SiteGround Review (2024)
TL;DR: What We Think of SiteGround
Boasting excellent performance, top-notch customer support and a plethora of features, SiteGround is part of the crème de la crème of web hosting providers. It has a wide range of services for great scalability as well. All of this comes at a price which is literally the price – be mindful with the hefty renewal price.
Suitable for:
Small Business, or International Website Hosting
Our Evaluation: SiteGround Pros and Cons
SiteGround Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Excellent customer support
- Choice of server locations in 11 countries
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Specialized WordPress support staff
SiteGround Cons
- Very expensive renewal pricing
- Limited storage in shared hosting plans
- Limited developer options on some plans
- NVMe storage not included
Our Detail Findings & Experience with SiteGround
About SiteGround: Quick Introduction
Established in 2004 by a group of university friends led by Ivo Tzenov, SiteGround has flourished into a prominent web hosting entity based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Boasting a workforce exceeding 600 employees, SiteGround proudly hosts almost three millions domains worldwide. With a powerful infrastructure spanning 11 data centers across 8 countries, the company offers an array of hosting solutions including shared, cloud, and enterprise hosting, alongside domain registration services.
| Performance |
Is SiteGround fast in terms of hosting speed and performance?SiteGround 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 SiteGround secure with server-side security?Yes, websites hosted at SiteGround are safe. SiteGround prioritizes security with features such as 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 SiteGround offer?SiteGround is known for its exceptional customer service, with a focus on fast response times and 24/7 availability via live chat and email. |
| Value for Money |
Is SiteGround worth its pricing in term of value?SiteGround is comparative expensive when weighed against its feature offerings and long-term cost. At $3.99 per month (renews at $17.99/mo), basic shared hosting allows you to host 1 website with 24/7 customer support, a free domain name, daily backup, and 30-days money back guarantee.FALSE |
| Overall Users Satisfaction |
What do users say about SiteGround?SiteGround garners impressive user satisfaction, as indicated by feedback in our research data. Customers frequently praise SiteGround for its top-notch support, efficiency, and reliability – with many valuing the consistent performance and high uptime of their hosting services. However, it’s important to note that Siteground’s pricing is significantly above the market average. While the positive user feedbacks contribute to its favorable reputation, you should weigh whether the higher cost aligns with your budget and needs. For additional insights, please refer to the user reviews section below. |
| Beginners Friendliness |
Is SiteGround suitable for beginners?SiteGround is not be the best choice for newbies. Its higher entry cost and the fact that sign-up discounts apply only to the first year can be deterrents for those starting out or running non-commercial blogs. While SiteGround offers top-notch performance and excellent customer support, its pricing structure might be less appealing for beginners looking for more budget-friendly options. |
| Small Business Friendliness |
Is SiteGround suitable for small businesses?For small businesses – if you have got the cash to spare and simply want the best in performance, Siteground can be an ideal home. However for those looking for a more budget-friendly options, there are plenty of providers in market. |
| Web Developers Friendliness |
Is SiteGround suitable for web developers?With the limited developer-friendly tools in SiteGround’s entry packages, developers and agencies may need to consider their highest shared plan, which come with on-demand backup copies, staging, and Git access, as well white-label access. The long term cost, again, is significant higher than average market rates. |
| Host Own Email |
Can you host custom email accounts with SiteGround?Yes, you can host your own email accounts with SiteGround. This significantly reduces your costs by eliminating the need for expensive third-party email services. |
| Onboarding |
Is SiteGround easy for new customers to start with?– |
| Free Trial |
Is SiteGround available for a free trial?Yes, SiteGround 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. Try now: Click here to signup at SiteGround official website |
SiteGround Plans & Pricing
SiteGround provides a range of web hosting solutions, including Shared, Cloud, 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 SiteGround services with several other providers we monitor.
Compare SiteGround’s Signup Cost Against Competitors
| Web Host | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud | Managed WP | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiteGround | $3.99 – 10.69/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $100.00 – 400.00/mo | $3.99 – 10.69/mo | $ – /mo |
| Nexcess | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $52 – 894/mo | $17.5 – 912/mo | $ – /mo |
| AltusHost | $10.92 – 27.39/mo | $17.52 – 70.23/mo | $164.64 – 329.34/mo | $ – /mo | $8.65 – 21.70/mo | $ – /mo |
| NameCheap | $1.48 – 4.98/mo | $6.88 – 24.88/mo | $59.57 – 238.88/mo | $ – /mo | $2.91 – 5.74/mo | $ – /mo |
| Chemicloud | $4.95 – 22.95/mo | $29.95 – 262.12/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $4.95 – 22.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| TMDHosting | $2.99 – 8.99/mo | $44.99 – 125.99/mo | $119.99 – 249.99/mo | $2.99 – 8.99/mo | $2.99 – 8.99/mo | $4.99 – 9.99/mo |
Compare SiteGround’s Renewal Cost Against Competitors
| Web Host | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud | Managed WP | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiteGround | $17.99 – 44.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $100.00 – 400.00/mo | $17.99 – 44.99/mo | $ – /mo |
| Nexcess | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $52 – 894/mo | $17.5 – 912/mo | $ – /mo |
| AltusHost | $10.92 – 27.39/mo | $17.52 – 70.23/mo | $164.64 – 329.34/mo | $ – /mo | $8.65 – 21.70/mo | $ – /mo |
| NameCheap | $4.48 – 9.48/mo | $9.88 – 28.88/mo | $67.88 – 259.88/mo | $ – /mo | $6.88 – 19.88/mo | $ – /mo |
| Chemicloud | $13.95 – 22.95/mo | $54.95 – 285.95/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $13.95 – 22.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| TMDHosting | $9.99 – 19.99/mo | $49.99 – 139.99/mo | $139.99 – 279.99/mo | $9.99 – 19.99/mo | $9.99 – 19.99/mo | $9.99 – 17.99/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 SiteGround website.
SiteGround Cancellation Policy
SiteGround offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for shared hosting plans and a 14-day guarantee for cloud hosting. Refunds exclude domain registrations and certain add-ons. After the money-back period, no refunds are available, and renewals are non-refundable. Customers must submit a cancellation request before the next billing cycle to avoid charges.
Is SiteGround the Right Choice for You?
SiteGround is well-known for its excellent server performance, out-of-the-box server speed optimization, and helpful customer support. However, there’s a twist – the renewal rates soar sky-high, and the starter pack comes with a storage space that might just make you think twice. A mixed bag that’s brilliant at the outset but requires a careful weigh-in for the long term.
Summary of SiteGround Pros and Cons
SiteGround Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Excellent customer support
- Choice of server locations in 11 countries
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Specialized WordPress support staff
SiteGround Cons
- Very expensive renewal pricing
- Limited storage in shared hosting plans
- Limited developer options on some plans
- NVMe storage not included
SiteGround Alternatives to Consider
In case SiteGround is not right for you, below are some alternatives to consider. You can also find more options in our hosting reviews page (full list).