HostMonster vs. Aplus.net

HostMonster and Aplus.net are respectively two of the biggest names on the web hosting scene. Both companies have been in the business for well over a decade and run by a team of IT experts. These are two hosts that you will likely encounter when shopping for service but which do you choose? You may have your answer after reading this comparison.

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Pricing

HostMonster and Aplus.net are both award-winning companies that can set you up with a low-priced, powerful web hosting solution. The Monster has been catering to the needs of individuals and businesses with a one-size-fits-all hosting plan since 1996. This package has always been affordable and nothing much has change as you can get it for the low price of $5.95 a month. The Aplus.net web hosting service went live in 1998 and its prices have been quite reasonable over the years as well. Right now its most affordable plan starts from $4.46 a month and provides an easy way to get online with your own professional website.

Products and Services

While HostMonster and Aplus.net are comparable in many areas, their portfolio size is not one of them. Whereas HostMonster only has a hosting plan to choose from, Aplus.net has a wealth of solutions designed to satisfy individuals and businesses with varying tastes. For example, you can choose from personal and business hosting packages, Linux and Windows hosting, virtual private servers, dedicated servers or managed hosting. The company also offers inexpensive web design services to customers who need professional assistance building their site.

Web Hosting Features

HostMonster and Aplus.net can both provide you with access to all the features you need to establish and grow your web presence. You can really make an impact with free scripts like blog applications and forum software as well FTP accounts and powerful databases. Both offer dynamic programming languages such as Perl, PHP and Ruby along with advanced capabilities like SSH and .htaccess. Aplus.net has a slight advantage in the feature department with a number of marketing tools such as a custom web counter, keyword density analyzer and the highly efficient Google Webmaster toolset. If you want a fully functional website, rest assured because neither of these companies are stingy with their features.

Customer Service

Even a low-priced, feature-rich hosting plan loses most, if not all, of its value without quality support. Thankfully, this is an issue you will have to worry about when choosing HostMonster or Aplus.net as your web hosting provider. Both have designed comprehensive support systems that allow you to get help in a variety of ways. Your options include toll-free phone, email, support ticket and live chat. These methods are backed up by self-help resources such as knowledge bases that contain helpful tips and articles regarding the hosting service.

Recommendations

Making a choice between two quality web hosts is difficult and honestly, there is no wrong decision here. Both of these companies offer a highly reliable service at prices that can be afforded even during such tough times. With that said, you can probably get a greater dollar-for-dollar value when signing up with HostMonster, unless of course, your needs require a VPS or dedicated hosting package.

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