Namehero vs Knownhost: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over NameHero vs. KnownHost, it’s evident that KnownHost offers superior all-around performance and reliability.

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  KnownHost (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  excels in providing a broad range of hosting options, including dedicated and ecommerce hosting that NameHero lacks. KnownHost guarantees 99.9% uptime historically proven to be 99.996%, making it a highly reliable choice. Alongside A-grade performance metrics, KnownHost leverages top-tier NVMe storage and LiteSpeed caching to ensure quick load times and minimal latency. Their security measures are robust, featuring strong DDoS protection and continual daily automated backups. Furthermore, KnownHost shines in customer service, offering 24/7 support through various channels, impressive migration assistance, and user-friendly control panels, which consistently earn high praise from customers.
  
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  NameHero (Overall grade: 8.2)
  
  
  offers a compelling range of fully managed hosting plans with an emphasis on scaling and robust security features. Their 99.9% uptime guarantee and 1.2-second fully loaded website time underscore solid performance credentials, although slightly overshadowed by KnownHost. Advanced security measures including real-time malware scanning and AI-driven firewalls provide peace of mind for sensitive data, matched by outstanding compliance certifications. NameHero’s user interfaces are intuitive and suitable for both novices and experienced users, bolstered by a highly accessible help center and reliable human support. Despite these strengths, features such as higher renewal prices and limited dedicated hosting options affect their overall value proposition compared to KnownHost.
  

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
KnownHost: Providing superior uptime and performance with efficient customer support.

NameHero guarantees 99.9% uptime and ensures your website is online through 24/7 monitoring. It offers 320ms server response time and 1.2 seconds fully loaded time, earning a 99% performance grade on GTMetrix. Key features include LiteSpeed servers, NVMe storage on Turbo plans, free automatic SSL, and advanced security measures like AI-based Web Application Firewall and real-time malware scanning.

KnownHost also guarantees 99.9% uptime, but historically performs at 99.996%, often experiencing zero downtime. Their main website loads in 1.5 seconds, rated A (99%) on GTMetrix. They provide comprehensive support options, free SSL certificates, and strong DDoS protection up to 500 Gbit/s. With automated snapshot backups and security features like Imunify360, KnownHost ensures reliability and high performance.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: High-performance hosting with exceptional customer support.

When it comes to general performance, both NameHero and KnownHost utilize AMD EPYC CPUs and NVMe storage for fast speeds, complemented by LiteSpeed caching plugins for speedy site acceleration. NameHero guarantees a 99.9% uptime with 24/7 monitoring, while KnownHost promises a slightly superior 99.99% uptime. NameHero offers CDN support though details on cost are not specified; KnownHost does not list CDN offerings. NameHero operates two data centers in Lenexa, Kansas, whereas KnownHost’s data centers are not specified in the available information.

Website Speed

For website speed, both hosting providers utilize top-tier hardware and caching methods to ensure rapid load times. NameHero’s use of NVMe storage and AMD EPYC CPUs provides quick data retrieval, and their LiteSpeed caching plugin adds another layer of speed improvement. Similarly, KnownHost leverages the same hardware specifications and the LiteSpeed and LSCache combination, which is known for handling high traffic with minimal latency. Both providers are well-regarded for maintaining swift website performance.

Scalability

NameHero offers easily scalable hosting packages with a pay-as-you-grow model, allowing resources to be adjusted without downtime. Their VPS plans allow for further customization and scalability. KnownHost’s elasticity in scaling isn’t detailed; however, it is known to provide various hosting solutions from shared to dedicated servers, making it a flexible option for growing businesses. Specific costs for scaling with KnownHost are not provided.

🏆 Winner
NameHero: A highly secure hosting provider with extensive compliance and advanced security measures.

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

Technical security measures:

NameHero offers a suite of advanced security measures, including always-on DDoS protection, an AI-driven web application firewall (WAF), and real-time virus and malware scanning. KnownHost also provides strong DDoS protection up to 500 Gbps and includes the automated security tool Imunify360. NameHero employs virtualized user-level file systems and kernel-level technology to prevent symbolic link attacks, while KnownHost focuses on LiteSpeed + LSCache and Mod Security for maximum performance and protection. Both providers support multiple PHP versions, but NameHero includes additional technologies like WP-CLI and individual packet detection, which is a standard in military-grade systems.

Operational security measures:

NameHero demonstrates robust data center security with advanced biometrics, facial recognition, dual-authentication, and sophisticated fire suppression systems. KnownHost offers automated backups stored off-server and provides firewall and rDNS setup for added security. NameHero’s disaster recovery involves daily or hourly snapshots ensured by high-performing NVMe storage across multiple servers, enhancing its operational resilience. Both hosting services include free SSL certificates in their plans, but KnownHost extends its offering with premium SSL certificates from Comodo, RapidSSL, and GeoTrust, along with automated solutions to enhance their security.

Compliance and certifications:

NameHero stands out in compliance with SSAE 18 SOC I Type 2, SSAE 18 SOC II Type 2, HIPAA/HITECH, and PCI DSS certifications, ensuring rigorous standards for security and data protection. KnownHost meets PCI compliance with free SSL certificates and mentions GDPR compliance, though specific details are not provided. Both providers focus on securing sensitive data and meeting industry regulations, but NameHero’s extensive compliance credentials confer added assurance.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: Offering unbeaten benefits for both performance and security-conscious users.

Both NameHero and KnownHost provide an impressive range of hosting features tailored to diverse requirements. NameHero excels in offering fully managed plans across different hosting types, including WordPress, VPS, and enterprise hosting. With features like AI-powered web application firewalls, LiteSpeed caching, and NVMe storage, they guarantee high performance and security. KnownHost matches this with LiteSpeed + LSCache, NVMe storage, and AMD EPYC hardware, ensuring top-tier performance.

NameHero includes a free domain, making it appealing for new customers starting a website. Another distinctive feature is their AI-driven security shield coupled with 24/7 support across all plans. KnownHost provides users with free migrations and daily automated off-server backups. Notably, KnownHost offers free domain privacy for life on all registered domains, providing an edge in privacy protection. While both providers have FTP/SFTP and SSH access available, they differ in levels of SSH access, with NameHero offering more advanced options in higher-tier plans.

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 NameHero and KnownHost 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:

Both NameHero and KnownHost offer email hosting, enabling users to set up their email campaigns. Neither provider appears to resell third-party email services. KnownHost emphasizes its transaction email capabilities with sender protection through Imunify360, and NameHero doesn’t specify transactional email limits. The choice between the two may boil down to the level of security and privacy needed.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost offers a comprehensive range of hosting options with superior features and scalability.

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 NameHero and KnownHost, it’s evident that both offer a broad range of hosting solutions. NameHero specializes in web hosting, WordPress hosting, and VPS hosting, providing a mix of competitive pricing and extensive features like free SSL certificates and cPanel. However, despite its slightly higher cost, KnownHost’s plans boast enhanced storage, unlimited bandwidth, and advanced backup and migration options, making them a more versatile choice—especially for growing businesses.

Enterprise plans

NameHero’s Business Cloud plan for web hosting, priced at $29.95/month, offers unlimited websites, storage, and ~100,000 visits monthly, making it suitable for large-scale operations, with added perks like email filtering. KnownHost’s Premium VPS Server plan at $103.25/month provides a more powerful setup with an 8-core processor, 12 GB RAM, and 300 GB RAID-10 SSD storage, catering to enterprises requiring high computational power and ample storage. Each plan fulfills different high-demand needs, but KnownHost’s offering is better suited for organizations needing intensive performance and scalability.

🏆 Winner: KnownHost: Reliable and highly-rated hosting with impressive support and features.

NameHero offers an easy, Guru-Free control with a highly accessible interface suitable for both beginners and seasoned users. They feature a 1-Click management system which covers a variety of hosting needs, including WordPress and reseller hosting, all available via a straightforward control panel. The quick setup process allows users to get started without requiring any technical background, supported by an AI-driven security shield for added protection.

KnownHost provides instant setup services along with the integration of Softaculous for one-click application installations, making the admin panel accessible for non-technical users. The implementation of LiteSpeed and LSCache ensures optimal performance, facilitating both the setup and ongoing management of websites. The focus on user-friendliness is paralleled by the extensive support and customization options it offers, making the platform appealing to both novice and experienced users.

Both NameHero and KnownHost provide free website migration services. NameHero’s migrations are handled by their Level III team of experts, guaranteeing a smooth transfer process. KnownHost also offers seamless migration services, with their shared hosting support staff taking charge of the technical details to ensure minimal downtime. Both providers make it easy to switch, but KnownHost stands out by often providing zero downtime migrations, adding a layer of reliability.

NameHero’s help center boasts a range of articles covering various facets such as domains, cPanel, and WordPress, with a total tally of over 230 articles. Their resources are detailed and frequently updated, catering to both basic and advanced queries. KnownHost’s knowledge base is equally robust, featuring guides on popular topics and practical walkthroughs. The response times and user feedback highlight the efficiency of their support system. Both platforms provide comprehensive resources, but KnownHost’s customer praise underscores its superior support quality.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. NameHero offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. KnownHost 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: NameHero: A comprehensive hosting provider with a wide array of user management options.

NameHero and KnownHost both offer formidable user management capabilities, but they do so through different tools and interfaces. NameHero employs Web Host Manager (WHM) and cPanel for resellers and individual users, offering extensive control over user roles and permissions. KnownHost, on the other hand, uses the My KnownHost Panel for domain and user management, with support resources to guide users through the process. NameHero’s WHM provides a more streamlined approach by allowing resellers to create unique login credentials and oversee customer interactions directly. KnownHost lacks the branded reseller capability but offers guided assistance through its Knowledge Base.

NameHero’s user interfaces are robust and revolve around WHM and cPanel. WHM functions as the master control panel, allowing user creation and management with ease. cPanel provides individual users with the ability to manage various functions like backups, email accounts, and domain settings. KnownHost’s My KnownHost Panel offers domain management and user updates but appears less versatile compared to WHM and cPanel. The user interface is straightforward, but without the advanced capabilities of WHM, it might feel limited to users requiring detailed customization.

When it comes to access control and managing a growing number of users, NameHero excels with the comprehensive WHM system, which allows for detailed user roles and extensive permissions. It’s particularly effective for resellers who may need to manage increasing client bases while keeping administrative control centralized. KnownHost provides solid access control through the My KnownHost Panel, but managing more extensive user bases might be less efficient due to limited flexibility and customization options. However, KnownHost’s round-the-clock support mitigates this by providing users with instant assistance, ensuring continuous management capability.

NameHero user roles table:

KnownHost user roles table:

🏆 Winner KnownHost: Excellent customer service with diverse support options and high performance.

NameHero and KnownHost both excel in providing comprehensive customer support, but there are key differences between them. NameHero offers multiple channels including 24/7 live chat with no AI, a well-informed help center, and a SuperHero support team. Their phone support is limited to business hours, but they have a strong emphasis on human touch in customer interactions. The 30-day money-back guarantee, free website migrations, SSL certificates, and domain names make it a compelling choice for many users.

KnownHost, by contrast, provides 24/7 technical support and a wider range of contact methods, including phone support for both local and international customers. Their well-documented knowledge base and support forums provide additional resources for troubleshooting. KnownHost’s customer reviews highlight their fast response times and high uptime guarantee, making them a strong option for those seeking reliable performance and managed hosting services. KnownHost has a slight edge in overall customer satisfaction and performance metrics based on the given scores.

User feedback

NameHero is widely praised for its exceptional customer support, reliable performance, and user-friendly interface, especially for WordPress and resellers. Reviewers appreciate the speed and reliability of their hosting services, enhanced by features like free credits for CDN services. However, some users mention concerns about the high renewal prices and occasional interface issues. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall satisfaction remains high, citing NameHero as an excellent choice for web hosting needs.

KnownHost receives mixed feedback from its users. Many users praise its responsive and professional customer support, high uptime, and excellent technical infrastructure, particularly for managed WordPress and VPS hosting. However, there are significant complaints about slow server speeds, unhelpful support, and confusing user interfaces. Additionally, some users believe that the service is overpriced given the performance issues they have encountered. Overall, while KnownHost has loyal customers who appreciate its offerings, potential users should be aware of the varied experiences and evaluate if it meets their specific needs.

FAQ