A2 Hosting is a Linux-based web hosting provider offering a variety of services, including shared hosting, WordPress hosting, virtual private server (VPS) hosting, reseller hosting, email hosting, and dedicated hosting. Currently hosting over 110,000 business websites, A2’s shared hosting is the most popular option, and the focus of this review.
A2’s high-end data centers ensure optimal speed and robust security on a user-friendly platform. The company provides 24/7 customer support, and its diverse plan options make it suitable for businesses of all sizes. This A2 review covers the features, pricing, benefits, and drawbacks of A2 Hosting’s shared hosting service.
A2 Hosting Pricing & Plan Overview
A2 offers four plans: Startup, Drive, Turbo Boost, and Turbo Max. The Turbo plans are particularly noteworthy, offering 20X faster speeds thanks to upgraded servers, LiteSpeed cache plugins, preconfigured Magento, and more built-in features. Each plan includes strong security features, free SSL certificates, free email addresses, unlimited subdomains, and unlimited parked domains. Additionally, you’ll have access to DNS management for optimal speed. A2 Hosting also provides automatic backups and round-the-clock support.
Pricing for A2 Hosting starts at $1.95 per month and goes up to $29.99, depending on the plan and payment option. You can choose to pay monthly, annually, or every two to three years, with longer terms offering significant discounts. However, renewal prices increase substantially. For example, the Startup plan, which initially costs $1.95 per month and $70.20 for three years, renews at $395.64 (almost six times more). For detailed information on plans, pricing, and fees, check out our web hosting costs guide.
| Plan | Introductory Rate (Triennial Billing) | Renewal Rate (Triennial Billing) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup | $70.20 | $395.64 | One website, 100GB SSD storage, five databases, 1GB physical memory |
| Drive | $142.20 | $503.64 | Unlimited websites, unlimited SSD storage, unlimited databases, 1GB physical memory, free automatic backups |
| Turbo Boost | $178.20 | $791.64 | Unlimited websites, unlimited NVMe SSD storage, unlimited databases, 2GB physical memory, Turbo (20X faster) |
| Turbo Max | $502.20 | $971.64 | Unlimited websites, unlimited NVMe SSD storage, unlimited databases, 4GB physical memory, Turbo (20X faster) |
Best A2 Hosting Plan for Small Businesses: Turbo Boost
For small businesses seeking value, we recommend the Turbo Boost plan. Priced at $4.95 per month on a three-year billing cycle, this plan offers Turbo features with 40% faster CPU performance, unlimited NVMe storage, the LiteSpeed web server, an Optimized A2 site accelerator, and other features that enable your website to handle nine times more traffic. While the Turbo Max plan offers 2GB more physical memory and two additional processing cores, it comes at a higher cost of $13.95 per month for the same billing cycle.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unlimited NVMe storage
- Includes traffic surge protection
- 20X faster speed than non-Turbo plans
Cons:
- Renewal rates are significantly higher
- No free trial
Additional Services Offered by A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting also offers several additional services:
- Automatic backups: Unlike some providers like InMotion that offer automatic backups as an add-on, A2 includes this feature (except in the Startup plan) at no extra cost. A2 uses JetBackup to securely store your files.
- Free SSL certificates: A2 Hosting includes automated SSL certificates at no additional charge to enhance website security.
- Website builder: A2 Hosting offers a drag-and-drop website builder, available as an add-on or bundled with web hosting. The A2 SiteBuilder is also free for single-page websites.
- Single-click WordPress installation: A2 Hosting provides one-click WordPress installation with Kernelcare and HackScan protection included.
- Free email: A2 Hosting provides unlimited free email addresses with any plan.
A2 Hosting Platform and Customer Support
A2 Hosting uses a Linux-based cPanel that is easy to navigate, even for beginners. Though some find the interface outdated, it simplifies web hosting tasks like domain management and web file organization. A2 Hosting also includes the Softaculous app for one-click setup of WordPress and e-commerce apps. Additionally, A2 offers free site migrations from other hosting providers.
If you need help, A2’s support team, the Guru Crew, is available 24/7 via phone, live chat, or email for all plans. During our testing, support via live chat was prompt and helpful, with a transcript emailed to us afterward. You can also access A2 Hosting’s searchable knowledge base or read FAQs and articles on website hosting.
Is A2 Hosting Secure?
A2 Hosting offers strong security features, including SSLs, reinforced DDoS protection, and two-factor authentication on all plans. Additional security measures include KernelCare, 24/7 security monitoring, virus scanning, network firewalls, and spam protection. Automatic backups are available for all plans except the Startup plan. You can also add advanced security solutions like ConfigServer and Firewall (CSF), OpenVPN, Brute Force Detection, and Linux Malware Detect for an additional fee.
A2 Hosting User Reviews
Users praise A2 Hosting for its user-friendly interface and smooth migration process. The support team is often described as responsive and helpful, especially for beginners. However, some users have reported long wait times and difficulties in resolving issues. While the introductory rates are appealing, many customers find the renewal rates too expensive.
Comparing A2 Hosting Alternatives
| A2 Hosting: Startup | SiteGround: StartUp | Namecheap: Stellar |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (Monthly) | $12.99 | $24.99 |
| Free Trial Available? | No | No |
| Storage (GB) | 100GB | 10GB |
| Unlimited Bandwidth? | Yes | Yes, unmetered |
A2 Hosting vs. SiteGround: Both providers offer free SSLs, enhanced security, daily backups, and free site migrations. A2 is compatible with Cloudflare CDN plans, while SiteGround includes free CDN and email migrator with every account. SiteGround’s higher plans also offer Git, advanced priority support, and an easy staging tool, which A2 Hosting lacks.
A2 Hosting vs. Namecheap: Both providers offer similar shared hosting features, including free SSLs, unlimited parked domains, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, Namecheap’s Stellar plan renews at the same rate and costs three times less than A2’s Startup plan while offering two additional websites. Namecheap lacks some features like phone support and automatic backups, which A2 provides. Namecheap also limits free emails to 30, and A2 charges a $1 monthly fee to use its UK data center.
Is A2 Hosting Right for You?
Overall, A2 Hosting is a solid choice for businesses looking for a hosting solution with robust features. Its enhanced security, speed, and performance make it an excellent option for high-traffic or content-heavy websites. However, if you’re on a tight budget, A2’s high renewal rates and shorter-term pricing might not be the best fit.
