HostRocket vs. AN Hosting vs. AT&T Yahoo! Website Hosting Comparison
HostRocket Website Hosting
Based in New York’s “Tech Valley” (Clifton Park), HostRocket has grown steadily using only private investors since their founding in 1999. They provide a variety of hosting and related services for individuals and businesses around the globe, including e-commerce functions, dedicated hosting and web site design packages.
Pros
Hosting available month by month with no contract
No data transfer or e-mail limitations
Host multiple domains through one customer account
Money-back guarantee
Cons
Additional costs for a few options otherwise included with other vendors
Must purchase 24 months in advance to get listed monthly rate
Basic yet full “one size fits all” package
Conclusion HostRocket offers a robust and feature-rich package that should satisfy almost any individual or business requirement. The variable-length term of service (with its graduated cost) is a plus not offered by every hosting service. While their list of included features is full and attractive, it does include some hidden costs that might otherwise be standard with other vendors.
AN Hosting started in 2001 as a small two-man operation in Chicago. The company grew quickly and was acquired by their parent company midPhase in 2005, which collectively operates a network of over 1000 servers. AN Hosting has a long list of awards for excellence in customer service.
Pros
Highly rated customer service, including C|Net and BBB
Large, generous limits on space quotas and transfer rates
30-day money back guarantee
99.9% uptime guarantee
Cons
Limited customizable options available
Basic yet full “one size fits all” package
Conclusion AN Hosting is a good mid-range hosting provider for the individual who knows what they want and does not require much help in their setup. At the same time, the multiple awards for customer service will benefit the new users and ensure a pleasant experience. Their ownership by midPhase Services may lead to changes in terms of service at some point in the future.
AT&T® and Yahoo!® Small Business have become icons and industry giants in the telecommunications world. Their breadth of scope, professional expertise, stability and reliability are known globally and stand out from the smaller players in the industry.
Pros
Name-brand reliability, stability and confidence
Unlimited e-mail, disk space and data transfer
Well-designed user-friendly interfaces and tools
Extensive marketing partners available for businesses
Cons
Most expensive hosting plan evaluated
Service in renewable three-month terms only, no other length available
Conclusion The brand recognition for both AT&T® and Yahoo!® speak for themselves. The services are a little more expensive than most but that additional cost also comes with unparalleled reliability, corporate stability and customer service that rivals any other hosting provider. Yahoo!® services and user-friendly interfaces and tools are among the best available.
