OVH Cloud vs Domain.com: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over OVHcloud vs. Domain.com, 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.

• 
  Domain.com (Overall grade: 6.5)
  
  offers a user-friendly platform with a solid focus on WordPress and ecommerce hosting. Despite its claim of a 99.99% uptime guarantee, actual performance has lagged with a 99.11% uptime and slower response times. Domain.com provides unmetered bandwidth and a drag-and-drop website builder, which are appealing to beginners and those needing quick, customizable website solutions. The hosting provider also includes free SSL for the first year and promotional offers like a free domain. While its customer support is accessible and its platform easy-to-use, inconsistent performance and limited scalability options compared to OVHcloud reduce its overall appeal. Therefore, Domain.com appears better suited for small businesses or individual projects that require simplicity and ease-of-use over extensive resources.
• 
  OVHcloud (Overall grade: 8.2)
  
  shows significant strengths in its hosting offerings, particularly for high-traffic and enterprise-level websites. It boasts an impressive range of configurations, with up to 8 vCores and 16 GB RAM, which is ideal for resource-intensive projects. Its network infrastructure, inclusive of 43 data centers and 44 redundant PoPs, provides robust global reach and reliability. Uptime has been strengthened to 99.962%, and website speed benefits from high CPU/RAM allocations and SSD storage. Additionally, OVHcloud excels in security with anti-DDoS protection and extensive compliance certifications, including GDPR, PCI DSS, and HIPAA. While its customer support could improve, OVHcloud’s feature-rich plans and advanced user management options make it a preferred choice for many 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 OVHcloud: Consistent improvements make OVHcloud a reliable hosting choice.

OVHcloud shows a stronger track record for uptime and availability. While it had a rocky period with an uptime of 99.37%, improvements have brought it closer to industry standards with a 99.962% uptime. OVHcloud offers high availability in its Performance Hosting plan, ensuring resources are consistently available. It also provides a global infrastructure with 43 data centers and 44 redundant PoPs, coupled with decent average loading speeds.

Domain.com claims a 99.99% uptime guarantee but falls short in actual performance. Tests reveal a disappointing uptime of 99.11% and slower response times, averaging around 2.97 seconds. While the guarantee sounds promising, the lack of clear policy details and inconsistent performance make it less reliable. OVHcloud, on the other hand, improves in both uptime and availability, making it a superior choice for hosting needs.

🏆 Winner
OVHcloud: Excellent performance for resource-intensive projects.

When comparing the general performance of OVHcloud and Domain.com, OVHcloud stands out with its high-performance resources tailored for demanding applications. OVHcloud offers a range of configurations up to 8 vCores and 16 GB RAM, making it suitable for substantial workloads. Domain.com’s plans cap out at 10 websites and 40GB storage, resulting in a more modest setup. OVHcloud includes a basic CDN for optimized content delivery and has multiple data centers worldwide, enhancing global reach. In contrast, Domain.com offers unlimited bandwidth and relies on shared hosting configurations.

Website Speed

OVHcloud excels in website speed, given its high CPU/RAM allocations and SSD storage that support quick load times. The performance-boosting option allows sites to handle temporary traffic spikes effectively. Domain.com, while offering unmetered bandwidth and a drag-and-drop builder, does not provide extensive resources for large traffic surges, making it less ideal for high-traffic sites. OVHcloud’s included basic CDN ensures faster delivery of content compared to Domain.com’s limited offering.

Scalability

OVHcloud provides elastic scaling with its Boost Option for temporary traffic, making it cost-effective at $0.65/day to handle increased demand without requiring plan upgrades. This flexibility supports seamless growth and performance. Domain.com lacks detailed information on elastic scaling but offers plan upgrades to handle more significant traffic and storage needs. Neither provider specifically mentions dedicated servers for their plans. Therefore, scaling for Domain.com might involve switching plans rather than adaptive resource adjustments.

🏆 Winner
OVHcloud: Robust security and comprehensive compliance features make OVHcloud a reliable hosting provider.

Both OVHcloud and Domain.com, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

OVHcloud includes comprehensive technical security measures such as free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates, anti-DDoS protection, and automatic data backup services. Domain.com also offers multiple types of SSL certificates, including Wildcard SSL protection, and provides malware protection through SiteLock Security. However, OVHcloud’s default anti-DDoS protection and firewall inclusion offer a more robust technical security framework. In terms of PHP versions, neither provider details the specific versions supported. Overall, the range of included technical security measures positions OVHcloud ahead in this category.

Operational security measures:

OVHcloud provides automated task scheduling, a control panel for API management, and detailed statistics and logs. Domain.com includes SiteLock Security and 24/7 support from security experts with its plans. Both providers offer DDoS protection, but OVHcloud’s full suite of automation tools and multi-site management capabilities ensure more seamless operational security management. Data sovereignty and customer data ownership further strengthen OVHcloud’s operational security integrity.

Compliance and certifications:

OVHcloud boasts an extensive portfolio of compliance certifications, including GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and various ISO certifications. Domain.com complies with GDPR and PCI but does not specify HIPAA compliance. OVHcloud’s commitment to diverse international standards, including SOC 1, 2, 3, and CSA STAR, demonstrates a deeper adherence to complex regulatory requirements, thereby making it the more compliant choice.

🏆 Winner
OVHcloud: OVHcloud provides a comprehensive range of hosting services with robust security features and various management options.

OVHcloud and Domain.com both offer versatile hosting services, but with some key differences. OVHcloud provides managed hosting, which takes care of the infrastructure, monitoring, and security patches, making it ideal for users who prefer a hands-off approach. In contrast, Domain.com focuses on user-friendly features like a drag-and-drop builder and unlimited FTP accounts, making it a solid choice for website creators who need the flexibility to build and modify their sites easily. While OVHcloud supports task automation and has advanced features like anti-DDoS protection and multi-site management, Domain.com offers a free domain for the first year and unlimited bandwidth, but requires a promo code (DOMFREE) to access this benefit.

Both providers cater to different needs, but OVHcloud shines with its unlimited monthly traffic, anti-DDoS protection, and comprehensive backup and restore functionalities. This makes it particularly suitable for users who prioritize security and site reliability. Domain.com, with its sleek website builder and customized control panel, appeals to those who need a straightforward, customizable website and are looking for shared hosting simplicity. Both offer various levels of email hosting and 24/7 chat support, although Domain.com’s mention of 99% uptime guarantee may provide added peace of mind for some.

Email services:

Email services at OVHcloud and Domain.com both offer email services, but their capacities differ. OVHcloud provides up to 1000 email addresses with its Performance Web Hosting plan, focusing on hosting emails for communication and running multiple campaigns. Domain.com also offers email hosting and supports unlimited email storage, making it suitable for larger teams. However, Domain.com does not specify transactional email capabilities or reselling third-party services, whereas OVHcloud integrates its email service fully within its hosting plans.

🏆 Winner
OVHcloud: A feature-rich hosting provider offering various plans especially suited for diverse needs including enterprise-level performance.

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.

OVHcloud and Domain.com present an array of hosting plans aimed at catering to different user requirements. OVHcloud stands out with its affordable entry-level plans, such as the Starter Web Hosting at $1.04/month and more advanced Performance Web Hosting at $13.19/month, offering extensive disk space, email addresses, and high-performance resources. Domain.com provides consistent pricing across its basic, plus, and premium plans at $3.75/month with all plans offering unmetered bandwidth and varied storage capacities. OVHcloud’s plans include numerous freebies like a free domain for one year, and a variety of optional add-ons like SSL certificates and CDN, making it a comprehensive choice for both individual and business needs.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises, OVHcloud offers Performance Web Hosting at $13.19/month, including high-performance resources, 500GB disk space, and CDN Basic. This plan is suitable for businesses needing robust performance and scalability. Domain.com doesn’t explicitly provide an enterprise-specific plan but offers its Premium Plan at $3.75/month for up to 10 websites, 40GB of storage, unmetered bandwidth, and free SSL for the first year, making it an affordable option for smaller-scale enterprise needs.

🏆 Winner OVHcloud: Simplifies web hosting with advanced managed features and a user-friendly interface.

OVHcloud’s control panel offers a centralized interface designed to be straightforward, which helps both newbies and advanced users manage their products and services effectively. The control panel integrates features like 1-Click CMS installation, FTP Explorer, FTP Client, or SSH, and automatic backups, making it easy to maintain and set up a website. On the other hand, Domain.com provides a customized control panel especially useful for those opting for their WordPress hosting package. The inclusion of a drag-and-drop website builder caters to those who may not have any coding skills, offering a simple yet effective way to create and manage web content.

When comparing the admin panels, OVHcloud’s offering appears more accessible for advanced tasks due to its comprehensive features like SSH and FTP support, whereas Domain.com’s control panel is notable for its streamlined, user-friendly interface tailored for beginners. Both platforms excel in providing easy setup tools, but OVHcloud edges out with its robust centralized interface that appeals to a wider range of technical skills.

In terms of migration tools, OVHcloud offers various options like FTP Explorer and SSH, which facilitate manual migration of website files to their hosting plans. While specifics about automated migration tools are not highlighted, the manual options are quite flexible. Domain.com simplifies the process with its AI-powered website builder, though details on dedicated migration tools are sparse. This indicates that while both hosting providers offer migration methods, OVHcloud provides more control and options for technically sound users.

OVHcloud has a dedicated Help Centre and an extensive range of multilingual guides, covering everything from basic setup to advanced configurations. The OVHcloud Community and Partner Program add additional support layers, making it easier to find help and troubleshooting advice. Domain.com, on the other hand, features a comprehensive knowledge base, live chat support, blog articles, and a detailed control panel guide. Both offer valuable resources, but OVHcloud’s multifaceted approach provides more thorough support for various user needs.

🏆 Winner
OVHcloud: Comprehensive and flexible role management for growing cloud infrastructures.

OVHcloud offers advanced user role management features tailored for sophisticated cloud infrastructure needs, enabling the creation of unlimited OpenStack users with specific roles. In contrast, Domain.com’s user management focuses on predefined WordPress roles such as Administrator, Editor, and Author, suitable for website management. OVHcloud allows for precise role delegation such as Administrator, Network Operator, and combines roles for enhanced flexibility. Domain.com has broader but fewer roles without the capacity to create custom roles, focusing on content management rather than infrastructure oversight.

OVHcloud’s user management interface, accessible via its Control Panel, provides direct generation of configuration files, offering tools like OpenStack CLI and Rclone for optimal infrastructure control. Domain.com’s user addition interface within the WordPress Dashboard is simple and intuitive, designed for quick user role application. While OVHcloud caters to cloud professionals needing high customization and control, Domain.com provides a straightforward approach for website administrators.

Effective access control is critical, and OVHcloud’s ability to create and disable user accesses swiftly ensures robust security. With the capability to manage a virtually unlimited number of users and the provision of specific role-based access, OVHcloud can efficiently scale with user growth. Domain.com’s system is efficient for managing a fixed number of predetermined user roles, sufficing for typical website management but less adaptable for large infrastructures or diverse user needs.

OVHcloud user roles table:

🏆 Winner: OVHcloud: Offers multiple customer support levels tailored to different needs, including 24/7 technical support for critical incidents.

OVHcloud provides a range of customer support options, including email/ticket support available for all levels, telephone support on weekdays, and an active community forum. Higher-tier plans offer faster response times, with the business support level providing 24/7 access for critical incidents. However, this comes at a higher cost, with prices starting at $300 per month for business support. OVHcloud also plans to introduce live chat soon but has not provided a specific timeline. Refunds are limited to specific circumstances, and plans are set to renew automatically unless manually adjusted.

Domain.com offers 24/7 availability for both phone and live chat support, with generally quick response times. Customers can speak directly to a representative via phone in under three minutes or connect with a web chat technician in under two minutes. Its knowledge base provides detailed guides and tutorials. Although customer reviews are mixed, the company provides a more accessible support experience at potentially lower costs. A clear refund policy within the first 30 days is also a plus, making it a flexible option for many users.

User feedback

User feedback for this hosting provider reveals a stark contrast in experiences. On one hand, users appreciate the competitive pricing, diverse range of services, multiple datacenter locations, and solid server performance when issues do not arise, reflecting a favorable cost-benefit ratio. On the other hand, many users criticize the provider’s customer service, highlighting slow response times, inadequate technical support, and unresolved billing discrepancies, with some experiencing significant delays and lack of assistance in critical situations. Overall, while the hosting services can be robust and reliable, the customer support and service delivery times need considerable improvement.

User feedback for this hosting provider reveals a mixed experience. Many users appreciate its user-friendly platform, straightforward domain registration process, and reliable customer support. However, significant criticisms include poor customer service practices, confusing pricing and add-ons, and outdated or slow web interfaces. While some users praise the affordability and efficiency of domain management, others warn of hidden costs and problematic service.

FAQ