When I first encountered is*hosting, I was immediately intrigued by its diverse offerings and global infrastructure. It has an impressive reach, with 37 data centers spread across 31 countries.
My initial impression of is*hosting is that it’s a robust, feature-rich hosting provider that caters to a wide array of needs, from simple VPS setups to complex dedicated server configurations. Its focus on high-end equipment in Tier 3+ data centers speaks to a commitment to reliability and performance crucial in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
My performance tests revealed impressive results, with the CPU benchmark showing solid computational power and the disk I/O test demonstrating excellent write speeds and low latency.
is*hosting has an impressive rating of 4.9 from 757 customer reviews on HostAdvice and 4.3 from 48 reviews on Trustpilot.
However, as with any hosting provider, the real test lies in the details — the day-to-day performance, the responsiveness of customer support, and the overall user experience.
In this is*hosting review, I’ll dive deep into these aspects, exploring everything from the ease of getting started to the nitty-gritty of their control panel.
We’ve developed a comprehensive rating methodology to ensure consistent and fair evaluations of hosting providers. This methodology guides our assessment process, allowing us to provide you with accurate and reliable reviews.
Visit our methodology page for a detailed explanation of our approach.
Here’s my rating breakdown for is*hosting:
Parameters | Score | Why did I give this score? |
Pricing | 9.0 | is*hosting offers competitive pricing with a good balance between cost and features. Its plans are affordable and highly valued, especially given the performance and global infrastructure. |
Features | 8.7 | The VPS has robust features, including NVMe storage, multiple OS options, unmetered traffic, and strong security measures. Choosing from 31 countries for server location is a significant advantage. However, the absence of a free domain name slightly reduces the score. |
Performance | 9.5 | Performance tests revealed impressive results. The CPU benchmark showed solid computational power with 480.44 events per second. The disk I/O test demonstrated excellent write speeds of 2760 IOPS and low latency (average of 360.82 microseconds). These results indicate that is*hosting’s infrastructure is well-optimized for various hosting needs. |
Ease of Use | 9.0 | The registration process is straightforward and intuitive. The ability to easily upgrade resources as needed is a plus for user-friendliness. |
Support | 9.1 | is*hosting offers 24/7 technical support through various channels, including a ticketing system, email, and a comprehensive Help Center. The support team is reportedly fast and responsive. However, the lack of live chat support, which some users prefer for immediate assistance, slightly reduces the score. |
is*hosting offers a diverse range of hosting solutions. Its services include:
is*hosting accepts various payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, cryptocurrencies, QIWI, Unionpay, Boleto, Alipay, and cashless payments for individuals and legal entities in the USA and EU.
Let’s explore each hosting type and their recommended plans:
Plan Name | Space | CPU | RAM | OS | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linux KVM VPS - Lite | 20 GB | 1 x 2.60GHz | 1 GB | NZ$8.08 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Start | 30 GB | 2 x 2.60GHz | 2 GB | NZ$16.16 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Medium | 40 GB | 3 x 2.60GHz | 4 GB | NZ$32.33 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Premium | 50 GB | 4 x 2.60GHz | 8 GB | NZ$64.66 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Elite | 80 GB | 6 x 2.60GHz | 16 GB | NZ$96.99 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Exclusive | 100 GB | 8 x 2.60GHz | 32 GB | NZ$145.48 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Start | 40 GB | 2 x 2.60GHz | 2 GB | NZ$16.16 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Medium | 40 GB | 3 x 2.60GHz | 4 GB | NZ$32.33 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Premium | 40 GB | 4 x 2.60GHz | 8 GB | NZ$64.66 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Elite | 50 GB | 6 x 2.60GHz | 16 GB | NZ$96.99 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Exclusive | 100 GB | 8 x 2.60GHz | 32 GB | NZ$145.48 | Details |
is*hosting offers VPS plans with options to select from 31 countries and between Linux and Windows operating systems.
My Recommended Plan is the Medium plan.
The Medium plan offers most users a good balance of resources, with unmetered bandwidth and sufficient CPU and RAM for moderate workloads.
Plan Name | Space | CPU | RAM | OS | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dedicated server - NL3-10 (SPECIAL) | 1 TB | 8 x 3.50GHz | 16 GB | NZ$169.73 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-11 (SPECIAL) | 512 GB | 6 x 3.50GHz | 16 GB | NZ$234.38 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-12 (SPECIAL) | 1 TB | 8 x 3.70GHz | 32 GB | NZ$282.88 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-1 | 750 GB | 4 x 3.40GHz | 8 GB | NZ$129.31 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-2 | 1 TB | 4 x 3.40GHz | 16 GB | NZ$145.48 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-3 | 500 GB | 4 x 3.10GHz | 8 GB | NZ$137.40 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-4 | 2 TB | 4 x 3.10GHz | 16 GB | NZ$161.64 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-5 | 2 TB | 8 x 3.40GHz | 16 GB | NZ$177.81 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-6 | 2 TB | 8 x 3.40GHz | 32 GB | NZ$193.97 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-7 | 4 TB | 24 x 2.10GHz | 128 GB | NZ$355.62 | Details |
is*hosting provides both managed and unmanaged dedicated server options in four countries: Ukraine, Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA.
You can customize your server configuration based on CPU cores, RAM, disk type, bandwidth, and DDoS protection.
Recommended Plan: This varies based on your specific needs, but a mid-range option in the Netherlands or Germany could be a good starting point for many users.
Plan Name | Price | |
---|---|---|
Amnezia VPN | NZ$8.08 | Details |
Private VPN with Static IP | NZ$8.08 | Details |
is*hosting offers two main types of VPN servers: a Private VPN with Static IP and an Amnezia VPN solution.
The Private VPN with Static IP is a fully customizable option that provides root access to your VPS configuration, allowing you to control your VPN setup completely. This service supports multiple VPN protocols, including PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, WireGuard, and OpenVPN.
It offers 2+ accounts for PPTP and L2TP/IPsec, 10+ accounts for OpenVPN (5 TCP + 5 UDP), 5+ configurations of WireGuard, and 2+ accounts for Socks 5 proxies. The VPS comes with 512MB RAM, 1 core, 5GB disk space, runs on CentOS 7, and provides a connection speed of 1 Gbit/s with disabled logging.
Recommended Plan: Private VPN with Static IP
To evaluate the performance of is*hosting’s VPS offerings, I decided to employ a CPU benchmark test using sysbench and Disk Performance Test with fio.
This benchmarking tool lets me assess the server’s raw computational power, giving me valuable insights into its performance capabilities.
The sysbench CPU test I conducted specifically measures the server’s ability to calculate prime numbers up to a specified limit. This test is an excellent indicator of single-core CPU performance, which is crucial for many server applications, particularly those that aren’t heavily multi-threaded.
For this test, I used a Medium – Linux NVMe plan from is*hosting. This VPS configuration has a Xeon CPU offering 3 cores at 2.60 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, and a 40GB NVMe disk. It’s running Ubuntu 22 x64.
To perform the test, I installed sysbench and ran a CPU benchmark with the following command:
sysbench cpu --cpu-max-prime=20000 run
This command instructs sysbench to calculate prime numbers up to 20,000, a moderately intensive workload.
The results I obtained are as follows:
These results indicate a solid performance for a VPS in this price range. The server processed 480.44 events per second, which is respectable for a medium-tier VPS.
The average latency of 2.08 ms suggests that the CPU responds quickly to tasks, and even the maximum latency, at 5.18 ms, stays low.
The consistency in performance is also noteworthy. The small difference between the minimum latency (2.02 ms) and the 95th percentile latency (2.22 ms) indicates that the server maintains stable performance under load, which is crucial for hosting applications that require consistent response times.
These results are good because this is a shared VPS environment. They suggest that is*hosting is not overselling its resources, which can be a common issue with some VPS providers. The performance I see here should be adequate for a wide range of web hosting tasks, from running content management systems to hosting small to medium-sized web applications.
The FIO test measures write performance, which is crucial for many server applications, particularly those involving databases or file uploads. This test simulates a workload that writes data in small blocks (4KB) with direct I/O and synchronous writes, mimicking scenarios where data integrity is paramount.
I used the same Medium—Linux NVMe plan from is*hosting for the CPU test. This VPS configuration includes a 40GB NVMe disk, which provides excellent I/O performance.
To perform the test, I ran the following command:
fio --name=write_test --size=1G --filename=write_test_file --bs=4k --rw=write --direct=1 --sync=1
This command instructs fio to write a 1GB file using 4KB block sizes, with direct I/O and synchronous writes.
The key results from my test are as follows:
These results indicate solid performance for an NVMe-based VPS in this price range. The server managed to sustain 2760 I/O operations per second (IOPS) for small block writes, which is respectable for a virtualized environment. The bandwidth of 10.8MiB/s is consistent with the IOPS given the small block size used in the test.
The latency figures are particularly impressive. An average latency of just 360.82 microseconds suggests that the storage system responds very quickly to write requests. Even at the 99th percentile, the latency remains low at 619 microseconds, indicating consistent performance even under sustained load.
Notably, 96.73% of operations are completed in under 500 microseconds, which is excellent for most web hosting and database applications. Only a tiny fraction of operations (0.01%) took longer than 10 milliseconds, suggesting very few if any, noticeable delays in write operations.
The test also shows that the CPU usage during this I/O-intensive operation was relatively low (1.18% user, 9.18% system), indicating that the storage subsystem is efficient and doesn’t overly tax the CPU.
is*hosting offers multiple communication channels to ensure customers can easily reach out for assistance:
is*hosting also provides a comprehensive Help Center with a database of articles covering general, technical, and financial questions.
This self-service option is available 24/7 and includes a convenient search function and detailed instructions for setting up services. It’s an excellent resource for finding quick answers to common questions without contacting support directly.
From my experience, is*hosting’s customer service is fast and responsive across all channels. The technical support team, in particular, stands out for their quick response times and in-depth knowledge.
To test is*hosting’s ease of use, I’ll examine how easy it is to register, get started, and examine the ishosting Control Panel.
These aspects are crucial in determining how user-friendly the service is for beginners and experienced users.
The registration process with is*hosting is straightforward and intuitive. Here’s how you can get started:
Navigate to the is*hosting homepage.
Depending on your needs, click on either the “VPS Pricing” or “Dedicated Pricing” buttons. For this example, I’ll focus on VPS hosting.
Browse the VPS plans and click “Order now” on your preferred option.
On the next page, you’ll be presented with a range of customization options:
After configuring your VPS to your liking, click “Add to cart” and then “Go to Checkout” to complete your purchase and get started.
I found the registration process to be straightforward and intuitive. The step-by-step configuration allows you to easily customize your VPS according to your specific needs, while clear descriptions of each option help even beginners make informed choices.
The clean and well-organized layout makes navigating the various options easy without feeling overwhelmed.
The is*hosting Control Panel is organized into several main sections, each designed to help you manage different aspects of your hosting services:
In my experience, the is*hosting Control Panel is intuitive and well-organized. The layout is clean and straightforward, making it easy to navigate between different sections.
I found the integration of billing, support, and service management in one place particularly convenient. A Help Center directly within the control panel is a nice touch, allowing quick access to information without leaving the interface.
Overall, the control panel seems designed with user experience in mind, offering a comprehensive yet easy-to-use interface for managing all aspects of your hosting services. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this layout should make finding what you need simple and effectively managing your hosting environment.
After thoroughly examining is*hosting’s offerings and services, I recommend them as a hosting provider, particularly for users who prioritize flexibility, performance, and global reach.
From my perspective, is*hosting stands out in several key areas. First and foremost, their extensive network of data centers across 31 countries is impressive. This global infrastructure provides excellent options for location-specific hosting and demonstrates is*hosting’s commitment to serving a diverse, international clientele.
Another standout feature is their approach to customization. The ability to fine-tune your server configuration, from CPU and RAM to operating system and security features, allows for a level of personalization that I find invaluable.
While their pricing isn’t the lowest in the market, I believe the value proposition is strong when considering the quality of infrastructure and the range of services offered. The adage “you get what you pay for” certainly applies here, and in my experience, cutting corners on hosting often leads to headaches down the line.
Plan Name | Space | CPU | RAM | OS | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linux KVM VPS - Lite | 20 GB | 1 x 2.60GHz | 1 GB | NZ$8.08 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Start | 30 GB | 2 x 2.60GHz | 2 GB | NZ$16.16 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Medium | 40 GB | 3 x 2.60GHz | 4 GB | NZ$32.33 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Premium | 50 GB | 4 x 2.60GHz | 8 GB | NZ$64.66 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Elite | 80 GB | 6 x 2.60GHz | 16 GB | NZ$96.99 | Details | |
Linux KVM VPS - Exclusive | 100 GB | 8 x 2.60GHz | 32 GB | NZ$145.48 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Start | 40 GB | 2 x 2.60GHz | 2 GB | NZ$16.16 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Medium | 40 GB | 3 x 2.60GHz | 4 GB | NZ$32.33 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Premium | 40 GB | 4 x 2.60GHz | 8 GB | NZ$64.66 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Elite | 50 GB | 6 x 2.60GHz | 16 GB | NZ$96.99 | Details | |
Windows KVM VPS - Exclusive | 100 GB | 8 x 2.60GHz | 32 GB | NZ$145.48 | Details |
Plan Name | Space | CPU | RAM | OS | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dedicated server - NL3-10 (SPECIAL) | 1 TB | 8 x 3.50GHz | 16 GB | NZ$169.73 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-11 (SPECIAL) | 512 GB | 6 x 3.50GHz | 16 GB | NZ$234.38 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-12 (SPECIAL) | 1 TB | 8 x 3.70GHz | 32 GB | NZ$282.88 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-1 | 750 GB | 4 x 3.40GHz | 8 GB | NZ$129.31 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-2 | 1 TB | 4 x 3.40GHz | 16 GB | NZ$145.48 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-3 | 500 GB | 4 x 3.10GHz | 8 GB | NZ$137.40 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-4 | 2 TB | 4 x 3.10GHz | 16 GB | NZ$161.64 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-5 | 2 TB | 8 x 3.40GHz | 16 GB | NZ$177.81 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-6 | 2 TB | 8 x 3.40GHz | 32 GB | NZ$193.97 | Details | |
Dedicated server - NL3-7 | 4 TB | 24 x 2.10GHz | 128 GB | NZ$355.62 | Details |
Plan Name | Warranty | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
Comodo Positive SSL | NZ$16,164.35 | NZ$40.41 | Details |
Comodo® SSL | NZ$404,108.75 | NZ$161.64 | Details |
Positive SSL by Comodo + Wildcard | NZ$16,164.35 | NZ$242.47 | Details |
Plan Name | Price | |
---|---|---|
Amnezia VPN | NZ$8.08 | Details |
Private VPN with Static IP | NZ$8.08 | Details |
is*hosting provides various hosting services, including Virtual Private Servers (VPS), Dedicated Servers, Data Storage solutions, and VPN servers.
is*hosting operates data centers in 31 countries across 4 continents, providing a wide range of location options for hosting.
Yes, is*hosting offers DDoS protection options. They provide basic DDoS protection for free and offer a personal DDoS protection service for an additional fee.
Absolutely. is*hosting offers flexible upgrade options, allowing you to easily scale your resources, such as RAM, disk space, and CPU, as your project requirements evolve.
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