Best web 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.
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Having a website is essential for any business aiming to thrive online, and reliable web hosting is the backbone that makes it possible. However, with countless hosting providers and a range of hosting types available, finding the perfect fit for your business or project can feel overwhelming.
In my 3 years of experience testing web hosting services at Cybernews, I know what makes a great web host. So to help you find the best web hosting provider, I collaborated with the Cybernews research team to test and review 58 hosts. In this article, you’ll find my top 10 website hosts, ranked according to their ease of use, performance, security, features, and pricing.
Best web hosting providers for 2025
- Hostinger – best host for performance from $2.32/month
- Bluehost – best hosting for WordPress from $1.99/month
- IONOS – best affordable hosting in Europe from $1.00/month
- DreamHost – best for shared hosting from $2.59/month
- SiteGround – best web host for beginners from $2.99/month
- A2 Hosting – best for fast-loading websites from $2.99/month
- ScalaHosting – best for small business from $2.95/month
- Liquid Web – best VPS hosting from $8.85/month
- InterServer – best web host for security from $2.50/month
- InMotion – best for high-traffic sites from $2.29/month
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.
The best website hosting services of 2025 – detailed list
The Cybernews research team and I tested and reviewed 58 hosting providers, with the testing process for each provider lasting about a month. We looked into their features, performance, pricing, and overall website hosting experience. In our evaluations, we looked at ease of use when it comes to site migration and management, hosting control panels, installing various plugins, performance, and security. In the overviews below, I evaluate the hosts' features and my experience with each provider from 1 to 5 to give you a better idea of what it's like to use them.
1. Hostinger – web host with the best performance
| Starting price | $2.32/month |
| Websites | From 100 |
| Free domain | ✅ Yes |
| Best deal | Get up to 81% OFF Hostinger + free months |
Hostinger is the #1 hosting provider that offers an affordable service without compromising performance. It is also user-friendly and perfect for beginners as well as more advanced users. Hostinger prices start at $2.32/month.
Why is Hostinger best for performance?
Hostinger is one of the fastest web hosts I’ve tested, with websites loading in 127ms on average. Its LiteSpeed servers and caching make it quicker than providers like Bluehost or SiteGround. Plus, with data centers around the world and a 100% uptime guarantee, it’s perfect for fast and reliable websites.
Hostinger features – very good 5/5
All Hostinger hosting types (shared, WordPress, Cloud, VPS) include at least 100 websites, up to 100 email accounts, unlimited bandwidth, free CDN, daily backups, a free SSL certificate, and a custom domain name. It is one of the most extensive resource packages available. Additionally, Hostinger uses performance-boosting technologies like LiteSpeed servers. You can install WordPress with just one click, and the specific WordPress plans also include an AI setup assistant.
My experience with Hostinger – very good 4.5/5
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 – 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 VPS plans. I have not seen similar features with Bluehost or other hosts on my list.
Hostinger’s performance is one of the best I have seen – it’s also the #1 provider in the fastest web hosting list. In my tests with shared hosting, it showed a really good response time at 127ms, and the website stayed reachable 100% of the testing time. In stress testing, Hostinger handled 50 virtual users without any errors or crashes. Overall, the performance is simply ideal for any kind of website, ranging from WordPress sites to web applications and eCommerce platforms.
Hostinger is a great choice for beginners and small businesse who want to host WordPress sites and prioritize performance and ease of use. The host offers great WordPress-oriented resources, excellent performance, and 1-click installations, and the hPanel is modern and user-friendly.
2. Bluehost – the best WordPress hosting
| Starting price | $1.99/month |
| Websites | From 10 |
| Free domain | ✅ Yes |
| Best deal | Get up to 83% OFF Bluehost |
Bluehost takes the second 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. It offers free WordPress migration, an easy-to-use WonderSuite website builder, and one-click installations, making it simple to set up and manage your site.
Bluehost features – very good 5/5
All Bluehost hosting types (WordPress, shared, cloud, VPS, and dedicated include free SSL certificates, at least 5 email accounts in the free trial, a free domain, and a free content delivery network (CDN). The security settings will be configured in advance – including malware scanning and Cloudflare DDoS protection.
One thing I really appreciate is the unmetered bandwidth — there’s no hard limit on data transfer, although speeds might slow during peak usage or with heavy traffic. On the Choice Plus and Pro plans, I noticed the domain privacy feature, which does a great job of protecting against spam, fraudulent transfers, and unwanted contact.
I also like that Bluehost includes an AI website creator for WordPress sites – it’s an excellent addition if you don’t have a website to migrate. If you do, the Bluehost site migration plugin is also included – and it’s very easy to use.
My experience with Bluehost – very good 5/5
Overall, setting up with Bluehost's basic shared hosting plan was a seamless and frictionless experience. 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, and 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 one-click staging environment for easy site development. Besides, Bluehost also offers cPanel for managing your site – it’s my preferred control panel.
Bluehost's performance was also nothing short of remarkable. With 99.99% 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 7,000 requests failed.
Bluehost offers plans for all hosting types: shared, WordPress, cloud, VPS, and dedicated. It also has a wide array of excellent features, a website builder, and excellent performance, so it would benefit anyone — from a complete beginner to a large business.
3. 1&1 IONOS – secure and reliable hosting for Europe
| Starting price | $1.00/month |
| Websites | From 1 |
| Free domain | ✅ Yes |
| 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 generous resources, performance, and security for any type of site quite affordably.
Why is IONOS the most affordable option?
Obviously, because of its lowest price at just $1.00/month, IONOS is the cheapest option. But it also packs in generous features like unlimited storage and email accounts, making it a budget-friendly choice that doesn’t skimp on quality.
IONOS features – good 4/5
All IONOS plans include a free custom domain, a free SSL certificate, at least one email account, and unlimited traffic. It also features an extensive security suite, including daily backups, DDoS protection, and site scans. If you’re thinking of hosting WordPress, I found the 1-click installer and setup assistance helpful.
Moreover, with storage starting at 100GB, you’ll have ample space to store dynamic content and crucial data, ensuring fast and seamless site performance. Unlimited bandwidth means there’s no cap on data transfer, perfect for handling traffic spikes. For developers, WordPress staging offers a safe test environment to deploy changes before they go live.
My experience with IONOS – average 3.5/5
IONOS features a native control panel that’s 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 uptime. During the testing, the site stayed up and accessible 99.99% of the time. However, the shared servers did not handle traffic increases that well, and the site crashed after more than 10 virtual users. Meanwhile, Hostinger and Bluehost handled the standard 50 virtual users with no issues.
IONOS is a reliable and affordable hosting service suited for beginners based in Europe. Its control panel is very easy to use, and while the features are not that special, it provides a good basic package for first-time users.
4. DreamHost – affordable host for the US
| Starting price | $2.59/month |
| Websites | From 1 |
| Free domain | ✅ Yes |
| 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, making it a great option for customers in or near the US. With servers close by, you’ll benefit from faster loading times and reliable performance.
DreamHost features – good 4/5
DreamHost offers an excellent array of essential hosting features: a free custom domain with domain privacy, daily backups, and a free SSL certificate. The free migration service and a website builder help you transfer hosts or build a website from scratch, respectively. You can also install WordPress with one click. Besides, DreamHost’s Shared Unlimited plan includes unlimited email accounts, great for businesses needing many inboxes.
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 also showed good performance. I tested a WordPress site, and the response time was around 335ms, which means that the site is conveniently reachable and doesn’t take too long to load for a visitor. However, the stress testing results were disappointing, as the servers crashed at 21 virtual users. But if you’re not planning on hosting a large site with many visitors, these results are okay.
DreamHost is a modern website hosting service best suitable for experienced and new users in the US looking to host personal and WordPress websites that rely on stable performance.
5. SiteGround – the best host for beginners
| Starting price | $2.99/month |
| Websites | From 1 |
| Free domain | ✅ Yes |
| 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 will be a good choice for beginners who also prefer fast website load speeds and reliable uptime.
Why is SiteGround best for beginners?
It’s great for first-time users because of its features designed to simplify website creation. Features like automatic WordPress installation, a simple dashboard, and one-click tools simplify the process. What really shines is its 24/7 customer support – always ready to guide you, whether you're setting up your first site or troubleshooting an issue.
SiteGround features – good 4 stars
Every SiteGround shared hosting plan includes free SSL certificates, a free domain, custom caching options, free email accounts, daily backups, and the option to invite collaborators. Some of the more useful features for business sites include staging environments and plugins for WordPress installation and migration. However, some users may find the app installer a bit limited, especially compared to cPanel’s Softaculous.
My experience with SiteGround – good 4 stars
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.
Keep in mind that my results are specific to shared hosting, so performance could vary with their VPS or dedicated hosting plans.
SiteGround is an excellent option for new website owners and small business users seeking a beginner-friendly host with strong performance. It’s tailored for those who need reliable uptime, as it maintains a 99.9% availability rate. Additionally, SiteGround excels at handling increased traffic, ensuring your site remains stable and responsive even during peak times.
6. A2 Hosting – the best for budget-friendly performance
| Starting price | $2.99/month |
| Websites | From 1 |
| Free domain | ❌ No |
| Best deal | Get A2 Hosting, now up to 76% OFF |
A2 Hosting stands out with some of the most competitive pricing on this list, offering plans starting at just $2.99/month.
Why is A2 Hosting best for performance on a budget?
It delivers excellent speed optimization at affordable prices. With features like advanced caching, LiteSpeed servers, and SSD storage, A2 Hosting ensures fast load times without breaking the bank. This makes it a great option for users looking for reliable performance at a low cost.
A2 Hosting features – average 3.5/5
As noted in our A2 Hosting review, this host is full of stand-out features. For example, some security measures include two-factor authentication, enhanced DDoS protection, and automatic kernel updates, among others. Additionally, it includes free SSL certificates and a Web Application Firewall. A2 Hosting also offers tools for secure file transfers, software installation, and PHP configuration. Additionally, A2 Hosting uses advanced caching technologies to optimize website speed.
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 issue.
The account management dashboard was also pretty easy to navigate. I could access domain registration information, security status, contact details, and similar info. The performance of my site was also pretty good, with 100% uptime results and average traffic handling. Overall, my experience with A2 Hosting was nothing special, especially compared to Bluehost and Hostinger.
A2 Hosting is ideal for users seeking strong performance on a budget, though beginners might find its interface slightly complex. I recommend it for businesses and individuals who need affordable hosting with advanced speed optimization features, even on shared plans.
7. ScalaHosting – cost-effective hosting provider for businesses
| Starting price | $2.95/month |
| Websites | From 1 |
| Free domain | ✅ Yes |
| 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 is an excellent choice for small businesses because it balances affordability with essential features like real-time malware protection and free SSL certificates, ensuring secure and professional websites. Its customizable VPS plans allow businesses to scale resources like CPU, RAM, and storage as they grow, while unmetered bandwidth supports traffic spikes without extra costs. With transparent pricing and no hidden fees, it’s a practical solution for businesses needing reliable hosting without breaking the bank.
ScalaHosting features – average 3.5/5
ScalaHosting offers unmetered bandwidth, free SSL certificates, daily offsite backups, and unlimited email accounts with features like autoresponders and spam filters. For VPS users, its proprietary SPanel, a robust alternative to cPanel, simplifies server management at no extra cost. Additional tools, like WordPress staging and free CDN integration, boost performance and usability. While its data centers are located in the US and Europe, ScalaHosting ensures 99.9% uptime for shared hosting users.
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 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 – a rarity among hosting providers.
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.
ScalaHosting is a good choice for small and medium-sized businesses that prioritize cost-effectiveness and scalability. Its flexible hosting plans and user-friendly tools are well-suited for growing websites. However, beginners might find the wide range of options slightly overwhelming compared to more straightforward providers.
8. Liquid Web – the best VPS host
| Starting price | $8.85/month |
| Websites | From 1 |
| Free domain | ❌ No |
| 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?
It’s the top choice for VPS hosting because it has everything and more for optimal performance. With fast SSD storage, reliable uptime, and fully managed support, your site will run smoothly and stay secure. Plus, its scalable resources and flexibility make it perfect for businesses and developers.
Liquid Web features – average 3.5/5
The VPS plans for Liquid Web include free SSL, DDoS protection, firewalls, and several choices for control panels, such as cPanel or Plesk. You also get content delivery configuration options, staging and developer environments, analytics, design services, and more. The features are pretty advanced and provide a sound basis for smooth WordPress hosting.
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 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 99.94% 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.
Liquid Web is the best solution for developers, agencies, and large-scale enterprises and projects, as it offers resources and control panels specifically for these purposes. It’s not suitable for beginners or small sites.
9. InterServer – affordable provider with strong security
| Starting price | $2.50/month |
| Websites | Unlimited |
| Free domain | ❌ No |
| Best deal | Get InterServer, now 65% OFF |
A less well-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?
InterServer is a strong contender for security-focused hosting, thanks to its well-thought-out protections. It offers features like InterShield, a security solution designed to block malware, prevent attacks, and scan for vulnerabilities. Additionally, its free weekly backups add an extra layer of reassurance.
InterServer features – average 3.5/5
InterServer includes Cloudflare CDN and a proprietary security system, which encompasses DDoS protection, malware scanning, and firewalls. Additionally, all plans include unlimited storage, data transfers, domains, emails, free migration for standard shared hosting, and free SSL certificates. There are also more advanced features, such as a selection of development tools and extra security measures. WordPress is also easy to install, with automatic updates and weekly backups.
However, automated backups come at an extra cost, whereas many hosts include them in their plans.
My experience with InterServer – average 3.5/5
uses cPanel for controls. 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 average. The servers couldn’t handle a lot of traffic very well, so I suggest choosing shared hosting plans if you don’t expect thousands of visitors daily. The server response time was pretty good, and the page loaded relatively quickly.
InterServer is a great option for small businesses and individual users who prioritize strong security but work within a tight budget. Its proprietary security system and automatic configurations make it a convenient and reliable choice for protecting websites from potential threats.
10. InMotion Hosting – good for large-scale businesses
| Starting price | $2.29/month |
| Websites | From 2 |
| Free domain | ✅ Yes |
| 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, designed to manage heavy traffic and resource-intensive tasks, InMotion is excellent for large businesses. Its customizable server options and dependable customer support make it a practical solution for companies requiring reliable and high-performance hosting.
InMotion Hosting features – average 3/5
InMotion includes some free features, such as SSL certificates, DDoS protection, a free domain, and a website builder. Some other standout features include Google Analytics integrations, an app store, WordPress Manager by InMotion Hosting, and several security features, including spam filtering. For an additional price, you can also get a dedicated IP.
My experience with InMotion Hosting – below average 2.5/5
Overall, I found InMotion Hosting’s account management panel design to be quite outdated and confusing to navigate – InMotion review has more details on this. From the account management panel, I could access the technical details, such as DNS settings, manage email, get to Google Workspace, the app store, SSL certificate management, and more.
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.
InMotion Hosting will be a good option for those who are already familiar with web hosting. I recommend it for larger websites or businesses that require advanced features, resources, and good performance.
Best web hosting comparison
| Brand | Rating | Starting price | Site load speed | Customer support | Free domain | Free SSL | Best for |
| 1. Hostinger | From $2.32/mo | 100% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Performance, WordPress | |
| 2. Bluehost | From $1.99/mo | 99.99% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Beginners, shared hosting | |
| 3. 1&1 IONOS | From $1.00/mo | 99.99% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | EU-based sites | |
| 4. DreamHost | From $2.59/mo | >99.99% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Personal projects, WordPress | |
| 5. SiteGround | From $2.99/mo | 99.99% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Businesses, beginners | |
| 6. A2 Hosting | From $2.99/mo | 99.99% | 24/7 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Best for low prices | |
| 7. ScalaHosting | From $2.95/month | 99.9% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Businesses | |
| 8. Liquid Web | From $5.00/mo | 100% | 24/7 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Businesses and enterprises | |
| 9. InterServer | From $2.50/mo | 99.99% | 24/7 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Businesses and enterprises | |
| 10. InMotion Hosting | From $2.29/mo | 99.98% | 24/7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Best for high-traffic sites362 |
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, how easy it was to install plugins or migrate a website, add a domain, and more.
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Performance (30%). We monitor uptime and stress-test the hosts. We used several testing services, such as Pingdom for uptime monitoring and k6 for stress testing, 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 the amounts of resources like disk space, bandwidth, CDN, email accounts, number of websites, and others. 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.
Video review
If you want to learn all about the top three 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 special.
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 – makes 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 or projects. Below, I offer a brief overview of 6 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.
Shared web hosting is therefore suitable for smaller websites that don’t get very high traffic. Small businesses, personal projects like portfolios or blogs, and landing pages or small web shops all will benefit from shared hosting. However, larger websites that require more resources and better performance will do better with other types of hosting.
What is cloud web hosting?
Cloud web hosting is when a hosting provider uses a network of virtual (cloud) servers to host websites, instead of one physical server. Cloud hosting therefore 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 will stay unaffected, so your website will still be 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 without the need to manage physical hardware.
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, including 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 and rely on stable performance, security, 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 on a specific WordPress plan, and it depends on your needs and preferences. WordPress hosting can be either managed or semi-managed, and 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?
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 and 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 | - |
What is the best web hosting type?
The best hosting type is dedicated server hosting. With it, a single user gets an entire physical server with all of its resources just for themselves. Dedicated hosting offers the highest level of control, performance, and security, as you don’t have to share any of the server resources with other users. However, dedicated hosting can be very expensive, and server hardware and software maintenance is time-consuming and requires expert technical knowledge.
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 is a Linux and Windows server, who it is 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
- 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 (RDP). If you prefer managing your server with a familiar interface, Windows hosting includes RDP, letting you directly control the server. This is especially handy for teams 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 inexpensively and 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, with Bluehost and IONOS taking the second and third places respectively. All three providers offer affordable shared hosting plans and plans for businesses, eCommerce and WordPress sites, cloud hosting, and more. I like their user-friendly interface, site management, and control panel with guidance and explanations. I also think they offer great free resources for beginners – including a free domain and SSL certificates, among others. And finally, I was thoroughly impressed with their excellent performance during my tests.
Best web hosting FAQs
How much should I pay to host a website?
Hosting a website can cost anywhere from $1 to thousands of dollars. The cheapest hosting type is shared hosting, and depending on the provider and the plan, it should cost you from $1 to $15 per month.
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 will load. However, with technologies like content delivery networks (CDN) and advanced servers, it matters less which country you host your website in.
Which is the best platform for hosting?
My favorite website host is Hostinger. It is affordable, very easy to use for beginners, and offers excellent advanced features for businesses and experienced users. Additionally, it includes a website builder. Finally, in my tests, it showed excellent uptime and handled traffic loads very well.
Which hosting service is best for WordPress?
I recommend Bluehost, and Hostinger for WordPress. Both hosts offer excellent plans specifically for WordPress, with included website builders, WordPress-oriented features, and performance optimizations. Additionally, you can get expert support and set-up assistance.
Which is the fastest hosting for WordPress?
Bluehost is the top WordPress-recommended host. It offers WordPress-specialized hosting plans and an AI WordPress site creator. In my tests, Bluehost showed really fast performance with the WordPress hosting plans, with site load times staying equal to or below 1s and the uptime being 99.99% during the testing period.
What is the best hosting in India?
Bluehost is the best hosting provider for India. With excellent performance and a global content delivery network, you can host sites on Bluehost and be sure that your content will reach your Indian audience in mere seconds. Additionally, it is affordable – Bluehost plans start at just $1.99/month, which is around ₹169/month.
What is the cheapest hosting for WordPress?
Hostinger is the cheapest hosting provider for WordPress. With specialized WordPress plans starting at just $2.32/month (Hostinger), you get access to an AI WordPress site builder, plenty of resources, expert WordPress support, and fast and reliable performance.
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