To compare the best web hosts, we hosted the same WordPress website on each one and tested performance, customer service, and value for money. Check out the results here.
Bratislava-based VNET provides telecommunications and internet services plus web hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers. Its main website can be switched between the Slovak and English languages, but its web hosting subsite seems to be stuck in Slovak.
The website looks good and loads fast. Hosting plans are easy to compare, and there is plenty of information to help you make a solid decision. Although you can order a hosting package online, the order buttons don’t work for dedicated and virtual servers.
Features and Ease of Use
VNET’s Admin Zone self-service portal (effectively its control panel) lets you administer your web hosting features, including:
- Domains and subdomains
- Email accounts, aliases, and redirects
- FTP accounts
- MySQL databases
- Domain name servers
- AWStats site statistics
- Cron jobs
Your hosting account supports unlimited data transfer (so you can move files without restrictions) and offers a 99% uptime guarantee (which is quite a bit lower than the industry average). VNET will transfer your website, databases, and emails for free.
Backup hardware and technical support are guaranteed for the duration of your contract. 100 GB to 200 GB backup storage is an optional extra (but a trial is free), and you can also pay extra for L1 to L3 support.
All plans include a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate that will secure your site and help improve your search engine standing. Multi-plan customers also enjoy DDoS protection.
To administer your resources remotely, you can download the remote manager app that works with Windows, Linux, and Android.
Stepping up from shared hosting takes you first to a VPS with unlimited traffic. The virtual servers are scalable and cheaper than dedicated servers. Your VPS can be set up within nine minutes of placing an order. Scaling up further takes you to cost-effective dedicated servers that can handle huge workloads. Dedicated servers are installed and configured by in-house specialists at Bratislava’s SHC III data center.
If you’re not interested in shared hosting, VPS, or a dedicated server, you can consider the cloud solution, which is perfect for business owners seeking a flexible and dynamic IT infrastructure. Built on OpenStack and powered by high-performance HP servers, the cloud environment enables you to develop and test enterprise web applications. The deployment of cloud services is managed through the OpenStack platform and utilizes the KVM hypervisor.
Pricing and Support
When it comes to picking a package, I wouldn’t recommend the basic START package since it comes with only 5 MB storage space, which is insufficient for almost any website. However, scaling up allows you to unlock more storage and get unlimited MySQL databases, daily backups, and additional addon domains. You’ll also enjoy DDoS protection.
You can pay for your package using PayPal, CardPay, or TatraPay, on four billing cycles from monthly to annual. It looks like you can only get a refund if VNET fails to provide the hosting service for a specified period of time.
VNET provides 24/7 technical support at three levels. At any given time, there are six certified support technicians ready to answer your questions or resolve your hosting issues. You can reach out to them by calling the local or international telephone support lines (during working hours on weekdays) or by sending an email.
Since I found some of the order links to be broken (for a VPS), I asked for advice via the email channel:
