A2 Hosting vs Bluehost: Comparing Bluehost and hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting)

Key highlights

• Know the differences in A2 Hosting vs Bluehost, with the update that A2 Hosting is now hosting.com.
• Learn how pricing, plans and features compare to help you choose the best hosting fit.
• Explore which provider offers better performance, support and WordPress hosting options.
• Understand the pros and cons of each platform for beginners, small businesses and advanced users.
• Uncover why Bluehost stands out with effective tools, reliable performance and strong long-term value.

Making the right decision when choosing a web hosting service provider is much more crucial than you might think. This decision can affect a range of aspects of a website, including overall speed, security, search ranking performance and more.

A2 Hosting (now named as hosting.com) and Bluehost are two major names that stand out above the rest. These two providers share several similarities, such as substantial experience in web hosting and a noteworthy track record of reliable services.

However, in this blog, we’ll dive into the battle between A2 hosting vs Bluehost, determining which one is the superior option for your website.

A2 Hosting vs Bluehost: An overview

When choosing between Bluehost and A2 Hosting (now hosting.com), your decision comes down to whether you prioritize user-friendly WordPress integration or speed-focused performance. Bluehost excels as the go-to choice for beginners, small businesses and WordPress users who want simplicity and reliable support.

If you’re a small business owner with limited technical experience or a content creator focused on growth over technical complexity, Bluehost’s streamlined approach and official WordPress.org recommendation make it ideal. A2 Hosting appeals more to advanced users and developers who need maximum speed and don’t mind handling more technical aspects themselves.

Your key decision factors should include ease of setup, where Bluehost leads with one-click WordPress installation and intuitive management, versus A2 Hosting’s developer-friendly tools. For WordPress readiness, Bluehost’s official WordPress.org endorsement and built-in performance optimization contrast with A2 Hosting’s raw speed capabilities.

Both providers offer solid uptime and security, but Bluehost emphasizes 24/7 in-house support and seamless scalability from shared to dedicated hosting, while A2 Hosting focuses on technical performance metrics.

In the sections that follow, we’ll dive deeper into specific pricing comparisons, performance benchmarks, feature breakdowns and real-world scenarios to help you make the right choice for your website’s needs and technical comfort level.

Bluehost vs. other hosts: A side-by-side comparison

Feature	Bluehost	hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting)
Ease of setup	One-click WordPress installation with guided onboarding	Manual configuration often required
WordPress readiness	Official WordPress.org recommendation, automatic updates	Standard WordPress support, manual updates
Support access	24/7 in-house phone and chat support	24/7 support with variable response times
Security options	Free SSL, SiteLock add-on, CodeGuard backups	Free SSL, dual firewall, basic backups
Domain & migration	Free domain (first year) included with hosting	Free migration service, domain sold separately
Scaling paths	Clear upgrade path: Shared → VPS → Dedicated → Cloud	Flexible hosting tiers with performance focus

For small business owners with limited technical experience, Bluehost’s guided setup and bundled essentials (free domain, automatic WordPress updates, consistent support) reduce launch complexity and ongoing maintenance burden.

Content creators benefit from Bluehost’s WordPress-optimized environment and straightforward scaling options that support audience growth without requiring technical expertise. Hosting.com appeals to users comfortable with hands-on server management and prioritizing raw speed over guided simplicity.

A2 Hosting vs Bluehost: General info

A2 Hosting (which is now hosting.com) and Bluehost are two of the most popular hosts, each offering reliable services, diverse plans and tools tailored for different types of users.

It’s worth noting that both A2 Hosting and Bluehost offer their services at relatively similar price ranges. The basic web hosting plan offered by Bluehost starts from $3.99 a month, while A2 Hosting pricing plans start at $1.00 a month. 

A2 Hosting emphasizes speed and is considered a high-performance web hosting service provider. On the other hand, Bluehost boasts user-friendly hosting services and a strong focus on WordPress business-centric solutions.

Let’s take a deeper dive into what else these two web hosting providers have to offer:

Bluehost vs. A2 Hosting: Pricing

When comparing entry-level pricing between these providers, understanding what’s included versus what requires additional purchases helps you evaluate true value. Here’s how the basics stack up:

Bluehost entry-level includes:

• Free domain name (first year)

• Free SSL certificate
• Email hosting
• 24/7 phone and chat support
• Automatic WordPress updates
• Basic backups
• Starting at $3.99/month

A2 Hosting (hosting.com) entry-level includes:

• Free site migration

• Free SSL certificate

• NVMe storage

• 24/7 expert support

• Starting at $1.00/month

The key difference lies in what you get upfront versus what becomes an extra cost. Bluehost includes a free domain with shared hosting plans, which typically costs $10-15 annually elsewhere. A2 Hosting’s lower entry price becomes comparable when you factor in domain registration costs.

For email hosting, Bluehost includes basic email accounts, while A2 Hosting may charge separately depending on the plan level. Both providers offer similar security features and support channels at their base tiers, but Bluehost’s 24/7 in-house support provides consistent service quality for troubleshooting and guidance.

Bluehost vs A2 Hosting (now hosting.com): Features

Choosing a web hosting provider can feel overwhelming. A2 Hosting and Bluehost are two popular options, but their feature sets are different. This section dives into the nitty-gritty of what each provider offers to help you make an informed decision.

1. Website building and management

Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost offer user-friendly control panels for managing your website. Bluehost boasts a modern interface, making it easy for beginners to navigate and find the features they need.

A2 Hosting’s interface also provides all the essential functionalities. Additionally, both integrate seamlessly with popular website builders like WordPress, Wix and Weebly. This allows you to create a website without needing any coding knowledge.

A2 Hosting includes a free website migration tool. If you already have a website hosted elsewhere, A2 Hosting can transfer it to its platform for free.

Bluehost, on the other hand, counters with a free domain name included with all their shared hosting plans. Having a free domain name can save you money on domain registration fees, which can typically cost around $10 to $15 per year. This can be a significant advantage, especially for those just starting out with their website.

Bluehost also remains a highly appealing option in this category by offering a free domain name with all the shared hosting plans. This means that you would be saving on the costs of registering for a domain.

2. Scalability

As your website blossoms, your hosting needs will transform. A simple blog can transform into a bustling online store with a vast product catalog and surging traffic.

Choosing a web hosting provider that offers smooth scalability ensures you can seamlessly upgrade your plan without the hassle of migrating your entire website elsewhere.

Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost provide a spectrum of hosting plans to accommodate your evolving website. Here’s a closer look at how Bluehost empowers your growth:

Bluehost promises a simplified approach to scalability, offering shared, VPS, dedicated and cloud hosting that seamlessly integrates with your website’s growth.

• Shared hosting: This cost-effective option is perfect for beginners and websites with moderate traffic. Shared hosting plans pool server resources with other websites, making it a budget-friendly choice for launching your online presence. Bluehost’s shared hosting plans are renowned for their reliability and performance, ensuring a solid foundation for your website’s initial stages. Explore Bluehost shared hosting!

• VPS hosting: When your website experiences a growth spurt, Bluehost’s VPS hosting plans offer a smooth transition. VPS hosting carves out a dedicated segment of server resources specifically for your website. This dedicated allocation guarantees consistent performance, even during unexpected traffic surges. You won’t have to worry about fluctuations from other websites on the same server impacting yours. Bluehost’s VPS plans are known for their user-friendly interface and readily available resources, making it easy to manage your growing website without needing extensive technical expertise. Explore VPS shared hosting!

• Dedicated hosting: For websites that have reached the pinnacle of success, boasting sky-high traffic volumes and demanding complex functionalities, Bluehost’s dedicated hosting plans provide the ultimate solution. With dedicated hosting, your website reigns supreme over an entire server, granting you unparalleled control, security and performance. This is ideal for established eCommerce stores or high-profile websites that require the utmost power and customization. Explore Bluehost dedicated hosting!

• Cloud hosting: This is designed for high-traffic websites that need top performance and reliability. This offers a 100% network uptime guarantee and powerful features like up to 150vCPU compute power. With global data centers and advanced CDN integration, this cloud hosting ensures your WordPress site remains fast, responsive and consistently online, making it ideal for demanding business needs and high-traffic scenarios. Explore Bluehost cloud hosting!

3. Hosting management: Ease of use

Ease of use in hosting determines how quickly you can get online without technical headaches. For non-technical site owners, this means seamless onboarding, one-click WordPress installation, simple domain connection, straightforward email setup, automatic SSL certificates, effortless backups, hands-free updates, smooth scaling options and accessible support when needed.

Usability Factor	Bluehost	hosting.com
WordPress Setup	One-click installation with guided setup	Manual configuration often required
Control Panel	Intuitive dashboard with clear navigation	cPanel interface with steeper learning curve
Support Access	24/7 in-house support via chat and phone	24/7 support with longer response times
Updates & Maintenance	Automatic WordPress updates and security patches	Manual updates or add-on services required

Bluehost’s streamlined approach saves non-technical users hours of setup time and reduces the risk of configuration errors that could impact site performance or security.

With official WordPress.org recommendation and 24/7 in-house support, beginners can focus on growing their business rather than wrestling with technical complexities.

4. Additional features

While is a2 hosting good is a common question, the platform does stand out for developers with features like pre-installed Git version control and SSH access. It also attracts users with flexible a2 hosting pricing plans and competitive a2 hosting price options.

Bluehost, on the other hand, goes beyond technical tools by offering strong marketing features like email credits and SEO sitemaps. It also provides scalable VPS hosting, reliable web hosting and tailored WordPress hosting plans to support growth and promotion more effectively.

Top Bluehost features

Bluehost streamlines WordPress site management for beginners and small businesses with features that eliminate technical friction. One-click WordPress installation and guided onboarding help you launch [yourbrand].[com] in minutes, while the intuitive dashboard centralizes core management tasks.

Automatic WordPress updates, free SSL certificates and automated backups keep your site secure without manual intervention.

Built-in email hosting lets you create professional addresses like contact@[yourbrand].[com] and 24/7 in-house support provides reliable assistance whenever questions arise.

Most importantly, Bluehost offers clear scalability paths, start with shared hosting and seamlessly upgrade to VPS or dedicated plans as your traffic grows, all without complex migrations or downtime.

A2 Hosting (now hosting.com) vs Bluehost: Performance

Speed is crucial for a website’s success. A website that runs too slowly can be an issue for visitors and will ultimately hinder the business’s success.

• A2 Hosting plans come with SSD storage. Solid-state drives have no moving parts, which translates to faster page load times for your website visitors. A2 Hosting also offers servers that are optimized for speed and can deliver up to 20x faster page load times compared to their standard shared hosting plans. 

• Bluehost, on the other hand, also offers excellent reliability and consistency regarding speed. Their plans still offer impressive server performance and uptime guarantees (typically 99.9%). They primarily rely on HDD storage, which is not an issue for simpler websites with low traffic.

Bluehost vs A2 Hosting performance test

Testing performance between hosting providers requires a systematic approach that goes beyond marketing claims. Start by evaluating key metrics that directly impact your website’s success: page load speed, Time to First Byte (TTFB), uptime reliability and real-user experience across different geographic locations.

Use free tools like GTmetrix, Google PageSpeed Insights and Pingdom to measure these factors from multiple locations, testing both during peak and off-peak hours to get accurate baseline data.

Focus on metrics that matter most for your business goals: load times under 3 seconds for better SEO rankings, TTFB under 200ms for responsive user experience and 99.9% uptime for consistent availability.

Pay attention to how CDN performance and caching effectiveness vary between providers, especially if your audience spans multiple regions. Remember that performance directly influences search rankings, conversion rates and user satisfaction, so consistent testing over several weeks provides more reliable insights than single-point comparisons when making your hosting decision.

A2 Hosting (now hosting.com) vs Bluehost: Customer support

Running a website can be smooth sailing most of the time, but technical hiccups are inevitable. Whether you’re facing a configuration issue, experiencing a sudden traffic surge or simply have a question about your hosting plan, reliable customer support is crucial.

A timely and knowledgeable response can distinguish between a minor inconvenience and a major setback for your website.

Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost offer customer support channels to assist you when you need it most. Here’s a breakdown of their support offerings to help you decide which provider best suits your needs:

A2 hosting (now hosting.com)

A2 Hosting has a team of knowledgeable support representatives available 24/7 via phone, live chat. Their support team offers solutions tailored to your specific needs.

While phone support is certainly very helpful in most cases, a ticketing system allows you to submit a more detailed account of your issue. However, the ticketing system is bound to take longer than phone assistance.

Bluehost

Bluehost prioritizes accessibility and user-friendliness in its customer support approach. It offers 24/7 support via phone and live chat. The support team is known for being knowledgeable, helpful and courteous, providing clear explanations and solutions that are easy to understand, even for users with limited technical knowledge.

This makes Bluehost’s support a good option for beginners or those who are less comfortable navigating technical issues. Additionally, wait times for Bluehost are said to be minimal, with technical assistance staff readily available.

Both providers offer 24/7 support via multiple channels and possess technical expertise. However, Bluehost customer support is known to have quicker response times.

Bluehost vs A2 Hosting (now hosting.com): Website security

Website security is more important than ever. A data breach or security vulnerability can have devastating consequences, including lost customer information, reputational damage and even financial repercussions.

Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost offer a range of features to protect your website, allowing you to choose the solution that best suits your needs.

A2 Hosting (now hosting.com)

A2 hosting offers security offerings with some features included in their plans and additional options available for purchase. Listed below are some of their offerings:

• Free Automatic Backups: Regularly backing up your website ensures you have a recent copy of your data in case of unforeseen circumstances. A2 Hosting includes automatic backups on most plans, providing a valuable safety net.
• Dual Firewall and Virus Scanning: A2 Hosting utilizes a dual firewall system to filter incoming traffic and block malicious attempts. They also offer virus scanning to detect and remove malware that may infiltrate your website.
• Website Application Firewalls (WAFs): WAFs act as a shield, filtering out malicious traffic before it can reach your website. A2 Hosting offers WAFs as an add-on purchase for those seeking an extra layer of protection.

Bluehost: Customizable security solutions

Bluehost offers a variety of security features that you can add to your plan as needed. This allows you to tailor your website’s security posture to your specific requirements and budget. Here are some of the options:

• SiteLock: This comprehensive security suite provides daily vulnerability scanning, automatic malware removal and a WAF. SiteLock also offers security badges that you can display on your website, signifying your commitment to online safety.
• CodeGuard Backup: Regularly backing up your website is crucial. CodeGuard Backup allows you to schedule automatic backups of your website’s files and databases, ensuring you have a recent copy for restoration if needed.

Common security features

Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost provide essential security features to safeguard your website from common threats. These include:

• Free SSL certificates: SSL certificates encrypt the data transfer between your website and visitors’ browsers. This ensures sensitive information like login credentials and credit card details remain secure, fostering trust with your visitors.
• Automatic updates: Regularly updating software like WordPress is crucial for patching security vulnerabilities. Both providers offer automatic updates for core software, helping to minimize the risk of hackers exploiting known weaknesses.

Both A2 Hosting and Bluehost provide a solid foundation for website security. Is A2 Hosting good? Yes, it offers automatic backups and a dual firewall system in its base plans, giving users a reliable and straightforward setup.

On the other hand, Bluehost allows you to customize your security with add-on options like SiteLock and CodeGuard Backup, providing a flexible approach to security.

If you prefer a customizable security setup with options like web application firewalls (WAFs) and security badges, Bluehost is the better choice. While A2 Hosting offers advanced features like dual firewalls in their standard plans, Bluehost’s add-ons enable you to tailor your security to your specific needs.

Ultimately, Bluehost offers a more adaptable security solution, making it a superior option for those looking to create a secure online environment for their website.

Why choose A2 Hosting (now hosting.com)?

Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting) makes sense when you prioritize raw performance over guided simplicity and feel comfortable managing technical details yourself.

If you’re a developer or advanced user who wants maximum control over server configurations, appreciates fine-tuning speed optimizations and prefers selecting your own tools rather than relying on pre-bundled solutions, hosting.com’s performance-first approach aligns with your workflow.

When evaluating a2 hosting pricing against your technical needs, consider whether you’re willing to handle manual WordPress setup, server-level configurations and ongoing maintenance in exchange for greater flexibility.

You’re a good fit for hosting.com if you:

• Need root access and prefer hands-on server management
• Prioritize raw speed metrics over guided onboarding
• Are comfortable troubleshooting technical issues independently
• Want to choose and configure your own plugins and tools
• Have experience with cPanel or similar hosting environments

If you’re a beginner or want a guided WordPress setup, Bluehost offers a fundamentally different approach that eliminates technical friction.

With one-click WordPress installation, automatic updates, bundled essentials like free domain and SSL and 24/7 in-house support, Bluehost lets you focus on building your site rather than managing hosting infrastructure.

The choice between a2 hosting vs Bluehost comes down to whether you value technical control or streamlined simplicity and for most small business owners and content creators, Bluehost’s WordPress-optimized experience delivers faster time-to-launch with less complexity.

Why choose Bluehost?

Bluehost stands out as the ideal choice for small business owners and content creators who value simplicity over complexity. If you’re comparing hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting) and prioritize getting online quickly without wrestling with technical configurations, Bluehost delivers a streamlined WordPress experience backed by official WordPress.org endorsement.

You’ll benefit from one-click installation, automatic updates and guided onboarding that eliminates the setup frustration common with more developer-focused platforms.

The key problems Bluehost solves include launch speed through intuitive dashboards, reduced technical overhead with hands-off maintenance, support confidence via 24/7 in-house assistance and growth-ready upgrades from shared hosting to VPS and dedicated plans without migration headaches.

At checkout, look for essentials already included in your plan: free domain name (first year), free SSL certificate, email hosting and automatic backups. These bundled features mean fewer surprise costs and a complete foundation from day one.

If your priority is building and growing your site with minimal technical friction, Bluehost’s WordPress-optimized infrastructure and accessible support make it the practical alternative. Explore Bluehost’s hosting plans to find the right fit for your launch and growth needs.

A2 Hosting alternative

If you’re evaluating a2 hosting vs Bluehost or comparing a2 hosting pricing with other options, Bluehost offers a practical path forward for small business owners and content creators who want results without technical friction.

You’ll launch faster with one-click WordPress installation and guided onboarding, eliminating the manual configuration often required with hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting).

Bluehost bundles the essentials you need upfront free domain for the first year, SSL certificate and email hosting, so you avoid surprise add-on costs. With 24/7 in-house support and automatic WordPress updates, you spend less time troubleshooting and more time building.

Scaling is straightforward: start with shared hosting and upgrade to VPS or dedicated plans as your traffic grows, without complex migrations. When you’re ready to compare providers more closely, the sections below break down how Bluehost stacks up.

Recap: Bluehost vs. A2 Hosting

Choosing between Bluehost and hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting) comes down to whether you prioritize guided simplicity or technical control. For small business owners and content creators focused on getting online quickly without technical hurdles, Bluehost delivers the complete package. Here’s what matters most:

• Pricing and value: Bluehost includes a free domain, SSL certificate and email hosting from $3.99/month, offering better upfront value. Hosting.com starts at $1.00/month but requires separate domain purchase and has fewer bundled essentials.
• WordPress readiness: Bluehost’s official WordPress.org recommendation, one-click installation and automatic updates make WordPress hosting seamless. Hosting.com requires more manual configuration and technical setup.
• Ease of use: Bluehost provides intuitive dashboards, guided onboarding and straightforward management. Hosting.com appeals to users comfortable with cPanel and hands-on server management.
• Support and reliability: Both offer 24/7 support and solid uptime, but Bluehost’s in-house support team delivers faster response times and more consistent help for non-technical users.
• Security and scaling: Bluehost’s customizable security add-ons (SiteLock, CodeGuard) and smooth upgrade paths from shared to VPS and dedicated hosting support long-term growth with less complexity.

Best for Bluehost: Small businesses and content creators who want a reliable, WordPress-optimized hosting experience with minimal technical overhead and expert support.

Best for hosting.com: Developers and advanced users who prioritize raw speed and prefer managing technical details themselves.

Final thoughts

Navigating the technical jargon and variety of options when choosing a web hosting provider can be challenging. Both Bluehost and A2 Hosting (now hosting.com) stand out as strong choices.

Bluehost offers a blend of beginner-friendly tools, robust features and customer support, making it an ideal choice for website owners of all experience levels. A2 Hosting is also appealing, with notable speed, free automatic backups and numerous developer-friendly features.

While both are excellent options, Bluehost offers ease of use and comprehensive support. This makes it a more accessible and versatile choice, especially for those who value a user-friendly experience combined with powerful capabilities.

FAQs