Which Web Host is Right for You: Arvixe or Bluehost?
When it comes to choosing a web host, the decision can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. If you’re torn between Arvixe and Bluehost, here’s a detailed comparison to help you make the best choice for your needs.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Arvixe | Bluehost |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Type | Shared, VPS, Cloud, Dedicated, Reseller | Shared, Managed WordPress, VPS, Cloud, Dedicated |
| Free Domain | Yes | Yes |
| Free SSL Certificate | No (but can install Let’s Encrypt) | Yes |
| Disk Space | Unlimited | 50GB to Unlimited |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unmetered |
| Automatic Backups | Yes | Yes, but not on all plans |
| Control Panel | cPanel | cPanel |
| Email Accounts | Unlimited | 5 to Unlimited |
| Free CDN | No | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60 Days | 30 Days |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% with refund if not met | No guarantee, but 99.9% uptime |
Detailed Comparison
Ease of Use
Both Arvixe and Bluehost offer user-friendly interfaces, but there are some differences:
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Bluehost: Known for its intuitive cPanel and a variety of video guides to help you get started. It also offers the Weebly Basic website builder, which is free but limited to 5 webpages.
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Arvixe: Also uses cPanel and offers the RvSiteBuilder, which is more feature-rich and includes over 600 web templates.
Stability
- Bluehost: Bluehost’s data centers are located in Utah and are powered and cooled with redundant sources. However, they do not offer mirrored or redundant backups except for their Cloud Plans.
- Arvixe: Arvixe has data centers in North America, Europe, and Asia, all of which are fully redundant with multiple power and cooling options. This ensures high reliability and uptime.
Speed
- Bluehost: Bluehost’s servers are built in-house and use 16-core AMD Opterons. Load times are generally fast, with an average of 2.37 seconds.
- Arvixe: Arvixe’s servers use the latest Xeons and store customer data on 15K raid ten drives. Load times are significantly faster, averaging 1.05 seconds.
Security
- Bluehost: Offers a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt and additional security features like SiteLock and spam filtering, but these are often available only on higher-tier plans.
- Arvixe: Includes automatic backups, spam filters, and an advanced firewall for free, even on entry-level plans. However, the SSL certificate is not free and must be purchased separately or installed via Let’s Encrypt.
Pricing and Cost
- Bluehost: Initial prices are lower, but renewal fees can be steep. The Basic plan starts at $2.95/month, while the Pro plan is $13.95/month.
- Arvixe: Prices are higher initially but offer more features. The Personal Class plan starts at $7.70/month, and the Personal Class Pro plan offers more comprehensive features.
Customer Support Service
- Bluehost: Known for its high-standard support with 24/7/365 technical support. This includes live chat, phone support, and a comprehensive knowledge base.
- Arvixe: Customer support has received negative reviews, with many users reporting long response times and unresolved issues.
Client Reviews
- Bluehost: Generally positive reviews, especially regarding support and ease of use. However, some users have reported issues with billing and customer service.
- Arvixe: Mixed reviews, with some users praising the features and performance but others criticizing the customer support and reliability issues.
Pros and Cons
Bluehost
Pros:
- Excellent Support: 24/7/365 technical support.
- Free Domain and SSL: Included in most plans.
- Ease of Use: Intuitive cPanel and Weebly Basic website builder.
- Speed: Fast load times and reliable performance.
Cons:
- Renewal Fees: Steep renewal prices.
- Limited Features on Basic Plans: Higher-tier plans are needed for full features.
- No Uptime Guarantee: No official uptime guarantee.
Arvixe
Pros:
- Comprehensive Features: Unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email accounts.
- Advanced Security: Automatic backups, spam filters, and advanced firewall.
- Longer Money-Back Guarantee: 60-day money-back guarantee.
- Faster Load Times: Significantly faster load times compared to Bluehost.
Cons:
- Higher Initial Prices: More expensive than Bluehost’s initial prices.
- Poor Customer Support: Negative reviews regarding customer support.
- No Free SSL Certificate: Must purchase or install via Let’s Encrypt.
FAQs
1. Which host offers better performance?
Arvixe generally offers faster load times and better performance, with an average load time of 1.05 seconds compared to Bluehost’s 2.37 seconds.
2. What is the difference in customer support between Arvixe and Bluehost?
Bluehost is known for its high-standard 24/7/365 technical support, while Arvixe has received negative reviews for its customer support.
3. Do both hosts offer free SSL certificates?
Bluehost offers a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt, while Arvixe does not provide a free SSL certificate but allows you to install Let’s Encrypt certificates.
4. Which host provides more features for the price?
Arvixe offers more comprehensive features, including unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email accounts, even on its entry-level plans.
5. What is the money-back guarantee period for each host?
Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, while Arvixe provides a 60-day money-back guarantee.
