TL;DR
The Best Shared Hosting offer the best of both worlds: affordability and reliable performance. You don’t have to compromise on hosting quality just because you’re on a budget or lack the skills to run on VPS or cloud. Our top picks for shared hosting services – Hostinger and Verpex are prime examples of this balance. Both companies provide exceptional value with their feature-rich plans, reliable server performance, user-friendly interfaces, and stellar customer support.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our best shared hosting picks below address this by offering tailored suggestions.
Hostinger
Hostinger Review (2024)
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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Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
Hostinger Pros
- Very cost-effective – Lowest plan starts at $2.99/mo and support up to 100 websites
- 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 10% discount with coupon code “HOSTSCORE”
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
Verpex
Verpex Review (2024)
Founded in late 2018, Verpex emerges from a seasoned team whose prior ventures were acquired by GoDaddy. This privately funded cPanel-based cloud hosting service prioritizes security and performance. Boasting over 250,000 hosted websites across 181 countries by 2024, Verpex emphasizes swift hosting, expert support, and enduring client partnerships at competitive rates.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
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
- Wide hosting selections including Windows and dedicated hosting
Verpex Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
Ultahost
Ultahost Review (2024)
Launched in 2018 by global entrepreneurs Elin and Deen Doughouz, UltaHost is a dynamic web hosting provider with dual headquarters in Delaware, USA, and Istanbul, Turkey.
With data centers strategically situated in key locations like Dallas, Texas, the Netherlands, Frankfurt, Germany, and Montreal, Canada, UltaHost ensures reliable service worldwide.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
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
TMDHosting Review (2024)
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.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
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
NameCheap
NameCheap Review (2024)
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.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
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
N6 Cloud
N6 Cloud Review (2024)
N6 Cloud is a Canadian cloud hosting provider with over 20 years of industry experience. The company offers a range of services including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, and cloud solutions, all backed by state-of-the-art Canadian data centers. Accredited and certified with ISO 27100, HIPAA, SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, and PCI DSS, N6 Cloud ensures top-notch security and compliance.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
N6 Cloud Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Solid range of hosting plans
- LiteSpeed Web Server in higher shared plans
- Daily backup in all shared and VPS plans
- Helpful support documentation
N6 Cloud Cons
- Lack choices in server location
- No NVMe storage in shared hosting plans
- Live chat only available during in-house office hours (8am – 5pm PT)
KnownHost
KnownHost Review (2024)
KnownHost is a reputable web hosting provider that’s known by us (no pun intended) for its high-performance hosting solutions and exceptional customer service. Established in 2006, the company prides itself on providing reliable, secure, and scalable hosting environments.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
HostScore
KnownHost Pros
- Strong customer support team
- Scalable solutions
- App hosting packages are a big plus
- Reasonable starting prices
KnownHost Cons
- Limited data center locations
- No free domain name
- Limited features on cheaper plans
DreamHost
DreamHost Review (2024)
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.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
HostScore
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
- Server location in the United States only
- No free site migration assistance
AltusHost
AltusHost Review (2024)
Established in 2008, AltusHost is a European-based web hosting provider with its headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company distinguishes itself through its commitment to data privacy and security, boasting ISO 27001 certification for its data centers. AltusHost offers a range of hosting solutions including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers, serving clients across various industries with reliability and professionalism.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
HostScore
AltusHost Pros
- Great hosting speed and uptime performance
- Generous resource allocation
- Excellent for Euro-targeted traffic
- Lots of freebies in shared hosting plans
AltusHost Cons
- Limited reach in non-European areas
- Some complaints on customer supports
- Price increase during the renewal
BlueHost
BlueHost Review (2024)
Founded by Matt Heaton and Danny Ashworth in 2003 and acquired by Endurance International Group (EIG) in 2010, Bluehost is one of the largest hosting providers globally. The company offers a range of services including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, and WordPress hosting. They are one of the few who is officially recommended by WordPress.org.
Shared Hosting Pricing & Features
Free Domain in Basic Plan?
BlueHost Pros
- Free domain name with all shared hosting plans
- $100 free ad credits with all plans
- Comprehensive and easy-to-navigate knowledgebase
BlueHost Cons
- Renewal fees can be significantly higher
- Many upsells on additional features
- Add-ons can get expensive
- Only US-based servers
- Customer support can be better
What is Shared Hosting?
Shared Web Hosting is like renting an apartment in a large building where you share resources such as water, electricity, and common areas with other tenants. Similarly, websites on a shared server share the server’s resources, including CPU time, memory, and disk space.
Benefits of Shared Hosting
- Ease of Management: Shared hosting plans often come with a control panel (such as cPanel or Plesk) that simplifies website management tasks such as adding or removing domains, installing web applications, and creating email accounts.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Due to the shared nature of resources, shared hosting is among the most affordable hosting options, making it an excellent choice for beginners or those operating on a tight budget.
- Pre-configured Server: Servers in shared hosting plans are usually managed by the hosting provider manages the server. This reduces the technical burden on the website owner.
Limitations of Shared Hosting
While shared hosting is an excellent starting point for many, it has its limitations:
- Resource Restrictions: High traffic or resource-heavy websites may experience slowdowns or downtime due to the shared resource environment.
- Limited Customization: Shared hosting users have limited control over the server environment, which can be restrictive for those needing custom software or configurations.
Ideal Use Cases
A shared hosting is best suited for:
- Small to Medium-sized Websites: Personal blogs, small business websites, and portfolios often find shared hosting meets their needs without issue.
- Websites with Moderate Traffic: Websites that do not experience sudden spikes in traffic can operate efficiently on a shared hosting platform.
- Beginners: Individuals new to website management will appreciate the user-friendly nature of shared hosting services.
Features to Look for in a Great Shared Hosting Services?
Standard Features of the Top Shared Hosting Services
Great shared hosting services distinguish themselves by offering a comprehensive suite of features designed to meet the needs of a wide range of users.
The standard features you can expect from the best hosting companies include:
- User-Friendly Control Panel The term “Control Panel” in shared hosting refers to the graphical user interface that simplifies website and server management. A user-friendly control panel allows users to manage domains, install software, set up email accounts, and monitor server resource usage with ease. For instance, Hostinger’s hPanel stands out as a user-friendly control panel, offering an intuitive interface that simplifies website management tasks, making it accessible even to those new to web hosting.
- Free Domain Name Many top shared hosting providers offer a free domain name registration for the first year as part of their hosting package. This reduces the initial costs and simplifies the process of setting up a new website.
- One-Click Installers for Popular Applications Almost all top shared hosting providers come with one-click installers (such as Softaculous or Fantastico) that allow users to easily install popular CMSs like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. These tools streamlines the process of setting up a website or blog, eliminating the need for manual software installation and configuration.
- Email Hosting Most shared hosting providers come with integrated email services that allow you to create professional email addresses associated with your domain name (eg. [email protected]). An integrated email hosting service enhances your professional image and facilitates better communication with your customers and visitors.
- Free SSL Certificate SSL certificate provides encrypted communications between your website and your users’ internet browsers. It is essential for protecting user data, improving search engine ranking, and building trust with your visitors.
- Automated Backups While not all shared hosting plans come with automated backups, the top providers we mentioned in this article offer regular, automatic backups of your website data. ScalaHosting, for example, offers automated daily backup with 7 restore points to all their shared hosting users.
- 24/7 Customer Support Most top shared hosting providers ensures help, usually via live chat, phones, and emails, is available whenever their users need it. A round-the-clock hosting support is crucial if you want sound sleep at night and swift resolutions to your hosting issues.
- Uptime Guarantee The term “Uptime Guarantee” refers to the provider’s commitment to maintain a certain level of service availability. Typically, you’ll get at least 99.9% uptime guarantee in top shared hosting services.
- Scalability A great shared hosting provider allows you to easily upgrade your hosting plan to accommodate your website’s growth. Typically, great large shared hosting providers also come with VPS and dedicated hosting plans.
- WYSIWYG Website Builder A What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) website builder is a tool that allows users to design and build websites without the need to write code manually. A website builder is ideal for individuals without web development experience, enabling them to create professional-looking websites quickly. It also allows for easy updates and changes to the website without the need for technical expertise. Weebly, Wix, and Squarespace are three most popular website builders in market now.
Real Life Examples: What’s Essential?
Dependable Customer Support
Real-world experiences and actual user reviews tell us exactly what matters when choosing a shared hosting provider. If you read through our user reviews (such as these on Hostinger and Verpex), you’ll notice that from a shared hosting user’s perspective, reliable customer support can make or break the hosting experience. Whether it’s a minor technical hiccup or a major issue, fast responses and knowledgeable staff are essential for peace of mind.
Also, as someone who has been building and managing websites since 2004, I recommend that shared hosting users opt for service providers with long trial periods (at least 30 days) and automated backups.
Long Trial Period
You want to test a hosting service before fully committing. A long trial period (or money-back guarantee) gives you the flexibility to evaluate server performance, uptime, and overall experience without the pressure of making an immediate decision. This builds trust and reduces the risk of buyer’s remorse, especially if you’re new or on a tight budget.
Automated Backup
Data loss is every website owner’s worst nightmare. Often, to save costs, hosting providers skip automated backups in their shared hosting plans. Avoid these providers. From years of managing websites for both myself and clients, I know how crucial it is to have your data regularly backed up to ensure your site stays safe from accidental file deletion or a security breach.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best shared hosting provider involves balancing performance, support, security, scalability, and price to match your specific needs. Consider starting with a provider that not only meets your current requirements but also offers the flexibility to grow with your website.
