Hostwinds VPS vs DatabaseMart VPS: Pricing, Hardware, Features, Reviews

When choosing a VPS service, users not only consider pricing and hardware configuration, but also performance stability, ease of management, and long-term scalability. Hostwinds VPS and DatabaseMart VPS are two popular options in the market, each with its own positioning and strengths. In this article, we provide a comprehensive comparison of Hostwinds hosting and DatabaseMart hosting across multiple dimensions.

Company Background

Feature Hostwinds DatabaseMart
Founded 2010 2005
Headquarters USA USA
Main Products Shared Hosting, VPS (Linux/Windows), Cloud Servers, Dedicated Servers, SSL, Domain, etc. Windows/Linux VPS, Dedicated Servers, GPU Servers, GPU VPS, Kubernetes Clusters, Serverless LLM, Domain, SSL, etc.
Data Centers USA (Seattle, Dallas), Netherlands(Amsterdam) Dallas, Kansas

Hardware & Resource Comparison

Hardware Hostwinds DatabaseMart
CPU Model / Type Intel Xeon E3-12xx v2 (Ivy Bridge, IBRS) Intel Xeon E3-12xx v2 (Ivy Bridge, IBRS)
CPU Cores 1–16 vCPU 2–16 vCPU
CPU Dedicated or Shared Dedicated Dedicated
RAM 1GB–96GB 4GB–32GB
Disk Type SSD SSD
Disk Size 30GB–750GB 60GB–400GB
Bandwidth 1TB-9TB 100–500 Mbps Unmetered
Root Access Full root/admin access Full root/admin access
Operating System Multiple Linux & Windows OS options Multiple Linux & Windows OS options
IPs Dedicated IPv4/IPv6 Dedicated IPv4/IPv6

Hostwinds VPS — Pros & Cons

✅Pros

  1. Flexible Hardware Configuration: Hostwinds web hosting offers a wide range of RAM and SSD storage options, making it suitable for projects from lightweight websites to high-performance applications. This flexibility ensures users can scale their VPS according to evolving needs.
  2. Dedicated CPU: Each Hostwinds VPS comes with dedicated vCPU resources, providing stable and reliable performance for both web hosting and application workloads.
  3. Wide Operating System Support: Users can choose from multiple Linux distributions or Windows versions, ensuring compatibility with various software stacks and hosting requirements.

⚠️Cons

  1. Bandwidth Limitations: Hostwinds hosting bandwidth is capped per plan, which may limit high-traffic spikes.
  2. Pricing Considerations: Compared to some Hostwinds alternatives, Hostwinds pricing can be slightly higher.

DatabaseMart VPS — Pros & Cons

✅Pros

  1. Unmetered Bandwidth: DatabaseMart VPS offers unmetered bandwidth, ideal for traffic-intensive websites or applications, allowing continuous high-speed data transfer without worrying about overage charges.
  2. Dedicated CPU: Each VPS provides dedicated CPU resources, ensuring consistent performance under medium to heavy workloads.
  3. Wide OS Support: Linux and Windows operating systems are fully supported, with no additional license fees required, allowing flexible deployment for development, testing, and production environments.

⚠️Cons

  1. Limited Hardware Ceiling: The maximum RAM and disk space are lower compared to some competitors, which may not suffice for very large-scale or high-performance projects. However, DatabaseMart allows upgrading to higher-tier dedicated servers, providing flexibility for scaling workloads.
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Pricing Comparison

Linux VPS

Configuration Hostwinds Pricing DatabaseMart Pricing
2 vCore 4GB RAM 60GB SSD $39.99/month (75GB SSD & 2 TB traffic) $6.99/month(Unmetered traffic)
4 vCore 8GB RAM 140GB SSD $79.99/month (150 GB SSD & 3 TB traffic) $12.99/month(Unmetered traffic)
8 vCore 18GB RAM 240GB SSD - $23.99/month
16 vCore 32GB RAM 400GB SSD $224.99/month (8 vCore & 6 TB traffic) $63.99/month(Unmetered traffic)

Windows VPS

Configuration Hostwinds Pricing DatabaseMart Pricing
2 vCore 4GB RAM 60GB SSD $51.99/month (75GB SSD & 2 TB traffic) $9.99/month(Unmetered traffic)
4 vCore 8GB RAM 140GB SSD $103.99/month (150 GB SSD & 3 TB traffic) $18.99/month(Unmetered traffic)
8 vCore 18GB RAM 240GB SSD - $35.99/month(Unmetered traffic)
16 vCore 32GB RAM 400GB SSD $272.99/month (8 vCore & 6 TB traffic) $79.99/month(Unmetered traffic)
  1. A significant pricing gap: DatabaseMart VPS is consistently cheaper than Hostwinds VPS
    Across all comparable configurations, DatabaseMart VPS pricing is dramatically lower than Hostwinds VPS.
    From entry-level plans to higher-end options, DatabaseMart typically costs only around 20%–30% of Hostwinds pricing. For example, with a basic 2 vCore, 4GB RAM configuration, Hostwinds pricing is close to $40 per month, while DatabaseMart VPS is priced under $7. At the 4 vCore, 8GB RAM level, the gap becomes even wider.
    Overall, Hostwinds pricing clearly positions itself in the mid-to-high-end segment of the market, whereas DatabaseMart VPS focuses on delivering maximum value through low-cost, high-resource plans.
  2. Bandwidth policy differences directly impact long-term costs
    Hostwinds web hosting uses a bandwidth quota model, with most plans limited to 2TB, 3TB, or 6TB of traffic. Exceeding these limits can result in additional charges. This approach works well for workloads with predictable traffic patterns but introduces cost uncertainty for projects with fluctuating or rapidly growing traffic.
    In contrast, DatabaseMart VPS offers unmetered bandwidth, allowing much greater flexibility in data usage. This makes long-term operating costs easier to control and is especially suitable for content-driven websites, download services, and projects experiencing rapid traffic growth.
  3. Higher resource density makes DatabaseMart a stronger value-focused Hostwinds alternative
    At the same or similar price points, DatabaseMart VPS generally provides more CPU cores, larger memory allocations, and greater SSD storage capacity than Hostwinds web hosting. For users evaluating Hostwinds pricing purely from a hardware-to-cost perspective, DatabaseMart delivers a noticeably higher resource density.
  4. Simpler and more transparent pricing structure
    DatabaseMart VPS plans do not require additional payments for operating system licenses, basic monitoring, or standard management features. This results in a straightforward and predictable pricing model that is easier to budget over the long term. By contrast, Hostwinds hosting may involve extra costs for Windows licenses, advanced features, or managed services, which can increase the overall cost beyond the base VPS price.

Control Panel Comparison

Control Panel Feature Hostwinds DatabaseMart
Server Reboot/Restart/Stop ✅ Supported ✅ Supported
Server Reinstall / OS Rebuild ✅ Supported ✅ Supported
Snapshots ⚠️ Limited / plan-dependent (Cloud VPS only) ⚠️ Limited / plan-dependent
Resource Scaling ✅ Supported ✅ Supported
Monitoring ⚠️ ($2.00 Monthly) ✅ Real-time monitoring
Support Ticket Access ✅ Integrated ticket system ✅ Integrated ticket system
API / Automation Support ⚠️ Limited ⚠️ Limited
DNS Management ✅ Built-in DNS management ✅ Built-in DNS management
Third-Party Control Panel Support ✅ Supported (cPanel / Plesk, license required) ✅ Supports third-party panels with free installation assistance. Client-provided license is required.

Hostwinds Hosting Control Panel:

  • The built-in control panel is relatively basic, with more advanced features requiring additional paid upgrades.
  • Supports third-party commercial control panels such as cPanel and Plesk in a fully licensed, official manner, making it well-suited for enterprises and professional users who prioritize stability and compliance.

DatabaseMart Hosting Control Panel:

  • Includes real-time monitoring out of the box with no extra cost, making it ideal for users who prioritize performance and cost-efficiency.
  • Offers flexible support for third-party control panels, providing free installation assistance; users only need to provide their own license. This approach keeps costs low while maintaining deployment flexibility.

Database Mart Control Panel Guidance: https://www.databasemart.com/doc/customer-panel
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Features Comparison

Feature Hostwinds DatabaseMart
Hidden Fees ⚠️ Extra traffic, Cloud Backups, Hostwinds Monitoring, license ✅ No Hidden Fees
Add-on Limits 16 vCore/96GB RAM/750GB SSD 16 vCore/32GB RAM/400GB SSD (Higher configurations are available with an upgrade to a dedicated server, 32 vCore/256GB RAM/120GB SSD + 12 x 8TB SATA)
Upgrade to Dedicated Servers Yes Yes
24/7 Support Yes Yes
Billing Flexibility Monthly billing Monthly billing
Trial ❌ No ✅ Free Trial
Refund Policy The refund request must be made within 72 hours of the payment transaction time. New users registered within 30 days are eligible for a refund if unsatisfied with the VPS
Uptime 99.9999% Uptime Enterprise-grade infrastructure with 99.9% uptime
  • Cost & Budgeting:
    DatabaseMart VPS has no hidden fees, a free trial, and a risk-free refund, making it ideal for budget-conscious users. In comparison, Hostwinds VPS may incur extra costs for traffic overages, backups, or third-party licenses.
  • Scalability:
    Hostwinds VPS offers higher single-instance limits (up to 16 vCores / 96GB RAM / 750GB SSD), suitable for demanding projects. DatabaseMart VPS allows smooth upgrades to Dedicated Servers, providing flexible scaling options as workloads grow.
  • Reliability & Support:
    Both platforms provide 24/7 technical support. Hostwinds hosting guarantees slightly higher SLA (99.9999% uptime), while DatabaseMart VPS delivers stable 99.9% uptime, sufficient for most websites and applications.
  • User Experience:
    DatabaseMart VPS is flexible and cost-effective, ideal for startups, testing, or projects with unpredictable traffic. Hostwinds hosting is better suited for enterprise users who require high resources, formal licensing, and strong SLA guarantees.

Technical Support Comparison

Support Feature Hostwinds DatabaseMart
24/7 Availability
Support Channels Live Chat, Email, Ticket System Live Chat, Email, Ticket System
One-on-One Human Support
Response Time ✅ Minutes to <1 hour ✅ Minutes to <1 hour
Self-Service Resources ✅ Knowledge Base, FAQ ✅ Knowledge base, Youtube video, FAQ

💡 Both Hostwinds VPS and DatabaseMart VPS provide a robust and reliable support system, ensuring users can get assistance whenever needed. Key shared advantages include:

  • 24/7 Availability: Support is available around the clock, ensuring issues are addressed promptly at any time.
  • Multiple Support Channels: Both offer Live Chat, Email, and Ticket System, giving users flexibility in how they reach out.
  • One-on-One Human Support: Real human assistance is available for complex issues or technical guidance.
  • Fast Response Time: Typical responses occur within minutes to under an hour, making both platforms highly responsive.
  • Self-Service Resources: Both provide Knowledge Bases and FAQs for users to quickly find answers to common questions.

User Reviews & External Feedback Comparison

Hostwinds Review Summary

Overall Rating: ~2.9 / 5 ⭐ on Trustpilot with ~716+ reviews.
👍 Positive Feedback:

  • Responsive Customer Support: Many Hostwinds reviews highlight that Hostwinds hosting offers quick and responsive customer support. The support team is willing to provide assistance and guidance, especially for technical setup, domain configuration, and other basic tasks.
  • Reliable Hosting Experience: Some users report that long-term use of Hostwinds web hosting has been stable and reliable, and they would recommend the service to others.
  • Support Engagement: Several Hostwinds reviews praise Hostwinds support staff for being proactive, patient, and thorough when addressing issues.

👎 Negative Feedback:

  • Billing / Cancellation Issues: Many negative Hostwinds reviews focus on automatic renewal charges, denied refunds, or unclear refund policies. Users report being charged even after canceling services and find the billing and refund process non-transparent and difficult to resolve.
  • Customer Support Communication Problems: Some users feel that Hostwinds hosting customer support communication is inconsistent, for example, poor coordination between support and sales departments, unclear explanations for complex technical issues, or insufficient guidance when problems escalate.
  • Account / Data Handling Complaints: Users have reported difficulties during account cancellation or verification, including deleted data or hard-to-recover accounts, and feel that support does not adequately resolve these problems.
  • Misleading Policies or Practices: Negative Hostwinds reviews also mention that Hostwinds pricing, trial periods, or refund terms can be unclear or misleading. Users feel misled, especially regarding trial windows or refund eligibility, which may cause frustration.

DatabaseMart Review Summary

Overall Rating: ~4.2 / 5 ⭐ on Trustpilot with ~180+ reviews.

👍 Positive Feedback:

  • Affordable pricing & value for money: Many reviewers praise low costs and good performance given the price point.
  • Reliable uptime and stability: Users frequently mention consistent uptime and stable servers.
  • Fast and helpful support: Support via live chat or tickets is often described as responsive and effective.
  • Easy setup & non‑technical friendly: Several customers note that setup is fast and straightforward, even for beginners.
  • Good for long‑term use: Many long‑term users report consistent service and ongoing support satisfaction.

👎 Negative Feedback:

  • Performance inconsistency: A few reviewers report slow connections, hardware limitations, or reliability concerns for certain workloads.
  • Support delays in some cases: While most praise support, occasional reviews mention delays in response or inconsistent help for complex issues.

Conclusion

In the comparison between Hostwinds VPS and DatabaseMart VPS, both offer high-performance VPS solutions, but each has its own focus.

Hostwinds VPS is better suited for enterprise-level users or projects that require high stability, SLA guarantees, and formal licensing. Its strengths lie in high resource limits, broad operating system support, and a mature control panel ecosystem, meeting the needs of high-performance and professional management. However, its pricing is relatively high and bandwidth is limited, so users need to plan carefully for traffic and costs.

DatabaseMart VPS, as the Hostwinds alternative, emphasizes cost-effectiveness and flexibility, making it especially suitable for startups, testing environments, or small to medium-sized websites. It offers unmetered bandwidth, high resource density VPS configurations, and a transparent, low-cost pricing strategy, allowing users with limited budgets or unpredictable traffic to maintain stable service while easily upgrading to higher-tier dedicated servers.

Overall, when choosing a VPS, decisions should be based on project scale, budget constraints, and traffic requirements, in order to find the optimal balance between performance and cost.

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