It would be interesting to run a few tests between the hosting providers and see how they all do. What metrics could we use?
Let's say you setup a website at 3 different hosting providers. Each server has to be exactly the same spec when it comes to CPU's Ram, and type of storage.
If you run some kind of load test, they should all perform the same. If they are advertised as the same but secretly are different, this would expose them.
PRO TIP: If you want to know if your hosting company is bullshitting you about the hardware that is running your server, just SSH to your server and run this command :
This will tell you everything and then some about the hardware you are paying for.
But let's say they all perform well. What else can each provider be tested on?
Uploading or downloading files would not be a fair test because you would have a different number of hops between each provider, and fluctuations in those hops would cause some latency sometimes. However, a hosting provider that is physically closer to you will always perform better for you when it comes to file transers.
You could setup each server to load exactly the same website with exactly the same assets, and then do a Page load test from Google. This could expose some wierdness, but chances are it would be very minor.
I think that one of the best ways to test hosting providers would be in support. Let's say you purposes "break" those 3 websites, then contact support for each provider. How fast they reply to you and then find and fix the issue should tell you who the clear winner is.
The best possible choice in hosting, is what works for you. I love the idea that
TMDHosting.com gives everyone a 1 month free trial, no questions asks. They also give you free support and free cPanel during that time too which to me, is a win-win, win win win. It is why I refer all of my clients to them (again with no affilaite link).
It really pays to think about your hosting requirements. If you have the know-how or the willingness to learn a little bit about how hosting works, you can setup a webserver at the hosting provider of your choice, then setup cheap storage volumes at Linode or AWS for example, saving you a ton of money.