FatCow vs HostMetro

FatCow was founded in 1998 in New Mexico and is now headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. They built their reputation on simplicity, offering one shared hosting plan with unlimited disk space, unlimited bandwidth, and a free domain name for the first year. Their platform includes practical tools like a point-and-click website builder, one-click app installers, daily backups, unlimited email hosting with spam filtering, and ShopSite eCommerce integration for small business owners. Their WordPress WP Essential plan adds SSD infrastructure for faster performance and SiteLock protection to help prevent security threats. Pricing starts at $4.08 per month for the main shared hosting plan during the first term, with WordPress hosting options starting at $3.75 per month. This competitive pricing makes them appealing to individuals and small businesses looking for a budget-friendly hosting provider. Customer feedback over the years has shifted, with many users praising the easy setup and affordable introductory pricing but raising concerns about limited hosting options, slow support, and billing issues. FatCow’s lack of VPS, dedicated, or cloud hosting plans can be restrictive for larger projects, but for those who need a straightforward, low-cost way to get a website online, they offer a simple and functional solution.

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, HostMetro specializes in shared web hosting services that combine affordability with ease of use. They primarily cater to individuals and small businesses seeking straightforward hosting with no hidden costs. Their signature Price Lock Guarantee distinguishes them from competitors by keeping renewal rates fixed for the life of the account. Other notable features include unlimited email accounts, cPanel access, free site migration, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. While HostMetro receives praise for its budget-friendly plans and user-friendly setup, some users report slower performance and occasional downtime. The company’s U.S.-based customer support and transparent pricing model, however, remain strong points. Overall, HostMetro presents a reliable entry-level hosting solution for users prioritizing simplicity, stable costs, and basic website functionality.