Windows Hosting Reviews - InterServer.net (2023)

InterServer.net has been a notable player in the web hosting arena since 1999, catering to a wide array of customers, from individuals and startups to large corporations. Their offerings span across various services including Cloud VPS, dedicated server packages, and shared hosting, each tailored to meet diverse web hosting needs. Let's dive into a detailed analysis of InterServer's offerings, blending insights from my research with user reviews and expert opinions.

Performance and Features

InterServer is recognized for its speed and reliability, although it may not be the fastest compared to competitors like A2 Hosting and Bluehost. It boasts an average response time around 400-750 milliseconds, which, while not the quickest, is still commendable Citation​. Their uptime guarantee of 99.9% is a testament to their commitment to reliable service. Additionally, the company offers more than 450 free apps, key security features, and intuitive control panels for server management, though it falls short in providing a free domain name Citation​.

Ease of Use

The user interface of InterServer, while not the most streamlined, is considered fairly accessible for both beginners and advanced users. However, the interface might feel slightly sluggish with extra navigation steps. The cPanel offered is user-friendly, though it lacks automatic remote backups Citation​ Citation​.

Security

InterServer takes security seriously, with features like InterShield Security that include automatic virus scanners, a machine-learning firewall, and an in-house malware database. Weekly backups are standard, but for maximum protection, more frequent manual backups are recommended Citation​.

Hosting Plans and Pricing

InterServer offers a diverse range of services, including standard web hosting, ASP.NET hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting, email hosting, and dedicated servers. Their pricing is competitive, with shared hosting starting at $2.50 per month. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and a unique "price lock guarantee," ensuring the price you start with remains the same throughout the duration of your service. This sets them apart from many hosting providers who tend to increase prices upon renewal Citation​.

Customer Support

Customer support at InterServer has received mixed reviews. While the support staff is capable of handling various inquiries, there have been instances where responses were brief and not always detailed. This aspect seems to be a point of contention for some users, as a more comprehensive support system could enhance the overall user experience Citation​.

Additional Insights from Customer Reviews

• Speed and Uptime: Customers appreciate the speed and uptime, which aligns with the company's advertised performance metrics Citation​.
• Support: There's a general consensus that InterServer's support is efficient, though it may lack depth in some areas Citation​.
• Security and Infrastructure: The robust security measures and secure infrastructure are highly regarded among users Citation​.
• Pricing: The transparent pricing policy, including the price lock guarantee, is a significant draw for customers Citation​.

Based on the comprehensive analysis and user reviews, here's a list of pros and cons for InterServer's hosting services:

Pros

1. Speed and Performance: InterServer offers respectable speed and reliable uptime, with an average response time around 400-750 milliseconds and a 99.9% uptime guarantee Citation​ Citation​.
2. Security: Robust security measures including InterShield Security, automatic virus scanners, machine learning firewall, and an in-house malware database. They also offer a unique "Inter-Insurance" policy to clean up hacked sites at no cost Citation​.
3. Pricing Policy: The "price lock guarantee" ensures that the price remains consistent throughout the service term, setting it apart from other hosts with escalating renewal costs Citation​.
4. Customer Support: InterServer provides 24/7 technical support through live chat, a ticketing system, and telephone. Their support team has won awards for their service quality Citation​.
5. Diverse Hosting Options: Offers a wide range of hosting services such as shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and more, catering to different needs Citation​.
6. Infrastructure: Maintains server capacity at 50-55% to handle increased traffic and ensure better performance Citation​.
7. Additional Features: Free migration services, unlimited storage for shared servers, and support for multiple operating systems Citation​ Citation​.

Cons

1. Limited Managed Solutions: While managed solutions are available, most of the maintenance work on VPS or dedicated servers needs to be managed by the customer Citation​.
2. User Interface: The user interface can be sluggish and may require extra navigation steps, which might not be as streamlined as some competitors Citation​ Citation​.
3. Limited Data Center Locations: InterServer operates only a few data centers, mainly on the U.S. East Coast, which could be a limitation for non-U.S. traffic without a CDN Citation​.
4. Customer Support Depth: Some users have reported that the support team's responses can be brief and not always address specific inquiries in detail Citation​.
5. No Free Domain Name: Unlike some competitors, InterServer does not offer a free domain name with its hosting plans Citation​.
6. Backups: While weekly backups are standard, more frequent backups require manual intervention, which might be a drawback for some users Citation​.

Overall Rating

Considering the comprehensive analysis and the collated customer reviews, InterServer is a strong choice for those looking for a reliable, secure, and economically priced hosting service. While it has areas for improvement, particularly in user interface and customer support, its strengths in performance, security, and pricing make it a competitive option in the market. On a scale of 1 to 5, I would rate InterServer at 4.2 stars. This rating is reflective of their strong performance metrics, reasonable pricing, and robust security measures, offset slightly by the areas needing improvement in user interface and customer support depth.