The cheapest web hosting, ranked by what you’ll really pay
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The cheapest web hosting isn't the one with the lowest number in the ad. A $1.95 plan that needs a 36-month prepay and renews near $12 can cost more over three years than a $4 plan on a one-year term that renews at $8. So this list ranks shared hosting by 3-year total cost: the intro price for the term it requires, then the published renewal price.
Our cheapest picks are at the top; the table shows the intro price, the renewal price and the 3-year total for each, so you can see exactly where the money goes. For an even cheaper option, consider month-to-month plans like Namecheap's: you pay a bit more per month but nothing upfront.
At a glance
| # | Host & plan | Intro | Renews | 3-yr cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ChemiCloud Starter | $1.95 | $11.95 | $70 |
| 2 | Hostinger Premium | $2.99 | $10.99 | $108 |
| 3 | HostGator Hatchling | $3.75 | $17.59 | $135 |
| 4 | Bluehost Starter | $3.99 | $9.99 | $144 |
| 5 | InMotion Hosting Launch | $4.99 | $13.99 | $180 |
| 6 | GoDaddy Economy | $5.99 | $11.99 | $216 |
| 7 | IONOS Essential | $4 | $8 | $240 |
| 8 | DreamHost Web Hosting Launch | $2.89 | $10.99 | $298 |
Our picks
Starter plan
Small sites outside the US that want a nearby data center.
- 45-day money-back
- Free domain
- Backups: Daily (10-30 days retention)
Premium plan
Beginners and small sites that want the lowest upfront cost and an easy panel.
- 30-day money-back
- Free domain
- Backups: Weekly on Premium; daily on Busin…
Hatchling plan
cPanel users who want many sites on one account.
- 30-day money-back
- Free domain
- Backups: Courtesy backups
Starter plan
WordPress beginners who want a familiar name and modest renewal prices.
- 30-day money-back
- Free domain
- Backups: Weekly
Launch plan
Small businesses that want room to grow and a long trial window.
- 90-day money-back
- Free domain
- Backups: Backup Manager add-on (automated …
Economy plan
People who already keep their domains at GoDaddy.
- 30-day money-back
- Free domain
- Backups: Automatic daily
Essential plan
Budget buyers who want the smallest renewal jump.
- 30-day money-back
- Free domain
- Backups: Daily (files and databases)
Web Hosting Launch plan
People who want a low price without a multi-year commitment.
- 30-day money-back
- Free domain
- Backups: Daily automated
How to pay as little as possible for hosting
- Compare 3-year totals, not monthly prices. Use our true cost calculator to line plans up.
- Prepay only if you're sure. The longest term gives the lowest intro price, but you lose the money if you leave early (outside the refund window).
- Watch the renewal date. Many hosts let you renew early at a promotional rate, or match a competitor's price if you ask. Set a calendar reminder a month before.
- Skip the add-ons. Site backups, "SEO tools" and malware scanners are often added at checkout. Several hosts here include daily backups for free.
- Get the domain elsewhere if it's cheaper to renew. A "free" domain renews at the host's domain price after year one.
Is the cheapest host good enough?
For a personal site, a portfolio or a small business brochure site, yes. Every host on this list includes free SSL and enough storage for a typical site. What you give up at the bottom of the market is mostly speed under load and the depth of support, both of which matter more once your site starts earning.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest web hosting?
On our data, the lowest 3-year totals come from Hostinger, IONOS and ChemiCloud's entry plans, but the order changes with promotions. The table at the top is sorted by current 3-year cost.
Is free web hosting worth it?
Rarely for anything serious. Free hosts usually add ads, limit storage and bandwidth, and don't let you use your own domain. Paid shared hosting costs a few dollars a month and avoids all of that.
Can I avoid the renewal price increase?
Sometimes. Contact the host before renewal and ask for a retention discount, renew early during a sale, or move to a host with a low renewal price. Moving is easier than it sounds: see how to switch web hosts.