Register.com vs Knownhost: guide for 2024

Register.com vs Knownhost: Final verdict

Looking over Register.com vs. KnownHost, KnownHost stands out for its superior performance, comprehensive features, and exceptional customer support.

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  KnownHost (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  excels in providing reliable performance with impressive uptime and swift loading times. It offers a variety of hosting options including VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting, which are suitable for different user needs. The inclusion of advanced security features like Imunify360, DDoS protection, and free SSL certificates ensure that sites are secure and resilient. KnownHost’s 24/7/365 US-based support is highly praised, making troubleshooting quick and efficient. Additionally, KnownHost’s competitive pricing, especially for its robust VPS and dedicated hosting plans, adds significant value for users seeking enterprise-level services.
  
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  Register.com (Overall grade: 6.6)
  
  
  delivers a solid hosting experience with notable uptime guarantees and satisfactory performance for basic websites and WordPress hosting. Its shared hosting plans are diverse, catering to a range of user requirements with comprehensive security measures such as SiteLock and automatic backups via CodeGuard. The platform’s 24/7 customer support is consistent, although it faces criticism for higher costs and certain limitations like the absence of VPS and dedicated hosting options. While Register.com offers a user-friendly website builder and easy upgrade paths, it falls short in providing the advanced features and scalability that users might need as their online presence grows.
  

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: KnownHost offers exceptional uptime, performance, and security features.

Register.com offers a compelling hosting experience with a solid uptime guarantee of 99.99% for Unix users and 99.9% for Microsoft users. Its shared hosting plans are varied, catering to different needs from essential websites to professional setups. Comprehensive security features such as SiteLock for malware protection and automatic backups via CodeGuard offer peace of mind for users. With 24/7 support through various channels, users can rely on consistent assistance.

KnownHost excels in uptime, boasting a remarkable 99.996% historical uptime and strong performance with rapid loading times. The platform includes DDoS protection, automated backups, and free SSL certificates, underscoring its commitment to security and reliability. KnownHost’s 24/7/365 on-shore support ensures users receive quick and effective solutions to any issues. Its superior uptime, performance, and comprehensive features make KnownHost a standout choice for those seeking a reliable hosting provider.

🏆 Winner: KnownHost: Exceptional Performance and Support

When it comes to general performance, KnownHost and Register.com both bring competitive features to the table. Register.com offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee and fast load times specifically for WordPress hosting, while KnownHost impresses with industry-best uptimes of over 99.99%, thanks to advanced hardware like the AMD EPYC platform and enterprise NVMe storage. KnownHost also uses LiteSpeed and LSCache for higher request processing rates, along with free DDoS protection and preconfigured security features. Register.com lacks detailed information about its CDN services and data center locations, whereas KnownHost provides structured security features and data redundancy.

Website Speed

Register.com claims its WordPress hosting has load times twice as fast as competitors, which is promising for users looking for snappy site performance. KnownHost steps it up by using LiteSpeed and LSCache for efficient web processing, suggesting a significant edge in handling multiple requests and improving overall site speed. While both hosts strive for fast website delivery, KnownHost’s advanced CPU/RAM specs and NVMe storage further tilt the scales in its favor.

Scalability

Scalability is another area where KnownHost shines. They offer various scalable solutions including Cloud Hosting, VPS Hosting, and Dedicated Hosting. KnownHost provides free setup and migration services, allowing for zero downtime during upgrades, but there is no indication whether they support elastic scaling. On the other hand, Register.com makes it easy to upgrade as your business expands, although specific details about costs and dedicated server options are unclear.

🏆 Winner: KnownHost: KnownHost offers extensive DDoS protection and customer-praised support, making it a reliable choice for hosting.

Technical security measures:

Register.com offers a variety of SSL certificates with up to 256-bit encryption, including EV and OV certificates that provide higher levels of authentication. KnownHost provides free SSL certificates with every account and also offers premium certificates from recognized brands like Comodo and GeoTrust. While both providers support multiple PHP versions, KnownHost supports a wider range, including PHP 5.6 to 8.2. KnownHost also includes Imunify360 for automated security, whereas Register.com offers SiteLock for malware protection. KnownHost’s DDoS protection can prevent 99.9% of attacks, a feature not specified for Register.com.

Operational security measures:

Register.com uses SiteLock for malware scanning and CodeGuard for automatic backups. KnownHost, on the other hand, uses Imunify360 for comprehensive protection and has a more robust automated backup system that stores off-server snapshots. Both providers offer firewall protection; however, KnownHost also provides rDNS setup and LiteSpeed with LSCache for improved performance. KnownHost’s operational security measures are augmented by CloudLinux, which is available for an additional fee. Register.com includes PHP Manager and customizable error pages, while KnownHost offers Mod Security guides.

Compliance and certifications:

Register.com provides detailed GDPR compliance, including masking PII and roles for data processors and controllers, along with ensuring PCI compliance through SSL certificates. KnownHost implies GDPR and PCI compliance through its security measures, although specific details are less explicit. Neither provider specifies HIPAA compliance, focusing instead on broader industry standards and customer data protection.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost provides superior performance, robust security features, and excellent customer support.

Both Register.com and KnownHost offer a range of hosting features designed to cater to various user needs. Register.com includes a user-friendly Website Builder that allows for easy creation and customization of websites, which is helpful for those new to website creation. Its unique features include a script library, counters, and a JSP file manager, making it versatile for specific niche requirements. However, it lacks explicit support for SFTP and SSH, which could be a limitation for developers needing secure file transfer and command-line access.

KnownHost, on the other hand, excels with its performance-oriented features such as LiteSpeed, NVMe storage, and the AMD EPYC platform. It includes security measures like free DDoS protection and Imunify360, along with SSL certificates, ensuring a secure hosting environment. KnownHost also offers conveniences such as automated backups, free migrations, and easy app installation through Softaculous. With 24/7/365 USA-based support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it provides a dependable and secure solution. Its inclusion of SSH and SFTP also adds flexibility for developers managing their apps or 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 Register.com 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:

Register.com includes basic email hosting services that allow users to set up their own email accounts. KnownHost also offers email hosting but distinguishes itself with support for transactional emails and email campaigns. Additionally, KnownHost offers the option to resell third-party email services like Google Workspace and Zoho, adding further flexibility for businesses with diverse email needs.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost excels in offering comprehensive hosting services with a focus on value for price, making it a compelling choice for businesses and individuals alike.

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 the pricing plans of Register.com and KnownHost, KnownHost stands out with more competitive rates and extensive features. KnownHost’s Basic Web Hosting plan starts at just $3.47 per month, offering 5 GB NVMe storage and unlimited bandwidth, whereas Register.com’s Starter Hosting plan does not provide a clear price but offers only 15 GB of disk space. For WordPress hosting, KnownHost’s Entry WordPress plan is priced at $5.98 per month and offers extensive features including 50 GB NVMe storage and unlimited email accounts, compared to Register.com’s base WordPress plan which lacks detailed pricing and offers 50 GB storage with limited features. KnownHost also includes professional site migration for free, a significant advantage over Register.com. Overall, KnownHost provides greater value and robust features across its plans.

Enterprise plans

KnownHost provides vast resources for enterprises with their Premium VPS Server offering 8 Core CPU, 12 GB RAM, and 300 GB RAID-10 SSD storage. Register.com’s equivalent for enterprise isn’t distinctly outlined, which places KnownHost as a stronger choice for large-scale operations requiring high performance and extensive support.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost offers a streamlined setup process with a comprehensive support system and superior customer satisfaction.

Register.com and KnownHost offer different experiences when it comes to their admin panels. Register.com provides an intuitive interface that is loaded with tools and features, such as a 1-Click Install for applications and a Website Builder tool for easy website creation. These make it accessible for non-technical users, while advanced options like FTP Account Management and a MySQL Database Manager cater to technical users. KnownHost, on the other hand, includes cPanel with their hosting packages, which is widely recognized for its user-friendly design and comprehensive function set. The inclusion of Softaculous for automated application installation further simplifies management tasks for both beginner and advanced users, enhancing overall accessibility.

Comparing the two hosts based on migration tools, KnownHost stands out with its free migration services that are often performed with zero downtime, ensuring a smooth transition for users. This service is handled by their shared hosting support staff, making it a hassle-free option for users. Register.com does not explicitly mention free migration services, creating an additional step for users who might need to move their websites manually or seek external help.

Evaluating the help center resources, KnownHost provides a thorough Knowledge Base filled with guides, articles, and how-to’s on various topics. Their support is available 24/7/365, with quick response times consistently praised by users. Register.com offers comprehensive support resources as well, including a blog, WHOIS search, site map, FAQs, and detailed accessibility support. Their customer service is available 24/7 for assistance with setup and technical questions.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Register.com 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
KnownHost: KnownHost offers a comprehensive suite of user management features ideal for a variety of user needs.

Both Register.com and KnownHost address user management, but KnownHost clearly has more documented functions. While Register.com’s user management features are not detailed, KnownHost provides extensive guides on managing users and organizations in their Knowledge Base. KnownHost’s My KnownHost panel offers clear and accessible functionalities for controlling domains, updating WHOIS contact information, and managing users on accounts, making it evidently more user-friendly.

KnownHost provides an intuitive My KnownHost panel, which facilitates domain and user management with ease. Users can manage their domains through a straightforward process by clicking on “manage” next to their domain. Furthermore, the My KnownHost panel interface includes a form for updating WHOIS contact information across different roles, ensuring a seamless experience. While Register.com’s interface details are not specified, the comprehensive features provided by KnownHost’s My KnownHost panel sets a high bar.

KnownHost excels in its access control measures, ensuring efficient management even as the number of users grows. Along with detailed guides on handling organizations and users, KnownHost offers fully managed services, including server management and support. Their 24/7/365 on-shore support further adds to a smooth user management experience. Without detailed information on Register.com’s capabilities, KnownHost’s systematic approach stands out as highly effective.

KnownHost user roles table:

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost is recognized for its excellent customer service and performance.

Register.com offers a wide range of customer service options, providing 24/7 live chat and phone support. They also have a ticketing system with an average response time of 24 hours and multiple phone numbers for various queries, including exclusive deals. Their customer service is available through different time slots, ensuring accessibility to users across different time zones.

KnownHost, on the other hand, excels with its technical support available 24/7/365 and dedicated support forums. They provide multiple contact methods, including phone support and email for various departments like sales, billing, and technical support. KnownHost’s customer feedback highlights their fast response times and high uptime guarantee, making them a preferred choice for many users.

Register.com vs Knownhost: User feedback

Customer feedback on Register.com is notably polarized. A significant number of users commend the platform for its easy-to-use interface, extensive template selection, and generally satisfactory customer service, emphasizing that it meets basic web hosting and domain registration needs effectively. However, many users also express frustration over high costs, slow response times, and unaddressed technical issues such as unreliable email services and slow page loading speeds. While some customers have had positive long-term experiences, others warn against the service due to unreliability and poor customer support, resulting in business losses and dissatisfaction.

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.

Register.com vs Knownhost: FAQ