Combell alternative: 5 reasons to switch to Theory7
Combell is without doubt the best-known hosting provider in Belgium. But being well known does not automatically make it the best choice. More and more Belgian website owners are looking for a Combell alternative that fits their needs and budget better. Theory7 is that alternative. Here are 5 concrete reasons why.
1. Up to 90% cheaper
The most obvious reason: the enormous price difference. A comparison:
| Feature | Combell | Theory7 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic web hosting | From ~€10/mo | From €0.49/mo |
| SSL certificate | Depends on the plan | Free with every plan |
| Daily backups | Limited or extra cost | Free with every plan |
| CDN | Not standard | Free with every plan |
At Theory7 you get more for less. That is not marketing, those are facts. View all web hosting plans.
2. Faster servers
Theory7 runs on LiteSpeed Enterprise servers with NVMe SSD storage. This is objectively faster technology than the standard Apache configuration that many Combell plans use. You notice the difference right away:
- LiteSpeed - Up to 10x faster than Apache for dynamic sites
- NVMe SSD - The fastest storage technology available
- HTTP/3 - Ready for the latest standards
- Free CDN - Content is delivered fast worldwide
Faster websites convert better, rank higher in Google and give your visitors a better experience.
3. No hidden costs or price increases
A common complaint about Combell: the price you see when you sign up is not the price you end up paying. At renewal, the costs often rise significantly. At Theory7 we use transparent prices:
- No hidden costs
- No surprises at renewal
- SSL, backups and CDN always free
4. Personal Dutch support
Theory7 offers Dutch-speaking support, 7 days a week. Where at larger providers you sometimes end up in a queue or communicate with chatbots, with us you get help right away from real people who know hosting.
Our support is reachable through:
- Live chat
- Phone
- Ticket system
5. Free migration service
Switching is easy. With our free SiteSwitch service we migrate your complete website from Combell to Theory7. Without downtime, without you having to do anything yourself. Read more about our free migration service.
But is Theory7 actually reliable?
A fair question. Theory7 has more than 15 years of experience in the hosting market and scores 4.9/5 stars on hostingradar.io. We offer:
- 99.9% uptime guarantee - Contractually agreed
- Daily backups - Your data is always safe
- DDoS protection - Included as standard
- 30-day money back - Not happy? No risk
Who is Theory7 the best Combell alternative for?
- Small businesses and starters who do not want to pay tens of euros per month
- Web shop owners looking for fast WordPress/WooCommerce hosting
- Freelancers and agencies who manage multiple websites
- Anyone who wants better performance for less money
How to switch
- Choose a Theory7 plan
- Request free migration through a ticket
- We take care of the rest, without downtime
- Cancel Combell once everything works
The whole process takes 1-3 business days. You save tens of euros per month right away, and your website only gets faster.
Web hosting by city in Belgium
Theory7 offers web hosting throughout Flanders. Explore the options in your city:
- Web hosting Antwerp
- Web hosting Ghent
- Web hosting Bruges
- Web hosting Leuven
- Web hosting Hasselt
- Web hosting Kortrijk
Try 30 days risk-free
What limitations do customers experience with Combell?
Combell is a well-known Belgian hosting provider, but many customers run into specific limitations. According to reviews on Trustpilot, the most frequently mentioned complaints are: rising prices after the first year, limited technical support for more complex questions and an outdated control panel. In addition, Combell does not offer a LiteSpeed web server, which makes a noticeable difference in speed.
Other commonly mentioned limitations are the lack of free website migration, limited SSH access on standard plans and extra costs for features that are included as standard elsewhere. At Theory7 web hosting these features are available as standard, without hidden costs.
How does Theory7 differ from Combell in price?
A fair price comparison goes beyond the monthly rate alone. Combell uses attractive entry prices that rise significantly after the first year. According to Combell.com, the price of their most popular plan rises from €3.99 to €8.99 per month after the first year. At Theory7 you pay a fixed rate with no price increases after the first year.
| Item | Combell | Theory7 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (per month) | €3.99 (1st year) | Fixed rate |
| Price after 1 year | €8.99/mo | Same rate |
| SSL certificate | Free (basic) | Free, included |
| Website migration | Paid | Free |
| LiteSpeed cache | Not available | Included |
| Daily backups | Paid option | Included as standard |
What steps do you follow to switch from Combell?
Switching from Combell to another hosting provider does not have to be complicated. At the Theory7 migration service we take most of the work off your hands. The complete migration process takes 24 to 48 hours on average, with no downtime for your website.
The switching process in 5 steps:
- Order a hosting plan at Theory7
- Website files and database are moved over by us
- Email accounts are migrated with all messages preserved
- DNS settings are updated to the new servers
- Checks and testing - everything is checked before the final switch-over
What does Theory7 offer that Combell does not?
Theory7 stands out from Combell in several areas. The LiteSpeed web server in combination with LSCache makes websites demonstrably faster. According to LiteSpeed Technologies, LiteSpeed performs up to 6x better than Apache (which Combell uses) for WordPress websites. In addition, Theory7 offers DirectAdmin as its control panel, more modern and user-friendly than the Combell panel.
Other advantages of Theory7 compared to Combell:
- DirectAdmin - intuitive control panel with a Dutch interface
- Free migration - we migrate your complete website at no cost
- Personal support - direct contact with technical staff, no call center
- No hidden costs - fixed rate with no price increases
- SSH access - available as standard with all plans
What are the differences between DirectAdmin and cPanel?
Combell offers its own control panel, while Theory7 uses DirectAdmin. DirectAdmin is a lightweight, fast and user-friendly panel that is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to cPanel, partly because cPanel raised its prices drastically in 2019. DirectAdmin offers the same functionality but is faster and clearer.
With DirectAdmin you easily manage your domains, email accounts, databases, SSL certificates and file management. The interface is available in Dutch and works excellently on both desktop and mobile. For developers, DirectAdmin offers full SSH access, Git integration and support for multiple PHP versions.
Sources and references
- Trustpilot - Customer reviews and experiences with Belgian hosting providers
- Combell.com - Current pricing information and plan comparison
- LiteSpeed Technologies - Performance benchmarks LiteSpeed vs Apache web server
Still not sure? With our 30-day money-back guarantee you take no risk at all. Not happy? Money back, no questions asked. Experience for yourself why Theory7 is the best Combell alternative.
