Bluehost vs HostGator: which is better value?

By The Web Hosting Depot team · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · How we research

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Quick verdict

HostGator is cheaper over three years ($135 vs $144 on the entry plans). On our overall rating, Bluehost scores higher (3.6 vs 3.0).

Pick Bluehost if

wordPress beginners who want a familiar name and modest renewal prices.

Visit Bluehost

Pick HostGator if

cPanel users who want many sites on one account.

Visit HostGator

Side by side

	Bluehost 4 wins	HostGator 2 wins
Cheapest plan	Starter · $3.99/mo	Hatchling · $3.75/mo
Prepay for intro price	3-year term	3-year term
Renews at	$9.99/mo	$17.59/mo
Renewal jump	+150%	+369%
3-year cost	$144	$135
Money-back	30 days	30 days
Backups	Weekly	Courtesy backups
Free domain	1st year (redeem within 90 days)	1st year
Control panel	Bluehost Portal (custom)	cPanel
Data centers	US	US
Performance (our rating)	3/5	3/5
Support (our rating)	3/5	3/5
Ease of use (our rating)	5/5	4/5
Value (our rating)	4/5	2/5

Green = better on that row. Entry plans compared: Bluehost Starter and HostGator Hatchling (Shared hosting). Prices checked Oct 8, 2026.

Bluehost: real cost

Intro$3.99/mo3-year term

Renews at$9.99/mo+150%

3-year cost$144intro + renewals

HostGator: real cost

Intro$3.75/mo3-year term

Renews at$17.59/mo+369%

3-year cost$135intro + renewals

Why Bluehost

Renewals are lower than most big shared hosts (Starter renews at $9.99)
Generous site limits even on Starter
Recommended by WordPress.org for years

Downsides: Email is a paid add-on after a 1-month trial; Weekly backups only; Upsells at checkout.

Why HostGator

Classic cPanel
Generous site limits on every plan
Long-running, well-known brand

Downsides: Renewals roughly 4× the intro price; Backups are "courtesy", not guaranteed; Prices hidden behind placeholders when we checked.

The bottom line

Bluehost pairs a beginner-friendly WordPress setup with some of the gentler renewal increases among mass-market hosts: Starter is $3.99 a month on a 3-year term and renews at $9.99. Email and daily backups cost extra.

HostGator offers cPanel hosting with generous site limits, but the gap between intro and renewal pricing is among the widest we track, and backups are only "courtesy" backups.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bluehost cheaper than HostGator?

Over three years, HostGator costs less on the cheapest comparable plans: about $135 versus $144, counting the intro price for its required term and then the renewal price. Month one is misleading: compare the 3-year totals.

Which has the better money-back guarantee?

Bluehost: 30 days. HostGator: 30 days. Domain fees are usually not refundable.

Can I move from Bluehost to HostGator later?

Yes. Moving a site means copying its files and database, then pointing your domain at the new host. Check whether the new host offers free migration. See our guide to switching hosts.