BlueHost | Hostgator | |
Our Rating | ||
Plan in review | Basic | Baby Cloud |
Price before discount | $ | $ |
Price (12-mo) | $7.99 / month | $13.95 / month |
Price (24-mo) | $3.95 / month | $8.95 / month |
Special Discount | Special price - $2.95/mo hosting | Save up to 55% for Gator site builder |
Promo Code | (Link Activate) | WHSRBUILD |
Website | https://www.bluehost.com | https://www.hostgator.com |
Summary | ||
Pros Solid server performance - Hosting uptime > 99.95% Good server speed - TTFB below 500ms Comprehensive self-help documents and video tutorials Full account daily backup and restoration Ease of use - Newbie-friendly control panel Flexibility – upgrade to VPS and dedicated hosting | Pros Solid server performance - Hosting uptime > 99.99% Fast server - TTFB below 50ms for United States users Special discount – 45% cheaper for first time users Free site migration for new users Comprehensive support documentation Most popular bloggers' hosting choice based on our 2014 and 2016 survey | |
Cons Expensive renewal fees - 100% Price jump after first term Unlimited hosting service limited by various server usage constraints and policies Most server upgrades and additional features are costly | Cons Expensive renewal fees - Price jump 40% after first term Unlimited hosting service limited by various server usage constraints Occasionally long wait time for live chat support Server location in United States only | |
Learn More | Essential Features | |
Data Transfer | Unlimited | Unmetered |
Storage Capacity | 50 GB | Unlimited |
Control Panel | Cpanel | Cpanel |
Extra Domain Reg. | $11.99/yr for registration, $17.99/yr for renewal | $12.95/yr for .com domain |
Private Domain Reg. | $14.88/year | $14.95 |
Auto Script Installer | One Click Install (powered by Mojo Market Place) | Mojo Marketplace |
Custom Cron Jobs | Yes | Yes |
Site Backups | Free Basic Backup; BlueHost CodeGuard Backups cost $35.88/year. | CodeGuard - $2/mo |
Dedicated IP | $5.99/year | $4/mo |
Free SSL | Let's Encrypt | Yes |
Built-in Site Builder | Weebly Website Builder | Yes |
Learn More | ||
Visit Online | https://www.bluehost.com | https://www.hostgator.com |
Both names are well known in the industry and that’s perhaps what prompted a buy-in from Endurance International Group (EIG) to them. Today they have both grown considerably and offer a full range of web hosting services to their customers.
If you skim the surface on each, BlueHost shared hosting seems to the be value proposition of the two and offers very good buy-in prices starting from as low as $2.95 per month if you opt for a 24-month contract. HostGators starts at higher amount, from $3.58 per month.
Stat for stat they are strikingly similar as well, for example both favouring the one-click software installer from Mojo Marketplace and making use of the cPanel interface. There is also the built-in site builders along with free SSL via Let’s Encrypt.
What does differ though is performance and some optional services. Where BlueHost offers cheaper buy-ins to web hosting space, it charges more for some optional services such as a dedicated IP, which will run you $5.99 a year compared to HostGator’s $2/year.
Although BlueHost has free site backup services, access to its BlueGuard Backup service will set you back $35.88 per year compared to HostGator backup which you can get for $24 per year.
Performance-wise, while both of these hosts clock in at below the 500ms mark for TTFB, HostGator really excels on their US-based servers which click in at an eye-opening less than 50ms TTFB. This is extraordinary by any standards.
Hostgator Server Speed Tests
HostGator also has an edge in terms of support documentation. Perhaps that is one reason why it was consistently voted as most popular blogger’s hosting choice based on our own 2014 and 2016 surveys.
Unfortunately, where there are ups, there are downs and again we see some similarity between BlueHost and HostGator. Both have expensive renewal fees (over 100% increase after first contract). Pricing disadvantages continue the same across the board in terms of server upgrades which will set you back slightly more than the norm.
As with many EIG-based services I’ve seen, HostGator also suffers in customer support with some long waits necessary for live chat support. No major issues have been seen in this area for BlueHost though, surprisingly.
As a first-time option, it isn’t difficult for me to support either of these hosts as they are both a good choice for starter accounts. In fact, I think even larger (small to medium) businesses can host safely at either as they do have very scalable services and a broad service spectrum.
Not sure where to start? Here are three "must-see" suggestions:
Also check out:
Disclosure: WHSR receives referral fees from hosting companies listed on this website. Our opinions are based on real experience and actual hosting service data. Please read our review policy to understand how we rate a web host.