A2 Hosting vs Bluehost: what’s the difference?
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Using the same criteria for all services, we share our detailed methodologies and practices to help customers make informed hosting decisions.
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A2 Hosting vs Bluehost: general info
A2 Hosting, recently rebranded to hosting.com and Bluehost offer similar services, but in terms of things like hosting, it's the details that matter.
With both providers offering reliable web hosting for more than 20 years, your choice will depend on what exactly you need from your web hosts. For example, A2 Hosting focuses on speed, claiming it has "blazing- fast hosting". Bluehost, meanwhile, shows that it focuses on ease of use by offering beginner-friendly hosting solutions, with an emphasis on WordPress hosting.
That's why, along with the Cybernews research team, we tested both providers to see which one – A2 Hosting or Bluehost – is better in terms of ease of use, performance, pricing, and security.
Note: A2 Hosting's May 2025 rebranding to hosting.com does not affect its services, except for a few cosmetic changes.
A2 Hosting vs Bluehost: general info
Both hosts offer numerous fairly-priced solutions for beginners as well as advanced users. While A2 Hosting is a highly performance-oriented hosting provider, Bluehost mainly focuses on WordPress and business-related features.
Here is a quick overview of how both providers stack up against each other. Now, if you wish to see the final verdict, feel free to jump to the final recommendations at the end.
| Bluehost | hosting.com | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 💵 Price: | From $1.99/month | From $3.99/month |
| 📑 Uptime guarantee: | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Bluehost coupon 78% OFF | Hosting.com coupon 73% OFF! |
| Storage space (from): | 10GB SSD | 100GB SSD |
| ✂️ Free domain (first year): | Yes | Yes |
| 🔒 Free SSL certificate: | Yes | Yes |
| ➡️ Site migration: | Free WordPress migration | Free (1 site) and paid option for larger migrations |
| 💾 Automated backups: | Free automatic weekly backups | Yes (Accel, Turbo Velocity, and Turbo Nitro plans) |
| 📧 Email accounts: | Free (up to 100MB of storage) | Free (unlimited accounts) |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | Yes |
| 💰 Money-back guarantee: | 30-day | 30-day full refund or 90-day pro-rated refund |
Our in-house research team and expert writers work hand in hand to regularly test hosting services and provide accurate and fact-checked information. Discover the ins and outs of how we test and evaluate website hosting providers.
A2 Hosting vs Bluehost: pricing comparison
In the battle of prices, Bluehost is the slightly cheaper option. A2 Hosting’s shared hosting plans range from $3.99/month to $3.99/month. Meanwhile, Bluehost’s marginally more affordable shared packages start from $1.99/month and go up to $9.99/month.
In addition to shared hosting, both providers also offer:
| Hosting type | A2 Hosting | Bluehost |
| Shared hosting | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| WordPress hosting | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| WooCommerce hosting | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| VPS hosting | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Reseller hosting | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Dedicated hosting | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Visit A2 Hosting | Visit Bluehost |
In any case, shared hosting remains the most popular product for both companies and also the focus of this Bluehost vs A2 Hosting comparison.
Talking about A2 Hosting (now hosting.com) and Bluehost’s cheapest shared hosting plans, both providers let you host 1 website and come with a free SSL certificate.
At the same time, there are some differences:
- A2 Hosting Ignite ($3.99/month) includes 10 GB disk space and unlimited email accounts. More so, you get DDoS protection, server-level firewall, server hardening, virus scanning, and brute force defense.
- Bluehost Basic ($1.99/month) offers 10GB storage space, unmetered bandwidth, a free domain, and Cloudflare DDoS protection.
Both plans offer the same amount of storage, but Bluehost is slightly more versatile, offering 10 websites rather than A2 Hosting’s one. That, along with giving you a free domain, gives Bluehost a clear advantage.
While the cheapest plans look tempting, the providers have more options than that. So, which one should you choose?
A2 Hosting has 4 shared hosting plans, with prices ranging from $3.99/month to $3.99/month.
If you’re looking for a plan that both packs good resources and comes with improved speed, check out its Pro plan. For $13.99/month, you get to host unlimited websites on a speed-oriented Turbo server. More so, essential features like unlimited NVMe storage and LiteSpeed web server are also included.
To get the best deal, opt for Pro, with a 3-year subscription, and check off its paid add-ons as well as a domain. That totals $287.64 upfront for 3 years, and the renewal price will round up to $719.64 for the next billing cycle.
Meanwhile, Bluehost has 4 shared hosting plans, priced from $1.99/month to $9.99/month.
If you’re looking to run a single website, the Basic plan just might cut it for you. However, if the entry plan is too limiting, the next best choice is Plus. While Bluehost recommends Choice Plus as the best option, Plus offers the same storage with 20 websites instead of 50, while the renewal rates are much lower.
To secure the best deal for the Plus plan, pick the 3-year subscription. The initial payment will cost $268.20 and it’ll renew for $719.64.
One thing to note is that while Bluehost offers a standard 30-day money-back guarantee, A2 Hosting goes above and beyond that. On top of its 30 full refund policy, A2 Hosting also includes a 90-day pro-rated refund.
Hosting management: ease of use
Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost are very easy to use, with Bluehost taking the lead. A2 Hosting offers a simplistic account management panel and a cPanel. Meanwhile, Bluehost has its own custom user-friendly control panel as well as an integrated cPanel for more advanced tasks.
Now while both providers come with functional and easy-to-use panels, they did take slightly different approaches to website management. So to see what differs, I’ll talk about each host individually.
With A2 Hosting, things are old-school but simple. For starters, its account management panel is quite outdated with a simple layout. To me, it’s slightly bland and lacks the sleekness of a modern interface. But, the good news is that you really only need it for billing and accessing cPanel.
Speaking of cPanel, A2 Hosting uses the standard cPanel and it's the main panel for your site’s management. So, if you’re already acquainted with the popular panel, it’s a familiar sight.
When it comes to looks, A2 does not use any custom skin or branding on its cPanel. However, the design has no impact on the panel's functionality. It’s still very organized and intuitive for both seasoned webmasters and beginners alike.
This is what cPanel looks like:
This is where you’ll find key functionalities and vital tools all within reach. It includes things like domain, email, file, and database management, app installations, metrics, and essentially everything you need for website management.
As for Bluehost, the provider is double-barreled – it has its own custom control panel as well as cPanel for more advanced settings.
The native Bluehost panel can be used as a stand-alone interface for website management. Here, you’ll find helpful things like a checklist on how to create a WordPress site as well as all the main elements such as domains, email accounts, SSL certificate settings, and plugins.
This is what Bluehost’s native interface looks like:
As you can see, it’s fresh, clean, and organized. Everything is also clearly labeled and easily accessed with all your day-to-day website management tasks on the left.
Now, for more advanced features like file and database management, security configurations, or content management system installations, Bluehost offers cPanel. To locate the cPanel, simply click the Advanced option on the left side menu.
If I was to compare A2 Hosting vs Bluehost cPanel looks-wise, Bluehost’s cPanel looks like a part of its native management panel rather than a separate one. You’ll see that the provider has even added its own skin for seamless integration.
Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost are very easy to use. However, Bluehost comes out ahead thanks to its more functional and intuitive custom control panel that includes all the necessary site management features like domains, SSL, emails, and many more.
A2 Hosting vs Bluehost performance
When it comes to A2 Hosting vs Bluehost performance, the providers go head to head with 99.99% uptime for reliability. But, for everything else, it’s a close match with good results from both providers. A2 Hosting (now hosting.com) is the overall faster option but Bluehost’s server is more responsive.
Uptime and response time
In around 2 months' time, both A2 Hosting and Bluehost maintained a very reliable uptime of 100%. However, talking about the average response time, A2 Hosting fell behind Bluehost.
Let’s start with A2 Hosting. The provider’s 100% uptime was praiseworthy, as we haven’t seen any major failures, and it responded to our stress testing well.
Bluehost, too, did very well for reliability with a 100% uptime for over 2 months and little to no errors.
My only worry with Bluehost is that it doesn’t have an uptime guarantee in its SLA. So, you’ll not be compensated in the event that your site goes down for an extended period.
Overall, both providers have shown excellent uptime with little to no errors, and responded to stress testing well.
Website speed
I also created Bluehost vs A2 Hosting WordPress hosting sites to run simple page loading speed tests. A2 Hosting triumphed with better Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
I'm checking the LCP for the A2 Hosting vs. Bluehost speed test battle. Better results help boost search engine ranking. 2.5s is the maximum norm that Google sets.
A2 Hosting excelled in both regards. Its LCP was just 0.939s.
Here, I’m testing my US-hosted site from the US. However, it also has servers in Europe and Asia. So, your target audience – wherever they are at – should see similarly good results if you pick the server closest to them.
Compared to A2, Bluehost had a slightly slower LCP of 2s. This is still better than Google’s limit, but noticeably slower.
However, Bluehost only has servers in the US. So, if your target audience is abroad, there’s no option to pick the server closest to the audience for faster speeds.
In brief, both providers passed muster with above-average LCP and fully loaded time, but A2 Hosting takes the cake by simply being faster.
Website security
When it comes to security, A2 Hosting is more generous with its protection. Meanwhile, Bluehost covers the basics and has lots of advanced options but charges for them.
Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost come with:
- SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt in all hosting plans with advanced options available for purchase;
- 24/7 server monitoring;
- DDoS protection (A2 Hosting has built-in DDoS protection, while you can set up one for Bluehost by using Cloudflare).
And, this is how they’re different from each other:
- A2 Hosting includes daily automatic backups with its Accel plans and above. Meanwhile, Bluehost’s backups are free with Choice Plus and up. Otherwise, it costs $2.99/mo via a third-party tool.
- A2 Hosting offers Perpetual Security, and 24/7 network monitoring for all of its plans.
- Bluehost offers SiteLock as a paid add-on for $7.99/mo.
Customer support
You can reach A2 Hosting and Bluehost customer support team via 24/7 live chat, phone, emails, and ticketing system. Additionally, the duo also has knowledge bases.
A2 Hosting’s main support channel is the ticketing system. Hence, more often than not, you’ll find your phone and live chat inquiries are redirected to that channel – especially if you have a technical question. So, do expect a little bit of a wait. Generally, though, questions and issues are solved fairly efficiently.
If you aren’t one for waiting, A2 Hosting also has an extensive knowledge base. It covers everything from setups to common problems and more.
Now talking about Bluehost, the provider mainly focuses on live chat support. And generally speaking, the wait times are minimal, the agents are very friendly and eager to help. However, as always, this could be a hit or miss depending on the individual agent’s knowledge.
Beyond that, Bluehost’s knowledge base is wide-ranging – covering both basic and advanced topics. That said, a number of its articles and guides could use an update.
A2 Hosting vs Bluehost: final recommendations
There’s no clear winner in the A2 Hosting vs Bluehost battle. Bluehost is slightly cheaper and very beginner-friendly. Meanwhile, A2 Hosting is a little faster and comes with comprehensive security measures.
| Feature | Bluehost | A2 Hosting | Verdict |
| Price | Both Bluehost and A2 Hosting start at $1.99/month. However, Bluehost comes with a few more freebies. | ||
| Ease of use | Both services are very easy to use. But, A2 Hosting’s interfaces are more outdated and crude, while Bluehost’s panels are more modern and user-friendly. | ||
| Performance | The two performed well and are extremely reliable with 99.99% uptime. But, A2 Hosting loads faster than Bluehost. | ||
| Security | A2 Hosting has more security features included by default, even some of advanced ones too. Bluehost covers the essentials as well, but more advanced tools are paid. | ||
| Support | A2 Hosting has fewer support channels than Bluehost and most inquiries are redirected to tickets. Meanwhile, Bluehost has a shorter waiting time. |
All things considered, Bluehost comes out on top. It’s cheaper, more beginner-friendly, and quite similarly fast as A2 Hosting. It’s a top-notch option for small to mid-sized websites.
However, if you’re looking for a fast and secure web hosting solution for a small business site, A2 Hosting is a very good candidate.
Alternatives to A2 Hosting and Bluehost
Both A2 Hosting (now hosting.com) and Bluehost are solid providers with proven track records. But, if they aren’t to your liking or simply not a good fit for your current project, there are other equally attractive options in the market. Here are 2 of them: Hostinger and HostGator.
Hostinger
If you’re on a budget, there’s no better alternative than Hostinger. The provider’s plans start from just $2.69/month. But, despite its dirt-cheap pricing, Hostinger doesn’t compromise on quality.
The provider is every bit as performance-focused as A2 Hosting with plenty of optimizations like LiteSpeed web servers and 8 data centers around the world. Plus, Hostinger puts user-friendliness at the forefront with its intuitive custom hPanel and helpful support team.
HostGator
HostGator is an ideal fit for those looking for generous resources for affordable prices. For just $3.75/month, you get 10GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, and a one-month trial of email accounts . Additionally, the provider also includes a website builder, Gator, in all its plans for an easy way to get a website up ASAP.
A2 Hosting vs Bluehost FAQs
Is A2 Hosting better than Bluehost?
No, A2 Hosting isn’t better than Bluehost. While A2 Hosting has many pros, Bluehost offers all the hosting essentials despite its cheaper prices. Plus, Bluehost’s custom control panel is also significantly more intuitive and user-friendly in comparison to A2 Hosting’s interface.
Which one is cheaper: A2 Hosting or Bluehost?
Both Bluehost and A2 Hosting offer plans starting at $1.99/month, however, Bluehost offers a free domain along with the plan, making it the more cost effective choice.
A2 Hosting vs Bluehost for WordPress hosting – which is better?
Bluehost is better when it comes to A2 Hosting vs Bluehost for WordPress hosting. The provider is WordPress-focused and has all sorts of optimizations and tools for the CMS, including automatic setup and staging.
Do Bluehost and A2 Hosting offer money-back guarantees?
Yes, Bluehost and A2 Hosting offer money-back guarantees. A2 Hosting has a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a pro-rated 90-day money-back guarantee, while Bluehost has a 30-day guarantee.
Is Bluehost faster?
No, A2 Hosting is faster with better LCP and fully loaded time.
Do I get a free domain with Bluehost and A2 Hosting?
You get a free domain with any of Bluehost’s plans. Meanwhile, a free domain isn’t included in A2 Hosting’s plans. Instead, you’ll need to purchase it from a domain name registrar or A2 Hosting directly for $11.95/yr.
