Web.com vs Knownhost: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over Web.com vs. KnownHost, they offer distinct features tailored to different user requirements.

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  KnownHost (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  provides exceptional performance with a minimum uptime guarantee of 99.9%, often achieving 99.99%+. It’s renowned for rapid website load times and excellent speed performance, thanks to enterprise NVMe storage and LiteSpeed technology. The inclusion of comprehensive DDoS protection, free SSL certificates, and automated backups enhance its security. KnownHost excels in hosting types, offering VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting solutions, making it suitable for high-traffic and multimedia websites, as well as agencies. While pricing is slightly higher, the robust (avoid usage) features justify the cost, positioning KnownHost as a top-tier option for businesses anticipating growth and requiring high performance and scalable solutions. Customer feedback often praises its reliable service and fast, polite tech support, adding to its appeal.
  
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  Web.com (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  
  offers solid hosting solutions with a 99.9% uptime guarantee and an actual uptime of 99.83%. It’s particularly user-friendly, offering a drag-and-drop website builder included in its plans, making it ideal for beginners looking to create professional sites quickly. The affordability and comprehensive customer support options are strong points, though the lack of advanced hosting types like VPS or dedicated servers limits its suitability for larger businesses. Web.com shines with features like unmetered bandwidth and various SSL certificates but trails KnownHost in terms of performance and extensive security measures. Overall, it remains a great starter option for users new to web hosting or running small-scale sites.
  

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: Offers superior uptime and performance with excellent customer support.

KnownHost provides an exemplary hosting service with a minimum uptime guarantee of 99.9%, but consistently achieves an actual uptime of 99.99%+. Their performance is standout, featuring rapid website load times and high ratings for speed performance. KnownHost also includes comprehensive DDoS protection, free SSL certificates, and automated backups.

KnownHost also includes comprehensive DDoS protection, free SSL certificates, and automated backups.

Web.com offers solid hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, unmetered bandwidth, and extensive customer support options. Their third-party tests show an actual uptime of 99.83%. Web.com’s affordability and toolset make it a great option for beginners. However, KnownHost’s higher uptime, faster performance, and enhanced security features make them the better choice overall.

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

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

Website Speed

KnownHost excels in website speed with an LCP time of 872ms, significantly outperforming Web.com’s 1.8 seconds. Although both fall within the acceptable range of LCP (up to 2.5 seconds is considered good), KnownHost’s website speed is notably better, indicating a more efficient user experience.

Scalability

Both hosting providers offer scalability options tailored to varying needs; however, KnownHost 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 KnownHost: Offers an extensive array of security features and excellent customer feedback.

Technical security measures:

Web.com provides various types of SSL certificates such as Essential, Premium, Wildcard, Extended Validation, and Unified Communications Certificates, along with upgraded PHP 8.0 for faster performance. KnownHost offers free SSL certificates with every hosting account and various premium options from renowned issuers like Comodo, RapidSSL, and GeoTrust. KnownHost also supports a wider range of PHP versions, from 5.6 up to 8.2, which provides greater flexibility. Both providers include automated backups, but KnownHost extends its technical security with free DDoS protection up to 500 Gbps and the automated security solution, Imunify360.

Operational security measures:

Web.com offers additional security measures such as the OPcode Cache for faster loading times, MySQL 8 for improved performance and security, and SiteLock solutions for malware scanning and CDN. KnownHost boosts its operational security with a firewall setup, rDNS configuration, and LiteSpeed + LSCache for enhanced performance and protection. KnownHost also offers CloudLinux as an optional base OS for fine-tuned resource allocation and mod_security for additional web application protection. Customer feedback highlights KnownHost’s reliable service and fast, polite tech support.

Compliance and certifications:

Both Web.com and KnownHost are GDPR compliant, ensuring high standards of data protection. Web.com includes PCI compliance scanning as part of its security solutions, while KnownHost mentions PCI compliance through SSL certificate use. There is no specific information provided regarding HIPAA compliance for either provider.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost stands out for its performance, security, and customer satisfaction.

When comparing Web.com and KnownHost, both providers bring a lot to the table with distinct offerings. Web.com includes a drag-and-drop website builder with all its plans, making it very user-friendly for beginners who want to quickly set up a professional-looking site. Additionally, they offer a free domain and SSL certificate for the first year, which can be quite attractive to those just starting out. KnownHost, on the other hand, does not explicitly advertise a website builder, focusing instead on high-performance features like LiteSpeed + LSCache and NVMe storage, which cater more to users looking for speed and reliability. They also offer a free migration service with minimal downtime, making it easier for customers to switch hosting providers.

Web.com and KnownHost differ significantly in terms of their available features and pricing structures. Web.com offers various FTP accounts with each plan, catering to small-scale web projects, but lacks explicit SFTP/SSH availability. KnownHost covers a broader range of hosting plans, from shared to dedicated options, and supports SFTP/SSH for better app management. Moreover, KnownHost’s NVMe storage and Imunify360 security software are unique selling points that provide an enhanced level of performance and security. While KnownHost includes free SSL certificates and domain privacy for life, Web.com’s freebies are largely limited to the first year, which might affect long-term cost considerations for customers. Overall, the choice between these two would largely depend on the specific needs and technical expertise of the user.

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 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:

Web.com and KnownHost both offer email hosting as part of their packages. Web.com includes this service, supporting basic business email setups, which can be essential for professional communication. KnownHost provides similar capabilities but also includes more advanced security measures with Imunify360 to ensure emails are protected from malware and attacks. Neither provider specifically mentions the reselling of third-party email services like Google Workspace or Outlook, so those looking for such integrations might need to explore further.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost offers superior features and comprehensive hosting plans tailored to meet various 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 Web.com and KnownHost, the distinctions are evident. KnownHost’s WordPress hosting plans start at $5.98 per month, offering 50 GB of NVMe storage and unlimited premium bandwidth, while Web.com’s introductory WordPress plan starts at $2.75 per month, but charges $9.99 upon renewal with 10GB storage and free domain for the first year. For shared hosting, KnownHost again takes the lead with a $3.47 per month plan featuring NVMe storage and LiteSpeed included. Meanwhile, Web.com’s shared plans begin at $2.95 per month, with less storage and higher renewal rates. KnownHost’s pricing strategies for higher-tier plans provide more generous resources, making it a more attractive option for growing websites.

Enterprise plans

KnownHost’s Enterprise hosting plans offer more robust resources compared to Web.com. KnownHost’s Managed VPS and Semi-Dedicated hosting plans come with higher CPU capacities, extensive NVMe storage options, and premium bandwidth, ideal for demanding business needs. Web.com does not provide similarly advanced enterprise options, positioning KnownHost as a better choice for businesses requiring high performance and scalability.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost’s instant setup and superior support distinguish it as an optimal choice for hosting services.

Web.com provides a user-friendly hosting panel that is accessible to both technical and non-technical users. It offers a centralized dashboard that is intuitive for monitoring website performance, managing domains, setting up emails, and other administrative tasks. The drag-and-drop website builder simplifies website creation without needing any coding knowledge, making it an ideal choice for beginners. Additionally, their WordPress hosting comes with one-click installation and automatic updates, streamlining the setup process.

KnownHost utilizes standard cPanel complemented with user-friendly features that cater to users at all levels of technical expertise. Instant setup is a significant advantage, enabling users to start building immediately. Moreover, Softaculous enables one-click installations of various applications, which facilitates easy deployment and maintenance of platforms. The control panel’s design is straightforward, ensuring that even those with limited technical knowledge can manage their sites effectively.

KnownHost stands out with its free migration services, making the transition from another hosting provider effortless and often achieving zero downtime. Their technical staff handles the migration, removing the usual complexities involved in such processes. Conversely, Web.com does not explicitly mention free migration services, which could present an obstacle for users looking to switch providers easily.

Both hosting providers offer extensive help center resources. Web.com’s support includes a comprehensive knowledge base, online resources like blogs and guides, and accessible 24/7 product support via multiple channels. KnownHost also excels with a detailed knowledge base, including popular and recommended articles, and 24/7/365 support with quick response times. Customer testimonials frequently praise KnownHost’s customer service quality.

🏆 Winner Web.com: Excels in managing user roles with comprehensive and intuitive tools.

When comparing Web.com and KnownHost in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility, Web.com stands out for its streamlined and straightforward process for adding or editing account contacts, offering clear delineation between administrative and technical roles. This makes it a more flexible option for those needing detailed control over user permissions. KnownHost, while practical, relies heavily on their Knowledge Base for guidance on managing user roles. While this provides ample support, it doesn’t offer the same immediate accessibility and intuitive interface that Web.com does, making Web.com the more adaptable choice for businesses of varying sizes.

Web.com provides a user-friendly interface for managing users through its Account Manager. Users can easily access the user management features by clicking the user icon in the top right section of the page, then navigating through intuitive tabs to add or edit user roles and permissions. KnownHost requires users to access guides in their Knowledge Base to manage users, which might not be as direct or seamless compared to Web.com’s more immediate and integrated approach within their panel.

For access control and handling an increasing number of users, Web.com allows distinct separation between registrants and admin contacts and provides straightforward methods for managing multiple domain names and updating essential information like billing and nameservers. This makes it easier to manage accounts as organizations grow. KnownHost provides fully managed services and 24/7/365 support, ensuring that any user management issues can be promptly addressed, but it doesn’t offer as direct a method for users to independently and seamlessly manage an expanding user base as Web.com does.

Web.com user roles table:

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost shines with excellent customer service and managed hosting options.

Web.com and KnownHost both offer 24/7 technical support through various channels. Web.com provides round-the-clock assistance via phone, email, live chat, and a ticket system. Customers can also utilize their comprehensive online Help Center for additional support. KnownHost, on the other hand, complements its 24/7 tech support with positive customer feedback and various contact methods including international phone support, email, and a robust live chat feature.

KnownHost’s reputation for high uptime guarantees and premium features like free SSL certificates and automated updates makes it a strong contender. The inclusion of support forums and extensive knowledge base articles further enhances their customer service experience. While Web.com offers similar foundational support channels, KnownHost’s additional features and positive customer reviews give it an edge.

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.

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.

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