Apollo Hosting offers mixed experiences for users, with a combination of affordability and features, but also notable drawbacks when it comes to customer service and reliability. Since its acquisition by Newfold Digital, there are considerable challenges for ongoing operational support and quality services. This review aims to explore these aspects in detail, providing a balanced view of what Apollo Hosting has to offer.
An Overview of Apollo Hosting
Established over two decades ago, Apollo Hosting was once a leader in the web hosting industry, known for its budget-friendly plans and user-friendly interfaces. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Apollo distinguished itself by providing 24/7 technical support and maintaining a customer-centric approach. However, its path altered significantly following its acquisition by Endurance International Group, now known as Newfold Digital.
Key Features and Plans
Apollo Hosting provides a variety of plans to cater to different user needs. These range from shared hosting, suitable for small business websites, to dedicated server plans designed for demanding enterprise solutions.
Shared Hosting Plans
These plans start at approximately $6.96 per month, including features like a free domain name, a decent disk space and bandwidth allocation, and 24/7 technical support. Shared hosting is an economical choice for individuals and small businesses launching their first online presence.
VPS and Dedicated Hosting
For businesses needing more power, Apollo provides VPS and dedicated server solutions. These servers are geared towards performance and security but come with substantially higher costs. Prices start from $31.96 monthly, and Apollo advertises features such as full root access, customizable plans, and robust network infrastructure.
Strengths of Apollo Hosting
One of Apollo’s significant strengths is the inclusion of useful tools for website building and management. They offer Miva Merchant, robust anti-spam systems, and SiteStudio for easy site creation. These features are appreciated by newcomers who need streamlined services.
Data Center and Infrastructure
With data centers in Boston, Apollo leverages advanced networking tools like dual routers and IDP technology firewalls to ensure secure and prompt service delivery. Their network is designed to offer fast load times and reduced service interruptions, which are crucial for uptime and reliability.
Areas for Improvement
Despite various strengths, Apollo Hosting faces criticism, particularly around customer support and reliability issues following their integration into Newfold Digital. Customer reviews often cite significant downtime, communication challenges, and slow technical assistance as persistent concerns.
Customer Support Issues
Users have reported dissatisfaction with customer support, highlighting slow response times and ineffective problem resolutions. The company’s shift to outsourcing technical support has seemingly diluted the quality of service experienced in the company’s early years.
Service Reliability
There are frequent complaints about service disruptions, notably during server migrations and platform upgrades, which have negatively impacted business sites. Such occurrences can result in data loss and operational inefficiencies, underscoring the need for Apollo to enhance its infrastructure resilience.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Plan Type | Shared, VPS, Dedicated |
| Starting Price | $6.96/month for shared plans |
| Support | 24/7 live chat, phone support |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% |
| Server Location | Boston, MA |
Is Apollo Hosting Right for Your Needs?
Considering the mixed feedback, Apollo Hosting may suit businesses that prioritize budget-friendly options and are willing to compromise on certain service consistency issues. However, if you are seeking top-tier reliability and exceptional customer service, exploring alternative options may be wise.
Conclusion
Apollo Hosting presents both appealing features and notable shortcomings. While it provides an accessible entry point for small businesses and individuals dipping their toes in the digital waters, the challenges in customer support and service reliability cannot be overlooked. As with any service decision, weighing the pros and cons against your specific requirements and backup strategies is essential.