TL;DR
At HostScore, we fully recognize that price can be a very persuasive factor when it comes to services we need to plan for long term. Because of this we’ve cobbled together a list of cheap web hosting offers that are available from top providers in the business, leading with Hostinger and Verpex.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our cheap hosting picks on this page address this by offering tailored suggestions for those who are looking for a budget hosting solution.
Hostinger
As many of you may know, Hostinger has long been reputed as one of the best cheap hosting choices. Yet just because of its low prices, it doesn’t cut too many corners. Even the most basic of its hosting plans have things like a free domain name and website builder tools.
Hostinger offers pricing advantages throughout its hosting packages. It even has cheap (by industry standards) VPS plans that allow devs or hobbyists to access servers with full root access. That means installing any environment or tools they need.
Be warned, though, that some of the lowest-tier plans won’t come with eCommerce-related features. However, there are dedicated plans for those that are just as cheap. You’ll simply have to see the plans to believe them.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
Hostinger Pros
- Affordable – Lowest plan starts at $2.99/mo and support up to 100 websites
- Nine different data centers in four continents
- Good spread of web hosting plans
- User-friendly proprietary control panel (hPanel).
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- AI-powered website builder in all shared plans
- Additional 10% discount with coupon code “HOSTSCORE”
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
Verpex
Founded in 2018, Verpex has quickly established itself in the web hosting industry by offering managed hosting solutions that emphasize ease of use, affordability, and high performance. Operating from a network of 12 data centers across key global locations, Verpex enables users to select servers closer to their target audience, boosting website speed and reliability.
Renowned for its competitive pricing and user-focused approach, Verpex delivers a seamless hosting experience, offering valuable features like free website migrations, daily backups, and unlimited cPanel accounts—all within an affordable price range. Whether you’re just starting out or managing a growing business, Verpex’s dedication to providing powerful hosting solutions combined with personalized support has earned it a strong reputation as a trusted global provider.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
Verpex Pros
- Budget-friendly shared and VPS hosting plans
- 45-day money back guarantee
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Unlimited free site migrations
- Choice of 12 distributed data centers across five continents
- Wide hosting selections including Windows and dedicated hosting
Verpex Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks’ cheap web hosting plans come together from two ends. On the one hand, the low pricing starts from under $3/mo. On the other hand, it backs up those prices with abundant resources, including 50GB of space in the cheapest plans.
Unmetered resources are also available for bandwidth and databases. Plus, you can create as many as 50 emails on the lowest tier. Once you go beyond that, almost everything else becomes unmetered on its shared hosting plans.
You might be surprised that GreenGeeks’ eco-friendly nature also extends to the cheap plans here. Even if you pay a few dollars monthly, they still meet a 300% green energy match. It’s fantastic if you consider that doing so costs them money.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
HostScore
GreenGeeks Pros
- 300% green energy offset with RECs
- Affordable entry pricing for shared and WordPress hosting plans
- Free daily backup for all shared hosting plans
- Partnership with One Tree Planted plants a tree for every new hosting account
- Free website migration assistance
- Enhanced scalability options with VPS and dedicated plans
GreenGeeks Cons
- Higher renewal rates across shared and WordPress plans
- Slightly lackluster customer service, with complaints of limited support for customers transferring domains out of the platform
Ultahost
UltaHost claims to offer powerful shared hosting plans, two words we usually don’t associate. However, the plans are relatively cheap, at under $4/mo. While not the lowest price tag, it provides unmetered bandwidth and many freebies.
With each cheap shared hosting plan on UltaHost, you get free daily backups, domain transfers, and SSL certificates. Their shared hosting is also cPanel-based, which makes it a pretty sweet deal. Since cPanel is expensive, many competitors have shifted to other platforms.
UltaHost also offers an impressive range of data center locations for its shared hosting plans. You can choose from one of seven locations extending from North America to Singapore and everywhere in between.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
HostScore
Ultahost Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Highly competitive pricing
- Easy-to-use user dashboard
- NVMe SSD storage in all shared hosting plans
- Free malware scan & web applications firewall (WAF) in all shared hosting plans
- Choice of 5 server locations in four continents
Ultahost Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited disk space.
Chemicloud
ChemiCloud is a web hosting company founded in 2016, offering a range of services including shared hosting, reseller hosting, and cloud VPS. Starting at a budget-friendly entry price, their low-cost plans come with valuable perks such as free domain registration for life, free migrations, and a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate.
A standout feature is ChemiCloud’s commitment to customer satisfaction, offering 24/7 live support and a 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service without risk. Despite the low cost, ChemiCloud maintains strong performance by including SSD storage in its plans, delivering faster website speeds compared to traditional hard drives. If you’re looking for reliable and affordable hosting with excellent customer support, ChemiCloud is a solid choice.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
HostScore
Chemicloud Pros
- Excellent reliability and speed
- Dev-friendly packages available
- Well-priced
- Impressive customer support
Chemicloud Cons
- Lack of other business services
- Limited knowledge base
NameCheap
Like everything the brand does, NameCheap offers stunningly cheap hosting plans. The lowest-priced plan is shared hosting, which costs less than $2/mo. For the price, you get pretty basic features—some resources, email, and a website builder.
One feature that makes the cheap hosting plans here unique is the availability of Cloud storage. This helps eliminate downtime, but only for sites hosted on NameCheap’s US or EU data centers.
Another callout goes to the VPS plans, which cost slightly more than shared hosting. These plans are more flexible since you can configure the VPS server. However, remember that these are unmanaged plans, and support add-ons cost a bomb.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
HostScore
NameCheap Pros
- Budget-friendly shared hosting plans
- Excellent domain name prices with free lifetime privacy protection
- Free site migration
- Perl, Ruby, and Python support in shared hosting plan
NameCheap Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited VPS plans
- Only US and UK-based servers
- Pay extra to choose UK-data center
TMDHosting
If you’re after cheap hosting, TMDHosting is qualified. Its shared hosting plans start at less than $3/mo, which is sufficient for a single site. True to form, these plans are mostly stripped down, although that’s only true for the lowest tier.
Once you move slightly up the scale, you start getting bonuses like extensive backups, lots more resources, and support for multi-site deployments. The shared hosting plans here come with a free domain name, even the cheapest one.
It’s also worth mentioning that TMDHosting still provides its cheap hosting plans with cPanel access. Many competitors are diverging from this since cPanel is getting expensive. It’s a small touch, but it does give you (and TMDHosting) an edge.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
TMDHosting Pros
- Affordable pricing with our exclusive promo code
- Choice of global data centres in six continents
- Easy-to-use centralized dashboard
- Free white glove migration
- Host unlimited websites in Business or Enterprise plans
- Outstanding customer support
- Reinforced DDoS protection for all shared hosting accounts
TMDHosting Cons
- Lowest shared plan does not support automatic backup
- Free domain has no privacy protection
- Price increase during the renewal
BlueHost
Bluehost is a budget-friendly host that offers strong value for the price. Starting as low as $1.99/month, it supports up to 10 websites and includes features like full NVMe storage (great impact on speed!), free domain registration, Cloudflare CDN integration, and AI-powered WonderSuite for easy site building.
Although some marketing tactics like limited-time freebies (e.g., daily backups) and renewal price hikes still apply, the overall package is robust, making it a good choice for users seeking reliable, feature-rich hosting at affordable rates.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
HostScore
BlueHost Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Lowest shared hosting plan supports up to 10 websites
- Key server speed features included in all shared plans
- Easy WordPress site building with WonderSuite (their new AI tool)
- Officially recommended by WordPress.org
BlueHost Cons
- Endless upsells on expensive addons
- Daily website backup only free for first year
- Only US-based servers
What is Cheap Web Hosting?
Cheap Web Hosting refers to low-cost hosting services designed to meet the needs of individuals, small businesses, or startups looking to establish an online presence without a large upfront investment. Typically priced between $1 to $5 per month, these hosting plans offer basic functionality while keeping expenses minimal.
Most cheap web hosting plans are shared hosting services, meaning your website shares server resources like storage and bandwidth with other sites. This shared setup is what allows hosting providers to keep costs low.
Despite the affordable price, cheap web hosting can still provide key features such as sufficient storage, bandwidth, customer support, and basic security measures. However, it’s essential to carefully evaluate what each plan includes, as lower-tier packages may lack features like free SSL certificates, automated backups, essential security features, or email accounts.
How to Choose a Low-Cost Host?
When choosing a low-cost web host, it’s crucial to strike a balance between affordability and quality.
A budget-friendly hosting plan should meet your website’s needs without compromising performance or security.
Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a cheap web host, with a special focus on long-term and hidden costs that can impact your budget.
1. Initial vs. Long-Term Pricing
Many hosting providers offer attractive introductory prices, but these rates can increase significantly when it’s time to renew. It’s essential to check both the initial promotional pricing and the regular renewal rates. Hosting plans might look cheap at first glance, but long-term costs could make them more expensive than other options.
Monthly vs. Annual Payment Plans
If you’re on a tight budget, prioritize hosts with reasonable renewal fees and clear pricing structures.
Look for providers that offer long-term discounts or lock-in rates for extended periods (such as 2 or 3 years). Even if it costs a bit more upfront, this can save you money over time.
- Monthly Payment Plans: When paying month-to-month, prices can range from $5 – $15 per month for basic shared hosting services. These plans are flexible but often more expensive in the long run compared to annual plans.
- Annual Payment Plans: Opting for a longer (2 – 3 years) payment plan can significantly reduce your monthly cost. Some hosts offer substantial discounts for the first term, incentivizing longer commitments. Based on our market research, a basic shared hosting averages $3.47 per month while a higher shared hosting plan (better features, host more websites in one account) costs $12.48 on average.
Web Hosting Pricing vs Subscription Periods
Web Host | Signup Price | Signup Period | Renewal Price |
---|---|---|---|
ScalaHosting | $2.95/mo | 3 Years | $6.95/mo |
Hostinger | $2.99/mo | 4 Years | $11.95/mo |
UltaHost | $3.08/mo | 1 Year | $4.39/mo |
NameCheap | $1.48/mo | 2 Years | $4.48/mo |
Hostens | $2.00/mo | 3 Years | $4.00/mo |
Verpex | $3.00/mo | 1 Year | $6.00/mo |
2. Hidden Costs
Hidden costs are a common pitfall in cheap hosting plans.
Be wary of hosts that charge extra for essential features like SSL certificates, backups, or email accounts. Some low-cost hosts may not advertise these additional fees upfront, making what seems like a good deal far less affordable.
Before signing up, carefully review the terms and services to ensure you won’t be surprised by unexpected charges for basic features.
It’s also important to check whether free features, like domain registration or site migration, are temporary or included for the lifetime of your hosting plan.
Additional Costs to Consider
- Domain Name: Some hosting plans include a free domain name for the first year, but if not, purchasing a domain can cost anywhere from $10 to $15 per year.
- SSL Certificate: Essential for security, especially for e-commerce sites. Many hosts now include a free SSL certificate; otherwise, prices vary widely based on the level of security.
- Email Hosting: Often included, but some plans may limit the number of email accounts or storage.
- Website Builder Tools: Some hosts offer free website builders, while others may charge extra for premium templates or features.
3. Features vs. Price
When choosing a low-cost web host, it’s important not to sacrifice essential features for the sake of a lower price. A good budget hosting plan should still offer a balance of affordability and functionality.
Here’s a list of essential features to expect in a cheap hosting plan:
- Free SSL Certificate: SSL is crucial for securing your website and building trust with visitors. Many hosts offer free SSL as part of their basic plan.
- Adequate Server Storage: Even budget plans should offer enough disk space to handle your website content. For smaller sites, 10-20GB is usually sufficient.
- Sufficient Hosting Bandwidth: Ensure the plan provides enough bandwidth to handle your expected traffic without extra charges. Unmetered or generous bandwidth limits are common in many cheap hosting plans.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Good customer service is a must, even at low prices. Look for hosts that provide support via live chat, email, or phone around the clock.
- Automatic Backups: Backups protect your data in case of issues like hacking or system failure. Some hosts include this feature for free, while others charge extra, so be sure to check.
- Free Email Accounts: Many budget hosts offer a limited number of free email accounts tied to your domain, saving you from paying separately for email hosting.
- Easy Website Builder or CMS Installation: Whether you’re using WordPress or a drag-and-drop builder, make sure the host offers one-click installation or an intuitive website builder to help you get started quickly.
- Security Features: Basic security tools, such as malware scanning and firewalls, are important to safeguard your website, even if the host doesn’t offer advanced security features like DDoS protection.
Ensure the hosting plan you choose provides these key features without charging extra. This way, you won’t find yourself needing costly upgrades soon after launching your site.
4. Uptime and Performance
Even on a budget, your website’s uptime and performance matter. A host with poor uptime will lead to frequent downtimes, negatively affecting your website’s accessibility and reputation. Similarly, slow loading times could frustrate your visitors and hurt your search engine rankings.
Look for hosts that guarantee at least 99.9% uptime and offer solid performance, even at low price points. Review real user feedback and hosting reviews to get a sense of how well the host performs in practice.
5. Customer Support
When working within a tight budget, the quality of customer support becomes even more important. If your site goes down or you face a technical issue, it’s essential to have access to responsive and helpful customer support.
Some low-cost providers cut corners by offering limited support options, like email-only assistance or long response times. Look for hosts that provide 24/7 support through multiple channels (e.g., live chat, phone, and email).
6. Scalability and Upgrade Options
Even if you’re starting small with a basic hosting plan, consider whether the provider offers affordable upgrade paths as your website grows. Some cheap hosting plans are so bare-bones that they don’t allow for much flexibility in terms of scalability. If your website requires more resources, you might end up paying more for upgrades than you anticipated.
Choose a host that offers a seamless transition to higher plans without drastically increasing costs or requiring expensive migrations.
Learn more about types of web hosting you can upgrade to.
7. Free Trials and Money-Back Guarantees
Finally, look for hosts that offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee. This way, you can test the service before committing to a long-term plan. Many low-cost providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you enough time to evaluate if the host meets your needs.
In summary, choosing a low-cost web host requires more than just focusing on the initial price. Consider long-term costs, potential hidden fees, and whether the host provides essential features. A well-chosen budget host should support your website’s needs without straining your finances.
Check out a list of recommended web hosting free trials.
Final Thought
Choosing a cheap web hosting service for the first time can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to hosting a website. However, by following our guide here, you can make an informed decision that balances cost and quality, ensuring your website runs smoothly without breaking the bank.
Bonus Tip: Cheap vs Free Web Host
Can’t I Just Operate on a Free Web Host?
Yes, you can host your website on a free web hosting service, but it’s important to understand the limitations and potential downsides compared to paid hosting options. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect with free web hosting and why you might still consider a paid, cheap hosting service:
Advantages of Free Web Hosting
- Cost: The most apparent advantage is the cost – free hosting doesn’t require any financial investment, making it an attractive option for individuals experimenting with web development or for very small, personal projects.
- Learning Platform: For beginners looking to learn about web development and hosting, free hosting provides a risk-free environment to experiment and build skills.
Disadvantages of Free Web Hosting
- Limited Resources: Free hosting typically comes with significant limitations on storage, bandwidth, and processing power.
- Advertisements: Many free hosts sustain their services by displaying ads on your website, over which you have little to no control. These ads can detract from your site’s appearance and user experience.
- Domain Name Restrictions: Instead of a custom domain (www.yourwebsite.com), you might be stuck with a subdomain (yourwebsite.freehost.com), which can look less professional and impact your brand’s credibility.
- Limited Features: Essential features like SSL certificates, backups, and email accounts may not be included or are available with limitations.
- Scalability: As your website grows, you may quickly outgrow the resources provided by a free host, necessitating a move to a paid service. Transitioning can be cumbersome and may result in downtime.