Posted on March 8th, 2011
Launched in 2003, Arvixe has been a successful hosting company, but in recent years has really taken off. It has been recognized with many accolades it has proudly received. Over the past five years there has been a consolidation of website hosts and a decline in quality windows hosting due to the popular and inexpensive Linux-based php hosting offerings. Linux based hosting has only been bolstered by the massive popularity of free open-source CMS products like WordPress. Arvixe has navigated the constant evolution of hosting flawlessly and today is recognized as one of the best hosts available.
Windows Hosting
Arvixe is one of the few website hosts that offer both Windows hosting and Linux hosting. Even more rare is the fact that they offer Windows hosting on an actual Windows Server. Often times hosts will provide Windows hosting on a Linux server that has been setup to support ASP but not actually be a Windows environment. For Windows hosting customers, a fantastic feature is the unlimited MSSQL databases. A major disadvantage to Windows hosting has been the limited and commonly expensive cost of databases on MSSQL. Arvixe gives you unlimited MSSQL 2008 Databases with all their hosting packages, as well as unlimited ODBC DSNs, and remote access via the SQL Server Management Studio.
Arvixe provides an impressive array of ASP and ASP.net support for components that they will install for free on your server. Components on most Windows hosts are disallowed or strictly controlled because of security and performance concerns, but in reality should not be an issue if the host knows how to support the components. The fact that Arvixe not only supports them, but will allow you to request components to be installed for you shows they know to properly manage a Windows Server. Components such as FileSystemsObject, CDO/CDOSYS, aspNetEmail, OWC, ASPUpload, ASPEmail, ASPSMS and the entire IP*Works! Internet Toolkit are all approved and will be installed professionally upon your request.
Windows Hosting Control Panel
Control Panels for Windows hosting have always been a mixed bag. There have been powerful and robust control panels that beginners couldn’t figure out how to use and basic ones with limited functionality. Arvixe uses WebSitePanel as its control panel which has garnered good reviews from its users. WebSitePanel is the open-source successor of DotNetPanel. It offers a friendly and easy to use graphic interface with complete control of your hosting environment allowing you to manage your site with little or no involvement with customer support.
Linux
Not to be ignored, the Linux-based hosting offerings are first rate at Arvixe. Features and support can compete with any Linux focused web host as well as price. cPanel is standard with all packages and advanced development tools and languages are fully supported including Python, Ruby on Rails, mod_rewrite and shell access. Arvixe should definitely be considered when looking at Linux hosts.
Reseller Hosting
A great offering Arvixe provides is a Reseller option available in both Windows and Linux. As a reseller you are provided with the powerful WebHostManager for Linux servers and WebSitePanel for Windows servers. You can also setup private or anonymous name servers on the account if you would like to set up a private label as a Reseller.
Support and Uptime
Customer support is another major selling point for Arvixe. They offer 99.9% money back site uptime. Their support staff is knowledgable and patient; and really, support is the driving force behind how they operate. Response times via Chat, Email and Phone have all been quick and helpful. If there is a complaint about Arvixe it is not their support.
Overall Rating
Arvixe is a rare hosting company today with both Windows and Linux servers, offering personal, business class, VPS and dedicated hosting options in both operating systems. Multiple packages to choose from within each type of hosting and reseller hosting. Nearly all web hosts fight just to be good at one type of hosting or one operating system. Arvixe does them all and does them all exceptionally well. They provide excellent support and genuinely know how to support all the technologies they use. In the course of writing reviews we use our personal experiences but we also scour the internet for forums and computer communities to see what regular people are saying and Arvixe has VERY few negative things written about it. An impressive feat considering the ease and willingness of most to voice their complaints on the internet.
Best Value
Windows – Business Class ASP – $27/month
Linux – Business Class – $22/month