizable configurations and high-level support with root access. Just Host offers similar dedicated hosting in their Premium Plan, featuring 4 cores and up to 16 GB RAM for higher traffic management. Namecheap’s pricing starts from $44.88 per month, with various scalable options, a more cost-efficient choice compared to Just Host’s pricier offerings. Both providers include root access and robust support, though Namecheap’s versatility with OS options and lower starting price makes it a strong contender for enterprise customers.

🏆 Winner Namecheap: Namecheap offers a streamlined, user-friendly interface with instant setup.

Namecheap provides an admin panel experience through its EasyWP Dashboard, tailored specifically for WordPress sites without the use of cPanel. This customized dashboard brings together all the tools necessary to manage a website efficiently, from domain connectivity to backups. It is designed to be intuitive, making it accessible even for non-technical users. With the Softaculous app installer, adding more than 200 scripts is made simple, effectively cutting down on setup time and complexity. The EasyWP Dashboard’s simplicity is a strong plus for users looking for a hassle-free experience.

In comparison, Just Host uses the standard cPanel control panel, a popular choice for web hosting due to its versatility and widespread familiarity. The cPanel interface is comprehensive, offering various functionalities, including email configuration, domain management, and database administration. Users who have prior experience with cPanel or require more advanced configuration options might find Just Host’s admin panel more fitting. Moreover, Just Host integrates its hosting features tightly with the control panel, aiming to reduce user confusion and provide a straightforward setup process.

Both Namecheap and Just Host offer tools for website migration, making transitioning between hosts easier. Namecheap provides a free migration service using the All-in-One WP Migration plugin, applicable for websites from any web host. On the other hand, Just Host doesn’t detail a specific migration tool but emphasizes the simplicity of integrating its features via the cPanel. Namecheap’s free migration service with expert assistance is a valuable asset.

Namecheap’s Help Center is extensive, offering 24/7 live chat support, a robust ticketing system, and a comprehensive Knowledgebase covering numerous topics. The availability of dedicated customer service specialists further enhances user confidence. Just Host also provides a range of support options, including phone, chat, and email support, alongside an extensive Knowledgebase and helpful tutorials. Both platforms offer accessible help resources, though Namecheap’s around-the-clock live chat support and additional features slightly edge out the competition.

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. Just Host 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
JustHost: JustHost provides extensive user management features suited for different hosting needs.

Both JustHost and Namecheap offer solutions for managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, but JustHost excels with its comprehensive features. JustHost utilizes the cPanel control panel, allowing for easy configuration of e-mail accounts, domain management, and database administration. It supports multi-account management, meaning users can access multiple hosting accounts with a single login. JustHost also offers root access for its VPS users, allowing complete control over the server. In comparison, specific information about Namecheap’s user role management is not available, making it harder to assess its capabilities in this area.

JustHost employs an enhanced cPanel interface, providing a richer feature set than competitors, especially for VPS configurations. This control panel is straightforward, making it accessible to beginners while offering advanced tools for experienced users. It includes customizable error pages, custom cron job setup options, FTP access, and SSH access. The unlimited email accounts allow users to set up multiple forwarding accounts and autoresponders. Although Namecheap’s user interface details aren’t specified, JustHost shows a clear advantage in ease of use and available tools for user management.

In terms of access control measures and the ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently, JustHost stands out. It offers multi-account management, which is crucial for businesses or individuals managing multiple websites. The ability to handle an unlimited number of email accounts, domains, and subdomains ensures scalability. JustHost’s root access for VPS hosting allows advanced users to fully control and customize their server environment, whereas specifics about Namecheap’s scalability and access control are not provided, limiting our ability to compare effectively.

JustHost User Roles Table:

namecheap User Roles Table:

🏆 Winner Namecheap: Offers extensive customer support with multiple channels and resources for users.

Namecheap and JustHost provide extensive customer support options, but they differ in some key areas. Namecheap offers 24/7 live chat, a ticketing system, and a comprehensive help center filled with how-to videos, guides, and an extensive knowledge base. Their customer support is known for quick response times and professionalism, despite the absence of phone support. Additionally, Namecheap provides free website migration within 24 hours with minimal downtime.

JustHost, on the other hand, includes phone support alongside 24/7 chat and email support. Their customer support requires extensive validation information, making the support process potentially cumbersome. JustHost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and has a strong track record for uptime and customer satisfaction. However, the lack of specialized hosting options and occasional reports of renewed prices being significantly higher are downsides.

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.

JustHost is praised for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great option for beginners wanting to learn more about hosting and cPanel. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and reliable performance with minimal outages. The introductory pricing is highly attractive, offering significant savings for long-term commitments. However, some users feel that the regular pricing after the initial period can be steep, though still competitive.

FAQ