ScalaHosting vs. HostGator: A Head-to-Head Plan Comparison
| Managed Cloud / VPS |
 $29.95 /mo
Build 1
|
 $34.99 /mo
Snappy 2000
|
|---|---|---|
|
Feature Name
|
||
|
CPU cores
|
2
|
2
|
|
RAM
|
4
|
4
|
|
Storage
|
50 GB
|
100 GB
|
|
Automatic Offsite Backups
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Includes Control Panel
|
yes
|
no $12.00/mo
|
|
Free Website Migration
|
yes
|
Limited
|
|
Free Email Migration
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Free Global CDN Integration
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Malware Protection
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Free OpenLiteSpeed Аcceleration
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Scalable Resources
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Dedicated IP
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
IP Blacklist Monitoring
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Free SSLs
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Money-back Guarantee
|
Anytime
|
30 days (conditions apply)
|
Comparing the Managed Cloud VPS plans of ScalaHosting and HostGator, it's important to note that the latter actually offers traditional virtual private servers that are not cloud-connected.
The HG features are quite scarce as well - you don't get any free backups, no CDN, no OpenLiteSpeed options. The control panel is also paid additionally, making the HostGator VPS solutions more like a self-managed service.
| Web Hosting |
$5.95 /mo
($12.95/mo when you renew)
Start
|
$6.25 /mo
($21.99/mo when you renew)
Business
|
|---|---|---|
|
Feature Name
|
||
|
Number of Websites
|
No limit
|
50
|
|
Storage Space
|
50 GB
|
50 GB
|
|
Storage Type
|
NVMe SSD
|
Basic SSD
|
|
Automatic Offsite Backups
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Free SSLs
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Free Website Migration
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Free Email Migration
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Free Global CDN Integration
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Malware Protection
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Uncapped Inodes
|
yes
|
200 000
|
|
Database Size
|
Unlimited
|
5GB per DB or 10GB total
|
|
Softaculous
|
Full list of scripts (400+)
|
Free license (about 70-80 scripts)
|
|
Money-back Guarantee
|
Anytime
|
30 days (conditions apply)
|
Shared hosting does not have to be slow and full of limitations. The ScalaHosting shared plans clearly show how you can kickstart a project the right way. Free data migrations, offsite backups, SSL certificates, and malware protection are just some of the lucrative extras you can expect from Scala.
Support Comparison
The ScalaHosting support is among the highest rated in the industry for a good reason. In a time when more and more businesses turn to AI to cut costs and automate client contacts, we like to keep things 100% human. Speaking with a real person not only allows you to share all details surrounding your issue but also guarantees your case will be dealt with the needed attention and compassion. In comparison, getting to a HostGator goes through all kinds of AI hoops and loops, only to reach a human who mostly answers with templated responses. Technical help over chat is next to impossible.
Nothing to worry about - the Scala Team is only a few clicks away!
Our experienced technicians will be there for you 24/7 for any questions or issues with your WordPress service. We are available via multiple channels (live chat, ticketing, email), respond immediately, and care for your website as if it were our own.
| Support Response Time |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Chat Response Time
|
15 Sec
|
5 min - 1 hour
|
|
Ticket Response Time
|
15 Min
|
6-24 hours
|
|
Email Response Time
|
15 Min
|
24-48 hours
|
Performance Comparison
| Performance Benchmarks |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Feature Name
|
||
|
Storage read speed
|
2457 MB/s
|
752 MB/s
|
|
Storage random read & write IOPS
|
162,000 read IOPS,
53,900 write IOPS |
20,500 read IOPS,
6816 write IOPS |
|
CPU power
|
5028 events per second
|
4145 events per second
|
|
Storage type
|
NVMe powered on all plans
|
SSD for webhosting, NVMe for VPS
|
|
Litespeed web server
|
Openlitespeed option included on all cloud plans
|
No option included
|
|
Redis cache
|
Redis manager for all SPanel users on cloud plans
|
No option included
|
|
Network speed
|
200+ Mbps
|
100Mbps max
|
Ensuring optimal website performance is a must for every online project nowadays, and ScalaHosting ensures you have the perfect foundation to achieve that. Starting from top-tier data centers with maximum network connectivity, options for LiteSpeed/OpenLiteSpeed web servers, and speed boosting extras like Redis, ObjectCache, and Cloudflare CDN - you have all the prerequisites for a lightning-fast site.
Migrations Comparison
Migration Requests
Migration team works 24/7. You can schedule the migration for a desired time (nights and weekends included). The transfer will be initiated immediately after our team receives valid login credentials to start copying the data. Post-migration checks are included.
Migration team works Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 5 PM MST. Migration will be done 2-4 business days after the migration details are verified.
Conditions
No conditions:
We will move you from any host, any panel, any type of website, as long as we have access to the files and database. The size, type, and number of websites don't matter as well - the migration is always free and guaranteed.
Should be cPanel or Plesk, the website should not exceed 10 GB;
!NB! - If you have been a Hostgator customer before, even if your account is long terminated, you cannot use the free migration
Cost
Free migration for all new hosting accounts,
regardless if shared, email, reseller, or managed cloud
Shared Hosting: No free migrations
$149/site fee for a professional migration.
$199 for full cPanel account migration.
VPS Hosting: One free migration as courtesy (same conditions apply)
Mail Transfer
Mail migration is free and can be performed for clients coming from any platform via IMAP sync.
Mail migration - $99/mailbox
The fear of improperly moving website data and emails is often one of the reasons clients stick with their host. No reason to settle for “just OK” when you can enjoy greatness. ScalaHosting spares no resources when it comes to migrating data and eases the customer journey by handling all the technicalities. Things are a bit harder if you intend to move to HostGator, where extra requirements and fees are often part of the deal.
Resources and Scalability
| Shared Hosting Limits Comparison |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Feature Name
|
||
|
You are allowed peaks
|
You are allowed peaks
No processes killed
Notification if you exceed 17% CPU for 7 consecutive days
|
Processes are killed if they exceed 25% CPU usage for 90 seconds
No notifications, straight account suspension
|
|
Simultaneous processes
|
No limit
|
25
|
|
Inodes limit
|
No limit
|
100 000
|
|
Max Database size
|
No limit
|
5 GB
|
|
Max Database Usage
|
No limit
|
10 GB
|
|
Max Database Tables
|
No limit
|
5000
|
|
Emails per hour
|
500-1000/hour per domain
|
500/hour per domain
|
|
IMAP/POP checks
|
No limit
|
30 checks/hour per IP
|
Cloud / VPS hosting
Cloud VPS solutions with guaranteed resources
No overselling - we can guarantee that you can use what you have paid for at all times.
Fully scalable - you can add just 1 CPU core or 10 GB storage space. You will not be charged for redundant resources.
Does not provide Cloud VPS solutions but pure VPSs. Their virtualization allows overselling, which means HostGator can sell more resources than the physical server allows. That is why their site contains this disclaimer:
You are allowed to use 100% of your CPU resources; however, this is only a portion of the server's total CPU resources. If you are looking for more CPU resources than a Shared Server, you will NOT want to pick VPS;
Not scalable. If you wish to add specific resources like 2 CPU cores, or 10 GB storage space, you must upgrade to the higher hosting plan, even though you do not need all the resources it offers.
Security Comparison
| Security |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Feature Name
|
||
|
Free SSL Certificates
|
Included
|
Included
|
|
Malware Protection
|
SShield AI — always active
|
SiteLock (paid add-on)
|
|
Backups
|
Daily + remote option
|
Weekly / Paid CodeGuard long-term backups
|
|
WordPress antimalware
|
WP-lock on all Spanels
|
No specific WP protection
|
|
IP Blacklist Monitoring
|
Gmail/Hotmail/Yahoo integrated
|
Not included
|
|
Isolation & Multi-site Safety
|
SPanel-level session isolation
|
Shared hosting vulnerable to cross-contaminate
|
|
Security Response
|
Proactive + real-time alerts
|
Reactive, upsell-based
|
|
Managed Security on VPS
|
Standard for VPS plans
|
Limited, add-ons required
|
Data protection should be a given and not dependent on the type of hosting service you purchase. This is why all Scala clients get a bunch of free, default features - SSL certificates, daily backups, blacklist monitoring, malware detection, etc. In comparison, HostGator customers only get the basics (like SSL certificates) and many feats locked behind a paywall. Knowing how inventive hackers get when trying to breach websites and user data - basic security is just not enough.
Global Infrastructure & Failover Reliability
Top-tier data centers in 3 US locations and one in the EU available for shared hosting. There are 13 locations on 4 continents for Cloud VPS hosting users, guaranteeing optimal connectivity regardless of the client’s residence.
Currently operates its infrastructure from two main U.S. data centers - in Utah and Texas. All services, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, are housed in these locations.
Customers cannot choose or specify a data center location during signup - the host automatically assigns your account in one of those two locations regardless of the chosen service.
If you need other server locations - you have to sign up for the Cloudflare CDN.
Offers failover options for both Shared and Cloud hosting. Even the shared hosting infrastructure is clustered. Although this setup is more expensive, it is worth the investment as we replicate your site data across multiple separate servers in the cluster.
If a hardware failure occurs on one node, your site automatically switches to a working replica.
The transition happens within a minute with no need of manual intervention for typical hardware issues.
Shared Hosting
Shared accounts do not offer hardware redundancy:
Servers may undergo maintenance or rebuilds that cause downtime.
HostGator commonly does not migrate accounts between servers during outages due to technical delays and DNS propagation risks. The host offers a Server Status page to see if your machine is up or not.
VPS Hosting
VPS and Dedicated servers are housed in Tier-3 data centers with redundant network infrastructure (e.g., multiple bandwidth providers, RAID storage, DDoS protection).
There is no automatic failover at the VM level—your server runs on dedicated hardware:
If your hardware fails, HostGator needs to manually intervene, rebuild, or migrate your VM, which may result in multi-hour or full-day downtime.
Offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee calculated on a monthly basis. This means we do not allow downtime of more than 43 minutes per month, and we have a clear credit compensation scheme for your benefit if we breach this promise.
Advertises a 99.9% uptime guarantee across its hosting services. This is the industry standard, but HostGator's policy does not include a formal Service Level Agreement (SLA) with tiered financial penalties. No service credits for extended downtimes as well. As written on their website:
Q: Can I get a prorated refund for the downtime?
A: Due to the complexity and nature of a shared web hosting environment, down time occurs. Unfortunately, we do not offer compensation for any down time. We are sorry for any inconvenience or loss which resulted from your website being down.
Reliability is one of the most sought-after qualities in a web hosting provider. While any host can promise you the world, it's important to put your money where your mouth is. Apart from the rock-solid data centers and redundant network, ScalaHosting has a clear refund policy for any unplanned downtimes. Getting compensation from HostGator is not backed by any written Service Level Agreement, which makes it hard to have any claims in cases of bad service.
Control Panel Comparison
| Control panels |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Feature / Tool
|
||
|
Control Panel Type
|
Proprietary: SPanel (cPanel-compatible)
|
cPanel (shared), WHM (reseller/VPS)
|
|
License Fee
|
Free with all plans (no per-account cost)
|
Paid license required on VPS plans
|
|
Account Management
|
Full admin/reseller/client separation, unlimited accounts
|
Yes, but limited by license tier
|
|
Email Management
|
Webmail, filters, autoresponders, Gmail blacklist check
|
Standard email tools (no blacklist monitoring)
|
|
DNS Editor
|
Built-in
|
Built-in
|
|
File Manager
|
With root and user-level access
|
Standard file manager
|
|
1-Click App Installer
|
WordPress Manager, Softaculous (full)
|
Softaculous (limited apps in shared plans)
|
|
WordPress Manager
|
WordPress Manager: auto updates, security, staging
|
Via Softaculous, limited automation
|
|
Node.js Manager
|
Native SPanel support + N8N integration
|
Not available by default
|
|
Redis Manager
|
GUI for enabling and monitoring Redis per site for Clouds
|
Requires manual server config or root access
|
|
Server Monitoring
|
Real-time resource monitoring (RAM, CPU, Redis usage)
|
Basic metrics via cPanel, advanced only via WHM or CLI
|
|
Security Suite
|
SShield AI-based protection, malware scanning, firewall
|
No native malware protection, addons cost extra
|
|
Automatic Backups
|
Daily backups + remote options (Hetzner, AWS S3 supported)
|
Extra cost on most plans or limited versions
|
|
Changelog & Update Logs
|
Built-in changelog system inside the panel
|
No built-in log viewer
|
|
Uptime Monitoring
|
Available with SLA and alerting
|
Not included – use external tools
|
|
Cloud/Failover Clustering
|
Clustered infrastructure (even for shared hosting)
|
Not available
|
|
Customization & White-label
|
White-labeled for resellers
|
Limited without advanced WHM setup
|
The control panel is often the most utilized system in any hosting account. Most people are well familiar with cPanel, the platform offered by HostGator and hundreds of other hosts. The platform is reliable, has a good amount of features, and is user-friendly enough for a novice user to master. Still, the rising licensing fees and lack of significant updates have left cPanel clients wanting more.
SPanel is a next-generation platform developed by the ScalaHosting team. Our operators are well-versed in the system and all it has to offer. There is no extra financial burden on the client, and you can find some unique tools native to the control panel. SPanel users are actively involved in its development, proposing and voting on features that are later included in the system.
Refunds and Hidden Fees Comparison
Anytime money-back guarantee
No backup creation or restore fees
No migration fees
No preselected paid extras upon account order
No refunds on extra services
30-day money-back guarantee
Backup restore fee - $25 (if there is a backup)
$149 for site migration; $199 for full cPanel migration
Preselected premium extras on order form
No refunds on monthly hosting plans and extra services
Hidden fees are one of the most common covert problems in the world of web hosting. Countless are the cases where the client sees a lucrative price, hurries to sign up with a host, only to find out the end fee has been severely inflated. While a big corporation might not feel that extra investment, for a startup or SMB, it can be devastating. Transparency is key when you're on a budget, and ScalaHosting ensures you always know what you pay for.
What Our Customers Say About ScalaHosting
I have been operating websites on a commercial basis since 1993 and have never been exposed to such a satisfying and positive hosting experience. We are using the NY based servers and our speed is fantastic with First Contentful paint at 0.8s and Speed Index at 1.0s. You could not get faster!
Receiving a prompt, positive response when having a question or issue is very important, particularly when working with live ecommerce sites and is a major consideration when choosing a hosting partner. I moved the 90+ websites I manage across to ScalaHosting almost two years ago after receiving a less than satisfactory service from the previous hosting company. It's a decision I've never regretted and has really been beneficial to my business.
I was having troubles with my online store going down every day losing visitors and sales. I had no choice but to look for a new provider. Then I found ScalaHosting . Those people moved my site for free and without downtime. My website never stopped loading. I'm obliged to share my feedback here to help other people in a situation such as mine before switching to ScalaHosting. I recommend them with both hands and thumbs up!
Faster Than HostGator — or We Pay You $100!
Our offer is very simple - we believe we are one of the fastest hosting providers on the market, and we are ready to put our money where our mouths are!
You can have our technicians move your HostGator website to a ScalaHosting Managed Cloud plan (free of charge, of course) with similar resource characteristics, and we guarantee it will run faster than before the switch. If we fail to live up to that promise - you will be immediately compensated with $100 for your troubles.
Sounds fair, right?
Let’s hyperspeed your website!