If you are confused to decide whether you should go for NameCheap vs Bluehost, then you can go through this article to understand which is better and in what terms. We have compared both web-hosting giants on several parameters to understand who could be the ideal choice for our readers.
Let’s start with a quick comparison.
NameCheap vs Bluehost- (A quick comparison)
| Features | Namecheap | Bluehost |
| Free Domain | Yes | Yes |
| Free Backups | Yes | Yes |
| Disk Space | Limited | Unlimited |
| Uptime | 99.87% | 99.97% |
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel |
| On-Calll Support | No | Yes |
Namecheap
Pricing
Stellar
Stellar us the basic level of plan with unmetered bandwidth and an option to host three websites for $1.44 per month for the first year.
Stellar Plus
With Stellar plus, you get unmetered SSD usage and auto backup for $2.44 a month in the first year. This plan is ideal if you have a growing website or a blog.
Stellar Business
This plan is suitable for you if you have a business that you are bringing online as you get 50GB of fast SSD disk space, the option to host unlimited websites, auto backup, and a cloud storage option for just $4.44 per month.
Customer Support
Namecheap offers support through live chats, tickets, and a support center. You don’t get direct phone support which is a drawback if you need urgent support.
However, connection time to the live chat support is great as you get connected in under two minutes.
The knowledge base on Namecheap’s website is well detailed so you can find answers to frequently encountered problems concerning plans and hosting setup.
Also read – NameCheap vs GoDaddy
Interface
Namecheap has an easy to navigate cPanel with a well thought out graphical interface. You get file management, email setup, database management, backup access, and a website builder all in one place for convenient management.
Upsell Offers
One page website
Namecheap offers a one-page website upsell that is useful if you have something urgent to make available on the internet.
SSL Certificate discount
You get offered an SSL certificate for a deep discount while purchasing any plan that helps if you integrate payment methods on your website.
Also read –
User Benefits (Pros)
#1. Free Domain and Migration
Namecheap offers a free domain on all hosting plans so you don’t have to spend extra. If you are looking to switch hosting, you also get migration help from NameCheap free of cost.
#2. Load Time
Page loading time is one of the important factors that determines customer satisfaction. Namecheap averages a loading speed of 687ms over the last 24 months which is decent for the plan prices.
#3. Money-Back Guarantee
Namecheap has a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to check if the plan is best suited for your needs or not.
#4. Feature Rich Plans
Namecheap offers excellent features like unmetered bandwidth, free SSL certificate for the first year, twice a week of backups even on the cheapest plans available.
You also get 50 MySQL databases and an option to set up three websites on the basic level plan. These features will add up to considerable cost savings in the long run.
Check out –
Drawbacks (Cons)
#1. Poor Uptime
Namecheap has posted below industry average uptime in the last 24 months. It averages around 99.87% that translates to around 1 hour of downtime in a month.
Although it does not seem much, depending on your traffic, you may lose potential conversions in that period.
#2. Delayed Customer Support
Namecheap’s customer service includes 24/7 live chat support.
Even though the connection to a support agent is quick, there is a lot of hopping around departments to solve the issue.
Sometimes, you also get a link to an article describing the issue on Namecheap’s website from the customer support agent which is annoying as it doesn’t serve any good to quickly resolve the problem.
Best for
If all you need is a good initial plan along with additional benefits on a budget, NameCheap is a great option for you.
But if you have more demanding needs, you should probably look elsewhere. I’ve found that their speed, uptime, and customer service are below industry standards.
Bluehost
Pricing
Bluehost has hosting plans starts from as low as $2.65 per month.
Basic
The basic plan is suitable for you if you just want to run a single website. You get 50GB of fast SSD storage and custom themes for setting up your website.
Plus
The plus plan is a good choice if you want to host more than one website as you get unlimited website hosting and unlimited SSD storage at $5.45 per month.
Choice Plus
The choice plus plan offers additional privacy and security features along with unlimited websites and SSD storage at $4.95 per month.
Customer Support
Bluehost has very responsive customer support with 24/7 live chat, ticket, or phone so you can get the required assistance at the earliest.
If you intend to host your website with WordPress, you get knowledgeable and responsive professional agents that specialize in WordPress support so setting up your website becomes very easy.
Check out – Hostripples Review
Interface
Bluehost has a custom cPanel that has a good content management system that makes it easier to navigate and customize your website according to your needs.
Unlike Namecheap, you get dedicated support for beginner website builders that has one-click install themes, plugins to get your site up and running without any coding requirement.
Upsell Offers
Dedicated IP
If you are not doing any specific server related communication from your website, you probably need a dedicated IP so you can skip this.
Site Backup and Restore Pro
If you want your up to date website data backed up daily, you need to upgrade to the pro version of site backup.
Privacy
To prevent your name from showing up in WHOIS, you can add a privacy addon.
Spam Mail Filtering
You can opt for this addon if you already have a large audience online. If you are just starting, you can skip this addon
User Benefits (Pros)
#1. Uptime
Bluehost provides solid uptimes as compared to NameCheap. If you are planning to build a website with a marketplace, the reliable uptime ensures you don’t miss a customer.
#2. Optimized for WordPress
Bluehost servers are optimized for hosting WordPress websites that provide lightning-fast load times with easy to configure tools so you don’t need a coding background to build your website.
#3. Free Domain
you get a free domain when you buy Bluehost hosting that reduces your cost of entry to getting your website online.
#4. Pricing
Bluehost has deep discounts on long-term hosting plans so you can be worry-free of recurring renewals for initial 3 years.
Drawbacks (Cons)
#1. Domain Renewal Price
Bluehost has an expensive domain renewal plan after the initial purchase validity ends
#2. Addons
you experience an aggressive upsell during the signup procedure.
Best for
If you want to start your WordPress website, or a market place to sell your products within your website, then the host of services in Bluehost makes it easier for you to get started very quickly.
Namecheap vs Bluehost – Conclusion
Bluehost is the clear winner in this comparison. With limited upsells, excellent uptime, optimized hosting for WordPress, and low entry costs make Bluehost a compelling offer as compared to NameCheap.