7 Tested Budget-Friendly WordPress Hosting Providers for 2025

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. You can see my top recommendations for each in this quick summary table:

Why listen to me? 🤔 How to read this comparison? 💡

You can find more details about the methodology at the bottom of this post, but here’s the short version: We test hosting providers by setting up experimental sites, running performance tests, and tracking factors like pricing and uptime over time. Since 2016, we’ve also gathered user feedback through surveys (the latest one was published on WPShout, our sister site) to provide a well-rounded view of each host’s strengths and weaknesses. The conclusions you’re seeing here are based on all this research.

For each host I list, I cover the pricing in several key ways:

• ✅ First, I focus on the entry-level plan in their lineup, since that’s probably what you’re most interested in. I show you the introductory price * you get as a new customer during the first term.
• ✅ I also provide longer-term calculations **, showing you what it would cost to stick with that host for five and ten years.

*

Web hosts do a lot to convince new users to sign up. Keep in mind, though, that you’re getting this low price for your first term only. Meaning, if your initial contract is valid for one year, then after that year, the price will increase.

**

Once your first contract is done, you’re going to need to renew at an increased price. I help you calculate what those long-term costs would be if you stay with the host for five and then ten years.

Here are the leaders in cheap hosting:

Cheapest hosts for a new WordPress website

Bluehost

Bluehost is a top pick for WordPress beginners who want the cheapest way to start a site.

A one-year plan starts at just $1.99 per month, totaling $23.88 upfront. That includes a free domain for the first year, one-click WordPress setup, and easy-to-use site builders – great for beginners who want a hassle-free start.

Performance is solid, with reliable uptime and fast loading speeds, especially in the U.S. and Europe. But after the first year, prices jump to $9.99 per month, then $11.99 the year after. That makes it less appealing for long-term use.

Still, the basic plan supports up to 10 websites, which is a great deal for 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.

Bluehost long-term price

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

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.

Yes, IONOS is cheaper than Bluehost. 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 also 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, be aware of one thing here with the prices listed. IONOS is tricky with its plan structure. So the cheapest plan for the first year is the second-tier plan. But then, it gets more expensive the second year. So to go for the cheapest solution available, you’d need to start with the second-tier plan at $1.00 per month, and then downgrade to the entry-level plan for the reminder of your IONOS adventure.

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.

IONOS long-term price

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 best cheap WordPress hosting options on the market, especially for long-term plans.

A one-year plan costs $2.91 per month, totaling $34.92 for the first year. But the real savings come with longer commitments – $230 for five years or $475 for ten. No other host offers a better long-term deal.

Despite the low price, performance holds up. The basic plan supports one site, includes 10 GB of storage, and handles about 50,000 monthly visits. It doesn’t include a free domain, but the hosting savings make up for it.

Users rated Namecheap 8.03/10 in our survey, praising its mix of affordability and performance. Uptime and load speeds are solid, too, which you can see below.

If you want the best long-term hosting deal and don’t mind buying a domain separately, Namecheap is a top choice.

Namecheap long-term price

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 – the commercial leg of the WordPress project – handles your entire WordPress experience all in one place, making it ideal for those who want something hands-off.

Pricing starts at $4 per month on a one-year plan or $2.75 per month for three years.

The WordPress.com team manages everything, so you don’t need technical skills. However, this also means that if something goes wrong, you have to count on them to fix it eventually. You also can’t customize the backend directly.

Beginners will find the limited themes and basic customization options easy to use. However, deeper customization requires upgrading to a pricier plan. The entry-level plan only includes preset themes and minimal options.

A major downside is the lack of plugin support on lower-tier plans, too. To use third-party plugins, you must upgrade to the $25 per month plan. Without them, you’re stuck with built-in features, which work for simple sites but may feel restrictive.

WordPress.com is great for hassle-free site management, but it’s not the best choice for users who want full control.

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

WordPress.com long-term price

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:

(You can sort through these tables by clicking on the head rows.)

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

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

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 $3.29 per month on a three-year contract, 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 $408.60 and ten years costing $1,026.00. Then, if you need more, InMotion’s $5.09 per month plan supports up to 25 websites, making it a nice budget-friendly option. Long-term pricing is competitive for that plan too. It adds up to $521.40 for five years or $1,342.80 for ten.

It’s a solid choice for managing several websites affordably while leaving room to grow. Users rated InMotion 8.00 in our latest survey.

InMotion Hosting long-term price for 2 websites

InMotion Hosting long-term price for 25 websites

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 just a solid pick for hosting multiple websites without overspending.

A one-year plan costs $7.99 per month – the plan that allows unlimited sites – but a three-year plan drops it to $5.99. That’s a great deal. Long-term rates increase accordingly, to $623.40 for five years and $1,654.80 for ten.

This plan doesn’t include a free domain, but you get unlimited SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, and strong security. A2 is fast and reliable, perfect for handling multiple sites or high traffic.

Users rated A2 Hosting 7.76 in our survey, showing strong overall satisfaction.

A2 Hosting long-term price for unlimited sites

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 $261.00, making it one of the cheapest long-term options out there. Even the 10-year plan is relatively low at $776.40, which is a great deal if you’re looking to avoid price hikes down the road.

It’s also good that Hostinger doesn’t cut corners on features. You get a free domain for the first year, SSL, one-click WordPress installations, and a nice overall user panel with all the features easily accessible.

It’s perfect for small to medium-sized websites. If you’re handling up to 25,000 visits per month, 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.

Hostinger long-term price

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

Since 2009, we’ve reviewed over 20 hosting providers using expert analysis, real user feedback, and performance data. Our in-house team tests everything hands-on, and we run annual surveys to gather insights from real users like you.

Here’s how we test: We sign up for hosting plans, set up test sites, and load them with demo content. Then, we track global load speeds, monitor uptime, and evaluate pricing, features, storage, and bandwidth. We also check for hidden fees and discounts to give you the full picture.

Since 2016, we’ve run anonymous user surveys to collect honest feedback on different hosting providers. These surveys help us understand what works (and what doesn’t) so we can recommend only the best hosts based on real experiences.

I hope this guide helped you find an affordable WordPress hosting option that fits your needs. If you have questions or need more details on any host, drop a comment!