Contabo vs Knownhost: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over Contabo vs. KnownHost, each provider brings distinct advantages and some pitfalls.

• 
  KnownHost (Overall grade: 8.6)
  
  
  offers a full suite of hosting types, including specialized WordPress, cloud, and shared hosting, which can cater to a wide range of user needs. Their uptime and performance are impressive, with guarantees meeting high industry standards and a history of very minimal downtime. KnownHost also provides enhanced security measures such as Imunify360 at no extra cost, plus round-the-clock support praised for its responsiveness and professionalism. Their user-friendly features, such as free SSL certificates, daily backups, and domain privacy, coupled with smooth migration services, ensure a seamless experience for users making the switch from another provider. While some users report slower server speeds, KnownHost’s extensive feature set and solid customer support make it a robust choice for managed hosting solutions.
  
• 
  Contabo (Overall grade: 7.6)
  
  
  shines with its high-performance offerings and affordability, especially for VPS and dedicated hosting. The use of fast AMD EPYC processors and NVMe SSD storage ensures quick load times and dependable uptime. With an emphasis on security through mandatory Two-Factor Authentication and free DDoS protection, Contabo provides a sturdy hosting environment. However, drawbacks include limited hosting options (no shared, WordPress, or cloud hosting) and customer support availability that is not 24/7. The absence of a live chat option and free migration services can be a hassle for less tech-savvy users. Nonetheless, for those requiring high computational power and extensive data transfer capabilities at a reasonable cost, Contabo remains a competitive choice.
  

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
KnownHost: KnownHost excels in uptime and performance with strong customer support.

KnownHost guarantees a minimum uptime of 99.9%, but their historical uptime matches Contabo’s at 99.996%. Their main website’s loading time is a speedy 1.5 seconds, receiving a high rating from GTmetrix. Offering extensive 500 Gbit/s DDoS protection and automated off-server snapshot backups, KnownHost ensures your site remains secure and live.

Contabo also boasts a 99.996% uptime and excels in performance with fast AMD EPYC 7282 processors and high-speed SSD or NVMe SSD storage. They provide global data center coverage and free DDoS protection, along with mandatory Two-Factor Authentication for all accounts. Contabo’s customer support and managed services further enhance their hosting reliability.

🏆 Winner: KnownHost: High-performance hosting with exceptional customer support.
Comparing the general performance of Contabo and KnownHost reveals strong showings from both. Contabo offers fast AMD EPYC 7282 processors and storage options with SSD or PCIe NVMe SSDs. KnownHost also employs top-end AMD EPYC hardware and enterprise NVMe storage. KnownHost leverages LiteSpeed and LSCache for enhanced performance, while Contabo offers private networking and DevOps features. Both provide substantial data center coverage; Contabo has five global locations, whereas specific KnownHost locations aren’t listed. Both services promise high speeds and resilience thanks to their varied and advanced data center distributions.

Website Speed

Both Contabo and KnownHost ensure rapid website speeds. Contabo’s use of SSD and Gen 4 PCIe NVMe SSD storage accelerates load times, while KnownHost’s adoption of LiteSpeed and LSCache software offers even higher request processing rates. KnownHost’s reliance on enterprise NVMe storage may place it slightly ahead in terms of raw speed. Contabo offers a connection speed of up to 1Gbit/s, upgradeable to 10Gbit/s, ensuring high-speed data transfer. Both ensure minimal downtime with excellent uptime guarantees — 99.996% for Contabo and over 99.99% for KnownHost.

Scalability

Contabo offers easy upgrading of VPS packages without sacrificing uptime, making it a scalable option for growing businesses. KnownHost provides a range of hosting solutions, including VPS and dedicated servers, but detailed information on the ease of scaling isn’t provided. Both Contabo and KnownHost seem positioned to accommodate scaling needs effectively, though exact costs and specifics for the automatic scaling process are not included in the provided data. Ultimately, KnownHost’s nuanced support and user flexibility in plan adjustments make it a slightly more comprehensive option for scalable growth.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: A solid choice for secure and reliable hosting services.

Technical security measures:

Contabo and KnownHost both provide robust technical security features, yet each brings its own strengths. Contabo emphasizes the customization of PHP versions, on-demand DDoS protection, and the inclusion of Imunify AV for cPanel servers. KnownHost also offers various PHP versions but extends its offering by including the advanced Imunify360 at no extra cost. Contabo’s data center security includes 24/7 CCTV surveillance and magnetic card-controlled access, while KnownHost provides Automated Backups and strong firewall protections. Though both have SSL certificates, KnownHost offers both free and premium SSL certificates, which gives it a slight edge.

Operational security measures:

Both Contabo and KnownHost implement significant operational security measures to safeguard their services. Contabo’s comprehensive data center security includes magnetic card access, role-based controls, and regular physical security reviews. KnownHost counters with automated systems for backup and an included firewall setup to secure sensitive ports. KnownHost enhances web performance and security with LiteSpeed and LSCache, while Contabo offers FTP backup and Object Storage options. The mandatory Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Contabo users boosts its security profile, whereas KnownHost’s customer feedback highlights their excellent service and fast tech support.

Compliance and certifications:

Contabo is fully GDPR compliant, ensuring strict adherence to data protection regulations. KnownHost emphasizes its PCI compliance through SSL usage but lacks specified GDPR details. Contabo mentions adherence to industry standards for compliance without specifics on PCI and HIPAA. KnownHost provides PCI compliance but leaves HIPAA out of scope. Both providers prioritize data protection, with Contabo’s GDPR focus and KnownHost’s SSL and PCI compliance making them reliable choices for regulatory adherence.

🏆 Winner
KnownHost: KnownHost offers robust performance with enhanced security features and a user-friendly interface.

When comparing the hosting features of Contabo and KnownHost, both providers offer impressive performance and security, but they differ in their user offerings. Contabo shines with its powerful AMD EPYC processors and extensive traffic capacity, paired with the flexibility of OS options and control panels like cPanel and Plesk. It also supports custom image deployment and snapshots, which is great for those who need high customization and control over their hosting environment. However, Contabo doesn’t explicitly provide a website builder, which might be a drawback for non-technical users seeking an easy and quick setup.

KnownHost, on the other hand, offers the LiteSpeed + LSCache for superior performance and also includes NVMe storage for robust reliability. Its unique selling points are the free SSL certificates, daily backups, and free domain privacy for life, which add considerable value. KnownHost includes a cPanel and offers free migrations, making it user-friendly, especially for those transitioning from another host. The Imunify360 security suite further enhances its security posture, and the inclusion of Softaculous for one-click installations of over 400 apps adds to the convenience for users who want to quickly deploy applications. The 30-day money-back guarantee is another attractive feature for new users to test the waters.

Both providers support a range of users from beginners to experts with user-friendly website builders and WordPress staging areas. However, in terms of developer tools, both Contabo and KnownHost offer robust options including SSH access, support for multiple programming languages, and Git for version control, thus appealing to developers looking for advanced capabilities.

Email services:

Email services at Contabo provides comprehensive email hosting services, allowing users to create, manage, and secure their email accounts. KnownHost also offers email hosting capabilities and includes features like free domain privacy, which is advantageous for users concerned about privacy. Both providers support transactional email functionalities and allow for the creation of email campaigns, but KnownHost’s offer of free SSL certificates and enhanced security options like Imunify360 might give it an edge for users prioritizing security in their email services.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost offers superior value for managed hosting solutions with extensive features for various user needs.

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 KnownHost, it’s clear that both offer a variety of plans tailored to different needs. Contabo provides a range of self-managed to fully managed VPS options, along with dedicated servers featuring extensive customization options and high traffic allowances. KnownHost, on the other hand, excels in managed WordPress and shared hosting plans, focusing on user-friendly features like free SSL certificates, scheduled backups, and LiteSpeed integration. Their professional support and migration services add significant value, making the hosting experience smoother.

Enterprise plans

For enterprises, Contabo and KnownHost have offerings focused on large-scale capabilities and management ease. Contabo’s dedicated servers cater to high-performance needs with robust hardware and extensive storage options. KnownHost presents managed VPS and semi-dedicated hosting ideal for businesses requiring a hands-off approach with reliable support and significant resources. Compared head-to-head, KnownHost’s user-friendly and feature-rich managed services make it a highly compelling choice for enterprise solutions.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost provides an easier setup and migration process, making it more user-friendly.

Contabo offers a Control Panel specifically designed for managing their services, allowing users to review, upgrade, and manage their server settings from a centralized location. This can be very beneficial for users who prefer a customized experience tailored to Contabo’s offerings. KnownHost, on the other hand, includes Softaculous for free, which allows for one-click installations of various applications. This makes it significantly more accessible for non-technical users who might find installing and managing software applications daunting. For technical users as well, the instant setup feature of KnownHost ensures a smooth and quick start, which can save a lot of time and effort.

When it comes to site migrations, KnownHost clearly stands out by offering free migration services with often zero downtime, which their shared hosting support team handles. This is especially beneficial for users who might not be technically savvy or those looking to transition with minimal interruption to their services. Contabo provides a comprehensive tutorial and support system but does not offer free migration services. This can be a significant factor for those looking for a seamless transfer without an additional cost or the need for technical know-how.

Contabo provides an extensive tutorial section and customer support through tickets and phone, available from 8 am to 11 pm CEST. Their support includes managed services for those needing expert help with server operations. KnownHost offers a 24/7/365 support system, known for its fast response times and highly praised customer service. They have a comprehensive knowledge base that is easily accessible for troubleshooting and guidance. The consistent availability and quality of KnownHost’s support can be a significant advantage.

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost provides extensive support for user management and offers 24/7 assistance.

Contabo enables users to view and update personal information, manage email addresses, and modify control panel passwords. It also allows for Two-Factor Authentication and the authorization of additional user permissions, making it flexible for handling multiple users. KnownHost offers domain management through its My KnownHost panel, including updating WHOIS contact information and organizational management. Both platforms present guides for managing user accounts, but KnownHost’s continuous support availability gives it an edge in assisting users with different roles and permissions.

Contabo’s Control Panel is user-friendly, allowing tasks such as VPS upgrades, ordering add-ons, and resetting passwords. Access to API and regenerating client secrets is straightforward. On the other hand, KnownHost provides a dedicated My KnownHost panel for domain management and user roles. While both interfaces are efficient and easy to use, Contabo’s panel appears more tailored for technical server management, whereas KnownHost focuses on domain and organizational user management.

Contabo mandates Two-Factor Authentication and provides free DDoS protection for all plans to ensure security. Monitoring support tickets with extended availability further enhances its access control. KnownHost, however, offers 24/7/365 on-shore support and fully managed services which efficiently handle increasing user demands. While Contabo excels in security features, KnownHost’s continuous support and comprehensive service management ensure more effective handling of user growth.

Contabo user roles table:

KnownHost user roles table:

🏆 Winner KnownHost: KnownHost offers excellent customer service options and managed hosting services.

Contabo and KnownHost both provide various customer support channels, but KnownHost stands out with its 24/7 technical support and live chat availability. Contabo offers phone support, email, and an in-depth self-help section but lacks a live chat option and 24-hour availability. Despite a high uptime guarantee and free DDoS protection, Contabo’s customer service falls short due to the absence of a money-back guarantee and a more limited support schedule.

On the other hand, KnownHost excels with its round-the-clock technical support, a 30-day money-back guarantee on WordPress hosting packages, and live chat support, which makes contacting them more convenient and flexible. Customers have praised KnownHost for its polite and helpful support team and fast response times, making it the superior choice for those who prioritize high-quality customer service and support resources with a reliable uptime guarantee.

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.

KnownHost receives mixed feedback from its users. Many users praise its responsive and professional customer support, high uptime, and excellent technical infrastructure, particularly for managed WordPress and VPS hosting. However, there are significant complaints about slow server speeds, unhelpful support, and confusing user interfaces. Additionally, some users believe that the service is overpriced given the performance issues they have encountered. Overall, while KnownHost has loyal customers who appreciate its offerings, potential users should be aware of the varied experiences and evaluate if it meets their specific needs.

FAQ