Web.com vs Directnic: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over Web.com vs. Directnic, both hosting services cater to different audience needs but have distinct offerings that might sway users one way or the other.

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  Web.com (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  
  stands out with its high 99.9% uptime guarantee and associated performance metrics, boasting features like unmetered bandwidth, automatic backups, and commendable server response times. Web.com excels in WordPress hosting, offering automatic installation and updates, a free domain for the first year, SSL certificates, and a user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder which simplifies site creation for novices. However, Web.com lacks options for VPS, cloud, and dedicated server hosting, which could limit its appeal for users with more advanced requirements. Despite its higher entry prices compared to some rivals, the extensive range of features and solid performance make Web.com a reliable choice for many, particularly advantageous for agencies and those needing easier management and maintenance of WordPress sites.
  
• 
  Directnic (Overall grade: 6.8)
  
  
  while slightly lagging behind Web.com in certain performance aspects like uptime and speed, offers cost-effective shared hosting plans with generous resource allocations. It provides free domain registration, email accounts, and a user-friendly cPanel interface that appeals to both beginners and experienced users. Directnic emphasizes security with features like a Cyber Security Operations Center, DDoS protection, and a Managed Web Application Firewall. Its scalable plans and transparent pricing allow users to manage costs effectively as their needs evolve. However, Directnic’s uptime guarantee is lower, and some users have reported challenges with server speeds and customer service reliability. Overall, Directnic remains a solid choice for budget-conscious users and small businesses looking for extensive shared hosting and straightforward website management solutions.
  

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: Web.com: Reliable hosting with a high uptime guarantee

Section 1: Winner Web.com: Reliable hosting with a high uptime guarantee

Web.com outshines Directnic with its high uptime guarantee and performance. Boasting a 99.9% uptime guarantee backed by a Service Level Agreement, actual third-party tests show Web.com achieves 99.83% uptime with minimal downtime. Speed performance is also commendable, with up to 70% faster server response times. Unmetered bandwidth, SSL security, and automatic backups add significant value to Web.com’s offerings.

On the other hand, Directnic falls short with a 99% uptime guarantee, which is below industry standards. While it offers a wide range of shared hosting plans with affordable pricing, Directnic’s features and performance do not match Web.com. The limited uptime guarantee and customer reports of slow servers and unreliable customer service make it less attractive.

🏆 Winner
Directnic Hosting: For users who prioritize speed and advanced technological infrastructure, Directnic Hosting is more suitable for high-demand websites that require reliable and fast global access.

Directnic Hosting and Web.com both offer SSD storage and free CDN integration to enhance hosting performance and speed. Directnic Hosting, however, showcases faster load times with a heavyweight theme clocked at 1.69 seconds, compared to Web.com’s 4.85 seconds. Directnic Hosting operates 11 global data centers, which surpasses Web.com’s six, potentially offering better local loading speeds and content delivery. Moreover, Directnic Hosting’s technology is more up-to-date, which may contribute to its superior performance.

Website Speed

Web.com offers faster server response times, ideal for handling higher traffic and ensuring better SEO rankings. Web.com has optimized its hosting environment with PHP 8.0, OPcode Cache, and MySQL 8 upgrades, which result in faster content display and more efficient data retrieval. This leads to quicker navigation in WordPress admin and an overall more satisfying user experience for visitors. On the other hand, Directnic offers performance-enhancing features such as a Content Delivery Network (CDN) and advanced analytics but does not explicitly mention the same level of optimized server speeds as Web.com.

Scalability

Both hosting providers offer scalability options tailored to varying needs; however, Directnic Hosting provides a more customized approach with its custom cloud plans where resources can be configured to user requirements. Web.com also offers a variety of hosting types, including shared and dedicated servers, with tiered pricing to accommodate different user levels.

🏆 Winner Web.com: A robust and reliable hosting service with superior security features, including various SSL certificates and comprehensive compliance measures.

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

Technical security measures:

Web.com offers a range of SSL certificates to cater to different needs, from Essential to Extended Validation, and manages multiple domains efficiently with the Unified Communications Certificate. Directnic’s SSL certificates also vary, including Basic, Premium EV, and Wildcard, but come at additional costs. Both providers support multiple PHP versions, though Web.com is specifically upgraded to PHP 8.0 for better performance. While Web.com includes measures like OPCache and MySQL 8 for enhanced security, Directnic focuses on a Cyber Security Operations Center and a fully-managed Web Application Firewall to tackle threats in real-time.

Operational security measures:

Web.com’s security suite includes SiteLock for malware scanning and removal, a CDN for faster site loading, and CodeGuard for backup solutions. In comparison, Directnic emphasizes its Cyber Security Operations Center with 24/7 surveillance and incident handling, along with malware detection and 5-layer DDoS protection. Web.com provides automatic WordPress updates for continuous security patching, whereas Directnic excels in offering Secure Content Delivery Network services and reverse malware engineering.

Compliance and certifications:

Web.com adheres to GDPR regulations and offers PCI Compliance scanning through SiteLock. There is no specific information about Directnic’s compliance with GDPR or PCI standards, but it does provide extensive web security protection and monitoring. HIPAA compliance is not specified for either provider.

🏆 Winner: Web.com: Delivers robust hosting features with an exceptional uptime guarantee and a user-friendly website builder.

Web.com and Directnic Hosting both offer a range of features that cater to different user needs. Web.com stands out with its 99.9% uptime guarantee and unmetered bandwidth across all its plans. Its drag-and-drop website builder is highly user-friendly, making it easy for even novices to create stunning websites without needing to code. Web.com includes a free domain and SSL certificate for the first year, appealing to budget-conscious users. Additionally, its support for programming languages like Ruby, Python, and PHP5, along with managed WordPress hosting, can significantly benefit developers and bloggers looking for seamless WordPress integration.

Directnic Hosting provides solid hosting options at a lower price point, which may be attractive to small businesses and individuals. It offers easy script installs and a money-back guarantee, giving users a sense of security in their investment. The availability of cPanel hosting allows for a more familiar control interface for users accustomed to it. Although Directnic does not explicitly mention the availability of SFTP/SSH, its straightforward pricing and generous storage and data transfer limits make it a competitive option. With up to 250 POP3 email accounts in its Deluxe Plan, Directnic also caters well to businesses requiring extensive email hosting services.

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 Web.com and Directnic Hosting 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:

Web.com includes business email hosting in its plans, offering seamless email setup and management. Directnic also provides robust email hosting, with POP3 email accounts that scale with each plan tier. Both providers support transactional emails, although specifics like limits and additional features are not detailed. Directnic’s higher-tier plans offer a significant number of email accounts, which can be beneficial for larger teams or businesses.

🏆 Winner Web.com: Web.com offers a diverse set of plans with extensive features perfect for different 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. Although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

Comparing Web.com and Directnic reveals differences in pricing strategies and features. Web.com provides a comprehensive range of plans from basic shared hosting to advanced WordPress hosting, with initial low introductory prices that increase upon renewal. Directnic, while offering slightly cheaper entry plans, may lack some of the additional features such as SSL certificates and domain privacy for the first year that Web.com includes. Web.com also appeals to those seeking unmetered bandwidth and dedicated customer support. Directnic focuses on providing considerable storage options and high data transfer limits, which might be beneficial for users with heavy data requirements.

Enterprise plans

Web.com offers extensive enterprise hosting solutions tailored for businesses needing reliable performance and expansive resources, including free domain registration and business email services. Directnic emphasizes offering high storage and data transfer volumes, making it suitable for data-intensive applications. Both providers offer 24/7 customer support, ensuring businesses have the necessary assistance when needed.

🏆 Winner Directnic Hosting: Offers a user-friendly cPanel and reliable features for easy website management.

Web.com provides a customized control panel that is designed to be user-friendly for both technical and non-technical users. It includes features like a drag-and-drop website builder and a centralized dashboard for monitoring website performance and analytics. This allows users to manage domains, set up email accounts, and perform other administrative tasks with ease. With Web.com’s control panel, the experience is simplified, making it accessible even to those with minimal technical knowledge.

Directnic Hosting, on the other hand, utilizes cPanel, a widely recognized and intuitive control panel system. cPanel is known for its user-friendly interface and is highly regarded among web hosting customers for its straightforward navigation and comprehensive functionality. Users can access it through “https://yourdomainname.com/cpanel” or the “My Services” tab in their Directnic account. This makes it well-suited for both beginners and experienced web admins, providing a consistent, reliable environment for managing web hosting tasks.

When it comes to migration tools, Web.com does not explicitly mention any site migration features, which could imply that site migrations might require more manual effort or additional assistance from their support team. On the other hand, Directnic offers straightforward solutions and resources in their knowledge base to assist with server migration, though it is not explicitly stated if these services are automated or if they require manual configurations. Any associated costs are not specifically detailed.

Web.com offers a comprehensive help center with knowledge base articles, extensive customer support options including 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, as well as online resources like blogs and self-help guides—making technical support readily accessible. Directnic also provides a robust help center featuring a wide array of knowledge articles covering common hosting tasks and troubleshooting tips. Their customer support includes a 24/7 technical support line and a Trouble Ticket System for more tailored assistance.

🏆 Winner: Web.com: Offering structured and well-documented user management capabilities.

Web.com provides a detailed process for managing user roles and permissions, which includes clear steps for adding or editing account contacts. Users can choose between Administrative and Technical roles, allowing for flexibility in managing account accessibility. The invitation system ensures that the right individuals have appropriate access, while the option to separate accounts between registrant and admin contacts further enhances usability. With no information available about Directnic’s user management features, Web.com’s defined roles and permissions give it an edge in handling varied user requirements and maintaining efficient operations.

Web.com’s user interface for managing users is straightforward and well-organized. By accessing the Account Manager, users can easily locate the options to add or edit contacts and manage accounts. The steps for inviting new users are simple, requiring minimal input information before extending an invitation. Directnic lacks available data on its user interface and protocols for managing users, which makes Web.com’s structured and transparent system stand out. The inclusion of specialized roles ensures administrators can effortlessly manage who has access to essential functions, products, and services.

Web.com demonstrates an effective access control system capable of handling an increasing number of users efficiently. The ability to delineate roles with specific permissions enables administrators to scale their operations while maintaining security and order. The system’s clear separation of administrative and technical roles ensures that sensitive actions, like editing billing information and managing services, are appropriately restricted. Lacking comparative data from Directnic makes it evident that Web.com’s defined and flexible user roles are vital for managing user growth seamlessly.

Web.com user roles table:

🏆 Winner Web.com: Web.com offers extensive 24/7 support and multiple support channels, making it a reliable choice.

Web.com and Directnic both provide excellent support options, including 24/7 email and live chat support, ensuring users can get help whenever they need it. Web.com stands out with its 24/7 general and technical phone support, which provides a direct line of communication, and their comprehensive online help center for quick, self-service solutions.

Directnic also offers 24/7 support via multiple channels and goes a step further with additional services like training, troubleshooting, and maintenance. However, their phone support is only available during business hours, which might not be convenient for all users. Overall, while both hosts offer solid support features, Web.com edges ahead due to its round-the-clock phone support for both general and technical issues.

User feedback

The hosting provider offers a comprehensive solution for purchasing domain names, hosting, and website building, making it highly convenient for users managing multiple domains and websites. Users appreciate the convenience of having all services bundled together, but some express concerns about the limitations on hosting unlimited domains and the cost associated with individual website software. Overall, the service is satisfactory and well-rated, though there is room for improvement in accommodating users with extensive hosting needs.

The hosting provider has a long-standing presence in the industry, which has contributed to a stable domain registration experience for some users. However, there have been significant issues with domain security breaches and slow response times for resolving these problems. Additionally, the server performance is reported to be slow, and customer support is not highly rated. Overall, the service has received average feedback, and some users would not recommend it.

FAQ