Finding Cheap Web Hosting is about more than just cutting costs – it’s about getting the best value for your money without compromising on essential features.
At HostScore, our evaluation goes beyond pricing. We consider overall performance, the number of websites you can host on a single account, included security features, and whether the budget plan supports future upgrades like VPS or cloud hosting. These factors ensure your hosting solution isn’t just affordable today but capable of growing with your needs.
By focusing on value and scalability, we’ve curated a list of top cheap web hosting providers that balance affordability with flexibility. Explore our selections below to find a solution that fits your budget and goals.
| Provider | Starting Price (per month) | Number of Websites Allowed | Storage Space | Hosting Types Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | $2.99 | 100 (300 on higher plans) | 100 GB SSD | Shared, VPS, Cloud |
| Verpex | $2.40 | 1 (Unlimited on higher plans) | 30 GB NVMe | Shared, VPS, Cloud, Reseller |
| UltaHost | $3.08 | Unlimited | 15 GB NVMe | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Reseller |
| TMDHosting | $2.95 | 1 (Unlimited on higher plans) | Unlimited SSD | Shared, VPS, Cloud |
| GreenGeeks | $2.95 | 1 (Unlimited on higher plans) | 50 GB SSD | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Reseller |
| ChemiCloud | $2.95 | 1 (Unlimited on higher plans) | 20 GB NVMe | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Reseller |
Note: HostScore ratings offer a broad view of web host performance, but your specific needs may vary. This page provides tailored recommendations to help you find reliable, low-cost hosting solutions.
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
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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
Visit Hostinger to learn more about the features
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
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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
Visit Verpex to learn more about the features
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
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Ultahost Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Highly competitive pricing
- Powerful and affordable Windows hosting plans
- 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.
Visit Ultahost to learn more about the features
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
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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
Visit TMDHosting to learn more about the features
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
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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
Visit GreenGeeks to learn more about the features
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
Visit Chemicloud to learn more about the features
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What is Cheap Web Hosting?
Cheap Web Hosting refers to budget-friendly hosting services designed to meet the basic needs of websites at a low cost. Cheap hosting plans typically use shared hosting, where multiple websites share the same server resources to reduce expenses.
While cheaper than VPS or dedicated hosting, cheap web hosting still provides essential features like website storage, bandwidth, and email support. It’s an ideal option for small blogs, personal sites, or startups with limited budgets.
How Much Does a Cheap Hosting Cost?
Our market research shows that cheap web hosting typically costs between $2 and $5 per month during the initial term. Many providers offer promotional rates for first-time sign-ups, but prices often increase to $10 to $20 per month upon renewal.
The actual cost of a hosting plan depends on factors such as:
- Contract Length: Longer terms usually offer lower monthly rates.
- Included Features: Extras like backups, premium support, or email hosting may be bundled in or cost extra.
- Hidden Fees: Watch out for additional charges for server setup, domain registration, or renewal.
Understanding these factors helps you make a more informed decision and avoid surprises down the line.
How to Choose: What Features Matter Most in Budget Hosting?
To choose the best cheap web host, you need to strike a balance between affordability and quality. While low prices are attractive, the hosting plan should still meet your website’s essential needs for performance, security, and reliability.
A cost-effective solution shouldn’t mean sacrificing speed, uptime, or support — especially if your website’s growth depends on a smooth user experience.
By focusing on the right features listed below, you can avoid common pitfalls of budget hosting and ensure your site runs efficiently without overspending.
Initial vs. Long-Term Pricing
Initial pricing refers to the promotional rate you pay when you first sign up for a hosting plan. Many web hosts offer steep discounts to attract new customers, but these rates often increase when it’s time to renew.
Long-term pricing, on the other hand, is the regular rate you’ll pay after the introductory period ends.
It’s essential to compare both initial and renewal prices to understand the true long term cost of the hosting plan over time. A plan that seems affordable upfront might become costlier than other options over time.
Monthly vs. Annual Payment Plans
Your choice between monthly and annual payment plans can impact how much you pay for hosting in both the short and long term. Here’s how they compare:
- Monthly Payment Plans: These range from $5 to $15 per month for basic shared hosting. They’re a good choice if you need flexibility or don’t want a large upfront cost. However, they tend to be more expensive over time compared to annual plans.
- Annual Payment Plans: Opting for 2- or 3-year payment plans can significantly reduce your monthly cost. For example, based on our research, basic shared hosting averages $3.47 per month with an annual commitment, while premium shared hosting averages $12.48 per month. Some hosts also offer discounts for longer terms, making this the most cost-effective option for long-term use.
How to Choose Wisely?
If you’re on a tight budget, prioritize hosting companies with clear pricing structures and reasonable renewal fees.
Look for discounts on longer-term commitments – which can lock in savings for several years. While longer plans may require a higher upfront investment, they’re usually cheaper overall, making them a smart choice for sustained hosting needs.
Hosting Performance
Hosting performance refers to the speed, uptime, and overall responsiveness of your website. A poorly performing host can hurt user experience and damage your SEO rankings. This makes your uptime and server speed non-negotiable factors in choosing a hosting plan.
Some low-cost providers cut corners by overloading servers with too many websites, which leads to slow response times and frequent outages. To avoid this, we recommend choosing a budget hosting plan with a minimum uptime guarantee of 99.9% and proven reliability in real-world testing.
After buying a hosting plan, it’s important to keep tabs on your site’s performance. Use tools like Uptime Robot to track downtime and Webpage Test or Bitcatcha to measure server response times (TTFB).
If your host consistently fails to meet expectations, don’t hesitate to leverage refund guarantees and switch to a more dependable provider – budget hosting should still deliver reliable results.
Customer Support
Customer support is the assistance provided by the hosting company when you encounter technical issues or have questions. Reliable support can save you hours of frustration, especially if you’re new to website management. When technical issues arise or your site experiences downtime, having quick access to knowledgeable support can save you from prolonged disruptions.
Unfortunately, some low-cost providers compromise on support by offering limited channels, such as email-only assistance, or by having insufficient technical staff to handle requests promptly. Long response times and inadequate help can be especially frustrating for beginners who may rely heavily on guidance.
To avoid these pitfalls, prioritize hosting companies that offer 24/7 support through multiple channels like live chat, phone, and email.
Before committing, test their support by asking technical questions – such as limits on inodes or CPU usage or PHP workers limit – and assess the clarity and speed of their responses.
New users who require extra assistance should steer clear of hosts with a reputation for poor after-sales service. Reliable customer support isn’t a luxury – it’s essential, even in a budget hosting plan.
Security Features
Security features refer to the tools and protocols in place to protect your website from cyber threats. Essential security features in budget hosting plans may include SSL certificates, malware scanning, DDoS protection, and automated backups.
Since cheaper plans sometimes offer limited security, it’s crucial to research and ensure that your host does not skimp on security.
Security features that you should look for:
- Free SSL Certificate: SSL is crucial for securing your website and building trust with visitors. Many hosts include free SSL certificates in their basic plans, ensuring encrypted connections and better SEO rankings.
- Automatic Backups: Backups safeguard your data in case of hacking, server issues, or accidental deletions. Look for hosting plans that offer daily or weekly backups as part of the package, or check if it’s available as an add-on.
- Malware Scanning: Regular malware scanning helps detect and remove malicious code before it damages your site. Some web hosts include this feature in their plans, while others may offer it as part of a premium security suite.
- DDoS Protection: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can overwhelm your site, causing downtime. A hosting provider with DDoS protection helps mitigate these attacks by filtering malicious traffic.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF monitors and blocks harmful traffic to your site, protecting against common vulnerabilities like SQL injections and cross-site scripting. While not always standard in budget plans, it’s a great feature to have.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security to your hosting account, ensuring only authorized users can access it. Hosts offering 2FA show a strong commitment to protecting your data.
- Proactive Monitoring: Some hosts offer 24/7 server monitoring to identify and address potential threats before they affect your site. This ensures a safer hosting environment.
Don’t assume every plan includes adequate safeguards – you need to review the fine print carefully. If security features are missing, you may need to invest in third-party tools, which could negate the savings from a cheaper hosting plan. Prioritizing a host with solid security features ensures your site is protected without hidden costs.
Hidden Cost
Hidden costs are the unexpected fees or charges that aren’t clearly disclosed during the sign-up process. It is a common trap in cheap hosting plans.
While a hosting plan may appear cheap initially, you might face extra fees for essentials like SSL certificates, backup services, or email hosting. It’s important to read the fine print and calculate the full cost of ownership before committing to a plan.
To avoid surprises, always review the terms of service and pricing details before signing up.
Pay attention to whether free perks, such as domain registration or site migration, are temporary incentives or included for the lifetime of your plan.
Additional Costs to Watch For:
- Domain Name: Some hosting plans offer a free domain for the first year, but renewals can cost up to $35 annually (which is higher than market standards). Verify if the domain remains free or if renewal fees apply.
- SSL Certificate: SSL is a must-have for website security, especially for e-commerce. While many hosts provide basic SSL certificates for free, some charge additional fees depending on the level of protection.
- Email Hosting: Some hosts limit email accounts or storage capacity, requiring you to pay extra for additional email features or space.
- Backups: Automated backups are often an add-on service. Confirm whether backups are included or if you’ll need to pay extra to protect your data.
- Website Builder Tools: While many hosting providers offer free website builders, premium templates, and advanced features may come with additional costs.
By understanding these potential expenses upfront, you can choose a hosting provider that aligns with your budget and avoids unnecessary charges. Always read the fine print to ensure you’re getting the value promised.
Free Trials and Money-Back Guarantees
Free trials and money-back guarantees refer to the host’s policy for testing the service risk-free. These trial periods can vary significantly, ranging from 14 days to as long as 90 days, depending on the host.
If you decide to cancel within the guarantee period, you should receive a full refund. However, the refund process isn’t always straightforward with some providers, so it’s worth checking reviews or terms beforehand to ensure the policy is genuinely hassle-free. This feature provides peace of mind, especially when exploring budget hosting options.
Scalability and Upgrade Options
Scalability in web hosting refers to how easily your hosting plan can adapt to the growth of your website as traffic increases or your resource needs change. A scalable hosting provider ensures your site won’t outgrow its environment – even if you start with a basic plan.
While many cheap hosting options are designed for smaller websites, it’s important to consider whether the provider offers seamless and cost-effective upgrade paths. Some budget plans are so limited in resources that scaling up can be cumbersome or unexpectedly expensive.
Look for a host that allows you to transition smoothly from entry-level shared hosting to higher-tier options like VPS or Dedicated Hosting. A good provider will ensure your website has the resources to maintain performance as your needs evolve, without forcing you into a costly or complicated migration process.
Learn about the different web hosting types you can upgrade to.
Freebies
Freebies are the extra perks and bonuses included with a hosting plan at no additional cost. These can range from free domain registration and website migration services to advanced security features like daily malware scans and web application firewalls.
For example, Hostinger offers free website migration, allowing you to move your existing site with ease.
GreenGeeks, on the other hand, simplifies SSL management for users with their built-in SSL tool.
Taking advantage of these freebies can add significant value to your hosting plan, saving you money on essential features you might otherwise need to purchase separately.
What are the Limitations of Cheap Web Hosting?
How Does It Compare to Premium Hosting?
Cheap web hosting offers affordability but often falls short compared to premium-priced hosting in terms of resources, performance, and features. While premium hosting plans provide dedicated resources, faster server speeds, and advanced tools like staging environments or enhanced security options, budget plans emphasize on delivering basic functionality to keep costs low.
In cheap hosting, shared server environments are common, which can lead to slower load times and reduced reliability. Premium hosting, on the other hand, offers superior performance with options like VPS or cloud hosting, making it better suited for high-traffic websites and eCommerce.
Support quality can also be a drawback, with many budget providers offering limited assistance or slower response times. For businesses or websites requiring high reliability, these constraints might make cheap hosting less suitable in the long run.
When to Upgrade from a Cheap Hosting Plan?
Upgrade from a cheap hosting plan when your website’s needs outgrow its resources. Signs include frequent downtime, slower load times, or hitting limits on storage or bandwidth.
If you experience significant traffic growth, need better performance, or require advanced features like dedicated IPs or enhanced security, transitioning to VPS, cloud hosting, or dedicated hosting ensures your site continues to perform optimally.
Alternatives to Cheap Web Hosting
If cheap web hosting no longer meets your requirements, there are several alternatives that provide more resources and advanced features:
- VPS Hosting: Virtual Private Servers offer dedicated resources and better performance compared to shared hosting, making them suitable for growing websites or businesses.
- Cloud Hosting: Cloud hosting scales dynamically with traffic, providing reliability and speed for high-traffic or resource-intensive websites.
- Managed WordPress Hosting: Ideal for WordPress sites, these plans handle updates, backups, and performance optimization for you, ensuring a smoother experience.
Choosing an alternative depends on your website’s needs, growth potential, and budget. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option to find a hosting solution that aligns with your goals.
