A2 Hosting review 2024: Pros, cons and more
A2 Hosting review 2024: Discover the pros and cons of A2 Hosting's services, performance, customer support, and more.
Our Verdict
Our Verdict
A2 Hosting is a web hosting provider known for its high-performance services, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, as well as reseller options. It is particularly recognized for its speed, reliability, and comprehensive customer support. A2 Hosting is tailored to a wide range of users, from beginners and small businesses to developers and high-traffic websites.
Pros
- Outstanding uptime
- Quick loading speeds
- Strong security measures
- Complimentary website migration
- Round-the-clock phone support and live chat
Cons
- No free domain name
- Lack of Windows hosting choices
- Base plan allows only one website
Starting price
$2.99Domain registration
YesWeb hosting services
A2 Hosting offers features like high-speed performanceWhat is A2 Hosting?
A2 Hosting provides Linux-based web hosting, including standard shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting, and dedicated hosting. They guarantee 99.9% uptime and offer 24/7/365 live support. Their Turbo hosting plans claim to be 20 times faster and can handle up to nine times more traffic, making them ideal for content-heavy and high-traffic sites. A2 Hosting includes many free features in their plans, such as an SSL certificate, site migration, and robust security. However, they do not offer certain freebies like a domain name, privacy protection, a site builder, or unlimited websites, which are available with some other services.
How A2 Hosting works?
When you select a hosting plan from A2 Hosting, you're essentially leasing space on their servers. These servers are consistently connected to the internet, ensuring your website is accessible (A2 Hosting guarantees 99.9% uptime). However, merely storing your website's data isn't enough. To direct users to your site, you'll need to adjust your Domain Name System (DNS) settings to point to A2 Hosting's name servers. Alternatively, you can register your domain directly with A2 Hosting for a simpler setup process.
Once your domain name is linked to A2 Hosting's name servers, your website will be accessible on the internet to users worldwide. A2 Hosting operates data centers in Michigan, Arizona, Amsterdam, and Singapore, allowing you to select the location closest to your target audience.
What makes A2 Hosting unique?
A standout feature of A2 Hosting, according to reviews, is its customer service. All users receive 24/7/365 live chat, phone, and email support, without needing to upgrade to a higher plan, which sets it apart from competitors.
Another unique aspect of A2 Hosting is its Turbo plans. These plans utilize upgraded servers with 40% faster CPU processors, three times faster NVMe storage, and increased RAM. These servers also have limited occupancy, advanced caching software, and optimized configurations, making them a great choice for businesses anticipating high web traffic.
A2 Hosting also offers CDN hosting, where content is cached on a server closer to the user geographically. This feature is not commonly offered for free by many hosts.
A2 Hosting features
Storage and bandwidth limits
Most of A2 Hosting's shared plans offer unlimited RAID-10 SSD storage, except for the base plan, which provides 100GB. The two Turbo plans feature NVMe storage for faster loading times. Bandwidth is unlimited across all plans.
Extras and inclusions
While A2 Hosting does not include free domain names or domain name privacy, it does offer a free SSL certificate, robust security features, and unlimited business email. Additionally, all shared plans include unlimited subdomains, parked domains, and DNS management.
Ease of use
A2 Hosting offers one-click setups for various e-commerce apps like WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, OpenCart, PrestaShop, and AbanteCart. You can also easily install WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla with a single click using the Softaculous app. If you're transferring your site from another host, A2 Hosting provides free migration for one website or one entire cPanel account.
User Dashboard/cPanel
Most of A2 Hosting's plans include a standard cPanel interface. You can access cPanel through your customer portal or directly by typing in http://cpanel.YOURDOMAIN.com. If you're familiar with cPanel, you'll find it easy to navigate and manage your website's settings. If you're new to cPanel, A2 Hosting's live chat support can assist you.
Security
A2 Hosting provides daily automatic patches and bug fixes with KernelCare to keep your site secure and running smoothly. They also offer a server firewall, brute force defense, and virus scanning to protect against hackers and malware. Additionally, reinforced DDoS protection and 24/7/365 security monitoring help prevent attacks from overwhelming your site.
A2 Hosting pricing and plans
| Startup | Drive | Turbo boost | Turbo max | |
| Introductory pricing | $71.88 per year (for the first two years) | $95.88 per year (for the first two years) | $119.88 per year (for the first two years) | $203.88 per year (for the first two years) |
| Renewal pricing |
$119.88 per year
|
$155.88 per year | $239.88 per year | $299.88 per year |
| Contract lengths available | One month, one year, two years, three years | One month, one year, two years, three years | One month, one year, two years, three years | One month, one year, two years, three years |
| Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited NVMe | Unlimited NVMe | |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Free domain name | No | No | No | No |
| Free SSL certificate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| cPanel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security | KernelCare, enhanced DDoS protection, a web hosting firewall, brute force defense, virus scanning, and 24/7 security monitoring | KernelCare, enhanced DDoS protection, a web hosting firewall, brute force defense, virus scanning, and 24/7 security monitoring | KernelCare, enhanced DDoS protection, a web hosting firewall, brute force defense, virus scanning, 24/7 security monitoring, and security rollback for WordPress | KernelCare, enhanced DDoS protection, a web hosting firewall, brute force defense, virus scanning, 24/7 security monitoring, and security rollback for WordPress |
Startup
The Startup plan is ideal for new businesses entering the online space with basic website needs. Its 100GB storage capacity is sufficient for storing images or PDFs, such as menus or service lists. However, the limitation of five databases could pose challenges for organizing customer, product, and other data. Additionally, this plan does not support Node.js, which may restrict certain developmental features.
Drive
Upgrading to the Drive plan provides unlimited website hosting, which is beneficial if you require multiple sites for different locations. The unlimited storage and databases allow for extensive data uploading and organization. This plan also includes an automatic A2 cloud backup feature.
Turbo Boost
The Turbo Boost plan offers access to A2's Turbo servers, providing up to a 20x speed increase. Even WordPress installations benefit from acceleration technology with this plan. It also includes a deluxe WordPress toolkit with functionalities like cloning, staging, and mass updates.
Turbo Max
As the most expensive plan, Turbo Max includes 4GB of physical memory and four processing cores. However, since this appears to be the only difference from the Turbo Boost plan, the additional $6 per month for renewal may not be justified.
A2 Hosting customer service and support
A2 Hosting offers three customer service channels: live chat, email ticket, and phone support. They also provide a support knowledge base and setup quick guides for additional assistance. Customers generally find the support team to be knowledgeable and helpful.
During our interaction with the sales chat, we were connected to an agent promptly, and they demonstrated a good understanding of A2's services. However, when we attempted to chat with a support agent, it took five minutes to connect, which could be problematic during a site outage requiring immediate assistance.
A2 Hosting additional features worth noting
In addition to its standard shared hosting plans, A2 Hosting offers a variety of hosting options including shared and managed WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting, and dedicated hosting. They also provide e-commerce hosting for those looking to sell products on their website.
WordPress Hosting
A2 Hosting's managed WordPress plans are ideal for running and managing your site with WordPress. They offer four plans, starting from $11.99 per month ($23.99 upon renewal) and going up to $41.99 per month ($61.99 upon renewal). The base plan includes one WordPress site, while the top plan allows for unlimited sites. Storage ranges from 50GB to unlimited, and top-tier plans include a premium JetPack license.
VPS Hosting
A2 Hosting offers both unmanaged and managed VPS plans. Unmanaged plans provide customization for more control but require more maintenance, starting at $2.99 per month ($8.99 upon renewal) for 1GB RAM, 20GB SSD storage, and one core. Managed VPS hosting, starting at $39.99 per month ($76.99 upon renewal), includes maintenance and offers more resources at the base level.
Reseller Hosting
For those interested in selling web hosting, A2 Hosting's reseller hosting plans start at $17.99 per month ($34.99 upon renewal) for 60GB SSD storage and 600GB bandwidth. The highest-tier plan is $49.99 per month ($119.99 upon renewal) and includes 250GB NVMe SSD storage and 3500GB bandwidth.
Dedicated Hosting
A2 Hosting offers both managed and unmanaged dedicated hosting plans, starting at $105.99 per month ($199.99 upon renewal) and going up to $629.99 per month with annual billing ($749.99 upon renewal). These plans allow you to choose from various CPU, RAM, and storage options based on your website's requirements.
E-Commerce Hosting
A2 Hosting supports several e-commerce platforms, including WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, OpenCart, PrestaShop, AbanteCart, WHMCS, Loaded Commerce, InvoicePlane, LiteCart, and Open eShop. These platforms can be easily installed with just a few clicks, simplifying the process of launching your online store.
A2 Hosting alternatives and how they compare?
| A2 Hosting | GoDaddy | MochaHost | InMotion | |
| Starting price | $2.99 per month for the initial year, then renews at $11.99 per month. | $5.99 per month for the initial year, then renews at $9.99 per month. | $2.29 per month for the initial year, then renews at $6.35 per month. | $3.49 per month for the initial year, then renews at $9.99 per month. |
| Contract length | One month, one year, two years, three years | One month, one year, two years, three years | One month, three months, six months, one year, two years, three years | One month, one year, two years, three years |
| Storage limit | Up to unlimited | Up to 100GB | Unlimited | Up to unlimited |
| Bandwidth limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Free domain name | No | Yes | All except Soho plan | All except Core plan |
| Free SSL certificate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Business email | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Uptime guarantee | 99.90% | 99.90% | 99.90% | 99.99% |
A2 Hosting vs. GoDaddy
In terms of monthly costs, GoDaddy and A2 Hosting are similar, but A2 becomes more cost-effective with its three-year discounted plan. While GoDaddy provides a free domain and site builder, A2 offers more storage.
A2 Hosting vs. MochaHost
MochaHost is the most affordable option with flexible term lengths, ideal for those on a tight budget or who prefer shorter commitments. Even its basic plan includes unlimited storage, a feature that requires an upgrade with A2 Hosting.
A2 Hosting vs. InMotion
InMotion surpasses A2 with a longer money-back guarantee, offering more reassurance for newcomers to web hosting. Additionally, InMotion provides a free domain name, which despite being slightly pricier overall, results in savings.
Is A2 Hosting the right choice for my needs?
A2 Hosting stands out as an excellent choice for those prioritizing speed. It is also relatively cost-effective compared to its competitors, though this may be due to the absence of complimentary features like a domain name and website builder.
A2 Hosting is ideal for:
- Businesses seeking fast and efficient websites.
- Businesses aiming to establish an e-commerce store with minimal complexity.
- Businesses in need of an uncomplicated WordPress solution.
- Businesses requiring robust security features to safeguard their data.
A2 Hosting is not recommended for:
- Businesses seeking assistance in website development.
- Businesses interested in shorter contract durations.
- Businesses preferring a Windows server.
Our expert opinion
While A2 Hosting may not offer the most extensive range of features, its standout attribute is speed. The Turbo servers deliver remarkably fast speeds, enhancing your website's responsiveness and loading times. For customer-facing websites where initial impressions are crucial, this speed advantage could provide a competitive edge. Additionally, A2 Hosting includes robust security features as standard, a feature not always found with other hosting providers.
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