In this Namecheap vs HostGator comparison, I’ll compare cost, simplicity of use, performance, security, and customer service for both businesses.
Namecheap is a well-known web hosting company. It is best known as a domain registrar, but the firm also provides extremely low-cost web hosting.
HostGator is one of the most well-known shared hosting providers. This host is a popular choice due to its low rates, solid resources, and dependability.
Both are similar but not the same. So, without further ado, let’s see how the two match up against one another.
Namecheap vs HostGator -- Overview
Namecheap and HostGator both provide inexpensive and simple-to-manage shared hosting options. Namecheap’s key selling feature, as the name implies, is its exceedingly low price. However, HostGator is more dependable and speedier.
So, let’s look at the key elements of comparison for each supplier. However, if you want a more extensive review of the two, feel free to skip to the ultimate conclusion at the end.
WINNER
HostGator
Namecheap vs HostGator Pricing Review
In terms of affordability, Namecheap lives up to its name. The provider’s lowest shared hosting plan costs as little as $1.58 per month, whereas HostGator’s pricing begin at $2.75 per month.
Furthermore, both hosting providers have a handful of scalability options:
While each provider offers a variety of scalability choices, shared hosting remains the most popular option and the subject of our comparison.
Whatever provider or package you choose, a free domain, SSL, and unmetered bandwidth will be provided. That’s where the parallels end. Here’s how the lowest plans from both providers stack up:
- + Stellar ($1.58/mo) from Namecheap includes 3 websites, 20GB SSD storage, and 30 email addresses.
- + Hatchling ($2.75/mo) from HostGator – 1 website, unlimited storage, and unlimited email addresses.
While HostGator is more expensive, you clearly receive greater resources. Namecheap does, however, provide hosting for three websites, which is unusual for an entry-level service. When it comes to pricing, there is no doubt that Namecheap vs HostGator has a clear winner.
While the lowest plans are reasonably priced, are they truly the finest that each supplier has to offer? Let’s see what happens.
Namecheap Pricing Review
Namecheap offers three options with monthly fees ranging from $1.58 to $4.68.
The Stellar plan is more than adequate for running a website or a blog. If you operate a small business, Stellar Plus will provide considerably better value. One thing to keep in mind is that Stellar Plus is meant to provide unmetered storage, whilst the Business plan only provides 50GB. This implies that the storage on the medium plan will also be limited to 50GB.
Our Recommendation
Choose Namecheap’s Stellar Plus plan with a 2-year subscription to receive the best value. For an extra $1.00/mo on top of the entry-level plan pricing, you receive significantly more storage, limitless websites, and email addresses.
HostGator Pricing Review
HostGator also offers three plans ranging in price from $2.75 to $5.25 per month.
If you only need one website, HostGator’s Hatchling plan provides more than adequate resources. However, if you will want at least two or more websites, HostGator’s official advice – the Baby plan – should be considered. You may host as many sites as you like for just $0.75 per month, and the renewal rate is substantially cheaper than with the Business plan.
Our Recommendation
Choose the Baby plan with a 3-year paying period to get the best pricing. Host as many sites as you like and get unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email addresses for a total of $126.
Namecheap vs HostGator Pricing Review -- Summary
Lastly, I must note that in terms of a money-back guarantee, HostGator is slightly more generous. While the host offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, Namecheap sticks with a standard 30-day money-back policy.
In short, Namecheap is significantly cheaper than HostGator. However, the latter comes with more resource-rich plans.
WINNER
Namecheap
Namecheap vs HostGator -- Ease Of Use
In terms of usability, both companies do a fantastic job of keeping things simple. Namecheap and HostGator both employ a combination of native user interface and control panel.
The native dashboards of both providers are modest, with HostGator having a little more useful one with many shortcuts to frequently used functions such as domains, emails, and many more. However, we’ll focus on cPanels, the control panel that both hosts use to administer their websites. When it comes to cPanel, they are fairly comparable.
The Namecheap control panel is all about functionality. You receive a basic cPanel with no fancy colours or unique skins. However, this does not affect use; everything is well-organized and easily accessible; it is simply not as sleek-looking.
Meanwhile, HostGator’s cPanel appears more current. Again, this is the same cPanel, but HostGator picked a custom skin to match the overall brand image.
Meanwhile, HostGator’s cPanel appears more current. Again, this is the same cPanel, but HostGator picked tFunctionality. HostGator’s cPanel differs significantly from Namecheap’s in that it has a little different layout. The same tools, only better structured.
Simply simply, both Namecheap and HostGator are extremely easy to use. Because most users are most comfortable with cPanel, both providers have capitalised on this and provided the most simple and seamless user experience. o Cover it with a bespoke skin that matches the overall brand image.
WINNER
NAMECHEAP
Namecheap vs HostGator -- Performance
When it comes to performance, there is no contest between Namecheap and HostGator.
While Namecheap lacks speed and trust, HostGator takes the crown with consistent uptime and substantially faster response time.
Response time and uptime
Both providers had a somewhat different evaluation time – I observed Namecheap for two weeks, whereas HostGator was examined for nearly two months.
Namecheap had 16 outages or 31 minutes of downtime in less than two weeks. Namecheap’s uptime has dropped to 99.82 percent as a result of this. That’s regrettable, especially given the host’s assurance of 100 percent uptime.
In terms of response time, Namecheap averaged 1.05 seconds. While this is not the worst time I’ve ever observed, keep in mind that the industry average is 600ms.
Looking at HostGator, the host has only had three outages in more over two months. Only 5 minutes of downtime or more than 99.99 percent uptime. When the official uptime guarantee only claims 99.9 percent, this is a remarkable performance.
HostGator’s average response time was likewise less than half that of Namecheap, at 525ms.
Overall, HostGator is the clear winner in terms of performance. The host proved to be significantly more dependable and speedier than Namecheap.
Website speed
Namecheap and HostGator are both hosted in data centres in the United States. As a result, my test is also conducted in the United States. It’s worth noting that HostGator only provides data centres in the United States, whereas Namecheap has data centres in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The last two do cost an additional $1.00 each month.
Namecheap, like its uptime and response time, is not substantially faster. The provider’s Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) came in at 2.3s, which is close. Google recommends keeping this metric under 2.5s for improved search engine rankings.
Fully Loaded Time is in a similar predicament. Namecheap loaded in 2.7s, and a loading time of less than 3s ensures the greatest user experience. Again, just just made it. If you want to learn more about performance, check visit Namecheap’s review.
HostGator, on the other hand, was lightning fast. The provider’s LCP was 1.1s, significantly short of the necessary 2.5s.
Completely Loaded The time was also very impressive, only 1.2s. There’s plenty of wriggle space until the suggested 3 seconds. Visit the HostGator review to learn more about the provider’s performance.
In short, HostGator displayed much quicker loading times than Namecheap. If speed is critical for your site, you may also look at our list of the fastest hosting services.
Overall, HostGator is a better web host in terms of performance. You can count on dependability and quickness.
WINNER
HostGator
Namecheap vs HostGator -- Security
In terms of performance, this Namecheap vs HostGator comparison revealed which host provides the best. While HostGator provides basic free security features, Namecheap goes beyond and beyond. Regardless, both services provide a free SSL certificate as well as a server-level firewall.
Namecheap also covers the following:
- WHOIS Domain Privacy Protection,
- DDoS protection,
- Automated backups (twice a week),
- Built-in cPanel Virus Scanner to manually scan your files,
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) comes for an extra $8.88/mo.
Automatic daily backups are only available with the Stellar Plus or Stellar Business plans from Namecheap.
When it comes to HostGator, its free features are limited to SSL and a server-level firewall. You can, however, also purchase:
- Positive SSL upgrade comes for $39.99 a year.
- Sitelock essentials – scans for malware in your website and costs $23.88/year.
- Automated backups will cost an extra $23.95 a year.
Despite their rudimentary security, Namecheap and HostGator are secure enough for anonymous hosting. However, Namecheap offers more for less, making it the more tempting option of the two in terms of security.
WINNER
Namecheap
Namecheap vs HostGator -- Support
Both hosts provide 24/7 live chat and large knowledge bases for customer assistance. Namecheap also has a ticketing system, whereas HostGator provides phone support.
I tried contacting each provider’s live chats to put their support agents to the test.
Namecheap’s live chat is, in my opinion, the greatest choice. The replies were prompt, and the employees were always kind and helpful, resolving my problems in a couple of minutes. Namecheap also provides a comprehensive knowledge library that covers all general issues.
My experience with HostGator’s live chat was similarly positive. The employees are often highly knowledgable and polite, resolving my concerns on the spot rather than forwarding me a link to a knowledge base. Don’t get me wrong: HostGator’s Knowledge Base is fantastic as well. There, you may simply locate whatever topic you’re looking for.
In terms of customer service, both companies demonstrated that their offerings are of high quality. Support responded quickly and efficiently, resolving our difficulties. Furthermore, their knowledge bases are incredibly useful and simple to use.
Namecheap vs HostGator: Our Recommendation
WINNER
HostGator
That being said, Namecheap is a wonderful alternative if you’re just getting started in the hosting market and want to dip your toes in without making any large financial expenditures.
Alternatives to Namecheap and HostGator
Hostinger
Hostinger is a lot cheaper than both Bluehost and HostGator. However, unlike both of them, it delivers even better performance. User experience, customer support, and all the basics are also top-quality.
The cheapest Hostinger shared hosting plan is only $2.59/month, and the resources you get are quite generous. Free SSL certificates and generous storage will be waiting for you.
DreamHost
DreamHost is yet another fantastic option to Namecheap and HostGator that combines abundant resources, low pricing, and high performance.
DreamHost specialises on WordPress hosting, although you may use whatever CMS you choose. While it is priced similarly to HostGator, the host offers a 100% uptime guarantee and exceptionally safe hosting options. Furthermore, you may pay monthly without incurring exorbitant fees.
