A2 Hosting Overview

A2 Hosting has built its reputation on speed and performance, with claims of "up to 20X faster" hosting through their Turbo servers. Founded in 2003, they offer a range of hosting solutions from shared to dedicated servers, with a strong focus on developer-friendly features.

Our Verdict

A2 Hosting delivers exceptional speed and performance, especially on their Turbo plans. While slightly more expensive than budget hosts, the premium features and developer tools make it worth considering for performance-conscious users.

We tested A2's Turbo Boost shared hosting plan for 6 months, monitoring its performance, features, and support quality. Here's our detailed assessment.

A2 Hosting Pricing & Plans

A2 offers four tiers of shared hosting with significant performance differences between standard and Turbo plans:

Plan Price Websites Storage Type
Startup $2.99/mo (renews at $10.99/mo) 1 100GB SSD Standard
Drive $4.99/mo (renews at $12.99/mo) Unlimited Unlimited SSD Standard
Turbo Boost $9.99/mo (renews at $20.99/mo) Unlimited Unlimited NVMe Turbo
Turbo Max $14.99/mo (renews at $25.99/mo) Unlimited Unlimited NVMe Turbo+
Important Note

The Turbo plans use NVMe storage and LiteSpeed servers for significantly better performance. The Turbo Boost plan offers the best value for most users needing speed without the highest price tag.

Performance Tests

We monitored an A2 Turbo Boost hosting account with a WordPress site over 6 months. Key performance metrics:

Strengths

  • 99.99% uptime in our tests
  • Average load time: 0.8s (Turbo cache)
  • NVMe storage on Turbo plans
  • LiteSpeed server technology

Weaknesses

  • Higher renewal prices
  • Turbo plans more expensive
  • No free domain on most plans
  • Limited data center locations

Our test site handled over 500 concurrent visitors without slowdowns thanks to LiteSpeed caching. A2's Turbo servers delivered on their speed promises in our tests.

Key Features

A2 Hosting includes several premium features, especially on Turbo plans:

  • Turbo Servers: Up to 20X faster page loads (NVMe + LiteSpeed)
  • Free SSL: Let's Encrypt SSL included
  • Developer Friendly: SSH, Git, WP-CLI, multiple PHP versions
  • Free Site Migration: Professional migration service
  • Automatic Backups: Free on Drive and Turbo plans
  • HackScan Protection: Free malware scanning
  • Money-Back Guarantee: Anytime on unmanaged plans

A2 stands out with its developer tools and performance-focused features, though some advanced options require technical knowledge.

Ease of Use

A2 uses standard cPanel which balances usability with advanced functionality, though the interface can feel technical for beginners.

Developer Focused

While A2 provides one-click installers for beginners, the hosting environment is clearly optimized for developers with access to advanced tools and configurations.

Notable usability aspects:

  • Standard cPanel interface (familiar to many users)
  • Softaculous one-click installer for 400+ apps
  • WordPress optimization tools
  • Detailed knowledge base with technical documentation

Customer Support

A2 offers 24/7/365 "Guru Crew" support via phone, chat, and tickets. We tested response times and expertise:

  • Average response time: 2 minutes for chat, 5 minutes for phone
  • Technical expertise: Excellent for technical issues
  • Knowledge base: Very detailed with developer resources
  • Unique feature: Anytime money-back guarantee on unmanaged plans

A2's support team showed strong technical knowledge in our tests, though less experienced users might find some explanations too technical.

A2 Hosting Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • Exceptional speed with Turbo servers
  • Developer-friendly environment
  • Reliable uptime
  • NVMe storage on Turbo plans
  • Good security features
  • Anytime money-back guarantee

Disadvantages

  • Higher prices than budget hosts
  • Steep renewal rates
  • No free domain on most plans
  • Fewer data center options
  • Interface can feel technical

A2 Hosting Alternatives

Depending on your needs, these alternatives might be better suited:

  • SiteGround: Better managed WordPress hosting
  • Hostinger: More affordable budget option
  • Kinsta: Premium managed WordPress hosting
  • DreamHost: Stronger unlimited hosting option

A2 shines for users needing speed and developer tools. If you prioritize managed services or lower prices, consider alternatives.

Conclusion: Is A2 Hosting Right For You?

Our Final Rating: 4.5/5

After extensive testing, we recommend A2 Hosting for:

  • Developers needing advanced tools
  • Performance-conscious website owners
  • WordPress users wanting speed
  • Those who value technical support

The Turbo Boost plan offers the best balance of price and performance for most users. Consider the Startup plan only for very basic needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is A2 Hosting good for WordPress?

Yes, A2 offers optimized WordPress hosting with caching and security features. Their Turbo plans are especially good for WordPress performance.

Does A2 Hosting offer a money-back guarantee?

A2 offers an anytime money-back guarantee on unmanaged plans (prorated after 30 days). Managed plans have a 30-day full refund policy.

How fast is A2 Hosting really?

In our tests, A2's Turbo servers delivered page loads under 1 second consistently, making them among the fastest shared hosting we've tested.

Is A2 Hosting good for beginners?

While A2 has one-click installers, its interface and features are more technical than beginner-focused hosts. It's better suited for intermediate to advanced users.