OVH Cloud vs Hostmonster: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over OVHcloud vs. HostMonster, both providers offer strong web hosting solutions with their own unique strengths but differ notably in performance and features.

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  OVHcloud (Overall grade: 8.2)
  
  
  shines with its extensive global infrastructure, excellent performance metrics, and robust scalability options, making it ideal for high-traffic and resource-intensive websites such as e-commerce platforms. With a variety of hosting types, advanced security measures, and comprehensive compliance certifications, OVHcloud supports users requiring stringent regulatory adherence and complex operational needs. However, its customer support lags behind with limited live support options and a complicated refund policy.
  
• 
  HostMonster (Overall grade: 7.4)
  
  
  stands out for its reliable uptime, superior multimedia support, and versatile customer service, including 24/7 availability and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It provides valuable features like a free site builder and unlimited disk storage, which are attractive for users managing multiple sites or substantial content libraries. Despite these benefits, HostMonster’s performance varies widely across plans, with lower-tier offerings lacking the resources for demanding projects, making it a less versatile option for rapidly scaling businesses.
  

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 HostMonster: Exceptional reliability and solid customer support.

OVHcloud boasts an extensive global infrastructure with 43 data centers and 44 redundant Points of Presence worldwide. While recent improvements in uptime bring it closer to industry standards, past issues leave room for caution. Its performance metrics are compelling with high availability in the Performance Hosting plan and excellent page load speeds, especially in Western Europe and eastern North America. OVHcloud also includes automatic backups and Anti-DDoS protection to safeguard data and maintain service availability.

HostMonster demonstrates excellent uptime performance with no recorded downtime in a 14-day test period and minimal downtime over a month. The platform offers a dependable uptime guarantee, backed by robust back-end protections. Despite its longer load times compared to OVHcloud, HostMonster ensures reliable performance with an impressive response time and satisfactory ratings. Complemented by 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, HostMonster stands out for its reliability and customer service offerings.

🏆 Winner OVHcloud: Best suited for resource-intensive projects and e-commerce websites.

When comparing the general performance of OVHcloud and HostMonster, OVHcloud stands out with its high-performance hosting resources, including up to 8 vCores and 16 GB RAM, which are particularly beneficial for demanding applications and websites. It offers a substantial 500GB of disk space and supports up to 1,000 email addresses. The plan includes a basic CDN, Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates, and includes various anti-DDoS and firewall protections. In contrast, HostMonster’s performance varies widely across its plans. While their Pro plan does offer high performance, the lower-tier plans provide standard performance, which might not be enough for resource-heavy projects. HostMonster also provides a free SSL certificate for all plans and includes additional features like email storage and automated backups, but its scalability could be restricted by factors such as a max file count and max database size.

Website Speed

Evaluating website speed, OVHcloud provides a solid foundation with high-performance resources and basic included CDN, ensuring faster load times and improved page performance. The option for boosting resources during traffic spikes can further sustain speed during peak periods. On the other hand, HostMonster’s website speed depends largely on the chosen plan. The Pro plan, equipped with dual quad processors and high-performance servers, promises reliability, but standard performance on other plans might show varied results depending on the workload and traffic.

Scalability

OVHcloud offers scalability that is well-suited for growing e-commerce websites, with the ability to scale up to 8 vCores and 16 GB RAM. The availability of an optional boost to handle temporary traffic spikes adds flexibility without needing to permanently upgrade plans. HostMonster, while providing plans that range from Basic to Pro, doesn’t specify automatic elastic scaling, meaning you might need to manually upgrade to a higher-tier plan to accommodate increased demand. Dedicated IP and premium SSL are additional costs in HostMonster’s higher-tier plans, making scaling potentially more expensive.

🏆 Winner
OVHcloud: Provides a robust suite of security features and a wide range of compliance certifications for various regulatory requirements.

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

Technical security measures:

OVHcloud offers SSL certificates including Let’s Encrypt, Sectigo DV, and Sectigo EV, while HostMonster provides SSL secure servers and premium SSL options starting at $80.04 per year. OVHcloud includes anti-DDoS protection and an automatic backup and restore service, features not specified for HostMonster. On the PHP front, OVHcloud supports dynamic sites using PHP without detailing specific versions, whereas HostMonster supports PHP 5 and allows for custom PHP configuration. Firewalls and task automation are additional perks with OVHcloud, lacking equivalent details in HostMonster’s offerings.

Operational security measures:

HostMonster includes SiteLock Security with daily vulnerability scanning, automated malware removal, and a web application firewall. OVHcloud includes a comprehensive anti-DDoS solution and firewall as standard. Both providers enable two-factor authentication, but OVHcloud extends support with advanced API management and scheduling tools (Crontab task scheduler). HostMonster offers spam protection via Spam Assassin and a detailed basic site security checklist, which includes guidance on script updates and secure access measures. OVHcloud provides detailed statistics, logs, and multi-site management for streamlined operational monitoring.

Compliance and certifications:

OVHcloud stands out with an extensive list of compliance certifications such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, multiple ISO standards (27001, 27701, 14001, and 50001), and SOC 1, 2, and 3, among others. HostMonster complies with GDPR and PCI DSS but lacks specific HIPAA certification. OVHcloud’s varied certifications affirm adherence to stringent international and national regulations, offering a significant advantage for businesses with rigorous compliance needs.

🏆 Winner
HostMonster: A versatile hosting service offering an array of unlimited features suitable for various web hosting needs.

Both OVHcloud and HostMonster offer a wide variety of features, but cater to different user needs. OVHcloud shines with its managed hosting capabilities, ensuring that the infrastructure, monitoring, and security patches are all taken care of. It also offers 1-click CMS installations, making it easy to set up popular platforms like WordPress, PrestaShop, Drupal, and Joomla. HostMonster also provides a 1-click script installer through SimpleScripts, along with a free drag-and-drop site builder. This tool is invaluable for users who prefer a user-friendly interface for creating websites without needing extensive coding knowledge. HostMonster’s unlimited disk storage and domain hosting further enhance its appeal for users looking to maintain multiple, substantial websites without worrying about space restrictions.

When considering domain registration and additional fees, HostMonster offers a free domain name for the first year, which can be a significant draw for new website owners trying to keep initial costs low. While OVHcloud doesn’t include this feature, it compensates with more sophisticated security features like Anti-DDoS protection, ensuring your site remains safe from malicious attacks. The backup and restore options OVHcloud offers are also a standout feature, allowing users to restore files from specific points within the past 14 days. In terms of FTP/SFTP and SSH access, both providers are on par, although OVHcloud’s specific differentiation into plans offering FTP/SFTP vs. SSH access might be a deciding factor for more technically-inclined users.

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 OVHcloud and HostMonster 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 OVHcloud and HostMonster offer extensive email hosting services. OVHcloud provides up to 1000 email addresses depending on the plan, supporting IMAP and POP3 protocols. HostMonster provides unlimited POP3/POP3 Secure and IMAP/Secure IMAP support, making it easier for users to manage their email communications. HostMonster also supports multiple webmail solutions and offers forwarding email accounts, giving users flexibility in managing their email needs. Neither provider appears to resell third-party email services, ensuring all email capabilities are within their control.

🏆 Winner OVHcloud: Offering cost-effective plans with impressive features, OVHcloud is an excellent choice for diverse hosting 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 OVHcloud and HostMonster, the variance in pricing and features becomes evident. OVHcloud offers highly competitive monthly rates starting at $1.04/month for basic plans, providing features like free domain names and WordPress installation. HostMonster, with its higher pricing from $12.99/month, includes more generous email and storage allowances. However, OVHcloud’s Performance plans include high-performance resources and a CDN at a significantly lower price point than HostMonster’s Pro Plan. Both providers have customization options like SSL certificates, but OVHcloud’s value proposition is evident with its lower cost and comprehensive feature set.

Enterprise plans

For enterprise needs, OVHcloud’s Performance Web Hosting at $13.19/month stands out with 500GB storage, unlimited bandwidth, and high-performance resources. HostMonster’s Pro Plan, starting at $33.99/month, offers unmetered websites and bandwidth but comes at a significantly higher price. OVHcloud offers more storage and enhanced performance at a lower cost, which is a considerable advantage for enterprises with significant data and traffic needs.

🏆 Winner OVHcloud: Offers managed hosting and an easy-to-use control panel.

OVHcloud and HostMonster have different approaches to their admin panels, catering to diverse user needs. OVHcloud provides a custom OVHcloud Control Panel that is centralized and simplified, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users. This interface allows you to manage your products and services efficiently, focusing on configuration and automation without overwhelming the user with complex settings. The availability of multiple options for file management, including FTP Explorer, FTP Client, or SSH, offers flexibility based on user preferences or requirements.

HostMonster, powered by Bluehost, offers a standard cPanel for managing your hosting. cPanel is widely known and used in the industry, making it familiar to many users. It provides an efficient way to manage your website with a range of features from email configuration to domain management. HostMonster complements cPanel with a step-by-step Getting Started Guide, catering especially to those who may be new to website management. Both admin solutions are user-friendly, with OVHcloud’s custom panel offering a slightly more streamlined experience for novices.

When it comes to migration tools, both providers make it relatively easy to transfer your site. OVHcloud provides options to manually move your website files using FTP Explorer, FTP Client, or SSH, which provides a decent level of control but may require some expertise. There is no explicit mention of automated migration tools, which could be a limitation for users unfamiliar with the technical details. On the other hand, HostMonster does not specify dedicated migration tools in the provided information, indicating that migration might need to be done manually or through third-party tools, possibly at an additional cost.

The quality and accessibility of help center resources vary between OVHcloud and HostMonster. OVHcloud offers a multilingual Help Centre with comprehensive guides, a community forum, and an extensive knowledge base, making it highly resourceful. HostMonster provides a detailed help center with articles and tutorials, including video “how-to” guides, and 24/7 support via phone and chat. HostMonster’s help resources are very accessible, catering to immediate assistance needs through live chat and phone support.

🏆 Winner: OVHcloud: OVHcloud provides extensive user and role management features for granular control.

OVHcloud and HostMonster offer distinct approaches to user role management. OVHcloud excels with comprehensive features that allow for precise delegation of roles through OpenStack users, thus ensuring a high level of control over cloud resources. Roles such as Administrator, Network Operator, and Infrastructure Supervisor can be customized and assigned as needed. In contrast, HostMonster utilizes a modified cPanel for user management, but lacks detailed information on the flexibility and creation of specific user roles. This limits the ability to compare its level of control and customization with that of OVHcloud.

OVHcloud offers a user-friendly Control Panel to generate configuration files for various tools, enhancing the management experience. The interface allows the creation of unlimited users and grouping of roles for efficient management. HostMonster’s use of a modified cPanel is standard but does not provide specific details on user management capabilities, making it more challenging to gauge its effectiveness compared to OVHcloud’s detailed and versatile system.

In terms of access control and scalability, OVHcloud offers advanced features like disabling multiple accesses quickly and creating an unlimited number of users. This is ideal for growing businesses that require continuous user management adjustments. HostMonster’s cPanel likely provides basic access control features, but without detailed information, it is difficult to assess its efficiency in handling a growing user base. OVHcloud’s clear role definitions and ability to update roles at any time offer superior flexibility and scalability.

OVHcloud user roles table:

🏆 Winner HostMonster: Offers more comprehensive 24/7 technical support and a money-back guarantee policy.

OVHcloud offers a range of customer support levels starting from Standard Support with limited options, primarily suitable for non-critical environments. Their higher-tier support such as Business and Enterprise provides more extensive assistance but at a higher cost. OVHcloud supports contact via email/ticket, telephone, and an active community forum. Their live chat is claimed to be launching soon. However, their refund policy is limited, and there’s no straightforward money-back guarantee.

HostMonster, in contrast, provides 24/7 technical support via phone and live chat, making it more accessible for immediate issues. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving users more confidence in their purchasing decisions. Various support methods like email, ticket, and a detailed knowledgebase are available. HostMonster includes additional perks like a free domain name for a year and SSL certificates with hosting plans.

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 HostMonster highlights its affordable pricing, reliable uptime, and quick website loading times. Users also appreciate the extensive range of features such as addons for security, easy integration with MySQL, and a generally good customer service experience. However, many users find the user interface to be difficult to navigate, particularly for non-technical individuals, and note that technical support can be inconsistent, often more focused on sales than solving issues. Additionally, unexpected costs and technical limitations like frequent PHP updates and challenges with deploying large applications have also been pointed out as significant drawbacks.

FAQ