Web.com vs StableHost: guide for 2024

Web.com vs StableHost: Final verdict

Looking over Web.com vs. StableHost, 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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  StableHost (Overall grade: 6.9)
  
  excels in performance, boasting a robust infrastructure with clustered hosting combining over 100 SSD drives for faster load times and excellent reliability. It offers diversified plans with advanced features like LiteSpeed PHP caching and multiple global server locations. StableHost’s 24/7 customer support is efficient, with quick response times and a 45-day money-back guarantee for new accounts. Its user-centric approach includes unlimited email accounts, daily backups, and enhanced security with penetration testing. Despite these strengths, StableHost’s higher renewal prices and additional fees for certain features like SSH access might deter budget-conscious users or those looking for comprehensive all-in-one packages.
• 
  Web.com (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  delivers reliable features with a promise of 99.9% uptime and quick server response times. It supports multiple hosting types, including ecommerce hosting, making it suitable for businesses focusing on long-term growth and stability. Web.com’s performance metrics are commendable, with unmetered bandwidth and a solid suite of security features including SSL certificates and automatic backups. Its user-friendly dashboard and comprehensive support make it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. However, it falls short in some advanced features like free site migration and extensive customization options, which could be a drawback for more tech-savvy users.

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 StableHost: Reliable performance with superior uptime and quick response times.

Web.com guarantees a 99.9% uptime and has a solid actual uptime of 99.83%. It offers unmetered bandwidth, SSL security, and 24/7 customer support through various channels. The hosting also features automatic backups and cPanel access, making it user-friendly and secure. Additionally, its server response times are fast, with Speed Index measurements showing up to 70% quicker response times.

StableHost stands out with its clustered hosting, combining over 100 SSD drives, automatic IO re-allocation, and smart load balancing, which surpasses single server hosting. With various global server locations and a 99.9% uptime guarantee, zero downtime was reported in a month-long test. The average support response time is less than 20 minutes, and they offer a 45-day money-back guarantee for new accounts.

🏆 Winner
StableHost: Efficient and responsive hosting for various web needs.

When comparing general performance, StableHost excels with its SSD drives, wide range of server locations, and fast server response times. It offers unlimited bandwidth and a range of caching options, including LiteSpeed and several PHP versions, which contribute to faster load times. StableHost provides robust CDN options in multiple data centers across Phoenix, Chicago, and Amsterdam, ensuring global reach for users. Web.com, while having a solid uptime guarantee and unmetered bandwidth, falls slightly behind in these performance metrics.

Website Speed

Both hosting services are designed to deliver fast website speeds. Web.com boasts server response times that are up to 70% faster, with enhancements like PHP 8.0, MySQL 8, and OPcode Cache to boost performance. StableHost counters with customized LiteSpeed and PHP configurations, backed by a 200Gbps network capacity to handle traffic spikes efficiently. However, Web.com’s quicker navigation in WP-Admin can make a noticeable difference in user experience for those managing WordPress sites.

Scalability

In terms of scalability, Web.com supports 99.5% of bandwidth demands with scalable solutions for customers who need more than what the shared architecture offers. StableHost offers automatic node failover, smart load balancing, and does not specify if scaling is elastic or requires manual upgrades. Both hosts cater to growing websites, but the exact costs associated with scaling are not provided.

🏆 Winner StableHost: Offers enhanced security audits and a versatile range of SSL certificates.

Both Web.com and StableHost, 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, upgraded to PHP 8.0, and uses MySQL 8 for enhanced performance. It also employs OPcode Cache for fast content display and includes SiteLock solutions for malware scanning and removal. StableHost offers SSL certificates, supporting both PHP 7.x and 8.x. StableHost includes security audits with extended penetration testing and offers VPN services with AES-256 encryption. Both hostings provide encryption, but StableHost includes additional tools for a deeper security check.

Operational security measures:

Web.com’s operational security includes automatic WordPress updates, SiteLock’s CDN, CodeGuard backups, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee with unmetered bandwidth. StableHost features 24/7 server monitoring, daily R1Soft backups, virus and spam filtering on email accounts, and SSH access. Furthermore, StableHost’s VPN services allow for enhanced remote server security. While both have strong operational security, StableHost offers comprehensive server monitoring and additional multi-domain SSL options.

Compliance and certifications:

Both hosting providers comply with GDPR but neither is HIPAA compliant, which may be a critical factor for businesses in healthcare. Web.com offers PCI compliance but restricts this to dedicated and VPS hosting plans, whereas StableHost does not provide PCI compliance across any plans.

🏆 Winner
StableHost: StableHost shines with its extensive range of features, catering to different user needs, and providing flexibility with SSH access for developers for an additional fee.

Both Web.com and StableHost offer robust hosting features tailored to varying user requirements. Web.com provides a drag-and-drop website builder, making it easy and user-friendly for beginners to create websites without technical skills. Additionally, Web.com includes a free domain and SSL certificate for the first year, which is an attractive offer for new users. On the other hand, StableHost provides unlimited FTP accounts and a sophisticated website builder called Site.Pro Web Builder. Unlike Web.com, StableHost requires an additional fee for SSH access, which could be a consideration for developers who need this feature.

Both providers guarantee high uptime and offer unmetered bandwidth, but differences in storage and visitor limits across their plans mean users should assess their needs closely. Web.com supports multiple programming languages like Ruby, Python, PHP, and Perl, while StableHost stands out with extensive PHP support and the inclusion of Git. Moreover, StableHost enhances security with daily R1Soft backups and benefits from distributed data centers in Phoenix, Chicago, and Amsterdam for better stability and reliability. Understanding these distinctions helps users decide which hosting fits their requirements best.

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 StableHost 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:

When it comes to email services, Web.com and StableHost both offer comprehensive solutions. Web.com includes business email hosting, ensuring users can set up and manage their emails effortlessly. StableHost, however, offers a wider array of email features, such as unlimited email accounts, forwards, auto-responders, mailing lists, and advanced virus and spam filtering. This makes StableHost particularly suitable for users needing extensive email functionality and security.

🏆 Winner StableHost:StableHost: Offers competitive pricing with high-value features and strong support.

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.

Comparing the pricing plans, StableHost provides a range of options that cater to both individual and business needs with highly competitive introductory prices, especially for their Mini and Starter plans. Web.com offers familiar plans with slightly higher initial pricing but includes comprehensive support features like business email and website builders. StableHost’s discounted prices, such as $0.90/month for the Mini plan, are particularly appealing for budget-conscious users. Although both providers offer similar fundamental features, StableHost delivers more extensive traffic allowances and storage, especially at higher tiers and for WordPress hosting. Additionally, Web.com renews at a higher price compared to StableHost, which may affect long-term budget planning.

Enterprise plans

StableHost provides the Platinum plans across shared, WordPress, and VPS hosting, offering comprehensive packages with extensive support, optimized performance for large-scale needs, and unlimited bandwidth and disk space. Web.com’s Premium plans are robust, with generous web storage and visitor capacities, making them suitable for substantial business operations. StableHost’s pricing provides affordable yet feature-rich options, while Web.com focuses on detailed customer support and added business features such as website builders and business email.

🏆 Winner
StableHost: Offers seamless website setup and comprehensive support resources for all user levels.

Web.com provides a proprietary hosting control panel designed for a streamlined experience, featuring a centralized dashboard for managing domains, email accounts, and website analytics. Its drag-and-drop website builder and automatic WordPress installation make it accessible for both beginners and more experienced users. The interface aims to simplify administrative tasks, reducing the learning curve for non-technical users while still offering advanced features for those with more expertise.

StableHost utilizes industry-standard tools such as cPanel for its shared and reseller servers, and SolusVM for VPS hosting. These control panels are known for their user-friendly design and extensive functionality. cPanel is particularly popular because of its intuitive layout, which simplifies tasks like file management, database creation, and email setup. SolusVM provides a straightforward interface for managing VPS resources, making it suitable for users at all technical levels.

Web.com lacks specific site migration tools, which can be a significant limitation for users who need to move their existing websites. This often requires manual migration, which can be cumbersome for those lacking technical skills. StableHost, on the other hand, offers a one-click installer that facilitates easy migration for popular scripts like WordPress and Joomla. This service is typically free and can save users both time and effort.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. Web.com has a comprehensive help center that consists of numerous knowledge articles, blogs, self-help guides, and step-by-step instructions. Their 24/7 product support through live chat, email, and phone support is robust. StableHost’s help center is equally thorough, covering a wide range of topics with articles written by their in-house expert, Carlos, and also provides 24/7 support with rapid response times. Both provide ample resources for troubleshooting and learning.

🏆 Winner: Web.com: Web.com offers a more structured approach to user management compared to StableHost, which lacks specific information about its user roles and permissions. Web.com allows users to add or edit account contacts and specify their roles, with clear distinctions between administrative and technical permissions. This flexibility in creating and defining user roles can cater to different needs, whether it’s full control for billing and product management or limited access for technical tasks. In contrast, StableHost does not provide sufficient details on user management capabilities, making it harder to gauge its effectiveness.

Web.com provides a user-friendly interface within the Account Manager for managing users and roles. The process involves simple steps such as logging in, navigating to the user icon, and accessing the Accounts and Users section. Users can easily add new contacts, assign roles, and manage permissions through clear navigation menus and buttons. While specific interface details for StableHost were not provided, its absence of user management information leaves much to be desired in terms of usability and intuitiveness.

Web.com excels in access control measures, allowing for efficient management of a growing number of users. With options to edit and assign user roles, it becomes easier to delineate responsibilities and maintain organization. Additionally, the ability to manage registered nameservers and update billing information consolidates essential functions under one platform. The steps provided ensure that Web.com can handle increasing administrative demands without compromising security or functionality. Unfortunately, without comparable data from StableHost, its capability in managing access control remains uncertain.

Web.com user roles table:

🏆 Winner
Web.com: This hosting provider stands out for its extensive customer support availability and multiple contact methods, surpassing StableHost in overall service quality.

Web.com and StableHost both offer 24/7 customer support, but their services differ in several ways. Web.com provides chat and phone support for general inquiries, with designated hours for account verification, renewals, and cancellations. Technical assistance is available from 7 a.m. to midnight EST, via phone or a Help Ticket for email support. They have separate contact numbers for US and international customers. However, some users have reported issues such as slow response times and communication difficulties, often attributed to outsourcing.

StableHost, while offering similar technical support around the clock, limits its sales and billing support to specific hours on all days of the week. This can pose a challenge for users needing immediate assistance outside these hours. Web.com’s extensive support availability, combined with a clear segmentation of their support channels, makes it a more comprehensive choice for customer service.

Web.com vs StableHost: User feedback

Overall, users appreciate the hosting provider for its comprehensive service that includes domain purchasing, website hosting, and development, making it a convenient one-stop solution. However, there are concerns about limitations on hosting unlimited domains, which can be a significant drawback for users managing numerous websites. Additionally, the cost of individual website software is considered prohibitive by some, especially for those who already have lifetime licenses for third-party software. Despite these issues, the service is generally seen as satisfactory.

StableHost receives high praise for its reliable performance and excellent customer support, often described as prompt and helpful. Users appreciate its ease of integration, comprehensive setup guides, and rich feature set, making it an ideal choice for both novice and advanced users. While some advanced users find certain functionalities lacking and note higher pricing compared to budget-friendly options, the overall consensus is positive due to its strong uptime and user-friendly interface. The plans are seen as reasonably priced, especially with available discounts, though some users miss the immediate tech support response times of the past.

Web.com vs StableHost: FAQ