Hostgator Review (2024)
TL;DR: What We Think of Hostgator
HostGator offers affordable, user-friendly hosting with bonuses like a free domain and ad credits in higher plans. However, it has server limitations and limited VPS options, with all servers based in the US. Expect a price increase upon renewal.
Suitable for:
Beginners-friendly Budget, or Adult Website Hosting
Our Evaluation: Hostgator Pros and Cons
Hostgator Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Free domain name with all shaerd hosting plans
- Free $100 Bing and $100 Google ad credits
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Hostgator Cons
- Resources limited by server constraints
- Not much variety in VPS plans
- Only US-based servers
- Price increase during the renewal
Our Detail Findings & Experience with Hostgator
About Hostgator: Quick Introduction
In October 2002, Brent Oxley, a Florida Atlantic University student, laid the foundation for HostGator, a formidable web hosting provider. Originating in Boca Raton, Florida, and later relocating to Houston, Texas, in 2006, HostGator swiftly expanded its reach internationally with offices in Canada (2006) and India (2011).
In a landmark acquisition in July 2012, HostGator was acquired by Endurance International Group for a staggering $299.8 million, solidifying its status as a heavyweight player in the web hosting arena.
| Performance |
Is Hostgator fast in terms of hosting speed and performance?Hostgator offers dependable hosting services, with a focus on steady website functionality. While their hosting performance is not exceptional, the web host incorporates essential technologies including built-in caching mechanism, HTTP-2, , along with various server upgrades to enhance your website’s speed. |
| Security |
Are websites hosted on Hostgator secure with server-side security?Yes, websites hosted at Hostgator are safe. Hostgator prioritizes security with features such as auto malware scan, advanced web application firewall (WAF), DDoS protection, free SSL certificates, daily backup, . These measures protect your data and ensure your site is secure from common cyber threats. |
| Supports |
What types of customer support does Hostgator offer?You can reach out to Hostgator’s support team via phone, live chat, and email. |
| Value for Money |
Is Hostgator worth its pricing in term of value?Hostgator is reasonable priced when weighed against its feature offerings and long-term cost. At $3.75 per month (renews at $9.99/mo), basic shared hosting allows you to host 1 website with 24/7 customer support, a free domain name, daily backup, and 45-days money back guarantee. Higher plans with better features like VPS starts at $34.99/mo, cloud hosting at $4.5/mo and dedicated hosting at $89.98/mo. |
| Overall Users Satisfaction |
What do users say about Hostgator?Based on our market research, HostGator generally receives positive feedback on user satisfaction. Customers often praise its customer support and reliable hosting uptime. However, some users have raised concerns about billing practices and experienced occasional issues with server speed performance. If you’re considering HostGator for your hosting needs, it’s wise to thoroughly evaluate these user complaints before finalizing your decision. For additional insights, please refer to the user reviews section below. |
| Beginners Friendliness |
Is Hostgator suitable for beginners?HostGator is an attractive choice for those starting their web careers or blogging, offering low initial pricing and a user-friendly website builder with free templates. As a full-service host, it provides ample room for growth and scalability, catering well to expanding web projects. Additionally, easy application installs and unmetered bandwidth make HostGator a hassle-free option for users, especially until their sites require significant scaling. |
| Small Business Friendliness |
Is Hostgator suitable for small businesses?With the many features available at Hostgator, freelancers and small business owners should be more than happy. The environment is a great build-and-forget way to handle a basic digital presence. At the same time, for business owners who may decide to scale up, there is always the option to build further |
| Web Developers Friendliness |
Is Hostgator suitable for web developers?Although HostGator lacks the team support that many agencies will tend to need, developers can still find themselves at home here. There is wide support on even their shared web hosting plans for development. The ability to use Perl, Python and Ruby on shared plans isn’t all that common – but you get it here. |
| Host Own Email |
Can you host custom email accounts with Hostgator?Yes, you can host your own email accounts with Hostgator. This significantly reduces your costs by eliminating the need for expensive third-party email services. |
| Onboarding |
Is Hostgator easy for new customers to start with?There isn’t much significance in the HostGator sign-up process that you won’t have seen elsewhere. We do find the aggressive upselling a little annoying. But the good point is that if you’re doing this again, you won’t really get confused. Newbies will just have to follow the arrows and instructional email you’ll get as part of the onboarding process. An excellent point to note is that HostGator has very extensive documentation to help you with all your needs. I often find this more helpful with basic features instead of relying on support staff since they will take some time to revert, which can be frustrating. |
| Free Trial |
Is Hostgator available for a free trial?Yes, Hostgator offers a 45-day free trial period. If you are not satisfied with their services for any reason, you can cancel within this period and receive a full refund. |
Hostgator Plans & Pricing
Hostgator provides a range of web hosting solutions, including Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller hosting plans. The company also offers specialty hosting services such as Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Minecraft hosting.
Consider Renewal Prices When Choosing
When evaluating hosting options, it is important to note that many hosting companies offer substantial discounts during the initial signup period, but prices often increase significantly upon renewal. Be sure to research and compare the renewal prices and not just the introductory rates to understand the true cost of hosting over time.
To help you in making an informed decision, we have prepared two tables below that compare the initial signup costs and renewal costs of Hostgator services with several other providers we monitor.
Compare Hostgator’s Signup Cost Against Competitors
| Web Host | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud | Managed WP | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostgator | $3.75 – 6.25/mo | $34.99 – 93.99/mo | $89.98 – 139.99/mo | $4.50 – 13.95/mo | $4.50 – 13.95/mo | $4.76 – 14.36/mo |
| DreamHost | $2.95 – 2.95/mo | $13.75 – 110.00/mo | $149.00 – 399.00/mo | $4.50 – 48.00/mo | $16.95 – 71.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| HostWinds | $5.24 – 8.24/mo | $8.24 – 395.24/mo | $115 – 207/mo | $4.99 – 328/mo | $ – /mo | $12.74 – 431.24/mo |
| LiquidWeb | $ – /mo | $20.00 – 55.00/mo | $199.00 – 549.00/mo | $5.00 – 350.00/mo | $17.50 – 912.50/mo | $65.00 – 145.00/mo |
| HostArmada | $2.99 – 5.49/mo | $29.95 – 74.23/mo | $81.95 – 180.95/mo | $ – /mo | $2.99 – 5.49/mo | $ – /mo |
| Nexcess | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $52 – 894/mo | $17.5 – 912/mo | $ – /mo |
Compare Hostgator’s Renewal Cost Against Competitors
| Web Host | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud | Managed WP | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostgator | $9.99 – 19.99/mo | $79.95 – 149.95/mo | $179.99 – 279.00/mo | $8.95 – 17.95/mo | $8.95 – 17.95/mo | $12.99 – 21.99/mo |
| DreamHost | $6.99 – 12.99/mo | $15.99 – 114.99/mo | $149.00 – 399.00/mo | $4.50 – 48.00/mo | $16.95 – 71.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| HostWinds | $6.99 – 10.99/mo | $10.99 – 526.99/mo | $115 – 207/mo | $4.99 – 328/mo | $ – /mo | $16.99 – 574.99/mo |
| LiquidWeb | $ – /mo | $20.00 – 55.00/mo | $299.00 – 549.00/mo | $5.00 – 350.00/mo | $17.50 – 912.50/mo | $65.00 – 145.00/mo |
| HostArmada | $11.95 – 21.95/mo | $59.90 – 148.45/mo | $163.90 – 361.90/mo | $ – /mo | $11.95 – 21.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| Nexcess | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $52 – 894/mo | $17.5 – 912/mo | $ – /mo |
Caution: Prices May Vary Web hosting prices can change frequently. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information, please visit the official Hostgator website.
Hostgator Cancellation Policy
HostGator offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for its hosting services, allowing new customers to request a full refund if they cancel within the first 45 days, excluding domain registration fees, setup fees, and other add-ons. Domain registration fees are non-refundable, but customers retain ownership of the domain and can transfer it elsewhere.
After 45 days, refunds are issued at HostGator’s discretion, and customers may be subject to prorated refunds for unused services. The refund policy applies to basic shared, VPS, and reseller hosting plans but does not cover dedicated servers.
Is Hostgator the Right Choice for You?
HostGator offers a variety of hosting services with a focus on affordability and user-friendliness. Picture snagging a free domain name with shared hosting plans and pocketing $200 in ad credits – that’s what you get with mid- and higher-tier shared hosting at Hostgator.
However, keep in mind, it’s not all sunshine with the Gator. You’ll bump into server limitations, a lean menu of VPS options, and a purely US-based server setup. And yes, brace for a price jump at renewal, making it a sweet start that needs careful consideration for the long haul.
Summary of Hostgator Pros and Cons
Hostgator Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Free domain name with all shaerd hosting plans
- Free $100 Bing and $100 Google ad credits
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Hostgator Cons
- Resources limited by server constraints
- Not much variety in VPS plans
- Only US-based servers
- Price increase during the renewal
Hostgator Alternatives to Consider
In case Hostgator is not right for you, below are some alternatives to consider. You can also find more options in our hosting reviews page (full list).