iPage vs SITE5

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, iPage is a veteran in the web hosting industry known for offering straightforward, budget-friendly solutions for individuals and small businesses. Their platform integrates hosting, domain registration, email, and a drag-and-drop website builder into one streamlined package, removing much of the complexity often associated with setting up a website. They provide unlimited storage and scalable bandwidth, a free domain for the first year, SSL certificates, and one-click WordPress installation, making them an accessible option for beginners. Now operating under Newfold Digital (formerly Endurance International Group), iPage continues to serve existing customers but has stopped accepting new users as the brand transitions into iPage by Network Solutions. While they’ve long been appreciated for simplicity and low startup costs, user feedback has become mixed, with recurring complaints about slow support and rising renewal rates. Despite these shifts, iPage remains part of Newfold’s extensive hosting network, a portfolio that also includes Bluehost and HostGator. Their legacy stands as a reflection of accessible web hosting for newcomers, even as the company’s focus shifts toward integration within the broader Network Solutions ecosystem.

Site5 launched in 1999 in Dallas as a hosting provider geared toward designers, developers, and small businesses. Before becoming part of Network Solutions, they offered shared, reseller, and managed VPS hosting with unmetered bandwidth, free SSL certificates, nightly backups, and free site migrations. Their platform was easy to manage, supported multiple programming languages, and included tools like cPanel, SSH, and Softaculous. Users appreciated the reliable uptime and developer-friendly setup, though limited server locations and the use of traditional hard drives were notable downsides. This quick overview reflects Site5’s services before their transition under Network Solutions.