HostGator and BlueHost have proven themselves to be popular options for web hosting needs. There are still a number of differences between the two options that must be considered when figuring out which is the best option for one’s needs. These include points relating to the technical qualities of each, the control features they offer and the plans you can purchase.
Each group has a number of features that make them similar to one another as well. However, there are some individualized considerations that make the two different in many ways. This review of the two service providers is divided up into a series of sections with some of them divided further to emphasize how different HostGator and BlueHost can be from one another.
Uptime
HostGator
HostGator states that it guarantees 99.99% uptime for all its hosted sites. Independent tests suggest that HostGator is very stable and offers very few instances of downtime. In the course of a typical week, HostGator gets only one outage for about a minute.
BlueHost
BlueHost also promotes itself as offering 99.99% uptime. However, the site averages around five to ten outages in an average week. Those outages usually last for a combined total of 30 to 60 minutes in that week.
Advantage:
HostGator is a much more stable host.
Response Times
HostGator
HostGator sites have rather fast response times. HostGator sites can take from 1000 to 1200 ms to load. This means that a site can load in less than 1.2 seconds.
BlueHost
It takes longer for BlueHost websites to load up on average. It often takes 2500to 5000 ms for a site to load on BlueHost. It is unclear as to what causes this variance in load times.
Advantage:
HostGator works quickly for all your loading needs.
Requests
HostGator
HostGator typically requires more requests for getting information on a site before it can start loading. A page that is less than a megabyte in size may require 180 requests for data. This means that there are times when it might take longer for the loading process to start.
BlueHost
BlueHost works with fewer requests than what HostGator typically takes in. A page that is also around a megabyte in size can be loaded with about 150 requests for data. This ensures that the timing needed to start loading a page will be reduced.
Advantage:
Bluehost gets the process of loading a site going faster.
User Interface
Both HostGator and BlueHost work with cPanel controls. They offer one-click installation features available to all people regardless of their service plans. These help people to load WordPress, Joomla and other functions onto their websites.
The cPanel system helps with establishing shopping carts, forums and portals. A web-based file manager is also included on each service.
If anything, the two sites have practically the same interface when all is considered. Seeing how the cPanel set up is very easy to work with, it should not be too challenging to make the cPanel system work well enough.
Advantage:
This is a push as the two are essentially the same in this category.
Backups
The two services offer a variety of backup systems. You can perform manual backups with either option thanks to the cPanel system. The backups will be secured by HostGator or BlueHost for free. This provides you with added protection to ensure that your site will not lose its data at any point. However, the cost for getting automated backups varies.
BlueHost will provide you with unlimited automated backups for free. You can choose when you want to get your backups prepared.
Advantage:
The services are easy to handle no matter who your host is so this makes for a push.
Customer Service
HostGator
HostGator offers a ticketing system that allows you to fill out the information on any queries or issues you have. You will get proper answers from an expert that can provide you with help in that section through the system. You can also access a live chat system and a toll free number in the United States.
BlueHost
BlueHost has a variety of video tutorials. These will show you full visual looks at how to get the most out of your BlueHost page. A ticketing system is also used to help you get information on what you can do to resolve any issues you might have with your BlueHost site.
Advantage:
HostGator has an easier time with managing customer service so that service gets the win. Someone who finds hosting customer service as one of the most important things is Rich. See what he thinks about all of these different hosts.
Transfers
The key point about transfers is that both services will help you with getting your site moved from one domain to another. This is done quickly and seamlessly so you will still have full control over the features on your site. This improves upon how well you can get your site running online.
However, the cost for getting a transfer will vary by each party. HostGator provides this as a fully free service. BlueHost charges $99 for you to get the transfer process taken care of properly.
Advantage:
The fact that HostGator provides this for free makes that service the winner.
Website Builder
HostGator has its own website building program. This helps you to establish a fully functional website with no added coding programs required. BlueHost does not offer such a feature although it should be rather easy for you to get different programs applied through the cPanel support that it comes with.
Advantage:
HostGator is better here even if it’s easy with either option.
Google AdWords Support
Depending on the service plan you use, you can get $100 in free support for Google AdWords. This helps you to spend extra money on getting your online promotions under control. It helps you to make your site more visible.
The Google AdWords support is available to those who use business-level programs through either service. Basic hosting services do not offer such services as they focus on some of the more basic aspects involved with getting a website up and running.
Advantage:
This is another push in that the benefits are the same for both.
Shared Hosting Service Plans
HostGator
HostGator offers three different shared web hosting plans. The Hatchling Plan provides you with a single domain and unmetered bandwidth and disk usage. This is available for $3.95 per month.
The Baby Plan provides you with the same features as the Hatching plan but with unlimited domains. This goes for $5.95 per month.
The Business Plan is available for $7.95 per month. It offers a private SSL and dedicated IP address in addition to the features in the other plans.
BlueHost
BlueHost has a single shared hosting plan. This is available for $3.95 to $5.95 per month depending on the Basic, Plus or Prime plan. It also offers unlimited domains for Plus and Prime plans and unmetered bandwidth. The Basic plan offers 50 GB of website space while the space is unmetered on other plans.
The Basic plan offers five email accounts with up to 100 MB of storage on each account plus five parked domains and 25 sub domains. You will get an unlimited amount of each on the Plus and Prime plans.
The Prime plan also offers the SiteBackup Pro system. This allows you to get a full backup for your site at any time you see fit.
Advantage:
HostGator has a better setup but the deals for BlueHost are better. BlueHost barely wins in this category.
About the Unmetered Term
The unmetered term means that you will not be charged for using any disk space or bandwidth. However, you have to be cautious with regards to how much of a host’s system resources are being used at a given time. You will violate the company’s terms of service in the event that you use 25 percent or more of the company’s resources for 90 seconds or longer. It is rare for clients to do this but warnings will be sent in the event that you get into this problem with getting your website ready.
Cloud Hosting
HostGator
The cloud hosting services from HostGator include Hatchling, Baby and Business Cloud systems from $4.95 to $9.95 per month. The packages offer unlimited sub domains and unmetered bandwidth and storage. You can get 2, 4 or 6 GB memory and as many cores depending on the package you use. Parked domains are available on the Baby and Business Cloud plans. A private SSL is included in the Business class.
BlueHost
Cloud hosting is available from BlueHost on the Starter, Performance and Business Pro classes varying from $6.95 to $15.95 per month. These services entail support for a free domain and 2 to 6 GB of RAMand two to six cores depending on the program you utilize. You will get 100 email accounts with up to 500 MB in storage with the Starter program and unlimited email support on the other two.
The advanced plans from BlueHost offer added spam protection services. The Business Pro system has a dedicated IP and SSL certificate and guaranteed domain privacy with full site backup and restoration services. Advanced plans are designed for more advanced use without any extra functions involved in the process and can be compared properly for your general demands.
Advantage:
BlueHost costs a little extra but is better for offering more technical support.
Money Back Guarantee
Both services have their own money back guarantee plans. BlueHost will provide you with a full 30-day guarantee on each plan that is available. BlueHost also offers a pro-rated refund following the first month of service.
HostGator has a 45-day money back guarantee. This provides you with added time for taking a look at what you can get out of the service offered by the company.
Advantage:
The two have essentially the same guarantee when initial length and pro-rated refunds are considered so this would be a push.
Regardless of your plans for your website, you must compare HostGator vs. BlueHost to see which option is better for your demands and budget. Let us know which service you think is better with a vote.
