Is the most popular web hosting company really the best option? Sometimes popular companies have more expensive plans just because they know they can. But on the other hand, popular companies also tend to have better uptime, better customer support, and more flexible options for customizing your own online space.
Two popular hosting services are Namecheap and Godaddy. If you've ever looked into website hosting, you've probably seen Godaddy's name before. This is a pricier hosting option, but it comes with a slew of features that make website building easier. By contrast, Namecheap is much more affordable and relaxed in terms of service options.
I've taken a look at the similarities and key differences between these companies so you can decide which has the best setup for you.
Overview of Namecheap and Godaddy
Shared Features
Unique Namecheap Features
Unique Godaddy Features
Pricing
Namecheap
Namecheap's domain registration costs $8.88 per year.
Shared hosting plans come in different tiers, with base monthly prices being:
Monthly reseller hosting prices start at:
Monthly WordPress hosting prices start at:
Monthly email hosting prices start at:
Additional mailboxes add to the monthly price, but not by much.
Monthly VPS hosting prices start at:
Monthly dedicated server hosting prices start at:
Godaddy
When you're registering your own domain, the typical price is $17.99 per year. Godaddy does run some promotions that allow you to register for the first year at $11.99.
With basic web hosting services, the base monthly prices for plans are:
WordPress hosting services have the following base monthly prices:
VPS hosting comes with these base monthly prices:
And finally, dedicated hosting servers have these base monthly prices:
Keep in mind that many of these prices may become higher if you purchase upsells during checkout.
Winner: Namecheap
Not only does Namecheap have cheaper domain registration costs, but the service also has cheaper website hosting costs when compared to all of Godaddy's plans. Plus it offers email hosting.
Interface
Namecheap
When you configure your domain, a badly-organized interface can make the experience more frustrating and time-consuming than necessary. Namecheap has one of the best configuration interfaces available thanks to its intuitive layout and ease of use.
The interface places every option in the sidebar, and the DNS settings page has only the relevant information. You get quick access to every part of the domain management process by simply clicking on the appropriate button along the side or top of the page.
You can also view other products that you've purchased or that are available. In addition, there's a sharing and transfer tab for domain activity, along with advanced DNS settings if you want to do some more intensive backend development.
Godaddy
The Godaddy interface is fairly easy to use, but it's not as streamlined. The pages tend to be cluttered by advertisements and links to products that the company is upselling. It can make the process more confusing - and intentionally so. The service's hope is that you'll purchase these add-ons because you think you need them for configuration.
That sort of sours the experience. But overall, the interface functions better than a lot of other options. And because Godaddy is such a massive provider, you can find troubleshooting and tutorial guides all over the internet.
Winner: Namecheap
Namecheap's interface is sleek, simple, and intuitive. It doesn't have the same upsells that the competition does, which means that configuring your website is faster and much easier.
Extras
Namecheap
Namecheap offers completely free email forwarding rather than upselling email tools. It also bundles the WHOIS Guard privacy feature, which the competitor charges you for. Free custom nameservers are also available.
Godaddy
Godaddy is better outfitted with third party integrations, web builders, and storage space. Most Godaddy plans give you unlimited room to store your photos and other files. There are also good options for customized coding if you're a web developer.
More than 125 applications can be installed with a single click.
Winner: Namecheap
Namecheap has a number of technical extras that make it an ideal choice. It offers more features as part of the base package rather than adding an upsell charge for them. In addition, it offers some privacy features for free that Godaddy charges for.
Pros and Cons of Namecheap
Pros
Cons
Pros and Cons of Godaddy
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts: Which is Better?
Both of these web hosting services share a number of ideal features. They allow free registration and hosting of a domain name for up to a year. The management services are flexible, the overall performance is quick, the security features are comprehensive, and the customer support is constantly available. Plus, each comes with different freebies.
Namecheap is the best option for those seeking affordable service with a user-friendly interface. While it's not as feature-heavy as the competition, it's easy to use and has ideal support. The How-To videos help you get familiar with running your own website. There are also minimal upselling tactics, so the price you see is what you get.
GoDaddy is best for those who like interfaces with many integrated services and compatibility with third party applications. The one-click install and upgrade features are super convenient for those with more complex sites. It's also outfitted with better options for web developers to customize and test their code. Just be aware that it's fairly expensive and includes multiple upsell tactics.
