Contabo vs Hostpapa: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Comparing Contabo and HostPapa, both hosting providers cater to different needs with distinct strengths and weaknesses.

• 
  HostPapa (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  excels in offering user-friendly, feature-rich hosting solutions tailored to small businesses and WordPress websites. It boasts exceptional website speed enhancements, extensive security features, and comprehensive customer support available 24/7. HostPapa’s plans offer remarkable value with unlimited email addresses, free domain registration, and numerous pre-installed features, making it an ideal choice for beginners and moderately experienced users seeking ease of use and advanced hosting capabilities.
  
• 
  Contabo (Overall grade: 7.6)
  
  
  shines with powerful VPS hosting, dedicated resources, and high memory and storage options, appealing to more tech-savvy users requiring deep customization and robust performance. It ensures exceptional uptime with high-speed storage solutions and AMD EPYC processors. However, Contabo’s customer support, limited to specific hours without live chat, and occasional downtime issues, reflect areas needing improvement. Its affordability and advanced server management options, albeit with a less modern interface, still make it a compelling option for tasks demanding rigorous performance and control.
  

Hosting types offered

Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.

Although both offer a variety of hosting plans tailored to different needs, in
certain cases, one platform may prove to be more suitable.

Detailed comparison

🏆 Winner
Contabo: Outstanding uptime and exceptional performance.

Contabo delivers a 99.996% uptime guarantee, minimizing downtime significantly. Their data centers, monitored 24/7, are distributed across key locations worldwide, ensuring widespread availability. Contabo’s use of AMD EPYC processors and high-speed storage solutions contributes to its fast and responsive performance.

HostPapa provides a solid 99.9% uptime guarantee and maintains transparency through its status page. Their load time speeds are above average, with reliable monitoring and minimal downtime. Contabo, however, offers superior hardware, global data centers, and rigorous security, securing its position as the best hosting provider in terms of uptime and availability.

🏆 Winner: HostPapa: Tailored for small businesses and WordPress websites.

When comparing the general performance of Contabo and HostPapa, the latter has notable advantages. HostPapa employs NVMe storage, which is three times faster than traditional HDDs, furnishing outstanding load times. Contabo offers SSD and PCIe NVMe SSD options that are faster than conventional HDD storage but doesn’t specify the speed jump like HostPapa. Both hosting services utilize CDNs—Contabo includes multiple global data centers, while HostPapa enhances speed via the Cloudflare Enterprise CDN with over 250 locations. Contabo’s AMD EPYC processors are built for performance, but HostPapa’s servers include additional features such as pre-installed WordPress and Jetpack for better optimization.

Website Speed

Website speed is a critical comparison factor between these providers. HostPapa provides a 233% faster Time to First Byte (TTFB) and a 45% quicker First Contentful Paint (FCP), making it an excellent fit for fast website loading times. Contabo offers a respectable range of 200Mbit/s to 1Gbit/s with an option to upgrade to 10Gbit/s, but it lacks the built-in web performance enhancements that HostPapa includes, such as pre-installed WordPress and Jetpack.

Scalability

When it comes to scalability, both hosting providers offer straightforward options, but with different approaches. Contabo allows easy upgrades of VPS packages without sacrificing availability and uptime, making it ideal for growing businesses. HostPapa, however, does not provide specific details about elastic scaling or dedicated servers, focusing instead on the ease of hosting multiple websites and email addresses. The cost to scale with Contabo is more affordable with their budget-friendly VPS plans, whereas with HostPapa, the details of scaling costs remain unclear.

🏆 Winner
Contabo: Provides extensive security measures ensuring a secure hosting environment.

Both Contabo and HostPapa, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Contabo and HostPapa both offer SSL certificates, with Contabo including them with their cPanel and Plesk servers, while HostPapa provides GlobalSign SSL certificates. Contabo features always-on DDoS protection and options for Imunify AV malware scanning, whereas HostPapa offers daily malware scanning with Protection Power and SiteLock. Both allow PHP version selection, promoting enhanced security through flexibility.

Operational security measures:

Contabo secures data centers with 24/7 CCTV surveillance, magnetic card access, and strict role-based access controls. HostPapa, on the other hand, focuses on automated backups and domain privacy. Both providers enforce strong access controls and use best practices for data security. Notably, Contabo’s use of Two-Factor Authentication and proprietary DDoS protection adds another layer of operational security.

Compliance and certifications:

Both Contabo and HostPapa are GDPR compliant. HostPapa is also governed by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). HostPapa is certified PCI compliant and offers guidelines to help customers achieve PCI compliance. While HIPAA compliance is not specified for either, their commitment to industry standards suggests a strong compliance framework.

🏆 Winner HostPapa: A well-rounded hosting provider with flexible options for both beginners and advanced users.

Contabo and HostPapa both offer robust hosting services, but they cater to different needs. Contabo prides itself on powerful performance with AMD EPYC processors and extensive VPS control options. Its focus on detailed server management, DDoS protection, and varied OS and control panel choices makes it a strong contender for tech-savvy users who need deep customization. On the flip side, HostPapa provides unlimited SSD storage, free domain registration (under certain conditions), and a wildcard SSL certificate for a year, prioritizing ease of use for users who may not need extensive server control but appreciate ready-made features like WordPress staging and Jetpack pre-installation. HostPapa’s approach with free 30-minute training sessions and a broad range of easily installable apps suits those new to hosting or those managing smaller, less complex websites.

HostPapa’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, like unlimited email addresses and automated backups for the first year, provide a hassle-free experience. For advanced users requiring root access and VPS capabilities, HostPapa delivers with secured FTP/SFTP and SSH access. Contabo, however, is a better fit for users seeking higher customization in server environments, advanced performance monitoring, and various VPS controls. Contabo’s lack of explicit FTP/SFTP mention might make it less straightforward for some users, although its SSH access covers a lot of groundwork. Ultimately, each provider presents compelling alternatives depending on the specific demands of the user, from basic website hosting to complex, customizable server needs.

Email services:

Both Contabo and HostPapa offer robust email services. HostPapa delivers unlimited email addresses and advanced features like transactional email capabilities and potential email campaigns, ideal for comprehensive communication needs. Contabo supports standard email hosting but doesn’t emphasize transactional or marketing-specific features as strongly. Neither provider explicitly mentions reselling third-party services such as Google Workspace or Outlook, making their offerings focused primarily on their own infrastructure.

Winner HostPapa: Featuring a wide variety of competitively priced plans and considerable features, HostPapa emerges as a leading choice for web hosting.

Evaluating the pricing of plans among various hosting providers can be complex due to their differing pricing and renewal strategies. Additionally, certain plans require annual commitments, which adds to the difficulty of making comparisons. The prices listed are based on monthly commitments; plans requiring annual commitments are indicated. Additionally, although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

When comparing Contabo and HostPapa, it’s clear that both providers offer a variety of hosting plans to meet different needs. Contabo shines with its diverse range of VPS plans starting at $3.99/month, and its stringent focus on offering high memory and storage options. HostPapa, on the other hand, stands out with its extensive web hosting and WordPress plans, providing a range of features like free website builder, SSL certificates, and domain registration. While Contabo offers powerful and flexible performance hosting, HostPapa’s plans come with significant discounts and feature-rich options making it highly appealing for budget-conscious customers.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises, Contabo’s dedicated servers stand out with impressive specifications, starting at €99.98/month for an Intel 10-Core server. This plan includes a powerful 256GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and 32TB traffic. Their high-end AMD EPYC options cater to businesses needing up to 64 cores and limitless domains. HostPapa’s enterprise offerings are less defined, but high-tier VPS plans like Earth ($109/month) show potential for business use, albeit with unspecified detailed features.

🏆 Winner HostPapa: Offering streamlined website setup and comprehensive support resources.

Contabo utilizes a custom Control Panel for managing services, orders, and servers. This panel is designed to accommodate both technical and non-technical users, providing intuitive navigation through server management options like status checks, reboots, and add-ons. The control panel also allows for detailed customization of your VPS, such as selecting the location, operating system, and storage options. Contabo aims to offer a hassle-free setup by automatically provisioning your instance once payment is processed.

HostPapa, on the other hand, leverages the industry-standard cPanel, which is renowned for its user-friendly interface and wide range of functionalities. The cPanel simplifies web management tasks, whether you’re a beginner or experienced user. Additionally, HostPapa provides zero-click WordPress installation, one-click website publishing, and free domain registration in certain plans, making it easier to get started. The accessibility of cPanel combined with these streamlined features makes HostPapa very appealing for users seeking a quick and simple setup process.

When it comes to migration tools, HostPapa provides free website transfer services, ensuring a seamless transition without downtime. This ease of migration is particularly useful for users moving from another hosting provider. Contabo does not explicitly mention any free migration services, which may add complexity for users looking to transfer their existing sites. Therefore, HostPapa holds the advantage in offering a more straightforward and user-friendly migration process.

Both hosting providers have substantial help center resources. Contabo offers various tutorials, comprehensive FAQs, and an API documentation page to support different user needs. It also features a server status page and managed service options for deeper technical assistance. HostPapa excels with a comprehensive support and information center including hundreds of articles, video tutorials, live chat, and a free one-on-one training session for specific plans. HostPapa’s support is available 24/7 in multiple languages, making help readily accessible.

Winner HostPapa: A robust and versatile solution for managing user roles and permissions.

HostPapa and Contabo offer distinct capabilities when it comes to managing user roles and permissions. HostPapa provides a comprehensive system with the flexibility to activate or deactivate user accounts without deletion. It also allows users to create and configure custom roles with detailed permissions for various tasks, extending from managing websites and databases to handling DNS settings and mail accounts. Contabo, while enabling user authorization for server permissions, doesn’t provide the same granularity in role configuration. Users on Contabo can authorize others to access certain permissions, but the user role creation isn’t as extensive or customizable.

Both platforms offer user-friendly interfaces for managing user accounts, albeit in different ways. Contabo’s Control Panel is designed for a smooth experience, letting users manage various services from a single dashboard, such as upgrading VPS, extending storage, and handling security settings. HostPapa utilizes Plesk, a powerful interface where users can efficiently create roles, manage user permissions, and oversee different administrative tasks. Each platform’s tools are intended to streamline user management, but HostPapa’s Plesk offers more detailed role and permissions management capabilities.

Access control measures are essential for efficient user management, and both Contabo and HostPapa provide robust mechanisms. Contabo enforces mandatory Two-Factor Authentication for all users, enhancing security across accounts, along with free DDoS protection for all servers. This guarantees security but doesn’t necessarily cater to efficient user scaling. HostPapa, through Plesk, not only secures access but also provides mechanisms to granularly manage permissions and roles, making it easier to handle a growing number of users effectively. HostPapa’s detailed roles and permissions settings help admins allocate specific accesses, making scaling smoother.

HostPapa User Roles Table:

🏆 Winner HostPapa: HostPapa offers round-the-clock customer support with a wider range of contact options and extra features.

Contabo provides several support channels including phone, email, and support tickets, with self-help resources and managed services available for an additional cost. Contabo operates within certain time frames and does not offer 24/7 support, which can be a limitation for users who need assistance outside of their specified hours. Despite the lack of live chat support, Contabo ensures a 99.996% uptime guarantee and additional emergency support options for priority cases.

HostPapa, on the other hand, is notable for its 24/7/365 customer support availability, accessible via phone, email, and live chat across multiple countries. HostPapa enhances its support with video tutorials, an extensive knowledge base, and the option to schedule one-on-one training sessions. This broad range of support and educational resources coupled with positive customer feedback makes HostPapa a comprehensive choice for users seeking constant availability and diverse support options.

User feedback

Contabo offers affordable and powerful VPS plans, which are particularly beneficial for running demanding software and complex tasks. Several users have praised the reliability, stability, and cost-effectiveness of the service, highlighting its great value for money. However, frequent downtime, limited customer support, and a somewhat outdated control panel have been significant points of concern. Some users have experienced slow response times and unresolved service requests, suggesting areas for improvement in customer service and operational transparency.

Overall, customers generally appreciate the ease of use, responsive customer support, and affordability of the hosting provider. Many users specifically highlight the excellent technical support and straightforward interface as significant advantages. However, some reviews mention downsides such as occasional transparency issues with billing, aggressive upselling tactics, and sporadic performance concerns like downtime or slow website speeds due to outdated technology. There are also mixed experiences regarding customer service efficiency, with some users facing frustrating delays while others commend the quick and knowledgeable support team.

FAQ