HostPapa Review (2024)
TL;DR: What We Think of HostPapa
Hailing from the land of Maple syrup, HostPapa is as sweet as that not-so-secret sauce. Their eco-friendly hosting is great on security but skimps on some speed features. Also – Watch out for those steep renewal price hikes.
Suitable for:
Beginners-friendly, Budget, or Small Business Hosting
Our Evaluation: HostPapa Pros and Cons
HostPapa Pros
- Broad range of hosting plans
- Beginner-friendly
- Excellent support services
- Multi-language website
HostPapa Cons
- Few dev-friendly tools
- Limited features on lowest shared plans
Our Detail Findings & Experience with HostPapa
About HostPapa: Quick Introduction
Founded in 2006 by Jamie Opalchuk in Burlington, Canada, HostPapa boasts a powerful pedigree with decades of expertise in web hosting. Having initiated its journey with shared hosting plans in 2005, HostPapa has since expanded its horizons through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, elevating its stature in the web hosting and design realms. Some notable hosting brands they acquired recently include HostLads, Lunarpages, PacificHost, Santa Barbara Hosting.
| Performance |
Is HostPapa fast in terms of hosting speed and performance?HostPapa 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 HTTP-2, NVMe SSD storage, , along with various server upgrades to enhance your website’s speed. |
| Security |
Are websites hosted on HostPapa secure with server-side security?Yes, websites hosted at HostPapa are safe. HostPapa prioritizes security with features such as auto malware scan, advanced web application firewall (WAF), DDoS protection, free SSL certificates, . These measures protect your data and ensure your site is secure from common cyber threats. |
| Supports |
What types of customer support does HostPapa offer?HostPapa’s customer support is easy to access and efficient. Help is avaliable via phone, live chat, and email. |
| Value for Money |
Is HostPapa worth its pricing in term of value?HostPapa is reasonable priced when weighed against its feature offerings and long-term cost. At $2.95 per month (renews at $12.95/mo), basic shared hosting allows you to host 1 website with 24/7 customer support, a free domain name, and 30-days money back guarantee. Higher plans with better features like VPS starts at $19.99/mo, cloud hosting at $/mo and dedicated hosting at $/mo. |
| Overall Users Satisfaction |
What do users say about HostPapa?From what we see, there’s a general consensus that HostPapa excels in various ways. This covers ease of use, features provided, customer support, and more. Technical support staff are especially praised for being attentive and solution-oriented. Unfortunately, HostPapa’s reputation seems to take a small hit from its acquisition of other hosting companies like Lunarpages. Customers on those platforms complain of poor services – something which should be resolved in time as they fully integrate into HostPapa’s ecosystem. For additional insights, please refer to the user reviews section below. |
| Beginners Friendliness |
Is HostPapa suitable for beginners?With helpful support and user-friendly systems, HostPapa is markedly suitable for those new to web hosting. Its low introductory prices also make it an easier pill to swallow for those unaccustomed to hosting services. |
| Small Business Friendliness |
Is HostPapa suitable for small businesses?Despite its newbie-friendliness, HostPapa is also suitable for small to medium businesses. This is primarily due to the breadth of features provided. Their eco-friendly hosting also makes them ideal for customers with some compliance or regulatory needs. HostPapa also offers business-oriented services like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and website-building services. It’s a one-stop shop for those who prefer to focus on their business instead of technicalities. |
| Web Developers Friendliness |
Is HostPapa suitable for web developers?Programmers and application developers may have a more challenging time accepting HostPapa. Entry-level plans are limited in scope. Thus, devs must look towards higher-end shared hosting or VPS plans. These are incrementally more expensive, and they can easily find alternatives with better environments. |
| Host Own Email |
Can you host custom email accounts with HostPapa?Yes, you can host your own email accounts with HostPapa. This significantly reduces your costs by eliminating the need for expensive third-party email services. |
| Onboarding |
Is HostPapa easy for new customers to start with?There’s highly comprehensive coverage for self-help at HostPapa. Despite the supportive tech and interface, new users often have many questions. Most of these are answered in HostPapa’s whopping knowledge base. Articles go in-depth but are easy enough to understand. |
| Free Trial |
Is HostPapa available for a free trial?Yes, HostPapa offers a 30-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. |
HostPapa Plans & Pricing
HostPapa provides a range of web hosting solutions, including Shared, VPS, and Reseller hosting plans. The company also offers specialty hosting services such as Managed WordPress, and Email 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 HostPapa services with several other providers we monitor.
Compare HostPapa’s Signup Cost Against Competitors
| Web Host | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud | Managed WP | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HostPapa | $2.95 – 12.95/mo | $19.99 – 249.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $19.95 – 114.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| GoDaddy | $4.99 – 74.99/mo | $8.99 – 199.99/mo | $159.99 – 469.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo |
| Kinsta | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $35.00 – 675.00/mo | $35.00 – 675.00/mo | $ – /mo |
| Network Solutions | $9.29 – 27.18/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $5.69 – 31.61/mo | $7.99 – 18.98/mo | $ – /mo |
| IONOS | $5.00 – 13.00/mo | $2.00 – 30.00/mo | $50.00 – 150.00/mo | $ – /mo | $4.50 – 11.00/mo | $6.00 – 11.00/mo |
| Fastcomet | $1.79 – 4.99/mo | $46.16 – 107.76/mo | $107.06 – 268.76/mo | $ – /mo | $1.79 – 4.99/mo | $ – /mo |
Compare HostPapa’s Renewal Cost Against Competitors
| Web Host | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud | Managed WP | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HostPapa | $12.95 – 34.99/mo | $19.99 – 249.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $19.95 – 114.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| GoDaddy | $4.99 – 109.99/mo | $14.99 – 339.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $12.99 – 22.99/mo | $ – /mo |
| Kinsta | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $35.00 – 675.00/mo | $35.00 – 675.00/mo | $ – /mo |
| Network Solutions | $9.29 – 27.18/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $5.69 – 31.61/mo | $7.99 – 18.98/mo | $ – /mo |
| IONOS | $6.00 – 16.00/mo | $2.00 – 50.00/mo | $100.00 – 250.00/mo | $ – /mo | $6.00 – 15.00/mo | $12.00 – 22.00/mo |
| Fastcomet | $8.95 – 24.95/mo | $65.95 – 153.95/mo | $152.95 – 383.95/mo | $ – /mo | $8.95 – 24.95/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 HostPapa website.
Is HostPapa the Right Choice for You?
Overall HostPapa is a thoughtful choice for those prioritizing simplicity and environmental responsibility. The company offers a range of hosting plans that cater to beginners and small to medium-sized enterprises. While their basic plans lack some advanced features like a WordPress-optimized environment and built-in caching – features commonly found with higher-rated hosts – they do offer additional site management services called PapaCare+ for $9.95 per month to cover these gaps.
In terms of security, HostPapa excels. Imunify360 service (malware scan and DDoS protections) is included in all shared plans; and their servers are protected by ModSecurity (WAF).
One significant drawback is the steep increase in renewal prices, with the lowest shared hosting plan rising from $2.95 per month at signup to $12.95 per month upon renewal. This is an important factor for users to consider when choosing HostPapa. Despite these issues, their value-oriented and eco-friendly hosting practices make them a thoughtful choice for those prioritizing simplicity and environmental responsibility.
Summary of HostPapa Pros and Cons
HostPapa Pros
- Broad range of hosting plans
- Beginner-friendly
- Excellent support services
- Multi-language website
HostPapa Cons
- Few dev-friendly tools
- Limited features on lowest shared plans
HostPapa Alternatives to Consider
In case HostPapa is not right for you, below are some alternatives to consider. You can also find more options in our hosting reviews page (full list).