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 Ultahost.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our top hosting picks address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements, as demonstrated in this article.
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 pricing
- Nine different data centers in four continents
- Good spread of hosting plans
- User-friendly control panel (hPanel)
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- Git environment available on shared hosting
- Additional 7% discount with coupon code “HOSTSCORE”
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
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.
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
HostScore
TMDHosting Pros
- Affordable pricing
- 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
Fastcomet
From a pure pricing point of view, you will unlikely find any web host offering cheaper deals than Fastcomet. Their shared hosting plans are the lowest-priced we have ever seen, even considering promotions that other hosting companies may occasionally run.
However, remember that this is purely from a price perspective, and these plans are highly stripped down. While not affecting their performance, you may find the need for some things like file restoration and malware scanners a bit worrying.
Still, if you plan to run any site cheaply with the bare minimum in effort, Fastcomet is a no-fuss, straightforward solution. In any case, they have other plans for when you wish to upgrade to something better.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
Fastcomet Pros
- High-speed and reliable hosting
- Decent range of hosting plans
- Comprehensive support
- Excellent reputation
Fastcomet Cons
- Limited features on lower-priced plans
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
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
- Returns 3x power consumed with renewable energy credits
- Affordable pricing
- Free daily backup for all shared hosting plans
- All plans support Perl, Python and Git
- Free website migration assistance
- Root access, control panel and cPanel/WHM included in reseller hosting plans
GreenGeeks Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Slightly lacklustre customer service
- Non refundable setup fees
Verpex
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
HostScore
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
Verpex Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
Hostens
Hostens is a neat company with relatively traditional product offerings. Most popular are their cheap hosting plans, which can start as low as $2/mo on a three-year plan. Yet, while cheap, these plans could be more robust regarding resources.
Don’t let the limited resources put you off, though, since this setup has notable advantages. For example, you get a free website builder, daily backups, and the capability of running PHP, Ruby, or Python-based scripts.
Their cheap hosting plans come with a 99.95 uptime guarantee and an easy installation utility that lets you quickly deploy whatever app you prefer. Also notable are their dirt-cheap unmanaged container VPS Linux hosting plans, which start from as low as $2.50/mo.
Cheapest Hosting Plans Available
Number of Websites Allowed
Hostens Pros
- Highly competitive pricing
- Support Ruby and Python in all shared hosting plans
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Choice of 10 distributed data centers in seven countries
Hostens Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited storage in shared hosting plans
- Hosting upgrade to VPS only (lack higher hosting capacity)
What is Cheap Web Hosting?
Cheap Web Hosting refers to a service that allows users to publish a website onto the Internet at a low cost. These services are provided by “web hosts” – which are companies that own, operate, or lease servers in data centers and offer the necessary infrastructure, software, and services for the website to be viewed on the Internet.
The key features of cheap web hosting typically include shared server hosting, where multiple websites share a single server, reducing the cost for all users. This affordability does not necessarily mean poor quality. Many budget hosting plans offer sufficient resources for small to medium-sized websites, including bandwidth, storage, and access to a control panel for managing the website.
Five Reasons Why You Should Use a Cheap Hosting Service?
- Cost-Effectiveness: The most apparent reason to choose a cheap hosting plan is its affordability. This allows businesses and individuals to establish an online presence without making a significant financial investment.
- Ease of Use: Many cheap web hosting services provide user-friendly control panels, making it easy for non-technical users to manage their websites, install applications, and handle email accounts. This accessibility is crucial for newcomers to web hosting.
- Scalability: Great budget hosting providers, such as those that we mentioned above, often come with options to upgrade your service as your website grows. Starting with a low-cost plan is a wise decision for new websites with the potential to scale up their resources as traffic increases and needs evolve.
- Sufficient Resources for Starters: Many budget plans come packed with ample resources for beginners, including one-click installs for popular CMS platforms like WordPress and Prestashop, making it easy to start a blog, portfolio, or even a small online store.
- Support and Reliability: Contrary to common belief, some budget web hosting providers offer excellent customer support and reliability. They ensure that even entry-level plans have a decent uptime guarantee, which is vital for maintaining the credibility and accessibility of your website.
In short, a budget hosting plan is an excellent choice for newbies or small businesses looking for a balanced approach in cost, features, and support to launch a website online.
Common Features Included in a Cheap Hosting Service
Cheap web hosting services, despite their affordability, often come packed with a variety of features designed to meet the basic needs of most small to medium-sized websites. Here’s a comprehensive list of features typically included in a budget web hosting package:
Core Hosting Features
- Disk Space: Hosting disk space is the storage space for your website’s files and content. Even budget plans usually offer ample disk space for standard websites, ranging from 10GB to unlimited storage.
- Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the amount of data your website can transfer to visitors over a period. Many cheap hosting plans offer unmetered or unlimited bandwidth, ensuring smooth access to your website.
- Email Accounts: The ability to create email addresses using your domain name. Budget hosting often includes a limited number of free email accounts.
- FTP & SFTP Access: File transfer protocols (FTP & SFTP) enables file transfers between your computer and your hosting server, facilitating website updates and management.
Website Management and Development
- Control Panel: User-friendly interfaces such as cPanel or Plesk are commonly included, allowing easy management of your website, databases, email accounts, and more.
- Website Builder Tools: Some hosts provide drag-and-drop website builders to help users without coding knowledge design their websites.
- One-click Installers: Tools like Softaculous or Fantastico for easy installation of popular CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Joomla) and other applications.
- Database Support: MySQL databases are typically included, allowing dynamic websites to store and retrieve data efficiently.
Security Features
- SSL Certificates: Free SSL certificates (such as Let’s Encrypt) are often included, securing connections to your website and improving SEO rankings.
- Backup Solutions: Automatic backups, either daily or weekly, to protect your website data. Some services may offer backups as an add-on.
- Malware Scanning and Removal: Basic security measures to detect and eliminate threats.
Support and Assistance
- 24/7 Customer Support: Access to help via chat, phone, or email, ensuring you can get assistance whenever needed.
- Knowledge Base: Online resources such as tutorials, FAQs, and guides to help you manage your website more effectively.
Scalability and Flexibility
- Upgrade Options: The ability to easily upgrade to a more robust hosting plan (e.g., VPS, dedicated hosting) as your website grows.
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.
Eight Limitations and Downsides of Free Web Hosting
- Limited Resources: Free hosting typically comes with significant limitations on storage, bandwidth, and processing power, which can affect your website’s performance, speed, and ability to scale.
- 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.
- Security Concerns: Free hosting services may not offer robust security measures, exposing your site to vulnerabilities and increasing the risk of malware or hacking.
- Limited Support: Customer support options are often limited or nonexistent with free hosting services, which can be a major drawback if you encounter issues or downtime.
- 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.
- Reliability and Uptime: Free hosts may not guarantee uptime, leading to frequent downtimes or slow loading times, negatively affecting user experience and potentially your site’s SEO.
- Limited Features: Essential features like SSL certificates, backups, and email accounts may not be included or are available with limitations, hindering your website’s functionality and security.
- 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.
How Much Does A Budget Web Hosting Cost?
The cost of a cheap web host vary significantly based on the provider, the package features, and the contract length you choose. However, to give you a general idea of what to expect, here’s a breakdown:
Monthly vs. Annual Payment Plans
- 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.
Host Pricing vs Subscription Period
| 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 |
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.
How to Get Started with Cheap Web Hosting?
Getting started with cheap web hosting involves several key steps to ensure you select the best service for your needs and set up your website efficiently. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you begin:
1. Assess Your Website’s Needs
- Purpose and Type: Determine the primary purpose of your website (e.g., blog, portfolio, e-commerce, informational) to understand the features and resources you’ll need.
- Estimate Your Traffic: Estimate the amount of traffic you anticipate. Higher traffic sites require more bandwidth and resources.
- Technical Requirements: Consider any specific software, applications, or CMS platforms (like WordPress) you plan to use.
2. Research Hosting Types
- Read Reviews: Seek out reviews from current or past users to get a sense of their experiences. Pay attention to comments on reliability, customer service, and overall satisfaction.
- Compare Features: Assess the features offered in each plan, including storage, bandwidth, email accounts, security measures, and the availability of a control panel like cPanel.
- Check for Scalability: Ensure the hosting provider allows for easy upgrades to accommodate your website’s growth.
3. Look for Essential Features
- Uptime Guarantee: A low price doesn’t always mean you have to sacrifice in server reliability. Look for a host with a high uptime guarantee (99.9% and above) to ensure your site is always accessible.
- Bandwidth and Storage: Ensure the host provides adequate bandwidth and storage for your site’s needs. Be wary of “unlimited” offers – check the terms for any catch.
- Security Features: Essential security features include SSL certificates, backups, and firewalls. Some hosts include these for free, while others charge extra.
- Freebies: Keep an eye open for web hosts that offer free website migration services, free domain names, and sometimes even free marketing credits with advertising platforms like Microsoft or Google.
- Server Locations: Websites are served best when the physical location of the servers they are on are closest to their target audience. It will be extremely difficult to always find a host with a data center in the exact location you’re looking for. However, finding one that servers a good region can be enough. For example, using a data center in Singapore could help you serve traffic in the Asia region quickly.
4. Consider Support and Maintenance
- Customer Support: 24/7 customer support is crucial, especially for beginners. Check if the host offers support through multiple channels like live chat, email, or phone.
- Ease of Use: Look for a hosting provider with a user-friendly control panel that makes managing your website straightforward.
5. Understand the Pricing Structure
- Compare Standard Market Rates: Based on our market research, the average price for a basic shared hosting is $3.48 per month during signup and $12.47 per month during renewal. We consider web hosting companies that offer plans around this price (+/- 20%) to be cheap web hosting.
- Compare Pricing Plans: Look beyond the introductory price to the renewal rates, as these can significantly increase.
- Check for Hidden Fees: Some hosts charge extra for services like domain registration, SSL certificates, and site migration.
6. Purchase a Plan & Register Your Domain
- Select a Hosting Plan: Once you’ve identified your needs and compared providers, choose the plan that best fits your requirements and budget.
- Domain Name: If you don’t already have a domain name, many hosting services offer domain registration. Aim for a name that’s easy to remember, reflects your brand, and uses a standard extension like .com or .net.
7. Set Up Your Website
- Install CMS: Utilize one-click installs for popular CMS platforms like WordPress, if available, through your hosting control panel.
- Design and Populate Your Website: Choose a theme or design, and begin creating content for your site. Ensure your site is organized, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines.
- Configure Email: Set up your professional email accounts through your hosting dashboard, if included in your plan.
8. Monitor & Maintain Your Site
- Regular Updates: Keep your site’s software, themes, and plugins up to date to ensure security and functionality.
- Backups: Make regular backups of your website to protect against data loss.
- Monitor Your Hosting Performance: Many hosts offer a money-back guarantee. Use this period to test the host’s performance, support, and features to ensure they meet your needs. Use free tools like Uptime Robot and Bitcatcha to monitor your server uptime and performance.
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.
