HOSTINGER REVIEW 2024 – PROS, CONS, AND PRICING

By Romario Lemon – 18 min read, March 6, 2024

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In the ever-expanding digital landscape, where every idea, business, or passion project needs a virtual home, web hosting becomes the unsung hero. Imagine this: there are currently over 2 billion websites out there, each vying for attention and space on the internet. Now, that’s a bustling metropolis of information and creativity.

As you embark on your online journey, finding the right web hosting provider becomes crucial. One contender that stands out in this crowded arena is Hostinger. Before we dive into the specifics, consider this: in 2023, the global number of internet users surpassed 4.9 billion. This staggering statistic emphasizes the significance of a reliable web hosting service, making it a vital element for anyone navigating the digital realm. Now, let’s unravel the layers of Hostinger and explore why it might just be the perfect fit for your online ambitions.

Why Hostinger?

Hostinger is the web hosting equivalent of your favourite multi-tool – budget-friendly, gets the job done smoothly, and is super easy to handle!

So, what’s the big deal? Well, for starters, Hostinger won’t burn a hole in your wallet. With prices kicking off at a mere $2.69 per month, it’s the ultimate playground for hosting newbies or anyone ditching their overpriced hosting gig. But, here’s the plot twist – to score this steal, you’ve got to commit to the long game, opting for the 4-year plan. Trust us; it’s a smart investment, considering the renewal prices might play a different tune.

But hold on, we’re not just throwing darts in the dark. We’ve rolled up our sleeves, done some digging, and put Hostinger to the test. From user-friendliness to performance, security, pricing, and a bit of customer support spice, we’ve got the lowdown. Dive into our detailed Hostinger review and decide if this is your web hosting soulmate.

Items	Results
⭐ Rating:	4.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💵 Price:	From $2.69/month
📑 Uptime guarantee:	99.9%
⚙️ Hosting types:	Shared, WordPress, VPS, cloud, and email hosting
🌎 Server locations:	The US, the UK, Netherlands, France, Lithuania, Brazil, Singapore, and India
👨💻 24/7 live support:	Yes


⭐ Rating:	4.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💵 Price:	From $2.69/month
📑 Uptime guarantee:	99.9%
⚙️ Hosting types:	Shared, WordPress, VPS, cloud, and email hosting
🌎 Server locations:	The US, the UK, Netherlands, France, Lithuania, Brazil, Singapore, and India
👨💻 24/7 live support:	Yes

Hostinger Pros

Ease of Use

Hostinger makes website creation a breeze. No need to be a tech whiz; their website builder, AI tools, and helpful guides have got your back. Whether you’re a pro or just starting, their custom control panel, called hPanel, is like your personal guide through the digital wilderness.

You can also check out the Elementor website builder.

Lots of Features

Imagine getting all the cool extras without breaking the bank. Hostinger offers page speed monitoring, malware scanning, and analytics, making it a superhero for beginners. Plus, with fantastic uptime and speedy load times, your website will be the Flash of the internet world.

Low Starter Prices

Hold onto your hat – Hostinger’s prices start at just $2.49 per month! And here’s a tip: take your time choosing the right plan; the countdown timer might be rushing you, but the prices stay the same.

Data Centers Everywhere

Hostinger has servers in eight countries. Why is this awesome? Well, if your website fans are in California, you’d want your site hosted somewhere close, right? Hostinger’s got you covered from the USA to Brazil.

Quality Custom Control Panel

Forget the confusing stuff – hPanel is where it’s at. It’s like the control center for your website. Setting up emails, importing stuff – it’s all a piece of cake. Hostinger’s custom control panel is like the friendly sidekick you never knew you needed.

Hostinger Cons

Confusing Prices

Okay, let’s be real – the subscription lengths and renewal costs might make your head spin a bit. Take a deep breath and pick a plan that suits your website’s superhero journey, considering the long-term costs.

Performance Restrictions

Not all heroes can handle everything. If your site is heavy on images or big databases, Hostinger might not be the Flash you’re looking for. But for simpler sites, it’s like having a trusty sidekick.

No Telephone Support

Unlike some heroes, Hostinger doesn’t do the whole phone call thing. But fear not! Their 24/7 live chat and email support are like sending a quick message to your helpful tech pals.

Hosting Management: Is it Easy or Like Solving a Puzzle?

Managing Hostinger is like a breeze, especially for beginners. The whole system is crafted with simplicity in mind. It’s like having magical wizards at your disposal, effortlessly taking care of setting up your websites, emails, domains, and even VPS services.

And guess what? The control panel is not just a pretty face – it’s packed with both simplicity and functionality. It’s like having a tool that looks good and does the job without any fuss.

HOSTING SETUP PROCESS

Okay, so first things first – you got to figure out what kind of hosting suits your needs, like where you want your website to live on the internet. Let’s say you’re checking out Hostinger – they’ve got Shared, Cloud, VPS, WordPress, and even Minecraft hosting options.

Once you’ve sorted that out, setting up your hosting is a breeze, and you don’t need to be a tech wizard. Here’s the lowdown on getting your hosting plan up and running:

So, after you’ve signed up with Hostinger, look for the Setup option in your control panel.
When the Hello! page pops up, click on Start now. Then spill the beans about your web hosting project by giving them some extra info.
Now, you got to decide if you want to build a brand-new website or migrate an existing one. You’ve got options like Hostinger Website Builder, WordPress, and some other cool website builders to play around with. Take your pick!

4. Give your website a name – either pick a brand-new domain name or stick with the one you already have.

5. Take a quick peek at the setup summary. If everything looks good, go ahead and wrap up the setup. That’s it!

HOSTINGER HPANEL AND FEATURES WITHIN

When it comes to control panels, cPanel and Plesk usually steal the show. But guess what? Hostinger does things a bit differently. They’ve got their very own custom control panel, and it’s called hPanel. The cool part? It’s super easy to use.

Now, if you’ve cruised around cPanel in the past, hPanel will feel like an upgrade – no confusion there. And don’t worry if you’re a first-timer, Hostinger has got your back with some handy recommendations. No need to be scared – it’s a breeze!

Ever wanted to boost your website’s speed or clear the cache with just a click? Well, with Hostinger’s hPanel, you’re in luck!

Hostinger is all-in on their control panel, hPanel. They’re always tweaking and updating it to make things easier for you. So, if things look a bit different while you’re using it, no need to panic – change is the name of the game.

Now, in hPanel, you’ll mainly be:

Checking out the file manager
Installing cool applications
Moving your existing website around
Digging into databases
Adding more websites
Setting up your main domain
Getting creative with the website builder
Crafting email accounts

Everything’s nicely organized, but here’s the catch – sometimes hPanel can be a bit slow. Apart from that minor hiccup, we haven’t found any other issues.

All in all, hPanel is a solid tool for managing your website. It’s got all the features you need, and if you can overlook the speed bumps, you’re golden.

Is Installing WordPress a Simple Task?

Setting up WordPress on Hostinger is a piece of cake. Just look for the WordPress icon – it’s the first one – in the Websites > One-Click Installs tool, and give it a click. Simple as that! Plus, you might not even have to do it manually because WordPress can get installed automatically when you’re setting up your hosting account. Easy, right?

Missed the first setup or need another website? No worries! Just pick WordPress, and bam, the installation window will pop up. It’s like setting up a new place for your website in a few clicks. Easy peasy!

Hostinger automatically grabs the latest WordPress version and sets up a fresh database for you – that’s the default deal. But hey, if you want to tweak those settings, you totally can. After you hit the Install button, your website will be good to go in just a few minutes. It’s like giving your site a quick makeover without the techy fuss!

FREE WEBSITE MIGRATION

Guess what, not many folks know this, but Hostinger offers free website migration. Yep, you heard it right! All you got to do is shoot a message to the support team, and they’ll have your website moved in a jiffy. But here’s the catch – it’s like a secret service, not many people talk about it.

Back in the day, whenever we wanted a transfer, we’d hit up the support team. Usually, the same friendly face took care of it right then and there, so we could tag along every step of the process.

But hold up, things have changed! Now, you can ask for a free website migration straight from your dashboard – no need to chat with anyone.

To find the migration request button, just click on your name icon in your account. Easy peasy!

So, if you want to move your website, here’s the deal: you just got to fill out a form. Hostinger’s got your back whether you’re rocking WordPress, cPanel, FTP, or any other kind of control panel. They’re like the cool movers for your online home!

The only catch is you got to hand over your hosting account password. But hey, you’re in the middle of moving, right? You’ll likely cancel that account soon, so no biggie. Just a heads up, though – don’t use the same password for everything. I’m talking email, Twitter, bank account – mix it up a bit.

And if the thought of switching scared you off because of the whole migration process, fear not! There’s really no reason to hold back anymore. It’s smooth sailing from here on out.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES: FREE DOMAIN AND WEBSITE BUILDER

Hostinger makes creating a website a breeze by giving you all the must-haves: a free domain, email accounts, an SSL, and even a nifty website builder. It’s like a one-stop-shop for your personal or startup web hosting needs.

Now, diving into their shared hosting plans – except for the super basic one – you get a free domain, 100 email accounts, and an SSL certificate. Even the cheapest shared plan is perfect for small businesses. It’s budget-friendly at just $2.69 a month and comes with everything you need – no extra spending required.

And when it comes to free domain options, they’ve got you covered with cool ones like .com, .net, .xyz, .online, .website, .space, and plenty more.

Now, let’s talk building. Sure, WordPress is a top pick for many, but guess what? Hostinger has another trick up its sleeve – the Hostinger Website Builder. It’s like having a toolbox full of options for creating your website. So, whether you’re into WordPress or want to try the Hostinger Website Builder, the choice is yours!

website builders are like the shortcut to getting your site up and running quick. Why? Because all the design stuff is right there, and you don’t need to know a lick of programming.

Now, diving into the Hostinger Website Builder scene, check out what’s in the box:

Over 150 fancy templates
A drag-and-drop editor (it’s like digital arts and crafts!)
An AI builder that whips up unique websites every time you ask
AI-generated content – cool, right?
Google Analytics built right in
Tools for blogging, SEO, and email services
Prices starting at just $1.79 a month – not bad, huh?

So, if you’re not best buddies with WordPress, no biggie. The Hostinger Website Builder could be your new go-to. It’s like having a website wizard that does all the heavy lifting for you. Easy peasy!

Hostinger business email

Alright, let’s talk business emails – they’re like your VIP pass for smooth communication with your work buddies and clients. Plus, having a pro email adds a classy touch to your professional game and can give your email marketing a boost.

A legit professional email usually has your name or something specific, and then the company name – like johndoe@businessname.com. And the cool part? Hostinger can hook you up with a slick professional-looking email account.

Here’s the lowdown: all the plans, except the Single one, can handle up to 100 business mailboxes, each with a 1GB storage limit. But if you’re rolling with the Single plan, you get one free business email with Hostinger.

Setting up a business email with Hostinger is a breeze. They’ve got step-by-step guides, and the whole thing takes just 5-10 minutes. Here’s the quick guide:

After you’ve snagged a Hostinger web hosting plan, head to the hosting dashboard.
Click on Email and pick Email accounts.
Choose your domain and hit Manage.
Click on Create email account.
Fill in all the needed info and hit that Create
Choose your email app or your trusty smartphone to set up your email account. Apple Mail folks, you’re in luck – there’s even an Automatic Apple device setup option for you. Easy peasy!

Alright, talking about the mailbox itself – it’s pretty straightforward, not too fancy, but definitely better than what you get for free from many other providers. Keeping it simple, you know?

This tool is perfect for regular folks or small businesses who want to handle contact form submissions or reach out to partners.

Just a heads up, if you’re planning huge email marketing campaigns, it’s smarter to go for a dedicated email server. That ensures your emails land where they’re supposed to.

Summing it up, Hostinger is a breeze to use. The interface is sleek, modern, and all the tools are right there at your fingertips. It’s smooth sailing – everything just works like a charm.

PERFORMANCE – IS HOSTINGER FAST?

Hostinger is like a shining example of how web hosting should roll. It doesn’t matter what you’re shelling out – this host keeps it real. It’s solid, speedy, and can handle a good chunk of traffic even with the budget plans.

We put it to the test, running three types of checks to see if there’s anything that could make this provider break a sweat. Spoiler alert: it held its ground like a champ!

Server uptime and response time

Hostinger aced our tests with a flawless 100% score during our check-up. Now, holding on to that perfect record forever is like catching a shooting star – not going to happen. So, expect a tiny hiccup here and there, like 1 or 2 minutes of downtime, which is totally normal. On the flip side, Hostinger promises a solid 99.9% uptime guarantee.

And here’s the nifty part – the tool keeps an eye on the average response time. It clocked in at 511 milliseconds, beating the shared hosting average of 600 milliseconds. In a nutshell, Hostinger’s keeping things smooth and snappy!

Speed

With Hostinger, you get to pick from 8 different spots for your data center – they’re spread out in the US, UK, Netherlands, France, Lithuania, Singapore, India, and Brazil. Now, if you’re checking from the US, you’re in for a treat – it takes just 479 milliseconds for the Largest Contentful Paint (LCP). For our pals in Europe, loading this site would take around 1.3 seconds. And once you’ve got a full-on website, the LCP goes up a bit to 849 milliseconds.

So, if speed is your game and you’re after the fastest web hosting, Hostinger is a top-notch choice!

When it comes to performance, Hostinger is like an all-star with no weak spots. The cool tech they’re using is what makes those awesome performance review results happen. It’s like having a sleek engine under the hood that just keeps everything running smooth and steady!

What makes Hostinger load time fast?

It’s pretty fascinating to see a budget-friendly provider like Hostinger holding its own against pricier hosts like SiteGround or A2 Hosting in terms of performance.

Now, you might wonder, how does Hostinger keep the speed game strong?

Battling Latency: Just like being far from a Wi-Fi router weakens your connection, if the server is too far from a visitor, it takes longer to load a website. Hostinger tackles this by having servers all over the place – US, UK, Netherlands, France, Lithuania, Brazil, Singapore, and India. So, when you set up your hosting, pick the spot closest to your audience.
Up-to-Date Tech: Hostinger keeps its tech game strong – from fancy SSD and NVMe drives to the latest PHP versions and snappy LiteSpeed web servers. And if anything new pops up, you bet Hostinger’s on it, following the best practices.
WordPress Optimization: For WordPress lovers, Hostinger’s got your back. They’ve got all the right tweaks to make WordPress websites run like a dream – latest PHP version, both HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 (Quic), IPv6 in action, and even advanced caching options. It’s like giving your WordPress site a turbo boost!

HOSTINGER SECURITY

Hostinger brings some solid security to the table, though it leans towards the basic side of things. Security experts are on the job, taking care of the servers, while your and your visitors’ data get a free SSL seal of approval. Depending on your plan, you can also set up 2-factor authentication (2FA) for that extra layer of defence.

Now, let’s dive a bit deeper:

Internal Server Security: The servers are under 24/7 watch, equipped with essential security tools like mod_security and PHP open_basedir. Data center locations are top-notch at Tier-3 level or higher – definitely no weak links here.
Backups, Backups, Backups: Imagine having a time-spinner! If something goes south on your site, weekly backups come with all plans, and the Business plan even throws in daily backups. It’s like having a safety net for your website.
Free SSL: SSL isn’t just a fancy acronym – it’s a Google ranking factor and a security superhero. Hostinger throws in unlimited free SSL certificates with all plans. Just a few clicks during the initial setup, and boom, your data’s encrypted, making it a no-brainer.
DDoS Protection: Blocking those annoying DDoS attacks happens on multiple fronts. Traffic gets analysed and blocked with Wanguard, supported by firewalls like Bitninja or Imunify360 on each server.
2FA Magic: Even if someone gets hold of your password, 2FA has your back. A confirmation code layer, only accessible to you via an app, adds an extra fortress around your login.
Malware Scanner: Always on the lookout for cyber trouble, this scanner monitors everything – files, databases, server configurations – to spot any signs of malware.
Secure Access Manager: Perfect for teamwork, this feature lets you manage who gets access to what on your website or project.
Domain Privacy: Ever got spam because your info was out there? Domain privacy steps in, shielding your personal details to keep the spam at bay.

In a nutshell, Hostinger doesn’t go overboard, but it’s got the essentials across all its packages. It might not look like a fortress, but it’s definitely enough to keep your website safe from the usual suspects. With this line-up, Hostinger easily makes its mark as one of the top 3 most secure web hosting champs on our list.

WHAT HOSTING TYPES DOES HOSTINGER OFFER?

Hostinger is like the Jack of all trades – not just rocking shared hosting, but also offering a bunch of reasonably priced solutions with handy tools for businesses. It’s like they’ve got a little something for everyone!

Managed WordPress hosting

Hostinger’s got these Managed WordPress hosting plans, and they’re not playing around. For just $2.69 a month, you get a bunch of cool stuff – free email accounts, SSL, WP-CLI integration (fancy term for command-line tools), and some WordPress-specific goodies like a dashboard with caching management. It’s like a sweet deal tailor-made for WordPress lovers!

Cloud hosting

Cloud hosting is like the super-flexible and strong big sibling that opens doors to VPS (Virtual Private Server) and your very own private server. The plans kick off at $8.09 a month, and they come with a range of goodies. You can start with 3GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, and 200GB of speedy NVMe storage, and if you’re feeling fancy, go all the way up to 12GB RAM, 6 CPU cores, and 300GB storage. It’s like having a customizable powerhouse for your hosting needs!

VPS hosting

Alright, diving into self-managed VPS hosting – it’s like the playground for the tech-savvy folks who know their way around. And guess what? It starts at just $5.39 a month. The resources? Well, they can range from 1 vCPU, 4GB RAM, and 50GB speedy NVMe storage to a beefier setup with 8 vCPUs, 32GB RAM, and a whopping 400GB storage. It’s like having your own customizable tech haven!

Oh, and heads up – Hostinger’s got the scoop on the best Black Friday deal for VPS compared to others. Don’t miss out, give it a look!

Minecraft hosting

Let’s talk Minecraft hosting plans – it’s like having your own little corner of the gaming universe. Depending on your crew size, you can start with a cozy 4GB RAM and 1 vCPU setup for smaller Minecraft communities. If you’re thinking big and want to monetize your server, there’s an option with a beefier 16GB RAM and 4 vCPUs. And the best part? Prices kick off at just $6.99 a month. It’s like setting up your gaming hub without breaking the bank!

HOSTINGER PRICING AND HOSTING PLANS

Now, if we’re talking about crowd favourites that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, shared hosting is where it’s at with Hostinger. I’m talking a starting price of just $2.69 a month – budget-friendly, right? But hold up, there’s more! Hostinger’s got other cool options too, like pocket-friendly WordPress plans, Cloud hosting, and VPS (Virtual Private Server). It’s like a hosting buffet with something for every taste and budget!

So, when folks are just dipping their toes into the hosting world, shared hosting is where they usually kick things off. Quick heads-up – both plans come with some sweet extras: SSL (a security must-have) and a free domain name registration. But here’s the deal – it’s free for the first year only. After that, Hostinger’s custom domain name renewals will roll around. No worries, though – they’re pretty wallet-friendly. A .com renewal? Just $10.99 a year. It’s like getting a good deal on your digital corner of the web!

Let’s talk money-back guarantees – it’s like a safety net when you’re trying out something new. Hostinger’s got a 30-day one, letting you test the waters without any risk. But, before you dive in, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Hostinger hooks you up with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You can snag a sweet Hostinger discount – up to 78% off for your first billing term.
Heads up, if you paid with cryptocurrency, your purchase is a no-go for refunds.
Extras like G Suite, domain privacy protection, and the SEO toolkit? Non-refundable.
Also, country code top-level domains (like .in, .uk, .sg) are in the non-refundable club.
It’s the usual set of terms, but good to know before you make any moves.

Now, here’s the real scoop – right now, Hostinger is the wallet-friendly champ. You can grab a simple, yet solid, web hosting plan for under $3, or go all in with the advanced options for the best bang for your buck. When you crunch the numbers, Hostinger’s got the performance that even tech enthusiasts would nod in approval. At that price, it’s a total no-brainer.

HOSTINGER FOR ANONYMOUS AND ADULT HOSTING

Hostinger is one of the rare birds in the hosting world that’s cool with anonymity and hosting adult content. Whether you’re keen on keeping your identity on the down-low or need a platform for an adult website, Hostinger’s got your back.

So, why is Hostinger a go-to for anonymous hosting?

First off, they’re all about that cryptocurrency life. When you make payments with cryptocurrencies, it’s like going incognito – no one can trace where the money’s coming from. Hostinger is on board with all the major cryptocurrencies, and you can pick this payment method at checkout.

And here’s the second kicker – when you snag a plan from Hostinger, you’re not jumping through hoops with account and identity verification. Some other providers play it safe with identity checks to prevent fraud, like Bluehost, for example.

So, there you have it – two solid reasons why Hostinger rocks for anonymous hosting.

Now, when it comes to adult content, Hostinger’s got your back on that too. They’re totally cool with it, as long as it’s legal and not infringing on any copyrights. And we’re not just talking about adult content in the “not safe for work” category – it also includes stuff like gambling, alcohol, and tobacco-related content. Hostinger’s got a pretty laid-back approach to it all!

HOSTINGER CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Hostinger’s got your back with a bunch of customer support options – it’s like having a support squad on standby. You’ve got the 24/7 live chat, a ticketing system, good old email, and a massive knowledge base to tap into. While they don’t do phone support, I found the live chat to be speedy enough, so no complaints there.

Now, if you’re more of a DIY type, Hostinger’s knowledge base is a goldmine. It’s like having an online library that’s constantly updated. You’ll find articles and tutorials on basic web hosting things – from software installation to marketing. Plus, there are tons of guides to troubleshoot common issues with control panels or emails.

All in all, Hostinger’s customer support game is on point. The agents are top-notch – knowledgeable, friendly, and quick to help. And if you’re into DIY, that knowledge base is there for you to explore. It’s like having a tech-savvy friend on standby whenever you need help!

IS HOSTINGER A GOOD OPTION FOR YOU?

Hostinger emerges as a top pick in the web hosting arena, offering a budget-friendly, user-friendly, and efficient hosting experience. Priced starting at just $2.69 per month, Hostinger caters to hosting newbies and those seeking to switch from pricier options. The 4-year plan commitment offers substantial savings, considering potential renewal costs.

Hostinger’s prowess extends beyond affordability; it excels in user-friendliness, performance, security, and customer support. The hosting plans, including Shared, WordPress, VPS, cloud, and email hosting, provide versatility to meet diverse needs.

Noteworthy features include the Hostinger Website Builder with AI capabilities, over 150 responsive templates, and AI-powered business tools such as an AI writer, editor, and heatmap. The custom control panel, hPanel, simplifies website management, offering a balance between simplicity and functionality.

Customer support is robust, with 24/7 live chat, a ticketing system, email support, and a comprehensive knowledge base. Hostinger’s agents are responsive, knowledgeable, and professional, while the knowledge base serves as a valuable DIY resource.

Performance-wise, Hostinger impresses with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, swift response times, and an array of server locations worldwide. Its commitment to speed includes advanced technologies like SSD and NVMe drives, latest PHP versions, and optimized WordPress settings.

Security measures cover internal server security, regular backups, free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, 2-factor authentication, malware scanning, and domain privacy. While emphasizing basic security, Hostinger ensures a secure environment for websites.

Hosting types offered include Managed WordPress hosting, Cloud hosting, VPS hosting, and Minecraft hosting, showcasing Hostinger’s adaptability to different hosting needs.

Pricing plans are transparent, starting from shared hosting at $2.69 per month, with free domain registration for the first year. Hostinger’s 30-day money-back guarantee adds a layer of assurance for users exploring its services.

Remarkably, Hostinger accommodates anonymous hosting, supporting cryptocurrency payments and avoiding extensive identity verification processes. Additionally, it allows hosting of legal adult content, demonstrating a flexible approach.

In essence, Hostinger stands out as a reliable, affordable, and feature-rich web hosting provider, suitable for a broad audience ranging from beginners to experienced users.