Which are the best web hosting services? A comparison
IONOS editorial team
You have an exciting project, a good idea for a website, and want to put it online right away. Not so fast! First, you have to decide on a web hosting service. With the market constantly growing, it’s easy to quickly lose your overview. There are clear differences in price and performance.
- 99.9% uptime
- PHP 8.3 with JIT compiler
- SSL, DDoS protection, and backups
A comparison of five of the best hosting services
In 2018, IONOS won the Hosting & Service Provider Award in the web-hosting category. We will also introduce you to four other web-hosting services and see how they fare against the award winner (information correct as of November 2024).
| IONOS | Go Daddy | Bluehost | HostGator | Wix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (per month) | $6–16 | $6.99–$12.99 | $2.95-$13.95 | $2.75–$5.25 | around $14-$185 |
| Setup fee | $10 | - | - | - | - |
| Web space | 10 GB - unlimited | 100GB - unlimited | 10–100 GB | 10–50 GB | 2GB-unlimited |
| No. of domains included | 1 | 1–unlimited | 1-100 | 1-50 | 1 |
| SSL | |||||
| PHP | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 8.3 | - |
| WordPress | |||||
| Site generator |
IONOS
With nearly 20 years of experience, IONOS is one of the pioneers of the German web hosting industry.
Features
Many developments have taken place in recent years. The transmission protocol HTTP/2 has now become a standard for IONOS web servers, for example. This ensures fast data transfer. Through a Content Delivery Network (CDN), your static content is delivered from one of the 31 globally distributed data centers closest to the location of the respective website visitor. The web space supports PHP 8.3 and up to 768 MB of memory for PHP scripts.
IONOS even offers several convenient solutions for beginners. With IONOS MyWebsite, you can quickly and easily create your own website. The Managed WordPress plan comes with a pre-installed content management system, and for online sellers, IONOS also provides web shop software. Domains can also be booked individually, with most plans already including a domain for 12 months.
Security
IONOS provides security on different levels: A Wildcard SSL Certificate guarantees an encrypted transmission of your visitors’ sensitive data. DDoS Protection, on the other hand, protects your website. If cyber criminals attempt to paralyze your website with a targeted attack, IONOS detects the attack and initiates countermeasures at an early stage. Finally, geo-redundancy ensures physical security since all data is mirrored in a second data center that is completely separated from the first. If one site fails, your website remains online. Both data centers meet the highest security standards.
Costs
IONOS offers you four different plans, each delivering varying levels of performance. With a standard plan for approximately $8 per month, you get 100 GB of web space and can host one website. In the highest plan, priced at around $16 per month plus a one-time setup fee of $10, you benefit from unlimited web space and an unlimited number of websites.
IONOS has the right plan both for beginners as well as for professional web designers. Decades of experience are reflected in the level of performance and security.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is an American domain registrar and web hosting company and is one of the best web hosting services on the market.
Features
GoDaddy provides a range of web hosting solutions, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers, designed to meet various needs. Its standout features include a 99.9% uptime guarantee, unlimited bandwidth, and complimentary SSL certificates on certain plans. Hosting plans come with an intuitive control panel for seamless management, globally distributed data centers for faster website loading, and 24/7 customer support to resolve technical issues.
Security
GoDaddy web hosting ensures robust security with features like free SSL certificates on select plans to encrypt data and protect sensitive information. It includes automatic daily backups to safeguard website data and enable quick recovery in case of issues. Additional security measures include malware scanning and removal, DDoS protection, and secure server monitoring, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats.
Costs
GoDaddy offers a range of web hosting plans to suit various needs. The Economy Plan ($6.99) includes 1 website, 25 GB storage, 10 databases, and unmetered bandwidth; the Deluxe Plan ($9.99) supports up to 10 websites with 50 GB storage and 25 databases; the Ultimate Plan ($14.99) allows up to 25 websites with 75 GB storage and 50 databases; and the Maximum Plan ($20.99) supports up to 50 websites with 100 GB storage and 100 databases. All plans feature unmetered bandwidth, a free domain, unlimited SSL certificates for eligible plans, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, and 24/7 customer support.
The company regularly has offers on its products, making them the cheapest on the market, but when you add together all the other products and apps you want, you will end up paying as much as you would with the other web hosting services.
GoDaddy is a dependable and feature-packed web hosting provider and accommodates everyone from beginners to advanced developers. Its diverse hosting plans make it easy to find an option suited to your needs and budget. Although higher renewal rates and frequent upselling can be drawbacks, its robust features and strong performance make it a popular choice.
Bluehost
Bluehost, established in 2003 and headquartered in Provo, Utah, is a leading web hosting provider powering over 2 million websites worldwide. It offers a variety of hosting services, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and WordPress hosting. Shared hosting is an affordable option suitable for basic website needs, while dedicated hosting provides full control over server resources, making it ideal for large businesses with extensive requirements.
Features
Bluehost offers diverse hosting options, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting. Plans include a free domain for the first year, free SSL certificates, and an intuitive cPanel for easy management. Features like one-click WordPress installation, resource protection, 24/7 support, scalability, and e-commerce integration make Bluehost a reliable and versatile hosting solution. Shared hosting is the best choice if you’re looking for something basic and not too expensive. Dedicated hosting is the most expensive option and is more suited to large businesses that require full control of their resources.
Security
Bluehost offers robust security features to protect your website, including free SSL certificates with all plans to encrypt data, daily malware scanning and automatic removal through SiteLock, and automatic backups with CodeGuard for easy restoration. The platform includes DDoS protection to defend against malicious traffic surges, two-factor authentication (2FA) for enhanced account security, and Secure Shell (SSH) access for secure management. These comprehensive measures ensure a safe and reliable hosting environment for all users.
Costs
Bluehost’s shared hosting plans cater to various needs, from beginners to high-traffic websites. The Basic Plan ($2.95) supports up to 10 websites with 10 GB NVMe storage, a free domain for the first year, free SSL certificates, and unmetered bandwidth. The Choice Plus Plan ($3.95) enhances this by supporting up to 50 websites with 50 GB NVMe storage, plus domain privacy and daily backups. The Online Store Plan ($6.25), tailored for e-commerce, also supports up to 50 websites with 50 GB storage and includes store analytics and e-commerce plugins valued at $450. For advanced users, the Pro Plan ($13.95) supports up to 100 websites with 100 GB storage, offering a free dedicated IP and enhanced performance. All plans include free CDN integration, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and 24/7 customer support, with discounts available for longer-term commitments.
Bluehost offers a user-friendly interface and an intuitive control panel, ensuring a hassle-free experience. As an officially recommended hosting provider by WordPress—a distinction held by few—it caters to beginners, advanced users, and web professionals alike. It’s an excellent, affordable, and straightforward choice for new websites and small to medium-sized businesses.
HostGator
HostGator, founded in October 2002 by Brent Oxley, is a Texas-based web hosting provider. Its hosting environment is built on the LAMP stack—Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP—ensuring compatibility with a wide range of applications. This setup allows users to create various types of websites, including blogs, forums, content management systems (CMS), and e-commerce stores.
Features
HostGator provides a user-friendly experience with features like one-click installation for popular applications such as WordPress and Joomla, making setup effortless. All plans come with a free SSL certificate for securing domains and subdomains, unmetered bandwidth to handle varying traffic, and the latest cPanel for intuitive and flexible account management. The Business Plan offers additional benefits, including a dedicated IP, SEO tools, and an upgrade to Positive SSL security backed by a $10,000 warranty. HostGator’s drag-and-drop website builder, with its wide selection of themes and ready-made sections, simplifies the process of creating a website tailored to your needs. These comprehensive features make HostGator a reliable and efficient choice for website hosting and management.
Security
HostGator provides robust security features across its hosting plans, including free SSL certificates to encrypt data and ensure secure communication between your site and visitors. DDoS protection safeguards servers with custom firewall rules and mod security measures, while SiteLock, available as an add-on, offers daily malware scanning and automatic removal. Automated backups through CodeGuard, starting at $1.99 per month, allow easy restoration of website data when needed. HostGator also secures its data centers with restricted access, ensuring physical protection for your information. These comprehensive measures create a reliable and secure environment for hosting your website.
Costs
HostGator’s shared hosting plans cater to various needs. The Hatchling Plan ($2.75) supports one website with unmetered bandwidth, a free SSL certificate, and unlimited email accounts. The Baby Plan ($3.50) allows unlimited websites with the same benefits. The Business Plan ($5.25) adds a Positive SSL upgrade, a dedicated IP, and SEO tools. All plans include a 99.9% uptime guarantee, 24/7 support, a 45-day money-back guarantee, a website builder, unmetered disk space, and $100 Google Ads credit, making them suitable for individuals and businesses alike.
HostGator is a little different from the other web hosting services in that it offers the 45-day money-back guarantee, which is great for those not sure whether to take the plunge. It offers so much in its plans, and whatever it doesn’t offer, can easily be added. The service runs on several operating systems and therefore is extremely compatible.
Wix
Wix, an Israeli company founded in 2006, has experienced significant growth since its inception. As of March 2024, there are approximately 8.1 million live websites powered by Wix, with a historical total of over 11.56 million websites built using the platform. Just like with HostGator mentioned above in our web host comparison, there’s a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied after 14 days, which isn’t as impressive as HostGator’s 45 days.
Features
Wix provides a reliable and secure web hosting solution with free hosting that includes 500MB of storage and 500MB bandwidth, automatically set up upon publishing your site. Upgrading to a premium plan allows for custom domains, up to 50GB of cloud storage, and unlimited bandwidth to support business growth. Hosted on a global CDN, Wix ensures faster load times by connecting visitors to the nearest server, along with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. The platform offers 24/7 security monitoring, SSL protection, and advanced SEO tools to optimize your site. With scalability, automatic setup, and built-in security, Wix is an excellent choice for hosting your website.
Security
Wix provides robust security features to protect websites and user data, including SSL certificates for encrypted communication and PCI DSS Level 1 compliance to safeguard payment transactions. Data is encrypted both in transit (using HTTPS and TLS 1.2 or higher) and at rest (using AES-256 encryption), ensuring a secure environment. A dedicated security team monitors the platform 24/7, using advanced tools to detect and respond to threats in real-time. Wix also adheres to international privacy and security regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD, ensuring compliance and reliability.
Costs
Wix’s website plans range from the Light Plan (around $14) with 2 GB storage and bandwidth for basic sites, to the Core Plan (around $27) offering 50 GB storage, site analytics, and 10 lead capture forms for freelancers. The Business Plan (around $42) provides 100 GB storage, advanced marketing tools, and 25 lead capture forms for growing businesses, while the Business Elite Plan (around $185) includes unlimited storage, priority support, and premium tools for enterprises. All plans include free hosting, SSL certificates, and access to Wix’s customizable website builder.
Wix is a user-friendly website builder with over 800 templates, drag-and-drop editing, built-in SEO tools, and app integrations. Paid plans start at around $14/month, offering custom domains and ad removal. While template changes require rebuilding and storage caps may limit growth, Wix is an excellent choice for small businesses and individuals seeking an efficient, professional website solution. And don’t forget the money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied after 14 days.
What should you pay attention to when comparing web hosting services?
If you compare hosting providers with each other, the first thing you probably look at is the price. It is very important to take a close look at the price structure (for the companies presented in this web host comparison as well as for others). Although the monthly costs look too good to be true, you usually only get them this cheap if you pay the complete annual fee at once. Pay attention also to sales that the web hosting companies put on and how long these last. Some also often offer free trials.
You should also consider the security of your website. SSL Certificates, now based on TLS technology, are standard on the web. Browsers like Google Chrome label websites without encryption and certificates as unsafe. Many web hosting providers have at least one free SSL certificate included in their plans. You can usually purchase additional certificates if you need to. Always take a look at other services when it comes to security. Services such as DDoS protection and geo-redundancy are particularly important for companies in e-business because if your website goes down, this can lead to losses in sales.
The amount of storage space required depends entirely on the project you want to put online. For example, if it’s simply a “business card” that you want to use to introduce yourself or your company, you don’t need a lot of storage space. Also blogs that don’t use large amounts of media files can be stored on small partitions. However, as soon as you plan larger projects with large files and large databases, you should ensure you have sufficient storage space in advance.
Finally, it’s worth considering how much the web hosting service assists you in your work. For beginners, straightforward solutions for building websites are often the most practical choice. Modular website builders or managed WordPress hosting can be particularly beneficial. The level of support provided is crucial for both beginners and professionals such as how easily can you get in touch with a support representative if an issue arises? And what is the most efficient way to reach them? Moreover, many providers offer tools to enhance your website’s online visibility by automatically optimizing it for search engines.
In order to find the best web hosting service for you, you first need to understand the needs of your project. So when comparing web hosting services, look at which provider has the right portfolio for you.
- Personalized email address
- Access your emails from anywhere
- Highest security standards
