Nexcess vs Hostpapa: guide for 2024

Nexcess vs Hostpapa: Final verdict

Looking over Nexcess vs. HostPapa, 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.

• 
  HostPapa (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  excels in providing a variety of affordable plans, robust speed, and uptime. Its impressive NVMe storage, scalable VPS hosting, and included tools like a website builder and Jetpack make it an attractive option for beginners and experienced website owners. HostPapa’s responsive customer support with available one-on-one training sessions adds to its convenience and reliability. However, it offers fewer advanced features for high-performance or developer-centric environments compared to Nexcess, making it a better fit for users seeking a user-friendly and cost-effective hosting solution.
  
• 
  Nexcess (Overall grade: 8.2)
  
  
  stands out for its high performance and scalability, particularly for WordPress and ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce and Magento. With features such as autoscaling, the integrated CDN, and extensive compliance and security measures, Nexcess is well-suited for businesses needing advanced solutions. Despite being more expensive, it provides value with specialized agency hosting, strong technical support, and seamless migration services. Its advanced infrastructure and robust monitoring tools cater well to high-traffic and resource-intensive websites, although occasional downtime and higher costs may be drawbacks for some users.
  

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 HostPapa: Reliable uptime and fast load times.

Nexcess boasts an impressive infrastructure with 10 global data centers and a strong focus on transparency. Its uptime sits at 99.88%, with a performance grade of 70/100 from Pingdom. The average load time for Nexcess is 1.56 seconds, and it includes features such as a proprietary CDN, daily backups, and PCI compliance. Despite occasional downtime, Nexcess maintains a reliable presence for users.

HostPapa stands out with a 99.93% uptime, translating to about 5 hours of downtime annually. The load times are much faster compared to Nexcess, with speeds averaging under 690 ms from various Canadian cities. HostPapa also demonstrates transparency about maintenance and incidents, ensuring users are well-informed. With strong uptime and quick load times, HostPapa delivers efficient service.

🏆 Winner
Nexcess: Superior performance, scalability, and developer-friendly features.

Both Nexcess and HostPapa offer impressive general performance features. Nexcess boasts lightning-fast WordPress sites with automatic, integrated caching through Nginx and Redis. Their pages are expedited by a Global CDN powered by Cloudflare. HostPapa matches this with NVMe storage and a Cloudflare Enterprise CDN with 250+ global edge locations. While HostPapa uses CloudLinux for shared hosting security, Nexcess guarantees a robust environment with free autoscaling, daily backups, and free dev environments. Both providers offer strong security features and 24/7 customer support, making them reliable choices.

Website Speed

Nexcess promotes accelerated WordPress site performance with automatic caching and autoscaling capabilities, ensuring that websites can handle heavy traffic efficiently. HostPapa, on the other hand, delivers NVMe storage and optimized servers, resulting in significantly faster load times and higher PageSpeed scores. However, Nexcess offers more comprehensive monitoring tools, which help maintain website speed and performance under various conditions.

Scalability

Nexcess excels in scalability with free autoscaling for every site, automatically deploying additional PHP resources during traffic surges. Their plans accommodate a wide range of storage and bandwidth needs, from 15GB to 800GB and 2TB to 10TB respectively, without requiring immediate upgrades. HostPapa’s information on scaling capabilities is not detailed, though their service allows for expanding resources. Nexcess’s approach of integrating autoscaling without plan upgrades provides clear value for growing businesses needing seamless scalability.

🏆 Winner
Nexcess: Nexcess excels in delivering a comprehensive suite of security features and compliance measures for enhanced safety and reliability.

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

Technical security measures:

Nexcess offers a wide array of SSL certificates including Standard SSL, Premium SSL, and Extended Validation (EV) SSL, among others, providing robust encryption and flexibility. HostPapa, on the other hand, provides GlobalSign SSL certificates with a maximum of 256-bit data encryption for single domains and Wildcard SSL for unlimited subdomains. Nexcess supports PHP 7 and 8+ environments, while HostPapa allows users to select their PHP version, offering flexibility in module selection. Both platforms offer DDoS protection, malware removal, and firewall capabilities, but Nexcess adds an extra layer with its advanced Cloudflare-powered Performance Shield.

Operational security measures:

Nexcess employs proactive monitoring and advanced security hardening for all solutions, including daily backups stored for 30 days. HostPapa’s “Protection Power” includes daily malware scanning, real-time notifications, and automated threat discovery. Nexcess features automated OS updates, firewalls, and enterprise server monitoring. Meanwhile, HostPapa leverages SiteLock for deep site scans, reputation monitoring, and network security vulnerability scans. Both providers offer daily backups, but Nexcess emphasizes its enterprise-grade proactive security measures.

Compliance and certifications:

Nexcess is fully compliant with PCI DSS Level 1, SSAE-18, and GDPR standards. HostPapa meets GDPR and PIPEDA requirements and is certified for PCI compliance. Nexcess undergoes annual assessments for SOC-1 type II and SOC-2 type II compliance, confirming its adherence to SSAE-18 standards. Both providers enable businesses to meet stringent regulatory requirements, but Nexcess stands out with a more exhaustive list of certifications.

🏆 Winner
HostPapa:HostPapa excels in overall hosting features, making it a preferred choice for a broad range of users.

Both Nexcess and HostPapa offer robust hosting solutions but cater to different needs. Nexcess specializes in managed hosting for platforms like WordPress, WooCommerce, and Magento. It provides various features like plugin performance monitoring, WooCommerce automated testing, and proactive monitoring. For advanced users, Nexcess offers a developer-friendly environment with server-level Redis and cloud-based scalability. Nexcess also has a global CDN and free premium migrations, which are significant for businesses requiring high performance and growth potential. Other highlights include free unlimited email, daily backups, and a Cloud Accelerator, making it a solid choice for resource-intensive and scalable projects.

HostPapa, on the other hand, offers wide-ranging features that appeal to both beginners and experienced web developers. HostPapa’s unlimited SSD storage, free domain registration, and a Wildcard SSL Certificate stand out. The availability of a WordPress Staging environment allows for safe testing of updates before going live. For those looking for more control, HostPapa provides premium root-level SSH access and detailed security measures like DDoS protection and RAID redundancy. Moreover, the inclusion of Jetpack features and daily automated backups make HostPapa a competitive option. With free domain privacy for the first year and a high level of support via phone, ticket, and chat, HostPapa offers a comprehensive service that covers most essential hosting needs.

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 Nexcess and HostPapa 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:

Nexcess offers free unlimited email hosting, which is excellent for businesses that require multiple email accounts without additional costs. HostPapa matches this by providing unlimited email addresses as well. Nexcess doesn’t mention specific transactional email capabilities or third-party services, while HostPapa includes a full setup for email hosting with integrations and monitoring tools but doesn’t specify third-party service reselling. Both platforms ensure secure and reliable email hosting for individual and business needs.

🏆 Winner
HostPapa: Affordable plans with a variety of features to suit different needs.HostPapa: Affordable plans with a variety of features to suit different 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 Nexcess and HostPapa’s hosting plans, there are clear distinctions in price and features. Nexcess offers a broad range of hosting plans, including cloud hosting, specialized WordPress hosting for agencies, and managed WooCommerce hosting. However, these plans are generally more expensive, starting at $21/month. HostPapa, on the other hand, offers more budget-friendly options starting at $2.95/month with rich feature sets, including free website builders, email accounts, and SSL certificates. While Nexcess is robust with high-storage and bandwidth capabilities, HostPapa wins out due to its affordability, complimentary features, and ease of scaling up plans.

Enterprise plans

For enterprise-level plans, Nexcess offers robust solutions with higher storage and bandwidth capacities, such as the Enterprise Plan at $1095 per month, which includes support for up to 250 sites, 800GB storage, and 10TB bandwidth. HostPapa’s highest tier plans, such as the Earth VPS Hosting Plan at $109 per month, also cater to high-demand needs but with less specified storage and bandwidth allocations. Nexcess provides more detailed support and features suited for large-scale enterprises, making it a strong contender for larger businesses despite its higher cost.

🏆 Winner Nexcess: Nexcess provides a unique user experience with its custom-built admin panel, which is well-organized and intuitive for both technical and non-technical users. The admin interface focuses on simplifying complex tasks, allowing users to manage their hosting environments with ease. Additionally, it includes features like fast DNS propagation, professional email setup, and staging sites, which are integral to smooth website management. These aspects make the platform user-friendly for individuals who may not have in-depth technical skills, ensuring a straightforward and hassle-free experience.

In comparison, HostPapa utilizes the standard cPanel interface, which is renowned for its wide range of functionalities and ease of use. cPanel is familiar to many users, offering a comprehensive set of tools that cater to beginners and advanced users alike. The zero-click WordPress installation and one-click website publishing add to the convenience, making it simple to manage your site. While cPanel is highly regarded, users who require more streamlined custom options may find Nexcess’s admin panel to be superior in terms of tailored functionality and ease of use.

Nexcess stands out with its free managed migration service, which is handled by professionals and includes unlimited site transfers. This service simplifies the process for users, eliminating potential downtime and technical snags. HostPapa also offers free website migration but focuses on a self-service model with guides and limited support. Both platforms make migrating sites accessible, but the hands-on support from Nexcess professionals provides an edge for those who prefer a more guided experience.

Nexcess offers a comprehensive help center with 24/7/365 support via phone, chat, and email, along with a detailed Knowledge Base and support portal. This thorough support system includes articles, tutorials, webinars, and white papers, catering to various learning preferences. HostPapa, with a similar commitment to support, provides an extensive information center, featuring hundreds of searchable articles, video tutorials, and live chat with their PapaSquad experts. They also offer a unique one-on-one training session for certain plans. Both providers prioritize accessible and extensive support, but Nexcess’s application-specific guidance can be especially beneficial for users working with PHP-based applications.

Both providers prioritize accessible and extensive support, but Nexcess’s application-specific guidance can be especially beneficial for users working with PHP-based applications.

🏆 Winner Nexcess: A hosting provider with comprehensive and flexible user management options.

Nexcess and HostPapa each offer distinct approaches to user management and roles. Nexcess provides several predefined roles such as Superuser, Billing, and Technical, while allowing further customization through custom team creation. This flexibility enables tailored permissions suitable for various expertise levels. HostPapa, on the other hand, uses Plesk for user management, offering specific roles like managing users and roles, creating and managing sites, and configuring a variety of settings. However, its system does not seem to allow as much customization in user roles as Nexcess, which may limit flexibility in user role configuration.

Both platforms offer different user interfaces and tools for managing users. Nexcess uses its Client Portal, providing a streamlined way to create, assign, and customize teams. Users can easily edit team names and assign permissions, ensuring seamless management. HostPapa uses Plesk, which involves navigating through different sections, such as the Users and User Roles sections, to create and manage roles. While both platforms offer effective tools, Nexcess’s process seems more intuitive and user-friendly compared to the more segmented approach in HostPapa’s Plesk interface.

Regarding access control measures and scalability in user management, Nexcess allows for significant flexibility with no hard limit on permissions; users can manage a growing team efficiently. This adaptability ensures that as your team expands, adjusting permissions and roles remains straightforward. HostPapa’s Plesk allows granular control over permissions but might be less adaptable in handling a rapidly growing team due to its more rigid structure. Nexcess’s ability to create custom teams and adjust permissions on the fly gives it an edge in environments where user roles frequently change.

Nexcess user roles table:

🏆 Winner Nexcess: Nexcess stands out for its in-house expert support and comprehensive additional support features, ensuring reliable and specialized assistance for PHP-based applications.

Nexcess and HostPapa both provide 24/7/365 customer service through multiple channels, including phone, email, and live chat, ensuring you can get help anytime you need. Nexcess boasts a notably global in-house support team and specializes in PHP-based applications such as WordPress and Magento. The provider also includes proactive monitoring, daily backups, and a content delivery network powered by Cloudflare.

HostPapa offers several notable support features, such as an extensive online knowledge base, video tutorials, and the option to book a free 30-minute one-on-one training session with an expert. HostPapa has received positive customer reviews for its quick response times and helpful support team. Both hosting providers offer strong customer support, but Nexcess’s in-house expertise and specialized additional features give it a slight edge.

Nexcess vs Hostpapa: User feedback

User feedback on Nexcess hosting is highly polarized. Positive reviews frequently commend the platform’s knowledgeable and responsive customer support, emphasizing swift issue resolution and a user-friendly interface. However, negative reviews highlight significant issues with the backup system, slow migration processes, and unreliable server performance, causing operational disruptions and reputational damage. Many users note the decline in service quality following the company’s acquisition, culminating in mixed recommendations.

Overall, customers generally appreciate the ease of use, responsive customer support, and affordability of the hosting provider. Many users specifically highlight the excellent technical support and straightforward interface as significant advantages. However, some reviews mention downsides such as occasional transparency issues with billing, aggressive upselling tactics, and sporadic performance concerns like downtime or slow website speeds due to outdated technology. There are also mixed experiences regarding customer service efficiency, with some users facing frustrating delays while others commend the quick and knowledgeable support team.

Nexcess vs Hostpapa: FAQ