Having doubts about HostGator vs GoDaddy?
From customer support to pricing. The two most popular web hostings have crucial differences.
★★★★★
#1 Introduction
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HostGator vs GoDaddy at a glance
HostGator
HostGator is an amazing web hosting service that provides various tools for bloggers and small businesses. It includes FREE features, such as unmetered bandwidth, domain registration, SSL certificate, and one-click installs for its beloved users.
In fact, you can already start with its shared hosting for only $2.75 per month as an introductory offer.
If you’re feeling lost with the whole process, you can visit HostGator’s knowledge base to resolve any pending concerns.
Overall, it can surpass your expectations with web hosting. Need some advanced features for an advanced user? Look no further.
GoDaddy
Like HostGator, GoDaddy has powerful hosting built for any business!
When your website is down, you may be missing out on an opportunity to communicate with a potential customer.
The good thing is, GoDaddy has dependable hosting to serve your needs.
If you’re searching for a host that is generous with storage but does not require unlimited space, look no further. GoDaddy’s hosting services include everything from web hosting to lightning-fast dedicated servers. Everything is right here.
Table of contents
#2 Pricing
Let’s talk about pricing. This might be the variable that could help you choose between HostGator and GoDaddy.
HostGator
HostGator provides several hosting plans to accommodate such needs, including Shared hosting, WordPress hosting, Dedicated hosting, VPS hosting, and Reseller hosting.
Whatever you demand, they have a plan suited for you.
Check out the following pricing and features as your reference.
Hosting Plans
Shared Web Hosting
- Hatchling – $17.99 per month
- Baby – $21.99 per month
- Business – $27.99 per month
WordPress Hosting
- Baby – $21.99 per month
- Business – $27.99 per month
- Pro – $34.99 per month
eCommerce Hosting
- Online Store – $29.95 per month
- Online Store + Marketplace – $47.95 per month
Gator Website Builder Hosting
- Express Start – $12.95 per month
- Express Site – $14.98 per month
- Express Store – $26.98 per month
VPS Hosting
- Snappy 500**- $19.95 per month
- Snappy 1000** – $39.95 per month
- Snappy 2000 – $79.99 per month
You can check the other options here if you want! I am sure there’s something for you, whatever hosting you require.
With these plans, I’m sure there’s one that’s perfect for what you need!
Moving forward, let’s look into HostGator’s pros and cons to see whether it’s the one you’re looking for and if the cons aren’t a game-changer.
Pros
Let me show you how HostGator competes directly against the competition.
Check out these pros I came to know as your helpful guide.
- Trusted brand
- Easy to use
- Reliable web hosting
- Free domain name
- Free SSL
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Easy way to WordPress! Whoopee!
- 99.9% uptime
Cons
Even though HostGator is an ideal choice for web users, it still has its downsides for you to know about. Check out the following:
- Costly monthly pricing and add-ons
- Aggressive upselling and marketing
GoDaddy
Let’s continue with GoDaddy.
GoDaddy offers 4 hosting pricing options as of April 2024.
- Web Hosting Economy– $6.99 per month
- Web Hosting Deluxe – $9.99 per month
- Web Hosting Ultimate – $14.99 per month
- Web Hosting Maximum – $21.99 per month
All plans include 24/7 security monitoring & DDoS, free domain & easy setup, and free SSL certificate. If you’re having trouble with which hosting plan is best for you, go to GoDaddy guides to help you decide.
Pros
Although Namecheap is a good choice, GoDaddy won’t accept defeat as it also provides you superb features and functionalities a web host can give. Check these out:
- Free domain (by the way, GoDaddy is known as the leading domain name registrar ─ so cool!)
- Solid reputation
- Has c-Panel
- Unlimited disk space
- 99.95% uptime
- Straightforward signup
Cons
Even though GoDaddy is an ideal choice for web users, it still has its downsides for you to know about. Check out the following:
- Inconsistent customer support
- No free backups
- Expensive restoration fees
- Sites limitation
Winner:
If you’re short on budget, I’d recommend GoDaddy for your web hosting needs. HostGator is affordable for its introductory rate but is truly expensive. However, it offers significantly greater value than the latter. As a result, you get more of your money’s worth.
#3 Speed
Remember this: the faster your site loads, the higher your conversion rate. People despise waiting, so do your best to choose a web host that provides quick page loading time. The more effort you invest in maintaining your website fast and conveniently, the more revenue you generate.
The question is…
Can HostGator and GoDaddy give you the speed you’re looking for?
HostGator
I’m happy to tell you that HostGator isn’t famous for nothing. Truth be told, it has an average load time of 1.03 ms, and an average response time of 143.4 ms, which are both fantastic results.
If you’re looking for a smart choice for your website needs, this is it! For sure, your site will load quickly wherever you are in the world.
GoDaddy
Today, it’s hard to find a cheaper web hosting like GoDaddy with such high performance. With speed being a prime factor in getting online traffic, you need a solid option to outshine your competitors. The good thing is, GoDaddy won’t put a frown on your face as it has a speed of 520 ms.
Winner:
HostGator and GoDaddy have excellent speed results to please users and web visitors! However, I’d choose HostGator if I were you as it works really well like Bluehost!
#4 Uptime
Uptime is an excellent indicator of how well a web hosting service keeps its systems up and functioning. Having said that, do HostGator and GoDaddy have a high uptime percentage? Let’s find out.
HostGator
What would you do if you signed up for a hosting service only to discover that your website is excruciatingly slow and frequently disappears? Of course, you’d have to transfer providers, which would cost you extra money and time.
The good thing is, HostGator has a 99.9% uptime which is really great for your website!
GoDaddy
GoDaddy maintains a solid uptime of 99.95%. It’s still worth the try if you ask me! Although its uptime isn’t on par with others, I’m confident that you won’t encounter any significant crashes or complications.
Winner:
Because perfect uptime is unachievable, these two come as close as they can! However, no one can deny how HostGator won this category!
#5 Customer service
In hosting, good assistance and support are crucial. Things don’t go wrong all the time, but you’d want the experts on your side when they do.
Let’s see if Namecheap and GoDaddy have the support you need when things get rough.
HostGator
If you need reliable support, I would definitely recommend HostGator over GoDaddy.
As a user, you have multiple options to resolve your pending inquiries. In fact, you can reach their support team at any time via phone, live chat support, or ticket-based email support. What more can you ask for?
GoDaddy
The 24/7 phone support and the live chat feature are significant advantages for GoDaddy. However, some say they take too long to respond, and you rarely know if you’ll receive a prompt reply. With that, GoDaddy’s customer service is a little inconsistent. Nonetheless, shoot that question and wait if you have the time.
Winner:
HostGator for the win! Its customer service will make you feel special and taken care of. Although GoDaddy provides reliable service/help, HostGator goes above and beyond by providing tech tickets. How cool is that?
#6 How to install
Installing HostGator or GoDaddy is actually super easy! Just follow my steps, and you’ll have everything set up in less than 5 minutes. Pinky promise!
I split it up into 2 phases.
Phase 1 is for HostGator, and Phase 2 is for GoDaddy.
Phase 1 – How to Install HostGator
Step 1: Go to Hostgator’s website.
Step 2: Choose a plan for your needs.
There are various options for you to choose from.
- Shared Hosting
- Website Builder Hosting
- WordPress Hosting
- Dedicated Hosting
- VPS Hosting
- Reseller Hosting
- Windows Dedicated Server Hosting
- Windows Shared Hosting
- Reseller Hosting
- Cloud Web Hosting
- Optimized WordPress Hosting
Step 3: Proceed to Checkout.
Enter your domain, billing info, and add some additional services if you want. Make sure to have a coupon to save more money!
Step 4: Review your order details!
That’s it! Four easy-peasy steps to get started with HostGator’s hosting.
Good luck with the rest.
Phase 2 – How to Install GoDaddy
Step 1: Go to GoDaddy’s website.
Step 2: Choose a plan.
Step 3: Add your plan to the cart and complete the purchase.
Whoopee! Wasn’t that quick? Just three easy-peasy steps!
Enjoy 99.95% uptime, fast loading times, and simple 1-click installation of WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and other popular content management systems!
#7 SEO
I’m going to keep this short. Both of them are great for SEO.
Nowadays, web hosting helps your website be accessible to all users and visitors. With that, you need something excellent to get that sweet traffic.
The good thing is, I’ve seen several websites with millions of visitors per month with the help of HostGator and GoDaddy! Trust me; you’ll get various hosting features you’ll love whatever you choose.
Winner:
It is up to you to decide whether to go with HostGator or GoDaddy because both are good with SEO.
#8 Examples
Definitely look at this example to better understand what’s possible with GoDaddy.
DESTIHL is a craft brewery and restaurant company with excellent transitions and interesting shapes to impress every customer. In addition, it’s loads fast with no interruptions. Definitely an example of a GoDaddy website!
#9 Website Builder
HostGator and GoDaddy may seem famous with their hostings, but they also perform well as website builders.
HostGator
Do you want to look amazing online? Yeah, of course, me too!
With that, I’d happily recommend HostGator to impress every visitor. With its simple website builder, you can create a website in minutes.
All you have to do is provide some basic information about your website and its AI will POOF! make it into a great design.
Afterward, please insert a logo, add some images, make some tweaks, and launch your site. Afterward, congratulate yourself on creating an amazing website without lifting a finger!
Click here to know the plans available.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a simple website builder that uses Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) to make website construction easier and more efficient. It leverages the information you give to build a personalized site in minutes, making it ideal for newbies who wish to publish a basic result! Just like cooking pancakes – quick and easy!
Winner:
HostGator vs GoDaddy? Both options are good and are super easy to use! Of course, we want to build a website with no pressure involved. Thank goodness, we are not robbed of options because HostGator and GoDaddy are here to save the day.
#10 Conclusion
In this Hostgator vs GoDaddy comparison article, you can notice that they shine in different categories! Would I recommend the two of them? A solid yes!
Indeed, these two companies both offer fantastic hosting.
However, I do believe that HostGator is the better one. While GoDaddy has a lot to offer, HostGator outperforms it in terms of functionality, ease of use, and uptime.