A2 HOSTING REVIEW
A2’s outstanding uptime, premium customer service, and numerous exceptional features make it a WordPress host that is well worth your investment.
For those looking for authentic A2 Hosting reviews, this one draws from my direct experience with their Swift Server and Turbo Server plans. A2 Hosting, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, operates data centers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. They specialize in high-speed and WordPress web hosting, and also offer VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting options.
Performance: |4.9| 
A2 Hosting delivers remarkable performance with its Turbo Servers, promising up to 20 times faster page loads. This is achieved through the use of LiteSpeed cache and NVMe storage.
Uptime: |4.9|
The company guarantees 99.9% uptime, ensuring that your website remains accessible to visitors at all times. This reliability is backed by robust infrastructure and redundant network connections.
Customer Service: |4.8|
A2 Hosting is renowned for its exceptional customer support, available 24/7/365 via live chat, phone, and email. Their support team is knowledgeable and responsive, making it easy to resolve any issues that may arise.
A2 Hosting
| ⭐ Rating: | 4.7 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ |
|---|---|
| 💵 Price: | From $2.99/month | 📑 Uptime guarantee: | 100% |
| ⚙️ Hosting types: | Shared, managed WordPress, VPS, reseller, and dedicated hosting | 🌎 Server locations: | The US, the Netherlands, and Singapore |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | 🔥 Coupons: | A2 Hosting coupon 77% OFF |
Features: 4.9
- A2 Hosting offers a wide range of features across its various hosting plans:
- Shared Hosting: Includes unlimited storage and bandwidth, free site migration, and free SSL certificates.
- VPS Hosting: Offers both managed and unmanaged options with full root access and high-performance resources.
- Reseller Hosting: Provides white-label branding, free WHMCS, and SSD storage.
- Dedicated Hosting: Features customizable server configurations, full root access, and high-level security measures.
| Plan | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| StartUp | Includes hosting for 1 website with 100GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, and up to 5 databases. | $2.99/mo |
| Drive | Offers unlimited storage and websites, unmetered bandwidth, unlimited databases, and free automated backups. | $5.99/mo |
| Turbo Boost | Provides hosting for unlimited websites with NVMe storage, unmetered bandwidth, unlimited databases, free automated backups, and is hosted on NVMe AMD EPYC Servers with LiteSpeed Web Server. | $6.99/mo |
| Turbo Max | Offers the same features as Turbo Boost but with fewer users on the server for enhanced performance. | $14.99/mo |
In general, A2 Hosting offers competitive pricing with ample server resources and beneficial features. This makes their pricing quite reasonable.
However, when it comes to value, Startup and Drive plans may not be the best choices because they lack the speed advantages of NVMe storage and Turbo servers. For personal or smaller business websites, cheaper providers such as Hostinger or DreamHost might offer more suitable options.
Advantages of A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting is dedicated to providing super-fast web hosting. With their A2 Optimized services and optional Turbo Servers, they claim you can achieve page load speeds up to 20 times faster than other hosts. Additionally, A2 offers further optimization specifically for WordPress sites.
1. High-Speed Performance:
Turbo Servers can deliver page loads up to 20 times faster.
Use of LiteSpeed cache and NVMe storage for optimal speed.
2. Reliable Uptime:
99.9% uptime guarantee ensures your site remains accessible.
3. Excellent Customer Support:
24/7/365 customer service via live chat, phone, and email.
Knowledgeable and responsive support team.
4. Comprehensive Security:
Free SSL certificates.
Advanced security features like HackScan and DDoS protection.
5. Developer-Friendly:
Supports multiple development languages (PHP, Python, Perl, Ruby).
SSH access, Git integration, and various database options.
6. Flexible Hosting Plans:
Shared, VPS, reseller, dedicated, and cloud hosting options.
Scalable resources and customizable server configurations.
7. Global Data Centers:
Data centers located in the U.S., Europe, and Asia for better global reach.
8. Money-Back Guarantee:
30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free trial.
A2 HOSTING PRICING |4.8|
A2 Hosting offers a range of prices, from budget-friendly to premium. Shared hosting plans start at $2.99 per month and go up to $14.99 per month with a 3-year subscription. Additionally, they offer managed WordPress hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers.
| Hosting type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Shared hosting | Ideal for small to medium websites. Get A2 Hosting, now up to 76% OFF |
| Managed WordPress hosting | Easy-to-use and fast hosting tailored for beginners. |
| VPS hosting | An advanced option suitable for developers. |
| Dedicated server hosting | Enterprise-grade solution designed for the largest websites. |
Here are some of A2 Hosting’s key high-speed hosting features:
Turbo Servers: Deliver page load speeds up to 20 times faster.
A2 Optimized Software: Pre-configured for speed and security.
NVMe storage provides quicker data access and enhanced performance.
LiteSpeed Cache: Enhances website speed and efficiency.
Global Data Centers: Ensures better performance and reduced latency by hosting data closer to users.
Anycast DNS: Optimizes DNS response times.
A2 Hosting Data Centers:
In addition to their existing data centers in the U.S. (Michigan), Europe (Amsterdam), and Asia (Singapore), A2 Hosting has now expanded with a new data center in the western U.S. (Arizona). Having more data center locations is a significant advantage, as it can greatly impact your website’s speed. With A2 Hosting, you can select your data center location during sign-up. Combined with the free Cloudflare CDN included in your hosting plan and A2 Hosting’s optimized infrastructure, these multiple data center options enhance your website’s performance, providing faster loading times.
A2 Hosting operates a range of data centers strategically located across the globe to provide high-performance hosting solutions. Their data centers are known for the following features:
Global Presence:
A2 Hosting offers data centers in key locations, including the United States (Michigan and Arizona), Europe (Amsterdam), and Asia (Singapore). This global network helps ensure that clients can choose a location that best suits their audience for optimal performance.
Advanced Technology:
The data centers utilize state-of-the-art technology, including high-speed NVMe storage, which accelerates data access and enhances overall performance.
Security Measures:
A2 Hosting’s data centers are equipped with robust security features. This includes 24/7 physical security with surveillance, as well as advanced fire suppression systems to protect data and hardware.
Redundant Infrastructure:
To ensure maximum uptime and reliability, A2 Hosting’s data centers employ redundant power supplies, cooling systems, and network connections. This quadruple redundancy helps maintain service continuity even in the event of hardware or connectivity issues.
Eco-Friendly Practices:
A2 Hosting is committed to sustainability through its FutureServe Green Web Hosting initiative. The data centers are designed to minimize their environmental impact, using energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources where possible.
Performance Optimization:
The data centers are optimized for speed and performance, with high-performance hardware and network configurations that enhance website loading times and overall efficiency.
Support and Maintenance:
A2 Hosting provides priority support and regular maintenance to ensure the ongoing health and performance of their data centers, addressing any issues quickly to minimize downtime.
Shared Web Hosting
For a cost-effective way to launch a website, consider shared hosting. This type of hosting places your site on a server shared with many other sites, which means you share server resources and benefit from lower hosting costs. While it’s a practical and affordable option, shared hosting has limitations in terms of power. A significant downside is that other sites on the same server could affect your site’s performance, especially if they experience a crash or traffic surge.
A2 Hosting provides four levels of Linux-based shared web hosting: Startup, Drive, Turbo Boost, and Turbo Max. The Startup plan, starting at $2.99 per month with an annual contract, offers 100GB of SSD storage, unlimited monthly data transfers, and unlimited email addresses, but is limited to a single domain. The Drive plan, starting at $4.99 per month with an annual contract, includes unlimited storage and domains. Turbo Boost, starting at $5.99 per month with an annual contract, enhances performance with NVMe SSDs on A2’s AMD EPYC servers and pre-configured site caching. The Turbo Max plan, starting at $12.99 per month with an annual contract, further increases memory from 2GB to 4GB and server cores from two to four.
While A2 Hosting’s shared plans are commendable, they fall slightly behind HostGator’s offerings. HostGator, recognized as the Editors’ Choice for shared web hosting, includes free domain registration, unlimited monthly data transfers, and unlimited email addresses with each plan. If you’re considering shared hosting, HostGator is a strong starting point.
Signing up for A2 Hosting is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Visit the A2 Hosting Website: Go to A2 Hosting’s website.
- Choose a Hosting Plan: Browse through their hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. Choose the plan that best fits your requirements.
- Select a Data Center Location: During the sign-up process, you’ll have the option to choose your preferred data center location. Pick the one closest to your target audience for optimal performance.
- Pick a Domain Name: If you don’t already have a domain name, you can register one through A2 Hosting. If you have an existing domain, you can choose to transfer it or use it with your new hosting account.
- Customize Your Plan: Depending on the plan you chose, you may have options to add extra features or services, such as SSL certificates, backups, or additional security tools.
- Review Your Order: Check the details of your selected plan, domain registration, and any additional features to ensure everything is correct.
- Create an Account: Provide your contact information and set up your account credentials.
- Payment Information : Provide your payment details to finalize the purchase. A2 Hosting accepts multiple payment methods, such as credit cards and PayPal.
- Complete the Signup Process: Review your order summary and confirm your purchase. You’ll receive a confirmation email with details about your hosting account and instructions on how to get started.
- Log In and Set Up: Once your account is active, log in to the A2 Hosting client area to manage your hosting settings, set up your website, and access additional tools and resources.
Hosting Management – Is It User-Friendly? |4.8|
A2 Hosting relies on the classic cPanel for managing your hosting. It’s straightforward and functional, but the interface feels like it’s from the early 2000s, which can be quite a letdown if you’re accustomed to more modern designs.
To access cPanel, you’ll first need to go through the account management panel, where you can also access support, renew your plan, and add additional services.
Admittedly, the outdated look can be off-putting, so you might want to quickly click the cPanel Login button. It’s surprising that A2 Hosting continues to use such an old-fashioned interface while charging high prices.
Fortunately, you won’t have to deal with it for too long.
Adding a Domain to Your A2 Hosting Account
Domains purchased through A2 Hosting are automatically added and activated in your account. However, buying domains from another provider and manually adding them to A2 Hosting can be more cost-effective.
For my A2 Hosting review, I followed a two-step process: updating the name servers and adding the domain through cPanel.
If you bought your domain from a different registrar, you’ll need to access the DNS settings at that registrar. Look for the name servers field.
The A2 Hosting name servers for shared plans are:
- ns1.a2hosting.com
- ns2.a2hosting.com
- ns3.a2hosting.com
- ns4.a2hosting.com
You only need to use two of these. Update your domain’s name servers at your registrar to two of A2 Hosting’s name servers to complete the first step.
Next, add the domain through A2 Hosting’s cPanel by navigating to the Addon Domains section under Domains. Enter your new domain name in the provided form; the rest of the details will be automatically filled in. Click the Add Domain button, and the system will take care of the rest.
Keep in mind that it might take up to 48 hours for your domain to fully propagate, though it typically completes in just a few minutes.
Once the process is complete, you can proceed with installing WordPress on your domain.
Installing WordPress with A2 Hosting
Installing WordPress with A2 Hosting is straightforward and standard. You can set it up easily through cPanel using Softaculous. Alternatively, you can simplify the process even further by selecting the option to have WordPress pre-installed during checkout. In cPanel, look for the Softaculous section, where you’ll see “WordPress-A2 Optimized” as the first option. This version includes A2 Hosting’s specific optimizations, such as integrated caching.
You can explore other categories and install different applications if you wish, but WordPress is the most popular content management system for website development.
Regardless, you’ll need to click the Install button to proceed in the next window.
This reveals the additional features that A2 Hosting’s A2 Optimized function provides for WordPress.
Finally, you’ll arrive at the installation window. Here, you just need to complete the necessary fields—select a domain, give your website a name, create a username, and choose a secure password.
The Quick Install button will automatically fill in all the details for you, but I personally find it more secure to enter everything manually.
Once you’ve completed the setup, simply click Install, and the rest will be handled automatically.
Unless, of course, you encounter an issue like I did…
My installation didn’t complete because there was already something on my website.
It turned out that A2 Hosting had installed a temporary page on my domain. For my next attempt, I chose to overwrite all existing files, which resolved the issue.
Although it’s a minor problem, I find it frustrating when such issues arise. They can easily confuse and alarm new users who might be wary of unexpected error messages or checkboxes.
Despite this, the WordPress installation process is generally straightforward, and the issue I encountered during this A2 Hosting review has not occurred again.
Adding an Email Account with A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting allows you to create unlimited email addresses with any of their plans, and setting them up is straightforward. However, the email clients provided by A2 Hosting are somewhat outdated and share the same server as your website. This setup is suitable for occasional use but not ideal for frequent professional emailing.
Even so, having an email address that matches your website’s domain appears much more professional compared to using a Gmail account, so it’s worth utilizing this free feature.
To set up your professional email with A2 Hosting, go to the Email Accounts section in cPanel under the Email category, click on Create, and complete the required information.
To manage your storage usage more effectively, you can set a custom storage limit or opt for unlimited storage.
Once set up, you can access your webmail client directly from the Email Accounts management window by clicking “Check Mail.”
Keep in mind that this setup is not ideal for email marketing campaigns, as email deliverability rates can suffer when hosted on shared servers.
Overall, A2 Hosting’s control panel is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and set up your new website. It’s also highly functional, providing all the tools needed to build a successful website.
A2 Hosting’s Premium Features: |4.9|
All of A2 Hosting’s plans offer strong features, but their Turbo Server plan stands out as possibly the best value in its price range.
- Up to 20x Faster Page Loading
- Fewer Users per Server
- Increased Resources per User
- Optimized Site Accelerators
- Railgun Optimizer
- WordPress LiteSpeed Cache
- WooCommerce LiteSpeed Cache.
Is A2 Hosting Good?
I’m highly impressed with A2 Hosting’s optimized WordPress hosting. Upon signing up, WordPress is pre-installed and configured for enhanced performance right away. When you log in to your WordPress Admin, you can click on the A2 Optimized tab to check the status of each configuration and make adjustments if needed.
A2 Optimization Includes:
Page Caching
Database Caching
Object Caching
Browser Caching
Minify HTML Pages
Minify CSS Files
Minify JS Files
Gzip Compression
Image Compression
And More
The A2 Optimized WP plugin integrates several other plugins, including W3 Total Cache and EWWW Image Optimizer. Specifically, your A2 WordPress installation comes with the following plugins:
Does Turbo Server Make a Difference? Absolutely!
My A2 Hosting Swift Server plan already delivers great performance and speed. However, I was curious to see how much more improvement the Turbo Server plan could offer. By choosing the Turbo Server option, along with the A2 Optimized environment, I enabled Turbo Cache and Memcached, and implemented the free Cloudflare CDN included with the plan. The results were immediate and remarkable.Popular Web Hosting Provider
A2 Hosting Turbo Server Now Enhanced with QUIC
If the 20x faster page loads, increased resources, fewer users per server, solid-state drives, and A2 Hosting’s optimized environment weren’t enough, the Turbo Servers now feature the QUIC protocol for even greater performance. QUIC (QUICK UDP Internet Connections) is an advanced alternative to the standard TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). It offers faster page loading with reduced latency by using multiplexed connections, eliminating multiple round trips between communicating computers. The results have been exceptional.New Turbo Hosting Platform
A2 Hosting has upgraded its Turbo Hosting platform for even better performance. The new Turbo Servers now use AMD EPYC processors and NVMe drives, resulting in faster CPU performance, quicker read/write speeds, faster time to first byte, and the capability to handle up to 9x more traffic.
A2 Hosting now offers two Turbo Server plans: Turbo Boost and Turbo Max. Turbo Boost includes all the previous benefits of A2’s Turbo Servers along with the new enhancements. Turbo Max builds on Turbo Boost by providing additional physical memory and more cores—5x more resources overall.
Website Speed |4.8|
UPDATE: A2 Hosting continues to impress us with its incredibly fast website speed and performance. Not only am I thoroughly impressed with the exceptional performance of our own website, but we are also excited about the impressive results from our independent testing of A2 Hosting. Review the data below to see the results. A2 Hosting has delivered some of the fastest speed times we’ve ever encountered. As of 2024, A2 Hosting remains a top performer, consistently achieving highly impressive website speeds.
Hosting Speed Results for A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting delivers outstanding speed performance across its hosting plans. Our tests show:
Exceptional Load Times: A2 Hosting consistently achieves some of the fastest page load times available.
Superior Performance: The benchmarks highlight A2 Hosting’s ability to deliver quick and efficient website responses.
Consistent Speed: In 2024, A2 Hosting continues to offer remarkably fast speeds, solidifying its reputation for high-performance hosting.
These results demonstrate that A2 Hosting excels in providing swift and reliable hosting solutions.
A2 Hosting consistently delivers remarkable speed for WordPress hosting. Our speed tests reveal:
Exceptional Load Times: A2 Hosting’s WordPress plans provide some of the fastest load times we’ve experienced.
High Performance: The performance benchmarks show that A2 Hosting excels in delivering quick and efficient website responses.
Reliable Speed: Throughout 2024, A2 Hosting has maintained highly impressive speeds, proving its reliability for fast WordPress hosting.
These results confirm that A2 Hosting remains a top choice for those seeking high-speed WordPress hosting solutions.
How Does A2 Hosting Stack Up Against Other Web Hosts?
A2 Hosting vs Bluehost
This comparison highlights how A2 Hosting and Bluehost differ today. Both web hosts offer excellent cPanel web hosting plans, but there are notable distinctions between them.
A2 Hosting vs DreamHost
When comparing A2 Hosting and DreamHost, the focus is primarily on their WordPress hosting features and performance. Each has its strengths, which impact their hosting plans.
A2 Hosting vs GoDaddy
While GoDaddy is known for a wide range of products and services, including domain name management, this comparison zeroes in on the web hosting plans offered by A2 Hosting and GoDaddy.
A2 Hosting vs GreenGeeks
A2 Hosting and GreenGeeks are both top contenders for multiple domain web hosting. Whether you need to manage multiple websites or just one, the choice between these two can be quite close.
A2 Hosting vs HostGator
In this matchup, A2 Hosting competes strongly with HostGator, demonstrating its ability to stand out against the competition.
A2 Hosting vs InMotion
Comparing A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting reveals that both companies offer excellent website hosting services with outstanding support, making it a win-win situation for users.
A2 Hosting vs InterServer
This comparison looks at A2 Hosting and InterServer, two excellent web hosting companies that I personally use.
A2 Hosting vs Jaguar PC
Here, we examine how A2 Hosting stacks up against Jaguar PC, with both offering competitive hosting plans.
A2 Hosting vs Liquid Web
This analysis explores how A2 Hosting compares to Liquid Web, providing insights into the strengths of both outstanding web hosting companies.
A2 Hosting vs Site5
We evaluate A2 Hosting and Site5, noting that while their hosting plans are similarly structured, one of them stands out as superior.
A2 Hosting vs SiteGround
Comparing A2 Hosting and SiteGround reveals a very close contest. Both provide a range of unique features that contribute to their exceptional web hosting performance.
A2 Hosting vs Web Hosting Hub
There are clear similarities between A2 Hosting and Web Hosting Hub, particularly in their hosting plan structures and target customer bases.
A2 Hosting vs Wix
This comparison contrasts A2 Hosting’s Turbo Server Hosting plan with Wix’s website builder packages, examining how a traditional web hosting plan measures up against a website builder solution.
Why Should You Trust Me?
I have been dedicated to working full-time in the digital industry since 2015. Over the years, I’ve used and tested all the popular hosting services on my personal and client websites, including Cloudways, FastComet, and Hostinger. Detailed reviews are available on my blog and YouTube channel.
For this review, I’ve been testing the Turbo Boost Shared hosting plan of A2 Hosting for the past few years and currently have an active subscription.
Testing dozens of hosts over the years has provided me with the knowledge and expertise to compare them and recommend the best options for your needs.
Conclusion
A2 Hosting stands out as a reliable provider with impressive speeds, solid uptime, and efficient load management. Its unique prorated refund policy, developer-friendly tools, robust security features, and NVMe storage make it a compelling choice.
The Turbo Boost plan offers the best value for your money. You can use my link to automatically get the best discounts on your purchase!
I hope you found this A2 Hosting Review helpful. Which hosting company do you prefer? Do you think A2 Hosting could be a good fit for you?
Frequently Asked Question.
A2 Hosting is a web hosting company that provides various hosting solutions, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting, and dedicated servers.
A2 Hosting has data centers located in the United States (Michigan and Arizona), Europe (Amsterdam), and Asia (Singapore).
A2 Hosting provides a range of hosting solutions, including:
Shared Hosting
VPS Hosting
Reseller Hosting
Dedicated Servers
Managed WordPress Hosting
Yes, A2 Hosting allows you to change your hosting plan, whether you need to upgrade or downgrade, at any time through the Client Area.
Hosting provides 24/7/365 support via live chat, phone, and email. They also have a knowledge base with articles and guides.
You can contact A2 Hosting support through their live chat on the website, by phone, or by submitting a support ticket through the Client Area.
A2 Hosting offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee on their services.
A2 Hosting uses SSD storage, Turbo Servers, and other optimizations like caching and Cloudflare CDN to ensure fast website speeds.
A2 Hosting provides various security measures including free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, firewall protection, brute force defense, and virus scanning.
Yes, A2 Hosting allows you to enable two-factor authentication for added security.
A2 Hosting accepts credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers as payment methods.
Yes, A2 Hosting offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on most of their hosting plans.
Yes, A2 Hosting offers free website migration for new customers.
A2 Hosting uses cPanel for managing shared and reseller hosting accounts, and Webuzo for unmanaged VPS hosting.
