Statista estimates that as of January 2024, there were over 5.16 billion internet users worldwide, meaning it’s impossible to imagine a world without the internet. For your business to thrive, you need to find a way to capture the attention of all these users by creating a website that they want to interact with. It all starts with web hosting services and companies.
With dozens of providers to choose from, how do you choose the one that fits your website’s vision? To answer this question, we’ve scoured the market to find the best web hosting deals available today.
By looking at product options and pricing, the features you need, and the key pros and cons, we’ve created a guide to help you choose the best web hosting service.
Our Top 10 Best Web Hosting Services and Companies:
- Bluehost – Best Shared Web Hosting Service
- Hostinger – Best Web Hosting Service for Long-Term Savings
- GoDaddy – Best for Unlimited Storage and Bandwidth
- IONOS – Best Affordable Hosting Plans
- HostGator – Best Domain Hosting for Heavy Email Usage
- DreamHost – Best for 100% Uptime Guarantee
- Web.com – Best for Unlimited Data
- Online Solutions – Best for 24/7 Live Chat Support
- HostPapa – Best for Small and Medium Businesses
- A2 Hosting – Best Hosting Solution for Large Servers
Our Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Hosting Services
Since there are several technical specifications to consider, such as server space and bandwidth, it’s difficult to make one-on-one comparisons. To compile our list of the best hosting sites, we reviewed all the features and compared them against their value.
For our basic comparison table, we reviewed the features offered by each web hosting provider at their most affordable level. However, if you’re willing to invest a significant amount of money, almost every hosting provider will offer what you need.
Our methodology is based on the following factors:
- Uptime guarantees
- Server speed and loading time
- Disk space
- Bandwidth limits
- Reliability
- Security features
- Customer support
The Best Hosting Services – An In-Depth Look
While the company offers other services, such as shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and VPS (virtual private server) hosting, Bluehost’s reputation for simplicity and ease of use is perhaps its biggest advantage. They also offer accelerated installation for WooCommerce, a popular e-commerce platform powered by WP Engine. Security features like SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates and daily backups also add to its appeal.
“I love Bluehost as a hosting platform,” says web strategist and coach Wes McDowell. He also describes Bluehost as “super reliable,” adding that the service “makes it easy to get your website up and running.”
Why we chose Bluehost: Bluehost is one of the most versatile hosting providers available. It offers a user-friendly setup process and a variety of affordable solutions, making it a great choice for customers with different needs.
Our experience: We appreciate Bluehost’s simple website design, navigation, and focus on WordPress. These features have allowed us to build a variety of websites. Transparent pricing and product information make it easy to find the perfect option for you and your budget.
PROS
- Quick WordPress installation and setup
- WooCommerce online store hosting
- Includes security features
CONS
- Limited disk space (10 GB)
- Does not include email addresses
Hostinger offers the longest initial subscription commitment on the list, but its prices are very affordable. The service costs just $1.99 per month for the first four years, then the price increases to $3.99 per month. Hostinger’s 30-day money-back guarantee and 99.9% uptime guarantee also give you peace of mind. While this offer doesn’t include a free domain name, it does include a unique email address. Users also get 50GB of SSD storage and 100GB of bandwidth. Security features include SSL certificates, weekly backups, and DDoS protection.
Why we chose Hostinger: Hostinger’s affordable four-year uptime plan gives you guaranteed uptime at a very affordable price. User reviews and testimonials from verified users on Trustpilot and the Hostinger website confirm that customers highly value the service they receive.
Our experience: The company’s customer support is very responsive. We received a response to our sample question on Hostinger’s live chat within 10 minutes of submitting it. However, we didn’t like that Hostinger had a countdown timer on its website. We found it a bit misleading.
PROS
- Affordable pricing
- A fast and responsive customer service team
- DDoS protection included
CONS
- Does not include a free domain name
- Limited bandwidth (100 GB)
While GoDaddy has gained widespread recognition for its extensive advertising campaigns, its popularity stems from factors beyond marketing. Its exceptional set of security features, including SSL certificates, automatic backups, DDoS protection, and proactive malware scanning, set it apart from the competition.
The company also has a WordPress website builder, which means you don’t need to hire an expensive designer to create a website. Instead, GoDaddy’s Assistant gives you access to easy-to-use tools for beginners to help you build your site. GoDaddy also offers design services if you’d rather avoid building a website altogether.
Why We Chose GoDaddy: As one of the most reputable and reputable web hosting services, GoDaddy has earned its place on web hosting lists for years. However, their competitive plans and excellent security features give them such stability. Plus, their wide range of e-commerce tools and resources provide additional support to strengthen and grow your business.
Our Experience: We like that GoDaddy includes custom domain registration and allows customers to search for domains right from the homepage. We also found plenty of traditional storefront offerings and payment options for this service.
PROS
- Strong security
- Website creation and design services
- Free one-click WordPress installation
CONS
- The initial price is a bit higher than others.
- Email addresses are only free for the first year.
IONOS is ideal for small businesses that need an online presence. At $1 per month for the first year of its Business plan, it offers one of the most affordable web hosting deals on this list. It offers a lot for that low price: 99.9% uptime, unlimited bandwidth, 50 GB of SSD (solid-state drive) storage, five email addresses, advanced security features like DDoS (distributed denial of service) and geo-blocking, as well as redundancy.
Web developer and HowExpert author Liz Kazanji notes in her book Freelance Web Developer 101: “For simplicity’s sake, I recommend 1&1, now known as IONOS. I found their service to be affordable, and it met my needs perfectly.”
Like the other web hosting providers on this list, IONOS offers WordPress hosting plans. However, it also offers standard web hosting options, as well as Drupal and Joomla hosting. Although the Business plan has a first-year fee, IONOS remains one of the best web hosting platforms on the market, thanks to what it offers for such a low price.
Why We Chose IONOS: IONOS offers the most affordable pricing options of all the products we reviewed. What’s more, its comprehensive catalog of web hosting services makes it easy to include in our list.
Our Experience: We appreciated IONOS’s simple pricing structure and product selection. We also found the live chat feature helpful for learning more about the provider’s solutions.
PROS
- The initial price is very affordable.
- Ample storage space (50 GB).
- Business plan includes five email addresses.
CONS
- Price goes up to $8 after the first year.
- High traffic reduces efficiency.
HostGator is a smart choice for large organizations that need a lot of email addresses. This web hosting company offers unlimited email addresses with its plans. It also guarantees at least 99% server uptime and unlimited bandwidth.
In his book, WordPress Made Easy, freelance web developer and technical writer Daryl Bartlett explains that “you need a web space to install WordPress.” He adds, “I recommend a company called HostGator. They have great prices, 24/7 support, and they’re super easy to set up with WordPress.”
The introductory plan, which starts at $2.75 per month, requires a three-year commitment, but the price doesn’t increase to the regular price of $7.99 per month until the end of the introductory period. In addition to standard shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and VPS, HostGator also offers reseller hosting for those who want to offer their own hosting services.
Why we chose HostGator: HostGator has won awards for everything from web hosting to customer service. We were impressed with their unlimited email addresses, even on their most basic plans. Larger organizations will appreciate this feature because it allows you to set up email.
Our experience: We appreciate that HostGator doesn’t force you to pay for additional email addresses or use a third-party email provider. Instead, they keep that business in their own business. We also liked that they offer some of the fastest and most affordable hosting options on the market.
PROS
- Unlimited email addresses
- Long-term deals
- Award-winning customer service
CONS
- Only 10GB of server space
- Best price requires a three-year commitment
DreamHost offers a 97-day money-back guarantee and 100% uptime. This shows confidence in their service, which should reassure even the most finicky of consumers.
The introductory plan includes a free domain name for one year, but does not include an email address. There is unlimited bandwidth and no storage limits. There are also several options for WordPress sites, from basic hosting to dedicated WordPress hosting and cloud hosting options for those who want to publish web applications.
Why we chose DreamHost: DreamHost promises 100% uptime and a refund for any downtime. Plus, with a 97-day money-back guarantee, you can try their services and see if they live up to this promise.
Our experience: We liked the choice of two unmanaged shared hosting plans, three managed shared hosting plans, four VPS plans, and nine dedicated hosting plans.
PROS
- Lots of guarantees
- Various WordPress hosting options
- Cloud hosting
CONS
- No email included
- Possibly confusing plan options
Web.com is a simple hosting provider that offers shared hosting for WordPress and personal websites. While it doesn’t offer dedicated hosting plans, VPS hosting, or reseller hosting, it does offer a website builder for those who aren’t using WordPress.
The basic plan includes a free domain name for the first year and a business email address. Web.com also claims 99.9% uptime, but doesn’t guarantee it. Plans include unlimited bandwidth, an SSL certificate, malware scanning, and daily backups for added security.
We chose Web.com because this web hosting solution is robust and comprehensive, with unlimited hosting. It offers users free access to a drag-and-drop website builder and promises up to 70% faster loading speeds than its competitors.
Our experience: We love Web.com’s website design and creation options, with a free hour of support and pre-built modules. However, we were a little disappointed by the lack of technical details about their plans.
PROS
- Includes business email
- Free domain for the first year
- Offers a free drag-and-drop website builder
CONS
- Email addresses are available for an additional fee
- Lack of detailed technical information.
Web.com is the platform of Network Solutions and offers similar services. However, it offers the added benefit of fast, efficient, and responsive customer support.
Network Solutions does not increase the monthly fees on its starter plan upon renewal, which is a big incentive for potential customers. The plan includes 15 GB of storage and five email addresses. Network Solutions also guarantees 99.9% uptime, but doesn’t provide much information about bandwidth. Additionally, while WordPress plans are more expensive, they include additional storage, email addresses, and a free domain name.
We chose Network Solutions. Network Solutions is a reliable option that doesn’t increase your renewal fees. This provider also offers excellent customer support and includes five free email addresses in its most basic plan.
Our experience: When we contacted Network Solutions’ customer support team, they immediately connected us with a representative. The site offers a combination of live text messaging and chatbot support. Their 99.9% uptime guarantee gave us confidence that our site would always be available to visitors.
PROS
- The price remains the same after renewal.
- Quick chat support from customer service.
- Includes five free email addresses.
CONS
- Does not include a free domain name.
- No information on bandwidth is available for the basic plan.
HostPapa is a premium web design and hosting service that makes a professional online presence accessible to businesses of all sizes. The intuitive drag-and-drop website builder lets you create stunning websites in no time. With plans starting at just $3.95 per month, it’s an affordable solution for everyone. HostPapa offers a variety of hosting options, including web hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting, and even specialized e-commerce hosting. With over 400 business plugins, you can enhance your website’s functionality. Enjoy free domain registration, ample storage, and unlimited bandwidth with every plan. HostPapa empowers businesses to thrive online with its affordable, feature-rich hosting services.
We chose HostPapa primarily for their versatility in hosting options. With HostPapa, users have access to a wide range of choices, including web hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting, and specialized e-commerce hosting. Whether you’re running a personal blog, an online store, or a growing business, HostPapa offers hosting plans designed to meet your specific needs and ensure a seamless online presence.
Our Experience: HostPapa is exceptional when it comes to uptime. They maintain an excellent 99.97% uptime, meaning your site rarely goes down. While it’s impossible to achieve 100% uptime due to random issues and maintenance, HostPapa’s uptime is less than three hours per year. This high level of reliability is perfect for both blogs and online stores, as it ensures that your site is frequently available to visitors.
PROS
- Lots of features, even with the basic plan.
- Softaculous with over 400 free plugins
- Personalized training
PROS
- Money-back guarantee not 100%
- Some hidden fees
A2 Hosting offers a variety of solutions for both individual and business users. They offer WordPress hosting plans (managed and unmanaged), dedicated email, WooCommerce, reseller hosting, and even specialized software for nonprofits.
Their basic shared hosting plan, which is ideal for WordPress or custom websites, starts at $2.99 per month for one year. The plan includes 100 GB of SSD storage, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited email addresses. However, users will have to pay for a domain name.
Why we chose A2 Hosting: A2 Hosting has a lot to offer. large storage space, as well as all the email and bandwidth you could possibly need. Their plans include a comprehensive security package with SSL certificates, backups, malware scanning, DDoS protection, and two-factor authentication (2FA).
Our experience: We appreciate the clarity of the reporting used by A2 Hosting to back up its claims with accurate data. This provider clearly describes its methodology online to show that it can offer a large amount of storage space and reliable bandwidth.
PROS
- 100 GB SSD storage
- Unlimited email addresses
- Comprehensive security package
CONS
- No free domain name included
- Renewal costs are somewhat high
How to Compare the Best Hosting Services
The comparison table below includes some important details that will help you better understand the features of the best web hosting providers.
Keep in mind that it’s not always possible to make direct comparisons when evaluating the details of each hosting provider. The features listed here are for the most affordable plan for each hosting service, but higher-tier plans may include better features. For example, some hosting providers may offer a free domain name with more expensive plans than those listed in the table. Be sure to visit each hosting service’s website for detailed information about their other offerings.
What are Web Hosting Services, and Which is Right for You?
Web hosting services are the space on the Internet where your website’s storefront is located. If you have a website, you need to be online, and web hosting services create and maintain it so that your customers can access and view it by typing in its URL.
There are many types of hosting services for all types of businesses. Some web hosting companies can handle everything from building your website to marketing and sales. Other providers only provide the space, infrastructure, technical support staff, and hardware so you can build your website.
Depending on your business model and size, you will choose a hosting company based on the factors described below. Once you understand the terminology, you can evaluate the options and choose the service that best suits your business needs.
Exploring the Different Types of Web Hosting
The larger or more complex your website is, the more comprehensive a setup package you’ll need. The main types are broken down as follows:
- Shared Web Hosting: Availability and Simplicity
Shared web hosting is the most basic package offered by these services. Your website is hosted on the same server as many others, so you share the server and other resources, such as memory and CPU.
Shared web hosting plans cover the basic needs of a website, such as email, file sharing, and basic e-commerce sites. They’re the most cost-effective option and therefore the most attractive for small or new businesses.
- VPS Hosting: A Balance of Power and Flexibility
A virtual private server is designed for direct use, not shared hosting. Although you’re sharing a physical server, the service creates a virtual server, especially if it’s a shared VPS.
This means that all the resources, from memory to processing power, are exclusively yours. This more secure and reliable option sets your website apart from the rest while maintaining availability.
- Dedicated Web Hosting for Maximum Control and Efficiency
Dedicated hosting is a step further. In addition to having your own server, dedicated hosting gives you complete control over it. This means that you have full admin access and can configure it exactly how you want.
This hosting package includes features that may not be necessary for all types of businesses.
- WordPress Hosting: Optimized for WordPress Websites
WordPress offers shared hosting plans that are designed for more specialized customers. The servers are optimized in different ways and include particularly attractive features such as faster loading times, a WordPress installer, special security features for WordPress websites, and hosting for WordPress updates. This is useful for businesses with websites built on WordPress.
What Is Included With a Web Hosting Service?
With a web hosting service, you get tools to design your website, hundreds of templates, blogging and e-commerce features, email marketing, analytics and reporting, cloud hosting services, and much more. Web servers centralize everything into one service that allows you to manage your website online, keep it running smoothly, and protect your data.
Web Hosting Pricing and Value Analysis
Some people choose web hosting companies based solely on price. While this is not a good strategy, you should consider value. The best providers offer plans for all budgets, and in some cases, signing up for a longer term (instead of paying monthly) will allow you to get additional discounts.
Also, leave room for growth. Choose a web hosting plan that meets your website’s current needs. But hopefully, your website will grow and expand over time, and your needs may change. Since switching web hosting providers can be complicated, consider one that offers a wide range of hosting plans.
In many cases, more expensive plans include more email addresses. While this feature may not be very important to some, it is essential for others.
Should You Consider Free Hosting?
Free hosting plans are not worth it, as they can cause more problems than benefits, taking shortcuts and compromising your website’s speed, security, and scalability.
Slow performance on free hosting will negatively impact your website’s SEO. Your website may not even appear in search results. Your website’s security can also be compromised, as free servers usually lack protection against cyberattacks.
Essential Web Hosting Features You Need
There are several important factors that affect the quality of hosting that you should consider when making a decision. Some of the most important factors include:
- Uptime Guarantee: Ensuring your website is available reliably
When you think about web hosting, you’ll often hear the term “uptime guarantee.” This makes perfect sense, as it’s one of the most important factors when choosing a service. Uptime, the percentage of time that a hosting service is up and running, is guaranteed by various companies with a certain percentage of uptime.
This is important because you don’t want your website to be constantly down or inaccessible to your customers. Otherwise, what’s the point of having a website? Having your website available for a high percentage of the time ensures that your customers can see and interact with it more often.
Quality brands like InMotion Hosting, HostGator, and Bluehost offer a 99%+ uptime guarantee, which is good for your business. Load Time Optimization: Speed Up Your Website
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure your domain hosting service has fast load times. A2Hosting offers a page load time of 360 milliseconds, which is the fastest in the industry.
- Customer Support: Reliable Help When You Need It
Since having a problem with your website is a common occurrence, it’s important that customer support is accessible, competent, and easy to use. Learn more below.
- Server Hosting: How to Choose the Right Geoserver
The number and location of your servers are vital to your website’s loading speed and service. The more servers you have, the faster the service will be, but the location of those servers will also affect quality.
Depending on your location, look for servers in key locations near you, such as the UK, US, or Israel.
- Email Hosting. Manage your email accounts through your hosting.
Email hosting is another way to expand your business’s online presence and provide dedicated email addresses for all of your employees. Most web hosting providers have email hosting tools that help you manage accounts and communications from one place.
Security Features to Look for in a Hosting Package
In the US alone, 30,000 websites are compromised by malware every day. Many of these are small business websites that are vulnerable to attacks because they lack the cybersecurity protection offered by the IT teams of large corporations.
However, small business owners can still do more to keep their accounts safe. Check to see if your hosting provider offers any of the following options, which can help ensure that your account doesn’t become one of the following statistics:
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Strengthens account security.
Also known as multi-factor authentication (MFA), two-factor authentication adds a second security token to the login process. If you have a managed hosting plan, you probably know that cPanel is where your technical staff can manage your hosting accounts.
- Free SSL certificates: Protect data in transit.
If your small business manages multiple domain names, it’s helpful if your hosting provider offers free SSL certificates with your package. An SSL certificate is a guarantee from a Certificate Authority (CA) that traffic to and from your website will be encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS).
You may be more familiar with using http:// instead of https:// before certain domain names. Using TLS gives your customers peace of mind that data sent to and from your site will be encrypted on their local networks.
- DKIM, SPF, DMARC: Improved Email Security
Email spoofing is a real concern for any small business. To combat this, look for a provider that offers three email authentication tools in its packages: Sender Policy Framework (SPF), Domain Key Authentication (DKIM), and Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Matching (DMARC).
These are created as DNS records in your cPanel, which means recipients can see that email that is authenticated by your organization is not the result of a fraudster impersonating you.
- Easy Update Manager. Up-to-date software updates
A one-click installer and scripts allow you to ensure that these cloud applications are updated automatically and regularly, without the need for your IT staff.
How to Choose the Best Web Hosting Company?
Without the best web hosting, your ability to run a successful website will be seriously hampered. There are a huge variety of web hosting providers competing for your business.
How can you choose the best one? Start by considering the following points:
1. Bandwidth
If your website contains a lot of graphics, dozens of pages, and generates a lot of traffic, you will need unlimited bandwidth and disk space. However, unlimited hosting plans are available to make things easier. If your website is simple and doesn’t generate a lot of traffic, you should be able to manage with less disk space and bandwidth.
2. Compatibility
Also consider compatibility. One important aspect you may overlook when looking for a web hosting provider is the types of operating systems supported. You don’t want to change operating systems, so check this point before choosing a provider.
3. Reliability
Reliability and availability are important features to consider when looking for web hosting. The best web hosting companies offer 98% and 99% uptime. However, it’s easy to make such claims, so make sure they deliver on their promises.
4. Security
Security is also an important aspect. Choosing a web hosting provider without knowing what security features are available is a big mistake. Features such as firewalls, daily backups, free SSL certificates, and user authentication should be included and easily accessible in the control panel.
Exploring Additional Offerings Beyond Web Hosting
If you have an online store, look for providers that offer e-commerce solutions. Look for a content management system (CMS) provider if you want quick and easy updates. Make sure they also give you access to your website statistics.
Another feature to consider is the environmental impact of web hosting. Data centers consume a lot of electricity; today, some web hosting providers are using green technologies for their platforms.
Website Builders: Simplifying Website Creation
A free domain for your website is more than just hosting; you need a website. Website builders help you publish all your images and information online without any coding. They offer users hundreds of easy-to-use and editable templates. You can directly drag and drop content into the templates and customize your site to suit your niche.
If you have little or no web design experience, web builders can help you easily design the website of your dreams.
Assessing Customer Service and Support from Hosting Providers
Even if you’re an expert at building websites, it’s good to know that help is available if you need it. Make sure that the hosting provider you choose offers 24/7 support and make sure there are multiple ways to reach them, preferably by phone.
The most reliable providers offer support via email, phone, and online chat, giving you the most convenient options.
The best support plan includes customer freedom. Review the provider’s policy to make sure they have a clear money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the product.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a few candidates, look for online reviews of each one. Ideally, the reviews should be from real customers on review sites, rather than lists of testimonials posted on the provider’s website.
Just by reading the reviews, it should be pretty easy to get a sense of how a web hosting provider treats its customers.
More Web Hosting Services We Reviewed
If you think your web search is over, we’ve got some good news. Our web hosting experts have selected the top 10 brands featured and reviewed on this page.
Check out these other brands to get a better idea of all your web hosting options.
- Clouds
- Fat Cow
- Hibu
- Jimdo
- WordPress
Additional Articles of Interest
With all that in mind, read these expert-written articles and discover the best ways to manage your website online.
- Best Web Hosting for Small Businesses
- How to Choose a Web Hosting Service:
- 10 Tips to Determine Your Website’s Bandwidth Requirements
- Our Ultimate Guide to Shared Web Hosting
- Best WordPress Hosting Services
Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision for Your Web Hosting Needs
Our recommendations for the 10 best web hosting services are: Bluehost, IONOS, HostGator, Hostinger, DreamHost, A2 Hosting, Web.com, Network Solutions, rocket.net, and InMotion.
As tempting as it may be to just pick a quick web hosting provider and move on, it’s better not to waste time. This way, you can find a provider you can stick with for the long haul.
