Hosting.com, formerly known as A2 Hosting, underwent significant changes in 2025 including a name change, new pricing models, and updated server systems. Recent testing reveals that while the core service remains functional, the transition has degraded usability and performance compared to both its previous state and leading competitors like SiteGround and Hostinger. This review details the current state of Hosting.com, outlining its plans, performance, and ease of use.
The Shift in Quality: From Beginner-Friendly to Cumbersome
A2 Hosting was once recognized for its simplicity, particularly for new website owners. However, the removal of its site assistant tool has made Hosting.com less intuitive. Combined with sluggish server speeds and challenging customer support access, the service quality has noticeably declined. As a result, current recommendations lean toward alternatives like SiteGround and Hostinger.
Hosting Plans: A Wide Range with Caveats
Hosting.com provides a comprehensive selection of hosting types: shared, WordPress, VPS, dedicated, and reseller. Shared hosting remains the most accessible option for beginners, but the user experience has become more complex.
Shared Hosting: Affordability with Trade-offs
Shared hosting plans are competitively priced, offering unlimited bandwidth, free SSL certificates, daily kernel updates, DDoS protection, and NVMe Turbo drives. These plans use either Hosting.com’s proprietary server management or cPanel. Despite these features, the setup process is now less streamlined than competitors.
WordPress Hosting: Optimized but Complicated
Hosting.com offers both standard WordPress hosting and managed WordPress plans. Managed plans include automated updates and pre-installed plugins, but come at a higher cost. The setup process requires navigating through cPanel, which is less direct than competitors like SiteGround.
VPS and Dedicated Hosting: Power at a Price
VPS hosting provides dedicated resources with options for unmanaged or managed plans. Dedicated hosting offers full server control, with virtual and physical server options. While powerful, these plans require more technical expertise and are not ideal for beginners.
Usability: A Step Backward
The purchase process now includes multiple upsells, making it more cumbersome than before. While the account dashboard is organized, setting up a website is no longer as intuitive as it once was. The removal of guided setup tools forces users into cPanel, which can be overwhelming for newcomers.
The Purchase Process: A Multi-Step Approach
Selecting a plan involves multiple pages and upsells. Despite clear pricing for the initial term, renewal costs are not always prominently displayed. The process includes unnecessary steps, such as forcing users through upsells for professional email and WP Rocket.
Account Management: Functional but Not Seamless
The account dashboard is well-organized, but website and server management have become more complicated. Setting up WordPress requires navigating through cPanel, which is less user-friendly than the streamlined processes offered by competitors.
Performance: Average at Best
Server performance remains mediocre. While Hosting.com offers LiteSpeed-enhanced servers, real-world speeds are not competitive with SiteGround or Hostinger. The overall experience is slower and less reliable.
Conclusion: A Decline in Quality
Hosting.com’s rebranding has resulted in a noticeable decline in usability and performance. While the service remains functional, it no longer stands out as a beginner-friendly option. Competitors like SiteGround and Hostinger offer superior experiences at comparable prices. Unless there are specific reasons to choose Hosting.com, most users will find better alternatives elsewhere.
