Best website hosting services in 2025
Through independent research and testing, our team of experts offers transparent and thorough reviews of web hosting providers. We use the same testing criteria for all providers to offer a fair and unbiased assessment of each hosting service.
Our in-depth articles include feedback about our hands-on hosting experience and other crucial information for potential customers.
Learn more
Whether you’re launching a personal blog, or a business website, a great hosting provider will go a long way to making your internet presence shine. Finding the perfect provider can be a challenge. You need to consider things like speed, storage, reliability, and security.
I am here to help you navigate the website hosting market. With 3 years of experience testing and writing about hosting services, I know what makes a great host for any project or business. To make your search easier, I teamed up with the Cybernews research team to review 58 hosts. In this article, I share my top 10 picks for the best website hosting in April 2025, ranked based on ease of use, performance, security, useful features, and pricing.
Best web hosting providers for 2025
- Hostinger – best web hosting overall
- IONOS – best affordable hosting
- Bluehost – best hosting for WordPress
- InMotion – best for performance
- SiteGround – best web host for beginners
- DreamHost – best for shared hosting
- A2 Hosting – best for fast-loading websites
- ScalaHosting – best for small business
- Liquid Web – best VPS hosting
- InterServer – best web host for security
Our in-house research team and expert writers work hand in hand to regularly test hosting services and provide accurate and fact-checked information. Discover the ins and outs of how we test and evaluate website hosting providers.
Best website hosting services 2025 – detailed review
The Cybernews research team has been testing web hosting services monthly since 2021. Every provider is tested each month, and we update this list based on the test results. We look into their features, performance, pricing, and overall website hosting experience to evaluate which user needs each provider fits best. Each host in the list below is versatile and great for several use cases, not only a specific user group or scenario.
1. Hostinger web hosting
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $2.69/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 30 days |
| Websites: | From 25 |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes (unlimited) |
| 24/7 support: | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | Shared, cloud, VPS, and WordPress |
| Best deal | Get up to 78% OFF Hostinger + free months |
Hostinger is my #1 hosting provider that offers an affordable service without compromising performance. It is also user-friendly and perfect for beginners as well as businesses and more advanced users. Hostinger prices start at $2.69/month.
Why is Hostinger the best overall hosting?
When testing Hostinger, I found that it’s a great choice for everything from blogs and portfolios to advanced business web apps. Its simple interface really helped me navigate through setup, and if I ever had trouble, the Kodee AI assistant would answer my questions.
I also enjoyed the fact that every plan came bundled with an AI website builder that allowed me to quickly build things like simple landing pages and portfolio websites.
I feel that Hostinger is a perfect choice if you need a reliable and fast hosting provider that is easy to use for new and advanced users alike.
My experience with Hostinger – very good 5/5
Hostinger uses a native control panel called hPanel, and it truly is a joy to use. It seems like it was designed with beginners in mind, and I had no issues setting up my website from the very start. The setup process is guided, and if you want to migrate an existing website, it’s really simple to do so – Hostinger provides free migration for any type of website (except with VPS).
I also really appreciated the intuitive website builder. Some features that stood out to me were the AI WordPress troubleshooter and the Game Panel for game hosting included with the VPS plans. I have not seen features similar to those of Bluehost or other hosts on my list.
Hostinger is also my top pick for WordPress sites. It offers excellent managed WordPress hosting plans, which include numerous AI features. Besides the automatic WordPress installation and the AI Troubleshooter, Hostinger also includes an AI Website Generator and an AI Assistant. By comparison, Bluehost only includes a website builder and 1-click installations. Hostinger’s WordPress migration is also easier to use than Bluehost’s.
At Cybernews, we continuously test and review hosting providers on our list. We have tested Hostinger’s performance, reviewed the interface, and evaluated overall usability – you can read more about it in the Hostinger review. Check it out -> FULL HOSTINGER REVIEW.
2. 1&1 IONOS web hosting
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $1.00/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 30 days |
| Websites: | From 1 |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes |
| 24/7 support | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | Shared, WordPress, VPS, cloud, and dedicated |
| Best deal | Get up to 91% OFF IONOS |
IONOS is one of the oldest hosting providers in Europe, offering plans starting from $1.00/month. You can get affordable plans, generous resources, performance, and security for any type of site.
Why is IONOS the most affordable option?
IONOS prices start at just $1.00/month, which is an excellent value for money. What’s more, despite the low price, IONOS doesn’t skimp on quality, including a free domain, unlimited storage, and email accounts in even its cheapest plans.
My experience with IONOS – good 4/5
IONOS features a native control panel which is also a website management dashboard. It is relatively easy to use – installing WordPress took me just a couple of clicks. I especially enjoyed that all features and functionalities were easily accessible on one page: from hosting to domain management and site security.
IONOS’ performance on shared hosting servers was pretty good, especially in terms of uptime. During the testing, the site stayed up and accessible 100% of the time. However, the shared servers’ stress test results were inconclusive. I believe this is due to the hosting provider's DDoS protection. Meanwhile, Hostinger and Bluehost handled the standard 50 virtual users with no issues.
At Cybernews, we test hosting providers every month, and IONOS is included. You can learn more about IONOS performance, ease of use, control panel, and pricing in the full review. Read it here -> FULL IONOS REVIEW
3. Bluehost – the best WordPress hosting
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $1.99/month |
| Websites: | From 10 |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 30 days |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes |
| 24/7 support: | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | WordPress, shared, cloud, VPS, and dedicated |
| Best deal: | Get up to 83% OFF Bluehost |
Bluehost takes the third spot as an excellent choice for hosting, especially for WordPress sites. It’s affordable, user-friendly, and packed with powerful features. With solid performance and reliable resources, it’s also highly beginner-friendly, making it a great option for new site owners.
Why is Bluehost best for WordPress hosting?
Bluehost is one of the few hosts officially recommended by WordPress.org, making it a trusted option for WordPress websites. I found features like free WordPress migration to be very helpful when switching to Bluehost. I also enjoyed its easy-to-use WonderSuite website builder, and 1-click installations, which made it simple to set up and manage my site. That's why it takes a high place on our best WordPress hosting list.
My experience with Bluehost – average 3.5/5
Overall, setting up with Bluehost's basic shared hosting plan was easy. By comparison, other beginner-friendly hosts like SiteGround and Dreamhost have a setup process that’s a bit too long and can be confusing. With Bluehost, every step along the way is explained.
The control panel might seem tricky for beginners at first, as the advanced features like SSH keys, PHPMyAdmin, error, access, and SSL logs seem very technical. However, each feature includes thorough explanations and instructions, which I found helpful.
Notably, Bluehost is especially well-suited for WordPress users, with its hosting plans offering automatic WordPress installation, updates, and a 1-click staging environment for easy site development. However, I find Hostinger’s hPanel to be more simplistic and modern.
Bluehost's performance was also nothing short of remarkable. With 100% uptime during the testing period and good response time, my site was available to visitors nearly the whole time. Furthermore, in stress tests, Bluehost showed excellent traffic handling results, and even with 50 virtual users, the response times were quick, and the performance was stable – only 1 out of 7000 requests failed.
The Cybernews research team takes testing seriously. We have tested Bluehost numerous times, and you can read all about its performance, ease of use, and best use cases in the full review. Read more —> FULL BLUEHOST REVIEW
4. InMotion Hosting web hosting
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $2.29/month |
| Websites: | From 2 |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 90 days |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes |
| 24/7 support: | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | Shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress |
| Best deal: | Get InMotion Hosting, now 79% OFF |
InMotion is a pretty well-known provider that caters mostly to businesses and larger websites. The host offers a cPanel dashboard with plenty of advanced features for hosting management, analytics, and website security.
Why is InMotion Hosting great for large-scale businesses?
Thanks to its VPS and dedicated server plans, which are designed to manage heavy traffic and resource-intensive tasks, I believe InMotion is excellent for large businesses. Its customizable server options and dependable customer support make it a practical solution for companies that require reliable and high-performance hosting. I also appreciate its 90-day money-back guarantee, which helps you test it against your business needs.
My experience with InMotion Hosting – average 3/5
Overall, I found InMotion Hosting’s account management panel design a little outdated. From the account management panel, I could access the technical details, such as DNS settings, manage email, get to Google Workspace, the app store, and SSL certificate management.
Overall, the majority of the account management dashboard functions were simply shortcuts to features that are also accessible via cPanel. So, despite the outdated interface design, InMotion Hosting is usable but not the most convenient.
All web hosting services are tested and reviewed monthly at Cybernews. You can read more detailed information about InMotion's ease of use, performance, and pricing in the full review. Learn more here -> FULL INMOTION HOSTING REVIEW
5. SiteGround web hosting
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $2.99/month |
| Websites: | From 1 |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 30 days |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes |
| 24/7 support: | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | Shared, cloud, reseller, and WordPress |
| Best deal: | Get up to 83% OFF SiteGround + FREE TRANSFER |
SiteGround is known for its ease of use and tools to help you run a fast and reliable site. It is a good choice for beginners who also prefer fast website load speed and reliable uptime.
Why is SiteGround best for beginners?
I found SiteGround really great for first-time users because of its features, which are designed to simplify website creation. Features like automatic WordPress installation, a simple dashboard, and 1-click tools helped me streamline the process. What really shone for me was its 24/7 customer support – always ready to guide you, whether you're setting up your first site or troubleshooting an issue.
My experience with SiteGround – above average 3.5/5
SiteGround uses a native control panel for site management called Site Tools: a well-organized and easy-to-navigate environment. I especially appreciated the Tool Finder, which helped me quickly access the tools and features I needed. The Siteground’s security tools section was also quite extensive, including traffic and error monitoring and logs.
In my recent shared hosting tests, SiteGround impressed me with its performance. It achieved 100% uptime and a 99.96% reachability rate, ensuring my site stayed online without interruptions. Even under heavy traffic during stress testing, the server handled the load smoothly, with fast response times and no errors.
At Cybernews, we test hosting providers thoroughly and extensively. You can read more about SiteGround’s performance, best plans, and how to use it in the SiteGround review. Check it out -> FULL SITEGROUND REVIEW
6. DreamHost web hosting
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $2.59/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 97 days |
| Websites: | From 1 |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes |
| 24/7 support: | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | Shared, WordPress, VPS, cloud, and dedicated |
| Best deal | Get DreamHost, now 72% OFF |
With affordable pricing for entry plans, an easy-to-use interface, and good performance, DreamHost is one of the best hosts for personal project websites and WordPress sites for more advanced users.
Why is DreamHost best for hosting in the US?
DreamHost has data centers in Virginia and Oregon, and I believe this coast-to-coast coverage makes it a great choice for US customers. Since the servers are near your clients, they will benefit from faster loading times and reliable performance.
My experience with DreamHost – average 3.5/5
Like Hostinger and SiteGround, DreamHost uses its own control panel. I enjoyed how modern-looking and easy to navigate it was. However, DreamHost’s interface was a bit slow and felt a little buggy occasionally, and the WordPress installation took a long time to load. Nevertheless, I thought having a website builder was nice, even though Bluehost and Hostinger offer more advanced builders.
DreamHost’s performance is good. I tested a WordPress site, and the average response time was around 238ms, which means that the site is conveniently reachable and doesn’t take too long to load for a visitor. At first, we tested the system for 5min and 15s with up to 50 virtual users. The system didn’t perform well, handling only 15 requests per second at its peak, and most responses took 10s. To improve this, we reduced the virtual users to 25 and ran the test again for 5min and 12s. This worked. The system hit 23 requests per second and was much more stable. But if you’re not planning on hosting a large site with many visitors, these results are okay.
All web hosts on our list are tested by the Cybernews research team monthly. You can find detailed accounts about what it’s like to use DreamHost, its performance, and more in the full review. Read more here -> FULL DREAMHOST REVIEW
7. A2 Hosting web hosting
| Cybernews rating: | $1.99/month |
| Starting price: | $1.99/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 30 days, or a refund for unused services |
| Websites: | From 1 |
| Free domain: | ❌ No |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | Shared, WordPress, VPS, dedicated, reseller, email, cPanel, and turbo |
| Best deal | Get A2 Hosting, now up to 84% OFF |
A2 Hosting stands out with some of the most competitive pricing on this list, offering plans starting at just $1.99/month.
Why is A2 Hosting best for performance on a budget?
I found A2 Hosting provides excellent performance at affordable prices. In particular, I appreciated the speed increases due to advanced caching, LiteSpeed servers, and SSD storage, which guaranteed fast load times without breaking the bank.
My experience with A2 Hosting – average 3/5
Since A2 Hosting uses the standard cPanel for hosting management, it was easy for me to navigate through it. I liked the fact that, based on your preferences, you can also get a plan for a different control panel like Plesk and others. Overall, the cPanel management system is reliable. I could manage the site’s files, domains, email accounts, and databases without an issue.
The account management dashboard was also easy to navigate. I could access domain registration information, security status, contact details, and similar information. The performance of my site was also good, with 100% uptime results and average traffic handling. Overall, my experience with A2 Hosting was nothing special, especially compared to Bluehost and Hostinger.
Every hosting provider on our list goes through a testing and review process. You can find more detailed insights and tips on making the best out of it in the extensive review. Find out more about A2 Hosting here: -> FULL A2 HOSTING REVIEW
8. ScalaHosting – flexible hosting provider for businesses
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $2.95/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 30 days |
| Websites: | From 1 |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes |
| 24/7 support: | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | Shared, cloud, VPS, WordPress, email, and reseller |
| Best deal: | Get ScalaHosting up to 77% OFF |
ScalaHosting positions itself as a versatile hosting provider, offering services tailored to businesses seeking reliability and flexibility. With a wide range of hosting solutions and tools, it’s particularly appealing to those looking to grow their online presence without overspending.
Why is ScalaHosting best for small businesses?
ScalaHosting’s customizability is why I believe it’s a great choice for small businesses. The VPS plans allow you to scale your resources, like RAM, CPU, and storage, as your business grows. I also believe unmetered traffic is great for businesses, as an unexpected spike in popularity won’t result in extra charges.
My experience with ScalaHosting – average 3.5/5
During my testing, the cPanel provided an intuitive and efficient environment for managing websites, emails, and databases. I found the interface well-organized, with tools easily accessible through the Search Tools function.
The customizable VPS hosting plans were a highlight. Being able to adjust CPU cores, RAM, and SSD storage allowed me to create a setup that fit my specific needs. This flexibility makes ScalaHosting a great choice for small businesses or growing projects. I also like ScalaHosting’s transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprises.
While 24/7 support is available, response times could be faster. However, its blog offers a wealth of information on cPanel and other features, which helps troubleshoot and learn on your own.
The Cybernews research team tests and reviews each host thoroughly and extensively. You can read more about ScalaHosting testing results, features, and ease of use in our expert review. Read more here -> FULL SCALAHOSTING REVIEW
9. Liquid Web – the best VPS host
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $8.85/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 30 days |
| Websites: | From 1 |
| Free domain: | ❌ No |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes (with managed WordPress) |
| 24/7 support | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | VPS, cloud, WordPress, WooCommerce, and dedicated |
| Best deal | Get Liquid Web, now 85% OFF |
Liquid Web is one of the best VPS and managed WordPress hosts, a solid choice for developers, agencies, and large-scale enterprises. The prices for Liquid Web start at $8.85/month.
Why is Liquid Web best for VPS?
I believe Liquid Web is a top choice for VPS hosting, as it offers highly customizable VPS servers with top-tier hardware and full management. Its scalability, flexibility, and excellent support make it an awesome choice for businesses and individuals looking for a reliable VPS.
My experience with Liquid Web – average 3.5/5
I tested Liquid Web’s WordPress hosting, and the dedicated control panel was pretty straightforward. However, I found the site's dashboard slightly tricky to figure out at first, but the site itself was easy to manage. Since Liquid Web is primarily a VPS host, the control panel is different and more complicated than shared hosting. It works on two levels – server and individual site.
The Liquid Web performance test results from the research team were great. During testing time, our WordPress site stayed up 100% and was reachable 99.78% of the time. The stress tests also went great – Liquid Web can handle large amounts of traffic consistently, which is expected from a VPS hosting provider.
Dashboard
Our every hosting review is evidence- and testing-based, and fact-checked by the Cybernews research team. In the Liquid Web review, you can find more information on what it’s like to use this host. Read more here -> FULL LIQUID WEB REVIEW
10. InterServer – affordable provider with strong security
| Cybernews rating: | |
| Starting price: | $2.50/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | ✅ Yes, 30 days |
| Websites: | Unlimited |
| Free domain: | ❌ No |
| Free SSL: | ✅ Yes |
| 24/7 support: | ✅ Yes |
| Hosting types: | Shared, reseller, email, cPanel, VPS, cloud, and dedicated |
| Best deal: | Get InterServer, now 65% OFF |
A less-known provider, InterServer offers numerous solutions for websites of any size. One of the most attractive things about it is the affordable but strong security features.
Why is InterServer best for security?
I find InterServer an excellent choice for security-focused hosting, due to its focus on safety. I particularly appreciate the InterShield feature, which blocks malware, prevents attacks, and scans for vulnerabilities. I was also reassured by its free weekly backups.
My experience with InterServer – average 3.5/5
InterServer uses cPanel. The account management dashboard is well-designed and easy to get used to. I especially liked how InterServer’s features were grouped – it felt intuitive. It was also nice to find that the SSL certificate was generated automatically, and I didn’t need to configure it myself. The account purchasing process was a bit confusing, as there was no option to add an existing domain.
InterServer’s shared hosting plan performance was below average. The servers couldn’t handle a lot of traffic very well, so I don’t suggest choosing shared hosting plans if you expect thousands of visitors daily. The server response time was pretty good, and the page loaded relatively quickly in around 2 seconds.
The Cybernews research team continuously tests and reviews all hosting providers we recommend. InterServer is no exception, and you can find a detailed account of all testing results and evaluations in the review. Find out more here -> FULL INTERSERVER REVIEW.
Best website hosting services compared
| Brand | Rating | Starting price | Uptime results | Customer support | Free domain | Free SSL |
| 1. Hostinger | From $2.69/month | 100% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| 2. 1&1 IONOS | From $1.00/month | 85% (likely due to DDoS protection) | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| 3. Bluehost | From $1.99/month | 100% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| 4. InMotion Hosting | From $2.29/month | 100% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| 5. SiteGround | From $2.99/month | 100% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| 6. DreamHost | From $2.59/month | 100% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| 7. A2 Hosting | From $1.99/month | 100% | 24/7 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | |
| 8. ScalaHosting | From $2.95/month | 100% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| 9. Liquid Web | From $5.00/month | 100% | 24/7 | ❌ No | ❌ No | |
| 10. InterServer | From $2.50/month | 100% | 24/7 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Web hosting testing and ranking methodology
At Cybernews, we conduct thorough and detailed hosting tests and evaluations to recommend the best services based on our experience and evidence. For the best hosting provider rankings, we tested and reviewed 58 web hosts, focusing specifically on the ease of use for beginners, features, resources, performance, and price-to-value ratio. After initial selection of the 10 best hosts, here’s how we further tested these providers:
- Ease of use (30%). Since we aim to recommend services for both beginners and experienced users, ease of use is one of the most important factors. We evaluated the interface and hosting management of each provider, how easy it was to find features and functionalities, and how easy it was to install plugins, migrate a website, and add a domain.
-
Performance (30%). We monitor uptime and conduct stress tests. We used several testing services, such as Grafana for stress testing and uptime monitoring, to evaluate how reliable these hosts are. We checked how often the websites were up and reachable to visitors and whether they could handle large traffic increases well.
- Features (25%). We evaluated resources like disk space, bandwidth, CDN, email accounts, and a number of websites. Additional or unique features such as website builders, assistant tools, or unique control panels also added some points to the overall evaluations.
- Security (15%). All websites need security measures to avoid DDoS, malware attacks, and other online threats. We looked for free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, firewalls, and backups.
After we ran all the tests, we ranked the initially chosen providers from 1 to 10 based on their test and evaluation results. We also considered each host’s pricing and compared them to each other to determine the overall price-to-value ratio.
How do I choose the right web hosting provider for my website?
When looking for a web hosting provider, you should consider a few key factors. These range from your needs, to each provider’s offer, as a perfect web host is one which offers services that meet your needs. In particular, you should consider:
- Hosting type. Your hosting needs should differ if you’re looking to build a portfolio website compared to if you’re looking to host game servers, or a large web app. That’s why choosing between shared hosting, a VPS, or dedicated hosting is important.
- Data center location. Each hosting provider offers data centers in different locations around the globe. Depending on who you want to reach with your services, you might want to consider different hosting providers.
- Scalability. If you’re planning to run a business, you may end up in a situation where your previous hosting plan isn’t sufficient for your needs. That’s why you should look at how each provider approaches scalability, and whether you can modify your plan down the line.
- Price to performance ratio. Overall, you’d probably want the fastest server possible. However, if you’re working on a personal project, you might be able to get away with an additional second of load time. That’s why, you should compare a provider’s price to its performance to decide whether the speed is worth the money.
- Additional features. Features like website builders, automated backups, and AI assistants all play a role in hosting. Which additional features are useful for you depends on your needs. For example, if you don’t have web development experience, a 1-click WordPress installation, or a reliable website builder are great additional features that help you get your internet presence off the ground.
Video review
If you want to learn about the top 3 web hosting providers in detail, check out our video review. You'll learn everything there is to know about the best providers and what makes them unique.
What is web hosting, and how does it work?
Web hosting is a service that stores a website and makes it accessible to visitors on the internet. When you sign up for a hosting service, you rent space on its physical server to store your site’s files and data. The web host then makes sure that this information appears on the internet as a website.
Another way to look at it is to imagine that your website is a house, and you are renting a plot of land to build this house. A web host owns the land – a physical server – and gives your house an address so others can find and visit it, making a website accessible on the internet.
Types of web hosting
There are many types of web hosting, and each is suitable for different kinds of websites and projects. Below, you can find a brief overview of 6 main web hosting types, how they work, and what each is best for.
What is shared web hosting?
Shared hosting is a type of hosting where the resources of one server are divided among many users for their websites. Following the housing and land rental analogy, with shared hosting, you and many other users rent the same plot of land for your houses.
Therefore, shared web hosting is suitable for smaller websites that don’t get very high traffic. Small businesses, personal projects like portfolios or blogs, landing pages, or small web shops all benefit from shared hosting. However, larger websites that require more resources and better performance do better with other types of hosting.
What is cloud web hosting?
Cloud web hosting is when the hosting provider uses a network of virtual (cloud) servers to host websites, instead of one physical server. Cloud hosting allows for better resource distribution among websites and ensures better performance for every user. The cloud network also means that if one server crashes, other servers stay unaffected, so your website is still up and accessible to visitors despite server failures.
Cloud hosting is a great option for medium to large websites that find shared hosting resources too limiting and rely on stable server performance, like large eCommerce sites. You can also get a dedicated IP address for your site with cloud hosting.
What is VPS (virtual private server) hosting?
VPS hosting is a type of hosting where a provider offers a dedicated virtual server with resources for a single user. The virtual server is still on a shared physical server, but unlike shared hosting, the server resources are not shared. With VPS hosting, you can enjoy the reliability and performance of a dedicated server.
VPS hosting is a good option for larger websites that find shared hosting too slow or too limited. It is less expensive than dedicated hosting, making it a middle-ground choice between cheap but slow shared hosting and fast but expensive dedicated hosting. You can also choose between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting.
What is dedicated hosting?
Dedicated hosting is when a hosting service provides you with a dedicated physical server, including its hardware and software, and all its resources. It is the most expensive hosting type. Some dedicated hosting server advantages include: full control over hardware and software environments, enhanced customization options, security, and better performance. However, dedicated servers may be difficult to manage and require a lot of technical expertise.
Dedicated hosting is ideal for large businesses and organizations that receive high traffic, rely on stable performance, and require the resources of a physical server. Projects and businesses that prefer to have complete control over the hardware and software of a server will also find dedicated hosting beneficial.
What is WordPress hosting?
WordPress hosting is a type of hosting that provides servers and resources optimized for WordPress websites. However, you don’t have to host a WordPress site using a specific WordPress plan. WordPress hosting can be either managed or semi-managed and can be hosted on all types of servers, including shared, cloud, VPS, and dedicated.
What is reseller hosting?
Reseller hosting is a hosting type and a business model that involves individuals or companies buying hosting resources from a hosting provider and reselling them to their own clients. It can be a profitable business and is great for those who want to offer web hosting services without having to manage and invest in their own resources.
You can resell all kinds of hosting types, but cloud and VPS hosting are the most often occurring types in reseller hosting.
Which web hosting type should you choose?
If you’re not sure which web hosting type is the best for your site, here are some examples of what each hosting type is best for, the key advantages, and some examples of what sites you can host with each hosting type.
| Type of web hosting | Best for | Key advantages | Site examples |
| Shared hosting | Beginners, small and medium sites, blogs | Affordable, easy to use, minimal technical knowledge required | Personal blogs, portfolios, small business sites, landing pages |
| Cloud hosting | Large-scale projects, eCommerce sites, resource-intensive projects | Scalable, more reliable performance, customizable | High-traffic blogs, SaaS applications, news websites |
| VPS hosting | Growing websites, medium-size businesses, eCommerce sites | More control and resources, customizable, scalable, better performance | eCommerce sites, small businesses, medium-traffic blogs |
| Dedicated hosting | Large businesses and projects, high-traffic websites, custom web applications | Full control over server resources and hardware, highly customizable | High-traffic eCommerce stores, large enterprise sites |
| WordPress hosting | WordPress sites | WordPress-optimized software, resources and performance, expert WordPress support | WordPress sites |
| Reseller hosting | For reselling hosting resources | A profitable business model that’s easy to manage and scale | - |
Which web hosting type is best
The best website hosting type depends on your needs and technical knowledge. If you’re a beginner or want just a small website, shared hosting is a cost-effective option. But if you’re looking to host a large, high-traffic site, VPS or dedicated server hosting is the most ideal choice.
Types of web hosting servers
Web hosting servers are not only physical hardware but also run different operating systems. The most popular server operating systems are Linux and Windows. Below, I explain what Linux and Windows servers are, who they are best for, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
What is a Linux server, and who should choose it?
A Linux server is a hosting server that runs the Linux operating system. It is open source and quite flexible. Linux web hosting is the best for those who enjoy customization, stability, and security of their servers. Additionally, being open source means a lot of community support and resources. Best of all, it is very affordable.
What is a Windows server, and who should choose it?
A Windows server is a type of hosting that runs on the Windows operating system, offering excellent compatibility with Microsoft technologies. It’s a great choice for businesses and developers who rely on tools like ASP.NET or SQL Server. While it might not have the same level of built-in security as other systems, it’s still highly useful for specific needs, especially if you’re already working within the Microsoft ecosystem.
When to choose a Windows server
A Windows server is a great tool in specific use cases. Here are a few reasons you should choose it:
- You rely on Microsoft-specific tools. If your website or application uses technologies like ASP.NET, .NET Framework, or Microsoft SQL Server, a Windows server is the best fit. It’s also a smart choice for smaller projects using Microsoft Access or any apps that need Windows-based server software.
- Your development tools work best on Windows. For developers using Visual Studio or apps integrated with Microsoft Active Directory, a Windows server is an easy pick. It works smoothly with these tools, saving you the headache of compatibility issues.
- You need remote desktop access. If you prefer managing your server with a familiar interface, Windows hosting includes RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), letting you directly control the server. This is especially handy for teams that are comfortable with the Windows operating system.
- Your team uses Microsoft products. If your business depends on Office 365, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or similar tools, a Windows server ensures everything works together seamlessly. It’s a great way to keep your workflow smooth.
- You use software that only runs on Windows. For specific software like financial tools, ERP systems, or custom applications that only work on Windows, this hosting option is a must. It also supports IIS (Internet Information Services), a web server many businesses prefer over other options.
Who should consider it?
Windows servers are a good fit for anyone already using Microsoft tools or apps that need a Windows environment to function. They’re especially useful for businesses relying on the Microsoft ecosystem or running software that isn’t compatible with other platforms. While it’s not as secure as some other operating systems by default, its ease of use and compatibility make it an excellent choice for the right users.
Wrapping up
Using a web hosting service is a great way to easily put your website online. With a variety of web hosting types, like shared or dedicated hosting, you can host different websites ranging from personal blogs to big enterprise-level projects or web applications.
My top web hosting service is Hostinger, but I also liked IONOS and Bluehost. All three providers offer affordable shared hosting plans and plans for business, eCommerce, WordPress sites, and cloud hosting. I like their user-friendly interface, site management, and control panel that offers guidance and explanations. However, your preferences and definitions of what’s the best might be different. The other providers on our list could be a better fit – whether you’re looking for scalability, reliable performance, or prioritize site security the most.
FAQ
Who is the world's largest web host?
It is difficult to tell for sure which is the world’s largest web host due to varying metrics and available data, such as the number of registered domains, customer base, revenue and market share, and others. However, GoDaddy is generally recognized as one of the leading players in the web hosting market. Many consider it to be the world’s biggest web host. Other large web hosting companies include Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, IONOS, and others.
Which are the three of the four most popular web hosts?
Hostinger, IONOS, and Bluehost are the three best web hosts in our best web hosting list 2025. However, the ranking may vary depending on who you ask.
Can I switch hosting providers later without losing my website?
Yes, many hosting providers provide free website migrations. This means you can easily move your website from one service to another. Remember to do so before your original plan expires. Otherwise, your data will likely be lost.
What kind of support should I expect from a hosting provider?
The industry standard is a 24/7 live chat. A big part of support are also knowledge base articles to help you navigate the complex topics for each hosting provider. Phone support is also sometimes available, but it’s not the best at solving complex technical issues.
How much does web hosting cost on average?
The exact price depends on the hosting product offered. Shared web hosting usually costs from $1.00/month to $4.00/month, but dedicated hosting can cost over $200.00/month. We've covered this topic in our website hosting cost 2025 article.
How do I know if a hosting provider is secure?
The best way to know is to see which security features each provider offers. Functionalities like DDoS protection, automated backups, and malware scanning all contribute to the security of your data.
Is it better to choose a local or global hosting provider?
Choosing a local or global hosting provider depends on your specific needs. Performance-wise, the difference isn’t big unless you’re looking to use it for game server hosting on top of your web hosting. The biggest factor here may be data residency and privacy laws, which may require you to store your data in a specific location.
Do I need a domain name and hosting from the same provider?
No, you don’t necessarily need a domain and hosting from the same provider. You can easily sync your domain with your website by configuring your DNS settings correctly. However, since many providers add a free domain to their hosting plans, getting a domain there is a cost-effective and simple solution.
Which country is best for hosting websites?
The best country to host a website depends on where your website visitors are. The closer your host’s servers are to your visitors, the faster the website loads. However, with technologies like content delivery networks (CDN) and advanced servers, it matters less which country you host your website in.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are markedmarked