Web.com vs Interserver: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over Web.com vs. InterServer, 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.

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  InterServer (Overall grade: 8.1)
  
  
  provides an impressive array of hosting types, including shared, cloud, WordPress, ecommerce, VPS, and dedicated hosting, ensuring a suitable option for virtually any need. It excels in performance with a solid 99.99% uptime, speed optimization technologies like SSD caching, and a route-optimized network. InterServer’s strong focus on security is highlighted by its InterShield security solution, offering free SSL certificates, automatic virus scanning, and privacy compliance measures. The availability of free site migration, extensive customer support, and affordable, feature-rich plans make InterServer particularly appealing for businesses prioritizing high performance and secure hosting solutions.
  
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  Web.com (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  
  While not as feature-rich as InterServer, is tailored for users who prefer simplicity and ease of use. It stands out with its user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder and 24/7 customer support, making it a solid choice for beginners or small business owners looking to quickly establish a professional online presence. Web.com includes a free domain and SSL certificate for the first year, which is attractive for new users. However, limitations such as the lack of cloud and VPS hosting, less flexibility in scaling, and higher renewal rates post introductory offers reduce its overall appeal. Developers might also find the unclear support for advanced features like SFTP and SSH limiting.
  

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

SECTION 1: Winner InterServer: Reliable hosting with a focus on performance and security.

SECTION 2: InterServer offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, partnering with Cloudflare to use a global network of caching data centers for high availability. Long-term monitoring shows an impressive 99.99% uptime, translating to minimal downtime yearly. With average server response times around 662ms and global loading speeds of 1.2 seconds, InterServer ensures a solid performance for websites.

SECTION 3: Web.com guarantees 99.9% uptime and provides extensive customer support. While third-party tests recorded an uptime of 99.83% over a month, Web.com also offers unmetered bandwidth and SSL security. Despite these robust features, Web.com’s renewal rates are higher after the initial offer. InterServer’s consistent performance and enhanced security measures make it the preferred choice for reliable and secure hosting services.

🏆 Winner
InterServer: Provides extensive resources, strong security, and superior customer support.

InterServer offers impressive speed-enhancing features like SSD caching servers, a 10GB Cisco network, and free Cloudflare CDN for quicker content delivery. It also boasts a route-optimized network and the latest server optimizations, which outperform Web.com in this realm. While Web.com enhances performance with PHP 8.0 and OPcode Cache, InterServer’s server capacity utilization policy ensures continual high-speed performance. Both hosts provide a 99.9% uptime guarantee, but InterServer edges out thanks to comprehensive data transfer options and lower server load.

Website Speed

Web.com ensures faster server response times and quicker navigation through WP-Admin, benefiting website traffic and SEO. This is supported by upgrades like PHP 8.0 and MySQL 8, optimizing loading times. InterServer, on the other hand, integrates multiple speed optimization technologies such as SSD caching, a route-optimized network, and Cloudflare CDN. Combined with their lower server load policy, InterServer generally delivers faster website speeds for high-traffic scenarios.

Scalability

Both hosts offer scalable solutions, but InterServer stands out by providing a seamless transition to VPS or dedicated servers without any downtime. Web.com supports considerable scalability within its shared hosting infrastructure, but the scaling process and cost details aren’t explicit. InterServer makes it easy and cost-effective to scale up, ensuring flexible growth for larger projects.

🏆 Winner
InterServer: Offers a broad range of security features suited for various needs, making it a well-rounded hosting solution.

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

Technical security measures:

Web.com provides a variety of SSL certificates, from Essential SSL for basic encryption to Extended Validation for highest security needs. They support PHP 8.0 and have SiteLock for malware scanning and CDN. In contrast, InterServer offers free SSL certificates, supports PHP up to version 8.3, and employs InterShield, an in-house developed security solution that includes a machine-learning firewall and automatic virus scanning. Both offer robust malware protection, but InterServer’s free SSL and higher PHP version support give it an edge.

Operational security measures:

Web.com ensures security with CodeGuard for backups and a 99.9% uptime guarantee, utilizing OPcode Cache and MySQL 8 for enhanced performance. They also offer automatic WordPress updates. InterServer excels in operational measures with Inter-Proxy Caching for content delivery and Inter-Insurance for account cleanup. Their data center security is top-notch, featuring a gated perimeter, CCTV, and 24/7 guards. InterServer’s self-healing hardware adds another layer of operational robustness.

Compliance and certifications:

Both hosting providers comply with GDPR standards, ensuring data protection. Web.com also mentions PCI compliance, which is crucial for eCommerce websites. InterServer emphasizes privacy but does not provide specific PCI compliance details. HIPAA compliance is not specified by either provider.

🏆 Winner
InterServer: Offers enhanced storage and data transfer capacities with multiple optimization features.

Both Web.com and InterServer provide excellent hosting services but cater to different user needs and preferences. Web.com shines with its user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder, perfect for beginners or small business owners looking to get a professional site up quickly without much technical know-how. It includes a free domain and SSL certificate for the first year, which is an attractive inclusion for those starting out. Additionally, Web.com’s 24/7 customer support is a strong plus for users who may require around-the-clock assistance. The hosting plans vary widely, offering solutions for a single website to multiple websites, each linked to specific storage and visitor capacities. However, it lacks clarity on SFTP and SSH support, which might be an issue for developers needing secure and advanced access.

InterServer, on the other hand, stands out with its unlimited storage space, unlimited data transfer, and a robust set of features like SSD caching servers and RAID-10 storage which ensures faster data access and better reliability. A significant advantage is the availability of both FTP and SFTP, enhancing secure file transfer capabilities. Although it offers weekly backups and free Cloudflare CDN, there’s no mention of an easy-to-use website builder, suggesting it may be more suitable for users comfortable with manually creating and managing sites or for those who rely on third-party website building tools. The inclusion of advanced speed optimization features and a powerful 10GB Cisco network marks InterServer as a sturdy contender for businesses looking for high performance and speed. However, the absence of explicit SSH availability requires confirmation directly from their support team.

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 InterServer 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:

Email services at Web.com are provided through a partnership with Microsoft 365, offering a professional email and access to Outlook on a trial basis before transitioning to a paid service. Conversely, InterServer provides unlimited free professional email accounts, which is particularly beneficial for users requiring multiple email accounts without incurring additional costs.

🏆 Winner
InterServer: Offers a wealth of features with competitive pricing across its various hosting plans.

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.

Both Web.com and InterServer provide diverse hosting plans. Web.com has Basic, Plus, and Premium plans for both Shared and WordPress hosting with introductory prices ranging from $2.95/mo to $6.95/mo but higher renewal rates. InterServer, on the other hand, offers a Standard Web Hosting plan at $2.50/month and VPS hosting starting at $6.00/month. InterServer also stands out for its numerous features such as unlimited storage, unlimited transfer, and free website migration, alongside competitive pricing across its dedicated WordPress and reseller hosting plans.

Enterprise plans

Web.com primarily focuses on small to medium-sized businesses with its shared and WordPress hosting plans, offering up to 10 websites with 40GB of storage. On the other hand, InterServer caters to larger businesses with an extensive range of VPS and reseller hosting plans, such as VPS Special and RS plans that offer high-capacity storage, bandwidth, and scalability. The options provided by InterServer are more suitable for enterprises seeking abundant resources and flexibility to scale their hosting needs.

🏆 Winner InterServer: A more comprehensive set of features and ease of use for both beginners and advanced users.

Web.com and InterServer each offer different types of admin panels, catering to various levels of user expertise. Web.com provides a user-friendly interface with a drag-and-drop website builder, making it simple for non-technical users to set up their websites. The control panel is centralized, allowing for straightforward management of domains, email accounts, and other administrative tasks. On the other hand, InterServer takes a more traditional approach with control panels like cPanel and DirectAdmin. These options are favored by technical users for their robust toolsets, but they are also accessible enough for beginners who are willing to spend some time learning the interface.

InterServer’s admin panel is feature-rich, offering one-click installations for 461 scripts, which include popular content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. This extensive script library provides a significant advantage for users looking to implement a specific solution quickly. In comparison, Web.com’s focus on ease of use is evident in their drag-and-drop builder and one-click WordPress installation feature, appealing more to users who prefer a streamlined setup process without delving into the nitty-gritty aspects of website management.

When it comes to migration tools, InterServer offers a significant advantage with its free migration service for standard shared hosting accounts. Customers need a full cPanel backup, and InterServer handles the rest, making the transition smooth and hassle-free. In contrast, Web.com does not explicitly mention a dedicated migration tool, potentially requiring manual efforts or third-party services for site migration, which could be a drawback for users looking for a seamless transition.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Web.com offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. InterServer 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 InterServer: Efficient user management with advanced control panel features.

Web.com provides a structured approach to managing user roles and permissions. It allows users to create and define administrative and technical roles explicitly, making it straightforward to delineate responsibilities. InterServer, although not detailed in user roles, leverages well-known control panels like cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, which offer flexibility in user management. Reseller hosting with DirectAdmin facilitates client management, reflecting adaptability in handling multiple user accounts.

Web.com uses an integrated interface within its Account Manager for adding and managing users, requiring simple clicks and form entries. The user roles and permissions are directly adjustable through a series of steps, ensuring clear management avenues. InterServer’s use of cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin implies a more comprehensive toolkit, including file management, email account control, and client management within reseller hosting, offering a multitiered user interface for diverse administrative needs.

Both platforms provide effective access control measures, but they differ in their approach to scalability. Web.com’s Admin and Tech roles ensure a defined hierarchy in user access, which works well for maintaining ordered control, even as user numbers increase. InterServer’s reliance on proven control panels hints at a more dynamic system capable of managing growth efficiently, thanks to extensive configuration options and modular capabilities that cater to expanding user requirements.

Web.com User Roles Table

🏆 Winner
InterServer: Delivers extensive support options and comprehensive user features.

Both Web.com and InterServer offer a variety of support options to assist their customers effectively. Web.com provides extensive customer service options including phone support available during specific hours, 24/7 technical support, and multiple support channels such as live chat, email, and an online help center. Their commitment to providing round-the-clock support is evident through their dedicated technical and email support services.

InterServer, on the other hand, offers 24/7 support through various channels with a response time under 30 minutes and resolving most issues within 48 hours. They provide similar support options as Web.com but go a step further by offering additional features like a tips section for self-help, dedicated support for managed services, and proactive backups. The inclusion of enterprise support with dedicated agents and local staff in the U.S., coupled with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, further cements InterServer as the superior choice.

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.

User feedback on the hosting provider paints a mixed picture. Many users commend the provider for its affordable, straightforward pricing and extensive features like unlimited storage and bandwidth, free SSL certificates, and a user-friendly control panel. The customer support, while generally prompt and effective, has garnered both praise and criticism, especially due to the lack of a dedicated phone support line and sometimes long live chat wait times. However, performance issues such as inconsistent server speed, downtime, and occasional loss of data have been frequent points of frustration for users.

FAQ