Web hosting services are not all created equal. You can’t just go out and spend $5 on the first cheap web host you find just because you want to spend as little money as possible.
A good web hosting service, like a good marriage partner, should be chosen carefully and with forethought. Don’t be in a hurry to marry the first person who shows interest!
The same applies to web hosting services. You want to spend a little time considering the merits of your potential hosts before you choose one.
Please note that all prices mentioned in this article are approximations and you should confirm the actual prices before you sign up for any web host.
This article includes affiliate links and I will be compensated if you purchase a hosting package through my affiliate link. Thanks for helping keep this website running!
So here is a list of the best web hosting services available in the market today with their basic features, advantages, and disadvantages for you to make an informed choice.
Table of Contents
What are the Best Web Hosting services?
Here are 10 of the best web hosting services in my opinion. I have selected them based on the quality of service, reliability, speed, customer support, and price.
Just because a company is not on this list does not mean that they are not good – there are many other web hosts available. But if you are looking for reliable, scalable hosting solutions, these are the best web hosting services.
1. Nexcess
Nexcess is a great, relatively new web hosting service that offers high-end hosting solutions at reasonable prices. They offer shared and reseller hosting plans and offer a “cPanel” control panel – which is the industry standard in easy-to-use web hosting administration.
Nexcess provides 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email. They also provide installation for over 200 open source applications including WordPress, Joomla, Prestashop, Zen Cart, and OpenCart.
Key Features:
- Unlimited disk space
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Site Transfer
- Online File Manager Access
- One-Click Application Installs (WordPress, Joomla, Prestashop, Zen Cart, and OpenCart)
- 24/7 Technical Support via Phone, Chat & Email
- 40,000+ shared SSL certificates
Pricing:
Nexcess offers seven pricing plans:
- Spark – $13.30 per month (1 website, 15 GB storage, 2 TB bandwidth)
- Maker – $55.30 per month (up to 5 sites, 40 GB storage, 3 TB bandwidth)
- Designer – $76.30 per month (up to 10 sites, 60 GB storage, 4 TB bandwidth)
- Builder – $104.30 per month (up to 25 sites, 100 GB storage, 5 TB bandwidth)
- Producer – $209.30 per month (up to 50 sites, 300 GB storage, 5 TB bandwidth)
- Executive – $384.30 per month (up to 100 sites, 500 GB storage, 10 TB bandwidth)
- Enterprise – $699.30 per month (up to 250 sites, 800 GB storage, 10 TB bandwidth)
Follow this link to get 50% off the first six months on all of the pricing plans.
2. Hostinger
Hostinger is a web hosting company that offers affordable hosting plans and domain registration services. Founded in 2004, Hostinger has grown to become one of the largest web hosting companies in the world, with over 29 million users in 178 countries.
Hostinger offers a range of hosting options, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and cloud hosting. They also provide website builder tools, domain registration, and email hosting services.
Key Features
- Hosting plans: Hostinger offers a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and cloud hosting. This allows customers to choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget.
- Website builder: Hostinger provides a website builder that allows customers to create a website without any coding knowledge. This is a great feature for those who are new to web development.
- Performance: Hostinger uses SSD storage and a customized caching system to ensure fast website loading speeds. They also provide a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
- Security: Hostinger provides security features such as SSL certificates, daily backups, and malware scanning to help keep customers’ websites secure.
- Customer support: Hostinger offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. They also have a knowledge base with helpful articles and tutorials.
Cons:
- Limited resources on shared hosting plans
- No phone support
- Some features, such as backups, are only available on certain plans
Pricing: Hostinger’s shared hosting plans start at $0.99 per month, while their VPS hosting plans start at $3.95 per month. Their cloud hosting plans start at $9.99 per month. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all hosting plans.
If you want a powerful host on a budget with one of the fastest loading times and an incredible 90% discount, I recommend you get started with Hostinger for $0.99/month ($47.52 for four full years of hosting).
3. Bluehost
Bluehost is a web hosting service that provides a range of hosting options for websites, from shared hosting to dedicated servers. Here are some of its features:
Features:
- Free domain registration for the first year
- Unlimited disk storage, bandwidth, and domain hosting
- Free SSL certificate
- One-click WordPress installation
- 24/7 customer support
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Limited resources on shared hosting plans
- Extra fees for additional features
- Customer support can be slow at times
- Renewal rates are higher than initial rates
Pricing:
Bluehost offers various pricing options depending on the type of hosting plan you choose. The basic shared hosting plan starts at $2.95 per month, while VPS hosting starts at $18.99 per month and dedicated hosting starts at $79.99 per month. Renewal rates are higher than initial rates, so be sure to read the fine print before signing up.
I recommend you get started with their Basic Plan for $2.95/month, which is 63% off their regular price.
4. DreamHost
DreamHost is a web hosting service provider that was founded in 1996. It offers a range of hosting solutions for individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises. Some of its main features include unlimited bandwidth, 24/7 customer support, and a user-friendly control panel.
Here are some of the pros and cons of using DreamHost:
Pros:
- Offers a 97-day money-back guarantee, which is longer than most other hosting providers
- Provides unlimited bandwidth and storage for all hosting plans
- Offers a user-friendly control panel that is easy to navigate
- Provides excellent customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and phone
- Offers free domain registration for the first year with some hosting plans
- Offers free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates for all hosting plans
Cons:
- Pricing can be higher compared to other hosting providers
- No cPanel option, which can be a drawback for users who are accustomed to using it
- No free backups available for some hosting plans, and paid backups can be expensive
DreamHost offers several hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. Its shared hosting plans start at $2.59 per month and include a free domain, unlimited traffic, and a free SSL certificate. Its VPS hosting plans start at $10 per month, and its dedicated hosting plans start at $149 per month.
You can get started with the DreamHost Shared Starter plan for just $2.59 per month.
5. HostGator
HostGator is a web hosting provider founded in 2002. It offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, as well as reseller hosting for those looking to start their own hosting business. HostGator also provides website builder tools, domain registration services, and email hosting solutions.
Features:
- Unlimited disk space and bandwidth on all plans
- Free website builder with over 100 mobile-friendly templates
- One-click installation of popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal
- Free domain name registration or transfer for the first year
- 24/7/365 customer support via phone, live chat, and email
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Automatic backups of your website data
Pros:
- HostGator offers a wide range of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets
- The free website builder and one-click CMS installation make it easy to create and manage your website
- The 24/7 customer support is available via multiple channels and is generally helpful and responsive
- The 99.9% uptime guarantee and automatic backups help ensure your website stays online and your data is secure
Cons:
- Some users have reported slow website loading speeds, particularly with shared hosting plans
- The renewal prices for hosting plans can be significantly higher than the introductory prices, which may catch some users off guard
- HostGator’s user interface and backend can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, particularly those unfamiliar with hosting terminology
- The refund policy for hosting plans is limited to 45 days, which is shorter than some other web hosts
Pricing: HostGator offers a range of hosting plans starting at $2.75/month for shared hosting, $29.95/month for VPS hosting, and $119/month for dedicated hosting. The company also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on its hosting plans.
I recommend you try the Hatchling plan and get started for $2.75/month.
6. iPage
iPage is a web hosting company that offers various hosting solutions for individuals and small businesses. Here are some of its features:
Features:
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth
- Free domain name registration for the first year
- Website builder with templates and drag-and-drop functionality
- Support for WordPress and other content management systems
- 24/7 customer support through phone, chat, and email
- Security suite with SiteLock and daily malware scans
- One-click installs for popular applications like WordPress and Joomla
- Unlimited email addresses
- Free advertising credits for Google, Bing, and Yahoo!
Pros:
- Affordable hosting plans with a range of features
- User-friendly website builder
- Good customer support with 24/7 availability
- Free domain registration for the first year
- Good security features with SiteLock and daily malware scans
- One-click installs for popular applications
Cons:
- Higher renewal prices for hosting plans
- No free SSL certificate, which is now considered a standard security feature
- Limited options for advanced users who want to customize their hosting environment
Pricing: iPage offers a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. Prices start at $1.99 per month for the introductory period and $7.99 per month upon renewal for shared hosting. Other plans are priced higher depending on the features and resources included.
With the link below, you can claim 70% off hosting and get a free domain registration at the super-low price of $1.99/month.
7. GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks is a web hosting company founded in 2008 that focuses on providing eco-friendly hosting solutions. Here are some of the key features, pros, and cons of GreenGeeks:
Features:
- Unlimited web space, data transfer, email accounts, and MySQL databases
- Free domain name registration for the first year
- Free SSL certificate for enhanced website security
- cPanel control panel for easy website management
- One-click WordPress installation and website builder tools
- 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone
- Eco-friendly hosting powered by renewable energy sources
Pros:
- GreenGeeks is committed to environmental sustainability and uses renewable energy to power their data centers, making them a great choice for eco-conscious website owners.
- They offer a variety of hosting plans at affordable prices, making it easy for users to find a plan that fits their budget and needs.
- The inclusion of a free domain name registration and SSL certificate in their plans provides additional value to users.
- Their customer support team is available 24/7, ensuring that users can receive assistance whenever they need it.
Cons:
- Some users have reported occasional issues with website speed and uptime.
- While their customer support is available around the clock, some users have reported longer wait times for support during peak hours.
- Their knowledge base could be more extensive, as some users have reported difficulty finding specific information.
Pricing:
GreenGeeks offers three shared hosting plans: Lite, Pro, and Premium. The Lite plan starts at $2.49/month for a 36-month commitment, while the Pro and Premium plans are priced at $4.95/month and $8.95/month, respectively. They also offer VPS hosting and reseller hosting plans at higher price points.
8. WP Engine
WP Engine is a well-respected US web hosting provider for WordPress websites. Their shared hosting plans are very affordable compared to similar hosts, plus their servers are faster and more reliable than most other hosts on this list.
They offer unlimited disk space, bandwidth, and email accounts with all paid plans which is usually limited by the competition.
Their cloud VPS plans are very affordable, starting at around $29 per month for a Lite package with 20GB storage, 2GB RAM, and 1TB bandwidth.
Pros:
WP Engine is very reliable when it comes to serving WordPress websites – they were built specifically for WordPress after all!
They offer unlimited disk space, bandwidth, and email accounts on their shared hosting plans which are rare compared to other web hosts. They also offer a money-back guarantee and they also come with cPanel free of charge.
Cons:
WP Engine is not the cheapest option on this list, their shared hosting plans start at $29 per month which is quite high compared to most other web hosts.
Their cloud VPS Lite package is quite weak compared to other shared hosts, starting at 20GB storage (and up to only 40GB on their more expensive plans).
You’ll need to upgrade to their dedicated plan which is $299 per month if you want a dedicated IP address.
If you are looking for one of the best premium-managed web hosting companies, give WP Engine a test run and get 10% off your first payment.
9. SiteGround
SiteGround is a fully-managed web hosting provider serving clients worldwide. They have locations in Bulgaria, Singapore, and the USA.
Their shared hosting plans are some of the most affordable on this list starting at just $3.95 per month which is quite rare compared to other hosts on this list.
They have some really cool features not offered by other hosts such as built-in caching and free CloudFlare CDN – these features come standard with all their hosting plans. Their SSD cloud servers are great for handling larger websites, they start at $40 per month with 20GB storage, 2GB RAM, and 1TB bandwidth.
Pros:
SiteGround is a very affordable option if you need to be shared hosting, their cheapest option (Shared) starts at $3.95 per month which is by far the cheapest on this list!
They offer unlimited bandwidth, storage space, and email accounts per plan – they also include CloudFlare CDN with all paid plans which is usually an extra charge on most other web hosts.
Their VPS cloud plans come with built-in caching and free CloudFlare CDN.
Cons:
SiteGround is not the most reliable of hosts, their servers are known to go down every now and then for short periods of time which can be a problem if your website is ever hacked or disappeared.
Their cloud VPS servers are quite weak compared to others on this list, there are reliable cloud hosts available for cheaper on this list.
Their Lite package is only 20GB storage (and up to only 40GB on the next package) which is quite poor compared to other VPS hosts – starting at 50GB storage with SSD.
If your someone sick and tired of lousy service and want to work with the industry’s best customer support team, give SiteGround a try today. You can also read my full review of SiteGround vs Bluehost to compare these two web hosting giants.
10. GoDaddy Web Hosting
GoDaddy is perhaps one of the most well-known domain registrars on the internet. They actually make more money from reselling domains than they do selling web hosting, which is why their web hosting service is quite poor.
That being said, they are actually one of the cheapest hosts on this list starting at $3.99 per month (since they only offer shared hosting).
Their user interfaces for both cPanel and Plesk are not great (in my opinion) compared to other hosts – it’s not the best suited for newbies. They include Cloudflare CDN with all paid plans which is something other hosts on this list do not offer.
Pros:
GoDaddy is one of the cheapest options you can get when it comes to web hosting starting at only $3.99 per month if you buy an annual plan, their support is pretty good from what I’ve heard from their customers.
They offer unlimited bandwidth and storage space, plus a free domain with all paid plans – not many hosts do this so GoDaddy might be a good option if you don’t mind spending a little bit more on web hosting. Cloudflare CDN comes standard with all paid plans which are great.
Cons:
GoDaddy is not the most reliable of hosts, their servers are known to go down for short periods of time (which can be bad if your website is ever hacked or goes offline).
Their shared hosting plans are quite weak compared to other hosts on this list, you’ll need to upgrade to their dedicated plan which is way too expensive for what you get.
Their cheapest plan can’t handle CMSs or blogs that receive a lot of traffic, you’ll need the next plan up which is still pretty weak – also more expensive.
If you’re just starting out, you can get started with their Economy Plan for $5.99/month for 36 months.
Web Hosting FAQs.
What is web hosting used for?
Web hosting is the process of making a website accessible on the internet. It is usually done by providing space on a server, where the files of the website are stored.
Web hosting is used for storing and distributing content to end-users and can be accessed from any device connected to the internet. Web hosting companies provide space for storing data, bandwidth for transmitting data, and security to prevent unauthorized access.
What Are the Different Types of Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the service that provides the server space for a website.
There are many types of web hosting, but most people only need to know about four types: shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting.
- Shared web hosting offers a single server to multiple clients on a pay-per-use basis.
- Dedicated web hosting is more expensive, but it offers you your own private server for your website.
- VPS web hosting is similar to shared web hosting in that it offers you your own virtual private server, but it’s cheaper and more flexible than dedicated web hosting.
- Cloud computing is another type of web hosting where the client’s data is stored on remote servers rather than being stored on physical hardware in one location.
What is the most secure web hosting?
There are a number of ways to determine the most secure web hosting. One way is to look at the features and services that they offer. For example, some hosts may offer a dedicated IP address, which is more secure than shared IP addresses. Another way is to look at the company’s track record and reputation.
The best way to determine the most secure web hosting company is by looking at what type of data you will be keeping on your website and their security measures for that data.
If you store credit card information on your website, for example, then it would be wise to find a host that offers SSL encryption for those types of transactions.
What is the difference between domain and hosting?
There is a lot of confusion about the difference between domain and hosting. Hosting is the type of service that provides you with a server to store your website files on. Domain names are what people see in the browser.
A domain name is like a street address for your website. It’s what people will use to find you, and it needs to be unique across the internet so that people can find you easily when they search for it.
A hosting service, on the other hand, provides storage space for your website files – that’s where everything from your home page, images, and videos are stored when someone visits your site.
What is the cheapest web hosting?
The cheapest web hosting is usually determined by how much storage space and bandwidth you need.
It also depends on what kind of hosting you want – shared, VPS, or dedicated.
Some companies that offer cheap web hosting may also have hidden fees like domain name registration, SSL certificates, and more.
Therefore, it’s important to check the fine print before signing up with a company.
Can I host my website for free?
There are many free hosting services available on the internet. You just need to find one that suits your needs and go for it.
The free hosting services are either not reliable or have a limited storage capacity. They also come with advertisements which can be a disadvantage for some people who want to make their website look professional.
Is WordPress a web host?
WordPress is not a web host. It is a content management system that can be used to create a website.
It is important to note that WordPress does not offer to host services, it only offers the software for the website.
Is domain privacy worth the cost?
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as one might think. Domain privacy is a service that allows the domain owner to hide their contact information from the public, meaning that the domain owner’s contact information will not be publicly available through WHOIS.
Domain owners who purchase this service want their personal information to remain private and secure from hackers and spammers. One of the drawbacks of domain privacy is that it can sometimes be difficult for a customer or potential customer to get in touch with a company if they have any questions about their products or services.
Is shared hosting secure?
Shared hosting is a cost-effective way to host websites. It has been around for a long time and it’s still popular in the internet world.
The problem with shared hosting is that it’s not as secure as other hosting services. The servers are usually overloaded with many other websites, which makes them vulnerable to attacks or hacking attempts.
As a result, shared hosting providers have to invest in expensive security systems and additional staff, which increases their costs and lowers their profit margins.
Can I host my own website?
The answer is no.
You can’t host your own website because it’s not possible.
Websites are hosted on servers, and hosting a server requires a lot of money and technical know-how.
Web Hosting Comparison (Summary)
Web hosting is not really a “thing” in and of itself since it’s just a service. There are hundreds of web hosts out there each offering a different service at different prices. The best web hosting companies are the ones that offer unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email addresses – these are typically the big companies like GoDaddy or Bluehost.
The best web hosting services are not necessarily the cheapest ones (although there are exceptions to this rule). The top 10 web hosts on this list are all very good providers but some will be better suited for certain website owners than others depending on the type of website you want to host.
For example, if you want to run a VPS server then Linode or DigitalOcean Pro are both great options – but if you’re looking for shared hosting then SiteGround is the best option.
Some of the hosts on this list can get expensive, especially when you need more than one website hosted. GoDaddy is the cheapest option at only $3.99 per month (for their “Pro Plus” plan) – but you get what you pay for since they’re known to go down quite often.
For this reason, we recommend staying away from the lowest-priced hosts unless your website is not important or is just a hobby that isn’t getting many visitors.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the 10 best web hosting companies out there – if you want to add anything please feel free to leave a comment below.
Disclosure: There are some affiliate links above and I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post (of course at no additional cost to you). but these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t put anything on this page that I have not verified and/or personally used.