A Small Orange vs FastComet

A Small Orange launched in 2003 and became known for offering simple hosting plans designed for both beginners and growing businesses. They provided shared, VPS, reseller, and dedicated hosting, giving users flexible options based on site size and performance needs. Their shared hosting plans stood out for including cPanel, SSD storage, unlimited email accounts, and Weebly’s drag-and-drop builder, which helped users create and manage websites without technical experience. WordPress-optimized servers, one-click installs, and a wide app marketplace added convenience for personal and business sites. Security features were solid, with password-protected directories, spam filtering, hotlink protection, and daily backups included across plans. Developers also had access to multiple coding languages, MySQL databases, and custom error page tools. Customer support was available through 24/7 live chat and email, though some users found responses brief and missed having phone support. Pricing tended to run higher than many competitors, and users needed to buy SSL certificates separately, which increased total costs. While A Small Orange is no longer active, their review offers context for what customers valued and where the service fell short. Readers can use these insights to compare today’s hosting providers and choose an option that matches their budget and website goals.

FastComet, founded in 2013 in San Francisco, has grown into a global hosting provider trusted by more than 750,000 websites across 11 data centers worldwide. They built their reputation around delivering reliable, secure, and affordable hosting solutions for individuals and small businesses. Their plans are powered by enterprise-grade AMD EPYC processors, NVMe SSD storage, and LiteSpeed Enterprise servers, which help websites run faster and handle traffic more efficiently. Security is also a priority, with protections like Imunify360, free SSL certificates, and Cloudflare CDN integration included in every plan. Customers often highlight FastComet’s responsive 24/7 support team. Their service also includes free daily backups, a free domain name, and features like the WordPress Toolkit and over 450 one-click apps, making management simpler for both beginners and developers. This balance of affordability, performance, and hands-on support makes FastComet a solid choice in the hosting space.