Inmotion Hosting vs Domain.com: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over InMotion Hosting vs. Domain.com, it’s clear why both hosts are so popular. They have both hosted millions of
websites that run on WordPress for decades, building up a loyal customer base.

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  InMotion Hosting (Overall grade: 8.4)
  
  
  stands out with its advanced features, performance, and wide range of hosting options tailored to meet diverse user needs. It offers cloud hosting, WordPress hosting, ecommerce hosting, and VPS hosting, providing more flexibility for scaling businesses. InMotion demonstrates superior uptime and speed with its UltraStack Technology and NVMe SSD storage. Its security measures, compliance with regulations, and robust customer support further add to its appeal. Some downsides include occasional slow servers on lower-tier plans and a complex interface. Despite these minor drawbacks, InMotion’s comprehensive offerings and reliable performance make it a strong contender in the hosting market.
  
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  Domain.com (Overall grade: 6.5)
  
  
  offers shared and dedicated hosting options, making it a suitable choice for simpler website needs. The platform features a user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder and provides a free domain and SSL for the first year, which is beneficial for beginners. However, Domain.com struggles with inconsistent uptime and speed performance, and its lack of advanced caching and security features might be a deal-breaker for tech-savvy users. Customer support is generally accessible but has room for improvement in responsiveness and issue resolution. Domain.com’s straightforward pricing and easy-to-use tools make it an attractive option for those seeking basic hosting services without the need for advanced customization.
  

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 InMotion Hosting: InMotion Hosting demonstrates superior uptime and availability across various hosting plans.

InMotion Hosting consistently showcases strong uptime performance. Their shared hosting reached an impressive 100% uptime in 2022. Managed WordPress hosting claims a 99.99% uptime with high-availability servers, though not explicitly guaranteed. Historical data supports their reliability, with notable improvements from 99.73% in 2020 to a perfect score in 2022.

Domain.com, though claiming a 99.99% uptime guarantee, falls short in actual performance. Recent tests show only 99.11% uptime and slower response times. The lack of clear policy details concerning downtime further diminishes its reliability. Thus, InMotion Hosting stands out with better uptime evidence and more consistent performance.

🏆 Winner: InMotion Hosting: Superior speed, reliability, and customer support.

When comparing general performance, InMotion Hosting stands out with its UltraStack Technology and NVMe SSD storage, promising up to 20x faster website speeds and a 99.99% uptime guarantee. On the other hand, Domain.com offers a 99% uptime guarantee with unlimited bandwidth and storage options. InMotion utilizes advanced caching methods like object caching, whereas Domain.com includes standard caching options. InMotion has multiple data centers located in the USA and Europe, providing faster and more reliable hosting, while Domain.com’s information on data centers is less detailed.

Website Speed

In terms of website speed, InMotion’s UltraStack Technology and high-performance VPS hosting make it a faster option. Its advanced caching, NVMe SSD storage, and high I/O speeds ensure quick load times. Domain.com includes unlimited bandwidth and SSD storage but lacks the advanced caching features of InMotion. Therefore, users of InMotion can expect quicker page load times and better overall performance.

Scalability

For scalability, InMotion offers flexible plans ranging from shared hosting to dedicated servers, making it easier for businesses to scale as they grow. InMotion also has multiple data centers which aid in handling higher traffic seamlessly. Domain.com, however, does not provide specific details on elastic scaling or dedicated servers. Both providers require plan upgrades for higher resources, but InMotion offers more options for growth. Prices for scaling are clearer with InMotion, giving businesses a better understanding of potential costs.

🏆 Winner
InMotion Hosting: Offers a comprehensive suite of security features and compliance measures.

Both InMotion Hosting and Domain.com, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

InMotion Hosting provides a variety of technical security measures including free SSL certificates, DDoS protection through Corero, automatic malware detection, and scanning, and Modsec Firewall software. They also offer SSH access for secure connections and a Backup Manager for automatic backups. Domain.com features SSL certificates with varying warranties and SiteLock security that includes malware protection, automatic removal, and a web application firewall in higher-tier plans. However, InMotion’s robust malware protection and firewall software give it an edge.

Operational security measures:

InMotion Hosting emphasizes operational security with tools like automatic malware detection, spam experts, and safe application rollback. Their Hack & Malware Protection included in all plans is a significant benefit. Domain.com also takes operational security seriously with features like 24/7 support from security experts, domain privacy protection, and SiteLock Seal to boost conversions. While both offer strong operational security, InMotion’s inclusion of multiple firewall software and hack protection across all plans makes it more comprehensive.

Compliance and certifications:

InMotion Hosting complies with GDPR, CCPA, PCI standards, and additional regulations like DMCA, trademark, and doxxing violations. They also provide resources to help achieve PCI compliance. Domain.com is GDPR-compliant and supports PCI compliance but lacks information on other certifications or regulatory standards. InMotion’s wide range of compliance measures make it strong in this area.

🏆 Winner
InMotion Hosting: Offers a robust set of features for developers and small businesses.

When it comes to website builders, Domain.com has a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, ideal for beginners who need to craft a website quickly without diving into complex customization. The interface is intuitive, making it accessible for users without technical skills. Domain.com also offers a free domain for the first year with a promo code and provides unlimited storage, which is a significant advantage for users who expect to upload large amounts of content. On the other hand, InMotion Hosting stands out with its industry-leading cPanel control panel that allows for more complex customization. While InMotion doesn’t emphasize a drag-and-drop builder, it compensates with advanced tools like NVMe SSD storage, automatic backups, and multiple data centers, crucial for performance and reliability.

InMotion also excels in offering comprehensive developer features, including support for Python, Node.JS, Ruby, and GIT version control, making it a preferred choice for developers and professionals. Its security suite, featuring hack and malware protection along with DDoS prevention, adds another layer of reliability. InMotion provides free SSL certificates and access to SSH for secure server management. Although Domain.com offers essential features like free SSL (for the first year) and unlimited FTP accounts, it lacks the advanced security and developer capabilities found with InMotion. The lack of specific mention about SSH availability in Domain.com might be a deal-breaker for tech-savvy users who require secure and seamless server interactions.

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 InMotion Hosting and Domain.com 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:

InMotion Hosting allows users to create and manage professional email addresses, catering to small businesses that need reliable transactional email capabilities. It also includes email hosting services without any extra cost. By contrast, Domain.com does not explicitly mention email hosting capabilities or features related to email campaigns. Therefore, InMotion’s extensive email features offer greater value to users looking for robust email solutions integrated with their hosting services.

🏆 Winner
Domain.com: Top-performing hosting plans with attractive pricing options. Domain.com: Top-performing hosting plans with attractive pricing options.

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.

InMotion and Domain.com offer competitive pricing in various hosting categories. InMotion’s entry-level WordPress hosting starts at $3.49/mo with more advanced options going up to $13.49/mo. Its web hosting plans begin at $12.99/mo, which includes multiple features like advanced caching and unlimited email addresses. On the other hand, Domain.com offers its shared and WordPress hosting plans at a flat rate of $3.75/mo, providing significant value for different durations with freebies including a free domain and SSL for the first year. InMotion also boasts a diverse range of VPS and dedicated hosting plans. Domain.com maintains a more streamlined plan structure with uniform pricing for additional services such as SSL certificates and SiteLock cybersecurity plans.

Enterprise plans

When considering enterprise needs, InMotion offers robust VPS and dedicated hosting options starting at $14.99/mo and $35.00/mo respectively. These plans provide high availability servers, configurable options, and extensive security features. On the other hand, Domain.com has simplified pricing but lacks targeted enterprise offerings, focusing instead on broader market appeal with uniform rates for SSL and cybersecurity plans. For businesses requiring flexibility and dedicated resources, InMotion’s enterprise plans provide a better tailored solution despite the overall higher cost.

🏆 Winner InMotion Hosting: Superior ease of setup with extensive migration tools and exceptional support options.

InMotion Hosting features a traditional cPanel, which is a well-known and respected control panel among web administrators. It’s designed for ease of use, providing an intuitive interface that even beginners can navigate with ease. The inclusion of a cPanel demo allows users to familiarize themselves with its features before committing fully. In contrast, Domain.com offers a drag-and-drop website builder, suitable for those looking for a straightforward website creation experience. They also provide an AI-powered website builder, which may appeal to users wanting a quick setup without delving into technical details. However, the reliance on builders might not offer the same depth of control and flexibility as the traditional cPanel.

Both hosting providers cater to user-friendly experiences but in different ways. While InMotion Hosting’s cPanel offers comprehensive management capabilities ideal for both technical and non-technical users, Domain.com’s custom solutions focus on simplifying website creation. Domain.com’s pre-installed plugins for WordPress hosting and the integration of Google Workspace further aid non-technical users. Conversely, InMotion’s approach, with extensive tools and tutorials, often appeals to users who prefer more control over site management and host-specific functionalities.

InMotion Hosting shines concerning migration tools by offering free, efficient website migration with their cPanel backup system. Their Launch Assist service further simplifies complex transfers, ensuring a seamless migration with no downtime. Domain.com, on the other hand, doesn’t provide as detailed information on site migration tools, and users might find themselves looking for manual solutions or additional help to complete the process.

The help center resources for each provider reflect their focus areas. InMotion Hosting’s support includes 24/7 U.S.-based customer service, a comprehensive support center, and extensive WordPress tutorials, which help resolve issues efficiently. They also offer premier support services for advanced needs. Domain.com provides a knowledge base, 24/7 live chat support, and a blog for ongoing guidance. While both offer accessible support, InMotion Hosting stands out for its detailed and varied support options.

🏆 Winner: InMotion Hosting: InMotion Hosting offers greater flexibility and control in managing user roles for WordPress websites.

Both InMotion Hosting and Domain.com provide the necessary functions for adding and managing WordPress user roles, but a few differences set them apart. InMotion Hosting takes a more versatile approach to role management, allowing not just the addition of predefined roles like Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, and Subscriber but also enabling users to create custom roles and fine-tune role capabilities through the WP-CLI and User Role Editor Plugin. Domain.com, although providing a straightforward method to add users and assign predefined roles, lacks this level of customization.

In terms of user interfaces and tools, InMotion Hosting facilitates intricate user management through the User Role Editor Plugin, which provides a more granular control over what each role can do. This plugin is very accessible, making it easier for WordPress administrators to manage roles even without deep technical knowledge. Domain.com, on the other hand, keeps things simple by focusing on the standard WordPress Dashboard method for adding users and assigning roles. This simplicity is user-friendly but might feel restrictive to those looking for more extensive customizability.

For access control measures and managing a growing user base, InMotion Hosting excels due to its advanced ability to create and assign custom roles and capabilities. This makes it highly adaptable for websites with complex permission requirements or those expecting to scale user interaction significantly. Domain.com, though effective for smaller websites or those with simpler user role requirements, may face limitations in accommodating more intricate access needs or a large number of user roles.

InMotion User Roles Table

Domain.com User Roles Table:

🏆 Winner InMotion Hosting: Extensive customer service options and responsive support staff with a strong focus on customer satisfaction.

InMotion Hosting offers a broad range of customer support options, including 24/7 live chat, phone support, and a detailed knowledge base. Their support team is noted for being responsive, and they provide various methods for addressing issues efficiently. The availability of managed hosting and website transfers further enhances their support services.

Domain.com also provides 24/7 customer support via phone and live chat, with direct access to a representative usually available within minutes. Their knowledge base includes step-by-step guides and video tutorials. However, customer feedback indicates some inconsistencies in responsiveness and problem resolution, suggesting room for improvement in support quality.

User feedback

InMotion Hosting receives mixed reviews from users, highlighting several strengths and weaknesses. Customers appreciate the variety of hosting plans, transparent pricing, robust uptime, and exceptional customer support. On the downside, some users experience slow servers on lower-tier plans and encounter long waiting times for customer support. Additionally, the platform’s user interface has received criticism for being somewhat difficult to navigate, and there are concerns about service outages and higher prices for premium features.

User feedback for this hosting provider reveals a mixed experience. Many users appreciate its user-friendly platform, straightforward domain registration process, and reliable customer support. However, significant criticisms include poor customer service practices, confusing pricing and add-ons, and outdated or slow web interfaces. While some users praise the affordability and efficiency of domain management, others warn of hidden costs and problematic service.

FAQ