HostGator vs BlueHost

HostGator vs Bluehost – Which Hosting Provider Is Best?

Picking a web hosting service can be difficult due to the wide range of features, plans, and types of hosting available between each one. Doing thorough research is the best way to guarantee you’ve got the right service for you.

As we’ve mentioned, both of these web hosting providers will more than get the job done; they’ll provide an easy-to-use service that will have you website online in no time. Bluehost, however, does hold the edge, for a few key reasons:

• Bluehost provides a wide range of plans
• Unlike HostGator, Bluehost service comes with a free domain
• Excluding the Basic plan, Bluehost provides very generous storage options
• HostGator is a bit cheaper, but has limited features
• HostGator has better up time performance, but the difference is barely noticeable

Truthfully, these web hosting providers both have a stellar reputation for providing comprehensive 24/7 customer support for their users, so it’s hard to pick a winner in regards to that. But based on a select few differences, Bluehost itches out HostGator for which web hosting provider is best.

 HostGator

• Incredibly reliable
• Highest possible up time performance
• More affordable than Bluehost
• Limited features
• No free domain

Founded in Florida (obviously), HostGator is one of the most reliable web hosting providers on the market. With an up time percentage of 99.99%, you can’t really beat them in that regard. Plus, with a 24/7 customer support team, and comparatively low prices, it’s easy to see why HostGator is considered to be one of those companies at the top of the pack.

Check out our full HostGator review here

However, the low price compared to Bluehost is for good reason; they’re missing a few key features that are standard in web hosting plans. For one, they don’t provide a free domain, which is quite uncommon as far as web hosting providers are concerned. Additionally, they don’t provide free backup, which can seriously burden your storage resources.

Verdict: Simply put, HostGator is a great option. However, when stacked up against Bluehost, the slightly improved up time performance and lower price don’t really make up for the gaps in their features and their added costs for domains and backups.

 Bluehost

• Robust option with lots of features
• Impressive up time performance
• A bit more expensive
• 24/7 customer support
• Free domain

Bluehost is typically considered one of the absolute best web hosting providers out there today. Their platform is comprehensive and full of features that make hosting a website easy and consistent. Plus, with generous storage and data options — outside the Basic plan that is — you’ll be able to scale your operation easily.

Check out our full Bluehost review here

With four unique pricing plans instead of three, you’ll have more options as far as what kind of features you are willing to pay for. Plus, Bluehost comes with a free domain and free backups, so you won’t be spending your resources on necessary add-ons.

Verdict: You really can’t go wrong with Bluehost. It stacks up against all the best web hosting providers and performs admirably, and this matchup is no different. Yes, the price is a smidge higher compared to HostGator, but the benefits far outweigh that cost, if that is what you’re looking for. 

Best for Shared Hosting – Bluehost

Both Bluehost and HostGator offer shared hosting plans within their platforms. And, according to our research, Bluehost has the edge on HostGator as far as this affordable option is concerned.

The two providers are actually quite similar within the shared hosting category, with both offering 24/7 customer support and generous storage options, particularly in their more expensive packages. HostGator does offer a bit more storage and monthly visitors.

However, Bluehost offers free domains and free backup with their shared hosting plan, which HostGator does not. Plus, with limited features, you’ll have less control of exactly how your website is hosted with HostGator, making the lower price not nearly as worth it.

Best for VPS Hosting – Bluehost

Bluehost and HostGator both also offer VPS hosting, which is a slightly more expensive and more reliable means of hosting your website. Again, because of their feature flaws and price points, HostGator just can’t compete with Bluehost.

For one, HostGator’s VPS hosting plan still suffers all the same flaws as the shared hosting plan, namely the lack of a free domain. Yes, the up time is still impressive, but it hardly makes up for all these added costs.

Additionally, the VPS hosting plan is a significant jump in price, making it more expensive than Bluehost’s similar plan. This means you’re getting less for more, and that’s hard to justify when you’re trying to save resources. You do get a bit more storage with HostGator compared to Bluehost, but the sizes are large enough that it won’t matter as much down the line.

Best Range of Plans – HostGator

When it comes to web hosting, there are a lot of different options, features, plans, and types that you need to consider. With your business, finding the right one is key, and the best way to do that is to have options. And if you’re looking for options, HostGator has got them.

While Bluehost has an additional plan within their shared hosting platform, HostGator has them beat on types of hosting you can take advantage of. Their cloud hosting service in particularly sets them apart and opens the door for a less nailed-down server plan for your website.

Best Customer Support – Tie

Simply put, both of these web hosting providers have stellar customer support teams. Both work 24/7 to make sure their users are happy. With live phone, live chat, and ticket systems, you’ll be able to reach a real human being easily without jumping through a lot of hoops.

Additionally, each web hosting provider comes with a knowledge center filled with informative documents, virtual training courses, and wide range of other helpful tools to better understand your web hosting needs.

Final Verdict – HostGator vs Bluehost

Truthfully, it’s a close one, but Bluehost takes the crown by a hair. Their plentiful catalog of features combined with their low prices across all their plans makes for the best option for your growing business right now. Follow this link if you’re interested in getting discounted prices for Bluehost deals.

Sure, HostGator offers a wider range of plans, but remember, you’ll be without those helpful features, and paying a bit more for premium plans, particularly with costs like backups and domains adding up. Check out the discounted prices if you’re interested in HostGator now.