Most cheap web hosts look like a great deal. Until you get your next bill in a year or two, that is.
I’ve tested all the most popular hosts out there. The ones that sneak in hidden fees. The ones that quadruple your price after a year (I’m looking at you, SiteGround). The ones that make you pay extra for what should be included by default.
In this post, I break down the few hosts that are actually cheap. No hype. Just real prices, real features.
In a hurry? Here’s my shortlist of the top hosts and the price you can expect to pay over the long term (you can sort the table by clicking on the header row):
| Host | Full 1-year cost | Full 3-year cost | Full 5-year cost | Full 10-year cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namecheap | $22.92 | $86.76 | $184.44 | $428.64 |
| Hostinger | $32.28 | $196.44 | $261.00 | $776.40 |
| DreamHost | $35.40 | $93.24 | $285.00 | $620.40 |
| IONOS | $12.00 | $156.00 | $300.00 | $660.00 |
| InMotion | $27.48 | $114.84 | $378.60 | $966.00 |
| Bluehost | $23.88 | $178.20 | $417.96 | $1,041.36 |
| Hosting.com | $23.88 | $107.64 | $395.40 | $1,114.80 |
| InterServer | $30.00 | $198.00 | $366.00 | $786.00 |
| GoDaddy | $83.88 | $215.64 | $359.40 | $958.80 |
Here’s the short version: We’ve spent years testing hosting providers by setting up demo sites and running detailed performance tests on them. We track key factors like pricing, uptime, and long-term affordability. Since 2016, we’ve also collected real user feedback through surveys (with the most recent results published on WPShout, our sister site). All this research gives us a clear, well-rounded understanding of each host’s strengths and weaknesses, especially when it comes to finding the best budget-friendly options.
1. Namecheap
- Price on a 1-year plan: $1.48 / mo.
- Sites allowed: 3
- Traffic/bandwidth: unmetered
- Disk space: 20 GB
- Free domain: ✅ (first year)
- : 8.03
- Editor rating: ⭐⭐⭐
If the name doesn’t already suggest what this company is about then let me be the one to assure you – yes, Namecheap is one of the cheapest web hosting options of them all. While the entry plan is already very affordable at $1.48 / mo. on a two-year contract, it’s actually the long-term costs that are in a class of their own.
Hosting with Namecheap over a five-year period will cost you only $184.44, and $428.64 over ten years. These are the lowest prices of all the hosts on this list.
Even at this low price, Namecheap doesn’t skimp on the essentials. With their basic plan, you can host one website and get 20 GB of SSD storage. The bandwidth is also not limited. Namecheap’s starter plan includes a free domain, which makes it even more attractive considering the low price. You’ll also benefit from solid uptime and good load speeds (see below).
With a user satisfaction score of 8.03 in our survey, Namecheap has proven itself as a reliable choice for affordable hosting. Plus, it also works very well with WordPress.
2. Hostinger
- Price on a 1-year plan: $2.69 / mo.
- Sites allowed: 100
- Traffic/bandwidth: ~25,000 visits monthly
- Disk space: 100 GB
- Free domain: ✅ (first year)
- : 8.11
- Editor rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Hostinger is one of the few cheap hosts that doesn’t feel like a trick.
Their entry plan costs $2.69 per month – $32.28 for the first year. That gets you hosting for up to 100 websites(!), 100 GB of SSD storage, and even a free domain for the first year. You also get SSL, email, and one-click WordPress setup. No surprise charges or weird upgrade traps.
More about the entire portfolio of Hostinger products and their prices here.
If you’re planning to stay longer, five years costs $261. That’s still a strong deal for what you get.
Performance holds up too. Hostinger can handle sites with up to 25,000 monthly visits, which works for most personal and small business sites.
What stood out to me is how much they include in the basic plan. It’s rare to see this much at this price without something sketchy hiding in the terms.
In our user survey, Hostinger scored 8.11 out of 10. That says a lot. Bottom line: it’s cheap, and it actually works.
Read our in-depth Hostinger review to learn more.
3. DreamHost
- Price on a 3-year plan: $2.59 / mo.
- Sites allowed: 1
- Traffic/bandwidth: unlimited
- Disk space: 50 GB
- Free domain: ✅ (first year)
- : 7.58
- Editor rating: ⭐⭐
DreamHost doesn’t try to wow you with flashy extras. It just works and keeps working.
The price: $2.59 a month if you commit to three years. That’s $93.24 total. One year – $35.40, and five years – $285. Stick around for ten and it’ll cost $620.40. Not the cheapest on this list, but still very fair for what you get.
There’s 50 GB of SSD storage and unlimited traffic for one site. That’s plenty for most blogs, portfolios, or small business pages.
One-click WordPress setup is included, too. So is a domain. Setup is quick and simple. Support is available 24/7 through tickets. Live chat only runs during business hours, which may be annoying if you work late.
DreamHost scored 7.58 in our user survey. Not perfect, but steady. If you want hosting that’s calm, not chaotic, this is a safe pick. No upsells. Just hosting that does what it says.
4. IONOS
- Price on a 1-year plan: $1.00 / mo.
- Sites allowed: 1
- Traffic/bandwidth: unmetered
- Disk space: 25 GB
- Free domain: ✅ (first year)
- : 7.30
- Editor rating: ⭐⭐
IONOS costs $12 for your first year (yes, that’s just $1.00 per month). Not per month – total! That’s the lowest on this list.
You get one site, one free domain, and one email. That’s it. This can be perfect if you need to get online fast and cheap. You won’t get a ton of features, but for a simple site, it’s enough.
After the first year, prices jump a tiny bit. Three years costs $156. Five years is $300, and ten is $660. Still cheap long-term, especially if you downgrade your plan later.
Performance is okay and steady. If your site doesn’t need to handle a big crowd, IONOS holds up fine.
It scored a 7.30 in our user survey. This is hosting for people who want to spend as little as possible and don’t need bells or whistles. Just a site that works.
5. InMotion Hosting
- Price on a 3-year plan: $2.62 / mo.
- Sites allowed: 2
- Traffic/bandwidth: unlimited
- Disk space: 100 GB
- Free domain: ✅ (first year)
- : 8.00
- Editor rating: ⭐⭐
InMotion Hosting is a solid option if you’re looking for affordable hosting with enough flexibility to manage more than one website. At $2.24 per month on a one-year entry plan, you’re looking at $27.48 in total for that initial year, which is a great deal if you need to stretch your budget. The three-year cost is also reasonable at $114.84. Over the long haul, five years will cost $378.60, and a ten-year commitment comes out to $966.00. It’s not the cheapest for the long term, but the added flexibility makes it worth considering.
What I like about InMotion is that even their entry-level plan lets you host two websites, which is perfect if, like me, you have more than one project going on. They also offer unlimited bandwidth and 100 GB of SSD storage, which is more than enough for smaller sites. Plus, they throw in a free domain for the first year, so you don’t need to worry about that additional cost right away. Their customer support is 24/7, which is a huge help, and I’ve found their live chat and phone support to be responsive when I needed it.
InMotion scored a solid 8.00 in our user survey, reflecting its balance of affordability, performance, and support. If you’re managing multiple websites and want a reliable option that won’t break the bank, InMotion is a great pick for both short and long-term hosting.
6. Bluehost
- Price on a 1-year plan: $1.99 / mo.
- Sites allowed: 10
- Traffic/bandwidth: ~40,000 visits monthly
- Disk space: 10 GB
- Free domain: ✅ (first year)
- : 7.10
- Editor rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bluehost is cheap to start and a bit more expensive later. That’s the deal. If you’re okay with that, you’re going to be happy.
The first year costs $1.99 a month – $23.88 total. For that, you get a free domain, WordPress setup in one click, and tools to build your site without pulling your hair out.
You can host up to 10 sites(!) on the basic plan, which is rare at this price. If you’re juggling side projects, that helps.
But the price jump is real. After year one, it shoots up to $11.99 or $9.99 a month (depending on your second contract length). That’s $178.20 over three years, and $417.96 over five.
Still, Bluehost scored a 7.10 in our user survey…it’s reliable. It just costs more over time.
So if you’re focused on launching a site fast, with the least cash upfront, Bluehost is a solid pick. Just don’t forget to set a reminder for the renewal email.
Read our in-depth Bluehost review to learn more.
7. Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting)
- Price on a 3-year plan: $1.99 / mo.
- Sites allowed: 1
- Traffic/bandwidth: unmetered
- Disk space: 10 GB
- Free domain: ❌
- : 7.76
- Editor rating: ⭐⭐
Hosting.com is fast, cheap (at first), and surprisingly generous with storage.
Their one-year plan is $1.99 a month – $23.88 total. That’s one of the lowest prices here.
If you’re only looking for a longer commitment, the three-year plan costs $107.64 in total, which is still competitive. The five-year cost jumps to $395.40, and ten years will run you $1,114.80, so Hosting.com may be more attractive in the short to medium term.
While Hosting.com doesn’t include a free domain on its entry-level plan, I appreciate the fact that they offer unlimited SSD storage and unmetered bandwidth right from the start. This gives you the flexibility to scale up your website without worrying about hitting limits. In my experience, A2 is also known for its speed, which is a big plus if you’re managing a site with growing traffic.
Hosting.com earned a solid 7.76 in our user survey, showing that customers are generally happy with the value and performance they’re getting.
8. InterServer
- Price on a 1-year plan: $2.50 / mo.
- Sites allowed: unspecified
- Traffic/bandwidth: unmetered
- Disk space: unmetered
- Free domain: ❌
- : n/a
- Editor rating: ➖
InterServer keeps things simple and gives you a lot for not much money. It’s $2.50 a month on a one-year plan. That’s $30 total. After that, it renews at $7 a month. Not the cheapest long-term, but still fair considering what’s packed in.
You get unlimited storage, unlimited data, unlimited email, and even unlimited FTP accounts – or so they promise. Weekly backups are included, too.
They run on LiteSpeed servers with RAID-10 storage, so performance should hold up. You also get a free Cloudflare CDN, which helps speed things up globally. InterServer’s datacenters are just outside New York City. That’s a good spot for strong U.S. performance.
WordPress setup is easy – there’s an autoinstaller available.
Overall, InterServer delivers on basics without trying to squeeze you for extras. Great for sites that just need to work.
9. GoDaddy
- Price on a 1-year plan: $5.99 / mo.
- Sites allowed: 1
- Traffic/bandwidth: unmetered
- Disk space: 10 GB
- Free domain: ❌
- : 6.51
- Editor rating: ➖
GoDaddy is loud, everywhere, and hard to ignore. But big name doesn’t always mean best deal.
Their cheapest hosting starts at $5.99 a month on a three-year plan. That’s $215.64 total. Five years runs $359.40 and ten years $958.80.
You’ll get decent speed and uptime, too…most of the time. Nothing amazing, though. And remember to watch for upsells. GoDaddy loves to sneak extras into the cart when you’re not looking.
They don’t offer much on the basic plan. No standout features. Just the usual stuff: one site, standard tools, and a dashboard that gets the job done.
In our user survey, GoDaddy scored a 6.51 – the lowest on this list. That lines up with my experience. It works, but others give you more for less.
If you want a big brand and don’t mind paying for it, GoDaddy can do the job. Just don’t expect surprises – good or bad.
My top hosting recommendations
After reviewing a wide range of affordable hosting providers, two clear leaders emerge here:
Namecheap – best cheap host for long-term hosting
If you’re looking for a hosting solution that stays affordable over the long haul, Namecheap is the top choice. Their long-term pricing is unbeatable, with the five-year plan costing $184.44 and a ten-year commitment at just $428.64. Namecheap’s solid performance and uptime, makes it a reliable option for anyone who wants to lock in low rates and avoid future price hikes.
Namecheap also scored an impressive 8.03 in our user survey, showing that users appreciate its balance of cost and performance.
Bluehost – best for short-term hosting
Bluehost is great if you just need to get online fast and cheap. It’s $1.99 a month for the first year – $23.88 total. You get a free domain, one-click WordPress setup, and a simple control panel that’s easy to use.
But after year one, the price shoots up. So it’s a solid short-term deal, not a long-term bargain.
Do you have any questions about which cheap hosting plan is best for you? Let us know in the comments!
FAQs about cheap web hosting
By now, you should have a solid overview and understanding of the best cheap hosting options out there. However, we know that sometimes readers might still have some quick questions. So, to help you out even further, we’ve put together this compilation of commonly asked questions related to cheap hosting services.
Web hosting is a service that lets you post a website on the internet. It’s essentially a digital storage center that houses the text, images, video, and other information that your website contains.
Web hosting is basically renting space on a computer that’s always online. That computer (a server) stores your website’s files. When someone types your website address into their browser, that server sends your site to their screen.
First, make sure you’re not compromising on essential features. The low price may cloud your judgment, but you really shouldn’t opt for something that lacks the features you need. So features first! Then, check the performance and uptimes of the host if available. You’ve probably noticed that we’re showing you this data in the post above. Lastly, keep an eye on renewal prices, as some cheap web hosts offer low initial rates but higher renewal fees.
Not necessarily. Price doesn’t always reflect quality in web hosting services. While some expensive hosts provide extensive features, budget-friendly alternatives like Bluehost, Namecheap, or Hostinger can be equally efficient and feature-rich. Therefore, again, it’s important to compare features, user reviews, and your specific requirements before making a decision. For instance, one of our recommendations, Bluehost, is also one of the most affordable at $1.99 / month for the first year.
Getting a free domain with your hosting can save you money initially. However, renewal rates can be high, so check the cost for future years as well. Typically, getting a domain for a year is around $15, so the savings aren’t huge. Some of the cheap hosts that offer free domain name include: Bluehost, Hostinger, and InMotion.
Or start the conversation in our Facebook group for WordPress professionals. Find answers, share tips, and get help from other WordPress experts. Join now (it’s free)!