Quick picks
Short on time? These are the best choice for each typical need.
Full comparison
20 entry-level shared plans, 12-month term. "Renewal" is the regular monthly price after the first year.
| Provider | Intro / mo | Renewal / mo | Price hike | Money-back | Best for |
|---|
⚠️ The renewal price trap
Intro prices usually require paying 1–4 years up front. When that term ends, the price often jumps 3–5× – in one case 14×. A $2.99 plan that renews at $17.99 costs far more over three years than a $4 plan with a small increase. Check the calculator below before you buy.
3-year cost calculator
Estimate: intro price for the first term, then the renewal price for the remaining months.
Taxes, domain renewals and add-ons are not included.
How to choose
1. Look at the renewal price
That is the price you will pay for most of the site's life. Compare it, not the teaser.
2. Pick a server location near your visitors
Closer data centers mean faster pages. Most big hosts let you choose US, Europe or Asia.
3. Use the money-back period
Test speed and support in the first weeks. If it disappoints, cancel inside the guarantee.
4. Plan for growth
Shared hosting is fine for blogs and small shops. Busy sites move to cloud or VPS – check that upgrading is easy.
FAQ
What is the cheapest web hosting in 2026?
By intro price, IONOS ($1/mo). Over several years Namecheap and HawkHost are cheapest because their renewal prices are the lowest.
Why does hosting get so expensive after the first year?
Providers use low introductory prices to win customers and recover the cost at renewal. Paying for a longer first term locks the low price for longer.
Which host has the longest money-back guarantee?
DreamHost offers 97 days on shared hosting, InMotion and Web Hosting Hub 90 days. Most others offer 30 days.
Is shared hosting enough for my website?
For blogs, portfolios and small business sites, yes. For high traffic or online stores with many products, consider managed cloud or VPS hosting.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
Some links are affiliate links. Rankings are based on price, renewal fairness and guarantees – never on commission size.