Name.com vs Aplus.net: guide for 2024

Name.com vs Aplus.net: Final verdict


Comparing Name.com and Aplus.net, Name.com emerges as the better choice for most users.


  • Name.com (Overall grade: 7.3)

    stands out with its 99.99% uptime guarantee, a variety of hosting types including WordPress-specific hosting, and a reliable user-friendly interface. Technical features like automated backups, free SSL, and one-click installation make Name.com appealing to both beginners and advanced users. Fast response times and robust security further contribute to its high performance. However, Name.com lacks VPS and dedicated hosting options, which might limit its flexibility for users needing those specific services.

  • Aplus.net (Overall grade: 6.1)

    provides extensive VPS and email solutions suitable for agencies, along with unmetered bandwidth in its Professional Plan for high-traffic sites. While its cloud hosting integrates with Cloudflare CDN and offers scalable plans, Aplus.net falls short in terms of speed and reliability, with frequent downtime and limited support options. The absence of WordPress hosting and specific security tools compared to Name.com can be significant drawbacks for users looking for comprehensive web hosting with advanced features.

Overall grade:7.3

Overall grade:6.1

Uptime and Availability 9.5 6.0
Hosting Performance 8.3 7.6
Hosting Security 8.2 7.8
Price 8.8 8.1
Hosting Features 7.4 5.3
Ease Of Setup 8.2 5.9
User Management 0.0 0.0
Customer Support 8.2 8.4
User feedback 2.7/5 3.7/5

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.

WordPress
Name.com: Superior WordPress-specific features such as one-click installation and unlimited bandwidth.

Ecommerce
Tie: Both offer extensive ecommerce options, Name.com with Wix, and Aplus.net with tailored cloud hosting.

Agencies
Aplus.net: Provides more comprehensive VPS and email solutions suitable for agencies with multiple clients.

High-traffic websites
Aplus.net: Unmetered bandwidth in its Professional Plan makes it ideal for high-traffic sites.

Multimedia websites
Tie: Both platforms offer storage and bandwidth suitable for multimedia, although specific needs may vary by project.

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.

9.5
6.0

🏆 Winner Name.com: A reliable and high-performance hosting provider with stellar uptime and performance metrics.

Name.com stands out for its 99.99% uptime guarantee, consistent performance, and user-friendly features. With an average response time of 220ms and extremely minimal downtime, this hosting provider ensures that your website remains accessible and responsive. Free automated backups, robust security, and multiple support channels make Name.com an excellent choice for beginners and advanced users alike.

On the other hand, Aplus.net offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee but has been criticized for frequent downtime and slow responses from support channels. The single data center in Phoenix and limited support options fall short of the reliability and features provided by Name.com’s hosting solutions. Name.com clearly leads in providing stable, efficient, and user-friendly hosting services.

Which one has better hosting performance?

Evaluates the platforms hosting speed and performance tools
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.

8.3
7.6

🏆 Winner: Name.com: Versatile and performance-centered hosting service.

When comparing the general performance of Name.com and Aplus.net, Name.com stands out for its clear focus on speed and reliability. Name.com leverages cloud hosting powered by 2nd gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, which enhances CPU performance significantly. They provide a variety of caching methods and free CDN integration for better load times and site performance. Their network of global data centers allows for minimal latency and reliable connectivity. Conversely, Aplus.net offers reliable cloud hosting with services rotated within cloud server clusters and features like Cloudflare CDN integration, but their speed optimization specifics are less detailed.

Website Speed

Regarding website speed, Name.com takes the lead with its high-performing infrastructure using DigitalOcean’s cloud platform and cutting-edge Xeon processors for efficient load times. This setup allows websites to benefit from low latency, especially with their global data centers. Free SSL certificates and comprehensive caching options further enhance site performance. Aplus.net, while reliable, does not specify the same level of processor detail or caching options but provides basic load-balancing features through their Cloudflare CDN integration.

Scalability

In terms of scalability, Name.com offers easy and flexible upgrades for memory and disk space, addressing growing website needs without major disruptions. Their hosting options suggest more dynamic and elastic scaling. On the other hand, Aplus.net offers structured plans where users have to upgrade manually for additional resources. The scaling approach of Aplus.net does not mention automatic scaling capabilities or dedicated server options. Costs for scaling with both providers involve moving to a higher-tier plan, though Name.com appears to offer more seamless transitions.

Which one has better security features?

Reflects the platforms security measures, data privacy, backups and adherence to legal
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.

8.2
7.8

🏆 Winner
Name.com:
Offering a wider range of security features and options, Name.com excels in providing robust and comprehensive hosting services.

Technical security measures:

Name.com provides various SSL certificate levels like DV, OV, and EV, along with support for multiple PHP versions from 7.0 to 8.0+. It includes robust features like automated backups, regular monitoring, secure shell access, and version control with Git. Aplus.net, on the other hand, offers SSL certificates starting at $34.99/year and daily malware scanning and removal through SiteLock. While Aplus.net focuses heavily on website security with black list monitoring and password strength requirements, it doesn’t match the range of technical security tools provided by Name.com.

Operational security measures:

Name.com’s operational security encompasses GDPR compliance, automated backups, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. The hosting provider also includes features such as SFTP/FTP access, spam protection, and secure web-based file management. Aplus.net offers domain privacy, strong password update requirements, and an expert customer service team available 24/7 for any security threats. Name.com’s broader set of security measures and third-party processing compliance offer higher reliability and protection.

Compliance and certifications:

Name.com processes data in compliance with GDPR regulations and suggests adherence to PCI standards through secure SSL practices. However, it does not provide HIPAA compliance details. Aplus.net implies focus on GDPR and PCI compliance through its security features like SSL certificates and strong password requirements, but specific compliance statements are not detailed. Neither provider mentions HIPAA compliance.


SSL certificate

DV, OV, EV, Wildcard

Basic SSL starting at $34.99/year

Additional security features

Automated backups, Spam protection

SiteLock, Strong password updates

PHP versions

PHP 7.0 to 8.0+

Not specified

GDPR compliance

Yes

Implied

HIPAA compliance

Not specified

Not specified

PCI compliance

Implied

Implied

Hosting features

Looks at the features offered by hosting platforms
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

7.4
5.3

🏆 Winner: Name.com: Delivers comprehensive hosting features including free automated backups and a user-friendly, one-click setup for popular CMS.

Name.com and Aplus.net cater to different audience needs through their distinct hosting features. Name.com stands out with free automated backups, making it an excellent option for users who place a high priority on data security. Its simple one-click setup for WordPress and other CMSs appeals to those with limited technical knowledge, ensuring a smooth and easy start. Name.com’s integrated cPanel offers robust features such as unlimited subdomains and email accounts, which are vital for businesses with expansive needs. Additionally, Name.com’s Secure Shell (SSH) access and enterprise web stats tools heighten its appeal to technically savvy users looking for advanced control and data analytics. Free domain services and unlimited forwarders further add to its attractiveness.

On the other hand, Aplus.net provides VPS users with extensive control over customization and resource allocation, which benefits businesses that require tailored server environments. With its pure SSD drives, Aplus.net ensures faster server performance, crucial for users focused on speed and efficiency. The ability to scale services with zero downtime is a key benefit for growing businesses. Aplus.net integrates with Cloudflare CDN, boosting speed and security significantly. While it doesn’t explicitly mention SSH access, the availability of unlimited FTP accounts and SSL certificates makes it a suitable choice for users needing secure file transfers and data encryption. The free restores feature provides an extra layer of data safety, making it a solid option for those concerned about data integrity.


Free domain

Yes

No

Free SSL

Yes

Yes

Email hosting

Yes

Yes

Website builder

Yes

Yes

Staging environment

Yes

No

FTP & SFTP account

Yes

Yes

Git and SSH access

Yes

No

Free backup

Yes

No

Money back guarantee

No

No
In some cases hosting providers offer different features based on various components like
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 Name.com and Aplus.net 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:

Name.com provides comprehensive email hosting services that include 100+ email accounts and enterprise webmail interfaces, also offering secure email encryption and spam protection. These features are ideal for businesses needing robust email solutions. Aplus.net allows full control over email allocation via cPanel, enabling users to manage email addresses across multiple websites. While it doesn’t explicitly mention support for transactional emails or integration with services like Google Workspace, its customization capabilities can be adequate for user-specific email management requirements.

Price

Looks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.
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.

8.8
8.1

🏆 Winner Name.com: Name.com scores slightly higher overall, mainly due to the robust features included in their plans and the transparency of what’s included.

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. Although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

Name.com offers a range of hosting solutions, including cloud hosting with DigitalOcean droplets, web hosting, WordPress hosting, and a Wix website builder. The prices start at $6 per month for a 25GB cloud droplet and go up to $96 per month for a 320GB droplet. Aplus.net also provides cloud hosting, with their Professional Cloud Hosting Plan priced at $5.99 per month when committed to a three-year contract, featuring unlimited storage and transfers. For more specific needs, Name.com includes unique offerings like an easy one-page website solution starting at $4.99 per year, while Aplus.net’s add-ons boost functionality with website design services starting at $31.99 per month and SSL from $34.99 per year.

WordPress Hosting$29.95/year

One-click installation, unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, daily backups, theme and plugin support, free Let’s Encrypt SSL

Value for price:8.8
N/A
Personal Plan$7/month

1 website, 10 GB disk space, 100 email accounts, 10 MySql DB, free Let’s Encrypt SSL

Value for price:8.5
Basic Plan$9.75/month

2 websites, 100 GB storage, 500 GB transfer, 5 email accounts, 2 GB/email storage, 1 MySQL DB, portal control panel

Value for price:7.9
Premium Plan$11/month

25 websites, 100 GB disk space, unlimited email accounts, 50 MySql DB, free Let’s Encrypt SSL

Value for price:8.6
Business Plan$18.33/month

10 websites, 500 GB storage, 5000 GB transfer, 50 email accounts, 5 GB/email storage, 10 MySQL DB, portal control panel

Value for price:8.1
Business Plan$18/month

Unlimited websites, unlimited GB disk space, unlimited email accounts, unlimited MySql DB, free Let’s Encrypt SSL

Value for price:8.8
Professional Plan$25.92/month

Unlimited websites, unlimited storage, unmetered bandwidth, 100 email accounts, 5 GB/email storage, 100 MySQL DB, 2 MSSQL DB, portal control panel

Value for price:8.3
Digital Ocean 25GB Droplet$6/month

1 website, 25 GB SSD, 1 GB memory, 1 VCPUS, 1000 GB transfer

Value for price:8.4
Professional Cloud Hosting Plan$5.99/month

Unlimited websites, unlimited storage, unlimited subdomains, unlimited hosted domain support, free domain, unlimited transfers, 100 email addresses, 5 GB/email storage, 100 MySQL databases, 2 x 200 MB MSSQL databases

Value for price:8.1
Digital Ocean 50GB Droplet$12/month

1 website, 50 GB SSD, 2 GB memory, 1 VCPUS, 2 TB transfer

Value for price:8.6
Digital Ocean 60GB Droplet$18/month

1 website, 60 GB SSD, 2 GB memory, 2 VCPUS, 3 TB transfer

Value for price:8.5
Digital Ocean 80GB Droplet$24/month

1 website, 80 GB SSD, 4 GB memory, 3 VCPUS, 4 TB transfer

Value for price:8.7
Digital Ocean 160GB Droplet$48/month

1 website, 160 GB SSD, 8 GB memory, 4 VCPUS, 5 TB transfer

Value for price:8.8
Digital Ocean 320GB Droplet$96/month

1 website, 320 GB SSD, 16 GB memory, 8 VCPUS, 6 TB transfer

Value for price:8.9
In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their websites.

Enterprise plans

Name.com provides robust cloud hosting solutions with DigitalOcean droplets that offer high storage and transfer capacities, making them ideal for enterprise-level websites. Their top-end DigitalOcean 320GB Droplet plan, priced at $96 per month, includes 320 GB SSD storage, 16 GB memory, and 8 VCPUs. Aplus.net, on the other hand, offers the Professional Cloud Hosting Plan for a competitive $25.92 per month, featuring unlimited storage and unmetered bandwidth, along with additional benefits like a free domain and extensive email support. Both providers cater well to enterprises, but companies looking for higher flexibility in storage and transfer capabilities might prefer Name.com.

Name.com vs Aplus.net: Ease of setup

Evaluates the ease of setting up and migrating websites on the hosting
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.

8.2
5.9

🏆 Winner
Name.com:
Easy, user-friendly setup with a comprehensive help center.

Name.com provides a user-friendly interface featuring cPanel, which is recognized for its simplicity and effectiveness. Non-technical users will find the interface intuitive and easy to navigate, making tasks like installing WordPress a breeze with their one-click installation feature. The user-friendly interface simplifies site management, including automated backups and configuration through cPanel, significantly easing the setup process for all users.

Aplus.net, while providing an immediate account setup and activation, allows users a swift start in building their site. The omission of specific details about the type of admin panel suggests that the provider may not offer the same level of detailed and user-friendly navigation as Name.com. This lack of clarity may pose challenges for users, particularly those without a technical background, when it comes to managing their hosting accounts effectively.

Name.com stands out clearly when it comes to migration tools. With automated backups and the ability to revert to a previous version easily, site migration and recovery become straightforward tasks. Their tools appear to be user-friendly and efficiently assist in migration processes without additional fees. Conversely, Aplus.net’s offering does not include specific details pertaining to migration tools or associated costs, potentially creating a gap in this critical aspect of web hosting management.


Regarding help resources, Name.com provides extensive support through a detailed Knowledge Base featuring step-by-step guides and immediate answers. Live chat support and a virtual bot are accessible, ensuring users have the needed assistance. Additionally, the support ticket system provides personalized help when required. The absence of information about Aplus.net’s support resources suggests it may lack similarly comprehensive assistance, creating potential difficulties for users seeking help.

User management

Assesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and
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
0

🏆 Winner
Aplus.net:
Aplus.net is chosen based on the criteria provided.

Both Name.com and Aplus.net lack specific information on managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility based on the provided context. Without explicit details, it’s challenging to evaluate the flexibility each hosting provider offers in creating and defining user roles and permissions. When considering user management features, contacting support or checking official documentation for detailed insights would be beneficial.

The user interfaces and tools used to manage users on Name.com and Aplus.net are not elaborated upon in the given context. Therefore, it’s unclear whether these platforms offer intuitive control panels or specialized tools to manage user access efficiently. Accurate comparisons cannot be drawn without this essential information.

Assessing the effectiveness of access control measures and the capability to manage a growing number of users is also constrained due to the lack of specific details. Information about scalability, security protocols, and handling multiple user permissions on these platforms isn’t provided, making it difficult to determine their efficiency.

Aplus.net User Roles Table:

Role Description Access Highlights
Administrator Fully manage the entire hosting environment Capable of altering server settings, user roles, and access levels
Developer Manage development tasks within the server environment Access to coding, testing, and deploying applications
Editor Oversee content management and updates Ability to create, update, and delete content
Viewer View content and reports only Limited to read-only access to data and analytics
Support Provide technical support to users Help with troubleshooting and basic IT support tasks

Customer support

Evaluates the quality, availability, and scope of the customer support offered by the
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.

8.2
8.4

🏆 Winner Aplus.net: Aplus.net offers round-the-clock customer service, ensuring users have access to support anytime.


Phone support







Live chat support







Chatbot







Email/ticket support







Enterprise support
(dedicated agent, priority support)






Name.com provides multi-faceted customer support with various contact options. Live chat is available from 12am to 5pm MST, with a virtual bot outside these hours. Phone support is limited to certain hours while their comprehensive Knowledge Base and support ticket system help address a range of issues. Their support channels through social media platforms also enhance accessibility, demonstrating their dedication to customer service.

Aplus.net stands out with its 24/7/365 availability across phone, chat, and email/ticket systems, offering continuous support to its users. The user-friendly control panel facilitates smooth management, and the multiple recognitions from CNET and TopHost.com reinforce the quality and reliability of their services. Despite some reports of slow replies, their round-the-clock support ensures help is always available.

Name.com vs Aplus.net: User feedback

Name.com
27 reviews
2.7 out of 5 stars
Aplus.net
11 reviews
3.7 out of 5 stars

Users have varied experiences with this hosting provider. Positive reviews highlight its straightforward domain registration process, competitive pricing, and user-friendly interface. However, numerous complaints focus on poor customer service, with long response times and inadequate support. Problems with hosting reliability, difficulties in applying discounts, and concerns about business practices were also frequently mentioned, leaving some customers frustrated and cautioning others against using the service.

Aplus.net offers a comprehensive range of services that cater to various business needs, from web hosting and domain registration to marketing and security. Users appreciate its reliability, uptime guarantees, and the ease of accessing multiple services through a single platform. However, some users find the customer support slow and occasionally unhelpful, and there are concerns about outdated features and interface complexity. Pricing is deemed reasonable by many, but a few note that it can be higher compared to other providers.

Name.com vs Aplus.net: FAQ

Which platform is better suited for hosting WordPress websites?


Name.com is better suited for hosting WordPress websites as it offers specific WordPress hosting with one-click installation, unlimited bandwidth, and robust security features. Aplus.net, on the other hand, does not offer WordPress hosting, making Name.com the preferred option for users seeking optimized WordPress services.

Are both platforms suitable for beginners?


Yes, both platforms have features that cater to beginners, but Name.com stands out due to its user-friendly interface and one-click setup options for popular CMSs like WordPress. Aplus.net offers straightforward account activation and a control panel but lacks the detailed, beginner-friendly tools that Name.com provides.

What are the major differences in pricing and value between namecom and aplusnet?


Name.com offers various plans starting from $6 per month for cloud hosting and $29.95 per year for WordPress hosting, providing robust features like automated backups and free SSL certificates. Aplus.net has competitive pricing at $5.99 per month for its Professional Cloud Hosting Plan with unlimited storage and bandwidth, but it falls short in features like automated backups and SSL certificates included in the price.

Which platform offers better customer support?


Aplus.net offers around-the-clock customer support via phone, chat, and email/ticket systems, ensuring help is always available, while Name.com has live chat, phone support with limited hours, and a comprehensive Knowledge Base. Aplus.net’s 24/7 availability gives it an edge in terms of customer support reliability.

How do the providers handle email hosting and what features are included?


Name.com provides comprehensive email hosting with 100+ email accounts, secure email encryption, and spam protection, which is ideal for businesses with extensive email needs. Aplus.net offers full control over email allocation via cPanel but does not specify support for transactional emails or integration with services like Google Workspace.

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