Best Web Hosting for Nonprofits

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Table of Content

TL;DR

The Best Non-Profit Website Hosting combines affordability, performance, and essential features. Our top choice is Hostinger, which offers cost-effective plans, robust performance, and reliable support to ensure your non-profit’s online presence is both effective and sustainable.

Hostinger

Hostinger traces its origins back to 2004 when it began as Hosting Media, a brainchild of enterprising youth in Kaunas, Lithuania. Their journey of innovation commenced with the launch of 000webhost.com in 2007, followed by the establishment of the esteemed cPanel brand Hosting24.com in 2008.

The pivotal year of 2011 heralded the rise of Hostinger, accompanied by its bespoke hPanel interface. In 2016, Hostinger unveiled its cutting-edge cloud hosting service, marking another milestone in its remarkable evolution. In 2021, the company celebrated a significant milestone with the addition of its 1,000th employee, reinforcing its status as a premier provider of web hosting solutions.

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Learn More in Our Review

Cheapest Hosting Plans

Shared Hosting:
$2.99
– $7.99
/mo

Other Features

Free Website Migration:
Yes

DDos Protection:
Higher plans

Free Auto Backup:
Daily

Number of Websites Allowed (Lowest / Highest Plans):
25
100

HostScore

%84.2
Hosting Services
Shared, VPS, and Cloud
Visit Online
https://www.hostinger.com/

Hostinger Pros

  • Affordable – Plans start at $2.99/month and support up to 25 websites.
  • Operates a global network of data centers for faster, more reliable hosting
  • Offers a full range of hosting types, including shared, cloud, and VPS
  • Uses a custom-built, user-friendly control panel called hPanel
  • Accepts multiple payment methods, including crypto and digital wallets.
  • Includes an AI website builder with all shared hosting plans
  • Extra 10% off with our exclusive coupon code “HOSTSCORE”

Hostinger Cons

  • Price increase during the renewal
  • Does not support Windows hosting
  • Websites built with Hostinger Website Builder cannot be migrated to VPS (internally) or other web hosts

Visit Hostinger to learn more about the features

TMDHosting

Founded in 2007, TMD Hosting is a web hosting company headquartered in Orlando, Florida, USA. TMD Hosting prides itself on offering a wide range of hosting solutions, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, and WordPress hosting. The company operates from data centers across three continents (North America, Europe, and Asia), ensuring high performance and reliability for its global customer base.

Learn More in Our Review

Cheapest Hosting Plans

Shared Hosting:
$8.99
– $31.67
/mo

Other Features

Free Website Migration:
Yes

DDos Protection:
Yes

Free Auto Backup:
Daily

Number of Websites Allowed (Lowest / Highest Plans):
1
Unlimited

HostScore

%78.5
Hosting Services
Shared, VPS, and Cloud
Visit Online
https://www.tmdhosting.com/

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

Founded in 2008 by web hosting veteran Trey Gardner, GreenGeeks emerged in Santa Monica, California, with a pioneering mission: to make web hosting environmentally sustainable. Alongside Gardner, COO Kaumil Patel, with his extensive background in hosting operations, plays a key role in driving the company’s success. GreenGeeks sets itself apart with a strong commitment to the environment, using renewable energy credits to offset three times the power consumed by its clients’ websites. This innovative approach not only positions GreenGeeks as a leader in eco-friendly hosting but also underscores its dedication to making a meaningful environmental impact.

Learn More in Our Review

Cheapest Hosting Plans

Shared Hosting:
$2.95
– $8.95
/mo

Other Features

Free Website Migration:
Yes

DDos Protection:
Yes

Free Auto Backup:
Daily

Number of Websites Allowed (Lowest / Highest Plans):
1
Unlimited

HostScore

%71.6
Hosting Services
Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller
Visit Online
https://www.greengeeks.com/

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

DreamHost

DreamHost has established itself in the web hosting and domain services sector since its founding in 1996 by Dallas Bethune, Josh Jones, Michael Rodriguez, and Sage Weil. Based in Los Angeles, California, DreamHost’s origin and location underscore its longstanding role and innovation in web hosting and domain registration services.

Learn More in Our Review

Cheapest Hosting Plans

Shared Hosting:
$2.95
– $2.95
/mo

Other Features

Free Website Migration:
No

DDos Protection:
No

Free Auto Backup:
Daily

Number of Websites Allowed (Lowest / Highest Plans):
1
Unlimited

HostScore

%69.4
Hosting Services
Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Cloud
Visit Online
https://www.dreamhost.com/

DreamHost Pros

  • Reliable server uptime performance
  • Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
  • 97-day Money back guarantee
  • Extensive knowledgebase

DreamHost Cons

  • Price increase during the renewal
  • Live chat support can be better
  • No free site migration assistance

Visit DreamHost to learn more about the features

NameCheap

Established in 2000 by Richard Kirkendall, Namecheap embarked on a mission to revolutionize the domain industry by offering unparalleled low prices and service excellence.

Evolving beyond domain registration, Namecheap now provides a comprehensive suite of online solutions including hosting, security, and managed WordPress services. Today, as the world’s second-largest domain registrar, Namecheap remains dedicated to fostering accessibility and affordability on the internet while prioritizing customer satisfaction above all else.

Learn More in Our Review

Cheapest Hosting Plans

Shared Hosting:
$1.48
– $4.98
/mo

Other Features

Free Website Migration:
Yes

DDos Protection:
Yes

Free Auto Backup:
Daily

Number of Websites Allowed (Lowest / Highest Plans):
3
Unlimited

HostScore

%68.6
Hosting Services
Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller
Visit Online
https://www.namecheap.com/

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

Visit NameCheap to learn more about the features

Hostens

Established in 2003 as a division of Lithuanian company ‘Interneto Vizija,’ Hostens swiftly evolved into a prominent player in the web hosting sphere, amassing over 100,000 clients across Europe. Under the leadership of CEO Arvydas Strausas, the company offers an array of services including web hosting, VPS hosting, VPN, and domain registration. Notably, Hostens introduced a free website building tool in 2019, featuring design templates, web fonts, ecommerce support, and diverse payment gateways, further enhancing its appeal to customers.

The web host, once known for its budget-friendly hosting, has shifted towards more higher-priced plans. Their shared hosting now starts at $4.99/month with a 3-year commitment, or $6.99/month for annual billing. Although these prices remain competitive by industry standards, they no longer fall into the ultra-cheap category that Hostens was once famous for.

Learn More in Our Review

Cheapest Hosting Plans

Shared Hosting:
$4.99
– $11.25
/mo

Other Features

Free Website Migration:
Yes

DDos Protection:
Yes

Free Auto Backup:
Daily

Number of Websites Allowed (Lowest / Highest Plans):
10
40

HostScore

%64.7
Hosting Services
Shared, and VPS
Visit Online
https://www.hostens.com/

Hostens Pros

  • 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
  • Reasonable price

Hostens Cons

  • Price increase during the renewal
  • Limited storage in shared hosting plans
  • Hosting upgrade to VPS only (lack higher hosting capacity)

Visit Hostens to learn more about the features


How to Choose the Right Web Hosting for Non-Profits?

How Are Non-Profit Websites Different?

While the fundamentals of hosting a website are generally consistent across different types of organizations, websites for non-profit projects require a unique approach in certain areas to reflect their mission and maximize their impact.

Non-profit websites need to focus on mission-driven design, which emphasizes storytelling and emotional engagement to inspire visitors. Unlike commercial sites that prioritize sales, these websites must clearly communicate their mission and values to connect with their audience on a deeper level.

Non profit website example
Good non-profit website example: CARE, a leading global humanitarian organization fighting poverty and providing disaster relief.

Another critical aspect is donation integration. Non-profit websites must have secure, user-friendly donation platforms to facilitate seamless fundraising. Features like recurring donation options can support ongoing efforts and make it easy for supporters to contribute. Additionally, transparency is crucial for building trust. Non-profit sites should provide clear information about their goals, how donations are used, and the impact of their work, ensuring that supporters feel confident in their contributions.

8 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Non-Profit Web Host

Choosing the best web hosting for a non-profit website involves balancing affordability, performance, and specific needs like eco-friendliness and security. Below are 12 key factors to keep in mind.

  1. Affordability: Non-profit organizations often operate on tight budgets, so affordability is a top priority. Look for web hosts that offer discounted rates or special plans for non-profits. Check for any hidden fees and ensure that the pricing remains reasonable even after any initial promotional periods end. Hostinger, NameCheap, and Hostens are three of the cheapest hosts in market. If you can provide an official United States IRS letter indicating tax-exempt non-profit status (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) determination letters), DreamHost will offer a free shared hosting plan to your organization.
  2. Reliability and Uptime: A reliable host ensures that your website is always accessible to your supporters and stakeholders. Look for providers that guarantee at least 99.9% uptime. Consistent uptime means your site will be available whenever someone wants to visit, which is crucial for maintaining credibility and trust.
  3. Customer Support: Non-profits often rely on volunteers or part-time staff who may not have extensive technical expertise. Reliable customer support is essential to address issues promptly and keep the website running smoothly. Look for hosts that offer 24/7 support through various channels such as live chat, phone, and email. Strong support services can be a lifeline, providing peace of mind and ensuring that technical problems do not hinder your organization’s operations.
  4. Scalability: As your non-profit grows, your website’s needs may change. Select a hosting provider that offers scalable solutions, allowing you to upgrade your plan as your traffic and resource demands increase. This flexibility ensures that your website can grow alongside your organization without requiring a complete overhaul. For instance, if you are new, start small with a basic shared hosting plan. As your non-profit project grows, upgrade to higher shared or VPS hosting to unlock more features and server capacity.
  5. Security: Security is paramount for any website, but it’s especially critical for non-profits that may handle sensitive information, such as donor details. Ensure the hosting provider offers solid security features, including free SSL certificates, regular backups, malware scanning, and firewalls. These measures help protect your site from potential threats and data breaches. Additionally, non-profits operating in regulated sectors might need HIPAA-compliant servers or other specific security certifications.
  6. Ease of Use: If your organization is managing the website without a dedicated IT team, ease of use is essential. Look for web hosts that offer user-friendly control panels, one-click installations for popular CMS platforms like Joomla, a no-code website builder, and comprehensive self-help documentation. This makes managing your website more straightforward and less time-consuming.
  7. Web Builder Tool & Templates: Many non-profits may not have the budget for professional web development*. All hosting providers mentioned above offer easy-to-use website builders and pre-designed templates to help you start quickly. TMD Hosting, in particularly, stands out with Weebly (a well-made builder tool) built into their shared hosting plan and allow users to create a website without writing any codes.
  8. Environmental Impact: Many non-profits are concerned with environmental sustainability. If this aligns with your organization’s values, consider choosing a green hosting provider like GreenGeeks. They offset their energy consumption with renewable energy credits, helping to reduce your website’s carbon footprint.

* We have also shared the step-by-step procedures to create and host a non-profit website in another tutorial. Read here if you need help.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right web hosting for a non-profit organization involves balancing affordability, security, performance, and support. By evaluating these options based on the outlined criteria, non-profits can ensure a robust and reliable online presence that supports their mission and goals.


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Article by Jerry Low

Jerry Low has immersed himself in web technologies for over a decade and has built many successful sites from scratch. He is a self-professed geek who has made it his life’s ambition to keep the web hosting industry honest. For latest personal updates and news, follow Jerry on Facebook and Twitter.
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