Hostinger is a truly affordable web hosting provider that I use and recommend to all my friends. But why do I like Hostinger so much? Is it the best web hosting for small projects? And is it actually worth your time? Let’s answer all these questions in this comprehensive review.
Overview
One of the main reasons why Hostinger is so popular with users is its low price. It’s remarkably cheap—like “are you hiding something?” type of cheap. However, there are no hidden gotchas or huge renewal fees. Plus, with Hostinger’s 30-day money-back guarantee, you can get your money back if, for some reason, you don’t like it. But I’m pretty sure you will!
Pricing and Plans
Hostinger offers a variety of plans, making it easy to find one that fits your needs. The starting plan provides:
- 50GB of SSD storage
- Free professional email
- 100GB of bandwidth for around $2 per month
In comparison, GoDaddy charges about $4 for a similar deal with only 25GB of storage, while Bluehost offers a $3 plan with just 10GB. While other providers might throw in freebies like a CDN or a free domain name, having more raw resources is often more valuable.
Features and Specifications
Hostinger’s plans come loaded with features:
- Free content delivery network (CDN)
- Free domain name
- Free dedicated IP address and domain privacy
- Automatic website backups (weekly or daily depending on the plan)
- A modern website builder
Even when compared to other providers like SiteGround, Hostinger offers a lot of value. While there may be some limitations, such as lacking private DNS or easier white labeling tools, the overall package is impressive.
Performance
Now let’s address the elephant in the room: performance. Hostinger’s standard performance is better than some providers’ maximum offerings. They invest heavily in newer technology, which helps them maintain high performance levels.
In tests, Hostinger managed to load an empty website in under one second, which is impressive for a budget host. Even with added demo content and blog posts, the site fully loaded in around one second. This performance is significant, especially considering I was using the standard performance plans.
Hostinger’s hPanel
Hostinger doesn’t use cPanel or other established alternatives; instead, they have their own dashboard called hPanel. This dashboard is clean, stylish, and easy to use. Installing WordPress and managing emails is a breeze, requiring only a few clicks.
Advanced users will also find tools for managing SSH access, PHP versions, and creating staging sites all in one place. Additionally, an AI helper can answer your questions in seconds, which is a fresh and exciting tool for newcomers and veterans alike.
Website Builder
Hostinger’s website builder is included in every plan without limitations. While it may seem a bit restrictive compared to extensive platforms like Wix, the templates are stylish and modern, with over 100 designs available. There’s even an AI auto-builder that generates a website based on a few questions about your project.
Security Features
While Hostinger isn’t completely airtight, it offers decent security features for the price. Every domain gets a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate, which is sufficient for small to medium websites. Moreover, servers are protected from DDoS attacks, and regular malware scans are performed to keep your site safe.
One of the most valuable features is the automatic backups, which can save your work in case of emergencies. Weekly backups are standard, with daily backups available on higher-tier plans.
Customer Support
Hostinger’s support is available 24/7 through live chat and email. Although the response time can vary, they usually provide helpful information. However, the quality of support staff can be inconsistent, which is something to keep in mind.
In summary, Hostinger is an excellent provider for smaller websites, whether they are blogs, online stores, or business sites. While it might not be perfect for mission-critical sites, it delivers outstanding value for the price. With tools to help beginners and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s worth giving Hostinger a try.
Have you used Hostinger? What are your thoughts? Let’s join here :