6 Tested Budget-Friendly WordPress Hosting Providers for 2024

I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to cheap WordPress hosting. I know it’s not the most exciting thing to be passionate about, but hey, don’t judge.

In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever paid more than $5 per month for hosting over the past ten years. I’m talking about hosting my own personal website projects, not the site you’re reading this on right now – hosting this one actually costs quite a bit. 🙈

But back to the topic! I don’t believe that hosting a small- to mid-size WordPress website should ever cost a lot. The task just isn’t that complex, and most of the so-called “premium” features hosts try to upsell are completely unnecessary.

In this post, I’ll go through my top picks for people looking for reliable but affordable hosting for their WordPress sites. I’ll summarize what each host is good for and group them into four main categories.

Here are the leaders in cheap hosting:

Cheapest hosts for a new WordPress website

Bluehost

Bluehost is a popular choice for WordPress beginners, especially if you’re looking for the cheapest way to get a new site online. With an entry price as low as $1.99 per month on a one-year plan, it’s one of the most affordable short-term hosting options available.

For just $23.88 upfront, you get valuable features like a free domain for the first year, one-click WordPress installation, and beginner-friendly site builders. These tools make it an ideal option for first-time website owners who want a straightforward setup without extra hassle.

Bluehost performs reliably with solid uptime and fast loading speeds, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. However, keep in mind that after the first year, the cost jumps to $11.99 per month, making it a less attractive choice for those looking for long-term affordability. Despite the price increase, Bluehost allows you to host up to 10 websites on its basic plan, which is a good deal if you plan to run multiple small projects.

In summary, if you’re launching a new website and need an ultra-cheap, short-term hosting solution, Bluehost is one of the best options for your first year. According to our user survey, Bluehost earned a decent user rating of 7.10 / 10, too. Just be aware of the steep price hike if you plan to stay with them for the long run.

Learn more about Bluehost in this review.

Uptime last three months 𝒾We track the performance metrics of each of our test setups continuously. This includes their load times from multiple locations around the globe, and uptime percentage over the years. See the live status page of Bluehost linked below.

Performance this month

IONOS

First and foremost, IONOS is cheaper than Bluehost, which I mentioned earlier. However, we don’t have as much data on IONOS compared to Bluehost, a more reputable company that has been tested by many more WordPress users. For this reason, I’m hesitant to place IONOS in the top spot solely based on its lower price. But if pricing is your main priority, then IONOS could be a good option for you.

IONOS is an industry veteran that offers one of the most budget-friendly hosting solutions, especially for short-term commitments. Starting at just $1.00 per month for the first year, it’s the absolute cheapest option if you’re looking to keep your initial hosting costs to a minimum – totaling just $12 for the first year.

On top of that, IONOS provides a free domain for the first year and one email address, which is a great value for new site owners on a tight budget.

For those considering long-term hosting, IONOS remains a competitive choice. The 10-year cost comes out to $660, making it one of the cheapest options over that period, too. However, after the first year, you’ll need to downgrade to a lower-tier plan to maintain affordability.

With a user rating of 7.30 from our survey, IONOS offers a reliable, budget-conscious solution. If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest hosting option to get your site off the ground, especially for the first year, IONOS is hard to beat.

Uptime last three months 𝒾We track the performance metrics of each of our test setups continuously. This includes their load times from multiple locations around the globe, and uptime percentage over the years. See the live status page of IONOS linked below.

Performance this month

Cheapest for long-term hosting (5+ years)

If you’re not just looking for a short-term hosting solution, but instead want a provider you can rely on for years to come, here are the top options based on our tests:

Namecheap

Namecheap is one of the most affordable WordPress hosting options available, especially for those planning on long-term hosting. Starting at $2.91 per month on a one-year plan, it’s a good deal even for short-term needs, with the first year costing just $34.92. However, where Namecheap really stands out is in its unbeatable pricing for extended commitments.

At around $230 for five years and $475 for ten years, it’s the cheapest option available for users looking to lock in low rates for the long haul.

Despite its low price, Namecheap doesn’t compromise on performance. The basic plan supports one website, provides 10 GB of disk space, and can handle around 50,000 visits per month, which is plenty for small- to mid-sized sites. While Namecheap doesn’t include a free domain in its entry-level plan, the overall savings on hosting make it easy to justify budgeting for one separately.

Namecheap’s strong user rating of 8.03 in our survey reflects the satisfaction of customers who appreciate its balance of affordability and performance – Namecheap boasts strong uptime and solid load times.

If you’re looking for the best deal on long-term hosting and don’t mind paying for a domain separately, Namecheap is ideal!

Uptime last three months 𝒾We track the performance metrics of each of our test setups continuously. This includes their load times from multiple locations around the globe, and uptime percentage over the years. See the live status page of Namecheap linked below.

Performance this month

Cheapest managed experience with WordPress

* A quick explainer: by ‘managed WordPress experience,’ I mean a setup where you don’t have to handle technical tasks like installing WordPress, updating it, or managing plugins. Instead, you can focus solely on your content with minimal hassle. However, keep in mind that if you’re looking for both affordability and a managed solution, there will be tradeoffs. Most notably, you won’t be able to use WordPress plugins, and some other features may be limited.

WordPress.com

WordPress.com offers a fully hosted experience, making it an excellent choice for users who want a hands-off approach to website management. At $4.00 per month on a one-year plan, WordPress.com takes care of everything from software updates to basic security and backups. You don’t have to worry about the technical aspects of running your website – the team behind WordPress.com handles all of that for you.

However, this also means that if something goes wrong, you’re reliant on their team to fix it, with no direct access to troubleshoot or customize the backend.

For beginners or those who prefer simplicity, WordPress.com offers a limited selection of themes and customization options, which can help you get a site up and running quickly. However, this also means you’re restricted in how much you can modify your site unless you opt for higher-priced plans. If you’re on the $4.00 plan, you’ll only have access to a pre-set range of features and themes with minimal customization available.

One key limitation of WordPress.com’s lower-tier plans is that you can’t use third-party plugins unless you upgrade to the $25 per month plan. Without plugins, you’re limited to the core features provided by WordPress.com, which might be enough for simple blogs or websites but could be restrictive for users needing more advanced functionality.

Overall, WordPress.com is a solid choice for those seeking ease of use and minimal site management, but it’s less ideal for users who want full customization and control over their website’s features.

Not sure what the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com is? Read this.

Cheapest for hosting multiple WordPress sites

In this final category of budget hosts, it’s harder to pinpoint a single top choice. That’s because each host limits the number of sites differently – some allow 10, others 25, and some go up to 100 or even “unlimited.”

Rather than guessing how many sites you might need, I’ll provide a quick shortlist of hosts along with their site limitations. Afterward, I’ll introduce some new hosts that haven’t been mentioned yet.

Here are the entry level prices – when you sign up as a new customer:

Host# of sitesSingle monthMonthly on 1-year planMonthly on 2-year planMonthly on 3-year planRegular monthly
InMotion2$2.99$2.29$9.99
Bluehost10$15.99$1.99$4.95$11.99
InMotion25$15.99$4.79$4.99$12.99
Hostinger100$11.99$2.69$2.69$2.69 *$11.99
A2unlimited$11.95$5.95$4.95$3.95$15.99

* Hostinger offers a 4-year plan instead of a 3-year one.

Here’s the long-term cost of hosting with each company:

Host# of sitesFull 1-year costFull 3-year costFull 5-year costFull 10-year cost
InMotion2$35.88$82.44$322.20$921.60
Bluehost10$23.88$178.20$465.96$1,185.36
InMotion25$57.48$179.64$491.40$1,270.80
Hostinger100$32.28$208.44$273.00$800.40
A2unlimited$71.40$142.20$525.96$1,485.36

Now, let’s highlight a few newcomers to the list:

InMotion Hosting

InMotion Hosting is a great choice for users who need affordable hosting with the flexibility to manage multiple websites. With its entry-level plan starting at $2.99 per month for one year, you can host up to two websites, making it a solid option for users with exactly two small projects.

Over the long term, the cost remains competitive, too, with five years of hosting for two sites totaling $322.20 and 10 years costing $921.60.

For users managing more significant projects or needing to host even more websites, InMotion’s higher-tier plan at $4.79 per month allows for up to 25 websites, making it one of the best options for handling multiple sites at an affordable rate. The long-term pricing is also competitive, with five years of hosting 25 sites costing $491.40 and 10 years priced at $1,270.80.

This makes InMotion one of the best choices if you’re looking for a cost-effective solution to manage multiple websites over the long haul, with plenty of room to grow. InMotion also scored a good 8.00 rating in our latest survey.

Uptime last three months 𝒾We track the performance metrics of each of our test setups continuously. This includes their load times from multiple locations around the globe, and uptime percentage over the years. See the live status page of InMotion Hosting linked below.

Performance this month

A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting is a great choice if you’re looking for a hosting provider that can handle multiple websites without breaking the bank. Starting at $5.95 per month on a one-year plan, A2 gives you the freedom to host as many websites as you want. If you’re willing to commit to a three-year plan, you can bring the cost down to $3.95 per month, which makes it a really solid deal.

Over the long run, the prices do go up – $525.96 for five years and $1,485.36 for ten – but for unlimited websites, that’s still a lot of bang for your buck.

While A2 doesn’t throw in a free domain with their entry-level plan, they more than make up for it with unlimited SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, and a solid security suite. A2 is known for being fast and reliable, which is key if you’re running multiple sites or expecting higher traffic.

A2 Hosting has a user rating of 7.76 in our survey, so it’s clear people are happy with what they get for the price as well.

Uptime last three months 𝒾We track the performance metrics of each of our test setups continuously. This includes their load times from multiple locations around the globe, and uptime percentage over the years. See the live status page of A2 Hosting linked below.

Performance this month

Hostinger

Hostinger is a fantastic option if you’re looking for budget-friendly hosting that can handle multiple websites. Starting at just $2.69 per month on a one-year plan, Hostinger offers great value, letting you host up to 100 websites with 100 GB of disk space.

The first year costs just $32.28 in total, and if you’re planning for the long haul, the five-year cost comes in at a very affordable $273, making it one of the cheapest long-term options out there. Even the 10-year plan is relatively low at $800, which is a great deal if you’re looking to avoid price hikes down the road.

Despite the low price, Hostinger doesn’t cut corners on features. You get a free domain for the first year, SSL, and one-click WordPress installation, making it super easy to set up your sites.

It’s perfect for small to medium-sized websites, handling up to 25,000 visits per month, so whether you’re running a personal blog or a few small business sites, Hostinger has you covered. Customers rate Hostinger highly, too, giving it a solid 8.11 in our latest user survey.

Learn more about Hostinger in this in-depth review, or this handy guide to Hostinger pricing.

Uptime last three months 𝒾We track the performance metrics of each of our test setups continuously. This includes their load times from multiple locations around the globe, and uptime percentage over the years. See the live status page of Hostinger linked below.

Performance this month

My top recommendations

About our methodology

We’ve spent years developing a thorough process to test and review hosting providers, so we can give you the best recommendations possible. Since 2009, we’ve reviewed over 20 hosts, blending expert analysis with real user feedback and performance data. Our in-house team tests everything hands-on, but we also run annual surveys to get insights from everyday users like you.

Here’s how it works: we sign up for hosting plans, set up test sites, and load them with demo content. Then, we put the hosts through their paces by tracking how fast they load globally and monitoring their uptime. We rate them on pricing, features, and how they perform in real-world conditions. We also keep an eye out for hidden fees and discounts, and look closely at important features like storage and bandwidth.

Since 2016, we’ve been running user surveys to gather honest feedback on different hosting providers. These surveys run quietly on our sites, so the feedback is unfiltered and genuine, helping us understand the pros and cons of each host from a real user’s perspective.

I hope this guide has helped you find the perfect budget-friendly WordPress hosting option that suits your needs! Whether you’re looking for the cheapest solution for a new site or a long-term plan, there’s something here for everyone. If you have any questions or need more info about any of the hosts we covered, feel free to ask in the comments!