Final verdict
Looking over Namecheap vs. Network Solutions, 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.
Network Solutions (Overall grade: 7.4)
is a reliable hosting provider that offers a comprehensive range of support and user management features. With an impressive 99.9% uptime guarantee and solid speed performance, Network Solutions caters well to larger businesses that need extensive disk space and robust email hosting. However, its higher cost, slightly complex interface, and lack of specific speed metrics can be a drawback for price-sensitive users or those less familiar with FTP and custom interfaces.
Namecheap (Overall grade: 7.2)
excels with its user-friendly interface, affordable pricing, and versatile hosting plans. It boasts superior WordPress performance, faster loading times due to SSD storage, and a range of hosting types including cloud and VPS which Network Solutions lacks. Namecheap’s customer support is well-regarded, and its inclusion of free SSL certificates and CDN enhances user experience significantly. Yet, it falls short in some areas like shared hosting speed variability and absence of phone support.
 Overall grade:7.2 |
 Overall grade:7.4 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Uptime and Availability | 8.0 | 8.6 |
| Hosting Performance | 8.2 | 4.8 |
| Hosting Security | 8.5 | 7.7 |
| Price | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Hosting Features | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Ease Of Setup | 8.8 | 8.0 |
| User Management | 0.0 | 7.0 |
| Customer Support | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| User feedback | 4.3/5 | 1.9/5 |
Hosting types offered
Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Shared hosting | ||
| Cloud hosting | ||
| WordPress hosting | ||
| Ecommerce hosting | ||
| VPS hosting | ||
| Dedicated hosting |
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
Uptime and availability
Evaluates the average uptime statistics, uptime guarantee and overall availability of the hosting
provider
Score Components:
- Uptime percentage (30%): evaluates the uptime statistics in given period of time
- Uptime guarantee (20%): Assesses if the platform offers an uptime guarantee and
whether the actual uptime matches the promised guarantee. - General performance (25%): Evaluates how fast is the average response time and overall
it’s stability. - Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Availability (25%): Reflects the total downtime and number of outages.
8.0
8.6
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions
Network Solutions edges out Namecheap with a slightly higher overall score, marking it as a reliable hosting provider with dependable uptime and strong support.
Namecheap offers a 100% uptime guarantee for shared, business, and dedicated server accounts, and 99.9% for reseller, VPS, and EasyWP hosting. Actual performance shows varying results with some tests offering perfect uptime and others slightly below. The average response time is acceptable, though slower than some competitors. Namecheap also provides compensation for downtime, making it an attractive option for several users.
Network Solutions, with its 99.9% uptime guarantee and solid performance, recorded 99.917% uptime over a month in tests. The longest recorded downtime was 19 minutes, with a total downtime of 42 minutes. Its speed performance is rated better than average with a GTmetrix score of B (85%). Network Solutions offers robust 24/7 support and reliable infrastructure, particularly on Unix servers. The proprietary control panel, while functional, could be more user-friendly.
Hosting performance
Score Components:
- Hosting speed (30%): This includes SSD quality, Load times, PageSpeed score ranges,
additional information on website speed, built-in plugins for performance enhancement, available caching
methods, and CPU/RAM options - CDN (20%): Considers whether CDN is available or not, whether it’s free or paid, and
the quality of the CDN service - Available data centers (30%): Evaluates the number of data centers and their locations
globally. - Scalibility (20%): Looks at whether elastic scaling is available, the process required
to scale (manual upgrade vs. automatic scaling), the presence of dedicated servers, and the costs
associated with scaling.
8.2
4.8
🏆 Winner
Namecheap: Reliable and versatile hosting services.
When comparing the general performance of Namecheap and Network Solutions, Namecheap stands out due to its superior hosting speed and availability of SSD storage across all plans. This contributes to faster load times and better overall performance. Namecheap also offers free CDN availability, enhancing the performance further. In contrast, Network Solutions doesn’t specify built-in performance enhancements like CDN availability. Both services offer similar uptime guarantees of 99.9%. However, Namecheap’s multiple data centers in the US, UK, and EU provide more flexibility.
Website Speed
Namecheap excels in website speed with EasyWP hosting boasting a fully loaded time of just 0.7 seconds and a Time to First Byte of 192 milliseconds, making it notably quick. On traditional shared hosting, the inclusion of free SSL and up to 3x faster performance further aids in speed. Network Solutions promises reliable performance but lacks specific speed metrics. Namecheap’s use of SSD storage and faster processors provides a clear advantage in site speed.
Scalability
Namecheap offers a straightforward upgrade path for different hosting types including VPS and Reseller Hosting. This means users can easily upgrade their plans as needed, but automatic scaling is not specified. Network Solutions offers flexible plans but doesn’t provide detailed information on scaling processes or dedicated server options. In terms of costs, Namecheap’s pricing remains transparent across different service levels, while Network Solutions has more premium pricing for additional features. Therefore, for those looking at scalable solutions, Namecheap provides a broader range of options.
Hosting security
and regulatory requirements
Score Components:
- Technical security measures (40%): This includes encryption, firewalls, DDoS
protection, secure configurations, server monitoring, access control and availability of security addons
(e.g Sitelock security). - Operational security measures (30%): Encompasses data privacy, backups and data
redundancy. - Compliance and certifications (20%): Adherence to legal and regulatory requirements
(e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and possession of certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2). - Business and reliability (10%): Factors in the provider’s reputation, uptime
guarantees, and customer support.
8.5
7.7
🏆 Winner Namecheap: Offers a well-rounded suite of security features and excellent customer support.
Both Namecheap and Network Solutions, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.
Technical security measures:
Namecheap provides a variety of SSL certificates, including Domain Validation, Organization Validation, and Extended Validation, along with support for single, wildcard, and multi-domain setups. Network Solutions offers a similar range with Xpress, Basic, Advanced, Wildcard, UCC, and Extended SSL Certificates. Namecheap also supports a wide range of PHP versions from 5.X to 8.X, while specific PHP versions for Network Solutions are not mentioned. Both providers offer CodeGuard for backups, but Namecheap includes additional features like eAccelerator and xCache for PHP script performance.
Operational security measures:
Namecheap includes advanced email filtering with Jellyfish Spam Protection and BoxTrapper, as well as multiple email authentication systems like SPF, Domain Keys, and PGP/GPG. Network Solutions offers daily malware scans and SiteLock for total malware protection, emphasizing their nsProtect Assured Website Seal for added credibility. Namecheap provides extra layers like two-factor authentication and hotlink protection, whereas Network Solutions includes Click-time Anti-Phishing and Lazy Expunge for email security.
Compliance and certifications:
Namecheap ensures GDPR compliance with a range of user rights, including the right to access, correct, and delete data. While Network Solutions emphasizes SSL for data encryption, specific GDPR measures are not detailed. PCI compliance is not explicitly mentioned for either provider, but the security features offered help meet requirements. HIPAA compliance is not specified for both providers.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
SSL certificates |
Multiple types available |
Multiple types available |
Additional security features |
Jellyfish, BoxTrapper, SPF, PGP/GPG |
SiteLock, Click-time Anti-Phishing, Lazy Expunge |
PHP versions |
5.X to 8.X |
Not specified |
GDPR compliance |
Detailed |
Emphasized only |
HIPAA compliance |
Not specified |
Not specified |
PCI compliance |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Hosting features
Score Components:
- Domains (20%): Assesses the availability of a free domain, domain purchase options, and
pricing - Email (15%): Considers if the provider offers full email hosting, or is reselling
third-party service, and if the email is only transactional or not - Website builder (15%): Checks if website builder is available, and it’s user
friendliness and overall the level of customization allowed. - Staging environment (20%): Determines if a staging environment is available, allowing
for testing changes before going live. - FTP & SFTP accounts (10%): Evaluates if and how easily users can access FTP and
SFTP accounts - Git and SSH access (20%): Assess whether Git is integrated into the hosting service and
if SSH access is provided
7.5
6.5
🏆 Winner Namecheap: A cost-effective choice with robust features for various user needs.
When comparing Namecheap and Network Solutions, several key differences emerge in their hosting offerings. Namecheap stands out with its user-friendly website builder included in all its plans, which is a significant benefit for beginners and small businesses looking to establish their online presence easily. Network Solutions, while more expensive, also offers a website builder but focuses more on providing extensive disk space and email boxes, making it well-suited for larger businesses with greater storage and email requirements. Both providers offer free SSL certificates, but Namecheap’s one-year offering with 50 free PositiveSSL certificates is a particularly attractive feature.
Namecheap also provides free website migration within 24 hours, a perk that can greatly facilitate transitioning from another provider. Network Solutions includes daily malware scans and removal, enhancing security for its users, which is a crucial consideration for many businesses. Nevertheless, the price difference between comparable plans is significant; Namecheap’s affordable pricing structure and comprehensive features make it a more compelling option for many, particularly those seeking cost-efficiency without compromising on essential hosting features. Additionally, Namecheap covers a variety of advanced server features and programming language support, giving it an edge for tech-savvy users who may require more sophisticated customization capabilities.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Free domain |
No |
Yes |
Free SSL |
Yes, for one year |
Yes |
Email hosting |
Yes |
Yes |
Website builder |
Yes |
Yes |
Staging environment |
No |
No |
FTP & SFTP accounts |
Yes |
Yes |
Git and SSH access |
Yes |
Yes |
Free backup |
No (Paid CodeGuard) |
Yes |
Money back guarantee |
30 days |
Yes |
a location.
As a result in rare cases the features mentioned here can differ from the ones you see on their websites.
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 Network Solutions 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 features vary notably between Namecheap and Network Solutions. While Namecheap offers 30 email accounts on its Stellar plan and unlimited email accounts on its higher-tier plans, Network Solutions provides only five email boxes on its Starter plan but scales up to unlimited email boxes on higher plans. Both providers support standard protocols like SMTP, POP3, and IMAP. Namecheap includes advanced spam protection tools such as Jellyfish Spam Protection and SpamAssassin, while Network Solutions emphasizes transactional email capabilities and robust email hosting services. Neither provider resells third-party email services like Google Workspace or Office 365, focusing instead on their custom email hosting solutions.
Price
Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
8.7
8.0
🏆 Winner
Namecheap: Offering competitive pricing, a wide array of features, and excellent customer support, Namecheap stands out among hosting providers.
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 offers varied hosting plans that cater to different needs. Starting with shared hosting, Namecheap’s plans are economical and feature-rich, with the Stellar plan priced at $1.98/month for the first year and $4.48/month upon renewal, allowing three websites with 20 GB SSD storage. In contrast, NetworkSolutions’ basic shared hosting plan is pricier at $5.69/month for 15 GB disk space and one website. For WordPress hosting, Namecheap’s EasyWP plans come with faster installation times and competitive pricing, whereas NetworkSolutions’ WordPress plans offer larger email storage and on-demand cloud backups. Namecheap also excels in managed WordPress hosting, offering unmatched SSD storage and visitor capacities for the price. The nuanced features in Namecheap’s offerings, such as free CDN, SSL, and auto-backups, make it a preferred choice.
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
EasyWP Starter $6.88
10 GB SSD storage, 1 website, 50k visitors/month, free CDN & SSL, managed WordPress. Value for price:8.5
|
WordPress for Entrepreneurs $7.99
50 GB storage, 1 website, 10 email boxes, domain name included, on-demand cloud backup. Value for price:8.0
|
|
EasyWP Turbo $12.88
50 GB SSD storage, 1 website, 200k visitors/month, free CDN & SSL, managed WordPress. Value for price:9.0
|
WordPress for a Growing Business $13.98
100 GB storage, 3 websites, 25 email boxes, domain name included, SSL included, on-demand cloud backup. Value for price:8.2
|
|
EasyWP Supersonic $19.88
100 GB SSD storage, 1 website, 500k visitors/month, free CDN & SSL, managed WordPress. Value for price:9.3
|
WordPress for Professionals $18.98
200 GB storage, 5 websites, 50 email boxes, domain name included, SSL included, multisite management, on-demand cloud backup. Value for price:8.5
|
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
Stellar $4.48
20 GB SSD, 3 websites, 30 mailboxes, free domain for 1st year, free SSL & Supersonic CDN, free site migration. Value for price:9.0
|
Starter $5.69
15 GB Disk Space, 1 website, 5 email boxes. Value for price:6.0
|
|
Stellar Plus $6.48
Unmetered SSD, unlimited websites & mailboxes, free domain for 1st year, free SSL & Supersonic CDN, free site migration. Value for price:9.4
|
Essential $9.96
300 GB Disk Space, 3 websites, 1000 email boxes, domain included, SiteLock (Malware Scanning). Value for price:7.5
|
|
Stellar Business $9.48
50 GB SSD, unlimited websites & mailboxes, auto-backup, cloud storage, free domain for 1st year, free SSL & Supersonic CDN, free site migration. Value for price:9.2
|
Premium $25.78
Unlimited Disk Space, 10 websites, unlimited email boxes, domain included, SiteLock Premium (Malware Scanning, Auto Malware Removal). Value for price:8.1
|
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
Nebula $19.88
30 GB SSD, 25 cPanel accounts, unmetered bandwidth, free cPanel/WHM. Value for price:8.3
|
|
|
Galaxy Expert $39.88
90 GB SSD, 100 cPanel accounts, unmetered bandwidth, free cPanel/WHM. Value for price:8.7
|
|
|
Universe Pro $58.88
150 GB SSD, 150 cPanel accounts, unmetered bandwidth, free cPanel/WHM. Value for price:8.8
|
As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their websites.
Enterprise plans
In terms of enterprise plans, Namecheap’s advanced dedicated server options shine with customizable configurations, high-traffic support, and broader OS options, paired with a comprehensive backup solution. NetworkSolutions, though offering substantial storage and multisite management for WordPress, falls short on the dedicated server options that Namecheap covers comprehensively. Namecheap’s advanced hosting options make it an ideal choice for enterprises.
Ease of setup
platform.
Score Components:
- Site migration (25%): Assesses whether the provider offers tools for site migration,
either automated or manual, and whether these services are free or require a fee. - Admin panel usability (35%): Evaluates the type of admin panel provided, such as the
standard cPanel or a custom solution, focusing on its accessibility and user-friendliness for both
technical and non-technical users. - Setup features (20%): Examines the availability and ease of use of various setup
features, including FTP accounts, file managers, email account setup, PHPMyAdmin, and easy CDN
configuration. - Help center quality (20%): Measures the quality and accessibility of the provider’s
help center resources, including articles and tutorials.
8.8
8.0
🏆 Winner Namecheap: Offers user-friendly setup with a simple dashboard and extensive support.
Namecheap uses cPanel for most of its hosting plans, providing a familiar and user-friendly experience for those already comfortable with this industry-standard control panel. EasyWP plans, however, utilize a customized dashboard which is designed to be highly accessible for both technical and non-technical users. This proprietary dashboard simplifies the management process, offering a streamlined interface where users can manage everything from domains to backups without the complexities of cPanel.
Network Solutions provides FTP credentials that allow users to move their website hosting easily. They also offer a custom content management system through their easy website builders. Though serviceable, it may appear slightly more complex for those unfamiliar with FTP and custom interfaces. The interface is practical for updates and most tasks but lacks the user-friendly touch and accessibility of Namecheap’s solution, especially for those less technically inclined.
Both Namecheap and Network Solutions offer migration services to help users move their websites from other hosting providers. Namecheap offers free migration services using the All-in-One WP Migration plugin, making it highly convenient and cost-effective. Network Solutions also provides migration services, but details on cost and method are less clear, suggesting there may be some fees involved or additional steps required.
Namecheap’s help center is comprehensive and accessible, including 24/7 live chat, an extensive Knowledgebase, and a support ticket system protected by SSL encryption. Network Solutions offers a solid Online Support Center with customer support available via phone and chat. However, the lack of 24/7 live chat can be a drawback for users who encounter issues outside of business hours.
User management
accessibility.
Score Components:
- Role customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
0.0
7.0
Winner Network Solutions: Extensive user management capabilities with multiple user roles and permissions.
When comparing both platforms’ abilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, Network Solutions clearly comes out ahead. Network Solutions defines three distinct user roles: Primary Contact, Admin Contact, and Technical Contact, each with specific permissions. The Primary Contact has the highest level of control, able to edit account information and manage user roles, while the Admin Contact shares similar permissions but cannot edit the main account holder’s details. The Technical Contact has the least permissions, limited to technical aspects without any financial or account management capabilities. Namecheap, on the other hand, does not provide detailed information about its user management features or specific user roles, making it challenging to assess its capabilities fully.
Network Solutions provides a clear and user-friendly interface for managing users. Accessing and altering user roles or account information is straightforward, with clearly defined steps. Users can log in, access the Accounts & Users section from the account manager, and manage contact information or user roles with minimal hassle. The ability to add, edit, or delete other user roles is available to both Primary and Admin Contacts, allowing for flexible management of user access. Namecheap lacks specific details in this regard, making it difficult to compare accurately without more information.
Regarding access control measures and the efficiency in managing a growing number of users, Network Solutions appears well-equipped to handle these needs. Its clear delineation of user roles ensures that access is appropriately managed and that each user only has permissions relevant to their role. This structure allows organizations to expand their user base without compromising security or operational efficiency. With the ability to quickly modify user roles and permissions, Network Solutions offers a scalable solution for user management. Due to the lack of detailed information about Namecheap’s user management features, it’s tough to determine how it would perform in a growing user environment.
Network Solutions User Roles Table:
| Role | Description | Access highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Contact | Can manage account holder info and payment details | Full control, including editing account info and payment details; can manage other user roles. |
| Admin Contact | Manages account payment info and other user roles | Can manage payment information and user roles but cannot edit account holder details. |
| Technical Contact | Handles technical aspects | Limited to technical tasks; cannot manage account or payment information. |
Customer support
hosting provider.
Score Components:
- Support communication channels (30%): Measures the variety of customer support types
provided (live chat, chatbot, email, phone, etc.) - Availability (20%): Assesses the availability hours for each channel, including 24/7
support options. - Technical support quality (30%): Assesses whether the provider offers comprehensive
technical support, including hardware upgrades (e.g., HDD to SSD), software installations, and web
server configuration changes. - Enterprise support (20%): Checks if there are dedicated or priority support services
for enterprise-level customers.
8.0
8.5
🏆 Winner Network Solutions: A top choice with award-winning customer service and extensive hosting plans.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Phone support |
||
Live chat support |
||
Chatbot |
||
Email/ticket support |
||
Enterprise support (dedicated agent, priority support) |
Namecheap offers a variety of customer support channels including 24/7 live chat and a detailed knowledge base. Customers can also rely on ticket support and have access to resources such as how-to videos and blog articles. While Namecheap lacks phone support, their live chat is responsive and helpful.
Network Solutions provides comprehensive support options, featuring live technical assistance and multiple phone support lines. They have 24/7 product support and cater to business clients with dedicated agents and priority support. Their extensive experience and recognition in customer service make them a reliable choice for those who value accessibility and in-depth support.
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.
User feedback on this hosting provider highlights several key strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, many users find the interface user-friendly and appreciate the ease of navigating through the platform, particularly when managing domains and webpages. However, there are significant concerns about the provider’s customer service, which many describe as unresponsive and ineffective at solving technical issues, often resulting in prolonged waits and unmet assurances. Additionally, users criticize the high costs, frequent upselling, and lack of timely communication during server outages, which collectively detract from the overall user experience.
FAQ
Which platform is better suited for hosting WordPress websites?
Namecheap is better suited for hosting WordPress websites due to its EasyWP plans, which offer superior performance, faster installation times, and managed WordPress options. Namecheap also includes a free CDN and SSD storage across all plans, contributing to faster load times and better overall performance. Network Solutions does provide WordPress hosting, but it lacks the specific performance enhancements and ease of management found in Namecheap’s offerings.
What are the major differences in pricing and value between namecheap and networksolutions?
Namecheap offers more economical and feature-rich hosting plans compared to Network Solutions, with the Stellar plan starting at $4.48/month. In contrast, Network Solutions’ basic shared hosting plan is pricier at $5.69/month. Namecheap’s offerings include free SSL for one year, free migration services, and competitive pricing across shared, WordPress, and cloud hosting plans, making it a better value for most users. Network Solutions, while more expensive, emphasizes larger storage and email capabilities but can be less cost-effective.
Which hosting service offers more scalability options for growing websites?
Namecheap provides a straightforward upgrade path for different hosting types including VPS and Reseller Hosting, making it easier to scale as needed. Namecheap’s various plan tiers and transparent pricing allow users to grow their websites with more flexibility. Network Solutions offers flexible plans but does not provide detailed information on their scaling processes, making Namecheap a more viable option for scalability.
How do the providers handle email hosting and what features are included?
Namecheap includes 30 email accounts in its Stellar plan and offers unlimited email accounts on higher-tier plans, along with advanced spam protection tools such as Jellyfish Spam Protection and SpamAssassin. Network Solutions, on the other hand, provides five email boxes on its Starter plan, scaling up to unlimited email boxes on higher plans, focusing on transactional email capabilities. Both providers support standard email protocols but have different approaches to email hosting features.
Which platform offers better customer support?
Namecheap offers 24/7 live chat support, email/ticket support, and a detailed knowledge base. However, it lacks phone support, which can be a drawback for some users. Network Solutions provides comprehensive support options including live technical assistance, multiple phone support lines, and dedicated agents for business clients, making it a better choice for those who prioritize extensive customer support.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
