Quick verdict
A2 Hosting is the shared host we suggest to developers and tinkerers. The Michigan-based company built its name on speed-focused Turbo plans running LiteSpeed, and on giving shared hosting customers tools that usually come with a VPS: SSH access, Git, a choice of PHP versions and support for languages beyond PHP. You also choose your data center at sign-up, which is handy if your audience isn’t in the US.
One thing to be aware of: A2 Hosting rebranded as hosting.com in 2025, so the website, checkout and some plan details now sit under the new name. The technology and the developer-friendly approach carry over, but confirm current plans and policies on the new site before you buy. Beginners will find the cPanel setup less polished than custom dashboards, and as usual, renewals cost more than the intro price.
Buy A2 Hosting Turbo Boost if you want LiteSpeed speed with SSH and Git on a shared budget. If you just want the simplest possible WordPress setup, a beginner-first host is a better match.
Pros & cons
What we liked
- Turbo plans run on LiteSpeed with built-in caching
- SSH, Git and multiple PHP versions on shared hosting
- Choice of data centers in the US, Europe and Asia
- Standard cPanel with a one-click app installer
- Supports Node.js, Python and other languages
What we didn’t
- Renewal prices are much higher than the intro price
- Entry plan misses the Turbo speed upgrades
- Recent rebrand means plans and terms are still settling
- cPanel is less beginner-friendly than custom dashboards
- Upsells for security and backup add-ons
Pricing & plans
We track three A2 shared plans: Startup, Drive and Turbo Boost. Startup is a basic single-site plan. Drive adds room for more sites and automatic backups. Turbo Boost is where A2’s reputation comes from, with LiteSpeed servers and more resources per account, and it’s the plan we’d pick for most people choosing A2 on purpose. See current prices in the table below.
All plans include free SSL, cPanel, email accounts and the one-click installer, plus SSH access. Moving up mainly adds more sites, storage, server resources and, on Turbo, the LiteSpeed stack. A2 also sells VPS, dedicated and reseller hosting if you outgrow shared plans.
| Plan | Intro price | Renews at | Websites | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Startup | $2.99/mo | $12.99/mo | 1 | One site |
| Drive | $5.99/mo | $14.99/mo | Unlimited | Multiple sites |
| Turbo BoostOur pick | $6.99/mo | $25.99/mo | Unlimited | Speed-critical sites |
Intro prices are for a 36-month term. Prices checked Oct 4, 2026 — A2 Hosting changes them often, so check the live price before you buy.
Terms, renewals and the rebrand
Like most shared hosts, A2 gives its lowest price to the longest prepaid term, and plans renew at a higher regular rate. Since the rebrand, plan names and term options may shift, so compare the table here with what checkout shows you. Our guide to hosting renewal prices explains how to plan ahead, and our A2 Hosting coupons list current first-term deals.
Speed test results
A2’s Turbo plans swap the usual Apache web server for LiteSpeed, which handles busy sites more efficiently, and pair it with the LiteSpeed Cache plugin for WordPress. Turbo accounts also get more server resources and are placed on less crowded servers. On non-Turbo plans you still get SSD storage and a caching setup, but not the LiteSpeed advantage.
Average TTFB, 180 days
The chart above compares time to first byte on our identical test site across every host we track, measured from several regions (see how we test). Picking the data center closest to your visitors makes a real difference with A2, since you choose it yourself at sign-up.
Uptime
A2 has long offered an uptime commitment on its hosting, with service credits if it falls short. The meter above shows what our own monitor recorded. After the rebrand, read the current service agreement for the exact terms rather than relying on older reviews.
Ease of use
A2 uses standard cPanel, so if you’ve used another cPanel host, you’ll feel at home right away. It’s functional rather than friendly, and newcomers may need a tutorial or two. The upside is flexibility: almost anything you’d want to change on a shared server is within reach.
- WordPress: one-click install through Softaculous, with a WordPress-optimized setup option.
- Developer tools: SSH access, Git, WP-CLI and a selectable PHP version per account.
- Migration: free site migration is offered for new accounts; request it after sign-up.
- Staging: available through the Softaculous installer for WordPress sites.
The flip side of all that control is responsibility. A2 gives you room to configure PHP settings, cron jobs and caching yourself, which developers enjoy and beginners can find overwhelming. If you just want WordPress to work without touching settings, a more guided host will feel easier.
Customer support
A2 has historically offered support around the clock through live chat, tickets and phone, and its team has a good reputation for handling technical questions, which suits its developer audience. Since the rebrand, the available channels and their hours may have changed, so check the contact page before you rely on phone help. A detailed knowledge base covers most server-level tasks.
If you’re comfortable searching a knowledge base before asking for help, you’ll get the most out of A2. Developers often solve problems themselves with SSH and logs, and support is there for the server-side issues you can’t reach.
Who A2 Hosting is for
Choose A2 Hosting if you…
- want SSH, Git and PHP version control on shared hosting
- run Node.js, Python or other non-PHP projects
- want LiteSpeed speed without moving to a VPS
- need a data center in Europe or Asia
Look elsewhere if you…
- want the simplest possible beginner dashboard
- prefer a host with stable, long-standing branding and terms
- are looking for the lowest long-term price
- need fully managed cloud servers (see Cloudways)
A2 Hosting alternatives
Best overall, from $2.69/mo.
Read review →Best European hosting, from $1/mo.
Read review →Best dedicated servers, from $2.29/mo.
Read review →Torn between A2 and a support-first host? Read SiteGround vs A2 Hosting. If you’re ready for dedicated resources, our Cloudways review covers the next step up.
Frequently asked questions
Is A2 Hosting good for developers?
Yes, it’s one of the better shared hosts for developers. SSH, Git, WP-CLI and a choice of PHP versions come as standard, and you can run Node.js or Python apps without moving to a VPS.
What are Turbo plans?
Turbo plans run on LiteSpeed web servers instead of Apache, with more resources per account. They’re A2’s speed-focused tier and the main reason to choose it.
Is A2 Hosting good for WordPress?
Yes, especially on Turbo plans with LiteSpeed Cache. Beginners may prefer a host with a guided WordPress dashboard, but anyone comfortable with cPanel will do well here.
Can I get a refund?
A2 has long offered a money-back guarantee on shared hosting. Refund terms may have changed with the rebrand, so confirm them on the official site before you buy.
Is there an A2 Hosting coupon code?
See our A2 Hosting coupons page for deals we’ve checked recently. Discounts apply to the first term only.